The expression “down to earth” means being open and honest. It is easy to get on with some one who is down to earth. A down-to-earth person is the opposite of someone who acts important or proud.
Down-to-earth people could be important members of society. But they do not consider themselves to be better than others who are less important. A person who is filled with his own importance and pride is said to“ have his nose in the air”.
Americans use another expression that is similar in some ways to down to earth. The expression is“ both feet on the ground”. Someone with both feet on the ground is a person with a good understanding of reality. He may have dreams, but he does not allow them to have influence on his understanding of what is real.
The opposite kind of person is one who “has his head in the clouds”. Someone with his head in the clouds is a person whose mind is not on what is happening in real life. Such a person may be called a day-dreamer.
When we have both our feet on the ground, and when we are down to earth, we do not have our noses in the air. We act honestly and openly to others. Our lives are like the ground below us---solid and strong.
【小题1】A down-to-earth person could be _____.
| A.social and proud | B.good and opposite |
| C.real and important | D.strong and changeable |
| A.扬眉吐气 | B.目中无人 | C.瞻前顾后 | D.装模作样 |
| A.you’ll think you are better than others |
| B.your life will be like the solid and strong ground |
| C.you’ll be hated by down-to-earth people |
| D.your life will be filled with love. |
| A.get along with other people easily |
| B.learn from those who are down to earth |
| C.be a good dreamer with quick mind |
| D.have your head in the clouds. |
| A.the use of some expressions |
| B.dreams and achievements |
| C.the lifestyle of honest people |
| D.honest and understanding |
Very few people enjoy exams. I don’t, either. And although I tell myself not to worry about them, I always do! So I’m not surprised that my students worry about them, too, even though they usually don’t need to. Because they are afraid of failing. However, since it is hard not to worry at all, we all must try not to worry too much. Why? Because worrying makes exams worse! How to do this?
Ask the teacher about how to revise and about exam skills—how to work when you are in the exam. Good students don’t wait until the week before an exam. They study all through the year. It is not possible to learn everything at the last minute. So don’t leave it till then.
If you start planning and working for each exam early and you make sure that you understand what you’re studying, then, when it is over, you’ll be able to say, “What a good exam that was!”
Take a short rest during your time of work and revision. If your mind is tired, it won’t remember well. Work at the time when you know you’ll work at your best.
If you’re studying in the evening, don’t go straight to bed afterwards. Your mind will still be “going round and round”—thinking too much. Do something else, maybe walk or get exercise. Choose something that will relax you, and make you think of other things.
If you feel bad, talk to someone about your worries. But don’t be too relaxed! Some stress over exams makes you work hard for them.
【小题1】How does the writer feel about exams?
| A.Excited. | B.Bored. | C.Worried. | D.Surprised. |
| A.Because they are afraid of failing. |
| B.Because they want to get full marks. |
| C.Because exams are usually hard. |
| D.Because their teachers will be angry at their bad grades. |
| A.Good students don’t wait until the week before an exam. |
| B.Start planning and working for each exam early. |
| C.If you don’t know how to work for an exam, ask the teacher about it. |
| D.You should sleep well before the exam. |
| A.take a short rest |
| B.tell someone about your worries |
| C.walk or get exercise |
| D.keep busy working and forget your worries |
Can you swim? Do you like swimming? Well, how can you learn to swim? I think the best way is to go into the water and learn. I’m afraid you’ll never learn to swim just by reading books about Swimming or looking at others swimming. It’s the same with the English study. We must practice, practice and practice.
Listening and speaking are very important for beginners. We can listen to English programs on radio. You may just understand a few words. It doesn’t matter. Just be relaxed, try to catch every word.
Somebody may be a good listener, but he is afraid to speak because he’s afraid of making mistakes. You know we sometimes make mistakes when we speak Chinese. Don’t be afraid. We must be brave. If you really want to learn English well, you must try to speak with everyone as long as he knows English. When there’s nobody to talk with, you can talk to yourself in English. It’s interesting and also a good way to practice your spoken English. Remember, the more you speak, the fewer mistakes you’ll make.
Reading and writing are more important for senior(年级较高的)school students. First we must choose the books we’re interested in. A lot of reading will improve your language sense. This is very important.
It’s easier said than done. Well, let’s do more practice from now on. I’m sure you’ll learn English well in this way.
根据短文内容,从题中所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选择最佳答案。(10分)
【小题1】 What’s the best way to learn to swim?
| A.Reading books about swimming. |
| B.looking at others swimming. |
| C.Going into the water and learning. |
| D.Listening to others’ advice. |
| A.Listening is very important while speaking is not. |
| B.The more you speak, the more mistakes you’ll make. |
| C.Listening and speaking are very important for beginners. |
| D.You can only learn English by listening. |
| A.Speaking and writing. | B.Writing and listening. |
| C.Speaking and listening. | D.Reading and writing. |
| A.By reading. | B.By listening to the radio. |
| C.By speaking. | D.By doing more practice. |
| A.How to Learn English. | B.Easier Said Than Done. |
| C.Listen First, Speak Second. | D.How to learn to Swim. |
We are learning English, but how can we learn English well? A student can know a lot about English, but maybe he can’t speak English.
If you want to know how to swim, you must get into the river. And if you want to be a football player, you must play football. So, you see, you can learn by using it. You must listen to your teacher in class. You must speak English to your classmates every day and also you must write something in English. Then one day you may find your English very good.
