No one knows exactly how the earth began, as it {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(happen) so long ago. However, according to a {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(wide) accepted theory, the universe began with a “Big Bang” that threw matter {#blank#}3{#/blank#}all directions. After that, atoms began to form and combine to create stars and other {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(body). For several billion years after the “Big Bang”, the earth was still jus {#blank#}5{#/blank#}cloud of dust. What it was to become was uncertain {#blank#}6{#/blank#}between 4.5 and 3.8 billion years ago when the dust settled into a solid globe. The earth became so {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(violence) that it was not clear {#blank#}8{#/blank#} the shape would last or not. It exploded loudly with fire and rock. They were in time {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(produce) carbon, nitrogen, water vapour and other gases, which were to make the earth's atmosphere. What is even{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(important) is that as the earth cooled down, water began to appear on its surface.

    Which would you rather be, a mathematician or {#blank#}1{#/blank#}author? Perhaps you will never be {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(face)with this kind of choice. Lewis Carroll was a mathematician and author. He was a lecturer in mathematics at Oxford University. But he is{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(good)known as the writer of two of the most famous children's books {#blank#}4{#/blank#}have ever been written(Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass). The author's real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, but he {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (prefer)to use the pen name "Lewis Carroll" when he wrote, and this is the name we remember him by. Alice in Wonderland, {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (publish)in 1865 when the author was 33 years old, was followed by Through the Looking Glass in in 1871. {#blank#}7{#/blank#} books were written for a real girl called Alice and they {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (read)by millions of children since they were first published. These stories are about a dream world in which Alice meets strange creatures and has {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (interest) adventures. I'm sure you know this already, {#blank#}10{#/blank#} if you don't, you'd better read the stories yourselves.

    I'm Alexandra Grace, Educator at New Zealand Embassy Beijing. Today I will give you a brief introduction of New Zealand's higher education. Small {#blank#}1{#/blank#} it may be, New Zealand offers quality higher education opportunities, with two {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (three) of its higher education institutes within the top 10 of QS World University Rankings 2014. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} makes New Zealand's universities stand out is their abilities {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (provide) high-end education.

    Though Chinese students form the largest international student group in New Zealand, the country only ranks the 7th on Chinese students' most {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (desire) overseas destination list. The size of the country prevents it {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (become) a hot study destination. But it draws students with its {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (safety) and multi-cultural environment.

    While it attracts mainly wealthy students, higher education in New Zealand is also affordable for many common Chinese families. Chinese students can get {#blank#}8{#/blank#} British-based education with the school fee being some of the lowest in the world. {#blank#}9{#/blank#} average, the school fee was about 25, 000 dollars per year, and the living costs were about 20, 000 dollars a year. Besides, students can do some part-time jobs. The money {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (earn) in those jobs is enough for them to travel around the country and enjoy its breath-taking scenery.