Honestly, since my son was born, I have thought a lot about how to raise a child. I once heard a story
that told about when a baby was born. The story said that when a baby was born, a new master was born.
The parents of that baby would become the servants. The question is: Why? Based on my observation, this
phenomenon is true. Most parents who don't pay much attention to their kids have difficulties with their kids'
attitude.
     I'll make a comparison of how two families raise their children. The first one is a family with three children.
Both mother and father never say "No" to their children's demands. As a result, all of their children became
stubborn and won't listen to their parents' words, "We can't."
     The second family educated their children strictly from one year old to high school. The parents never
approved or agreed directly to give their children what they wanted. They always postponed one or two days,
even if they could afford it. Due to the way their parents educated them, these children understood that if they
wanted something, they had to wait or they had to make an effort first. As a result, all the kids from the second
family successfully graduated from university on time.
     In my opinion, if we want to be successful parents and raise our children well, we have to start disciplining
them when they are toddlers but not wait until they become teenagers.

1. Why did the writer give two different stories in this passage?

A. To help prove his opinion about raising a child.
B. To list different ways that parents may take.
C. To criticize some parents' foolish action.
D. To prove that his way of education is right.

2. What does the underlined word "postponed" in the third paragraph mean?

 A. Carried out at once.
B. Gave up.
C. Put off.
D. Made a decision.

3. In the writer's opinion, which of the following about raising a child is TRUE?

A. Children should be respected once they were born.
B. Parents should educate their children as early as possible.
C. It is right time to educate their children when they are teenagers.
D. Children should be helped whenever they make mistakes.

4. What do you think is the best title of this passage?

A. Make a comparison of how two families raise their children
B. To be successful parents
C. How to raise children well
D. Educate children strictly from one year old to high school

     Students often meet with questions as follows: bullied by someone, worried about a weak subject, puzzled
by family problems or concerned about pets at home. All the questions above may make you not concentrated
on your study. Who can you turn to if you are such an unlucky student? A great person to share your thoughts
and feelings with is your school counselor (顧問).
     Add school counselors to the list of people you can turn to when you need help. They know how to listen
and can help kids with life's challenges (挑戰(zhàn)). Counselors have special training in how to help kids solve
problems, make decisions, and stand up for themselves. That doesn't mean your counselor will wave a magic
wand and the problem will go away. But it does mean he or she will help you cope with it. Coping is an
important word to know. Sometimes, kids and grown-ups have difficult problems. Coping means that someone
is trying to handle these problems and make things better.
     Your school counselor is available for you and wants to make your school experience the best it can be. The
counselor's job is to take your problem seriously and help you find a solution. The counselor also wants to help
you learn as much as you can in class, be a contributing member of the school community, and be a positive
influence on your environment.

1. From the underlined sentence we may infer that ______.

A. a school counselor is one of those who can help you
B. school counselors are those you can make friends with
C. one needs various people to help him or her
D. one has to know and deal with all kinds of people at school

2. According to the passage, which of the following happens that you may not turn to the counselors?

A. Other students treat you cruelly.
B. You are too poor to go to school.
C. You are weak in one subject.
D. You have family problem.

3. What does the writer think of the school counselors?

A. They can solve any questions you meet with.
B. They can help students get their life or study improved.
C. They are as important as teachers in schools.
D. They may punish those who have bullied you.

