Keeping a diary in English is one of the effective ways to improve our English writing abilities.   

{#blank#}1{#/blank#} (compare) with other forms of writing, it is shorter and takes {#blank#}2{#/blank#} time. It can help us to develop the habit of thinking in English. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} we persist in this practice, gradually we'll learn how to express ourselves in English. In keeping a diary in English, we certainly run up against many difficulties. In the first place, it often happens {#blank#}4{#/blank#} we have trouble finding appropriate words and phrases to give expression to our mind. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (second), there are many idiomatic ways of saying things in Chinese. {#blank#}6{#/blank#} it is extremely hard for us to put them into English properly.

    As far as I am concerned, my {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (suggest) is that we should always have a notebook and a Chinese-English dictionary within easy reach. Whenever something {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (beat) us, we can first put it down in our notebook and then consult our dictionary. We can also turn to our English teacher for help, if necessary. In short, I believe that it is {#blank#}9{#/blank#} great use to keep a diary in English for {#blank#}10{#/blank#} development of our writing skills.

    High in thick bamboo forests in the misty, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (rain) mountains of southwestern China {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (live) one of the world's rarest mammals: the giant panda, also called the panda, Only about 1,000 of these black-and-white {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (relative) of bears survive in the wild.

    Pandas eat almost nothing {#blank#}4{#/blank#} bamboo shoots and leaves. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (occasion) they eat other plants, fish, or small animals, but bamboo accounts for 99% of their diets.

    Pandas eat fast; they eat {#blank#}6{#/blank#} lot, and they spend about 12 hours a day {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (do) it. The reason is {#blank#}8{#/blank#} they digest only about a fifth of what they eat. Overall, bamboo is not very nutritious. To stay healthy, they have to eat a lot-up to 15 percent of their body weight in 12 hours-so they eat fast.

    Pandas' molars(臼齿) are very broad and flat. The shape of these teeth helps the animals crush the bamboo shoots, leaves, and stems they eat to get the bamboo to their mouths, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} hold the stems with their front claws, which have enlarged wrist bones that act as thumbs for grasping things. A panda should have at least two bamboo species where it lives, or it will starve. Pandas are shy; they don't go into areas {#blank#}10{#/blank#} people live. This restricts pandas to very limited areas.

    For many young people, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (go) to university is one of the most important {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(stage) of their lives. It is the time when young people will move out of {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (they) home to live with other people, often strangers. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(especial) in the US, people often travel very far from home to study. It is a time to be {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (dependence).

    At university, you {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (teach) by lectures and professors who are leading figures in their study. The opportunity to learn from and to discuss with them is {#blank#}7{#/blank#} drives some people to apply to university. Students are required to choose a major that they wish to study. Apart {#blank#}8{#/blank#} the academic benefit, life at university can also allow students {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (develop) their interests in many fields.

    Therefore, university is a place {#blank#}10{#/blank#} you attain knowledge, to develop your values and accept those who may be different.

    The Laba Festival {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (celebrate) on the eighth day of the twelfth month of the lunar(阴历的) Chinese calendar is a traditional Chinese holiday. "La" is the name of the month and {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (pronounce) as "ba" in Chinese.

    There are several stories about the origin of this festival and it's difficult for{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (we) to tell which one is true. But today{#blank#}4{#/blank#} we do know is that this festival began as a way to honour ancestors. It was also a time for the ancient Chinese {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (pray) to heaven and earth that there would be a good harvest.

    The majority of Chinese have long followed the tradition of {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (eat) Laba porridge during the Laba Festival. {#blank#}7{#/blank#} general, the porridge contains eight ingredients, including some beans and rice. {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(traditional), Laba porridge is the most important part of the festival. Also, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} is important that family members eat the porridge together.

    Another custom is soaking Laba garlic(泡腊八蒜), {#blank#}10{#/blank#}  is the best seasoning（调味品）for the dumpling feast at the Spring Festival.