Sometimes, little things can bring big changes. Justice and Nathaniel are learning this with music. A cello and a violin brought big changes to their lives.

Justice and Nathaniel are in sixth grade. They go to a middle school named Northwest School of the Arts. They used to go to Winterfield Elementary School. Winterfield has a program with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO). The CSO program teaches kids how to play musical instruments. Justice learned to play the violin. Nathaniel learned to play the violin and the cello. They are the first students from the program to go to Northwest.

For the past six years, the CSO has given after-school music classes at Winterfield. Most of the kids in the school come from poor homes. It’s difficult for their parents to afford music lessons. The CSO wants the kids to learn about music, and it also wants them to stay out of trouble and get better grades.

The program was started to teach kids about music. It wants to help kids in other ways, too. Kids are allowed to take smaller instruments home to practice. This teachers them to take responsibility for something valuable. The program also encourages cooperation(合作). Students must spend time with children they might know outside of the program. And also, the program teaches practice habits. When students get better after practice, they learn that practice is good.

Students use the first year to explore and find a “forever instrument.” Justice tried out the clarinet and cello before picking a violin.Nathaniel liked the trumpet but decided on the cello and violin.

“When I started, it actually looked easy, but I knew it would get tougher,” says Nathaniel. “Practicing is a pleasure. I’m always trying to get a song perfect, so I’m playing 15-20-25 minutes a day.”

Thanks to music, Justice and Nathaniel got into a good middle school. Justice’s mom said she is very glad that he does well in class and that he likes it. “It makes a big difference,” Nathaniel’s dad said.

1.The word “cello” in the passage is most probably ___________.

A. a musical instrument B. an expert in music

C. a famous musician D. a music program

2.From Paragraph 2, we can learn that Justice and Nathaniel ___________.

A. are six-year-old school boys B. are learning art in a primary school

C. are middle school students D. worked for a school music program

3.Which of the following is true about the CSO program?

A. It trains music teachers for a school. B. It gives kids after-school music classes.

C. It teaches each kid to play the violin. D. It tries to raise money to help poor kids.

4.Paragraph 4 mainly talks about ___________.

A. how to become a responsible person B. the importance of cooperation

C. how to take part in the music program D. The goals of the music program

5.From the last paragraph, we know that Justice’s mom and Nathaniel’s dad ___________.

A. are both music teachers in the program B. are happy about the program

C. have different opinions about the program D. don’t think the program useful

阅读下列短文,根据短文内容填写表格,每空限填一词。

Two days ago, I had taken a test in Biology, and I knew that I would get my scores in the same class today.

After the bell rang, every student sat in his or her seat impatiently. Then, one by one, the teacher called our names.

As each paper was given back to the correct student, the front of the answer paper would always be turned to face the ground and the paper itself would be slightly folded (折叠) to prevent anyone from seeing.

In fact, folding each test paper is a way to make sure that each student sees only his or her own scores. The scores are seen as private information not to be announced or shown to others. As a way to keep the students’ score records secret, each student is given an online account (账号). Each student can use it to check his or her grades on the official school website.

Protecting students’ private information always comes first in US schools that want to free students from unnecessary pressure(压力). School reports are guarded closely to prevent poor grades from damaging a student’s dignity and reputation (尊严和声誉), which are for himself or herself only.

However, some insist that although students’ feelings and self-dignity are easily hurt, they cannot be forever protected. They say that school also teaches their students to make themselves stronger in mind, and the classroom should show the reality of competition in society. Scores that everyone can see might better encourage students to work harder to be better than others.

Protect students’ private information in US schools

The writer’s 1.

※ After the bell rang, it’s 2. of students to sit and wait for their scores for a test in Biology.

※ The teacher called 3. names and handed out the papers.

※ He 4. test papers that faced down and was slightly folded.

Other way taken

Each student is even 5. with an online account with which to check his or her grades on the official school website.

6.

※ Schools want to free students from unnecessary pressure.

※ Schools are trying to 7. poor grades from damaging a student’s personal dignity and reputation among his or her classmates.

Different ideas

※ Some think students are 8. too much.

※ Schools should teach their students to be stronger in mind and try to make greater 9. than others.

※ The classroom should show the reality of 10. in society.

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