I am writing to apply for a position at Student Post, which I saw advertised in the school newspaper last week. I     1     (被……吸引) the role of reporter for local events. I enclose a copy of my CV.

I would like to work for you because I am very interested in becoming a journalist. I would also     2     (喜欢学习) more about the things that are going on in the city, as I feel that it is important to know about the city we live in.

I am a hard-working and committed person. I     3     (参加过) a volunteer programme, visiting elderly people in my area for the last three years. Moreover, I feel that I can get on well with people from different backgrounds     4     (在整个工作期间).

I think I have the language skills to be a good reporter. I have always been good at writing and I have read many novels. Last year, I won second prize in our District Writing Competition. In a word, I will     5     (全力以赴) in this job.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Li Meiling

We need to train ourselves to be better learners — to actively take part in the learning process and to     1     (反思) what we have learnt. These kinds of learning behaviours are called “active learning”.

When you get information from someone or somewhere, ask some questions about the topic. The answers will lead you to further learning.     2     (不要停止好奇).

If someone says that dinosaurs     3     (很可能会存在) today, think about why they believe this. Do they have enough data to support their views? If you try to find out the source of an idea, you will increase your chance of learning something.

Many people miss out on     4     (获取知识的机会) because they let their feelings get in the way. Active learners do not judge people based on first impressions or personal feelings. Instead, they separate the message from the messenger. This goes the other way as well — do not just     5     (认为，以为) that experts or authorities are always right because of who they are.

Though an increasing number of international students are learning Chinese, it may be     1     (对他们而言学好汉语很费力).

    2     (这在语言学习中是常有的事，定语从句),    3     (学习汉语也需要练习). Firstly, it’s of great importance to read     4     (与汉语相关的书籍，定语从句). Additionally, to improve your spoken Chinese, you should communicate more with the     5     (native). The more you communicate with the natives in Chinese,    6     (你就会说得越流利). Aside from that, it’s helpful to watch some Chinese films or TV programs. Finally,    7     (有积极的态度) no matter what trouble you may have learning it.

    1     (我的头陷入大南瓜里), I     2     (如此震惊以至于) my throat tightened and my knees felt weak, various terrible thoughts     3     (涌入我的心头). I     4     (努力把头从南瓜里拔出来), but in vain.     5     (不顾我正遭受的事情), my brother should tap the huge pumpkin, giggling. Grinning from ear to ear, my father     6     (来帮助我), saying comfortably, “Keep calm！” I was successfully rescued and     7     (一阵感激之情向我袭来), tears rolling down my cheeks, like a broken line of beads.

    1     (我写信感谢你的及时救援), without which my life couldn’t return to normal.

A few days ago,     2     (一场极其可怕的地震袭击了我的家乡), leaving many houses in ruins.     3     (shock) to find everything buried under the fallen houses, I burst into tears.     4     (世界似乎到了尽头). Thankfully, although you were strangers, you     5     (不遗余力) provide enough food and water for us to survive on. With strong support from the government and your generous aid, a new town was built upon the earthquake     6     (ruin).

I can’t express my gratitude too much.

Yours sincerely,

Li Hua

I like sharing the saying with others that music is to me what air is to life.     1     (众所周知),    2     (音乐被认为是世界上最美的语言). It not only     3     (对我的生活有很大的影响), but it also offers me energy and power when I     4     (专心学习) or get stuck in difficulties.

Among     5     (vary) styles of music，I     6     (爱上流行音乐) since my childhood. It makes me happy when I feel upset and     7     (使我能够度过任何艰难时期) with a peaceful mind.     8     (此外), I feel confident when singing a pop song.

Bernard and John     1       (专心于爆玉米花). Hearing the crackling of the corn, they were over the moon, picturing many customers     2       (爱上他们的爆米花). To their satisfaction, they made it at the first attempt and     3       (他们松了一口气). Then they put the popcorn into paper bags, rode a tricycle and headed for a nearby market like happy birds. Their promotion plans     4     (证明有效). With the money earned, Bernard could send for a doctor     5     (治愈父亲的疾病), believing that his family     6     (度过这个难关).

    1     (我看到了大卫，他非常沮丧). Seeing me, he held my hands tightly, whimpering, “Our school's coach has     2     (要求我决定是否参加这次越野赛). I am afraid that the kids from other schools will     3     (对我评头论足).” Although a brain disease prevented him from walking or running like other children, his classmates viewed him as a regular kid and     4     (钦佩他令人惊奇的意志力). Finally,     5     (使我惊喜的是) he promised to run and he swung his feet toward the starting line.