{#blank#}1{#/blank#} it was autumn, the snow was already beginning to fall in Tibet. Our legs were so heavy and cold that {#blank#}2{#/blank#} felt like big blocks of ice. Have you ever seen snowmen ride bicycles? That's what we looked like! Along the way children who {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (dress) in long wool coats stopped to look at us. In the late afternoon we found it was so cold that our water bottles froze. However, the lakes {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (shine) like glass in the setting sun and looked wonderful. Wang Wei rode in front of me as usual. She was {#blank#}5{#/blank#} high spirit and I knew I didn't need to encourage her. To climb the mountains was hard work but as we  looked around us, we were surprised by the view. We seemed to be able to see for miles, and we were {#blank#}6{#/blank#} high that we found ourselves cycling through clouds. After {#blank#}7{#/blank#} while, we began going down the mountains. It was great fun especially as it slowly became much {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(warm). At the foot of the mountains, colorful butterflies flew around us and we saw many sheep {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(eat) green grass. Then we had to  change our caps, gloves and trousers {#blank#}10{#/blank#} T-shirts and shorts.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(keep) a diary in English is one of the effective ways to improve our English writing abilities.

    Compared with other forms of writing, it is shorter and takes{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(little) time. It can help us to develop the habit of thinking in English. If we keep doing this，{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (gradual)we'll learn how to express ourselves in English. In keeping a diary in English，we will certainly meet many difficulties. First, it often happens that we have difficulty{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(find)proper words and phrases to give expression to our mind.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (two), there are so many idioms(成语)in Chinese{#blank#}6{#/blank#}it is extremely hard for us to put them into English properly.

    In my opinion，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 refer {#blank#}9{#/blank#} our dictionary. We can also turn to our English teacher for help，if necessary. In short，I believe that it is of great use to keep{#blank#}10{#/blank#}diary in English for the development of our writing skills.

    In Chinese culture, each year is related to{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Chinese animal according to the 12-year cycle. 2018 is an Earth Dog Year. People born during the year of dog {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (believe) to take after some of the animal's characteristics, such as loyalty, patience, and reliability.

    Zodiac(黄道) theory also relates to Chinese elemental theory, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}associates the 12 animals with one of five elements :metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The five elements {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (combine) with the 12 zodiac signs produce a 60-year cycle. Zodiac animals have both fixed and non-fixed elements attached {#blank#}5{#/blank#} them. For example, the dog (as well as the dragon, ox, and goat) is always associated with the earth element. {#blank#}6{#/blank#} the year of 2018 is considered an earth year according to the Chinese solar calendar, those born in 2018 are considered earth dogs, which carry characteristics like being communicative and responsible at work. Though dogs are{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(general) associated with earth, those born during the metal dog year are believed to be conservative and{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (caution)in nature. As Dogs are not good at communication, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} is difficult for them to convey their thoughts to others. Therefore, Dogs tend to leave others with the {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (impress) that they have a stubborn personality, but they are indeed loyal to their families and friends.

    Chinese New Year, also {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (know) as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the grandest festival in China. As the most colorful annual event, the {#blank#}2{#/blank#}tradition) Chinese New Year celebration lasts longer, up to two weeks, and the highlight {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (arrive) around the Lunar New Year's Eve.

    In 2020, the Chinese Spring Festival falls {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Jan. 25th. Like Christmas in Western countries, Chinese Lunar New Year is {#blank#}5{#/blank#} time to be home with family, chatting, drinking, cooking, and enjoying a hearty meal together. Home isthe focus of the Spring Festival; All Chinese people manage {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(make) their way home by New Year's Eve, for a reunion dinner with the whole family and {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(vary) kinds of meat, vegetable, and seafood are made into dishes with auspicious(吉祥的) meanings. {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (definite), the CCTV Spring Festival Gala is China's most watched television special, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} delightful songs and words act as a habitual background to a reunion dinner. Although the audience becomes more and more critical of the {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (program) in the Gala, it never stops people turning on the TV on time.