I lost my last debate in the recent National High School Academic Debate & Speech Tournament held in Shanghai. But instead of focusing on my {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(fail), I stopped to reflect on my experiences in the past few years {#blank#}2{#/blank#}a debater.

    In general, preparing for new debate topics usually {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (include) brainstorming arguments, researching a resolution（解决）, and doing debate practice. So if you spot a debating group, you might see us sitting together after school, or even all day at weekends, discussing arguments and researching evidence. You might also notice us arguing {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(fierce) anywhere we can.

    Not only are they supportive, but my debate friends also have similar passions and interests to mine. As we discuss debate topics, my fellow debaters and I can talk about anything, from {#blank#}5{#/blank#}best way of rehabilitating（改造）criminals to the negative points of free immigration policies. However, our discussions are more than just a way {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (practice) our debating skills. In my mind, they're helping us to become calm and consider {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(win) and solving real problems as well.

    To me, the debating community is a great place{#blank#}8{#/blank#}people help each other not only because they're interested in a higher cause, but because they care about how people from different {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(background) can lead better lives. I'm grateful to each of my debate friends and every single minute we get to spend together. Indeed, my high school life would be incomplete without them. So even though I {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(defeat) in my last debate, I'm still thankful for being part of my wonderful debate family.

    The other day, I met an old man whose name was Ted, 91 years old. He told me about his{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(believable) unusual story. He had lived through the Great Depression, served in the defence force and worked on{#blank#}2{#/blank#}farm. He was so knowledgeable that he knew a lot in many areas of life. He was building model carts(手推车)that day. His pale hands reached out to a folder on the table, and he{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(take) out some photos. In the photos I saw his collection of model carts. Ted took me through each photo and explained{#blank#}4{#/blank#}was in each photo. He started telling me about how he cut steel{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(build) his model carts. He seemed very{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(enthusiasm). He gave me some valuable life{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(lesson). He repeatedly kept saying that {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(learn) is very important in life.{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(impress) by his love and enthusiasm for life at the age of 91, I realized that there can't be any barriers in life{#blank#}10{#/blank#}we impose (把……强加于) those barriers on ourselves.

    World Read Aloud Day is celebrated each year on the first Wednesday of March. It {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (start) by the LitWorld.org website in 2010 and has now reached 65 countries. The aim is to encourage people worldwide who cannot read to enjoy the benefits of a book. The website asks everyone {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (celebrate) the day by taking a book, finding an audience, and reading out aloud. It is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(belong) to all people.

    The website asks {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(visit) to join in the movement to reduce {#blank#}5{#/blank#}  number of illiterate（不识字的）people in the world. It is {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (absolute) necessary to help those who cannot read. The website says, “It's time to start by reading aloud to {#blank#}7{#/blank#} might like it. Share a book with a child who might need it, share a story with someone who would treasure it, listen patiently {#blank#}8{#/blank#} someone else's story as they share with you.” The United Nations says, “Literacy involves a variety of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} to participate fully in society.” In that way, World Read Aloud Day does help make a {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(different).