Think of life as a game in which you are playing with five balls in the air. You name them work, family, health, friends and spirit and you keep all of them in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce (弹跳) back.

But the other four balls, family, health, friends and spirit, are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be broken. They will never be the same. You must understand that and try to have balance in your life. How?

Don’t look down on your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different and each of us is special.

Don’t let other people set goal for you. Only you know what is best for yourself.

Don’t give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

Don’t be afraid of difficulties. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

Don’t shut love out of your life by saying it’s impossible. The quickest way to receive love is to give it; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; the best way to keep love is to give it wings（翅膀).

Don’t run through life so fast that you forget not only where you’ve been, but also where you are going.

Don’t be afraid to learn. Knowledge is a treasure you can always carry easily.

Don’t use time or words carelessly. You can’t get them back. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift; that’s why we call it “the present”. Life is not a competition, but a trip, step by step.

1.The passage tells us not to _________ because everyone is special.

A. be afraid of difficulties

B. be afraid to learn

C. run through life so fast

D. compare yourself with others to look down on your worth

2.The sentence “Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.” means that _______.

A. Nothing is possible

B. If we don’t give up, there is always hope

C. You should learn to give up

D. Although you try, nothing will change.

3.Why can’t we use time carelessly? ___________

A. Because time is too expensive.

B. Because time never returns.

C. Because we are too poor.

D. Because times will get back.

4.If you run through life so fast, you will ____________.

A. lose your own treasure that you can always carry easily

B. lose love by holding it too tightly

C. forget not only where you’ve been, but also where you are going.

D. not afraid of the difficulties

“Come on! All of us are cutting math. Who wants to take that quiz? We’re going to take a walk and get lunch instead. Let’s go!” says the coolest kid in your class. Do you do what you know is right and go to math class, take the quiz? Or do you give in and go with them?

People who are at your age, like your classmates, are called peers（同龄人）. When they try to influence you how to act, to get you to do something, it’s called peer pressure（压力）. It’s something everyone has to deal with—even adults.

Peers influence your life, even if you don’t realize it, just by spending time with you. You learn from them, and they learn from you. It’s only human nature to listen to and learn from other people in your age group.

Peers can have a positive influence on each other. Maybe another student in your science class taught you an easy way to remember the planets in the solar system. Or you got others excited about your new favorite book, and now everyone is reading it. Sometimes peers influence each other in negative（消极的） ways. For example, a few kids in school might try to get you to cut class with them.

It’s difficult to say “no” to peer pressure, but you can do it. Paying attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing to do.

It can really help to have at least one other peer, or friend, who is willing to say “no” too. If you continue to face peer pressure and you’re finding it difficult to handle, talk to someone you trust, a parent, or a teacher. They can help you feel much better and prepare you for the next time you face peer pressure.

1.With his words in the first paragraph, the kid is ________.

A. planning some interesting activities after school

B. talking about a dinner party

C. asking other kids to take a quiz with him

D. encouraging other kids to cut a class

2.According to the author, _________.

A. peer pressure does kids more harm than good

B. math is the most difficult subject for most kids

C. kids today are under greater pressure than before

D. peer pressure exists among people of all age groups

3.What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 3 refer to?

A. Peer pressure. B. Your time.

C. Your life. D. Human nature.

4.It’s suggested in the last paragraph that the readers _______.

A. make more close friends while at school

B. learn to refuse their friends in a polite way

C. get support from someone else if it’s necessary

D. build closer relations with their parents and teachers

As a student, you must be excited to know something about American school students. In fact, just like in China, in the United States, high school is usually divided into two periods, the first two or three years are called “junior high school” and the other is “senior high school”.

In China, children enjoy free education of nine years, but in the United States, the students enjoy free education(which will be started when they are about 6 years old) until they are 18 years old. As a result of the free education system, American children have little difficulty in going to senior high school.

American high school students can take part in a lot of activities outside of the classroom. The activities are organized by the school, such as joining a music group or a sports team. Certainly, just like us students in China, American students have to work hard in order to get good marks if they want to go to a good university. They take classes in all kinds of subjects all through the high school period. And students with low marks at the end of a school year are still allowed to go on to the next grade.

In American high schools, there is fighting or hurting or other kinds of bad behaviors. So children who want to go to university are often sent to suburban (郊区的) high schools, where most students want to go to university and the atmosphere (氛围) is quite different.

1.This passage mainly tells us about ________.

