【推荐1】Mostly, inventions happen because someone works to solve a problem. Kids are natural inventors. They often create amazing things from simple ideas. Here are a few examples that might make you wonder, "Why didn't I think of that?"

Popsicles

Popsicles were invented by 11-year-old Frank Epperson in 1905. He forgot a drink of juice and left it with a stir（搅拌）stick in it outside on a cold night. The next day it was ice. Because of this he couldn't drink it any more, but he could eat it. It tasted good! These ice sticks became popular among kids at school in summer because they were delicious and helped them stay cool. More than a hundred years later, popsicles are sill one of the best summer treats!

Crayon Holders

When 11-year-old Cassidy Goldstein needed crayons for a school project, she had a hard time because there were so many small or broken ones. She found some small clear plastic tubes（管子）at home. Although the tiny tubes were usually filled with water to keep flowers fresh, she found that they fit tightly（紧紧地）around the crayons. She was now able to hold them easily. This is how she invented Crayon Holders.

Wristies

When snow gets in kids' gloves and their hands get wet, they feel uncomfortable. 10-year-old Kathryn Gregory decided to do something about it. She created the wristies as she wanted to keep her wrists（手腕）warm and dry. Wristies are long gloves with no fingers and they are worn under your coat. They help you when you work in the cold because your hands stay warm while you use your fingers. With her parents' help, Kathryn also opened a small shop where she sold her wristies. And she still runs it today.

All these inventions have one thing in common-the kids were trying to solve problems in their lives. When you meet problems, what would you do? If the kids can do it, you can do it, too!

1. Popsicles became popular among kids at school in summer because　 　.

A．they could not only drink them but also eat them

B．they tasted good and helped them stay cool

C．the stir sticks were useful in popsicles

D．it was easy to make them

2. The underlined word "runs" in the passage means"　 　"in Chinese.

A．经营

B．跑步

C．行驶

D．竞赛

3. Where do you think the passage is from?　 　

A．A novel.

B．A guidebook.

C．A science magazine.

D．A poster.

4. What 's the main idea of this passage?　 　

A．Let us run a shop like Kathryn.

B．Everyone can become an inventor by accident.

C．Kids are so clever that they can invent things.

D．When you meet problems, never give up and you can solve them well.

【推荐1】As we know, one of the great challenges for students is taking tests. The students must do well in the test to advance（进步）. A student who hits the books spends long hours preparing for a test.

Students read all their books carefully, and they make sure they know all the materials the teacher has offered and prepared for every possible question. They study every night. They are “hitting the books”. In the United States, most children begin attending school when they are five years old. Public education is free and most children go to schools near their homes. School life in these early years is fun. The children learn to read and write. But they also play games and go on trips. There is no reason for them to hit the books at such an early age.

This situation changes as children grow older. The subjects become more and more difficult. Students must learn about world history, geography, and the life science. Tests become more common. Pressure is growing to hit the books and advance. However, most students really begin hitting the books for long hours only when they reach high school. High school students who hope to go to college or university must take a special test. called SAT. A high school student who gets a high score in the test has a good chance to enter a top American college. For this reason, many students hit the books for months to prepare for SAT.

All this adds up to a lot of work— “hitting the books”. Knowledge is a prize that is not easy to gain.

1. What does the underlined expression “hits the books” probably mean?

A．Throw away books.	B．Study hard on a subject.
C．Hit desks with books.	D．Take tests with great care.

2. From the sentence“There is no reason for them to hit the books at such an early age.”we know:

A．The children must study hard at an early age.

B．They need get marks at an early age.

C．They have reasons to study hard.

D．Their school life is full of enjoyment.

3. Most American students begin hitting the books for long hours _________.

A．when they are in primary school	B．when they are in college
C．after they graduate from high school	D．when they reach high school

4. The students who _________ will take a test called SAT.

A．want to go to high school	B．are leaving college
C．want to go to American colleges	D．are learning to read and write

5. What does the last sentence in the passage tell us?

A．No pains, no gains.	B．Custom makes all things easy.
C．Actions speak louder than words.	D．All things are difficult before they are easy.

【推荐2】In ancient (古代) China, people’s names had three parts (部分): their family name, given name and courtesy name (字).

Take Li Bai, a famous Tang Dynasty poet (唐代诗人), as an example. His family name was Li, his given name was Bai, and his courtesy name was Taibai.

People used their given name when they were among family members. But in social (社交的) life, they called each other by their courtesy names to show respect (尊重).

Men would get their courtesy name when they turned 20. It was a symbol of adulthood (成年). Women would get their courtesy name after getting married (结婚).

One’s courtesy name often had something to do with one’s given name. For example, Mencius’ name was Meng Ke. His courtesy name was Ziyu. Both Ke and Ziyu mean “carriage (马车)”. Zhuge Liang’s given name was Liang, which means “bright”. His courtesy name was Kongming, and it means “very bright”.

1. According to the text, Li Bai maybe get the name Taibai ________.

A．before he was 20	B．before he was an adult
C．when he was 20	D．when he get married

2. People used their given name when they were among ________.

A．family members

B．friends

C．workmates (同事)

D．classmates

3. In social life, people call each other by their ________ to show respect.

A．family name

B．given name

C．courtesy name

D．last name

4. The courtesy names often have the same meaning as ________.

A．the family name

B．the given name

C．the father’s name

D．the mother’s name

5. What does the text mainly talk about?

A．How ancient Chinese had more than one name.

B．When ancient Chinese had more than one name.

C．Where ancient Chinese had more than one name.

D．Why ancient Chinese had more than one name.

【推荐3】Now students’ English handwriting (书写) gets worse and worse. That makes their teachers feel worried. Is your English handwriting beautiful? If not, here are four steps that really work!

Use paper with lines

Using paper with lines can keep you writing straight instead of up or down when you write English words or sentences. Those lines on the paper can help you to write words in the right size. Be sure to fill the lined space completely. And make sure those capital letters are written properly.

Slow down

If your writing is hard to read, try slowing down a little. For some kids, going slower makes the handwriting clear. If you write too fast, it’s hard for you to stop where you should, and even worse, you may make more mistakes.

Hold your pen right

When you hold your pen the correct way, writing is much easier. Some kids press down really hard when they write. That makes the handwriting not nice. Try to be relaxed and don’t hold the pen so hard. Let your writing appear nice and clean. If you do so, people will guess you are a student with a good habit.

Draw more pictures

Drawing can improve your handwriting. You need to use the skills to control your pen better when you are drawing pictures. Even though you have no chance to draw at school, you can practice by yourself at home.

Handwriting is very important. Imagine you are a world-famous movie star or a well-known sports player, what do you do when your fan run up to you? Give them your signatures (签名), of course!

1. How many pieces of good advice does the passage give us?

A．One.

B．Two.

C．Three.

D．Four.

2. How does your teacher feel when your English handwriting gets worse and worse?

A．Happy.

B．Worried.

C．Sad.

D．Amazing.

3. What can be the best title for this article?

A．Good Handwriting Needs a Good Pen	B．Using Paper in Line
C．Making Your English Handwriting Perfect	D．No Handwriting without Drawing