1 . The idea of life in outer space has been talked about for a long time. Some scientists say that life development on Earth was far too unlikely for it to have happened anywhere else. Things had to be perfect for us to make it on this planet.

Other scientists say that space is too big. Stars and other planets are far too numerous for there to be no other life in the universe.

For many years, there have been reports of visitors from other planets. People all around the world have claimed to see alien spaceships or even aliens themselves.

There have been glimpses of these so-called UFOs (unidentified flying objects) flying through the air and they have even ben captured on video. Some Americans believe that the U.S. Army found an alien spaceship crashed in the desert and then lied to the press about it. Although these sightings may be true, scientists have not found significant evidence that aliens exist.

If you go out into the countryside on a clear night and look up, you can see thousands of stars. Those stars make up a tiny part of our universe. There are more stars, planets, and galaxies than we can count. Even the smartest scientists can’t even come close to defining how big space is. The number of possible stars and planets out there is bigger than our ability to count. If we are really on the only planet that can sustain life, then we are very special in a universe full of amazing things.

2 . Parents often find children watch cartoons for at least three to four hours a day. Studies show that kids start watching cartoons on TV at an early age of six months, and by the time they reach the age of two or three, they become cartoon fans and they would like to spend much time on it. Parents often look upon this as a problem because most of the kids are found to become addicted to(沉迷) watching cartoons. Parents think if kids spend too much time on cartoons, they will fall behind in study.

Some people think cartoons are worth watching. It helps the working parents the most because they can do a lot of work by getting their kids involved with (涉及) cartoon programs on TV.

When they watch educational cartoons, they get to learn many things. Kids learn many things by watching such cartoon programs. They also help to improve their language. Educational cartoons help them to try different languages. Kids can learn English well with the help of those cartoon shows. At the same time, some kids can learn about the friendship and teamwork from the cartoons. It is good for them to get on well with(与……相处融洽) their friends and classmates.

So sometimes it is meaningless to stop kids from watching cartoons, but parents should make sure that their kids are watching the right things.

3 . Why is setting goals (设立目标) important? Because goals can help you do and experience everything you want in life and they can also help you make your dreams come true more easily.

Successful people in life think about how their life should be and set lots of goals. By setting goals, you are taking control of (控制) your life. It’s like having a map to show you where you want to go. Think of it this way. There are two divers. One has a destination (目的地), and he can find it on a map. He can drive there easily. The other driver has no goal or map. He starts off at the same time from the same place. But he drives around, never getting anywhere, just using up gas (汽油). Which driver do you want to be?

Usually, winners in life set goals before they do something. And after that they follow them carefully. They decide what they want in life and then get it by setting goals and making plans. Unsuccessful people don’t think goals are necessary. They just let things happen by accident. Goals aren’t difficult to set, and they aren’t difficult to reach either. It’s up to you to find out what your goals really are.

According to a study, when we write a goal down, it’s possible for us to get to it. We may read the written goals at any time. ________ Also when you write your goals in your own way, you are able to make yourself get closer to your goals by working hard.

6 . ① Zoos are very popular with adults and children. But are zoos actually a good thing?

②Some people criticize keeping animals in zoos. In their opinion, animals often suffer a lot for being enclosed. Even the best zoos can’t provide the environment that animals have in the wild. It’s a pity that the animals living in the wild are caught, and then kept away from their families. This leads many zoo animals to feel nervous or sad. What’s worse, some zoo animals may even die earlier than their wild relatives.

③However, some people have different ideas. They think zoos can connect people with animals, educate the public to protect animals and call on people to save animals as well as their homes. Some zoos offer a safe place to those animals which have been badly treated. Also, to support international breeding program, zoos have special programs to produce more young animals, especially for the species (物种) which are in danger of dying out. In the wild, some of the endangered species have trouble in finding partners and having new baby animals. A good zoo will provide a safe environment for these species. Moreover, zoos also do research into animal behavior and how to treat their illnesses.

④So, are zoos good or not? It depends on how good the zoo is. It’s sure that zoos have more advantages than their harmful effects. But it is understandable that many people don’t agree to enclose animals for any reason.

A．

B．

C．

D．

7 . Many middle school students don't know how to spend their free time. When they have holidays, they always have nothing to do and feel bored. Some may play computer games all day long and some may stay in bed and sleep all day. Here are some suggestions (建议). If you don't like to stay at home, you can go for a picnic (野餐) or play some sports. In this way, you can breathe some fresh air and keep healthy. If you like to stay at home, you may enjoy some light music or read a few novels. You can play some indoor games, such as chess, cards and table tennis. You can also plant some trees and flowers in your garden to make your home beautiful. It is also a good idea to keep a pet and talk with it. Just develop (发展) some hobbies and you will feel much happier after a long holiday.

If you wish to become a better reader, here are four important points to remember about rate or speed of reading:

1 Knowing why you are reading-what you are reading to find out-will often help you to know whether to read rapidly or slowly.

2 Some things should be read slowly throughout. Examples are directions tor making or doing something; arithmetic problems, science and history books, which are full of important information. You must read such things slowly to remember each important stop and understand each important idea.

3Some things should be read rapidly throughout. Examples are simple stories for enjoyment, news, letters from friends, items or bits of news from local or hometown paper, telling what is happening to friends and neighbors.

4 In some of your readings, you must change your speed from fast to slow and slow to fast, as you go along. You will need to read certain pages rapidly and then slow down and do more careful reading when you come to important ideas which should be remembered.

9 . In many middle schools, all students must wear the school uniform on school days. And here comes the question-do they like to wear the uniform?

Wang Ye is a 12-year-old girl from No. I Middle School. She says, “I don’t like my school uniform. It is not beautiful at all. I think girls should wear some colourful clothes. But I have to wear the uniform in the school.”

Zhao Kai, also a middle school student. has a different idea. He says, “I like my school uniform. It looks cool. All my friends think so.”

Zhang Wen, a 13-year-old girl, says, “I have to wear the school uniform on school days. I think it's a good rule (规章). It helps me, save time. Before, I didn’t know what to wear every morning and I was always worried about this. It took me lots of time to choose my clothes. But now I have more time to do other things.”

What about you?

10 . We send our children to school to prepare them for the time when they will be big and will have to work for themselves. They learn their own language so that they will be able to tell others clearly what they want and what they know, and understand what others tell them. They learn foreign language in order to be able to understand the people from other countries and make themselves understood. They learn history to know something about human beings they meet every day. What they learn at school is, of course, quite useful, but is that the only reason why they go to school?

No. There is more in education than just learning facts. We go to school, above all, to learn how to learn, so that when we left school, we can continue to learn. A man who really knows how to learn will always be successful, because whenever he has to do something new, he will quickly teach himself how to do it in the best way. The uneducated person, on the other hand, is either unable to do something new or does it badly. So the purpose（目的）of school is not just to teach the students these useful subjects but teach the way to learn.