I am fond of my sister but she has one     1     (extreme) serious shortcoming. She can be really stubborn(顽固的). Although she didn't know the best     2     (transport ) to get to places, she insisted that she    3     (arrange) the trip properly. Now I know that the proper way is always her way. I kept     4     (ask) her, “When are we packing the things and leaving and when are we coming back?” I asked her     5     she had looked at a map yet. Of course she hadn't; my     6     (power) sister doesn't care about details.

When I told her that the source of the Mekong is in Qinghai Province and that our journey would begin     7     an altitude of more than 5,000 metres, she seemed to be     8     (excite) about it. When I told her the air would be hard     9     (breathe) and it would be very cold, she said it would be an interesting experience. I knew my sister well. Once she has made     10     her mind, nothing can change it. Finally I had to give in.

China is     1    (wide) known for its ancient civilisation. There are many reasons     2     this has been possible, but one of the main factors has been the Chinese     3     (write)system.

    4     the beginning, written Chinese was a picture-based language. By the Shang Dynasty, these symbols     5    (become) a well-developed writing system. By the Qin Dynasty, the Chinese writing system began to develop     6     one direction. The writing system was of great     7    (important) in uniting the Chinese people and culture.

By written Chinese, China’s present is     8    (connect) with its past. Today, the Chinese writing system     9    (be) still an important part of Chinese culture. And more and more people are beginning to appreciate China’s culture and history through this     10    (amaze) language.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in Canada has organized a group of doctors to help sick people in the past few months. The doctors will send patients to art galleries, instead of     1    (give) them medicine. The museum is involved in ten experiments on patients to find out how art has an effect     2     health. The patients include people with breast cancer (乳腺癌), eating disorders and mental health     3     (problem). Thomas Bastien, director of education and wellness at the museum, believes that art can heal. He said, “We saw that the museum was good for people, so we     4     (decide) to start this program with the doctors a few months ago. If you have breast cancer, you can come to the museum and you might feel much     5     (well)”.

Dr Helene Boyer,     6     has a lot of experience in helping to heal people with art treatment, spoke about its advantages. She said, “There’s more and more scientific evidence that art treatment is good for your physical health.” She said that looking at art increases     7     same kinds of hormones (激素) in our bodies that     8     (produce) when we exercise. The museum’s director-general said, “I am     9     (complete) sure that in the 21st century, art will be what physical activity was for health in the 20th century. I am very     10     (confidence) in it.”

The Internet has greatly changed our lives by online     1     (community) and social networks. Jan Tchamani had to quit her teaching job because she suddenly     2     (develop) a serious illness. Then she found     3     (surf) the Internet could remove the     4     (distant) that usually exists between people. The people she met online inspired her so much     5     she decided to start an IT club to help older people how     6     (use) computers and the Internet. She believes that it is     7     (high) important to bridge the digital divide and make sure that everyone has access     8     the Internet and knows how to use new technology. Her next goal     9     (be) to start a charity website to raise money for children in poor countries. In     10     word, Jan’s life has been greatly improved by the Internet.

Have you imagined     1     (sing) together with hundreds of other people while you are at home alone? In fact, you can do this in a virtual choir. Anyone can take part in a virtual choir from anywhere and all you need is     2     video camera and an Internet connection. A virtual choir helps connect ordinary people together and     3     (enable) them to add their voices to those of other individuals     4     become part of the global community. Eric Whitacre,     5     (bear) in the USA on 2 January 1970, came up with the idea of the virtual choir. He graduated     6     university in 1995, and then received a     7     (master) degree in musical composition from the Juilliard School in New York in 1997. Over the next 10 years, Whitacre’s     8     (origin) compositions began to become quite popular among choirs and singers. This led to the     9     (create) of the virtual choir. The virtual choir is a wonderful way for people around the world     10     (sing) with one voice and thus make the world a better place.

The United Kingdom is made up of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. England is the     1     (large) and for convenience it is divided     2     (rough) into three zones. London is the centre of national government and its administration, with its fine museums, art collections as well     3     the oldest port.

Why did Northern Ireland join England? In the early twentieth century the English government tried     4     (form) the United Kingdom by getting Ireland joined to it without conflict.

However, the southern part of Ireland was unwilling and     5     (break) away from the UK to form its own government. To their credit, the countries do work together in the currency, international relations and soon, but they still have very different     6     (institution).

It is     7     pity that in England the     8     (industry) cities do not attract visitors. People can go to the older but smaller towns     9     (build) by the Romans for historical architecture and to the countryside     10     great scenery as well.

My name is Wang Kun, Ever since middle school, my sister Wang Wei and I     1    (dream) about taking a great bike trip to some     2    (destination) , one of which is the Lancang River. Two years ago she bought an     3    (extreme) expensive mountain bike and then she persuaded me to buy one.

Last year, she     4    (pack) and visited our cousins Dao Wei and Yu Hang at their college in Kunming. They are Dai(傣族人) and grew up in western Yunnan Province near the Lancang River, the Chinese part of the river that     5    (call) the Mekong River in other countries. Wang Wei soon got them interested     6    bike riding too. After graduating from collge, we finally got the chance to take an     7    (amaze) bike trip. I asked my sister, “Where are we going?” It was my sister     8     first had the idea     9    (hike) or ride along the whole Mekong River from where it begins to where it ends. Now she is planning our schedule for the trip,     10     makes me admire her greatly.

The Olympic Games are the       1    (big) sports meeting in the world,     2    include two kinds, the Summer and the Winter Olympics. Both of them     3    (hold) every four years. All countries can take part     4     their athletes have reached the agreed standards for the games. Women are not only allowed     5    (compete) in the games but play a very important role. A special village is built for the competitors to live in, where there is a main reception building, several     6    (stadium) for competitions, a gymnasium as well as seats for those who watch the games. It’s a great honor     7    (host) the Olympic Games. The olive wreath     8    (replace) by medals. But it’s still about     9    (be) able to run faster, jump higher and throw     10    (far).