1 . I was enjoying the summer when I was a middle school student. I got _______ news that I had a cancer which couldn't be cured. That meant my dream of going to college wouldn't be _______.

Suddenly I came to believe I couldn't _______   without a fight. I began to do online research to see if someone else could help me. _______ , I received a call from a doctor a week later, telling me “I can help you.” Those were the most _______ words I've ever heard.

However, the disease was much more serious than the doctor _______. I was told that after the operation, I would not be able to walk or might not hear. In spite of the _______, I decided to receive the operation. As it turned out, I completely lost the hearing in my left ear and my _______ of walking was damaged.

As the days went by, my thought of going to college didn't _______. So I took action and applied for a college degree through an online university. I had to balance my ________ and study when I was in poor health. Each step was such a challenge. But I held a ________ that there was a purpose to my life. I ________ what I could to do recovery exercises and study.

It took me three years not only to ________ the courses, but also to regain enough strength. My ________ returned and my balance improved. I felt ________ most that I received the degree. Whatever life throws at you, you are bound to succeed as long as you make a decision.

2 . Museums feature eye-catching spotlights and masses of collections in noisy downtown areas. However, many museums showing the unique local culture can now be found in the villages.

Located near a wide piece of cornfields in Xinjia Village is a museum about Mahu Opera, a traditional art of the Northeast China. Developed on a site formerly used as a primary school, this museum has five exhibition rooms with nearly 2,000 objects on show, including masks, costumes, instruments and books, most of which were donated by a local inheritor（继承者） of intangible cultural heritage. “By exhibiting them in the village, I hope to let more people know about the ancient form of art originating in the region,” said the inheritor.

In Xinjia village, with a population of only about 2,800, there are now five museums built near local houses. The museums are helping them know more about the past and record local history and encouraging tourists from cities to visit such regions. Villagers hope to promote the development of cultural tourism in the village and deliver a better living environment and also higher incomes to them.

Museums serve as cultural centers for villagers in rural regions. Besides a museum about cultural artworks related to Mahu Opera, there are other museums reflecting the history of this village situated in Shuangyang district in the city of Changchun, Northeast China. Shuangyang District, with more than 300 years of history in the field of deer breeding, has a “sika deer museum”. Wandering through the 7,200-square-meter building, people can learn in detail about this local history and tradition of raising deer, and its industry development process.

“We intend to preserve the cultural roots of Shuangyang and let people know about its civilization. People here have gone through hardships in developing the deer industry , and we need to pass on the qualities of hard work to our future generations through the museum.” said a founder of the museum.

3 . Danube River Rhapsody: A European Tapestry

Your adventure starts in Munich, Germany, where a guided city tour introduces the city’s rich heritage. Sail (航行) through charming towns like Emmersdorf, Austria, where you’ll taste local wines. You will see the artistic and music al beauty of Vienna. As the ship travels towards Linz, prepare for an unforgettable evening at the Captain’s Gala Dinner.

Discovering the Wonders of the Nile: An Egyptian Odyssey

You will start your adventure in Cairo, where a city tour introduces you to the famous Egyptian Museum. Sail past ancient temples, hidden cities, and breathtaking landscapes. Your journey ends in the beach of Hurghada, where you can see the sun on the golden sands of the Red Sea coast.

Discovering the Beauty of the Mekong: A Journey Through Vietnam and Cambodia

Board a seven-night Mekong River ship, where you’ll find floating villages and markets, endless rice paddies (稻田), and breathtaking scenery. You will see the beauty of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and experience one of the most unforgettable sunsets you’ll ever see.

Yangtze River Ship: A Voyage Through China’s Heart

The journey allows you to see the country’s ancient traditions with its modern wonders. Your exploration begins in Beijing. Continue your journey to Xi’an, where you will see the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, and the Giant Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu. Conclude your unforgettable adventure in Shanghai, experiencing the city’s energy and modern skyline.

If you’re interested in learning more about a river cruise, click here to our website to see what you can receive when you set sail.

4 . Scientists have confirmed the presence of a gray whale off New England in North America recently. The large sea animal disappeared from the Atlantic Ocean two centuries ago. Researchers with the New England Aquarium (水族馆) in Boston found the gray whale on March 1. The whale, which can weigh over 27,000 kilograms, was likely the same animal observed off the coast of Florida last year. Though the gray whale disappeared from the Atlantic Ocean by the 18th century, there have been five observations of the animal in the last 15 years.

They can be identified by the lack of a part of a body often seen on other whales: a back fin. Also, they can be identified by the look which is different from the humpback (座头鲸) and other whales. Gray whales can also be identified by the unusual sounds they make. The researchers said they were not sure at first. But after circling the area for 45 minutes, they were able to take photographs that confirmed it was a gray whale.

Scientists said they were thrilled to see the animal, but its presence probably has to do with the warming of the planet. The Northwest Passage, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic Ocean in Canada, has lacked ice in the summer in recent years. That means gray whales can travel through the passage in the summer when normally they would have been blocked. So the animal’s arrival off New England exemplifies the effect of climate change.

Gray whales were almost completely killed off by hunting during the years of commercial whaling. Today, the whales have recovered to the point where they are considered a species of “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. However, the western whales that live off the coast of Asia still belong to the endangered species.

5 . A couple of days ago, I was walking in a park when a gentleman, named Sam, sitting on a bench called me, “Sir, can you help me with this report?” I stopped and looked at it and it was his health report. I told him I am not a doctor but I can explain the contents of the report.

I told him the report showed he was diabetic (患糖尿病的). He said: “Sir, my doctor has given me some medicine and I have been taking it for a month and half. But why am I still diabetic?” I answered: “Please follow the diet given by your doctor and exercise regularly. Be positive and stay patient. You will see better results over the next couple of months.”

As I was about to leave, a friend of his sitting next to him stopped me and said, “Sir, he did not tell you one more thing. He used to be an alcoholic (酒鬼) for a long time. But now, since he knew the disease, he has reduced it to once a week from daily drinking.”

I smiled and gently told Sam: “It is great you have reduced your drinking to once a week. Can you now reduce it to once a month and then once in 3 months please? I will meet you right here in 3 months.” He smiled and agreed to do as I told him and meet me with a better health report. It seemed that he got the courage to quit drinking alcohol.

I felt maybe I could prepare a gift for the next meeting.

The classroom was so quiet that I only could hear their breath. I found that between classes, there were few students chatting or playing. It seemed that every student was buried in books and did exercises on and on. I knew the exam was drawing near and every student was preparing for it. Some of them even took books to the dining hall and there were others staying up studying. It was obvious that students took the exam seriously.

However, John, a top student in the class, wasn't among them. He used to work harder than anyone. Now, he was not only late for class but it was also typical of him to sleep in class. When I checked his exercise books, I found all blank（空白的）. I wondered what's wrong with him. So I called him out and asked him if he had trouble with his study. He bit his lip, lowered his head but explained nothing.

With puzzles increasing, I called his friend Mike into the office. Mike knew nothing about why his friend behaved so strangely. He also told me that John would be the first student to rush out of the classroom after school and refused to wait for him. And even when Mike invited John for their favorite football on weekend, John refused, saying he was busy, and hung off quickly. When I asked about John's family, Mike told me that John lived with his grandmother because his parents passed away many years ago. Though living a poor life, John's grandmother looked after him well. So John studied hard to live up to his grandmother's expectation.

Suddenly, I sensed maybe John was in need. So I asked Mike if he was willing to accompany me to John's house. To find out the truth, I decided to pay a visit to his family. Mike agreed and we set out without delay.

When the door was open, John was surprised at our arrival.

After the truth was discovered, we decided to take action.