1 . Running marathons is quite a challenge. Yet for Simon Wheatcroft, who ______ his sight at 18, there’s an extra difficulty. However, Simon, now 29, has not only been ______ in marathons for the past two years with the help of ______ runners but has also learned to run alone outdoors.

Simon’s unique ______ involved slowly memorizing a five-kilometre route by repeatedly walking it alone. He used a smartphone app that ______ audio feedback on his pace and distance. It helped him build a mental map of the route and its ______. “I did make a few ______ early on — like running into posts. But I’m going to ______ where that is next time,” he laughs.

At first running was a challenge that required great ______ for Simon. However, it has now become more natural for him. Compared with most runners, he ______ his running style to be more cautious, using shorter and more careful steps to sense the surroundings.

Despite risks of ______ obstacles, Simon values the freedom and ______ running gives him. He believes what he gets from running alone far outweigh any dangers, which has ______ his confidence and provided inspiration to others.

But for Simon the real motivation for his training come from simply ______ competition, giving him an ______ to run with everyone. “I can’t hide the fact I’m blind,” he says, “but meanwhile I would rather compete with everybody else and not be put into a special group.”

2 . Hope to have a cultural trip? Why not try these biggest and best exhibitions around the world?

Acts of Creation

The pains and joys of motherhood are not always described with as much care and detail as in this exhibition. With over 100 artworks by over 60 artists, three themes of motherhood — creation, maintenance and loss — will be explored through paintings, photographs, sculptures, sound and films.

Time: Until November 12

Location: Midlands Arts Centre, Bristol

From the Other Side

An exhibition on horror? It might not sound a good one for those who are not brave. However, you needn’t worry: this collection is far different from scary paintings. Instead, these artworks of 19 Australian artists aim to raise questions about horror in the women’s views.

Time: Until December 23

Location: ACCA, Melbourne

Modes and Characters

This museum exhibition is taking a look at the history of modern graphic design and explores how computer-based publishing technology has changed the world of design. Special focus is given to the work of Japanese designers and Japan’s different graphic culture, with individual exhibits ranging from magazine covers to the posters seen on trains.

Time: Until October 30

Location: 21 Design Sight, Tokyo

Hip Hop and Contemporary Art

Hip hop has had an influence on culture over the last 50 years, and this exhibition is taking a deep dive into its history. It ranges from fashion and photography to video and sculpture. Highlights include a large-scale installation from Lauren Halsey, the work of artist Hank Thomas, and photographs from Deana Lawson.

Time: November 5

Location: Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto

3 . My writing career began at the age of ten. That year, my mother gave me my first journal to help me deal with the ______ of my grandmother's death. In many ways, my grandmother was the ______ behind my own writing career.

When she was alive, my grandmother had ______ much emotional pain, but she also knew that writing was her key to ______ . While growing up in Galicia, Poland, during World War I, she ______ both her parents, and then had to care for herself and her eight-year-old sister. She found solace (慰藉) in journal writing.

Many years after her death, I ______ her journal and read every word. The void (空虚感) she had left in my life became stronger as the years progressed and I had my own health issues to ______ , such as being diagnosed with breast cancer at age 47. My ______ caused me to write down my grandmother's life story, based

Keeping journals has helped me ______ emotionally. Whether you're ______ by change, loss or pain, finding the time to write is ______ to the healing process. So why not ______ your pen and write down whatever comes to your mind?

4 . Primary and secondary school learners, university students, and guests were invited on Wednesday and were treated to a colorful celebration at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, to mark the beginning of the year of the dragon which officially starts on Saturday. The place featured beautiful decorations with red and gold colors and lucky symbols.

Visitors got an opportunity to participate in cultural experiences including painting, papercutting and pot throwing as well as experiencing Chinese cuisines like spicy hotpot, steamed stuffed buns (包子) , Chinese hamburgers, dumplings and barbecue among others. They were also treated to heartwarming performances including face-changing, lion dance, dragon dance, drumming, Chinese opera, Chinese songs and a talent show featuring Chinese traditional clothes as well as a mixture of Chinese and Kenyan fashion.

Leah Muthoni, a student at the University of Nairobi lauded the Chinese cuisines served at the event, especially noodles and dumplings. She also appreciated the decorations, drawings, pictures and performances. Similar feelings were also shared by George Mwita, another student from the University of Nairobi who greatly enjoyed the pot throwing game.

In his welcoming speech, Professor Stephen Kiama, the vice headmaster of the University of Nairobi who doubles up as the Kenya director of the Confucius Institute, hoped this year will be a good year of development because the Chinese dragon horns represent power and strength, while the drums represent courage and energy.

