I have changed much ever since I {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(enter) senior high school. In the past, I {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (use) to play computer games in an Internet bar in the street. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}a result, I became  {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (lazy) than ever before. To me, study seemed boring and endless, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} made me fall behind others in my class. Now I've realized time is too precious {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(waste). So I'm trying to make up for the{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(miss) time and spare no effort to study hard. I've made it a rule to rise(起床)early and pay my attention {#blank#}8{#/blank#}books immediately I sit down. The final-term exam is {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(come) and I am doing what I can to prepare for it. I believe I can make great progress and {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(final)realize my dreams.

    When I left for the United States to study, I had butterflies in my stomach. I was nervous because I was going to {#blank#}1{#/blank#}new place with new people and new customs. I couldn't even understand{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(they) language. Everything was{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(difference) from my own country. There was nobody {#blank#}4{#/blank#} I could talk to. I just had my husband, who was a new person for me, too.

    It was a sad moment {#blank#}5{#/blank#} I had to say goodbye to my family and friends. I didn't want {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(leave) my hometown because I grew up there and had wonderful{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (memory) of the place.

    So, {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(think) about all these changes made me nervous and I {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(worry) about my new life. But studying abroad was a {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(decide) that I made myself. I had to continue and accept the challenge. I looked forward to visiting my family in the summer vacation.

    Barbara Jordan was a lawyer, educator and member of Congress. As a politician, Barbara Jordan worked for social change. She {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (seek) to make a difference for all Americans using her {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (politics) influence.

    Barbara Jordan became the first African-American woman {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (elect) to the United States Congress to represent Texas. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} helped Barbara gain her national {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (recognize) was that she became a member of the congressional committee investigating President Richard Nixon in 1974.

    Barbara Jordan was born in the southern city of Houston, Texas in 1936. She was {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (young) of the three daughters in her family. Her father was a Baptist minister. When she was a child, Barbara's parents pushed her to succeed. Barbara Jordan said her parents would criticize her for not {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (speak) correct English. They urged her to become a music teacher, because they said that was the only good job for a black woman at that time. Her sisters did become {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (teacher). Barbara Jordan, however, explained later that she wanted to do something unusual.

    At first she thought about being a pharmacist, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} scientist who is an expert in medicines. After she became the first African-American state senator(参议员), her career in politics took {#blank#}10{#/blank#}.

    Wang: What's G. P.A.?

    Smith: G. P.A. stands {#blank#}1{#/blank#}the grade quality point average. Quality points are used {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(determine) the students' rank in class, academic honors, and academic warning, and probation or suspension.

    Wang: How can I list my overall undergraduate G. P.A. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(use)3 digits?

    Smith: I think it's difficult to change your grade {#blank#}4{#/blank#} G. P.A., as our system of grading is different from {#blank#}5{#/blank#} in your country. I'd like to advise you to submit your {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(office) transcripts(文字稿)of all previous undergraduate and graduate work.

    Wang: That's a good idea. I took TOEFL last year, {#blank#}7{#/blank#} I haven't taken the GRE. What's to be done?

    Smith: The GRE may {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(require) by the particular graduate or professional program. You should go over the Table of Program carefully. What's your TOEFL{#blank#}9{#/blank#}?

    Wang: 630.

    Smith: Wonderful. In general, the graduate division requires a TOEFL score of at least 575. Those {#blank#}10{#/blank#}TOEFL scores are in the range 500­575 are admitted conditionally upon successful completion of further coursework in English as a second language.

    The best way to get around a city may be driving a car. Indeed, it could be of little {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (convenient) for you to travel from one point to another if you don't own a car. While you can always use public transport, it can be quite unreliable sometimes. But don't worry. There are car rental companies that can help you with your traveling needs at anytime. If you are planning on a vacation during a major holiday like Christmas, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (consider) hiring a car for you and your family's use. The obvious {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (benefit) of doing so are as follows: Some rental companies even include a driver with every car rented. Imagine yourself with a driver taking you to your destination{#blank#}4{#/blank#}waiting to drive you back home. In this way, even parking{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(become) the least of your concerns.

    Even if you have to drive the car by yourself, you can benefit from hiring a car because you can take the shortest route{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(enjoyable) to your destination. If you have planned your holiday in{#blank#}7{#/blank#}hurry, you might  {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(miss) checking on your car's condition. If this is the case, it is wise to rent a car because it will not break down{#blank#}9{#/blank#} your way at all.

    Traveling in your own car is a lot {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(comfortable), to be frank, than riding the train or bus. You can stop at anytime if you need to grab something.