In 1977, a dead author of detective stories saved the life of a 19-month-old baby in a most {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(usual) way. The author was Agatha Christie, one of the most successful writers of detective stories in the world.

    In June that year, a baby girl became {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(serious) ill in Qatar, near Saudi Arabia. Doctors were unable to find out the cause of her illness with {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(confident), so she was sent to big hospital in London {#blank#}4{#/blank#}specialist help was available. A team of doctors hurried to examine the baby only {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(discover) that they, too, were confused by the very unusual disease. Just then, a nurse asked to speak to them.

     "Excuse me," said the nurse, "{#blank#}6{#/blank#} I think the baby is suffering from thallium(铊) poisoning. "

    "What makes you think that?" Dr. Brown asked. "Thallium poisoning is extremely rare."

"I read a detective novel {#blank#}7{#/blank#} Agatha Christie a few days ago,” the nurse explained, "and in the book, somebody suffers from thallium poisoning, and all the symptoms {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(describe). They're exactly {#blank#}9{#/blank#} same as the baby's."

    The tests showed that the baby had indeed been poisoned by thallium, a rare metallic substance{#blank#}10{#/blank#} (use) in making special glass. Once they knew the cause of the illness, the doctors were able to give the baby the correct treatment. She soon recovered and was sent back home.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(keep) a diary in English is one of the effective ways to improve our English writing abilities.

    Compared 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 keep doing this，{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (gradual)we'll learn how to express ourselves in English. In keeping a diary in English，we will certainly meet many difficulties. First, it often happens that we have difficulty{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(find)proper words and phrases to give expression to our mind.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (two), there are so many idioms(成语)in Chinese{#blank#}6{#/blank#}it is extremely hard for us to put them into English properly.

    In my opinion，my{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(suggest)is that we should always have a notebook and a Chinese-English  dictionary  within  easy reach. Whenever something{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(beat)us，we can first put it down in our notebook and then refer {#blank#}9{#/blank#} our dictionary. We can also turn to our English teacher for help，if necessary. In short，I believe that it is of great use to keep{#blank#}10{#/blank#}diary in English for the development of our writing skills.

    Shark attacks can be deadly, but they are not common. Each year, sharks usually kill fewer than 10 people worldwide, and about 100 people {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (injure). You are more likely to be attacked in parts of the sea {#blank#}2{#/blank#} tourists throw in food to bring in sharks. However, people are dangerous to sharks, too. 60 million sharks are killed {#blank#}3{#/blank#} food and medicine every year. As a result, some kinds of sharks may die out completely. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (protect) these wonderful animals, some countries have made programs to help them survive.

    All through history, people from many different countries and cultures have lived together in Britain. The English language {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (consist) of the grammar and vocabulary these people brought to Britain. That is {#blank#}2{#/blank#} English has so many difficult rules that confuse people.

    The development of English experienced three periods—Old English, Middle English and Modern English. From the 5th to the 9th centuries, Britain was occupied by different groups from other countries, which led to Old English {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (replace) Celtic. Old English, a {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (mix) of different languages, differs {#blank#}5{#/blank#} today's English. Middle English is the name {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (give) to the English used from approximately the 12th to the 15th centuries. During this period, French, though it didn't replace English, still made many {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (contribution) to Middle English. Modern English appeared in the 16th century, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} went through many changes during this period. The question of {#blank#}9{#/blank#} English will keep on changing in the future is easy to answer. {#blank#}10{#/blank#} is certain that this process will continue.