"Olyvia， love is simple． You don't have to do much to make someone happy． "That was what my mother said to me when I was a child． Over a year ago， I had a chance． My good friend Kaylee told me about her （1）t to a small town called Gary， and how it was a life﹣changing experience． I made up my mind to go there myself．
When I told my parents about the decision， they didn't （2）a at first． They said I didn't know much about the place． They were worried that it was not （3）s for me to go there． Thankfully， after I explained my plan to them in detail， they said yes．
When our group arrived in Gary， I noticed how different the town was from where I lived． There were few stores or restaurants in the town； most had closed． So you would be very （4）l if you could find a place to buy food or drinks． Houses were built on small hills． Many of them had broken doors or windows． My job was to help the local people to （5）r houses．The work days were long and hot， but it was really good to see the houses taking on a new look day by day．
The children there were also different． They seemed to enjoy every moment in life though they were poor． The smallest things would make these kids happy． I couldn't find words to describe their （6）j when they received an ice﹣cream， a ball or even a kiss． The community was like a big family． Everyone knew each other and was there when someone needed help．
I am so glad that I had this unforgetable experience． I truly learned the （7）m of what my mother said． You don't need to do much to make a difference to other's lives．
Reading is fun!You can also analyze texts（文本）to learn more from the texts and about the texts.One way you can do this with fiction books，passages，or poems is by exploring their themes.
A theme is a central idea running throughout the text，connecting the characters and events.The writer may express his or her thoughts about humanity or a worldview through a theme.Themes can be ideas like friendship，bravery，love，honesty or family.Make sure you know what the writer is saying.
Sometimes，themes are hard to find out.First，the theme may not be able to be included in just one word like the examples above.There may also be more than one theme in the text.What's more，some themes are not presented in the words directly.You have to use clues in the texts to find them.
To start exploring the theme，first you need to make sure you've read the whole text.Since themes develop over time，you can't fully understand the underlying themes until the end of the text.Then，ask yourself to sum up（概括）the text and try to work out a "big idea".For example，did many characters resolve problems with their families？If there was only one small problem with a character's family，then "family" might not be the theme of the text.Finally，after finding out a "big idea"，go through the text to find examples that support this idea.You needn't repeat every detail of the story﹣a few key examples will be fine.
Now you are ready to explore the theme of a text!
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Exploring the （1） of a text |
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Main points |
Detailed information |
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（2） is a theme？ |
● A theme is a （3） idea that connects the characters and events. ● The （4） thoughts are possibly expressed through the theme. |
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Why is it （5） to find the theme？ |
●You might not （6） the theme in just one word. ●There may also be more than one theme in the text. ● Some themes are not presented in a （7） way. |
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How can you explore the theme？ |
●Read the text till the （8） to fully understand the themes. ●Work out a "big idea" of the text by summing up the text. ●Find some key examples to （9） the "big idea".It's not （10） to repeat every detail. |
Ways to reduce food waste
Food waste is a big problem around the world. While some people t ___ 1___away unwanted food, lots of people in other parts of the world face food shortages.
In order to reduce food waste, many c ___ 2___in the world like German and France have food banks. People and grocery stores can give extra food to them and they can give the food to t ___ 3___in need. Shanghai Oasis opened China's first food bank in 2015. In five years, it saved seven million tons of food and h ___ 4___760,000 people.
Many fruits and v ___ 5___go to waste because they look ugly. For example, about 25 to 30 percent of carrots don't make it to the store because of their l ___ 6___. So try to buy ugly food next time, since it is j __ 7___as good as "normal" food.
Many Chinese restaurants are telling people to o ___ 8___dishes by using the "N-1"formula. "N" s ___ 9___for the number of people in your group. So if you're in a group of s ___1 0___people, you should order five dishes.
To reduce food waste is a big task, and it needs time. Everyone can do something to make a difference.
Eyes always on us
Video cameras are everywhere: schools, theatres and stores. But in recent years, theyhave entered our homes. Many parents set up cameras at home to watch their children's online classes and homework. Are cameras really helpful? What do students think about it?
