If you want to grow, one important thing you should do is keeping a journal. It may seem simple, but it can make a big difference in your life. I have been keeping journals for years. Writing all the lessons I learn and all the ideas I get has become a habit for me. And to be honest, I can’t imagine what my life would be like without it.
◆ It prevents you from losing an idea. Have you ever gotten an idea only to lose it later because you didn’t write it down? But then I developed the habit of writing down every idea that came into my mind as soon as possible. If I’m away from my computer, I usually write it down on a piece of paper that I bring wherever I go. I will then transfer the idea to the journal in my computer.
◆ It helps you review all the lessons you’ve learned. By reviewing your journal, you can quickly see the lessons you’ve learned and the ideas you’ve gotten. You can use the ideas to propel (鞭策) yourself forward.
◆ After keeping a journal for years, you can look back at it and see how far you’ve gone. Things that were big problems in the past might seem small today. The raw ideas you had in the past might have been realized today.
◆ It helps you expand your ideas. When you try to come up with a sentence to express an idea, you are thinking actively about it. In the end, you will expand your ideas.
| A．I often experienced that myself. |
| B．It trains you to express your thoughts. |
| C．It allows you to see your progress over time. |
| D．Just use whatever tool you feel comfortable with. |
E. Here are some benefits you will get by keeping a journal.
F. Thinking actively helps you connect your idea to another idea.
G. Then you can do whatever necessary to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
The Internet has opened up a whole new online world for us to meet, chat and go where we’ve never been before.
But just as in face to face communication, there are some rules of behavior that should be followed when on line. Imagine how you’d feel if you were in the other person’s shoes.
For anything you’re about to send: ask yourself, “Would I say this to the person’s face?” if the answer is no, rewrite and reread.
If someone in the chat room is rude to you, your instinct (本能) is to fire back in the same manner. But try not to do soIf it is caused by a disagreement with another member, try to fix the situation by politely discussing it. Remember to respect the beliefs and opinions of others in the chat room.
Offer advice when asked by newcomers, as they may not be sure what to do or how to communicate. When someone makes a mistake, whether it’s a stupid question or an unnecessarily long answer, be kind about it. If it’s a small mistake, you may not need to say anything. Even if you feel strongly about it, think twice before saying anything. Having good manners yourself doesn’t give you license to correct everyone else
At the same time, if you find you are wrong, be sure to correct yourself and apologize to those that you have offended.
It is not polite to ask others personal questions such as their age, sex and marital status. Unless you know the person very well, and you are both comfortable with sharing personal information, don’t ask such questions.
| A．It’s natural that there are some people who speak rudely or make mistakes online. |
| B．Repeat the process till you feel sure that you’d feel comfortable saying the words to the person’s face. |
| C．If you do decide to tell someone about a mistake, point it out politely. |
| D．The basic rule is simple: treat others in the same way you would want to be treated. |
E. You should either ignore the person, or use your chat software to block their messages.
F. When you send short messages to a person online, you must say something beautiful to hear.
G. Everyone was new to the network once.
Getting along with parents
Mom and dad are the most important people in your life, and they’re likely to influence you more than anyone else in your lifetime. It’s a parent’s job to love and guide kids, and most parents will do this as long as they live. Here are four ways you can stay close, get along, and build a strong relationship.
Spend time together. It might be easy to be physically in the same place with your mom and dad. Instead of playing a computer game or watching TV by yourself, maybe you should ask your mom and dad to play with you. You can go outside together, try a board game, or read a book together.
Many kids say they would like their parents to help them when they’re upset. But your mom and dad might not know that you’re having a problem. Tell your parents if you’re sad or struggling with something. If you don’t usually do this, give it a try and you will be glad.
Be kind. Little things might mean a lot to your mom and dad. It’s also lovely when a kid offers to help fold the laundry or cleans up his or her room without being asked. And if you try not to fight with your brothers or sisters, your parents might be so excited!
Show your care. Some families are always kissing, hugging, and saying “I love you” In addition to kisses and hugs, kids and parents can show their love by respecting each other, being caring, polite, and thoughtful.
| A．But how much time do you spend just enjoying each other’s company（陪伴）? |
| B．It’s important to show that you care for each other. |
| C．But parents do a lot more than just pass down their hobbies. |
| D．Share your feelings and ask for help. |
E. Talk on the phone and email each other to stay in touch.
F. You can brighten your parents’ day with a hug, a card or a joke.
G. That means you have many years to share with your mom and dad.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith had a quarrel. Their friend Mr. Brown went to talk to them. When he came back, he told his wife that he had been trying to help the Smiths.
Mr. Wang paid for a new school. Some people did not like the design of the school but they agreed with Mr. Wang.
