1．　　I'm Jack of 16. I have a friend Tom who is two years younger than me. We are both interested in a TV show called Survive the Wild. And we often talk about how to survive (生存)if we get in the wilderness. So we have signed up (报名) the Winter Survival Camp this winter. Here's the poster.

2．　　Most people hope to have a memory which helps them succeed in study, work and life. Can memory be improved? Luckily, hundreds of studies have already given us an answer.
　　A healthy lifestyle keeps your brain young and memory sharp. First of all, it is necessary to have a healthy diet, such as vegetables and lean(瘦的) meat. Doing exercise can keep your brain alive, too. Running, riding a bike, swimming and even walking two or three times a week are helpful. Moreover, getting enough sleep is important. Only when your brain gets a good rest, can it work well.
　　Memory skills help you remember things better. Remember a piece of information by cutting it into smaller ones. For example, to memorize a telephone number 2127983630, you can do it like this: first 212, then 798 and lastly 3630. Organization means organizing information into groups of the same kind. For example, trees, grass and flowers are plants; tigers, pandas, horses and cows are animals. Imagery is remembering newly learnt information by using your imagination and connecting it with something that you are familiar with.
　　However, memory skills will hardly work if you don't understand the information. What's more, only a regular review can make the memory last long. That is why students are always advised to go over what they have learnt after one day and then after a few days, and then use it as regularly as possible.
　　All in all, if you make a few lifestyle changes and try some memory skills, you can certainly improve your memory.

3．　　We like to believe that before we make a decision, most of the time, we take time to consider all the facts carefully. However, experts believe that only 5% of our decisions are based on a rational (理性的)thought process. So, what influences our decision﹣making process?
　　We often leave decision﹣making to our instincts(本能). Scientists have found out that if we had the choice, we like to avoid pain rather than get something. In fact, we're twice as happy when we try to avoid a bad situation. This is why when companies send ads, they use phrases like "How to avoid…", "Don't miss out!", etc.
　　There are also physical reasons that affect our decision﹣making. Psychologist (心理学家)John Bargh carried on an experiment where people were asked what they thought of a person, while holding a cold or a hot cup of coffee. Those holding the hot cup believed the person to be warmer and more sociable than those holding the cold cup. So, when temperatures rise, the more likely we are to believe in strangers.
　　Stress is another thing which affects our decisions. Different situations are more or less stressful for different people. Researchers have found, though, that women are more conservative (保守的)about decisions when stressed, while men are to make riskier choices.
　　It may come as a surprise but every day from the minute we get up, we have to make countless decisions, like what to wear, what coffee to have and so on. Each choice makes our brain a little more tired, and this affects our decision﹣making. That's why important people, like presidents wearing the same three suits all the time, want to limit the small choices and spend more brain power (力量)on the bigger ones.

4．　　At my primary school, I was one of the smartest kids there. I never studied, but always got perfect scores. I thought I was born clever. I was also a prodigy in music. I could sing better than almost everyone else in my class. I was pretty sure that once I got to sixth grade, everyone would be surprised by me. But actually, they weren't.
　　When I arrived at my new class, I couldn't wait to show everyone what I could do. However, there was always someone else who could do better. I was not the top. More talented girls often sang solo(独唱). I believed I wasn't talented. I believed I was a failure.
　　Over the next two years, I had to work very hard. Some prizes for the singing competition were given to me for efforts. Grades were still low but improving little by little. However, I was never the best at everything.
I haven't realized until recently that I really don't have to be the best at everything. I was too hard on myself. In fact, when I did badly in a test, my classmates never laughed at me.
　　No one is perfect. There will probably always be someone better than me at something. Anyway, there are about seven billion people in this world. I will never be the number one at everything, and trying my best is really okay.

