1 . As an ordinary senior school student, I’ve discovered a wonderful way to _________ life with a positive attitude — my daily bicycle rides. Riding my bike has become more than just a fun activity. It’s like a little _________ that has taught me important lessons about staying positive, facing challenges and being _________.

When I get on my bike and ride around familiar streets, it feels like I’m on a small quest. It’s not just about reaching a(n)_________; it’s about enjoying the ride itself. Cycling has turned into a kind of teacher, helping me understand the _________ of practice and having a can-do spirit. One of the coolest things I’ve learned is about not giving up when things get hard. You know, when I’m trying to pedal up a steep hill, it’s hard! But guess what? Even when my legs feel super tired, I keep going and do not give up, till I reach the _________. Life is kind of like that too. When I have a challenging task or any problems in my studies, I remember those steep hills. I know if I keep trying, I can _________ anything.

Another thing that cycling has taught me is to be ready for surprises. The road isn’t always _________. Sometimes there are bumps, and you have to ride around them. When something is wrong with my bike, I do not _________. I try to find a solution. Life’s a bit like that too. It’s not always easy, but being flexible and staying positive helps me rise to the challenge and handle __________ problems.

The most important part, though, is how cycling makes me feel happy and __________. The wind in my hair and the rhythm of pedaling makes everything seem OK. It’s like a secret power — no matter what’s going on, it keeps me happy, lets me __________ my batteries, and lets me come back feeling __________.

In the end, my daily bike rides have become more than just a way to get around. They’ve become a(n) __________ for how I want to live my life. Cycling has shown me that being positive, facing challenges with __________, and keeping an optimistic attitude can turn the life journey into a fantastic adventure. So, here’s to more bike rides and more fun!

5 . Beyond the classroom, the US provides various job opportunities that allow students to gain practical experience, earn income and enhance their skill sets. Here are some of the diverse employment avenues available for international students while attending university in the US.

Many US universities offer on-campus employment opportunities for international students, providing a convenient and accessible way to earn income while pursuing their studies. These positions may include roles in libraries, administrative offices, student centers, or even research assistantships within academic departments. On-campus employment is typically limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year, allowing students to balance work and study commitments.

Off-campus employment opportunities are also available, although with certain restrictions. The two primary categories of off-campus employment are optional practical training (OPT)and curricular practical training (CPT). OPT allows students to work in their field of study for up to 12 months (or 24 months for STEM fields)after graduation, providing valuable real-world experience. CPT, on the other hand, permits students to engage in practical training directly related to their academic program while still attending their university.

Many US universities have robust internship and cooperative education programs that connect students with industry partners. These programs offer international students the chance to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings, fostering skill development and industry connections. Internships, whether paid or unpaid, are valuable stepping stones that often lead to full-time employment opportunities after graduation.

For students pursuing advanced degrees, research assistantships provide a unique opportunity to work closely with faculty on cutting-edge research projects. These positions not only contribute to academic and professional growth but also offer financial backing. Research assistantships can be found in various disciplines, including science, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

6 . Not many drinks can offer the health benefits of tea, the strength of coffee, and the joy of chocolate like this super brew, yerba mate. Along with supposed benefits of supporting weight loss, concentration, and better digestion, drinking yerba mate continues to symbolize culture and tradition in South America.

Consumed mostly in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil — as well as in Syria and Lebanon — yerba mate (pronounced MAH-tay)is a hot, bitter, caffeinated tea made by steeping the dried leaves of the yerba mate plant. Containing roughly as much caffeine as coffee, about 80 milligrams per cup, mate has gained global popularity — much so that brands like Perrier, Red Bull, and PepsiCo have launched mate drinks.

But in the last couple of decades, mate started experiencing a boom outside of South America. Karla Johan, a mate sommelier (侍酒师) from Argentina, attributes this partly to football players from Argentina and Uruguay bringing the habit to Europe, where they moved to play for local teams. In fact, one might say that mate is the “beverage of champions”. When Argentina’s national football team travelled to Qatar in December 2022 to play and won the World Cup, they carried 240 kg of yerba mate with them.

