Happy 18th birthday! You’ve officially reach     1     (adult) in a lot of ways, even though I know you’re already mature beyond your years.

Many bittersweet events will happen in the next ten years. There will be highs. Stick to     2     (cherish) every single second. There will also be lows, and you may feel     3     (dishearten). But you’ll surely be committed to     4     (make) it through, and    5     (gradual) you’ll get stronger than before.

The world will always throw new challenges at you.     6     a consequence, your strength will be tested again and again. Looking back to what has happened over the last decade, I feel proud of how far you’ve come. Approve     7     everything that contributes to your     8     (become) fearless and independent.

As you become an adult, jump at every opportunity     9    comes your way. Celebrate every chance you get. No doubt you’ll always ponder     10    it and make the right decision.

Happy birthday, Kelsey! See you in ten years.

28-­year-­old Kelsey

Xie Lei left her hometown to study in London as an exchange student. The first challenge was     1     she had to adapt to life in a different country. She learned how     2     (ask) for things she didn’t know the English names for. And she chose to live with a host family, because living with them     3     (comfortable) could ease her homesickness. Another challenge for Xie Lei is the     4     (academy) requirements. She had to read a lot to form a wise opinion of her own. Students’ participation in class     5     (include) as part of the final result. After having worked hard for a few weeks, Xie Lei found herself     6     (speak) up in class. And her     7     (present) on traditional Chinese art was a great success, which boosted her confidence.

As well as studying hard, Xie Lei had been involved     8     social activities. British people were fascinated by Chinese culture and eager to learn more about     9    . So while she was learning about business, she     10     (act) as a cultural messenger building a bridge between China and England.

Six months ago, Xie Lei boarded a plane for London. Because it was the first time that she     1     (leave) China, she had to adapt    2     life in a different country. Not     3     (live) in campus accommodation like other students, Xie Lei    4     (choose) to live with a host family     5    can help with her adaption to     6    new culture. Another challenge for her is the     7     (academy) requirements. Her tutor wanted to know what she thought. Xie Lei really felt confused because she thought she knew less than other people.     8    through her hard work,     9     (eventual) she got a perfect presentation. Now halfway through her exchange year, we wish     10     (she) all the best.

The Great Barrier Reef is almost the size of Japan, which can be seen from outer space. The reef is made up of living coral     1    (grow) on dead coral. It is host     2     different kinds of birds and sea creatures. However, this unique place is under threat, so volunteers are required     3    (take) care of the reef. The working hours are flexible and accommodation     4    (provide).

The candidates are supposed to find out     5     the reef has to offer and report back through     6    (week) blogs, photo diaries and video updates and will also be asked to promote the islands through newspapers, magazines and TV     7    (interview).

The job was finally offered to Ben Southall from the UK. Ben did a lot when he worked as     8     island caretaker. He made appearances     9    (frequent) on TV to argue in favour of the defence of the islands and wrote a book about his experiences. He later joked that the job should have     10    (advertise) as “the busiest job in the world”.

Epidemics caused by several different factors, have been happening for as long    1     there have been people living on Earth. Each disease can only officially     2     (classify) as an epidemic when it causes a certain number of deaths.  

Jim Smith who tried to compare the bird flu epidemic occurring in 1997    3     other deadly epidemics in our history conducted a study. He found one of the earliest epidemics on record happened between about 500 and 550 CE. Up to 50% of the area’s population died from the epidemic,     4     returned in the 1330s in Asia, known as “The Black Death”, spreading rapidly to Europe.  

The Great Flu Epidemic also known as the Spanish Flu, which is believed     5     (be) the most severe epidemic in history, broke out in 1918, just near the end of World War Ⅰ,     6    (kill) up to 50 million people. The SARS epidemic lasting from 2002 to 2003 initially     7     (appear) in Guangdong Province, spread to Canada, Vietnam and Singapore and infected about 8, 000 people.     8    according to official records the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) killed 11, 310 people in West African countries only, the actual number of deaths is probably much higher. The virus was extremely     9     (infect) and the survival rate was very low in some areas.  

Faced with the epidemics, governments are     10     (globe) working together to make medical research, coming up with cures and saving lives.