3 . When leaving school, I was pleased that my exam results meant that I could study engineering at university. But I also wanted to travel before starting my course. A friend of mine told me about the Schools Exploring Society, an organization which helps students take a gap year （a year between leaving school and going to college）. It has three foreign journeys a year, taking 16-20-year-olds on science and nature trips. I love being outdoors, and a mountaineering trip to Alaska was on offer. So I signed up immediately.

There was one problem, though. I had to raise a large amount of money for the trip. It was a big task, but I managed to make it. I washed cars, worked in a cafe and also sold off some of my old books, clothes and CDs. Then, just before starting out, I started worrying. Can I do this? Am I fit enough? What if I see a bear?

Seventy of us traveled to Alaska. The first two days after arrival were spent in a school hall preparing our equipment and five tons of food. Then we left for the beautiful Talkeetna Mountain. On the trip we dug paths and recognized plant species. Then we climbed a mountain that was over 6,000 feet high. It was tiring but exciting.

Looking back, a gap year was so right for me. I learned a lot about accepting other people for what they are. We had to help each other and it made me less selfish. My gap year has also made me more able to concentrate. Now, whenever Tm worried about anything, I think I did Alaska-I can do this!

Something is happening to the British. They seem to be developing green fingers! The number of people growing their own fruit and vegetables     1     (increase) in the past year, according to Gardeners’ World.

Gardens and private land for vegetables and fruit across the UK have been put to use with people’s     2     (discover) of the joys of home-grown produce. But not everyone has space for a vegetable land or a flowerbed. And sometimes a window box just isn’t enough for     3     gardening challenge. This is why people plant flowers or vegetables in public spaces to make them     4     (green) and more pleasing to the eye.

Many people would approve     5     beautifying towns and cities, but this type of gardening is not     6     (strict) legal. Therefore, the special gardening often takes place late at night. But the image of the enthusiastic gardener is not someone     7     breaks the law. It is of someone spending all their time in     8     (greenhouse) and potting sheds (育秧棚), a person knowing every aspect of how to tend and grow the plants.

Yet, despite the increase in people growing their own, half of the UK population     9     (be) still puzzled about when most fruit and vegetables are in season, according to Gardeners’ World. It seems that Britain still has a long way     10     (go) before being called a nation of gardeners

5 . September is the month for fashion, with four international cities hosting Fashion Week. All eyes will turn to New York City, London, Milan and Paris this month to see which city puts on the best show.

New York

New York Fashion Week, or NYFW, kicks off on September 5th and runs for approximately eight days. NYFW is considered the most commercial and casual of the four. It is also the only event to allow some fashion school students to participate, bringing a fresh look to the runway.

London

London Fashion Week （LFW） comes on the heels of NYFW, starting on September 13th and running through September 17th. Once considered a minor player among the Big Four, LFW can now command a list of big names as well as promising new designers. London fashion houses have a reputation for being very experimental and open to new ideas.

Milan

Fashion Week moves to Milan on September 17th. This beautiful Italian city is home to some of the biggest fashion houses and designers in the fashion world, including Armani and Prada. Milan's fashion houses are known for offering glamorous （有魅力的）,yet practical, options.

Paris

The chaotic month of fashion makes its way to France as Paris Fashion Week begins on September 23rd. Saving the best for last, Paris never fails to offer some of the most exciting shows of the season. World-famous labels like Chanel and Dior try to outdo one another with their latest designs. The word that best describes Paris Fashion Week is "elegant".

6 . There are lots of skiing lovers around the world. To get the most out of your time on the mountain you should think through each part of your adventure- equipment, clothing, food, and travel.     1    , the more time you can spend on the slopes.

Equipment

Your skiing equipment — composed of your skis, poles, bindings, helmet, and goggles — should be checked over, and possibly tuned up, before you pack your bags for the mountain.     2    . Inspect your boots to make sure they fit properly. Check your goggles and put them on with your helmet to see that they fit comfortably and offer a wide field of view.

Clothing

Your jacket and snow pants should be properly fitting and recently cleaned. Make sure your gloves are in good shape and offer a sense of comfort.     3    . Don’t forget extra items like warm socks, neck warmers and ski masks as well.

Food

Anyone who has ever purchased lunch at the ski lodge knows just how expensive it can be. Packing your own lunch saves you money and gets you back on the slopes faster.     4    , bring plenty of fluids to drink on breaks between runs.

    5    .

Know your way to the mountain before you hit the road and consider writing down directions if you know you’re heading into areas with spotty service. At the mountain, choose a designated meeting place in case the group becomes separated- a spot near the main lift often works well. Check the forecast and current conditions of the mountain. Many ski resorts will have live updates on the number of open trails and lifts.