If you have to describe (描述)yourself to someone else, what will you say? It can be difficult to see yourself from the outside, but knowing who you are, or being self-aware, can help you understand feelings and make friendships closer.

Self-awareness means having a good understanding of our own character. If you're self-aware, you may know that you love playing an instrument because you do well in it, and music makes you happy, or that you like watching TV better on your own because it helps you relax.

Knowing what you like and dislike, what you are good or bad at allows you to make better decisions about friendships, schoolwork and build confidence. The WHO (World Health Organization) says self-awareness is one of ten important life skills that help young people live healthier and happier lives. Being self-aware doesn't mean only thinking of yourself. By understanding your own feelings, you will better understand other people too.

How do you learn to be self-aware? It is a good way to ask questions. Ask yourself questions that start with" What" instead of "Why". For example, if you don't understand why you keep arguing with a friend, ask yourself what you disagree on instead of why you 'rearguing.

Learning to be more self-aware is a skill. You learn it as you grow. So be bold and try out new things, like playing a new sport or listening to different kinds of music. Don't be afraid to dislike something —discovering what you don't like is a key part of learning more about yourself.

When I was on the plane to Tokyo, Japan, I was excited and nervous because I'd spend the following year studying there.

For some reasons, I really liked the1. But I was not very good at learning it. The grammar2me a lot and even drove me crazy. My only success was3— I got an A on every word test. The first term was the4time I would ever have. People used a lot of idioms in their daily lives and the teachers spoke so5that almost everything they said flew right over my head. I could only become6around my roommates, who could speak slowly to me and would not laugh at my7.

Speaking of meals in my school, they were more than just8. The choices were endless and people with special food needs were well pleased.

Years have passed, but I still9the days I spent as an exchange student in Japan. The10experience has taught me more than I could learn from books.

China's railway miracles have been on since last century.

During the Qing Dynasty, building a railway without foreign help was believed to be impossible. But Zhan Tianyou, the chief engineer of the Jingzhang Railway, overcame all kinds of difficulties and succeeded in finishing the task. The 200-kilometer-long Jingzhang railway was completed (完成) in 1909.As China's first independently-designed railway, it plays an important role in Chinese railway history.

110 years later, the world's first intelligent, high-speed railway line, connecting Beijing and Zhangjiakou, came into operation. The railway line is 174 kilometers long with 10 stations. Running at a high speed of 350 km/h, the railway line has greatly reduced the travel time between Beijing and Zhangjiakou, from over three hours to only 47 minutes. Some trains on the Beijing-Zhangjiakou line are smart because they provide 5G signals and wireless charging (无线充电) for passengers. These trains can start, open and close doors, and deal with emergencies by themselves.

All the ten stations provide e-ticket services. Passengers who have bought tickets online can use their ID cards instead of waiting in line for paper tickets.

In addition, the Badaling Great Wall station, the deepest underground railway station, is another great example of the country's miracles in railway building.

ln Lhasa, the capital of Tibet(西藏)China, stands a great palace —Potala Palace. The palace built by Songtsen Gampo to honor Princess Wencheng makes both the Han people and the Tibetans think of a beautiful story that happened 1,300 years ago.

The story began with a 16-ycar-old girl, who was beautiful and full of imaginations of the faraway lands. She was Princess Wencheng—one of the daughters of the most powerful emperor (皇帝) of the 'Tang at that time. Many heads from neighboring countries, including Songtsen Gampo from the Tubo Kingdom wanted to marry(娶) her, but got no answer. Gampo was a hero. He joined the whole Tibet together and developed a written system of the Tibetan language. For the peace with Tang, he once again sent his man to Tang to ask for marriage and succeeded.

Travelling thousands of miles from Chang' an to Lhasa was very difficult. Princess Wencheng and her men had to cross the deserts full of wild winds and stormy weather. They spent one year on the road. However, she had great courage with no regret.

As they reached Lhasa, Tibetans warmly welcomed the Chinese princess to her new home一Potala Palace, a palace with Tang 's style. Songtsen Gampo even began to learn Chinese language. He did all these to make less the homesickness of his wife. And with her know ledge from books and her careful watching, Princess Wencheng made suggestions to her husband but never tried to make him do anything.

Princess Wencheng lived in Lhasa for 40 years. In memory of her contribution (贡献) to the peace of the nation, the locals built a temple in the late seventh century, a historical place that has been kept for 1,300 years.

As a nature photographer, my favorite place to take photos is Yellowstone National park. As the world's (one) national park, Yellowstone is famous for its wildlife. But bears are probably (well) known in the park. These huge, strong animals can live for 30 years. Although they are as heavy as 300 kilograms, they can run at a speed of around 64 kilometers per hour and are also excellent (swim).

Last spring in Yellowstone, I walked through a dark forest. When I was walking out of trees, the view was so amazing that I was completely attracted by it. l (take)out my camera to photograph the beautiful scene. Suddenly, I had a feeling that something was watching me at my back. (slow), I turned...and froze. Only meters away from me was standing a bear. My legs started shaking. However, I made my finger press the button. A second later, the bear turned ran back into the forest. When l calmed down, I looked at my camera. My most frightening but magical experience was now it.

lt is the most unforgettable experience that l (have) so far. From time to time I look at the photo because it makes me realize how important to show respect to all animals.

After all, we humans arc the visitors to (they) world.