Word study

1. journal n.
a) a book in which you regularly write about what has happened to you.
Michael has the habit of keeping & journal, which brings him much fun.
My brother travells much and he is good at writing travel journals, as well.
b) a magazine containing articles about a certain subject
The Wall Street Journal has a large number of readers both at home and abroad.
My father reads the educational journal, for he is a middle school teacher.
2. cycle
a) v. ride a bicycle
My uncle cycles to work every day, even if he can afford a car.
Nowadays cycling is a kind of exercise for keeping fit.
b) n. a series of events which happen in a particular order and are often repeated
The cycle of the seasons is the law of nature.
3. persuade v. to make someone agree to do something by talking to them a lot about it
Helen tried to persuade her parents to go abroad with her, but she failed.
He persuaded her into joining them, even though she did not want to.
How can I persuade the teacher that I am telling the truth?
4. insist v.
a) to demand that something must be done or that you must have a particular thing
The manager insists that you (should) take immediate action to solve the problem.
She insists that Jason (should) be invited, otherwise she will not be present.
b) say firmly that something is true, especially when other people do not believe you
With tears in her eyes, the girl kept insisting on her innocence.
Jane insisted that she and Mark were just friends.
5. determine v.
a) make up one's mind about sth.
We determined to start early and get there before nightfall.
The committee has determined where the new hospital will be built.
b) to decide or influence what will happen
His words could determine your career, for he is one of the directors in the enterprise.
What I want to know is whether environment determines one's character.
c) determined adj. : with one's mind firmly made up
Having learned the great importance of English, I am determined to learn it well.
We can read his mind from the determined look on his face.
6. attitude n.  (~ to/towards sb./sth.) way of thinking or behaving 
The key point is what attitude we should adapt to science.
Daisy showed a positive attitude to her job, which made her get a quick promotion.
The students who form a good attitude to study are highly thought of and expected to make greater progress.
7. camp
a) n. place where people stay in tents for a short time, usually for a holiday  
When the evening fell down, we stopped to make a camp by a lake.
Do remember to return to camp in time, for walking alone through the forest is very dangerous.
b) v. put up a tent or tents
Do you have any idea of where we shall camp tonight?
It doesn't matter whether it stays fine,   because we have decided not to camp next week.
c) v.  (go camping)  spend a holiday living in tents 
We still can't agree on where to go camping, so we depend on your decision.
The boys plan to go camping in Greece this summer.
8. record
a) v. write down (facts or events) for later use or reference 
The teacher made great effort to record and analyze each student's progress in study.
It's well-known that historians record how Rome fell.
b) n. information that is written on paper or stored on computer so that it can be used in the future  
Since you are not clear about the money you have spent, you'd better keep a record of your expenses.
The doctor keeps a record of all the serious diseases in the village.
c) n. the best, biggest, longest, tallest, etc
Liu Xiang set a world record in the 100 meters hurdle race in the Olympic Games.

Phrases and Idioms

1. Change one's mind: change one's decision or opinion
1) Professor Li is so determined that nothing could change his mind.
2)1 found it unexpected that he changed his mind at the last moment.
3) No matter what you said, I wouldn't change my mind.

2. a) give in  (to Sb^Sth.) : allow oneself to be defeated or overcome (by sb./sth.)  
1) Julia gave in to curiosity and opened the letter written for her sister.
2) Facing difficulties, Steven Hawking never gives in.
3) We have made it clear that we will never give in to any pressure.
b) give (Sth.) in: hand over sth. to sb. who is authorized to receive it
1) Tomorrow will be the deadline for you to give in the articles.
2) Whoever has't given in the report are required to explain the reasons to the teacher.

3. dream about/of: imagine sth
1)1 dreamed about studying in Bejing University one day.
2) David always dreams of being the best basketballer in the school.
3)1 never dreamt of seeing you again.

4. Care about: be worried, concerned or interested
1) All Sally cares about is the future of her children.
2) I don't care about what happens to him, and what you talked has nothing to do with me.
3) It seems that Richard never cares about examinations which worry us so much.

5. a)  be familiar with Sth.: having a good knowledge of sth. 
1) Anyone who's familiar with his poetry will find the course easy and interesting.
2) My cousin is familiar with the city for he spent the summer holiday there last year.
b)  be familiar to Sb.: well known to sb.; often seen or heard
1) Comrade Lei Feng is familiar to all the young people and he is always the good example to them.
2) The pictures remind me of the scenes which I am very familiar to.

Structures and Patterns

1. It was my sister who first had the idea to cycle along the Mekong River from where it begins to where it ends.
1) ...it is because I haven't been able to be outdoors for so long that I've grown so crazy about anything to do with nature.
2) ... it was the first time in a year and a half that I'd seen the night face to face....
3) It was the decrease of the temperature that made it possible for the earth to have the atmosphere formed.

2. Since middle school, my sister Wang Wei and I have dreamed about taking a great bike trip.
1) That has changed since I was here.
2) In China, English has been used in Hong Kong since about 1842.
3) Great changes have taken place in China since the 1980s.

3. Once she has made up his mind, nothing can change it.
1) Once getting into bad habits, you will find it hard to get rid of them.
2) You will be addicted to taking photographs once you start to take it as your career.
3) Once having made your decision, you shouldn't change your mind.

4. To climb the mountain was hard work but to go down the hills was great fun
1) To wave one's hand is to say goodbye.
2) To share your happiness with your family is a great joy.
3) Sometimes to get your friends affected by your sadness is not very proper.

5. For one thing, a journal isn't as personal as a diary. For another, a travel
journal has a different purpose.
1) I don't agree that he is to blame. For one thing, he is always honest with everybody.
For another, it is proved that he did turn up at the club then.
2) What he expressed may have annoyed Lucy. For one thing, she glared at him at
once. For another, she left without saying a word throwing away all the contracts.