Some children cannot wait to grow up. Because once you become an adult, you are free to make your own decisions. More importantly, you can do all those things that you cannot do now because you are too young. So, the question is, ‘At what age do you really become an adult?' Well, people become adults at different ages in different places.
In Australia, the 18th birthday is a very important event for young Australians because it means they can do almost anything they want. They can vote, learn to drive a car, get married, join the army and even buy their own houses. However, even if they can do all these things, most Australians have to wait until their 21st birthday to really celebrate becoming an adult. This is the traditional adult age not only in Australia, but also in the USA and the UK. It is their first year of true independence (独立).Traditionally, people were given a key to their houses by their parents when they turned 21, meaning they could come and go as they like.
Even though 21 is the traditional adult age in many English-speaking countries, the law nowadays is different in each country. In the UK, you can join the army at 16 and even get married at 16 if your parents allow. Young people in the UK can learn to drive a car at 17 as in Australia, although they have to wait until they are 18 to vote.
In China, there is a different age for each of the stages of becoming an adult. You can vote and learn to drive a car when you are 18, but if you want to get married, women have to wait until they are 20 and men until they are 22. Chinese people celebrate important birthdays every 10 years--so when young people turn 20, they can expect a big party!
No matter what age you are, becoming an adult is really about learning how to be independent and responsible(负责任的). Once you are finally able to take care of yourself and make your own decisions, then you can say that you are truly all grown-ups.Which of the following are truly adults according to the passage?
A.Independent grown-ups. | B.Married people. |
C.People who can drive. | D.People in the army. |
At what age do Australians really become adults?
A.17. | B.18. | C.20. | D.21. |
What is the writer’s opinion about the age people become adults?
A.The age people become adults depends on whether they can vote or not. |
B.The age people become adults depends on their own independence and responsibility. |
C.The age people become adults depends on if they are eighteen years old. |
D.The age people become adults depends on when they get the key to their houses. |
Why do people in Australia get the key to the houses when they really become adults?
A.Because the law decides it. |
B.Because they can leave when they want. |
C.Because they can come home when they want. |
D.Because it is a tradition. |
What are adults free to do according to the passage?
A.They are free to decide when to celebrate their own birthdays. |
B.They are free to look after themselves well. |
C.They are free to make their own decisions. |
D.They are free to make time move faster. |
Youth, friendship and love are the main themes of this year’s Chinese movies, such as So Young(《致青春》) and American Dreams in China(《中国合伙人》). Tiny Times(《小时代》), one of the most popular movies this summer, also has the same features.
The movie was based on author and director Guo Jingming’s novel of the same name. It tells a story about four girls who come from different backgrounds and of different personalities. Since it was shown on June 27, Tiny Times has made 483 million yuan at the box office. The sequel(续集) of it was shown on Aug 8 and it has also been a big box office hit.
Cao Yuhan, 13, a high school student at Beijing Jianhua Experimental School, is a big fan of the movie. “I’m deeply touched by their friendship,” Cao said. “When Nan Xiwang is in trouble, the other three girls try their best to help her, even running barefoot in the snow. However, not everyone has had good things to say. The people’s Daily said that the film went too far in encouraging youths to become materialistic(物质至上主义的). Film commentator Raymond Zhou wrote on his online blog that “Buying luxury goods seems as a way to express love or friendship, and the word ‘money’ is repeated over and over again. Song Kexin, 14, a high school student at Zhida Middle School in Taiyuan, Shanxi, shows a typical example of a fan’s attitude(态度). And that’s to look for the positive value. “That movie is a little far from our daily life. My friends and I are not having parties every day,” Song said, “But I admire Tang Wanru’s optimistic attitude. She’s always looking at the bright side of life. I should learn from her.” Which is NOT one of the main themes of this year’s Chinese movies?
A.Youth | B.Love |
C.War | D.Friendship |
According to the article, the movie Tiny Times ________.
A.is more popular than the other two movies |
B.was made from Guo Jingming’s novel |
C.tells about four girls with similar personalities |
D.opened in Chinese cinemas on August 8 |
What does film commentator Zhou Liming think of the movie?
A.The four girls’ friendship is touching. |
B.It encourages the young to work hard. |
C.It has many advertisements for luxury goods. |
D.It shows money expresses love or friendship. |
Song Kexin admires Tang Wanru because of Tang’s ________.
A.optimistic attitude | B.rich family background |
C.good looks | D.excellent grades at school |
The passage mainly talks about _______.
A.youth, friendship and love |
B.this year’s Chinese movies |
C.student’s attitude toward movies |
D.Tiny Times and audience’s comments |
Have you ever been sad because you failed in something? If so, please remember, for often, achieving what you expect is not the most important thing. Here is a story to tell you why.
One day a little boy decided to dig a hole behind his house after watching a science program. As he was working, a couple of boys stopped by to watch.“What are you doing?” asked one of the visitors.“I want to dig a deep hole all the way through the earth!”the boy answered excitedly. The older boys began to laugh, telling him that it was impossible to do it. Then they left.
The little boy kept on digging and digging. Suddenly, a few small colorful stones caught his eyes. He collected them and put them into a glass jar patiently. Humming a song, he went on digging. The jar was full soon. Then he talked to himself calmly and proudly,“Maybe I can’t finish digging all the way through the earth, but look at what I have found in the process of digging !”
The boy’s goal was too difficult, but it did cause him to go on, in other words, to cause us to keep working!
