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

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(compare) 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 persist in(坚持) this practice, gradually we'll learn how to express {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(we) in English. In keeping a diary in English, we certainly run up against many{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(difficult). In the first place, it often happens that we have trouble in {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(find) appropriate words and phrases to give expression to our mind. Secondly, there {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(be) many idiomatic ways of saying things in Chinese. And it is {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(extreme) hard for us to put them into English properly.

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

    When I was an international student in China, I was lucky to experience Chinese New Year. The build-up was exciting as everywhere {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(decorate) with red.

Some fellow students and I decided to travel from Xi'an to Guilin for the festival. Travel during that time is quite{#blank#}2{#/blank#} adventure—many people journey home {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (see) their families and everywhere is very busy. On the eve of New Year, we watched the CCTV New Year's Gala. Although we didn't really understand everything, it was good to be lost {#blank#}4{#/blank#}the atmosphere(气氛) of the occasion! At New Year, families make{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(taste) dumplings together as part of the celebrations. On New Year's Day, and for several weeks afterwards, you can hear firecrackers and fireworks everywhere, and the air{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(smell) strongly of dynamite(火药) and smoke. This was adventurous for us!

    Being in China during New Year somewhat meant{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(lonely) though it was a great experience. I can{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(absolute) explain it with how international students in the UK might feel at Christmas if{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(have) no loved ones around them. Overall, my first Chinese New Year was an amazing experience{#blank#}10{#/blank#}I will never forget.

    Electric bicycles have made life a lot {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(easy) for food delivery workers here in China. More than 10,000 kilometers away, there was a familiar sight in New York City. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}, owing to a new policy, e-bikes can no longer be{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(common) seen on the street over there.

    City officials in New York are promising a crackdown(严厉打击) on e-bikes  The pollution-free vehicles are loved by environmentalists and the often poor workforce {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. relies on them. But there are also frequent complaints{#blank#}5{#/blank#} the bicycles from drivers and pedestrians(行人) who consider them{#blank#}6{#/blank#} public danger.

    Now it is legal to own and sell the bicycles, but{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(ride) them on the street could lead to a fine of up to $500. Businesses that equip their{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(employ) with the bicycles will also be heavily fined.

    The bicycles, which look just like regular bicycles, can reach speeds of 30 km/h and are sometimes operated recklessly (鲁莽的). Lots of people have stories about dangerous situations where they{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(step) out into the street, only to be nearly hit by a quick-moving e-bike.

    Police enforcement (强制执行) against the bicycles has already been tightened. Almost 1,000 of them{#blank#}10{#/blank#} (take) away by police since last year, an increase of several hundred from the year before.