I can well remember that I was once asked to deliver a speech titled “A Real Test in My Life” before the whole class at the age of 9! You can imagine how{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(terrible) shy I was with so many eyes fixed on me. I had no choice but {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(prepare) for it, though. First of all, I was to draft the speech, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} was just a piece of cake for me, a good writer. But the hardest part {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(lie) in my oral presentation from my memory—for to read from the paper {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(forbid). The real moment began when I stood on the platform with my legs {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(tremble) and my mind blank. But my listeners were waiting patiently without any signs of rushing me. Gradually I found {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (I) back, delivering my speech without difficulty. After {#blank#}8{#/blank#} seemed to be a hundred years, I found my audience applauding—I made it! From then on, my fear of talking before the audience disappeared. Actually with my {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(confident) built up, I now turn out to be a great speaker. Looking back, I know the{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(great) difficulty on our way to success is our fear. Overcome it and we will be able to achieve our goals.

    I will never forget that at the age of 9 I was asked to deliver a speech entitled A Challenge in My Life before the whole class! You can imagine how {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(terrible) shy I was the moment I thought of that…with so many eyes {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (fix) upon me. I could do nothing but {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (prepare) for it, though. First, I was to draft the speech, which was just a piece of cake for me, a good writer. But the hardest part {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (lie) in my oral presentation from my memory, for to read from the paper was not allowed. The real moment began {#blank#}5{#/blank#} I stood on the platform with my legs trembling and my mind blank. But my {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (listen) were waiting patiently without any signs of rushing me. Gradually I found myself back, giving out my speech tongue-tiredly. After {#blank#}7{#/blank#} seemed to be a hundred years, I found my audience applauding…I made it! From then on, my fear of talking before {#blank#}8{#/blank#}big audience disappeared. Actually with my confidence building up, I now turn out to be a great speaker. Looking back, I know the greatest difficult on our way {#blank#}9{#/blank#} success is our fear. Overcome it, {#blank#}10{#/blank#} you will be able to achieve your goals.

    For Nigel Portman, a love of travelling began with what's called a "gap year". In common with many other British teenagers, he chose{#blank#}1{#/blank#}（take） a year out before settling down to study for his degree. After doing various{#blank#}2{#/blank#} （job） to raise some money,  he left home to gain some experience of life in different cultures, visiting America and Asia. The more adventurous a young person, the{#blank#}3{#/blank#}（great） challenge they are likely to set{#blank#}4{#/blank#}（them） for the gap year, and for some, like Nigel, it can result in a thirst for adventure.

    Now that his university course{#blank#}5{#/blank#}（come） to an end, Nigel is just about to leave on a three﹣year trip that will take him right around the world. What's more, he plans to make the whole journey{#blank#}6{#/blank#}（use） only means of transport which are powered by natural energy. In other words, he'll be relying{#blank#}7{#/blank#}（main） on bicycles and his own legs; and when there's an ocean to cross, he won't be taking a shortcut（捷径）{#blank#}8{#/blank#}flying aboard﹣he'll be joining the crew of a sailing ship, instead.

    As well as doing some mountain climbing along {#blank#}9{#/blank#}way, Nigel hopes to pass on to the people he meets the environmental message {#blank#}10{#/blank#}lies behind the whole idea.