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Li Ming Earlier last year, I liked to lie in bed and videos instead of studying. This watch affected my studies and made my grades worse. So my parents set up a camera to keep an eye on me. It worked. With the camera watching, I had to do my homework first and make plans for studying at home. When I was alone at home, the camera made me feel safe because I knew that my parents were watching on the other side. My grades improved after a year. |
Zhang Hua When I was in Grade 8, my parent set up a camera in my room. I really didn't like it because I felt like there were always eyes watching me. I felt so uncomfortable that I couldn't sleep well at night. Knowing there was a camera around when my friends came to my home, they would speak quietly and carefully. We couldn't have pillow fights. I was sad. So I asked my parents to take the camera away. They agreed it as long as I promised to behave well. I feel happy and free now. |
回答下面5个问题, 每题答案不超过5个词。
（1） What does the underlined word "they" in Paragraph 1 refer to?
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（2） What was the reason for Li Ming's parents' setting up a camera at home?
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（3） What happened to Li Ming one year later?
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（4） Why does Zhang Hua feel happy and free now?
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（5） What do you think of parents' setting up cameras at home?
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Homestays are becoming more and more popular, and people around the world are offering their homes as hotels. Homestays offer cheap places to stay, and the chance for guests to see the area like a local. They are very popular with people who want to stay in another country to study or on holiday. We asked three families who run homestays to tell us about where they live.
The Atal family
Our family home is in a small village in the north of Pakistan, in the Himalayan mountains. The village is quite small and very quiet. The mountains are extremely beautiful. You can go for long walks and swim in the rivers but there are no shops, cinemas or cafes.
Kate and Julian Foxton
Our two-bed house is by the sea in the south-west of England. It is about five minutes' drive to the nearest village of Portreath. There are lots of beaches, rivers and forests and it is very quiet. We spend a lot of time reading books, watching films and going for walks. Our area is great for sports like surfing, kayaking and mountain biking. However, the houses here are expensive, which can be a problem for local people. There are no buses or trains here, so it can be difficult to get around without a car。
Chafic and Aline Halwany
Our home is near the centre of Beirut, Lebanon, one of the largest cities in the Middle East. There are lots of cafes and restaurants, which open late at night. We love it here because it's so friendly and you can always find what you need-lots of people come to stay to learn Arabic and French. However, it can be noisy at night, and there is quite a lot of traffic during the day.
Homestay holidays - A home __ 1 ___ from home
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Families |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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The Atal family (Pakistan) |
It's in a small and quiet village in beautiful mountains. People can __ 2 ___and swim there. |
There are no shops, cinemas or cafes. |
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Kate and Julian Foxton （ 3 ） |
It takes a short __ 4 __to the beaches, rivers and forests by car. It's a good place for ___ 5 ___like surfing, kayaking and mountain biking. |
Houses here are not ___ 6 __. It's difficult to get around ___ 7 ___a car. |
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Chafic and Aline Halwany (Lebanon) |
Lots of cafes and restaurants ___ 8 __at night. You can always find ___ 9 __you need. |
There is much __ 10 ___at night and lot of traffic during the day. |
All the runners stood nervously at the starting line.All of them had prepared
（1） （they） for this important race.
The race meant more to a boy named Bill，because most of the other runners had greater speed.Could Bill realize his dream of being （2） "all﹣school"runner？He would have to finish in the top 5 to win that honor.
Bill's life （3） （fill）with disappointment.Primary school had been a long nightmare（噩梦） for him.Of all the reading skills，he even couldn't pick up（4） （basic） one，although he had tried many times.Bill did not complain（报怨）.He simply tried hard.But in the following years he was till unable to catch up with his classmates.
Then one day his teacher called us in （5） a conversation.She said， "I'm sorry to have to tell you this，but Bill isn't trying anymore.He has given it up（6） （complete）. "I became very sad and afraid.I was afraid Bill might have forever lost heart.
I had a talk with Bill.I told him about my own experiences.I said， "（7） I was the slowest one in my class in primary school，my parents and teachers were loving and understanding.Because of that，I made it through those years and finally went on to a music school.Now，you know，I'm a（8） （piano）.We think achievements come easily to others.Life usually isn't like that.The person who（9） （success）is usually only a few percent. "Bill said， "Dad，I guess that not doing so well isn't all that bad if someone loves you and stands by you.
In the （10） （nine） grade，Bill went out for the race again.