5．　　Having a cheetah(印度豹) as a pet in the house? Does it sound scary to you? But for a family in South Africa, one cheetah is treated as a VIP (Very Important Person) in the house.
　　The big cheetah is named Jolie, after the film star Angelina Jolie. (1)      She can often be found eating from the kitchen table, taking a short sleep on the sofa, or even sleeping on Lucy and Jeff's bed. The big cat also sleeps and plays with the Browns' other pet, the more usual one ﹣ a sheepdog (牧羊犬). (2)      .
　　Having a cheetah as a pet is unusual. At first, Mrs Brown wasn't willing to keep a cheetah as a pet. She said, "(3)      But we are now happy that we did it ﹣ she is part of the family. "
　　Just like her name, four﹣year﹣old Jolie has achieved a celebrity status (名人地位) in the Browns' hometown. Fans often come to their home to take pictures of her. (4)      .
　　However, a cheetah is always a cheetah. (5)       "She makes a lot of mess in the house, urinating (小便) everywhere and chewing everything. It's her wild instincts (本能), " said Mrs Brown.

6．　　Everyone has only one life. All of us want to do(1)      to prove the value of life. But sometimes that really needs more courage.
　　Fan Jinshi is a very great woman who I admire a lot. She is always(2)      in historical culture and ancient art. She graduated from Peking University. She could find a good job in a big city. However, she gave it up and made a brave decision to work in Dunhuang, Gansu. It's very dry and short of water there. (3)      , it is always windy and sandy all year round. She must fight against the terrible environment there every day. But she didn't care. She stuck to(4)      in the desert place and contributed (奉献) her youth and life to protecting the historical culture and ancient art of Dunhuang. What a strong woman (5)      she is!

7．　　My life is always filled with sadness and little joy. However, no matter what happens, I can always face it bravely.
　　Last year, I couldn't believe the (1)       that I was allowed to enter the only key high school in my hometown. Then I rushed to my home and told my parents. But my father didn't seem as (2)       as I was. He just kept smoking without saying a word and my mother put her head down and couldn't help (3)      .
　　I knew very well what my family was (4)      . My mum had been ill in bed for 2 years. We lived a hard life and I couldn't continue my schooling. I felt so upset(难过) but I could say (5)       to my parents. I decided to help my father with his work (6)       my family.
　　To my surprise, things completely changed (7)       the beginning of the new term. My head teacher came to my family with some money, which had been (8)       by my schoolmates. He encouraged me, "Always have a dream. "With tears in my eyes, I stepped into the key high school.
　　I have been studying hard since I entered the high school. Whenever I meet difficulties, I always (9)       my teacher and schoolmates. I have a college dream and I must work hard for it, no matter (10)       hard life is. Just as a great man says, "When one door shuts, another opens in life. "

9．The high﹣speed rail brings c       and comfortable journey to people.

18．　　Since her husband died, Mrs. Jackson (1)      (live)alone in her big old house. The house (2)      (buy) by her husband almost fifty years ago. For (3)      (safe), her daughter has tried to ask her to sell the house and buy (4)       new and small one. But Mrs. Jackson says that she has to look after the old house. But these days, she often hears of stories about unknown people (5)       steal things around here.
　　That was a cold afternoon before Christmas Eve, Mrs. Jackson was enjoying the Christmas music (6)      someone knocked at the door. Who could it be? Mrs. Jackson was a bit afraid. She decided not to answer the door but kept (7)      (wait).
　　Later, nothing happened and no more knocks. She walked (8)      (quiet) to the door, and listened. She(9)      (hear) nothing but the wind outside. She slowly opened the door and then gave a surprised cry! At the door, she saw a tall, beautiful Christmas tree! Under the tree was a Christmas card with these(10)       (word):
　　Merry Christmas!
Your new neighbor

19．假定你是李华, 和你的几位英国笔友创建了Easyenglish. com 这一网站．请你写一篇发言稿, 在英语课上向大家介绍这一网站并欢迎大家使用, 要点如下:
1、创建目的:……;
2、网站内容:
(1)丰富的英语学习材料;
(2)网络英语聊天;
(3)展示英语写作, 分享学习体会．
注意:
1. 词数:100词左右;
2. 可适当增加细节, 以使行文连贯;
3. 开头和结束语已为你写好, 不计入总词数．
参考词汇:material 材料;learning experience 学习体会;
Good morning, boys and girls!
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Thanks for your listening!