1. format: the general plan or arrangement of something
　Examples: We are trying out a new format for this old favorite television show this year.
　　　　　　The President switched from set speeches to a question-and-answer format.

2. resume: begin again after a pause
　Examples: We resumed our journey after a short rest.
　　　　　　I prepared to resume reading.
　　　　　　Please resume what you were doing.

3. in recognition of: in order to reward
　Example: Please accept this check for $30 in recognition of your service.

4. tragedy: a terrible, unhappy, or unfortunate event
　Examples: Their holiday ended in tragedy when their hotel caught fire.
　　　　　　The accident was a terrible tragedy; they all died.

5. more...than...: it is more true to say ...than...
　Examples: The child was more frightened than hurt.
　　　　　　He always seemed old to me, more like a grandfather than a father.

6. contribute: give one's share of (help, advice, money, etc.) to help a joint cause
　Examples: He didn't contribute one idea to the discussion.
　　　　　　Everyone should contribute what he or she can afford.

7. undertake: carry out: take upon oneself (a task, etc.)
　Examples: Only the state was able to undertake the required research.
　　　　　　The United Nations was supposed to undertake the role of global peace-keeper.

8. dedicate: devote (one's time, energy, etc.) to a noble cause or purpose
　Examples: The doctor dedicated himself to finding a cure.
　　　　　　She dedicated herself to conserving our natural resources.

9. acknowledge: 1) express thanks to
　Examples: We must not fail to acknowledge his service to the town.
　　　　　　Mary acknowledged the gift with a pleasant letter.
　　　　　　2) agree to the truth of, recognize the fact or existence of
　Examples: They acknowledged having been defeated.
　　　　　　He acknowledged the child as his.

10. urge: request earnestly; try to persuade
　　Examples: They urged that the library be kept open during the vacation.
　　　　　　They urged the local government to approve plans for their reform program.

11. pursuit: an activity to which one gives one's time, whether at work or for pleasure
　　Examples: He devoted every spare moment to the pursuit of his passion.
　　　　　　　The whole magazine is produced and edited in the pursuit of excellence.

12. enthusiasm: a strong feeling of interest and admiration
　　Examples: Among his many enthusiasms is a great fondness for Eastern music.
　　　　　　　We set about our task at once with great enthusiasm.

13. advantage: something that may help one to be successful or to gain a desired result
　　Examples: Sitting Presidents hold built-in advantages when seeking another term.
　　　　　　　The advantages of the proposal outweigh the disadvantages.
　　　　　　　The only advantage of the plan is its simplicity.

14. within one's reach: the distance that one can reach
　　Examples: You should choose a goal within your reach.
　　　　　　　I'd like to have my reference books within my reach.

15. rest with: be left in the hands or charge of, depend on
　　Examples: It rests with you to propose terms.
　　　　　　　The final decision rests with the headmaster.

16. transform: change completely in form, arrangement, or nature
　　Examples: The five years that he spent on the ship transformed him from a boy to a man.
　　　　　　　He transformed the kitchen into a beautiful sitting room.

17. I have struggled with the format of this Convocation and the content of this speech for the past 10 days.
　　For the last ten days I've been thinking of the way this ceremony should be conducted and what I should say at this student gathering.

18. Americans and good-hearted people of all ages throughout the world will mourn this tragedy and carry the memory of that terrible day in their hearts.
　　Americans and kind-hearted people all over the world, young or old, will feel sorrow for this disastrous event and remember it in a very personal way.

19. I hope that you will discover a new understanding and appreciation for the pluralistic society in which we live and find constructive ways to contribute to the world.
　　I hope you will find a new way to understand and appreciate the diversified society we live in and find your own way to serve it.

20. Let it also be a moment you remember as the initiation of your journey into the larger world, a time when you consider your role as a citizen and what your future contribution might be.
　　Also be sure to make it a special time when you start to think how you can become a more useful citizen and what you can contribute to the society in the future.