My name is Billy Smith. I'm 50 years old this year. I was about 440 pounds two years ago. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(fortunate), I managed to lose weight.

    I began to gain weight when my mom developed Parkinson's disease in 1994. I soon became her caregiver, and continued to provide her {#blank#}2{#/blank#} care for over 10 years. But when the pressure of taking care of my mother and {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(keep) my job got too much for me, I began to skip meals and feed on fast food. I gained weight quickly.

    My huge weight gain caused me to develop high blood pressure. I also had {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(difficult) in breathing at times. In 2014 I went to see my doctor,{#blank#}5{#/blank#} told me that I would die within two years if I didn't lose weight. This wasn't what I expected. I wanted to see my young son grow up, and I knew it was time to make a change.

    I started to eat healthy food and work out in the gym. Finally, I {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(succeed) in losing weight. Now I weigh just 260 pounds. I had never been to my son's Parents' Meeting {#blank#}7{#/blank#} I was so ashamed and {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(scare) that my weight would lead to him being laughed at. Now ,{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (look) normal, I can do the things I have never been able to do,{#blank#}10{#/blank#}should have done as his father.

    There are two primarily choices in life: to accept conditions {#blank#}1{#/blank#} they exist, or accept responsibility for changing them. Many people are {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (constant) waiting for their life to start. They always say, “When I am older I will do this.” {#blank#}3{#/blank#} “In a few years, I will do that.” They think the life they {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (experience) is boring and {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (mean). Who has never viewed himself or herself as worthless and unattractive?

    All of us may suffer {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (depress) and frustration, lose guidance and support, and need aids physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Just think like this way: This too shall pass. Horrible feelings I am feeling will eventually go away. I need to stop feeling so sorry for myself and actually want to change. I am {#blank#}7{#/blank#} incredibly lucky person {#blank#}8{#/blank#} has come from a family who love and support my whole life. I had to be the one {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (make) the decision to change my way of thinking. All the good things and all the wonderful people in my life would pass eventually too. While I am feeling miserable, my life is still going on and I am missing out on appreciating those precious {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (moment).

    Africa has been called the “dark continent” for a long time because {#blank#}1{#/blank#} lacks technology, electricity and other {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (achieve) of the modem world. However, it is beginning to change. Africa is starting to catch up with {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (industry) countries and the driving force behind this new development is the Internet and the World Wide Web.

    Now Africa is the fastest {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (grow) place on the earth. So far, governments, businesses and individuals {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (realize) that in order to develop quickly, modem technology is needed.

    Only ten years ago a SIM card used to cost about $100 in Niger. Today you can buy one for under $2 and phone calls have become much {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (cheap), too. As a result, 23% of its population are now mobile phone users.{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (equip) with this new service, people can connect to the Internet easily. Many Nigerians have access {#blank#}8{#/blank#} the World Wide Web now.

    In Ethiopia farmers can now get the prices of their farming products in real time. Until recently, most of the small farmers of the country did not know {#blank#}9{#/blank#} the prices of their products were at {#blank#}10{#/blank#} certain time. Today, they can phone in and get an up-to-the-minute report on prices.

    The 9th day of the 9th lunar month is the traditional Double Ninth Festival. It usually {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (fall) in October. In a mysterious book Yi Jing in ancient time, number {#blank#}2{#/blank#} （think）to be "Yang", {#blank#}3{#/blank#}（mean）positive. Because the 9th day of the 9th lunar month is pronounced as "Jiu Jiu" in Chinese, which means "forever", the Chinese ancestors considered it a lucky day worth celebration. That's why ancient Chinese began to celebrate this festival.