Learning Chinese calligraphy     1     (list) as one of the must-do things when I came to China. Now, I’m in the course of learning this unique art,     2     value is considered very high in China, even across East Asia today. It is not only     3     ancient artistic form of human language, but it also reflects Chinese traditions.

As someone who paints, draws, and loves all     4     (create) things, at first, I assumed I would be rather good at Chinese calligraphy. I was     5     (total ) wrong. Using thick brush tips to produce awkward brush strokes (笔画)     6     (be) very difficult for a beginner. I have no idea about the different types of calligraphy and the meanings     7     ( hide) behind each one. Also, I have to hold the paintbrush     8     a very specific way; unlike a pen or pencil, the paintbrush is held upright in the hand. I need to be extra careful when changing the angle or     9     (direct) of the brush, especially if I press too hard on the paper.

After taking the lesson, I now understand the difficulty of calligraphy and that it will take efforts and commitment     10     (master) this art form. Yet, I am grateful to learn such a special Chinese tradition.

In most big cities, it is easier     1     (hire) a taxi at a moment’s notice when the weather is good. But when it’s raining, people have a much harder time finding one. One obvious reason is that many people     2     walk short distances during good weather prefer to take a taxi in the rain. Therefore, taxis tend to be more fully filled on     3     (rain) days. Besides, the supply of available taxis is also smaller because taxi drivers can     4     (easy) reach the target fares and go home early.

Phelps     1     (suffer) hyperactivity (活动过度) disorder as a child and     2     (encourage) to take up swimming at seven to control his energy. Over the years he developed into a champion swimmer, beating record after record. “I was trying     3     (see) what I could really do and where my potential could go”, said Phelps.

Discovering yourself plays an important role in inspiring your confidence. By doing so, you could know     1     you are weak in. And you may also realize you’re quite a great person     2     great strengths. So when you’re in a hard situation, you will believe in yourself and spend the most difficult time with confidence. Otherwise, you may give up and then lose everything. Therefore, the ability     3     (trust) yourself will decide your future a lot.

COP26,     1     (know) as “Conferences of the Parties”, was the latest in a series of meetings bringing together governments     2     (protect) the environment. Its main goal was     3    (take) measures against climate change — long-term changes in world weather patterns that are linked to human activities including farming, industry and transport. Gases such as carbon dioxide, which are produced by these activities, trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere and cause temperatures to rise,     4     (lead) to extreme floods, heatwaves and storms.

Most people believe when they are living     1    (comfortable) and earning enough money, they will have no worries. However, most people never feel they have earned enough. Jason Harley decided to drop out of this kind of lifestyle, and he discovered that having only a little money made him free. Are there any things he misses from his past? “No, I’m much     2    (happy) now, because I am living according to my values. Success is not measured by how much money you have but by     3     you understand the true meaning of life.”

If a sixth mass extinction occurs, scientists who have studied the issue believe that up to three quarters of all species on Earth could die out. Of course, as we humans depend on so many species for our survival, we would also be at risk of     1    (die)out. Our world and our lives depend on the balance in nature     2     animals and plants. Without forests, we would have no air, and without clean water we would be unable     3    (survive).

One morning, I told my husband jokingly that he’d dropped the ball because by that moment he     1     (make) me coffee and I was having trouble getting motivated to start the day. My five year old son overheard me and asked what “drop the ball” meant. I told him it was just something like making a mistake. A few minutes later, he came into our bedroom holding an overflowing coffee cup     2     a dishcloth underneath it to catch the drops. He said to my husband, “You dropped the ball, but I picked the ball up,” and he handed me the worst tasting, most watered down but     3     (sweet) cup of coffee ever.