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.

    There was a state {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(call) Zhou in the Chinese history. One day, the king of Zhou asked his officials for advice on {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (deal) with the prisoners of war. An official said, “If you love someone, you{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (suppose) to love even the crows on the roof of his house. The prisoners of war are enemies fighting against us. In my opinion, we'd better{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (kill) them all.”

    But the king didn't agree with him. “I think we should treat the prisoner of war{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (different) by differing them into those who are guilty and those who are not. They guilty ones will be sentenced{#blank#}6{#/blank#} death in order to avoid future disasters.”

    Then another one said, “Your majesty, I think all the prisoners should be set free and sent back home to work in the fields and support themselves by their own labor.{#blank#}7{#/blank#}, you should keep strictly the rules for reward and {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (punish). The people are sure to believe in you{#blank#}9{#/blank#} you govern our country be morals and laws.”

    The king thought the official's proposal was quite reasonable so be accepted and followed it. As {#blank#}10{#/blank#} result, the domestic situation soon settled down and gradually the country became stronger.