Goran Kropp was a Swedish adventurer and mountaineer. In 1972, at the age of six, with his father's help, he1 Galdhopiggen, the highest mountain in Northern Europe. twenty-three years later, he stood on the highest peak in the world, Qomolangma. His journey to the2shows just how independent, persistent (坚持的), and determined this 3 man is.

    4most people arrive at the foothills of Qomolangma by some sort of modern 5, Kropp bicycled 7,000 miles from his home in Sweden. Traveling by bike was not 6. He stopped many times to 7 his bike because rough roads caused mechanical problems for him. In addition, he was run after by dogs, stung by hornets(马蜂) and was caught in the rain several times before he 8 the base of the mountain.

    Kropp9 to climb Qomolangma the same way he traveled to the mountain: without the10of others and without modern conveniences. Unlike other 11 Kropp climbed the mountain without a guide or helper. He did not 12bottled oxygen to help him13 at high altitudes, and he carried all of his 14himself in a pack that weighed about 140 pounds.

    It took Kropp 15tries to reach the top of Qomolangma. The first time, he had to 16 only 350 feet from the top because the weather was too dangerous. Just a few days earlier, at that same level eight climbers had 17because of a sudden snowstorm in the mountain. He felt deep sorrow for them, but became more 18. The mountaineer waited out the storm, 19, and tried again a few days later. This time, he was 20. After he walked down the mountain, he got back on his bike and rode the 7,000 miles back to Sweden.

    A small dog's loyalty recently melted the hearts of millions of Japanese people. It was reported that it had been waiting for his owner to 1 for three years, not knowing that she 2 would.

    A few years ago, an old lady from Osaka, Japan, 3 a cute little lost dog that she named Fu Shi. The two lived 4 for a while, but tragedy came three years ago, when the old lady 5 a brain disease which eventually led to dementia (痴呆). She had to be taken to a nursing home to be under constant special 6, and the small dog found itself all alone again. But he had no 7 that the old lady was never coming back, so he 8 the last three years waiting for her.

    9 told news reporters that, every day, Fu Shi could be seen waiting for his 10 at the corner of the alley-to her house. He would sit there all day, until nightfall, and would then return to the now-abandoned house that they had 11 Touched by the animal's loyalty, one of the neighbors contacted an animal 12, and told them his touching story. Apparently, Fu Shi 13 on the food that the neighbors left for him ever since his owner 14, but they couldn't do anything about his 15.

    After giving Fu Shi a check up, a vet 16 that he was 8-years-old, and suffering from intestinal worms. He was given a 17 and made a full recovery.

    Fortunately, this heartbreaking story has a 18 ending. After full media 19 in Japan and other Asian countries, Fu Shi has been adopted by a loving family. He also has a new 20 now, Sky.

    I was appointed to tend to this patient several weeks ago and began to grow closer to her. Communicating with her was1because everything she wanted to say to me had to be written on a notepad. As a nursing graduate, I was able to2her mind by observing even a slight 3 in a patient's facial expression.

    One day, when I was checking the patient, she4me on the shoulder to show me a note," Do you think I could be let go5 the hospital in a month to see my niece get married?" Taking her hand in mine, I told her that I could not 6her, because I did not want to leave her a 7sense of hope. 8, I made her believe that I would be there with her every step of the way on her journey toward9. Hearing that, the patient gave me a10 and a hug.

    Day by day, I built her 11by walking around the floor with her. As I did this, I could see before my own eyes that her health was 12improving and able to walk more steadily. On her last today in hospital, just before her niece's 13, she wrote me last note," I couldn't have done this 14 you; I love you." After kissing goodbye, I had a strong sense of achievement. I realized that moments like this were 15I woke up early for16in the hospital and spent long hours with her. I truly felt, and her 17confirmed, that I was an18part of this woman's recovery. My experience with this patient shows me that this career allows to touch the 19of people in ways that people in other20will never get to experience.

    The big day had finally arrived. I had won the local speech contest(比赛), representing Madison Middle School. Here it1the state competition. I waited backstage for the host to announce2name.

    3I had practiced much, I was extremely nervous. My heart was thumping, my palms4, and my mouth was dry. "Calm down, "I told myself. Still, picturing an audience of teachers, parents and classmates made me want5totally.

    Mr. Patrick,6taught me to give speeches, reminded me, "You'll do great. You're prepared. You've come this far."

    Mr. Patrick was right. I was ready7this, and besides, I won first place in the8contests. Yet, when I pictured9eyes on me waiting for me to mess up, my heart was gradually sinking into my stomach.

    "You10back out now, "I told myself as Mr. Nichols, the host, announced my name and the title of my speech, "My Hero."

    I met my art teacher Ms. J in the seventh grade and she changed me.

In her first class, she encouraged us to1what art meant. During discussion on facial structure and paintings, she2the “golden ratio (黄金比例)”, a beauty standard and explained how Davinci applied it to his works to ensure they were visually3.

    I couldn't help but think if my4had been measured against the "golden ratio," my score would have been5

    I was born with a facial disfigurement( 缺陷)and my face looked6. After regular appointments with7, my face was changed many times with little improvement. I8seeing myself in the mirror.

    People's strange tones, curious expressions kept telling me that I was9. Worse still, my photo appeared in a magazine with big letter "Face similar to work of Picasso" right below. I felt10

    I told Ms. J about my11and how my face was compared to Picasso's painting.

    "Art isn't about what you see but about what you12." She comforted me and told me that our13appearances were our signatures that we left in the world, which set us14and made us beautiful. And then she showed me a picture of an old man with long white hair. "You see, Davinci doesn't look too pretty, but his works15beauty on us." she added.

    I was struck by her words, and I wondered16I had never thought this way.

     "Being compared to Picasso may seem like a shame, but it's a(n)17.You are unique and you are a masterpiece."

    Today, when I look18the mirror, I will remember the words of my teacher, "beauty is subjective" and I get to know my appearance is my19.

    It takes me years to20that beauty is more than a cold calculation.

After getting married nine years ago, I moved to an absolutely new town.1as I was, with various new things to explore, I was still lonely. I was desperate to establish2.

This could explain my enthusiastic "Count me in!" when3to participate in a half marathon. Considering my usual 3 miles, I must have been4—13 miles seemed a（n）5task.

However, the initial6gradually wore off. I found comfort in burying myself in training. Though taking it slow, one mile, and then two, I gradually made7. Mile after mile, I managed to step beside my new friends. We talked about our favorite music and8funny stories about our children. At about mile 10, the conversations9. We shared our past and hopes for our future, our fears and regrets. By the time we were running 12-mile legs, I was10that I'd made lifelong friends.

11, the day of the race arrived. At the start line, armed with my friends, I already felt like a champion. My time training had12. I managed to hold a steady pace and kept up with my13. Finally, we crossed the finish line together.

Although it started as a14of building social ties, running not only provided me with friendships, but with a skill that would15me the rest of my life.