Do you know what your child is going to do when the school bell rings at the end of the day? More than 14 million students leave school every afternoon and have nowhere to go, since they do not have access to affordable after-school opportunities. According to the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center (NYVPRC), nine out of ten Americans think all youths should have access to after-school programs, but two-thirds of parents say they have trouble finding programs locally. The bad news is that situation may be getting worse.
After-school hours are the peak time for juvenile crimes and risky behaviors, including alcohol and drug use. The NYVPRC states that children who do not spend any time in after-school activities are 49 percent more likely to use drugs and 37 percent more likely to become a teen parent. Kids are also at the highest risk of becoming a victim of violence after school, particularly between the hours of 2p.m. and 6p.m.. The highest amount of juvenile crime occurs between 3p.m. and 4p.m. , when most children are dismissed from school.
The NYVPRC defines after-school programs as safe and structured activities that offer children opportunities to learn new skills. The skills students learn can range from technology and math to reading and art. Some programs also offer opportunities for internship(实习), community services , or mentoring. These programs have been shown to improve academic achievements, as well as relieve the stresses on working families. A report by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of justice shows that students in after –school programs have fewer behavioral problems and more self-confidence , and can handle conflicts better than students who are not involved with these programs. In addition, according to the Harvard Family Research Project, after-school programs help students from low-income families overcome the inequities (不公平) they face in the school system.
【小题1】What is the theme of the passage?

Swim Birthday Parties

    Ages 3 and up.

Pool parties are during recreation swim in the 25-yard pool. Each party consists of an hour of celebration in a private room. Parties are for 1—5 children. All non-swimmers or children requiring floatation must be at arm’s length from the pool and accompanied by an adult or guardian.

Please contact Sarah Hagan 762—8384x210.

Fee: Members $ 175/Non-members $225

Youth Fitness Birthday Parties

Leave the party activities to us! Your party package includes:1/2 hour set-up,1 hour program time including equipment,props,etc.1 hour party time for cake,presents,etc.,1/2 hour clean-up time and 1 or 2 hours specialists. Parents supply decorations, food and paper goods. To schedule a Youth Fitness Birthday Party, call Mary Ann Genuario (x282).

Fee:$295 for up to 10 children,$10 each additional child—16 children maximum. Non-member price available upon request.

The Art Spot Birthday Parties

The Art Spot offers a variety of creative fine art parties for Ages 4—Adult! We supply the invitations, a balloon bouquet(花束), paper goods, project materials and a party host; all you need to bring is the cake!

Parties are one and a half hours, the first hour the group create their art project, and last 1/2 hour is for cake and presents! Parties are usually held on Friday nights and weekends but weekday parties are available.

Cost: $21 per child.

Rain or shine there’s no better place than the Art Spot for your child’s next party!

Nursery School Birthday Parties

If planning a party is not your thing, let us do the work for you! We offer a variety of pre-planned parties to choose from. You may also do a combination of 2 parties for boy/ girl parties. All parties are on Saturday afternoons between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and are one and a half hours in length. Parties include a craft or activity and paper goods. You may arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time to set-up. To schedule a party please contact Kim Murphy(x214).

Fee(Up to 15 children):$200 Members/ $250 Non-member,$15 each additional child.

1.The phrase “be at arm’s length” probably means“       ”.

A. be as careful as possible              B. be as long as an arm

C. be as near as possible                D. be as faraway as possible

2.If 12 children take part in Youth Fitness Birthday Parties, they will pay       .

A.$ 455             B.$315          C.$ 200            D.$250

3.If your child joins in the Art Spot Birthday Parties, he will        .

A. swim in the 25-yard pool              B. spend half an hour to clean up

C. create his own art project              D. o activities with other kids

4.What information can you get from the passage?

A. You can schedule the party when it is convenient for you.

B. The number of people for these parties is limited.

C. ou need to bring nothing to join in the birthday parties.

D. All of these birthday parties center on a special theme.

完形填空（共20小题；每小题1分，满分20分）

阅读下面短文，从短文后所给各题的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。

Dad was not only my best friend, but my compass. While he was alive, he  1   me with his actions and advice. He taught me one important  2  “Believe in yourself.”

If there was one phrase my dad  3  liked to hear, it was “I can’t.” He never got to finish high school and 4 two jobs to support his family,  5   he never complained. Through education and years of hard work, my dad became an excellent journalist.

When I was in high school, I had a  6  time with math. He tried to help me, but I 7 struggled. So my math teacher suggested I meet with him at 7:00 each morning before school for  8  help. I told my dad, “That’s  9 ! I can’t do that!” He replied, “You’re doing it. I’ll sent you to school.” Every morning at 6:45 a.m., we’d leave the  10 . Despite working 12 hours every day, Dad never once  11   driving me to school.

After months of  12  , I was facing the final exam. I was so  13 . On the day of the final, my dad hugged me and said, “Luke,  14   yourself. You can do it.” His words made me realize I needed to trust in my  15  and in the hours of work I’d 16 . When I got my  17   proudly, the first person I called was Dad. He screamed, “Yes! You deserved it!”

Even now, whenever I  18  that a task is too much for me, I think back to that exam. No matter how  19   something is, if you’re willing to work, you can succeed. I’m forever 20  to Dad for that lesson.

