Five years ago, I was sent to a better middle school. For me, everything there was new and strange. After I had been there for two months, there was an important test in the middle of the term. It covered all my courses. In that test, I didn’t get a good grade, but most of my classmates got an A or A’.
It made me upset for a long time. I felt everything in the world was changing. I thought my classmates were all better than me. During those days I was very unhappy.
One day, my aunt, after talking with my teachers, talked to me. She told me to think about what I had done in the past and what I should do in the future. I was shocked by her words. I thought about what I had done during the past months, and I found I had done nothing to improve my grades. I thought I should work harder.
After that, I paid more attention to the teachers’ talking in the classes, and I asked my teachers or my classmates when I didn’t understand something. I studied very late at night when I met with difficult problems. Most of all, I came to understand the importance of taking notes in class. As a result, I did better in some tests.
About three months later, the most important test came at the end of the term. This time, I stood out not only in my class but also in the grade. From then on, I have tried to do my best when I do something because I know if I want something, I should work hard for it.
【小题1】Why did the writer fall behind in the new middle school?

Five years ago, I was sent to a better middle school. For me, everything there was new and strange. After I had been there for two months, there was an important test in the middle of the term. It covered all my courses. In that test, I didn’t get a good grade, but most of my classmates got an A or A’.

   It made me upset for a long time. I felt everything in the world was changing. I thought my classmates were all better than me. During those days I was very unhappy.

   One day, my aunt, after talking with my teachers, talked to me. She told me to think about what I had done in the past and what I should do in the future. I was shocked by her words. I thought about what I had done during the past months, and I found I had done nothing to improve my grades. I thought I should work harder.

    After that, I paid more attention to the teachers’ talking in the classes, and I asked my teachers or my classmates when I didn’t understand something. I studied very late at night when I met with difficult problems. Most of all, I came to understand the importance of taking notes in class. As a result, I did better in some tests.

    About three months later, the most important test came at the end of the term. This time, I stood out not only in my class but also in the grade. From then on, I have tried to do my best when I do something because I know if I want something, I should work hard for it.

Why did the writer fall behind in the new middle school?

A. Because the teachers didn’t treat him well enough.

  B. Because the subjects were becoming more difficult.

C. Because he hated the life in the new school.       

D. Because he didn’t put his heart into study.

What did the writer’s aunt do to help him out?

A. She punished him for not working hard.

B. She helped him find out the reasons for his poor performance.

C. She forced him to work harder.

D. She asked his teachers to talk with him about his problems.

Which of the following studying methods helped the writer most?

A. Asking teachers for help when in difficulty.       B. Working deep into the night every day.

C. Making notes in class.                        D. Listening to every word his teachers said.

What does the underlined sentence in the last paragraph mean?

A. The writer failed again in the exam.              B. The writer did very well in the exam.

C. The writer became the cleverest in the class.       D. The writer was very proud of his progress.

Five years ago, I was sent to a better middle school. For me, everything there was new and strange. After I had been there for two months, there was an important test in the middle of the term. It covered all my courses. In that test, I didn’t get a good grade, but most of my classmates got an A or A’.

   It made me upset for a long time. I felt everything in the world was changing. I thought my classmates were all better than me. During those days I was very unhappy.

   One day, my aunt, after talking with my teachers, talked to me. She told me to think about what I had done in the past and what I should do in the future. I was shocked by her words. I thought about what I had done during the past months, and I found I had done nothing to improve my grades. I thought I should work harder.

    After that, I paid more attention to the teachers’ talking in the classes, and I asked my teachers or my classmates when I didn’t understand something. I studied very late at night when I met with difficult problems. Most of all, I came to understand the importance of taking notes in class. As a result, I did better in some tests.

    About three months later, the most important test came at the end of the term. This time, I stood out not only in my class but also in the grade. From then on, I have tried to do my best when I do something because I know if I want something, I should work hard for it.

1.Why did the writer fall behind in the new middle school?

A. Because the teachers didn’t treat him well enough.

  B. Because the subjects were becoming more difficult.

C. Because he hated the life in the new school.       

D. Because he didn’t put his heart into study.

2.What did the writer’s aunt do to help him out?

A. She punished him for not working hard.

B. She helped him find out the reasons for his poor performance.

C. She forced him to work harder.

D. She asked his teachers to talk with him about his problems.

3. Which of the following studying methods helped the writer most?

A. Asking teachers for help when in difficulty.       B. Working deep into the night every day.

C. Making notes in class.                        D. Listening to every word his teachers said.

4.What does the underlined sentence in the last paragraph mean?

A. The writer failed again in the exam.              B. The writer did very well in the exam.

C. The writer became the cleverest in the class.       D. The writer was very proud of his progress.

When I was about 8 years old, I asked my mum to buy me a certain biscuit because it sponsored（赞助）Flash Gordon. Gordon was a super-hero who 31 for good deeds（事情）in outer space.
My mum would buy the 32 for me because I 33 the prize that came with it. The prize was a pair of glasses that Gordon 34 .
However, in order to get the prize I had to 35 the whole box of biscuits out because it was at the 36 . I didn’t dare to think of 37 my way to the prize because I was too 38 . Yes, I wanted to be like Flash Gordon! 39 the glasses came out from the bottom, I put them on. I felt like my favorite 40 . I wore them everywhere my mum and I went. I even tried to wear them to 41, but the teachers didn’t want a super-hero flying around the playground.
Over the years there were other prizes from many 42 brands（牌子）of biscuits, but I was never really 43 the biscuits, only the 44 .
When you think about it, 45 itself can be like a box of biscuits. Even as adults, we keep 46 that prize at all costs. Just 47 what we do at times. We become greedy（贪婪的）to get what we think is the prize.
Try to look at it from a different view. Wouldn’t it be better to 48 the journey along the way ? In other words, don’t be impatient and pour the box. That will only spoil（破坏）the 49 meaning of the prize. Enjoy what you have and be grateful. I promise your prize will 50 , without having to push others out of the way to get it.