Last fall was a first-of-its-kind season.I did not arrange any after-school classes for my children.No swimming.No music lessons.No play dates.Nothing.
Once they finished their homework, they were free to do what they pleased, but only one hour of TV.In the beginning, my sons, Ben, 11, and Nick, 9, were anxious about this sudden, unplanned freedom.I had to push them out of the door with a ball, a bike, and so on.“Play!” I ordered.
I learned that this new plan takes time, patience and a lot of faith in the theory that having excellent grades isn't really important.
When my older kids, now in college and high school, were young, I brought in the rules of modern parenting.They are unspoken, but followed carefully.First, you must let your child have all kinds of activities.After all, you never know where you'll find a genius.Second, if the child shows the slightest talent, the activity must be pushed with lessons, special coaching(辅导)and practice of several days a week.Every minute should be taken and every minute has a purpose.That was really too much for my children.
Now with the new plan, we told stories and we listened to music.And the kids played with bikes, balls, and whatever was handy.Nobody kept score.In fact, the boys played outside so much that the lawn(草地)was worn down to the soil in places.They've made friends with those who come from all over the neighbor hood to play games.
We like those peaceful evenings.Ben and Nick have a good time this fall, Maybe that's because the time off has allowed us to enjoy each other's company.
(1)
What was new for the family last fall?
[ ]
A.
The writer arranged no extra lessons for the children.
B.
The children began to learn music when school was over.
C.
The writer found no time to play with the sons.
D.
The children had nothing to do after school
(2)
At the beginning of that season the children ________.
[ ]
A.
hated to spend more time on their homework
B.
felt excited about making their own decisions
C.
were pleased to have more freedom
D.
were worried about the change
(3)
According to “modern parenting” discussed in Paragraph 4, parents should ________.
[ ]
A.
make use of every minute to be with the children
B.
try every means to find a child's real talent
C.
provide coaching and practice for each activity
D.
know the rules but never talk about them
(4)
From the passage we learn that ________.
[ ]
A.
children like story telling more than bike-riding
B.
parents should teach their children how to make a plan
C.
children should have time to enjoy themselves after school
D.
parents can enjoy their evenings when children play with others
"S.H.E.is going to sing at the CCTV annual Spring Festival Evening Party, is that true?" cried out Peng Weiye, a Senior 2 girl in Shanghai and die-hard S.H.E.fan.
After checking it on the Internet, Peng quickly phoned friends to spread the news.For fans like her, S.H.E.’s performance is perhaps the only part of the old fashioned evening to get excited about.
The Taiwanese band is made up of Selina, Hebe and Ella.Their name comes from the first letter of each of the singers' English names.
Last week S.H.E.announced they would perform in Las Vegas, US, over Christmas and then in Guangzhou on January 15.
At their Shanghai show on October 30, hundreds of parents waited outside the Hongkou Stadium.Inside, thousands of teenagers sang, cried and shouted as the band performed.
“I love their music, healthy image and everything related to them.Thank God that, although my parents don't understand why I love them so much, they still bought me a ticket for that show,”said Peng about the Shanghai performance.
It is not just on the mainland that the three girls have made audiences much excited.In the past year the band has passed through Taiwan, Hong Kong and even Singapore and Malaysia.
When the three high school girls entered a singing contest in Taiwan in 2000, none of them ever dreamed of being a superstar.“We had never met before, and we didn't talk at all at the beginning,” recalled Ella.
When asked about the secret of their success, she said, "Our average looks and not-so-expensive clothes keep us close to our fans.We are happy to be the girls next door, your singing sisters."
"It's really a magical journey, from day-dreaming high school girls to singers performing on the same stage as our idols(偶像).Nothing but magical," she said.
(1)
Why was Peng Weiye, a Senior 2 girl, so excited?
[ ]
A.
S.H.E.band will get the old fashioned evening exciting.
B.
S.H.E.will perform in Las Vegas over Christmas.
C.
Her parents bought her a ticket for S.H.E.Is Shanghai show.
D.
S.H.E.will perform on the CCTV Spring Festival Evening Party.
(2)
How did the Taiwanese band get the name?
[ ]
A.
Their fans gave the name to them.
B.
Their idols had a deep influence on them.
C.
A singing contest gave their idea of the band name.
D.
The first letters of Selina, Hebe and Ella form the band name.
(3)
What do you know about Peng Weiye?
[ ]
A.
she stayed outside the Hongkou Stadium to listen to S.H.E.'s performance.
B.
She will watch the performance in Guangzhou on January 15.
C.
She pays close attention to everything about S.H.E.
D.
She was grateful that her parents understood and supported her.
(4)
Which is true about S.H.E.?
[ ]
A.
The secret to their success is their pretty faces and lovely clothes.
B.
They were close friends when they entered a singing contest.
C.
They caused a storm of excitement in Southeast Asia.
D.
They have well prepared to perform with their idols.
(5)
Which do you think is NOT the reason for S.H.E’s popularity among their fans?
[ ]
A.
Their music and their healthy image.
B.
They can make audience much excited.
C.
Their success meets their fans’ day dream of becoming others’ idols.
D.
Their average looks and not-so-expensive clothes keep them close to their fans.
阅读理解
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This tour stops at Haulapai Indian Reservation of the Grand Canyon.These stops include Eagle and Guano Point.There're also extra stops along the way for shopping and smoking.This package not only includes the Grand Canyon, but a short photo stop at the Hoover Dam as well.click above for more details.