4. Which of the following may be the best title of the passage?

A. School counselors
B. School problems
C. Students' problems
D. Free counselors

     When the six very best students from different cities in Guangdong Province all together chose universities
in Hong Kong; when the very best students of Beijing picked up HK University while giving up the nearby Beijing
or Qinghua University; when the highest enrollment (錄取) rate of Hong Kong Science and Industry University
reached 48:1, it's the high time to ask where the real education heaven for students in China is.
     Years ago, the answer certainly would be"Beijing or Qinghua University". But now no one could give the
exact reaction without hesitation. The only sure thing is that HK universities have gradually showed an unusual
attraction to a great many mainland students.
     It's no doubt to call this HK craze (狂熱), which is even out of the expectation of those HK universities them
selves.
     How can HK universities shake the steady foundations of Beijing and Qinghua and attract so many mainland
students?
     First, Hong Kong universities offer large-amount scholarship, especially for the top students who can receive
the sum scholarship as much as 400,000 HK dollars. Since higher education has become a kind of heavy burden
of many families, it's easy to understand why the reaction to the generous offering of HK universities is great.
     Second, most HK universities receive professors and students from all over the world and carry out bilingual
(雙語) education. This kind of excellent language atmosphere is another attraction for mainland students.
     Furthermore, university students in Hong Kong have a better chance to study abroad as exchange students. 
     Can mainland top universities like Beijing or Qinghua University be calm as before when facing the
unexpected competition from HK? Will they take relevant measures to win back the top students who once help
them set the worldwide reputation? Time will explain it.
     The fierce competition brought by HK universities can be a good thing for an entire improvement of
education in China. After the awakening and action-taking of mainland universities, they can perform better
together with HK universities.
     At least, it reminded the mainland universities the tuition fees (學(xué)費) are among students' top concern when
they are choosing universities. It's time to move.

1. What is the passage mainly talking about?

A. Some thoughts brought by the enrollment of HK universities.
B. Higher education in Hong Kong.
C. The competition between HK University and Beijing University.
D. The fall of mainland universities.

2. Top students from mainland apply for HK universities because ______.

A. many students now would love to study abroad to get a better experience
B. they concern only about the tuition fees when choosing universities
C. HK Universities offer higher scholarship, better environment and more opportunities for their further study
D. Beijing University has lost its worldwide reputation

3. What is the author's attitude toward the competition brought by HK universities?

A. The government should take relevant measures to stop this unfair competition.
B. Mainland universities had better lower their tuition fees and win back the top students.
C. Universities both in mainland and in HK would get an entire improvement during the competition.
D. It may probably cause a complete loss to both sides in the end.

4. From the passage we can see HK universities ______.

A. didn't mean to enroll top students from mainland
B. didn't expect their enrollment of mainland students would be so popular
C. have strict enrollment rules and only 1out of 48 students can get the chance to study there
D. are proud of their teaching staff and facilities

     In communities north of Denver, residents are pitching in to help teachers and administrators as the Vrain
school District tries to solve a $13.8 million budget shortage blamed on mismanagement. "We're worried about
our teachers and principals, and we really don't want to lose them because of this," one parent said. "If we can
help ease their financial burden, we will."
     Teachers are grateful, but I know it may be years before the district is solvent (有綜合能力的). They feel
really good about the parent support, but they realize it's impossible for them to solve this problem.
     The 22,000-student district discovered the shortage last month."It's extraordinary. Nobody would have
imagined something happening like this at this level," said State Treasurer Mike Coffman.
     Coffman and district officials last week agreed on a state emergency plan freeing up a $9.8 million loan that
enabled the payroll (工資單) to be met for 2,700 teachers and staff in time for the holidays.
     District officials also took $1.7 million from student-activity accounts of its 38 schools.
     At Coffman's request, the District Attorney has begun investigating the district's finances. Coffman says he
wants to know whether district officials hid the budget shortage until after the November election, when voters
approved a $212 million bond issue for schools.
     In Frederick, students' parents are buying classroom supplies and offering to pay for groceries and utilities
to keep first-year teachers and principals in their jobs.
     Some $36,000 has been raised in donations from Safeway. A Chevrolet dealership donated $10,000 and
forgave the district's $10,750 bill for renting the driver educating cars. IBM contributed 4,500 packs of paper.
     "We employ thousands of people in this community," said Mitch Carson, a hospital chief executive, who
helped raise funds. "We have children in the school, and we see how they could be affected."
     At Creek High School, three students started a website that displays newspaper articles, district information
and an email forum. "Rumors about what's happening to the district are moving at lighting speed," said a student.
"We wanted to know the truth, and spread that around instead."

1. What has happened to the Vrain School District?

A. A huge financial problem has arisen.
B. Many schools there are mismanaged.
C. Lots of teachers in the district are planning to quit.
D. Many administrative personnel have been laid off.

2. How did the residents in the Vrain School District respond to the budget shortage?

A. They felt somewhat helpless about it.
B. They accused those responsible for it.
C. They made their efforts to help solve it.
D. They demanded a thorough investigation.

