Since I was born into a family of shepherds, my father     1     (理所当然地认为) I would be a shepherd too, but I didn’t think so. When I was a teenager, I watched a TV programme—Dunhuang and Its Glorious History and from then on a thought crept into my mind that I wanted to     2     (成为一名历史学家). My father happened to take me to Dunhuang once, and it was then that I    3     (坚定我的决心). The murals, the statues, and the scrolls in the grottos were very attractive to me.     4     (虽然我不是一个天才), I hold the firm belief that where there is a will, there is a way.

Tony, a trainee in an international company,     1     (下定决心要被公司正式录取) one day. He worked hard, never     2     (放过任何机会) to show his abilities. Fortunately, what he did was recognized by the person in charge, making it possible for him to realize his dream.     3       (最终), there came the test. Although Tony thought he     4     (能胜任这个职位), he felt like sitting on pins and needles. After     5       (权衡) in his mind, the person in charge announced the news that Tony who was thoughtful and capable was officially employed.

Nicholas, intrigued by adventure stories,     1     (出发去滑雪) with his father. They had a wonderful day. When they were to leave, Nicholas decided to go down unusual trails himself. Unfortunately, a fierce snowstorm swept the area and Nicholas was lost. He remembered the story he ever read, in which a man was abandoned in a wild area and had to help himself out. “I would not shrink from danger. It’s time to     2     (我学到的技巧付诸实践了),” he whispered. He determined to     3     (逃命). Although in a subdued mood, he would not retreat.     4     (再三考虑之后), he     5     (全身心地建一个雪洞) to keep himself warm. The next day, he was found by his father, safe and sound.

The little girl was very poor and her family     1     (负债累累). Walking past the bakery, she felt so hungry and a little dizzy. However, she couldn’t find money to purchase a piece of bread and she was     2     (充满了沮丧和悲伤). She hated theft. She told herself that when she had money, she would pay back. She held out her hand, grabbed the bread, and was about to turn around when she found the owner standing in front of her. Her mind     3     (头脑一片空白), and she had no idea how to respond. However, the owner told her the bread was put there for customers to have a taste and requested her to taste and make a comment! Many years later, although she     4     (积累了大量财富), she kept the habit of visiting the bakery.

Gordon had a remarkable talent for basketball but he wasn't good at     1     (与队友合作).     2     (正如所料), his team was defeated in the intense semi­final. Instead of losing his self­belief, Gordon     3     (继续练习，抓住一切机会加强与队友的合作).Their efforts finally paid off. Their team     4     (在篮球比赛中一举成名), which was     5     (超出了大家的预料).

The little girl     1     (正在专心玩耍，这时一条狗跑了过来). She cried out     2     (吓得) at the sight of the dog. The dog     3     (对胆小的女孩来说就像怪物一样可怕).     4     (从她的表情中感受到她深深的恐惧), Tom tried to comfort the little girl. He hugged the girl, drove away the dog and wiped her tears with tenderness. In fact, he     5     (只是假装不害怕).When the girl’s mother knew about what he had done, she exclaimed, “Thank you so much!” She offered to repay him, but Tom refused.

One day, I     1     (正在街上闲逛) when I saw an advertisement about adult education classes. As a 78­year­old man, I raised my head, wore a smile, and     2     (稳稳地走进了教师办公室 ).“    3     (很抱歉打扰您), but I want to sign up for the class,” I said. A woman teacher well past forty, widened her eyes, surprise written all over her face. “Of course, gentleman, welcome, ” she responded after a pause. “Come with me, please!” Entering the classroom, I sat down and felt a sense of pride. “    4     (对于一个真正的学习者来说，学习永远都不会太晚),” I whispered to myself.

Looking at the breakfast, the mother was dominated with profound happiness. She imagined     1     (她的两个孩子付出了多么艰苦的努力), knowing it’s an ambitious task for them.     2     (没有什么比他们对她的感情和爱更珍贵的了). The twins were eagerly staring at her,     3     (希望听到她的赞扬). She sat at the table, took a bite of the bread, and shook her head, pretending she didn’t like the food. After seeing the expressions of the children, she suddenly acclaimed, “Excellent! I’m the happiest mother in the world.”     4     (选择了一个漂亮的姿势), they took a photograph and posted it on the Internet.

    1     (八月一个多雾的早晨), we headed out for our one­week adventure. We had prepared for it for 3 days, so we     2     (充满信心) this adventure. During the first 2 days, we enjoyed the cool breeze and the fantastic coastline. Then, the rough roads made the adventure harder. Sleeping in the wild was     3     (如此的恐怖，以至于我们忍不住回想起家里的床). While crossing a lake, one of us was almost drowned. We got to doubt whether we could make it to the destination. At last, we got lost in the forest and returned home with the help of rescuers. Today, while telling the story, nobody can     4     (把这次冒险描绘成一件光荣的事).

Having held the championship for the past two years, I was chosen to participate in the competition. My teacher, Ms Sara,     1     (坚持让我多多练习) for the contest. “I have a bit of sore throat, ” I lied. I even told her not to worry as I     2     (我对任何事情都不困惑). However, when I stepped on the stage, my palms sweated heavily and     3     (声音颤抖). Finally, I walked off the stage and flushed with shame. “I     4     (本应该练习以提高我的能力),” I said to Ms Sara. Bending her head, she gently told me that getting well prepared for everything was of great importance.