1 . Every year about 40, 000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. They ________ with them lots of waste. The ________ might damage the beauty of the place. The glaciers (冰川) are disappearing, changing the face of Kilimanjaro.

Hearing these stories, I’m skeptical about the place — other destinations are described as “purer” natural experience.

However, I soon ________ that much has changed since the days of disturbing reports of ________ among tons of rubbish. I find a ________ mountain, with toilets at camps and along the paths. The environmental challenges are ________ but the efforts made by the Tanzania National Park Authority seem to be ________.

The best of a Kilimanjaro ________, in my opinion, isn’t reaching the top. Mountains are ________ as spiritual places by in any cultures. This ________ is especially evident on Kilimanjaro as ________ go through five ecosystems (生态系统) in the space of a few kilometers. At the base is a rainforest. It ends abruptly at 3, 000 meters, giving way to lands of low growing plants. Further up, the weather ________ — low clouds envelop the mountainsides, which are covered with thick grass. I ________ twelve shades of green from where I stand. Above 4,000 meters is the highland desert: gravel (砾石), stones and rocks. ________ you climb into an arctic-like zone with permanent snow and the glaciers that may soon disappear.

Does Kilimanjaro ________ its reputation as a crowded mountain with lines of tourists ruining the atmosphere of peace? I found the opposite to be true.

3 . When we got ready to go to the rink(溜冰场), Mom always helped me tie up my skating shoes. Then she _______ her own. Mom and I had been coming to the rink every _______ since my lessons began. That was our deal. I went to _______ on Tuesdays, and we skated together on Sundays.

When we were ready to _______ on the ice, Mom took my hand and put an arm around my shoulder. I looked up at Mom and smiled. She seemed _______ but still smiled back. I took a short gliding(滑行)step, and she stepped with me, holding my hand tight We went across the rink very _______. After a few minutes, we _______ in the center of the rink. I gently took my _______ back from Moms and glided away slowly.

While Mom stood still, I _______ the move my teacher taught me this week. I placed one foot on the ________ , leaning (倾斜)forward a little. I slowly raised my back foot as ________ as I could behind me. I stopped and ________ a moment when some bigger kids skated quickly by. At last, I returned to my mother. ''OK, Mom. It’s your ________ now. '' I said. ''In fact, there is ________ to be afraid of. Skating alone is no ________ than skating with me.''

Then I did what my teacher did when he was teaching a ________skater. ''Watch my face, Mom. '' I said. ''Not your feet. Now, step! '' She took a baby step and ________. I waited until Mom skated across the rink three times by herself. ________ she succeeded, she glided over to me and gave me a big hug. ''I ________ you could do it.'' I said.

She smiled and said, ''I couldn't have done it without my excellent ________.''