Kiama said the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi has achieved a lot since its establishment in 2005, including winning the Confucius Institute of the Year Award seven times and pioneering the establishment of the Bachelor of Arts in the Chinese language in Kenya. “Last year, with the joint efforts of the various parties and stakeholders we established the first bachelor of education in Chinese in Kenya and we admitted the first group of students,” he said. Kiama hopes that this year the Confucius Institute will gain more force with the blessing of power, courage and vitality from the year of the Chinese dragon. He said the Confucius Institute offers a good platform for cultural exchange between China and Kenya through events like the Chinese Lunar Year celebrations. Kiama hoped that the relationship between China and Kenya would further be strengthened by the blessings of the year of the dragon.

In Chinese methodology (方法论) , the dragon has the power to control seasons, time and harvests, and it’s seen as a symbol of wealth. The Chinese consider dragons to be powerful. sympathetic, wise, kind and warm.

It’s widely accepted that exposure to a little dirt can be beneficial for health. This idea is supported by many studies suggesting that those who grow up in     1     with various microbes, such as farms, often have lower rates of diseases. This is believed to originate from their regular contact with a variety of microbial life.

In the 1970s, researchers discovered a soil bacterium with features that potentially reduces stress and boosts immune (免疫) response. This finding has contributed to the     2     of interest in the human microbiome (微生物群), leading people to focus on its development and applications.

Christopher A. Lowry, a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, suggests the major microbial diversity we encounter is simply through experiencing     3     in person. This interaction is crucial not just for children but adults as well, improving both mental and physical     4    . A Finnish study further demonstrated this by     5     children in kindergarten with either a forest floor or an artificial yard. Those in contact with the natural environment showed stronger immune systems, and the effects were consistent over time.

Researchers conclude that participating in     6     activities like mountain biking, hiking, and gardening not only exposes individuals to these helpful microbes but also helps reduce symtoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Gardening, for instance, offers a healing experience,     7     real connection with the soil as you plant and care for vegetables or flowers.

Moreover, creating habitats that attract wildlife or participating in community agriculture can also motivate one’s exposure to beneficial soil microbes. Websites like U-Pick Farm Locator and PickYourOwn.org offer     8     to participate in farming, even for those without their own garden space.

Getting invovled with soil and nature in     9     ways, such as making mud pies or building fairy gardens, proves effective in mental improvement. It echoes the idea that direct     10     with the earth can be profoundly satisfying and pleasant.

Mathea Allansmith isn’t your typical grandmother. She’s the oldest woman in the world     1     a marathon. She was 92 years 194 days old when she crossed the finish line at the 2022 Honolulu Marathon,     2     the oldest female to finish a marathon.

Mathea, now 94, of Koloa, Hawaii, USA, stays in shape all year round by running seven days a week, no matter what the weather is. Whether there is rain or sunshine, she covers 36 miles every week, even when she’s on holiday. The retired doctor didn’t     3     running until she was 46 years old—after a friend     4     she should run two miles per day.

“The Honolulu Marathon is my     5     marathon mainly because it doesn’t close the gate     6     , which allows even the slowest runner to finish the race,” she said. “It’s one of the best races.

Mathea, who doesn’t allow her age to slow her     7     , thinks she is the happiest person when she’s on the road. She enjoys running for miles and waving and saying hello to the people she passes. To stay in shape, Mathea keeps a steady training routine (惯例) . “I train all year round but increase the mileage (里程) 18 weeks before a marathon,” she said.

Mathea said it was her     8     as a doctor that allowed her to understand how her body and mind     9     diet and exercise. “I see the direct relation between moving and health,” she said. “It is important to reduce stress     10     ignoring it without a plan on how to do so. Of course, exercise of any kind is a natural stress reducer.”

While driving 80 miles per hour along the road on Wednesday, I knew I was going too fast. My dog, Jett, was dying in the backseat. I thought to myself, “Jett must be suffering a lot now.” Though he had had a couple of     1     (fault) , I enjoyed accompanying him and saw him     2     our family member.

About half an hour earlier, I received a call from my daughter. A ball got stuck in Jett’s throat. My instant reaction was that I shouldn’t hesitate     3     (set) out to race home to see if I could help, but I couldn’t. So my daughter and I began our race to the vet’s (兽医诊所) .

About halfway there, we got caught in the traffic jams due to the construction. There I met with Cavaja Holt and his workmates. I told them what had happened to my dog. Holt stuck his hand down the dog’s throat and pulled out the ball, but Jett still wasn’t breathing.

And the guy behind Holt shouted out, “Breathe into his mouth!” Amazingly, it worked     4     (effective) ! After the dog might be saved, I continued my trip to the vet’s to make sure Jett was OK. The staff there checked the dog over and said, “     5     (save) timely, Jett is in good health now.” Then I took     6     deep breath.”

I thought I ought to     7     (show) my gratitude to the man. My daughter posted the story on the Internet, asking to locate him. The story was an     8     (inspire) for the society. Meanwhile, Holt posted the story too, hoping to find out how the dog was doing. Within minutes, someone     9     (contact) the two and they got in touch with each other. On Thursday morning, I drove back to the construction site     10     Holt and his colleagues worked and thanked Holt in person.