{#blank#}1{#/blank#} is well known, optimism(乐观)plays an important role in one's life. Although we are facing many difficulties, we should keep optimistic. Optimism is a mental(精神的)attitude or world view and it means expecting {#blank#}2{#/blank#} best possible result from any given situation.

    I did {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (poor) in English in the past, but I never gave up struggling(搏斗). All my families, teachers and friends encouraged {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (I) and they taught me a lot of {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (use) ways of learning English. I {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (keep) practicing as they told me to do. I listened to English news and songs and I read interesting English stories. At weekends, watching some English movies was another good way to make my English better. {#blank#}7{#/blank#}difficulties I came across, I tried my best to work them out. I believe in myself, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (believe) that hard work would finally pay off. Gradually, I make progress in my English. Nowadays, I can remember English words {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (easy) and use them freely when communicating with foreigners.

    Thanks to optimism, I have become one of the top English {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (learn) in my school now.

    A new TV series in England, Away from it all, has surprised everyone by becoming a huge success with young people across the country. Its success is surprising because{#blank#}1{#/blank#} main character in the series is a shepherd, and the series is about the relaxing and different{#blank#}2{#/blank#} (lifestyle) of people who live in the country. There is none of the actions that we usually see on TV today. There are also no stressful moments, busy offices or{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(crowd) cities. Away from it all {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (set) in the peaceful English countryside and tells simple stories about people's kindness.

    The director of the TV series says that its success is a sign of teenagers {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (suffer) from stress. He says that watching Away from it all {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (help) teenagers forget about the pressures of exams and homework, and the troubles {#blank#}7{#/blank#} fill the world today.

    {#blank#}8{#/blank#} the series' success might have a good side, many teachers and parents are worried They say that some of their students and children are becoming couch potatoes and are using Away from it all as an excuse for not completing homework. Some children have even refused to learn for exams because they say that they can only achieve {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (person) happiness by avoiding stressful situations{#blank#}10{#/blank#} (complete).

    Charlie Chaplin, born in a poor family, showed an {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(astonish) talent as a performer as soon as he could walk. His father died when he was young, leaving his family even {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (badly) off. Later, he wrote, directed, produced and {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (star) in a series of funny movies. He grew popular for his charming character, the little tramp,{#blank#}4{#/blank#}was a homeless man with a moustache, large trousers, worn-out shoes, a small round black hat and a walking stick. This character was a social {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (fail) but could make people laugh even when they felt depressed, as they could feel more content {#blank#}6{#/blank#} their lives. He was loved for his optimism and determination to overcome all difficulties. Take The Gold Rush for example. Chaplin and his friend expect {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (find) gold but they have not been {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (fortune). Instead, they are caught in a small house, where they are hungry and have to eat boiled leather shoes. His subtle acting is so convincing {#blank#}9{#/blank#} you will believe it is one of the best meals he has ever had. No one was ever {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (bore) watching him make terrible situations funny. Charlie Chaplin was a great actor who could always inspire people with great confidence.

    Keeping a diary in English is one of the most effective ways to improve our English writing abilities. Compared with other forms of writing, it is shorter and takes{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(little) time. It can help {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(we) to develop the habit of thinking in English. If we{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(keep) on doing this practice, gradually we'll learn how to express ourselves in English. In keeping a diary in English, we certainly run up against many {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (difficulty). It often happens that we have trouble finding appropriate words and phrases{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(give) expression to our mind, and there are also many idiomatic ways of saying things in Chinese.

   As far as I am concerned, my suggestion is{#blank#}6{#/blank#}we should always have a notebook and a Chinese-English dictionary within easy reach. Whenever something beats us, we can first put it down in our notebook{#blank#}7{#/blank#}then consult our dictionary. We can also turn to our English teacher for help, if necessary.