【推荐1】Kwanzaa (宽扎节) is a celebration of African-American history and culture. It begins on December 26th and runs until New Year’s Day, January 1st.

During the festival, a family member, usually the youngest child, lights candles in a special candle holder. Each night a candle is lit. Traditionally there are three green candles, three red candles and a central black candle. They represent the seven Kwanzaa principles (原则). The principles are believed to play a big role in building strong, successful families, neighborhoods, etc. In the evenings, adults share stories and explain how to follow the seven principles in daily life. On the sixth day, which falls on New Year’s Eve, family and friends get together to enjoy a large meal.

Kyle, a third grader, wrote this about Kwanzaa, “When we celebrate Kwanzaa, we have many people at home, light the candles, and have a nice dinner. We learn the meaning of Kwanzaa and remember family members. We say something good about them. Last year, we remembered my grandmother.”

In 1966, Dr. Karenga created Kwanzaa. He was studying the history of Africa at that time. Dr. Karenga wanted to create a holiday to bring African Americans together and celebrate their history and culture. He called the holiday “Kwanzaa”. In fact, the name comes from an African language, and it means “the first fruits of the harvest time”.

1. How long does the festival of Kwanzaa last every year?

A．Two days.

B．Three days.

C．Six days.

D．Seven days.

2. What color are the candles?

A．Green, black and red.	B．Green, white and red.
C．Green, black and white.	D．Black, red and pink.

3. What does the underlined word “represent” in Paragraph 2 mean in Chinese?

A．决定

B．展示

C．代表

D．记录

4. Who did Kyle remember during Kwanzaa last year?

A．His aunt.

B．His father.

C．His grandmother.

D．His mother.

5. Which of the following is TRUE about Kwanzaa?

A．It has a history of about 100 years.

B．Its name comes from an African language.

C．During the festival, there’s a big family dinner each night.

D．The Kwanzaa principles are believed to play a small role in their cultures.

【推荐2】How do you spend your spare time? There will be different answers to it. Most people in Britain have their own ways of spending free time. Sometimes they just want to have a rest, but they try to do something more pleasant most of the time. They have many different hobbies. They help them to get away from their everyday problems and spend their free time happily.

Many British people like traveling. They look for new places that they have never been to and add new and exciting experiences to their journey. Some of them like to climb mountains, others like to go to the sea or a lake to swim, because these can make them get exercise and are good for their health.

Many British people also like to do sports in their free time. They are usually crazy about football, and football is seen as the British national sport. Many football fans may support a certain team, so they go to watch every match of the team they support (支持), and they buy many things about the team. Watching sports and doing it are both good ways to relax.

What’s more, doctors say that doing sports is very good for the health. Many people in town, especially young men, often go to the gym to take the exercise classes to keep fit.

Besides these ways, British people have many other ways to spend their free time. And they really enjoy their free time.

1. British people have many different hobbies in order to ________.

A．solve their daily problems	B．finish all their work
C．make some friends	D．relax themselves in their spare time

2. Why do some British people like climbing mountains?

A．Because they hate traveling.

B．Because they can get exercise from it.

C．Because they can find a new place.

D．Because it is comfortable and funny.

3. Which of the following sports is NOT mentioned (提到) in the passage?

A．Playing football.	B．Climbing mountains.
C．Skating.	D．Swimming.

4. What is the main idea of paragraph3?

A．Football is many British people’s favourite sport.

B．Young British people often go to the gym.

C．All the British people do sports in their spare time.

D．Most British people like watching sports.

5. What can we learn from the passage?

A．British culture is colorful.

B．We can have many ways of spending our free time.

C．A doctor can give you good advice.

D．It is no need doing sports.

【推荐1】Falling asleep in class is still common among students.

Why do students sometimes fall asleep in class? A main reason is short of sleep. However, there are also reasons for getting too little sleep. Homework is necessary for most students, one that can take three to four hours every night. A student who wants to be able to take part in any activity besides homework must stay up late to fit everything in. Club activities, sports, computer-game playing, and TV viewing, for example, all make students have less time having less time for both homework and sleep.

Physical problems are another reason that can have students to fall asleep in class. For example, insomnia(失眠) may keep a student tired during class hours. It is a serious problem that may need medical attention.

The effects of falling asleep in class can be quite serious. First of all, sleeping in class is not a good way to let teachers like you. Secondly, it is highly possible that other students may make jokes about those who sleep in class. However, the worst effect of sleeping in class is missing out on important points. In the long run, sleepers may end up with failing classes.