A. education of Chinese middle school

B. education of American high school

C. American free education

D. how to get into universities in America

2.Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A. The time of free education in China is longer than that in America.

B. Those who get good marks can go to a good university.

C. American students can take all kinds of subjects during the high school period.

D. They can be allowed to join the next grade even if they fail the school-year exam.

3.The writer of the passage tells us the truth that ________.

A.the atmosphere in high schools is not good

B. none of the schools in cities are good for learning

C. suburban high schools are good places for learning

D. all the American students want to go to university

At the age of seven I started taking violin lessons. I practiced half an hour every day, went to lessons once a week, and occasionally played in a group concert. Like most kids, I always thought practicing was boring. If my parents hadn’t been there to make me practice, I probably would have put down my violin and never have picked it up again.

I met Moira when I was 11 at an Irish music party. Moira hosted the party that night, playing the violin, singing and dancing. She made sure that everyone in the room got involved and had a great time. I immediately fell in love with the music she played and the energy that she brought to it. Just a few days after that party, I took my first lesson with Moira, and I continued taking lessons with Moira throughout middle school.

When I started playing the violin with Moira, playing music became something that I loved. She introduced me to so many types of music, from Irish to Old Time, to Cajun. Moira also taught me to play the guitar. Soon we started performing together and were shocked to discover that people actually wanted to hear us! When I began to play the violin, practicing was something that I did at home in my living room, but with Moira’s influence it quickly became something that I did everywhere. I played on street corners, at festivals, at the beach, at parties, at weddings, and late at night in my friends’ kitchens.

Moira took the music out to the classroom and brought it to life. Her passion(激情)was not only for playing music, but also for sharing it. My time with Moira allowed me to grow both musically and personally. I have met so many special people and had so many invaluable(无价的) experiences. Moira has proven to be the most important influence in my musical development, and also my invaluable friend.

1. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The writer had her violin lessons every day.

B. The writer disliked the kids who hated the violin.

C. The writer usually played music in school concerts.

D. At first the writer was not active in learning the violin.

2.The passage didn’t say directly but we can learn that .

A. Moira was a good neighbor

B. the writer was a good singer

C. Moira was a good organizer

D. the writer was a music teacher

3.What can we know from the last paragraph?

A. Moira didn’t like to play music in the classroom.

B. Moira helped the writer a lot with her personal life.

C. Moira had great influence on the writer’s life

D. Moira was very thankful for the writer’s support.

4.What would be the best title for the passage?

A. My Way to Success. B. My Invaluable Friend.

C. My Middle School Life. D. How I learned the Violin.

Researchers have found that most of our tiredness comes from our mental attitudes (心态). One of England’s doctors, J.A. Hadfield, says, “ 1. . In fact, tiredness of completely physical origin (缘由) is unusual.” So, remember -- the key to improved productivity is learning to relax. Here are some suggestions for you.

Relax form time to time

2. . It is said that if you want to master the art of relaxation, study the cat. Think about it. Have you ever seen a tired cat, or a cat with a nervous break-down? You will probably avoid this kind of feeling if you learn to relax as the cat does.

3.

Remember that tensions (紧张状态) on the body produce aching shoulders and nervous feelings. Variety and movement keep you physically and mentally alive. The most interesting task can get boring if done for long periods of time, and the most comfortable chair isn’t comfortable if the worker must sit in it for hours.

Think at the end of the day

4. . And if you are tired, is it because of the mental work you’ve done, or the way you have done it? Generally, if you feel extremely tired at the end of the day, it’s quite likely been an inefficient (效率低的) day.

5. Then you can work with a new attitude the next day.

A. Think of a cat

B. Work less hard

C. Work in a comfortable position

D. This will help you form the habit of relaxing.

E. Make notes of what changes you need to make.

F. Ask yourself how tired you are at the end of the day.

G. The greater part of tiredness comes from mental attitudes.

The first time I saw Suzy Khan, I knew I had to help her. She was really small for her age of 12. The boys in my class often about her and laughed at her a lot. She would open a book, pretending to read, with tears dropping on the open page.

All I knew was that she was an orphan (孤儿), from Africa. She had just been adopted (收养) by a family in town who that the best way for her to learn American ways of life was to be with American kids. I looked down at this girl, and promised myself that somehow I would help her.

But how I would help her in with us? There had to be a .

One day, when I went into the classroom, I saw that Suzy had her geography book to a picture of a train, and in her notebook, she had made a (an) copy.