3. In the view of State Treasurer Mike Coffman, the educational budget shortage is _____.

A. unavoidable
B. unbelievable
C. insolvable
D. invisible

4. Why did Coffman request an investigation?

A. To see if the financial problem was covered up on purpose.
B. To find out how serious the consequence of the case would be.
C. To make sure that the school principals were innocent.
D. To stop the voters approving the $212 million bond issue.

5. Three high school students started a website in order to _____.

A. attract greater public attention to their needs
B. appeal to the public for contributions and donations
C. expose officials who neglected their duties
D. keep people properly informed of the crisis

     One of the worst feelings in the world is trying your hardest at something but still falling short. In the
case of schoolwork, studying for hours and bringing home disappointing grades may make you feel hopeless
or helpless, but this is far from the truth. If you are dealing with disappointing grades, promise to change
your study habits and you'll be amazed by the results.
Act Fast
     The most important rule about dealing with disappointing grades is to act fast. Don't sit around and let
them get worse, and definitely don't ignore them. Instead, admit that you need help and go in search of it
soon. The faster you face up to the problem, the faster you can find a solution and see some results.
Tweak your routine
     If you are studying hard and still dealing with disappointing grades, it's probably time to tweak your
routine a little. Remember, if you keep doing the same thing all the time you'll undoubtedly keep getting the
same results. Mix things up by asking for help, whether from a friend or fellow student, your teacher or a
private tutor. Ask for help with the subject matter and tips for studying on your own.
Study Successfully
     Of course it doesn't matter where you study or who you study with if you are studying the wrong things.
Make sure that you are studying successfully by:
     *Reviewing your textbooks.
     *Looking over your notes from class.
     *Taking new notes while you study.
     *Investing in study guides. 
     *Answering all of the review questions you can find.
     *Talking through events or concepts that are integral (整體) to your lessons.
Learn From Your Mistakes
     If, after all of your changes and redoubling your study efforts, you are still disappointed with your grades,
then it is time to figure out exactly where you are going wrong. Look over exam papers and assignments to
see if you are having trouble with a particular kind of question (multiple choice, true or false, etc.) or concept.
Examine your essays to see if you are explaining your ideas clearly and completely, or if it is the mechanics
of your writing (spelling, grammar, etc.) that is letting you down. Request an appointment with your teacher
and use this time to discuss your work and get his/her feedback as well.
     Dealing with disappointing grades is something that every student will face at one time or another. It won't
be fun, but take a realistic look at your attention in class, your study habits and your performance on past
assignments and exam. Figure out where you are having trouble and dedicate yourself to fixing these problems.

1. The purpose of this passage is _____.

A. to introduce practical ways to solve worrying school problems
B. to persuade students to change their attitude toward schoolwork
C. to offer advice on how to improve academic grades at school
D. to emphasize the importance of dealing with disappointing grades

2. The underlined phrase to tweak your routine means _____.

A. to stick to the same study plan and seek help when possible
B. to mix things up before you work out a practical solution alone
C. to examine your everyday life to make room for self improvement
D. to make necessary alterations in your study habits and plans

3. According to the passage, it is desirable to _____.

A. adopt a great variety of successful study methods and work on your own
B. have a study partner who act fast to face up a problem and study successfully
C. find out your weak points by reviewing schoolwork and seek necessary help
D. make an appointment with your teachers and develop useful examination skills

4. The author of this passage is probably a(an) _____.

A. psychologist
B. examiner
C. parent
D. instructor

5. The author thinks that dealing with disappointing grades calls for _____.

A. a strong will power
B. a down-to-earth attitude
C. creativity and dedication
D. undivided attention

     Children pushed in buggies which face away from their parents may suffer long-term emotional and
language problems, according to a study published on Friday.
     The research, believed to be the first of its kind, found that children who were not facing the person
pushing them were less likely to talk, laugh and interact with their parents.
     The findings were based on a study of 2,722 parents and babies and an experiment where 20 babies
were wheeled in buggies for a mile, facing their parents for half the journey and facing away for the other
half. Parents using face-to-face buggies were twice as likely to talk to their children while the babies' heart
rates fell and they were twice as likely to fall asleep, an indication that they were feeling relaxed and safe.
     In addition, only one baby out of the 20 studied laughed while sitting in an away-facing buggy.
     "Our data suggests that for many babies today, life in a buggy is emotionally impoverished and possibly
stressful. Stressed babies grow into anxious adults," said Dr Suzanne Zeedyk, Developmental Psychologist
at Scotland's Dundee University who carried out the research.
     The study, which was published by National Literacy Trust as part of its "Talk To Your Baby" campaign,
found that 62 percent of all children observed travelled in away-facing buggies.
     Zeedyk said it would impact negatively on babies' development if they spent a long time in away-facing
buggies, which would undermine their ability to communicate with their parent at a time when their brain was
developing rapidly.
     Laura Barbour of the Sutton Trust, a social mobility charity which funded the research, said buggy
manufacturers should look closely at the findings.