Not every goal will be achieved. Not every job will end up with a success. Not every dream will come true.But when you can’t achieve your goal, maybe you can say,“yes, but look what I’ve found along the way! There are so many wonderful things that have come into my life because I tried to do something!”It is in the digging that life is lived. It is the unexpected joy on the journey that really has a meaning.What did the boy do after watching a program?
A.He bought a glass jar. |
B.He started to dig a hole. |
C.He played with some visitors. |
D.He went on watching the program. |
What did the older boys think of the little boy?
A.He was silly. | B.He was strict. |
C.he was strong-minded. | D.He was energetic. |
When did the boy find the stones?
A.Before he met the older boys. |
B.When he wanted to give up digging. |
C.After the older boys laughed at him. |
D.As soon as he began to dig the hole. |
What does the underlined sentence“It is in the digging that life is lived.”mean
according to the article?
A.Life is to make a big success. |
B.Life is to find the colorful stones. |
C.Life is difficult but colorful. |
D.Life is on the way to achieve the goal. |
Which is the best title for this article?
A.Enjoying the process. |
B.How to achieve goals. |
C.A journey through the earth. |
D.Dig a deep hole all the way through the earth. |
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News 1 Huang Heshan, a boy from Xinghua, has moved many people all over the country. Thanks to Huang Heshan, Yang Kangshao can go to school every day. Yang is disabled, but Huang Heshan carries him to school on his back. It’s eight years since he started to do that. They help each other. At school, Yang helps Huang with his study, too. Huang says that he feels happy when he can do something to help disabled people. |
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News 2 In Taizhou, Xiaoqing River is a good place for families to have fun. There are many green trees and the air is fresh. People can have different activities along the river. However, we can also find the waste bags and other rubbish everywhere. How can we enjoy ourselves in such bad environment? Now we are supposed to keep the park clean if we want to have a nice field trip. |
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News 3 On November 25, more than four thousand people started to run along Taishan Park. All the runners ran about 4.7 kilometers. They took part in the activity to lead a healthy life and show the spirit of the people in our city. After running, many runners signed their names on the flags. They called on all the people, old and young, to exercise more. |
In News 1, we know Huang Heshan has helped Yang Kangshao for _______.
A.eighteen years | B.eighty years |
C.eight months | D.eight years |
We should _______ if we want to have a nice field trip along Xiaoqing River.
A.throw the rubbish | B.find some waste bags |
C.plant more trees | D.help keep the environment clean |
To lead a healthy life, over four thousand people ____ on November 25.
A.cleaned the park | B.signed their names on the flags |
C.ran about 4.7 kilometers | D.started to help disabled people |
We may know the news above from _______.
A.a newspaper | B.a novel |
C.a TV play | D.a poster |
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A.Yang Kangshao has trouble with his eyes. |
B.Yang Kangshao is better at study than Huang Heshan. |
C.Xiaoqing River is very clean and beautiful. |
D.Only young people took part in the running activity. |
Everyone needs friends. There is an old saying, "Friends are God's way of taking care of us." But how do you find real friendship(友谊)and keep it.
The American writer Sally Seamans tells young students some smart ways to find friends. Sally says finding friendship is just like planting a tree. You plant the seed(种子)and take care of it to make it grow.
First you should choose a friend. What makes a good friend? It is not because a person has money or good looks. A good friend should be kind and patient(耐心).For example, if you have a bad day, a good friend should listen to your complaints(抱怨)and do his or her best to help. To make a friend, you cannot be too shy. You should make each other happy and share your lives.
But things cannot always be happy. Even the best friends have fights. What should you do when you have a fight with your friend? You have to talk to him or her. When there is no one around, have an honest(诚实的)talk. If he or she doesn't want to talk, you could write a letter.
There are three steps to be friends again:
Tell him or her how you are feeling; say what your friend has done wrong, and explain(解释)why you did this or that. Remember that friendship is the most important thing in your life.
Sally wants to tell students the ways to_______.
A.find friends | B.keep fit |
C.get happy | D.plants trees |
What makes good friends? A good friend should_______.
A.be lovely and cool | B.have good looks |
C.have lots of money | D.be kind and patient |
What does the word "fights" mean in Chinese?
A.打架 | B.游戏 |
C.飞行 | D.比赛 |
According to(根据)the text, you can_______ your friend after a fight.
A.buy a present for | B.never say a word to |
C.write a letter to | D.have dinner with |
Ocean (海洋)Museum
9:00-17:00From Thursday to Sunday
Ticket:50 yuan
132 Xue Yuan Street
Tel:5439871
Show you a full picture of sea lives!
Health Centre
9;00-17:30 every day
16 Yong Le Street
Tel: 3801451
Free examinations for those over 70
Give you good advice to keep healthy!
Sunny English Club
For students
16:00-18:00 Every Saturday
200 yuan a month
9 Zhou Yu Street
Tel:3785290
Foreign teachers, English songs and films and stories more!
You will pay_______ if you want to stay in the English club for a year.
A.2400 yuan | B.600 yuan |
C.1200 yuan | D.200 yuan |
One can get free examinations(检查)in Health Centre if he is_______.
A.16 | B.73 | C.67 | D.53 |
Which of the following is NOT true?
A.English lovers may enjoy some English films in Sunny English Club. |
B.You can call 3801451 for advice if you want to keep fit. |
C.You can go to any of the three places on Saturday afternoon. |
D.If Tom is interested in the life of fish, he should go to Ocean Museum next Monday. |