In the past year, I had an unforgettable experience of learning tai chi. Honestly speaking, I admitted that I     1     (feel) hesitant at first but with time passing by, it really had a huge effect on me     2     (physical) and mentally. Not only were I deeply impressed by the moves that caught my imagination, such as “white crane spreading its wings” and “golden rooster standing on one leg”, but also I     3     (inspire) to explore Chinese culture.

It is all about keeping a balance between yin and yang,     4     are believed to form the unity of opposites. The practice of taichi aims     5     (maintain) the balance of our body through opposite     6     (movement): up and down, left and right, forwards and backwards, breathing in and breathing out. By performing the routine, tai chi eventually brings     7     a state of physical and mental peace. No wonder it is a best way to relax your mind and body.

I also experienced a short period of tiredness and boredom. Thanks to the patient guidance of professional coach, I gradually found to my     8     (satisfy) that I could focus on peace of mind and sleep better,     9     (enable) me to stay cool under pressure. I am sure I will continue to practice tai chi and enjoy     10     benefits it has brought me.

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.