I was always told that the three Ps, patience, positive thinking and perseverance（毅力），were a sure path {#blank#}1{#/blank#} success. But this advice does not always work as planned. My high school math exam is one example. The exam, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} was originally to be held in our classroom, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (change) to the library at the last minute. This, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} ， didn't bother me because math had always been my strongest subject. I patiently walked to the library, took my seat and did some deep breathing to help relax {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. But my mood quickly changed when I saw {#blank#}6{#/blank#} first question. I had no idea how to do it. I tried to stay positive and persevered {#blank#}7{#/blank#}I finally found the solution. With the problem {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(solve), I felt proud of my achievement. {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(fortunate), I then noticed that I had just 10 minutes left {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (complete) the rest!

    Which would you rather be, a mathematician or {#blank#}1{#/blank#}author? Perhaps you will never be {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(face)with this kind of choice. Lewis Carroll was a mathematician and author. He was a lecturer in mathematics at Oxford University. But he is{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(good)known as the writer of two of the most famous children's books {#blank#}4{#/blank#}have ever been written(Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass). The author's real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, but he {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (prefer)to use the pen name "Lewis Carroll" when he wrote, and this is the name we remember him by. Alice in Wonderland, {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (publish)in 1865 when the author was 33 years old, was followed by Through the Looking Glass in in 1871. {#blank#}7{#/blank#} books were written for a real girl called Alice and they {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (read)by millions of children since they were first published. These stories are about a dream world in which Alice meets strange creatures and has {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (interest) adventures. I'm sure you know this already, {#blank#}10{#/blank#} if you don't, you'd better read the stories yourselves.

    I'm Alexandra Grace, Educator at New Zealand Embassy Beijing. Today I will give you a brief introduction of New Zealand's higher education. Small {#blank#}1{#/blank#} it may be, New Zealand offers quality higher education opportunities, with two {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (three) of its higher education institutes within the top 10 of QS World University Rankings 2014. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} makes New Zealand's universities stand out is their abilities {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (provide) high-end education.

    Though Chinese students form the largest international student group in New Zealand, the country only ranks the 7th on Chinese students' most {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (desire) overseas destination list. The size of the country prevents it {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (become) a hot study destination. But it draws students with its {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (safety) and multi-cultural environment.

    While it attracts mainly wealthy students, higher education in New Zealand is also affordable for many common Chinese families. Chinese students can get {#blank#}8{#/blank#} British-based education with the school fee being some of the lowest in the world. {#blank#}9{#/blank#} average, the school fee was about 25, 000 dollars per year, and the living costs were about 20, 000 dollars a year. Besides, students can do some part-time jobs. The money {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (earn) in those jobs is enough for them to travel around the country and enjoy its breath-taking scenery.

    NASA has a new job listing, and it's no joke. The US space agency is looking for a "joker" to join their {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (plan) mission to Mars.

A mission to Mars is no laughing matter. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} is known that Mars is 225 million kilometers away from Earth. A trip there would take around eight months in a small spacecraft. "When you're living with others in a confined (封闭的) space for a long period of time, such as on a mission to Mars, problems are likely {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (happen)" Jeffrey Johnson, a scientist at the University of Florida, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (say) to the Guardian. This is probably {#blank#}5{#/blank#} NASA wants an astronaut with a sense of humor. "These are people that have the {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (able) to pull everyone together." Johnson said.

    In {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (stress) situations, perhaps humor is a way to know we aren't alone. We can share our stress by {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (laugh) together. Then we can focus on our jobs instead of just worrying.

But if you're hoping that your favorite TV comedian will fly to Mars, that {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (possible) won't happen. "Being funny won't be enough to land somebody the job," Johnson said, "They also need to be an excellent scientist and engineer." Besides, it's required that they {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (be) in top physical condition.