【小题1】 You know a lot about English, but maybe _______ it.
| A.you can speak |
| B.you can study |
| C.you can’t speak |
| D.you can’t study |
| A.to learn how to swim |
| B.to skate |
| C.to jump |
| D.to play |
| A.buy a football |
| B.play football |
| C.have some lessons |
| D.read some books |
| A.speak English to your classmates |
| B.write something in English |
| C.listen to your teacher in class |
| D.A, B and C |
| A.How to study swimming |
| B.To be a good player |
| C.How to study English well |
| D.To learn English well is important |
My school is not big but beautiful. There is a garden in the school. There are
many flowers in the garden. The flowers are colorful-they are all kinds of colours. In the center(中心) of the garden, there is a pool. The fish are swimming in it. They look very happy and free.
There are two teaching buildings around the garden. There are 18 classrooms in it. And there are also many other rooms in it -- music room, reading room, language lab and library. There are all kinds of books in the library, such as storybooks, cartoon books and magazines. You can read them after class.
The playground is behind the teaching building. We do morning exercises on the playground every day. On the playground, you can play sports--running, playing basketball and playing badminton.
I like my school very much.
【小题1】 How is the school?
| A.Big and beautiful. |
| B.Big but not beautiful. |
| C.Very beautiful. |
| D.Not big but beautiful. |
| A.They are all kinds of colours. |
| B.They are red, yellow and green. |
| C.They are beautiful. |
| D.They are sweet-smelling(香的). |
| A.They're in the garden. |
| B.They're behind the school. |
| C.They're around the garden. |
| D.They're near the library. |
| A.After class. | B.In class. |
| C.Before class. | D.After school |
| A.Students. | B.Teachers. |
| C.Sports. | D.Buildings. |
Are you carrying too much on your back at school? I’m sure lots of children of your age will say “Yes”. Not only the students in China have this problem, but children in the United States also have heavy school bags.
Doctors are starting to worry about young students’ back and neck because their school bags are too heavy for them.
“It’s hard for me to go upstairs with my heavy bag,” said Rick Hammond, an ll-year-old student in the USA.
Rick is among students who have school bags with two straps(带子),and many other students choose rolling(有滚轮的) bags.
But even with rolling bags ,getting upstairs is still a problem for children .Doctors say students should carry no more than 10% to 15% of their own body weight (重量)。
Scott Bautch, a back doctor, said children under Grade 4 should carry no more than 10% of their weight and older children shouldn’t stay with over 15% , because their bodies are still growing.
Teachers and parents should do some things to help children. And the best answer is to have less homework!
【小题1】From the passage we cam know that .
| A.only children in China carry too heavy school bags. |
| B.children in other countries don’t carry too heavy bags. |
| C.both children in China and the USA carry too heavy school bags. |
| D.only children in the USA carry too heavy school bags. |
| A.they are too young. |
| B.their school bags are too heavy. |
| C.they are too heavy. |
| D.their parents don’t always go upstairs with them. |
| A.his back and neck may be hurt. |
| B.his head and arms may be hurt . |
| C.his hands may be hurt . |
| D.his feet may be hurt . |
| A.5 kilos | B.3 kilos | C.5.5 kilos | D.4.5 kilos |
| A.they should have a little homework to do after they get home |
| B.their teachers had getter not ask them to do any homework |
| C.they should only take home the books they will read that night. |
| D.They should use thin books instead of thick ones. |
阅读理解。(每小题2分,共10分)
I'm a Chinese(中国的) girl. My name is Li Ying. I'm twelve. I'm in No. 1 Middle school(第一中学). Chen Hong is my friend(朋友). She is nine. Mr Wu is my Chinese teacher(老师) and Miss Zhao is my English teacher.
【小题1】Li Ying is a _______ girl.
| A.Chinese | B.English | C.Japanese | D.England |
| A.seven | B.nine | C.eight | D.ten |
| A.Mr Chen | B.Miss Zhao | C.Mr Wu | D.Mr Wang |
| A. Miss Wu | B.Miss Zhao | C.Mr Wu | D.Mr Wang |
| A.teachers | B.friends | C.boys | D.English |
Can you swim? Do you like swimming? Yes? Well, how can you learn to swim? I think the best way is to go into the water and learn. I’m afraid you’ll never learn to swim just by reading books about swimming or looking at others swimming. It’s the same with the English study. We must practice, practice and practice.
Listening and speaking are very important for beginners. The children in English-speaking countries first listen to others. Then they try to imitate and speak. We can listen to English programs on radio. You may just understand a few words. It doesn’t matter. Just be relaxed, try to catch every word. Somebody may be a good listener. But he dare not speak. He’s afraid of making mistakes. You know we sometimes make mistakes when we speak Chinese. Don’t be afraid. We must be brave. If you really want to learn English well, you must try to speak with everyone as long as he knows English. Whether you know him or not is not important, when there’s nobody to talk with, you can talk to yourself in English. It’s interesting and also a good way to practice your spoken English. Remember, the more you speak, the fewer mistakes you’ll make.
Reading and writing are more important for senior school students. First we must choose the books we’re interested in. A lot of reading will improve your language sense. This is the most important.
Keep writing English diaries. We can also write English articles. You may even post them to English magazines. Don’t be afraid of failure. Failure is the mother of success.
Easier said than done. Well, let’s do more practice from now on. I’m sure you’ll learn English well in this way.
【小题1】You can learn to swim by_______.
| A.reading books about it |
| B.looking at others swimming |
| C.having lessons on it |
| D.going into the river and learning |
| A.listening and speaking | B.reading and writing |
| C.both A and B | D.swimming |
| A.Don’t make mistakes. |
| B.Study hard |
| C.Try not to speak English |
| D.Don’t be afraid. |
| A.listening | B.speaking |
| C.reading and writing | D.learning |
| A.by train | B.on the radio |
| C.every minute | D.now and then |