Mr. Brown had quite a good job in Hong Kong. But he thought a job in Singapore would be better. His wife didn’t want him to leave his job in Hong Kong. She reminded him to give up this idea.
Jenny formed the habit of getting up late during summer holiday. She was scolded for being late on her first day of new term. She then promised that sort of thing would never happen again.
The 7-year-old Marie got a nice CD player as her birthday gift. And she was unwilling to let others use it at any time even though it was not used at all by herself.
| A．To pour oil on troubled waters “To pour oil on troubled waters” means trying to calm things down. Oil is lighter than water. If a ship is in trouble at sea, another ship may come to help it. The second ship can send small boats to rescue people. However, it may first pour oil on the sea to make the sea less rough. |
| B．A bird in hand is worth two in the bush If I’m a hunter, trying to catch birds, it’s better to catch one bird than to see two birds in a bush but not be able to catch them. Thus this means that what you have already got is better than the chance of being able to get something bigger in the future. |
| C．He who pays the pipe calls the tune A pipe is a musician. The man who employs or pays a musician can say what tunes the man will play. Thus this means that if a man provides the money for a plan, he can say how it will be carried out. |
| D．Once bitten, twice shy |
If a dog bites me, I shall be twice as careful in future when I see it. This proverb is applied to many things and not only to dogs. If you have been cheated at a shop, you will not go to the same shop again.
E.You can’t get blood out of a stone
“You can’t get blood out of a stone” means that you can’t get something from a person who has not got any of the things you want. For example, you can’t expect a million dollars from a poor man.
F.Don’t be a dog in a manger
This means “don’t be selfish”. In a stable, the manger is the place where the horse’s food is put. Sometimes a dog will sleep in the manger and bark when a horse comes to get its food. The dog doesn’t want to eat the hay in the manger and bark when a horse eat it.
Ms Robson’s students are studying French and German. She would like them to speak both the languages at some point while they’re away.
Hilary’s students are fourteen years old. Some of them learn French, so she wants to find a holiday course which can offer personal language lessons for those who would like to improve their French.
Rose has a small group of students. They all want to sail but unfortunately some of them are unable to swim, although they’re eager to learn.
Mr. Pearson’s class have just started to learn German and he wants a holiday which mixes studying the language with plenty of free time to explore the foreign country.
John has a class of eleven-year-olds who are crazy about sports. He’d like a course which organizes a complete program including all kinds of sports, meals and entertainments.
| A Summer Schools in the Czech Republic Spend a week in a sports center 15 minutes south of Prague. Each day’s program is organized by our professional trainers for children aged 10-14. Prices include breakfast, lunch and dinners as well as sightseeing tours. |
B Summer in France All our courses take place at the university in Marsellie. Morning classes are held in German, evening lectures on France history are in French. We offer an exciting program of evening activities including music, dance and theatre. |
| C Greek Sailing Holidays Arrive by air and then hire one of our new boats with all the latest equipment to sail around the Greek islands. These boats sleep up to twenty students and two teachers. Trained sailing staff are available but you must be able to swim. |
D Summer Courses in Finland If you love water sports you’ll love our one-week sports holiday on the Finnish lakes. There are opportunities to swim, sail and water-ski. Lessons are available if you need them. There is also a chance to learn Finnish at no extra cost! Everyone is welcome! |
| E Holiday Programs in Germany We offer morning classes in the German language at all levels from beginners upwards. In the afternoon you are free to join in our mountain walks or to go shopping in the nearby town. In the evening we organize a full program of entertainments. All ages are welcome! |
F Summer Schools in France Opportunities to speak French. We offer summer schools for students between the ages of 12 and 16. Live with a French family and choose from a range of different activities including horse-riding, indoor hockey, football, swimming and dry skiing. Private language lessons are planed if requested. |
根据对话内容，从对话后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。选项中有两项多余选项。
Mark: I so glad a Taco Bells is going to open at the corner of the street next week.
Dora:
Mark: What? I really cannot believe this! Don’t you know Taco Bells? It is said to be the most visited drive-in fast food restaurant in the world.
Dora: I don’t go to fast food restaurants. I cook.
Mark: The French fries.
Dora: I never eat fries.
Mark: I love French fries. And I think many people around the world love French fries.
Dora:
Mark: Because there are hundreds of Taco Bells fast food restaurants all over the world in more than 20 different countries.
Dora:
| A．Is it a toy store? |
| B．Why do you say so? |
| C．Fries make people overweight. |
| D．I prefer Chinese food to French food. |
E. So what is this restaurant most famous for?
F. People are aware of the harm of fast food.
G. Anyway, I think people should eat less fast food.