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Art is a universal language. Music is a universal language. Love is a universal language. Now, it's the turn of sand to be mentioned in such terms. In her work, sand artist Kseniya Simonova mixes art, music and love to create her own medium which can be understood and appreciated by everyone.

According to Simonova, she fell in love with sand art "absolutely accidentally." Her husband, a theatre director, advised her to give it a try. "I never thought I could perform; I was always a classical artist," reveals Simonova. "I just started it as a hobby and I never thought it would turn out to be what it is now." In 2009, Simonova won the "Ukraine's Got Talent" TV contest. Since then her fame has skyrocketed, and she has become a real sensation (引起轰动的人).

The art Simonova creates is magical; however, the medium she uses is quite common. "It is ordinary river sand. There was a time when I did use the volcanic one, but actually it makes no difference," says Simonova. "In sand art it is an idea and its visualisation that matters. What I do is create a theatre in my mind. The sand is a very convenient medium that is very flexible and responds to speed well. It can show what is going on in my head."

The images created by the artist live only for a few seconds. However, Simonova is not in any way alarmed by the momentary aspect of sand art. "I know that my creations exist only for a while, but I believe that to be absolutely normal because art mirrors life. We live every moment of our life, but it's not possible to repeat those. The same is the case with what I do," Simonova concludes.

Sand art helps the artist to see the world in a new way, painting ever-changing life in every grain of sand.

Four Best National Parks for 2023-2024

Swiss National Park 

Swiss National Park in eastern Switzerland covers nearly 42, 000 acres of land, giving visitors access to roughly 60 miles of trails that weave in and out of valleys backed by the breathtaking Swiss Alps. While hiking, keep an eye out for wildlife ranging from well-known animals like foxes and eagles to Alpine ibexes that are wild goats with large horns living in the mountains. This park closes from mid-November until the end of May with some higher trails remaining under snow through June, so time your trip for the warmer months. 

Yosemite National Park 

Located nearly 170 miles east of San Francisco, Yosemite offers visitors plenty of impressive natural wonders to see. Scenic landscapes, such as the famous Tunnel View and Valley View outlooks, and famous landmarks like Half Dome and El Capitan are just a few of Yosemite's greatest attractions. Don't forget to swing by one of the sequoia groves (红杉林) to be amazed at the towering trees.

Glacier (冰川) National Park 

Glacier National Park is Montana's crown jewel. The expansive one million-acre park, which was named after those remains of glaciers estimated to be 7, 000 years old, offers impressive mountainous scenery. Here, you'll find more than 700 lakes, National Historic Landmarks including Lake McDonald Lodge, Granite Park Chalet and the Two Medicine Store, and the famous Highline Trail, which follows the Continental Divide.

Banff National Park 

Situated in southwestern Alberta, Canada's oldest national park is also one of its most beautiful national parks. Visitors can explore Banff National Park on foot along more than 1, 000 miles of hiking trails—the Lake Agnes Trail features a seasonal European-style tea house, or drive the scenic Icefields Parkway for breathtaking views of glaciers and waterfalls.

Since the age of seven, I had always dreamed of being one of the student leaders who we looked up to. They took responsibility for us, gave instructions, organized school activities, and proudly wore their badges while carrying our school flag and walking on the playground. They represented us and gave speeches on school issues, becoming our role models.

As I grew older, I became qualified to participate in the school elections. I prepared my election speech and on the day of the speeches，everyone balloted(不记名投票).I was hopeful and prayed for a victory. However， the following morning when we gathered on the school grounds for the principal's declaration of the outcome, reality hit me hard. I realized that I had no chance of winning-I was neither well known nor too pretty. Like many preteens facing rejection, I became depressed and felt as though I had no friends supporting me.

Later that day, as I cried in my room, I took a deep breath and decided to change my mindset. I refused to see myself as a failure and made a determination to run for the school elections again the following year-this time, with a plan to win. I sat down at my study table and wrote down my thoughts.

Comparing myself with other competitors, I figured out that I had a lot to improve. With a whole year ahead, I began to play my election strategies.

To gain recognition and demonstrate my ability to represent my fellow students, I started making new friends and helping them in various ways at school. Additionally, I attended a public speaking course to learn how to deliver a great election speech. By the time the election came around, I was well-prepared, and I delivered a passionate speech on the stage.

注意：1．所续写短文的词数应为150左右;2．请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Paragraph 1:

The following day, I anxiously waited for the results.

Paragraph 2:

Later, I realized that I had achieved far more than what I had initially set out to do.

注意：写作词数应为80左右。

Dear Eric, 

……

Yours,

Li Hua

Ruben Flowers discovered the photo by accident. It was early 2023 and he was 1 through photo albums at his grandmother's house. Suddenly, there it was: a photo from 1994, taken on an airplane deck, showing him as a kid, sitting next to his 2 dad. In this picture, Flowers is looking at his dad in 3 . His father smiles at the camera, ready to fly the plane.

Flowers had forgotten the photo existed, but seeing it again, he was 4  with memories of growing up, inspired by his father. He loved their trips to the airport, 5  in the training center, taking a go on the simulators (模拟器). He was proud when his dad talked 6  about his job at the school careers day.

Flowers, now 30, was just about to follow in his father's 7 and begin flying as a First Officer for Southwest Airlines. Meanwhile Flowers' father-also called Ruben Flowers-was nearing 8 and readying for his final flight as Captain. Thus, after rediscovering the 9 photo, the two men hoped they'd get an opportunity to fly together to 10 that moment. In March 2023, the older Flowers was flying his final Southwest flight. His son was by his side, as his first officer. He said, "That was an 11 feeling. To look over there and see my son next to me, for my last landing." The younger Flowers echoed this-now that he has 12 his dream of flying with his father, his next goal is to 13 with his younger brother, who has just recently completed pilot training.

The older Flowers always made it his 14  to inspire and encourage his kids to 15  whatever they loved and whatever that might be.