Life for Cathy Taylor’s three children is very busy. Their school days are busy enough. After school, though, Cathy takes the two boys from football to basketball. Then she has to take her daughter to piano lessons. The tired children don’t get home until 7 pm. They have a quick supper, and it’s time for homework.

The Taylors are like many American and British parents. They take their children from activity to activity, and try to fit as much as possible into their kids’ lives. Doctors say many children are under too much pressure. Teachers complain(抱怨) about teaching tired kids in the classroom.

Most children take part in after-school clubs. Activities include sports, language learning, music and math classes. Pushy parents are nothing new, but now parents seem to push their children a lot more. Parents see other children doing a lot of things, and they feel their own children should do the same.

Linda Miller, a mother of three in London, knows all about such pressure. “In some families, competition starts from a very young age,” she says. “Mothers send their kids to all kinds of classes when they are very young. And they are always comparing them with other children. It’s crazy. People shouldn’t push their kids so hard.

Dr Alice Green agrees. She also says that these children may find it hard to think for themselves when they are older. “Parents are trying to plan their kids’ lives for them. When these kids are adults, they might find it difficult to plan things for themselves.” Parents should learn to give their kids a bit more time to themselves. On one hand, children need organized activities. On the other hand, they also need time and freedom to relax, and they need time to do things by themselves.

(   ) 8. Cathy Taylor sends her daughter to       .

A. math classes     B. language school B. sport club      D. piano lessons

(   ) 9. Why do teachers complain about teaching those children in the classroom?

A. Because they are very tired.     B. Because they know a lot of things.

C. Because they are under too much pressure. D. Because they can’t plan things for themselves.

(   ) 10. From the passage, we know children take part in after-school activities because       .

A. they have interest in them           B. their teachers tell them to do so

C. their parents push them to do so         D. they see other children doing these things

(  ) 11. The writer probably thinks that parents should       .

A. compare their children with others    B. plan their children’s lives for them

C. take their children to different classes  

D. give children time and let them do things by themselves

People fell in love with Elizabeth Taylor in 1944, when she acted in the movie National Velvet — the story of Velvet Brown, a young girl who won first place in a famous horse race. At first, the producers of the movie told Elizabeth Taylor that she was too short to play the part of Velvet. However, they waited for four months until three inches (英寸) added to her height. Elizabeth Taylor’s acting in National Velvet is still considered to be the best and National Velvet became Elizabeth Taylor’s first success.

Elizabeth Taylor was born in London in 1932. Her parents, both Americans, had moved to London for business. When World War II started, the Taylors moved to California, where Elizabeth Taylor started acting in movies. After her success as a child star, Elizabeth Taylor had no trouble moving into adult roles and won the Academy Award twice for Best Actress for her performance in Butterfield 8 (1960) and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf? (1966).

Elizabeth Taylor is a legend (传奇人物) of our time. Like Velvet Brown in National Velvet, Elizabeth Taylor was very lucky, and she was hard-working, beautiful, famous and rich. When Elizabeth Taylor got older, she seldom acted in movies. Instead, she spent most of time on her business, and she often helped others. Several years ago, she raised more than $40 million for research and education. In March, 2011, Elizabeth Taylor died at the age of 79.

1.The producers didn’t let Taylor play the part of Velvet at first because ______.

    A. she was not tall enough              B. she didn’t show interest

    C. she was not beautiful enough         D. she did not play well enough

2.Where did Elizabeth Taylor start acting in movies?

A. In New York.                         B. In Los Angeles.

C. In California.                           D. In London

3.When did Elizabeth Taylor win her first Academy Award for Best Actress?

    A. At the age of 12.                        B. At the age of 28.

    C. At the age of 31.                        D. At the age of 34.

4.What do you know about Velvet Brown in National Velvet?

A. She was not rich.                B. She was a famous actress.

    C. She was not well-known.      D. She won first place in a famous horse race.

5.The writer wrote this article to _______.

    A. encourage us to help others

B. advise us to watch National Velvet

    C. tell us how to be successful and famous

    D. give us some information about a successful star

Choose the best choice from A、B or C according to what you read.

1. Who will be guests at the party?

       A. The children of Mr. Taylor.     B. The Wilsons       C. The Taylors

2.What will they have the party for?

       A. New Year’s Day.        B. Richard’s birthday.        C. Mr. Taylor’s coming

3.How long does the party last?

       A. Six hours.             B. Seven hours.             C. Eight hours.

4.The seat number of the ticket is ______.

       A. 4, Row 5              B. 5, Row 4                C. 1, Row 4

5.What does the underlined word “refund” mean?

       A. 入场                B. 出场                    C. 退票