“A very disruptive(扰乱型的)six-year old child kicked my legs and clawed at my hand.” said one teacher. “I broke up a fight but was kicked,” said another. Many people have heard stories like this. But the situation is more worrying still and it involves(涉及) parents.
Every child, regardless of(不管) the surroundings into which they are born,has the right to achieve their potential. And we recognize that, as a nation,it is a long way to achieve this goal. But rights come with responsibilities and what worries people is that we are in danger of ignoring the latter.
Far too many children are behaving badly at school,even to the point of being violent to teachers. This is terrible enough,but it is hard to be surprised since many children are just mirroring the behavior of their parents. Too many are starting school unable to hold a knife and fork, unused to eating at a table,and unable to use the toilet properly.
We are in danger of becoming a nation of families living separate lives under one roof. The bedroom, once a place to sleep,has become the living space for the young. Spending hours in front of computer screens, on social networking sites or being addicted to computer games, children and young people spend little time with their parents. Parents are unable to monitor just what their children are watching.
Schools cannot right the wrongs of society and teachers cannot become substitute (代替)parents. Both parties need to work together. Parents must be helped and given confidence to take back control. They are responsible for setting limits to their children’s behavior and sticking to those limits when things get tough(困难). They are responsible for setting a good example to their children and for devoting that most precious of resources---time---so that children come to school ready and willing to learn. In the opinion of the writer, what problem do people ignore?
A.The school violence. |
B.The pressure of students’ learning. |
C.The right to achieve students’ potential. |
D.the responsibilities of the students. |
The writer’s attitude to the behaviors of parents may be ________.
A.dissatisfied | B.unconcerned | C.understanding | D.tolerant(容忍的) |
The underlined part in Para 4 may means__________.
A.parents and children live in their separate rooms |
B.parents care little about children’s life at home |
C.children don’t live with their parents in the same room |
D.children spent little time with their parents at home |
From the last paragraph, we can infer that______.
A.schools can’t correct the wrongs that society does to teachers |
B.teachers have no responsibility for playing the role of parents |
C.parents should spend time with children making them ready to learn |
D.students are responsible for making themselves known in society |
New Zealand fishermen caught what may prove to be a world-record-breaking colossal squid (巨大的鱿鱼).
In the cold, dark waters of the Antarctic hides a creature with eight arms, two super long tentacles (触须) and eyes as big as dinner plates. Sound like something out of a science fiction movie? Think again.
On February 21, New Zealand fishermen landed a colossal squid the length of a school bus. They had been fishing with long lines for Chilean sea bass (黑鲈) in the waters off the coast of New Zealand when they caught the rare squid. With two hours of hard work, the crew skillfully pulled the creature into a net and dragged it aboard their ship.
Scientists estimate (估计) that the animal weighs about a half ton and is about 40 feet long. That would make this colossal squid the biggest on record.
First identified in 1925 after two tentacles were found in a whale’s stomach, the colossal squid has long been a mystery. The animals are not easy to observe because they can go down to ocean depths of 6,500 feet. What scientists do know from studying the bodies of a half dozen colossal squids is that they are fierce hunters.
The recently captured colossal squid has been frozen to keep it for scientific study. It will be transported to New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa, in the capital city of Wellington. Experts believe it to be the first adult male ever caught undamaged. Scientists hope to learn more about the colossal squid’s diet, behavior and reproductive (繁殖) patterns.
“Scientists will be very interested in this amazing creature,” said New Zealand Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton. “It adds immeasurably to our understanding of the marine environment.”Why is it usually difficult for experts to observe the squid?
A.Because it moves too fast. |
B.Because it is too large. |
C.Because it is very dangerous. |
D.Because it can go down to deep ocean. |
What can be inferred from the passage?
A.The squid is from a science fiction story. |
B.The fishermen often meet colossal squids. |
C.Scientists know much about the colossal squid. |
D.The fishermen had some difficulty catching the large squid. |
What’s the purpose of catching such a huge squid?
A.To make it into food. |
B.To set a world record. |
C.To do research on it. |
D.To display it for visitors. |
What would be the best title for the passage?
