At the start of every new year, it is very typical {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (make) new year's resolutions. However, do they really work?

    Personally, I don't think so. Firstly, it's always great to start the new year with a good {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (intend) and a positive attitude, as it can bring more hope and happiness. However, when life {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (return) to normal, the enthusiasm of writing a diary, for example, can wear off.

    We often choose the goals {#blank#}4{#/blank#} are unrealistic as resolutions under the false belief that we can just be a {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (complete) different person in the new year. In fact, changes happen in small steps over time, so why not take a step back and think of something we can benefit {#blank#}6{#/blank#}?

    For instance, let's simply set some achievable goals: smile more at {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(strange), laugh at least {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (two) a day or write a positive thing that makes you happy, no matter {#blank#}9{#/blank#} simple they are. These small gestures are thought {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (be) effective to make you better on the inside and outside. So, let's take the pressure away and make a great effort to be a better me!

    Here, let me share one of my experiences with you. When I was a ten-year-old girl, I was once asked to deliver a speech titled “A Real Test in My Life” before the whole class! Just 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 had no other {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(choose), though. First I was to draft the speech and that was just a piece of cake for me, because I was a good writer — something to pride myself in. But the hard part {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(lie) in my oral presentation; to read from {#blank#}5{#/blank#} paper was not allowed; I had to give the speech from my memory and in front of such a big audience ! A real trial began when I stood on the platform with my legs trembling and my mind blank. How much time had passed by, I didn't know. My listeners were still waiting, patiently and without any signs of rushing me. Gradually I found {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (I) back，giving out my speech with difficulty. Finally I finished. 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 an audience disappeared. Actually with my confidence building {#blank#}8{#/blank#}， I now turn out to be a great speaker.{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (Look) back, I know the greatest difficulty on our way to success is our fear; overcome it，{#blank#}10{#/blank#} we will be able to achieve our goals.

    Most of us relate wealth to a {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (success) career, a big house and expensive clothes. However, a recent study, {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(carry) out by a US-based bank and brokerage company, showed that more than six {#blank#}3{#/blank#}ten of the people surveyed treasured time with their family in daily lives.

    Not long ago, a spokesman for UK company Luxury Family Hotel told the Daily Mail, Society is {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(gradual) becoming a materialistic (物质主义的) place where the message from modern famous people.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(seem) to be that fashion, and foreign holidays as well as expensive jewels are of great{#blank#}6{#/blank#} (important) . However, the study shows that many people still feel things such as family and relationships, compared to{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(spend) money, are much{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (value) regardless of their race, age and nationality. Indeed, {#blank#}9{#/blank#}is often the case, we leave home to seek our fortune and, when we get{#blank#}10{#/blank#}, we go home and share with our family.

    China has built a high-speed passenger rail network in recent {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (year) and will continue to expand it. By the end of 2018, China's railway mileage (里程){#blank#}2{#/blank#} (reach) 131,000 kilometers, of {#blank#}3{#/blank#} 29,000 kilometers were high-speed rail. This accounted for 2/3 of the world's total high-speed rail tracks, making China's high-speed rail system the world's {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (large) high-speed rail network.

    China's high-speed trains are similar {#blank#}5{#/blank#} those of France's TGV, German's ICE and Japan's Shinkansen. The fast trains with a top speed of 250-350 km/h {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (call) CRH, China Railway High-speed.

    If you want to travel around China, the high-speed trains will be your ideal choice since they are clean, comfortable {#blank#}7{#/blank#} modem. Unlike on the conventional trains in China, nobody is allowed {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (smoke) on high-speed trains, not even between carriages.

    The seats are as good as those on the plane or even better. Most high-speed rail tickets have corresponding (对应的) seats, and only {#blank#}9{#/blank#} small number of standing tickets are sometimes sold on limited trains. There's never a crowd of people sitting in the aisles. The ticket prices for China high-speed trains are reasonable and, on most routes, the frequency of departure is very high, so people can buy tickets{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(convenient).

    I had always considered acupuncture (针灸) old-fashioned. But the drama of my recent strange illness and recovery changed my mind {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (complete).

    Last month, after sleeping through a flight, I discovered I couldn't move my right arm and fingers. The doctors diagnosed me with neural (神经的) injury. I was scared. Luckily, Richard, an acupuncturist, offered {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (help) me.

    I started my acupuncture treatment. Dozens of tiny needles {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (insert) across my arm and fingers. I dared not move, because even a small change of position could cause a sharp pain. After a few days, I could move my fingers. Two weeks {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (go) by before I could eat a meal with chopsticks. Within a month, my arm and fingers were almost back to {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (they) normal functions.

    In that clinic, I made friends with many other patients and heard their {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (story). One lady, who became deaf two months ago, has recovered her hearing abilities. I was very surprised at {#blank#}7{#/blank#} magic these tiny needles are.

    Acupuncture originated in China 2,000 years ago. Essentially, it functions {#blank#}8{#/blank#} improving the smooth flow of life force energy, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (know) in Chinese as "qi". Although acupuncture may not cure all illnesses, at least it creates a good starting point for a healthy body. I hope the {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (wise) of acupuncture will continue to bring health to more friends.