【推荐1】In dreaming up the programme Tennis and Literacy for Youth, as a mother, I had hoped to share two of my passions, tennis and reading, with children. Throughout the year, I had advertised for participants at local elementary schools and volunteers at local high schools. With the help of kind people, I applied for money. I was even able to secure a camp site for the programme.

But on the first day of camp, despite my careful planning, things did not go the way I had hoped. Hector and Adrian exchanged blows with their tennis rackets. Hector struggled to his feet moments later, covering a bloody nose with one hand. Georgie and Eduardo threw balls at each other. Then during the reading time, I raced from joyless child to demanding child, unable to persuade even one to open a book. Mylea told me they would rather be watching Nickelodeon at home than learning stupid tennis and reading boring books.

That evening, tired as I was, I called my volunteers together for a meeting, and redesigned the entire curriculum. We created a good fellow system, where each volunteer paired with a camper to help him or her during reading time. To stress praise and progress, we established weekly prize ceremonies, presenting awards for most improved reading, tennis and behavior.

In the following days, these children, once in bad mood during reading time, untouched books in their laps, began to find joy in reading a story and playing tennis.

One day, Mylea shut the book and asked me, “Can I take this to read it to my mom tonight?” Looking up at her eager face, I couldn’t help myself. I jumped to my feet and wrapped her in a hug, lifting her right off the ground. “It’s all yours!” I overjoyed.

1. What can we learn from paragraph 1?

A．The author was a teacher of a high school.

B．Volunteers from local schools donated a lot of money.

C．Local schools invited the author to plan a reading camp.

D．The author made good preparations for the programme.

2. Which can be used to describe the first day of the camp?

A．Successful.

B．Smooth.

C．Messy.

D．Boring.

3. How did the author better the programme?

A．By replacing the books with tennis.

B．By helping and inspiring the campers.

C．By stressing the importance of reading.

D．By calling on the children to work hard.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．A suggestion for being volunteers.

B．An improvement of the teaching facilities.

C．A survey on how to help kids overcome difficulties.

D．An experience of introducing reading and tennis to kids.

【推荐2】Are you driven to create change in bettering kids’ futures? Here are a few options.

Education

Going after a career in education is sometimes overlooked. Yet teaching is an important path to creating change. You will educate the young minds responsible for the future. In addition to presenting basic school subjects, you can teach them to be leaders. You can motivate them to want to make a difference themselves.

A career in education doesn’t have to mean leaching in a classroom. You can help them to learn in a way that works for them and be a friend to them as well.

Social work

As a social worker, you can directly change the lives of children in need as well advocate for services for drug abusers, family-violence survivors, mental-health patients, and more. You will provide them with the necessary resources to succeed and advise them through trauma (精神创伤), unemployment, education difficulties, addiction and poverty.

Many social workers are associated with governmental agencies, but there are also jobs in schools, nonprofit organizations and hospitals.

Child psychology

Studying child psychology may lead to a career option. Psychologists can provide support for children with mental-health problems and give them a place to be open about their feelings.

You may wish to become a school psychologist and guide children (and their parents) through the education system while dealing with mental illness or trauma. As a psychologist, you will help your patients find the source of trauma or stress and discover ways of reducing or removing the problem. You may even conduct your own research on new treatment methods.

1. Which educational concept does the author support?

A．Working with students’ group leaders.

B．Teaching children according to their interests.

C．Keeping teaching children in the classroom.

D．Encouraging students to make a change themselves.

2. Who will social workers help most probably?

A．Governmental officials.

B．Local business agents.

C．Children with education difficulties.

D．Women suffering from family violence.

3. Which career mainly deals with children with mental illness?

A．Educators.

B．School leaders.

C．Social workers.

D．School psychologists.

【推荐1】Breathe, wave and smile. Along with more than 300 other seniors, I marched into the stadium on the afternoon of May 10. The audience burst into deafening cheers. The huge stadium shook with all the whistling and clapping.

It was as if a Hollywood superstar had walked on stage. And indeed, every single senior that day was a star of the moment. Each deserved it. The seniors had been preparing for four years for this once-in-a-lifetime moment—the commencement (graduation ceremony).

Seated, I waited anxiously for the opening address. As a foreign exchange student, I was not able to receive a diploma. However, I still had the wonderful feeling of being part of things. Like the other graduates, I was dressed in marron cap and gown.

Our principal, Mr. Glover, delivered a short, warm greeting. The US national anthem followed and then, hands on chests, a solemn Pledge of Allegiance(美国的爱国誓言).

Students who had excelled academically gave farewell speeches. The tears in some eyes convinced me that many had deep feelings about the occasion. It was as the class motto says, “Life brings us tears, smiles and memories. The tears dry; the smiles fade; but the memories last forever.”

