Keeping a diary in English is one of the effective ways to improve our English writing abilities.   

{#blank#}1{#/blank#} (compare) with other forms of writing, it is shorter and takes {#blank#}2{#/blank#} time. It can help us to develop the habit of thinking in English. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} we persist in this practice, gradually we'll learn how to express ourselves in English. In keeping a diary in English, we certainly run up against many difficulties. In the first place, it often happens {#blank#}4{#/blank#} we have trouble finding appropriate words and phrases to give expression to our mind. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (second), there are many idiomatic ways of saying things in Chinese. {#blank#}6{#/blank#} it is extremely hard for us to put them into English properly.

    As far as I am concerned, my {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (suggest) is that we should always have a notebook and a Chinese-English dictionary within easy reach. Whenever something {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (beat) us, we can first put it down in our notebook and then consult our dictionary. We can also turn to our English teacher for help, if necessary. In short, I believe that it is {#blank#}9{#/blank#} great use to keep a diary in English for {#blank#}10{#/blank#} development of our writing skills.

    Everyone has hobbies. It is hobbies {#blank#}1{#/blank#} make our life more {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(enjoy) and colorful.

    My bobby is singing English songs. When I was a child. I liked to sing very much. I remembered my mother {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(teach) me a nursery rhyme(儿歌) one day, “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are…”. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} I didn't quite understand the meaning, I remembered the words quickly because {#blank#}5{#/blank#}its end rhyme. Since then, I {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(fall) in love with English songs. I spend a lot of my pocket money {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(hunt) for English tapes.

    Whenever I am free, I will turn to my recorder and listen to my favorite songs. I even sing out with the recorder, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (make) me forget my troubles for a while. At the same time I remembered a lot of classical songs, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} helps me to improve my English studies.

    So I benefit {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(great) from my hobbies. What 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.

    I have been learning English for the last five years and one of the things {#blank#}1{#/blank#} has helped me to improve is reading. I love reading and often read during my free time. First, I {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (start) reading easy things in English, like recipes (食谱) for cooking and short stories {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (write) especially for language learners. Then I moved onto longer stories and newspaper articles. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} first I found that reading was difficult because of the variety of vocabulary and the grammar, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} this soon became easier and I found that I could understand more and more of {#blank#}6{#/blank#} I was reading. I didn't worry if I didn't know all the words, as I could still understand the main ideas. Reading has helped improve my English in many ways. I'm not only {#blank#}7{#/blank#} better and quicker reader, but also my {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (spell), writing, grammar and vocabulary are all much better. I think I have improved faster {#blank#}9{#/blank#} some of my friends who have been learning at the same time as me. So, I would say that everyone who wants to learn a language {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (quick) should read.