A.The biggest squid ever found |
B.Scientific research on squid |
C.The lifestyle of the colossal squid |
D.How the fishermen caught the squid |
Do you want to see the effects of global warming? Then head north. Will Steger is going to take all of us there.
Steger, 64, the first person to make a dogsled trip to the North Pole, is a very famous and admired polar explorer. He’s at home in frozen parts of the world where few humans ever step on. Steger is also a devoted environmentalist who was early to ring the alarm bell on global warming. He saw its effects firsthand in frequent polar expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica.
Now Steger is about to lead a team of six young adventurers on a 1,400-mile, 60-day-long dogsled trip across Ellesmere Island, in the Canadian Arctic. The sea ice in that region should still be frozen. “We want to take our audience to the front lines of global warming,” says Steger. The team will be uploading videos, stories and photos to the website globalwarming101.com as they march along, allowing armchair adventurers and kids in classrooms to follow their progress day to day. “We can actually bring the audience up there,” Steger says.
Steger’s team will include some already-famous young explorers. Sam Branson, the 22-year-old son of British airline tycoon (大亨) Richard Branson, is an experienced Arctic traveler. Also on the journey will be 27-year-old Norwegian Sigrid Ekran. Last year, Ekran became only the second woman in history to win Rookie (新秀) of the Year for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.
What they will see may be very surprising. Even Steger doesn’t know exactly what to expect. Climate change has already reshaped the geography of the Arctic. “Within a decade or less, it’s going to be impossible to reach the North Pole by dog team without flotation (漂浮),” says Steger.
Climate change is happening, but people can change too. Their willingness to change will determine the shape of the Earth’s future.Why is Steger about to organize the adventure to the Arctic?
A.To collect evidence for his scientific research. |
B.To develop the young people’s adventurous spirit. |
C.To let more people enjoy its natural beauty. |
D.To let people realize the bad effects of global warming. |
How can people learn about the progress of Steger’s journey?
A.Through radio programs. |
B.By watching TV. |
C.On the Internet. |
D.By reading his journals. |
According to Steger, people can save the earth by _____.
A.changing their harmful way of life |
B.learning more about the environment |
C.willingly giving up their comfortable life |
D.getting used to the present changes of the earth |
What would be the best title for the passage?
A.The Arctic is in danger |
B.Sledding through the Arctic |
C.Discoveries of the Arctic |
D.Consequences of global warming |
HAVE FUN IN SPRING!
Special four-week mini-session
April — May
Acting Classes for Ages 4+ and Teens!
Classes meet once a week for four weeks. All classes are led by highly experienced Dallas Children’s Theater (DCT) artists. Since this is a mini-session, classes will not present a show. Pre-K (Pre-Kindergarten) students will explore stories and characters from the world of books and literature. For students in Act It Up (K-1st && 2nd-3rd) and Acting (4th-6th), the classes will explore characters, expression and creativity through creative dramatics (表演) activities.
Full $80 payment per student is required for enrollment (入学). Classes will be filled first-come-first-served. For questions or to enroll, contact Nancy Schaeffer at 214-978-0110 or nancy@dct.org.
Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 April 22-May 13, 2008
Play Days — Pre-K
●Explore the wonderful characters from your favorite books
●Act out the stories you know so well and maybe a few new ones too!
●Take turns being on the stage with your class as you become many fun and creative characters
Act It Up! Grades K-1 & Grades 2-3
Explore the most important aspects of acting:
●Characters: Who are You?
● Imagination: See where it takes you — be creative!
Wednesdays 4:30-6:00 April 23-May 14, 2008
Acting — Grades 4-6
Explore the most important aspects of acting:
● Characterization: Movement and Voice
● Imagination: Listening, Learning and Taking a chance
Auditions and Monologues (试演和独角戏) — Grade 7+
● Work on a monologue that you can use for any audition
●Learn the tricks for how to do your best at your next audition — at school, church or local theater
●Get feedback (反馈) from a professional and make improvements to your auditioning skillsThe ad is about ______.
A.training classes for students |
B.the directions for a product |
C.acting classes for college students |
D.an introduction to a film |
To attend the special four-week mini-session, you’ll have to ______.