Yerba mate, of course, eventually migrated over to the U. S. and in recent years has become a popular ingredient in everything from health elixirs (保健药) to energy drinks. Loose leaves can be purchased at most specialty grocery stores to make the drink at home. And if you want to get the full yerba mate experience, you can even order a cup for drinking mate and bombilla online, gather some friends, and enjoy the beauty of the South American ritual for yourself.

Global messaging platform WhatsApp recently introduced a mate emoji, which points to mate’s growing popularity as people aim for a healthier lifestyle. That’s because mate, said Johan, contains a higher level of antioxidants than green tea or red wine, and a powerful combination of vitamins from the clay soil where it grows. In Argentina, mate is common, a faithful companion for matters great and small. Yet, unlike coffee or tea, it is not consumed in cafes: It’s what you have at home and at work, in the park and on the train, during class or at the gym.

7 . Smart entertainment is changing how we engage with leisure. By combining cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), augmented reality, and the internet of things with traditional forms of entertainment, this innovation is enhancing users’ experiences.

In 2023, Huawei introduced its Vision Smart TV3, transforming your home into your own amusement park. This innovative technology features groundbreaking AI super-sensing cameras and AI vision chips powered by deep learning and big data. These advanced components see and study your movements, enabling you to control characters through your body gestures. Social media is busy with users sharing their experiences of playing motion-sensing games, which require real-life movements like jumping and squatting instead of simply holding a controller.

The Vision Smart TV is not only cutting-edge but also family-friendly. Turning on the kids mode allows the screen to monitor real-time data, offering suggestions for adjusting a child’s viewing distance and posture. This provides a safe and comfortable entertainment experience for the younger audience. TorieZ, a Huawei Vision Smart TV3 owner and a mother of a 3-year-old daughter, shared her experience on Xiaohongshu. “Thanks to the smart screen, my child maintains good posture without constant supervision because her favorite cartoons stop if she slouches (懒洋洋地坐),” she said. When she’s free, TorieZ and her husband enjoy exercising together under the instructions of the TV.

We can not only play video games merely on the screens; now, with smart entertainment, you can get an immersive experience of Mario Kart, a racing video game, put right into your living room. While playing the game, players can control their karts running in their living rooms. Each kart has an onboard camera on it. The camera can record the layout of where they are and upload it to the Nintendo system. After processing it, some settings, like jungles and snowy landscapes, are created based on the layout and shown on the Switch screen. So, things in your living room, like the sofa and table, your feet or even your cat, can be a part of your game.

Step outside and you can also enjoy smart entertainment experiences. Shanghai Disney Resort uses big data analysis to offer personalized services. In the US and South America, VR World, the largest VR club, gives users super real gaming and travel adventures.

Looking forward, cutting-edge technologies will continue to change how we spend our leisure time.

Recently, you may have noticed some new trends in the fashion industry, from “dopamine (多巴胺) dressing” to “tomato girl”. Now, it is the perfect time     1     (try) something new with the “Maillard style” that’s getting popular on social media.

The term “Maillard” originally refers to the Maillard     2     (react). This phenomenon is well-known in Western cuisine. It describes a chemical change that produces flavor chemicals and browning in foods such as toast and steak, as     3     (note) by BBC Science Focus.

    4     (similar), Maillard-inspired fashion creates clothes     5     show different kinds of brown, like rich reddish-browns, warm yellow-browns, and delicate off-whites(米色). This makes     6     easier for people to think of the rich tastes food brings,     7     (create) pleasant emotions in their brains.

    8     (compare) to the bright colors of “dopamine dressing” and the fresh “tomato girl” look, the dark earth colors that Maillard style uses reflect the autumn season and give people a     9     (comfort) feeling.

The style has also become     10     hit among many famous brands. At fashion shows showing off their new autumn products, brands like Miu Miu, Hermes, and Miuccia Prada have all presented Mailard-themed clothes one after another.