John Snow was a famous doctor in London — so expert that he attended Queen Victoria as her personal physician. But he became inspired when he thought about helping ordinary people {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (expose) to cholera,{#blank#}2{#/blank#}  was the deadly disease of its day. Neither its cause nor its cure was understood. So many thousands of terrified people died whenever there was {#blank#}3{#/blank#}outbreak. John Snow wanted to face the challenge and solve this problem. He knew that cholera would never {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(control) until its cause was found.

    He became interested in two theories that {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(possible) explained how cholera killed people. The first suggested that cholera multiplied in the air. A cloud of dangerous gas floated around until it found its victims. The second suggested that people absorbed this disease {#blank#}6{#/blank#} their bodies with their meals. From the stomach the disease quickly attacked the body and soon the {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(affect) people died. He suspected the second theory was correct {#blank#}8{#/blank#} he needed evidence.

    So when another outbreak hit London in 1854, he was ready to begin his {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(enquire). As the disease spread quickly through poor neighborhoods, he began to gather information. In two particular streets, the cholera outbreak was so severe that more than 500 people died in ten days. He determined {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(find) out why.

    Years of expectation this time has finally arrived, there were times when I thought we would never get here. I just graduated last week. The dream {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (plant) many years ago. I had always dreamed {#blank#}2{#/blank#} going back to school, but it was too {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (frighten) and too hard.

    Three years ago, I lost a dear friend of {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (I) in a car accident. All those  {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (think) of “someday” seemed to take on different meanings. Well, I decided  {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (take) a course, and then I took two. Finally, I took 4 classes, and at the {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (two) week of school, my family were in a terrible car accident. The three of us were barely passing after that time period. I had a broken arm and could not write. As my password, I {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (call) myself mountain climber. The journey was difficult and every hill seemed higher to climb. I suppose the thing {#blank#}9{#/blank#} pulled me through was when I couldn't do it for myself, I could do it to honor my friend!

    Last week, {#blank#}10{#/blank#} highlight（最精彩的部分）of my life was walking across that platform getting my degree six months before I turn fifty!

    I can well remember that I was once asked to give 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 the moment I thought of that—with so many eyes {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (look) at me. I had no{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (choose) but to prepare for it, though. First of all, I was to draft(草拟) 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 listeners {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (wait) patiently without any signs of rushing me. Gradually I found myself back, {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(give) my speech with difficulty. After what seemed to be a hundred years, I found my audience applauding—I made it! From then on, my fear of talking before a big audience disappeared. Actually, with my {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(confident) building up, I now turn out to be a great speaker. Looking back, I know the greatest difficulty on our way {#blank#}9{#/blank#} success is our fear. Overcome(克服) it , and we will be able to achieve our {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(goal).

    World sleep day falls on March 16. This year's theme is about sleep and women.

More women suffer from insomnia (失眠) than men, but only 4% of them go to a doctor to get help. A Beijing newspaper {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (report) last month. A study by {#blank#}2{#/blank#} international organization in the paper said that women {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (age) 30 to 60 sleep six hours and 41 minutes a day {#blank#}4{#/blank#} average.

    Young people have also suffered from a lack of sleep. Statistics from a Chinese medical research center show that in {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (city) like Beijing and Shanghai, 40% of young people suffer from insomnia. And 80% suffer from great tiredness due to poor quality sleep.

    Experts blame heavy {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (press) and competition at work for poor {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (sleep) habits. The long term effects can be unhappiness, anxiety and depression, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} in turn lead to chronic illnesses (慢性病), {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (especial) in women.

    There are, however, a couple of tricks for getting a good sleep, such as maintaining an optimistic attitude, keeping a regular, {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (day) routine or finding some time for sports. Also, you can develop healthy habits such as keeping the bathroom clean and avoiding tea, coffee or wine before sleeping.

    Every year, A large number of people go back home for Christmas. Joe's plane landed on time at Heathrow Airport. He had {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (exact)one hour to get out of the airport and go across the centre of the airport and the centre of London to catch his train to Manchester. He hurried through the airport, and then raced {#blank#}2{#/blank#} the taxi sign.

    Unfortunately, at that moment, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (he)luggage broke and dirty socks, shirts and underwear were all over the airport floor. Joe was so {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (embarrass)that he quickly put everything back into his luggage. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (push)his way through the crowds of people, he finally made it to the taxi rank. He jumped into the nearest taxi, shouting, “Euston Station, quickly, please!” The taxi set off at such {#blank#}6{#/blank#} high speed that Joe was thrown backward, {#blank#}7{#/blank#} made him hit his head against the glass. The taxi sped on and finally arrived in the city centre, and also the middle of a traffic jam! It would be quicker to walk there. Joe offered {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (pay)the driver, got out of the taxi, and ran along the pavement and past all the shop {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (window). At last, he could see the station opposite.

    He reached the station just as his train was leaving. He {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (get)on the train with seconds to spare. He sighed with relief—he would be home in time for Christmas.