1.                A．understood     B．forgave         C．guided   D．impressed

2.                A．history         B．lesson          C．skill  D．language

3.                A．always         B．almost          C．ever     D．never

4.                A．took           B．lost            C．left D．finished

5.                A．so             B．or             C．but  D．and

6.                A．good           B．free            C．terrible   D．short

7.                A．still            B．nearly          C．hardly    D．probably

8.                A．real           B．practical        C．immediate D．extra

9.                A．wonderful      B．crazy           C．expensive D．necessary

10.               A．house          B．school         C．office D．farm

11.               A．suggested       B．risked          C．enjoyed   D．missed

12.               A．meeting        B．testing         C．learning   D．interviewing

13.               A．excited         B．nervous        C．happy D．shocked

14.               A．stand for       B．hold back       C．believe in  D．look after

15.               A．teacher        B．luck           C．time D．ability

16.               A．wasted         B．ignored        C．picked up  D．put in

17.               A．answer         B．grade          C．pay   D．gift

18.               A．hope          B．forget          C．worry D．promise

19.               A．different       B．important       C．hard D．interesting

20.               A．grateful        B．sorry          C．polite D．useful

For better eyesight, doctors advise limiting the hours of screen time and encourage having enough eye resting time.
However, another study shows that sitting in front of computer or TV screens for long hours is not the only reason for myopia（近视）. An Australian research team studied young children in Sydney and Singapore to find the reasons for myopia.
The research team found that the prevalence（流行）of myopia among children in Sydney was lower than children in Singapore, even though they spent more time in front of computer and TV screens. The major finding is that children in Sydney spend longer hours on outdoor activities than those in Singapore.
Indoor and outdoor sports activities both make the eyes focus on more distant objects, which prevents the eyes from changing shape. But outdoor activities may better help avoid myopia than indoor sports activities.
Jane Gwiazda, who does research in sight problems, says: “Natural light is good for eye growth. And extra vitamin D from the sun might contribute to eye growth.”
Many doctors suggest that every child get its first eye test done when he/she is about two and half years old, and even if his/her sight seems perfect.
It is necessary for myopic children to wear glasses to prevent headaches, trouble reading or injuries. It is also important that schools invite doctors to test their students’ eyes.
If that is not possible, school teachers should at least encourage parents and children to have regular eye examinations and wear glasses. And parents should remember not only to limit the total screen time for their children, but also to encourage them to spend time outdoors.

1. 1.

   What’s the aim of the study by the Australian research team ?

   1. A.
      To find the reasons for myopia.
   2. B.
      To find the ways to treat myopia.
   3. C.
      To prove the bad effects of myopia.
   4. D.
      To prove the prevalence of myopia.
2. 2.

   Why are there fewer children with myopia in Sydney than in Singapore ?

   1. A.
      Because Sydney children watch less TV.
   2. B.
      Because Sydney children have more eye resting time.
   3. C.
      Because Sydney children use computers less.
   4. D.
      Because Sydney children do more outdoor sports.
3. 3.

   What conclusion can we draw from the passage ?

   1. A.
      Sydney children don’t study hard.
   2. B.
      Singapore children do few exercises.
   3. C.
      Outdoor activities do more good to eyes.
   4. D.
      Room light does harm to children’s eyes.
4. 4.

   Which of the following statements is TRUE ?

   1. A.
      Children should have eye tests as soon as they reach school age.
   2. B.
      Doing outdoor activities with no glasses is good for myopia children.
   3. C.
      Focusing on distant objects can help the eyes keep their original shape.
   4. D.
      Children should limit their time in the sun in order to protect their eyes.

London congestion charging

The charge was introduced on Monday 17 February 2003 to encourage people to leave their cars behind and use public transport when travelling in central London. It was introduced due to the high pollution levels and traffic congestion（拥挤）.

The Inner Ring Road forms the congestion zone boundary and includes roads such as Marylebone Road, Euston Road, Park Lane and Edgware Road. Drivers can travel along these roads without paying the charge. Maps of this zone are published in the national press and are available from a range of outlets as well as online.

People who travel regularly between work and home have to pay £5 for each day they wish to travel through or within the charge zone between the hours of 7.00 am and 6.30 pm, Monday to Friday. They have a choice about how they pay the £5. They can pay online, via the Internet, phoning, texting on their mobile phones and over the counter at petrol stations and convenience stores. They also have a choice about how often they pay. They can pay daily, weekly, monthly or annually.

Not everyone has to pay the £5. Among these are residents, emergency services, registered-disabled drivers, taxis and those using alternative energy vehicles. These people/organizations have to apply for exemption (免交), which can be done online.

The London Congestion Charge works by using around 900 cameras at the boundary and within the zone. The cameras read the registration plates and send the information to a computer, which checks whether the owner has paid the charge and, if not, whether the owner has claimed exemption. If drivers have not paid the charge by 10 pm that day (and are not exempt) a penalty notice is sent to his/her home address. The longer that the penalty is not paid, the larger the fine. Persistent offenders have their vehicles removed.

For more information, call 0845 900 1234 or visit Transport for London’s congestion charge website at http://www.cclondon.com/.

1. This text is aimed at _______.

A. businesses                        B. students                  C. London residents        D. everyone

2. This text offers readers information about _______.

A. the weather forecasts of London

B. the days and times for people to pay the charge

C. the number of drivers who fail to pay the charge each day

D. the names of shops where you can get Congestion Charge maps

3. What can we learn from the text?

A. All people in London have to pay the charge.

B. London residents can pay the charge in different ways.

C. Registered-disabled drivers have to go to an agency to apply for exemption.

D. 900 cameras are used to judge whether the driver has gone through the red light.