The giant panda {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (love) by people throughout the world. Chinese scientists{#blank#}2{#/blank#} (recent) had a chance to study a wild female panda with a newborn baby. She was a very {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (care) mother. For 25 days, she never left her baby, not even to find something {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (eat)! She would not let any other pandas come near. She licked the baby constantly to keep it clean. Any smell might attract dangerous {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (animal) that would try to eat the little comforting pats. The mother held the baby in her front paws much the way a human does.  {#blank#}6{#/blank#} it cried, she rocked it back and forth and gave it little comforting pats. The mother continued to care for the young panda {#blank#}7{#/blank#} more than two years. By that time, the panda no longer needed {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (it) mother for food. However, it stayed with her and learned about the ways of the forest. Then, after two and a half years, the mother {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (drive) the young panda away . It was time for her to have a new baby, {#blank#}10{#/blank#} it was also time for the young panda to be independent.

    Change is much easier when you have many supporting partners and unlimited resources. But, since it is often the shock of a death, divorce or some other life tragedy that {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(push) us out of our comfort zone to take care of ourselves, it can mean{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(force) to start to be independent, which for many of us is the scariest part of all.

    Probably the most difficult thing about seeking significant change is doing it {#blank#}3{#/blank#}you don't have financial or emotional tools available to make the process go {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(smooth). But sometimes reaching our full potential means working without {#blank#}5{#/blank#}safety net. For those truly {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(devote) to their mission, having fewer resources can be a surprising blessing as it forces them to get {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(create)and explore new paths.

    I don't know if it's possible to leave this world{#blank#}8{#/blank#}zero regrets. Because of the natural life cycles and the fact that sometimes it's the tragedy that causes our awakenings, we often realize it too late to avoid certain painful {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(outcome).

    Please keep in mind that the choice belongs to each of us. We all have the power to change and give more intentional {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(direct) to the remainder of our lives.

    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.

    If you study abroad, it's necessary to mix with the locals. This allows you{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(test) your language skills and find out more about the local culture. Having lived abroad for three years, I'm able to put forward a list of tips to help you make friends in a foreign country.

    Firstly, say yes to everything within reason. Obviously, if you don't feel {#blank#}2{#/blank#} ease, you can choose not to do anything. However, don't put off trying something new. The group of students from your class who invite you out for a coffee might end up {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(be) your friends for life!

    Secondly, develop a {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (entire) new hobby. Join a dance class, a walking club or learn to cook the local food—the {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(possibility) are endless!

    Thirdly, get out of the house! Hours {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(spend) on the computer chatting with your family back at home surely make you even homesick. Just get out and explore the exciting place you live in.

    Lastly, be {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(confidence) when you are surrounded by people speaking {#blank#}8{#/blank#} unfamiliar language. Even if you may find {#blank#}9{#/blank#} difficult to involve yourself in conversations, you should try to make your voice heard. Once you open your mouth and begin to speak, it's likely {#blank#}10{#/blank#} you will find everyone wants to know more about you.

    People today take lots of photos. Some photographs are really memorable. They either capture important events, such as birthday parties or weddings,{#blank#}1{#/blank#} show beautiful places. Years later, people may look at these special photos to remember {#blank#}2{#/blank#} past.

    However, how did people record important moments without cameras long ago? Some people told {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (story) about old times, and others wrote down {#blank#}4{#/blank#} they remembered. There were also a lot of people {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (make) special drawings to help them recall important moments. Among those people were Native Americans of the Lakota tribe.

    Every year, Lakota leaders decided which event was most important. A Lakota {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (art) was then asked to draw a special picture of that event. Because each year's picture was decided on during the winter, the drawings became {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (know) as winter counts.

    For a long time, winter counts were drawn on animal skins. Later, the drawings {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (do) on paper. The pictures told the history of the tribe. Each year, the newest winter count was added {#blank#}9{#/blank#} the Lakota collection of pictures from {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (early) times. That helped people keep track of the years. Today, winter counts are important records of the Lakota's past.