A.register at DCT |
B.prove that you can act |
C.be old enough for each class |
D.pay $80 once a week |
Which class may offer you a chance to enjoy playing the characters you like?
A.Auditions and Monologues. | B.Play Days. |
C.Act It Up! | D.Acting. |
Those who attend Auditions and Monologues ______.
A.mainly explore the imagination |
B.have to start their lessons on April 22 |
C.will often practise using movement and voice |
D.are mainly taught some skills for their future use |
On Sunday a few of us decided to take advantage of the first sunny day we’d have for ages to take a trip down to the coast to visit the penguins again. Last time I went down there was a couple of months ago and it was a dull cold day. Sunday couldn’t have been more different — clear skies and sunshine made it feel like summer, although it was still -25°C.
Six of us drove to the coast. It was the first time we’d been off the base on our own without our field assistant, so it had a slightly different feeling — more like a few friends going to the seaside than an Antarctic field trip! When we reached Windy Creek, we luckily caught sight of quite a few small flying seabirds, which are seldom seen there.
Once on the sea ice we found that some of the more curious penguins had wandered over from the main group to come and check us out. We’d been told that then they were nursing their chicks (刚孵出的幼雏) and they would be more careful and nervous than last time, but that didn’t seem to be the case. We walked across to the main group which were stretched for a couple of miles along the coast. We sat down for some sandwiches and soon found ourselves surrounded by many curious observers. Without any attackers on land, they were very brave and came within a meter of us to pose (摆姿势) for photos.
Before heading back, we spent a few hours on the sea ice watching the penguins and their chicks, which had grown dramatically (明显地) since our last visit.
It was such a nice day.When did the trip most probably happen?
A.On a dull Sunday. | B.On a warm Sunday. |
C.On a summer Sunday. | D.On a winter Sunday. |
It can be inferred from the second paragraph that the six people _____.
A.felt a little nervous |
B.felt a little excited |
C.were left all by themselves on their Antarctic base |
D.got bored with staying with their field assistant |
What does the writer mean by saying “but that didn’t seem to be the case”?
A.They were told a lie. |
B.A wrong decision was made. |
C.The truth was the opposite. |
D.They didn’t believe what they were told. |
The six people did the following during the trip EXCEPT _____.
A.feed the penguins |
B.take pictures of the penguins |
C.enjoy watching flying seabirds |
D.watch the young penguins |
You might be reading this article and saying, "Hey, that sounds just like me!" If so, we're glad you recognize that this happens to you.Now you can start taking steps to lessen your test anxiety.Here are some ways to do that:
Ask for help.Talk to your mom or dad, your teacher, or your school guidance counselor.Just talking to someone about test anxiety can make you feel better.Describe what happens to you when you're taking a test and these people can help you figure out some solutions.For instance, learning study skills can boost your test-day confidence.
Be prepared.Pay attention in class.Do your homework.Study for the test.On test day, you're more likely to feel like you know the material.
Block bad thoughts.Watch out for any negative messages you might be sending yourself about the test.These thoughts can make anxiety worse and make it harder for you to do well in the test.
________.Everyone makes mistakes.Be more forgiving of your own mistakes, especially if you prepared for the test and are set to do your best.
Breathe better.OK, so you already know how to breathe.But did you know that breathing exercises can help calm you down?(Just try not to take in too much air because it might make you feel dizzy.) Here's how to do it; Inhale (breathe in) slowly and deeply through your nose, and then exhale (breathe out) slowly through your mouth.Do this two to four times and you just might breathe more easily the next time you're taking a test!Which sentence in the passage can be replaced by the following one?
Having too many negative messages in mind leads to worse test anxiety, which may stop you from doing well in the test.
___________________________________________________________________Please fill in the blank in the last but one paragraph with proper words or phrases to complete the sentence, (not more than 10 words)
___________________________________________________________________Which of the tips do you think is the most useful? (not more than 30 words)
___________________________________________________________________What's the best title of the passage? (not more than 10 words)
___________________________________________________________________Translate the underlined sentence in the 6th paragraph into Chinese.
___________________________________________________________________