Then came the core (the most important part) of the commencement. Hundreds of names were announced. Each graduate walked across the stage to receive his or her diploma from the principal. From the different cheers each graduate got, we had the funny sense that it was a kind of competition of who could cheer the loudest.

To be honest, the presentation of diplomas got boring. A girl sitting next to me even started yawning. But it wasn’t boring for those receiving the diploma: they would treasure the moment the principal placed the sacred brown document in their hands for the rest of their lives.

A new page in the book of that person’s life had turned. They were glimpsing their futures: futures of challenge, hardship, perhaps loneliness too, which would take all of their courage.

1. What’s the article mainly about?

A．An American high school’s graduation ceremony.

B．The opening ceremony of a sports meeting.

C．A presentation of college diplomas.

D．A US college’s farewell party.

2. Which of the following statements about the author is FALSE?

A．She was one of the graduates.

B．She was a foreign exchange student.

C．She was excited to receive her diploma.

D．She felt it great to be at the ceremony.

3. The right order of the following events is______.

a. Diplomas were presented to graduates.

b. Students gave farewell speeches.

c. The US national anthem was played.

d. The principal gave a short, warm speech.

e. Seniors went into the stadium.

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

4. From the text, we can conclude that_______.

A．a diploma ensures a good job

B．a diploma guarantees a bright future

C．the commencement symbolizes the beginning of a new stage in life

D．everyone felt excited at the presentation of the diploma

【推荐2】In many countries, schools have long summer holidays, with shorter holidays in between. However, a new report suggests shortening school holidays to stop children forgetting what they have learnt during the long summer break. Instead of three school terms, it says, there should be five eight-week terms. And there should be just four weeks off in the summer, with a two-week break between the other terms.

Sonia Montero has two children at primary school and works full-time. She supports the idea. “The kids,” she says, “have much longer holidays than me and I can’t afford to take several weeks off work, so I need someone to take care of them. But nobody wants the work in the summer months — they all have holidays of their own.”

Not surprisingly, some young people disagree. Student Jason Panos says “It’s a stupid idea. I would hate staying at school in the summer. It’s unfair, too. The people who suggest this had long school holidays when they were young, but now they want to stop us enjoying the summer. The kids in Spain and America have much longer holidays than here, but they don’t forget everything they’ve learnt in a few months.”

Nadia Salib agrees. “Sure,” she says, “the first week at school after the summer is never easy, but you soon get back into it. The real problem round here is that kids get bored after so many weeks out of school, and then some of them start causing trouble. But the answer is to give them something to do, not make everyone stay in school longer.”

1. Why is Sonia in support of shorter school holidays?

A．She doesn’t get any summer holidays in her job.

B．She is worried that her children will forget what they’ve learnt.

C．She can’t afford to pay someone to look after her children.

D．She can’t get anyone to look after her children in summer.

2. What does Jason say about long summer holidays?

A．They can help children forget about school.

B．Schools in other countries don’t have them.

C．These days many older people have them too.

D．They have little influence on children’s education.

3. What does Nadia say about young people on summer holidays?

A．They would like to spend more time at school.

B．Long holidays are very bad for their education.

C．They need something to do to enrich themselves.

D．Long holidays should be shortened to stop them causing trouble.

【推荐3】This year some twenty-three hundred teenagers (young people aged from 13-19) from all over the world will spend about ten months in US homes. They will attend US schools, meet US teenagers, and form impressions of the real America. At the same time, about thirteen hundred American teenagers will go to other countries to learn new languages and gain a new understanding of the rest of the world.

Here is a two-way student exchange(交流/交换) in action. Fred, nineteen, spent last year in Germany with George's family. In turn, George's son Mike spent a year in Fred's home in America.

Fred, a lively young man, knew little German when he arrived, but after two months’ study, the language began to come to him. The school was completely different from what he had expected—much harder. Students rose respectfully (尊敬地) when the teacher entered the room. They took fourteen subjects instead of the six that are usual in the United States. There were almost no outside activities.

Family life, too, was different. The father's words were the law, and all activities were around the family rather than the individual. Fred found the food too simple at first. Also, he missed having a car.

“Back home, you pick up some friends in a car and go out and have a good time. In Germany, you walk, but you soon learn to like it.”

At the same time, in America, Mike, a friendly German boy, was also forming his idea. “I suppose I should criticize(批评) American schools," he says. "It is far too easy by our level. But I have to say that I like it very much. In Germany we do nothing but study. Here we take part in many outside activities. I think that maybe your schools are better in training for citizens. There ought to be some middle ground between the two.”