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This tour takes you sightseeing down and around Hollywood Blvd/Beverly Hills, home of the world-famous Walk of Fame as well as Grauman's Chinese Theatre.It ends at beautiful Santa Monica Beach & Pier.click above for more details.
(1)
If you're with a self-challenging spirit, you probably choose ________.
[ ]
A.
West Rim-Grand Canyon Tour
B.
Hoover Dam-AM/PM Mini Tour
C.
Airplane Tours & Helicopter Tours
D.
Las Vegas to Hollywood 1 Day Tour
(2)
To take Hoover Dam-AM/PM Mini Tour, how much will a couple and their twin daughters pay?
[ ]
A.
$150.
B.
$75.
C.
$112.5.
D.
$37.5.
(3)
Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
[ ]
A.
Mather Point is included in the only luxury Motor Coach Tour.
B.
Two tours mentioned both involve the Hoover Dam.
C.
Lake Mead is a man-made project.
D.
Travelers can enjoy plays at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
(4)
The passage is most probably chosen from ________.
[ ]
A.
a newspaper
B.
a magazine
C.
a TV ad
D.
a website
阅读理解
Nick Petrels is a doctor in Montreal.He works 60 hours a week.He takes care of 159 patients a week in the hospital and at his office.He’s been a doctor for ten years.
Dr.Petrels gives his patients good medical advice.But he doesn’t just tell his patients what to do.He also sings to them on television!Dr.Petrels has his own TV show.The show is in Italian, English and French.The doctor starts the show with a song and then gives medical advice.He explains a medical problem or disease in simple language.After that, he sings another song.
Dr.Petrels produces and performs in his own show every week.The program is very popular with his patients and with people who enjoy his singing.His dream is to perform(表演)in Las Vegas.His favorite songs are love songs, and he has a compact disk of love songs that he wrote.Dr.Petrels says, “I always love to sing.All my problems are gone when I sing.”But when Dr.Petrels was young, his father didn’t want him to be a singer, so he went to medical school.
Some people tell Dr.Petrels he can help people more as a doctor.But Dr.Petrels says he helps people when he sings, too.“I like to make people smile.Sometimes it’s difficult to make a sick person smile.Medicine and entertainment(娱乐)both try to do the same thing.They try to make people feel good.”
(1)
Dr.Petrels works 60 hours a week, because he ________.
[ ]
A.
gives his patients medical advice
B.
takes care of 159 patients a week
C.
sings on television
D.
has his own TV show
(2)
Dr.Petrels ________, so he is called a singing doctor.
[ ]
A.
has been a doctor for ten years
B.
always loves to sing
C.
is popular with his patients
D.
also sings to his patients on TV
(3)
In his TV show, Dr.Petrels ________.
[ ]
A.
sings and gives medical advice
B.
sings about different diseases
C.
starts to explain diseases with a song
D.
sings love songs he wrote
(4)
Dr.Petrels’ show is popular ________.
[ ]
A.
in Las Vegas
B.
at medical school
C.
with people who like his singing
D.
with patients in Montreal
(5)
Dr.Petrels says he likes to ________.
[ ]
A.
help people sing
B.
make people feel better
C.
do the same thing
D.
make difficult people smile
阅读理解
Need a room close to the US embassy for a week in early January
I need a room close to the US embassy for a week in early January.My parents are going to the US embassy for visa interview on January 7th.I am looking for a place for them to stay around this date.Hotels are too expensive for them since they retired long ago.They speak Chinese only.Rent can be made through Paypal in USD or cash in CNY, if the price is right.
Reply to:house-510574487 @ craigslist.org
Expo housing
Looking for 5 bedrooms from May 17-24 for the Shanghai Expo.Can be one large apartment or 2 smaller ones, but they must be close to each other.Please email me at jcshap @yahoo.com if you have a nice place with air conditioning, high speed Internet.
Expo swap or share
I have beautiful 3-bedroom home with pool and spa(
桑拿浴池)in Las Vegas, the USA, 10 minutes from the strip(商业街).I am willing to share or swap(交换)my house for yours(home or apartment)during the Shanghai Expo.I need a place for 2 or 3 people in Shanghai from May 19-25.In exchange, you can have my house for any week either during the Expo, or any other time as long as I have a one-month advance notice to set up for you so you can have my house all to yourself.If interested, please email me at sdiem@ cox.net and I will send photos of my house.
Apartment or house wanted May 8-28, 2010
My daughter is working in the USA Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo and my family wants to be there to stay with her for some time.We are looking for a 2-3 room apartment or house to rent from 8 through May 28 in the Putong District.Need air conditioning.
Thanks.
Reply to:wcondon7@ msn.com
(1)
Which advertisement pays special attention to housing location and price?
[ ]
A.
Advertisement One
B.
Advertisement Two
C.
Advertisement Three
D.
Advertisement Four
(2)
The four advertisements all need a place ________.
[ ]
A.
with access to the Internet
B.
with air conditioning
C.
for at least three people
D.
for at least seven days
(3)
If your family leave Shanghai for American for a seven-day trip next month, you will probably contact ________.
[ ]
A.
house -510574487@ craigslist.Org
B.
jcshap@yahoo.com
C.
sdiem@ cox.net
D.
wcondon7@msn.com:
(4)
Who will have a good chance to know much about the USA Pavilion?
[ ]
A.
Mr Wang, renting his house to the third advertiser.
B.
Mrs Sun, renting her house to the fourth advertiser.
C.
Mr Yang, renting his apartment to the first advertiser.
D.
Mrs Liu, renting her apartment to the second advertiser.