There are so many things we do in our daily lives that have become a “habit”, How you answer the phone is a habit. The way you sit in the car when you drive is a habit. Have you ever tried to change the way you do something, after you've done it in a certain way for so long? It's easy to do as long as you think about it. The minute your mind drifts to something else, you go right back to the old way of doing things. It's a way of doing things that has become routine or commonplace. To change an existing habit or form a new one can be a tedious(单调乏味的) task.

    Let's pick something fairly easy to start with, like spending 15 minutes in the morning reading the  Bible. If you want to turn something into a habit that you do every day, you have to WANT to do it. Make a firm decision to do this on a daily basis.

    Imprint(铭刻) it in your mind. Write several notes to yourself and put them in places where you will see them. By the alarm clock, on the bathroom mirror, on the refrigerator door, in your briefcase, and under your car keys are good places to start.

    After the newness wears off, then you will have to remind yourself, “Hey, I forgot to. . . ”. Keep using the notes if you have to. Some people say it will take over a month to solidify(变得稳固) it and make it something you will do without having to think about it. I tend to agree with the last statement. Two to three weeks will help you to remember, but thirty days or more will make it a part of your everyday routine.

A. What is a “habit” anyway?

B. Is doing things in an old way good?

C. Brushing your teeth is a habit.

D. Forming a bad habit is easy.

E. It takes 16 to 21 times of repeating a task to make it a habit.

F. If you don't, you will find a way to do everything but that.

G. That's something you won't necessarily have to think about before you do it — habit.

    In China, the history of people planting and using bamboo can date back to as far as 7000 years. As early as the Shang Dynasty, bamboo was being used in ancient people's daily lives. It was used for food, clothing, housing, transportation, (music) instruments and even weapons.

    The (apply) of bamboo in science and technology is thrilling. In 251 BC, Li Bing, in Sichuan, (lead) the local people in building the Dujiang Weirs(都江堰), the first irrigation network in the world, in which bamboo played important role. The world's oldest water pipe was also (make) of bamboo. During the Han Dynasty, the people in Sichuan (success) sank a 1600-metre-deep well with thick bamboo ropes. This technology did not spread to Europe the 19^th century, and it was by using the technology the Americans drilled the first oil well in Pennsylvania in 1859.

    In Chinese culture, bamboo is well-known as of the “four gentlemen” in plants. To many distinguished men, bamboo is a symbol of goodness and honesty. It is always closely related to people of positive spirits. Influenced by bamboo culture, many people are taught to hold on when (face) tough situations.

The first time I saw Suzy Khan, I knew I had to help her. She was really small for her age of 12. The boys in my class often 1 about her and laughed their heads off. She would open a book, 2 to read, with tears dropping on the open page.

One day, when I went into the classroom, I saw that Suzy had 3 her geography book to a picture of a train, and in her notebook, she had made a(n) 4 copy.

I was surprised and thought that she could do something in the coming 5 show. So, I took her to see the art teacher, Miss Parker, and showed her what Suzy had 6. "Why, it's wonderful," said Miss Parker, who then showed us a poster she had painted for the talent show. "I need more of these. Could you help me, Suzy?"

On the day of the talent show, Suzy's 7 were everywhere — all over the hall and all over the school, each one different.

"And finally," said Mr. Brown, the school-master, at the end of the show, "We have a (n) 8  award. I'm sure you've all noticed the wonderful posters." Everyone nodded. "One of our own students 9 them. "

I could hear everyone whispering. "Who in our school could draw 10 well?"

Mr. Brown waited a while before saying. 11 this student worked so hard on the posters, she deserves a 12, too. Our mystery(神秘) artist is our new student — Suzy Khan!"

Mr. Brown thanked her for all the wonderful posters and gave her a professional artist's set (装置). "Thank you," she cried.

I 13, at that time when I was looking at her excited face, she'd probably never 14 anything in her whole life.

Everyone started to 15 their hands. Suzy Khan gave them a shy smile and the applause was deafening. I knew then Suzy was going to be all right."

The United Kingdom is a land of natural beauty and history, with many of its finest attractions discovered through hiking. Now, dust off your boots, plan according to the following routes presented by a survey of senior hikers and an incredible experience will wait for you.

Wales Coastal Path

Wales is the only country in the world that has an official walking path covering its whole borders. The Wales Coastal Path is a footpath stretching 870 miles from Chester to Chepstow. Walking the whole thing might be demanding, but there are plenty of stretches that can be enjoyed over a day or two.

Southwest Coast Path

You need a fair amount of annual leave, a casual 52 days or so, to undertake this in one go. The route runs from Somerset all the way to Dorset, via rugged cliffs, cute fishing villages and surfing spots along the coastline. You can surely jump on to any point as you like, but you can't afford to miss all the pubs full of jokes and laughter on the way!

Coast to Coast Walk

This long—distance trail isn't official, but popular in the country, taking hikers from the Irish Sea to the North Sea as it rolls into historic Robin Hood's Bay in Yorkshire. Following local footpaths, the route takes you through three UK National Parks: the Lakes, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.

Cleveland Way

You'll want nine days to folly complete this hike, which explores both the North York Moors and the county's world—famous coastline. Just make sure you allow enough time to properly enjoy spots like Roseberry Topping hill and pick up a gentle afternoon walk at Whitby's clifftop church.

Dear Jack,

    My name is Li Ming,  (一个来自中国的交换生) . It is the first time for me  (到国外学习) . The beautiful campus  (已经给……留下了好印象) me.

    I am an active and outgoing person  (对……感到好奇) everything around me. I have  (注册) many classes, among which I like physics best.  (除此之外), I like to read short stories in my spare time.

    At the beginning, I  (对……感到焦虑的) the study and life abroad. But with hard work, I have improved my study and made lots of friends. Therefore, I  (对自己有信心) and believe  (我的所有目标将会被实现) .

     (期待你的回复) .

Yours，

Li Ming