1. This year _______ teenagers will take part in the exchange program between America and other countries.

A．twenty-three hundred	B．thirteen hundred
C．over three thousand	D．less than two thousand

2. The whole exchange program is mainly to _______.

A．help teenagers in other countries know the real America

B．send students in America to travel in Germany

C．let students learn something about other countries

D．have teenagers learn science

3. What is particular in American schools is that _______.

A．there is some middle ground between the two teaching buildings

B．there are a lot of outside activities

C．students usually take fourteen subjects in all

D．students go outside to enjoy themselves in a car

4. After experiencing the American school life, Mike thought _______.

A．a better education should include something good from both America and Germany

B．German schools trained students to be better citizens

C．American schools were not as good as German schools

D．the easy life in the American school was more helpful to students

【推荐1】Etiquette Matters Centre presents 2-Day Confidence and Manners Workshop

Always wanted to give yourself the cutting edge that sets you apart from your peers (同龄人)?

Our 2-Day Confidence and Manners Workshop will give you much needed improvement and empower you with the soft skills that will set you apart from your peers and serve you well into adulthood.

This highly-respected, incredibly effective workshop is a hot favourite among parents and children. Through this workshop, our center aims to empower you with confidence in your interaction in various social situations.

Highlight of the Workshop

Day 1

Building self-esteem (自尊) through positive self-talk.

Recognizing the importance of effective listening.

Mastering the art of public speaking with confidence.

Obstacle Course Confidence Challenge.

Day 2

Manners in social media.

Dining manners experience.

Observing respectful manners in social settings.

Presentation of certificates of completion to participants.

Hurry! Slots are Limited!

Dates: 12 December (Saturday) & 13 December (Sunday)

Timing: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Age of participants: 9 to 12 years old

Fees: $650 per child (inclusive of course material and lunch and tea for 2 days)

Early bird discounts: 5% off for participants who register before 1 November and a free goodie bag worth $60.

To register:

Book through sistick.com or come down to our head office at 65 Bras Basin Road.

For more information, please visit our website, call us or follow us on social media.

1. Participants in the workshop can ______.

A．experience the joy of learning	B．build social skills and confidence
C．equip the power of soft skills	D．promote their relationship with peers

2. Which activity might be beneficial to those who want to deliver a speech?

A．Dining manners experience.

B．Manners in social media.

C．Mastering the art of public speaking with confidence.

D．Recognizing the importance of effective listening.

3. Which of the following is included for all participants attending the workshop?

A．Course material.	B．A free goodie bag.
C．Tea and dinner.	D．A discount for workshop.

【推荐3】Dear Madam,

Welcome back to school. My child is so happy to be in your class this year. We know you care so much about your students. I want to tell you a little bit about my child. Although he really loves to learn, he is somewhat anxious about being back in school again.

My child is thought to be gifted and that has brought some unexpected challenges to him and our family. To many people, being gifted means he will do very well in school, but that hasn’t always been true for him. He is just a kid thinking differently, and he sometimes struggles in school. Last year, school wasn’t easy for him for a few reasons.

He may be ahead a few grade levels in some subjects, but not in all subjects. He just doesn’t do better in all areas all the time. And although he may seem older than his years, he doesn’t always behave like you would think he should. I’m sure you know how gifted children can be emotionally immature-that is exactly my kid.

Also, he can be really intense in class when you are teaching one of his favorite topics. He may raise his hand often and constantly talk about what he thinks about it. I’ll apologize in advance because he will also likely challenge you on information or facts which he feels are not quite right especially when it’s a topic he is hooked on. He is not being impolite and he isn’t just being a know-it-all, or a show-off, he is really just very excited to be learning about a subject he feels strong about. He just gets carried away!

Last year, he was teased about looking like a know-it-all in school by some of his classmates, which hurts him A LOT. Being teased is part of his fear of going back to school. He fears being called a show-off at school and he feels like he doesn’t fit in. His teacher said he often kept to himself and chose to work alone. I know as a teacher, you are incredibly busy, but could you keep an eye out for anyone teasing him or if he seems to be keeping to himself too much?

Lastly, his therapist mentioned that because of the teasing and maybe because he was bored last year in school, he is showing signs of becoming an underachiever. Please let me know if his grades start slipping.

Thank you for taking the time to read and understand about my child. Don’t hesitate to call or email me if there are any problems with him at school. Believe me, we know very well how sensitive, emotional and intense he can be.

I hope you have a wonderful school year!

Sincerely,

Mom of a Gifted Child

1. From the passage, we learn that the author’s son ______.

A．has fallen behind the other students	B．fails to get along well with classmates
C．has lost interest in learning	D．is rude to the teachers

2. What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．He is too excited to control himself.	B．He has been taken away from school.
C．He is so absorbed in observing.	D．He has been overpraised.

3. How does the author feel about her child?

A．Pleased but hopeless.	B．Annoyed but caring.
C．Proud but worried.	D．Surprised but confused.

4. Why does the author write the letter?

A．To ask the teacher to reduce children’s burden.	B．To call on the school to stop school teasing.
C．To explain how gifted her child is.	D．To suggest that his child has special needs.