1 . In my childhood, there were no smart phone s or computers. _________, I never felt bored. The field, hills and woodlands around my home were the perfect playground. I can remember once hiking to a nearby _________ and walking slowly around it. At the back of it I was amazed to find an old dirt road that I had never seen before. It was full of muddy tyre tracks and deep woods bordered it on both sides, but _________ it still seemed like a fine adventure.

I _________ on and on for what seemed like hours. I was sure someone was _________ in my ears to ask me to turn around and head back home but I was _________ and even a bit stupid, so I walked on. There was still neither a car nor a house _________. My legs were getting tired. I noticed that the sun was starting to go down and I grew _________. I didn’t want to end up trapped on this road in the dark night, and I was worried that it would be dark _________ I could make my way back to the lake again.

I continued to walk on with the fear growing inside of me. My heart was __________ and my legs were aching. When I turned one last corner and __________ my house, I jumped up and down and laughed out loud. I knew the way home! It was still over a mile away, but legs felt like feathers. I __________ into the house with a big smile just in time for dinner. Then I ended my adventure with a good night’s sleep.

I remembered this recently when I saw a __________ that said, “All roads lead home.” This is true. I also remembered a sage（智者） compared life to a journey. Are we going to make this life a terrible trip or are we going to make the life a joyful one? It __________ our own choice.

All roads no matter how they twist and turn, can __________ us home in our hearts. May you always walk your path with love! May you always help your fellow travelers along the way!

Jan Tchamani suddenly got a serious illness and had to give up her job. At     1     age of 50, she found     2    (she) out of work and stuck at home with only her computer to keep her company.     3     she did on the Internet made her feel less lonely and     4     (bore). She realized that the Internet had the ability     5     (remove) the distance that usually exists between people.

    6     (inspire) by the people she met online, she started an IT club, which was to teach older people how to use computers and the Internet. Many people     7     (help) by the club since it was started.

Jane has started taking online classes to learn more about how to use the Internet. She believes that it is     8    (high) important to bridge the digital divide and make sure that everyone has access     9     the Internet and knows how to use new technology. Her next goal is to start a charity website to raise money for children in poor     10    (country).

3 . Twelve-year-old Catherine has a lot of friends—632, actually, if you count up her online friends. And she spends a lot of time with them.

But is it possible that Catherine’s online friendships could be making her lonely? That’s what some experts believe. Connecting online is a great way to stay in touch, they say. However, some experts worry that many kids are so busy connecting online that they might be missing out on true friendships.

Could this be true? During your parents’ childhoods, connecting with friends usually meant spending time with them in the flesh. Kids played Scrabble around a table, not words with friends on their phones. When friends missed each other, they picked up the telephone. Friends might even write letters to each other.

Today, most communication takes place online. A typical teen sends 2,000 texts a month and spends more than 44 hours per week in front of a screen. Much of this time is spent on social media platform.

In fact, in many ways, online communication can make friendships stronger. “There’s definitely a positive influence. Kids can stay in constant contact, which means they can share more of their feelings with each other,” says Katie Davis, co-author of The App Generation.

Other experts, however, warn that too much online communication can get in the way of forming deep friendships. “If we are constantly checking in with our virtual world, we will have little time for our real-world friendships,” says Larry Rosen, a professor at California State University. Rosen also worries that today’s kids might mistake the “friends” on the social media for true friends in life. However, in tough times, you don’t need anyone to like your picture or share your blogs. You need someone who will keep your secrets and hold your hand. You would like to talk face to face.

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.