Icebreaker to the North Pole is a new book {#blank#}1{#/blank#} the well-known Chinese writer Bi Shumin. It describes her special trip to the North Pole last year.

    Longing to go to the North Pole, she always heard about it when she was young. Bi, now in her 60s, has at last realized the dream to see it for {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (she).

    “This dream was hidden in my heart by myself in the past. It gradually became dusty, but it never disappeared.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} I dreamed has finally come true.” Up to now, Bi {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (travel) to 73 countries worldwide. Besides the North Pole, she made a trip to Easter Island, which is around 3,700 kilometres off the western coast of Chile. In the same year, she went to the South Pole. And she intends {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (go) to other places in the near future.

    As a writer {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (show) a great interest in travel, Bi thinks traveling {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (be) a part of our life. She also believes it is {#blank#}8{#/blank#} only way to see different cultures and histories.

    “If the view is the same every day, we will easily become {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (bore). But if we go to a strange place, we will soon enter a condition of experiencing and thinking about different cultures. Travelling gives me much {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (free).”

    The saying “last man standing” refers to a(n){#blank#}1{#/blank#}(compete), contest, or other situation where the field of participants is narrowed until only a single individual remains. Occasionally, the term may be used to describe a winning couple or team rather {#blank#}2{#/blank#}an individual

    The exact origins of the term are {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (certain). Some believe the term {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (original) applied to the last boxer to remain during a match. Others claim the term came from old - fashioned spelling bees, where participants either gave up {#blank#}5{#/blank#} were judged “out” and asked to sit. Perhaps the most widely use of the term is in connection with a tontine (联合养老制), an agreement in{#blank#}6{#/blank#} a number of persons collectively own something of value, often land. Interest in a tontine cannot {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (pass) to another party, so the last man standing, in this case the last person alive gets the entire interest. Throughout history, tontines have been dangerous investments.

    Today, the term is used in a number of {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (situation). It may refer to the winner in any {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (give) contest. It may even refer to the last person to continue his attempt {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (achieve) a goal after the others have given up.

Daisy: Hello, it is a long time since we last {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(meet).What have you been doing recently?

Alice: I work for Lenovo as an assistant.

Daisy: What do you think of the job?

Alice: It is hard to say. I am a little {#blank#}2{#/blank#}（disappoint）in spite of the good salary. Honestly speaking, I am unfit for the job. I feel like {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (change) my job. If I could find a more suitable position for myself, I would.

Daisy: I think you should change your job as soon as possible.

Alice: You are right. I will think {#blank#}4{#/blank#}（careful）about your advice. By the way are you satisfied {#blank#}5{#/blank#} your present job?

Daisy: You know, my dream is to be a lawyer. {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (graduate) form my college, I worked in a law firm as a lawyer for one year, now I can deal with a case all by myself, but It's getting more and more {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (stress).

Alice: Yes, everything has two sides. {#blank#}8{#/blank#} is hard for everyone to be satisfied in life. Therefore, we should think about things {#blank#}9{#/blank#} are more optimistic in our lives. Everything can change if your attitude is right.

Daisy: Yeah, tomorrow is another day; we will have {#blank#}10{#/blank#} bright future.

Alice: I firmly believe that too.

    There are various reasons {#blank#}1{#/blank#} people write poems. Some poems tell a story or describe something in a way that will give the reader a strong {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (impress). Others attempt {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (convey) certain emotions. Poets use different forms of poetry to express {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (they). For example, the language of nursery rhymes is concrete but {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (imagine). And list poems have repeated phrases which give both a pattern {#blank#}6{#/blank#} a rhythm to the poem. Another simple form of poem is the cinquain, which {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (make) up of five lines and can express strong feelings in just a few words. And of course there are Tang poems from China which you may enjoy {#blank#}8{#/blank#} particular. With so many different {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (form) of poetry to choose from, students may {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (eventual) want to write poems of their own.