Since students are probably not going to deal with the problem, falling asleep in class will probably remain go on. It will continue until more students find a way to balance their personal and social lives with school and work, while still finding enough time to sleep.

1. How many reasons do students sometimes fall asleep in class?

A．One.

B．Two.

C．Three.

D．Four.

2. ________ is necessary for most students.

A．Homework.

B．Club activities.

C．Sports.

D．Watching TV.

3. The writer tells us ________ effects of falling asleep in class.

A．2

B．3

C．4

D．5

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

A．A main reason of falling asleep in class is short of sleep.

B．A student needs three to four hours every night to do homework.

C．The effects of falling asleep in class can be not serious.

D．If students don’t deal with the problem, falling asleep in class will probably go on.

5. We can know ________ according to the passage.

A．it’s important for students to keep healthy.

B．it’s important for students to do sports.

C．it’s important for students to do homework.

D．falling asleep in class is still common among the student.

【推荐2】Many students ask for advice about how to improve their English. Here are three basic questions.

The first question is about understanding English films and songs. Li Hao from Hubei wrote, “I like watching English films and listening to English songs, but I don’t understand very much. What can I do?”

Watching films and listening to songs are great ways to learn English! Watch and listen several times, and guess the meaning of the new words. Each time you will learn something new. I also advise you to talk about the films or songs with your friends.

The second question is about speaking. Wang Fan from Jilin wrote, “Our school has a teacher from the US. I am shy and I am afraid to speak to her. What should I do?”

You can say, “Hello! How are you?” “Do you like China?” These are good ways to start a conversation（对话）. And before you begin, you should smile at her! Remember this: Do not be shy. Just try.

The third question is about vocabulary（词汇）. Zhang Lei from Anhui wrote, “I write down new words, but I forget them quickly. How can I remember them?”

Do not worry. It’s natural to forget new words! I suggest you write four or five words a day on pieces of paper and place them in your room. Read the words when you see them, and try to use them.

1. What are the three questions about?

A．Listening, reading and writing.	B．Listening, speaking and writing.
C．Listening, speaking and reading.	D．Listening, speaking and vocabulary.

2. How to understand English films and songs according to（根据）the passage?

A．Only need watch and listen to them.	B．Watch and listen several times.
C．Talk about them with friends.	D．Both B and C.

3. What is the bad way to start a conversation?

A．Ask their age.	B．Say “Hello! How are you?”
C．Say “Do you like China?”	D．Smile at others.

【推荐3】

Camper Handbook We’ve created a handbook you can download here. It answers many of the questions parents and campers have about DEC Summer Camp. As you’ve already signed up your kid for this camp, you can check your email box for a copy of the handbook as well. Please review it and get in touch with us at 569-985 if you have questions. Camp Cabins About ten people share a wood cabin, including a coach and a camp volunteer. A general bath house is within 200 feet of each cabin. The size of a cabin may not be the same. Camp Rules 1. Money: Spending money is NOT needed at camp with no place to spend it. Money and all valuables should remain at home. 2. Electronics: Electronics like mobile phones and digital games are NOT allowed at camp. These will be taken away and returned to the camper when the camp ends. Sample Schedules Generally, campers get up at 7:00 am and have an early bird activity like swimming or fishing. After breakfast, there are activities until lunch. These may include environmental lessons or biology experiments. A wildlife biologist may guide the campers. After lunch, there are more activities, such as hiking, boating, or field trips. Preparations for an overnight hike or hunter education classes are other possibilities. Taking a night walk, star watching, playing games and listening to stories around a campfire are among the choices for the night.

1. Who may be the campers?

A．Parents.

B．Coaches.

C．Volunteers.

D．Children.

2. Which of the following sign may be seen at the camp?

A．

B．

C．

D．

3. What can the campers do in the DEC Summer Camp?

A．They can choose to live alone or with other campers.

B．They can spend money buying gifts for their parents.

C．They can have the activities, such as swimming and fishing after lunch.

D．They can choose to play games or listen to stories around a campfire at night.

4. What is the purpose of this passage?

A．To explain camping knowledge.	B．To share the history of a camp.
C．To introduce camp coaches and teachers.	D．To provide information of a camp.

5. Where can you read this passage?

A．On a notice band.

B．In a handbook.

C．On a website.

D．In a newspaper.