1. Using away-facing buggies may _____.

A. benefit both the babies and their parents
B. affect babies' language ability permanently
C. help babies communicate with their parents
D. have positive effect on babies' development

2.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Parents may talk twice with the babies in away-facing buggies.
B. The study suggests children feel relaxed and safe in buggies.
C. The samples of the study were 20 babies wheeled in buggies.
D. One of the 20 babies was twice as likely to fall asleep in buggies.

3. The underlined word "impoverished" in Paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to "_____".

A. poor
B. nervous
C. rich
D. energetic

4. National Literacy Trust _____.

A. has been funding the research for a long time
B. is a social mobility charity funding the research
C. carried out the study of babies pushed in buggies
D. started the campaign named "Talk To Your Baby"

5. Which of the following would be the best title for the text?

A. Best for Kids to Face Parents in Buggy
B. Best for Kids to Communicate with Parents
C. Stressed Babies Grow into Anxious Adults
D. Buggy Manufacturers Care about the Finding

     Saya, the teacher doesn't mind being poked (戳) or pinched (捏), or if the students play in class: she's
a robot designed to show children that science and technology can be fun subjects.
     Saya, a life-like female who started her career as a robot receptionist at Japanese companies and was
then re-programed to teach, gave a lesson to fifth-graders at Tokyo's Kudan Elementary School after being
carried to the podium.
     Professor Hiroshi Kobayashi of Tokyo University of Science. who built Saya, says she's not meant to
replace human teachers, just to highlight the joys of technology.
     "We are not considering making something that will take over from teachers, but rather our main reason
for building this robot is to use new technology to teach children about technology," Kobayashi told Reuters.
     But Saya may be able to help in schools where there is a shortage of teachers, he added.
     "In the countryside and in some small schools.there are children who do not have the opportunity to
come into contact with new technology and also there are few teachers out there that can teach these lessons,"
Kobayashi said.
     "So we hope to be able to develop this robot so it can be remotely controlled to teach these classes."
     Many of the children were attracted by Saya, and did not take their eyes off her throughout the lecture.
When class was over, some students poked her face and pinched her.
     "It's so much more fun than regular classes." said 10一year old Nanako Iijima.
     The children's human teacher, however, was not as impressed with the robot as her students.
     "On the one hand I am impressed that they've got robots to go this far, but on the other hand they still
have a long way to research before they create a truly robotic teacher." Akito Fukuda,the school's science
teacher said.

1. According to Professor Hiroshi Kobayashi of Tokyo University of Science, Saya is designed mainly to _____.

A. get children to develop interest in science and technology
B. use new technology to improve teaching quality
C. be used to replace teachers
D. help in schools where there are not enough teachers

2. We can know from the passage that _____.

A. Sava is very strict with her students
B. many students think Sava's lessons dull
C. Akito Fukuda thinks Saya a truly robotic teacher
D. making something that will take over from teachers is not scientists's purpose

3. It can be inferred from the second paragraph that _____.

A. Saya is a retired receptionist at Japanese companies
B. Sava is not meant to replace human teachers
C. Saya can be programmed to do as told
D. Saya teaches better than human teachers