I was surprised and thought that she could do something in the coming show. So, I took her to see the art teacher, Miss Park, and showed her what Suzy had . “Why, it's wonderful,” said Miss Park, who then showed us a poster she had painted the talent show. “I need more of these, but I just don't have enough . Could you help me, Suzy?”

On the day of the talent show, Suzy's were everywhere - all over the hall and all over the school, each one different.

“And finally,” said Mr. Brown, the schoolmaster, at the end of the show, “we have a (an) award. I'm sure you've all noticed the wonderful posters.” Everyone nodded. “One of your own students them.”

I could hear everyone whispering (窃窃私语), “Who in our school could draw well?”

Mr. Brown waited a while before saying, “ this student worked so hard on the posters, she deserves (应得) a , too. Our mystery artist is our new student, Suzy Khan!”

Mr. Brown thanked her for all the wonderful posters and gave her a professional artist's set. “Thank you,” she cried.

I , at that time when I was looking at her excited face, she'd probably never anything in her whole life.

Everyone started to their hands, Suzy Khan gave them a shy smile and the applause (掌声) was deafening (震耳欲聋). I knew then Suzy was going to be all right.

1.A. joked B. cared C. forgot D. worried

2.A. reported B. thought C. complained D.questioned

3.A. rich B. proud C. tiny D. popular

4.A. come B. fall C. fit D. tie

5.A. manner B. pattern C. choice D. way

6.A. read B. taken C. opened D. put

7.A. free B. perfect C. final D. extra

8.A. art B. talk C. quiz D. talent

9.A. colored B. written C. carved D. drawn

10.A. at B. after C. for D. around

11.A. room B. time C. paper D. interest

12.A. gifts B. books C. photos D. posters

13.A. special B. academic C. national D. royal

14.A. painted B. found C. printed D. collected

15.A. very B. so C. quite D. too

16.A. If B. Though C. Unless D. Since

17.A. prize B. rank C. rest D. Place

18.A. replied B. realized C. remembered D.regretted

19.A. offered B. valued C. owned D.controlled

20.A. clap B. wave C. raise D.Shake

阅读下面短文，按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求，在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空。

Jimmy: Alice, how was your journey to the countryside?

Alice: Wonderful. We 1. (enjoy) beautiful sights and food in the country.

Jimmy: Food? Did you have 2. big dinner in the countryside? What have you had?

Alice: It was not a big dinner at all, 3. there were a lot of foods which only can be eaten in the local place, such 4. some wild vegetables.

Jimmy: Oh, I see. Did you do anything 5. ?

Alice: Yes. We got 6. well with the villagers and sent pens and books we carried to the poor students.

Jimmy: That is really great! I think they must study harder with your help.

Alice: It is far from enough. 7. (actual), I felt a little sad as soon as I saw the joy on the children who got the pens and books.

Jimmy: Why do you have this kind of feeling?

Alice: As far as I am 8. (concern), these things are nothing for the children who live in our city.

Jimmy: You are right. We can do more for the children living in that area.

Alice: Yes. Many of us who went to the place 9. (plan) to give more help to the children.

Jimmy: Can you tell me what you are going to do?

Alice: We are going to buy a number of books and donate（捐赠） 10. to the local school.

Jimmy: It is a good idea. I am entirely willing to join you.

Alice: It’s very kind of you.

假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处，每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加，删除或修改。

增加： 在缺词处加一个漏字符号（^）,并在其下面写出该加的词。

删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。 修改： 在错词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。

Li Ying often forgets something, but her classmates call her “Miss Forgetful”. One day, her mother asked her buy something and gives her a shopping list. When she got to the shop, she bought all the things on the lists. Then it was time to pay to them, but she forgot to take money with her, which was left on the dining table at home. So she has had to go back to fetch the money. When she finally went back to a shop again, she paid money but forgot to take that she had bought. Lucky, the shop owner called him back in time.

假如你叫李华，最近你班打算为每周举办的“英语角”选一名负责人（director），你准备参加竞选。请根据以下提示写一篇英语演讲比赛稿。

1. 对英语有很大的兴趣，曾在学校英语演讲比赛中获得一等奖；

2. 性格开朗，易与他人相处；

3.组织过学校英语俱乐部的相关活动，有一定经验。

注意：1. 词数100-120；2. 开头和结尾已给出，但不计入总词数；3. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

It was ______ back home after the experiment.

A. not until midnight did he go

B. until midnight that he didn’t go

C. not until midnight that he went

D. until midnight when he didn’t go