4. What would be the best title of the passage?

A. Future teaching
B. Teaching needs improving
C. Saya, a good science teacher
D. Robot takes over Tokyo classroom

     An independent college claimed to have become the first school in England to make Chinese a compulsory
(強(qiáng)制的) subject for its pupils.
     Richard Cairns, the headmaster of Brighton College, said the move aims to recognize the importance of
China as the world's fastest growing economy.
     Chinese will become one of the core subjects at the 1,200-pupil college from September. At present the
school has only a "handful" of native Chinese students, but it hopes to attract more in the future.
     Mr. Cairns, who made the announcement in his first week as head of the high-achieving college, said,
"One of my key tasks is to make sure that the pupils at Brighton College are equipped for the realities of the
21st century, and one of those realities is that China has the fastest growing economy in the world."
     "China has replaced Britain as the world's fourth-largest economy. We in Britain need to face up to this
challenge, see it for the trading opportunity that it is, and ensure that our nation's children are well-placed to
thrive (茁壯成長) in this new global reality.
     "A better understanding of the language and culture of China will be hugely important to the advantage of
the children of Brighton College."
     Mr. Cairns said he hoped the Chinese children already at the college would help and encourage their fellow
pupils to learn their language.
     In order to lead the way, Mr. Cairns, a historian from Oxford, plans to take part in the first Chinese class
as a pupil."I have agreed to join the first Chinese class as a pupil. I think it is the best way for me to show
the pupils here how important I regard this new addition to our core subjects."

1. The passage mainly tells us _____.

A. how to face up to new challenges in the 21st century
B. the realities of the 21st century
C. the fastest growing economy in the world
D. about a school which will make all its pupils learn Chinese

2. The college makes its students learn Chinese mainly because _____.

A. Chinese is a language spoken by the largest population in the world
B. it realizes the importance of China as the world's fastest growing economy
C. Chinese is the easiest language for the students
D. there are many native Chinese students at the college

3. What is Mr. Cairns' attitude towards the development of China?

A. He sees it to be a threat.
B. He thinks of it as a danger.
C. He considers it to be an opportunity.
D. He regards it as an encouragement.

4. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

A. The Chinese students at the college have already helped their fellow students to learn Chinese.
B. The school is the first in England to make Chinese a compulsory subject.
C. Mr. Cairns has just been made head of this high-achieving college.
D. In Mr. Cairns' opinion, learning Chinese will be a great help to his students.

     Astronauts aboard the space station celebrated a space first on Wednesday by drinking water that had
been recycled from their urine (尿), sweat and water got from air. They said "cheers" to NASA workers
on the ground.
     The urine recycling system is needed for astronaut stations on the moon and Mars. It also will save
NASA money because it won't have to ship up as much water to the station by space shuttle or cargo rocket.
Besides, it's important as the space station is about to expand (擴(kuò)大) from three people living on board to
six.
     The recycling system had been brought up to the space station last November, but it couldn't be used
until samples (樣品) were tested back on earth. So when it came time to actually drink up, NASA made a
big deal of it. The three-man crew stood holding their drinks and congratulated engineers in two NASA
centers that worked on the system.
     "This is something that had been the stuff of science fiction," American astronaut Michael Barratt said
before taking a small mouthful. The taste is worth trying.
     The new system takes the combined urine of the crew from the toilet and moves it to a big tank, where
the water is boiled off, and the vapor is collected. The rest of the urine is thrown away. Then the water
vapor is mixed with water from air, and then it goes through filters (過濾器). When six crew members are
aboard, it can make about six gallons from urine in about six hours.
     "Some people may find the idea of drinking recycled urine distasteful, but it is also done on earth, but with
a lot longer time between urine and the tap," said Marybeth Edeen, the space station's national lab manager.
     The technology NASA developed for this system has already been used for quick water purification (凈化)
after the 2004 Asian tsunami.

1. According to the text, the recycling system is important because _____.

A. it makes traveling to the moon for the average person possible
B. with it NASA won't need to ship any water up to the space station
C. it protects the environment in space by reducing the amount of waste
D. it can help meet the need for more water after the crew is expanded

2. Which is the RIGHT time order of the following events?
    a. The samples of the recycled water were tested on earth.
    b. Astronauts celebrated the space's first making water from urine.
    c. The recycling system was brought up to the space station.
    d. The technology for the system was used to quickly purify water.

A. a, d, c, b
B. a, c, b, d
C. d, c, a, b
D. d, a, c, b

3. From Paragraph.5 we can know _____.

A. the process of recycling urine
B. the effect of the recycling system
C. an opinion on recycling urine
D. the theory behind the recycling system

4. What is the best title for the text?

A. Drink up: Space Station Recycles Urine to water
B. New Technology Is Used in the Space Station
C. The Research of NASA Has Made Great Progress
D. Good News: Water Recycled from Urine Tastes Good