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 |
| A．经营 |
| B．跑步 |
| C．行驶 |
| D．竞赛 |
| A．A novel. |
| B．A guidebook. |
| C．A science magazine. |
| D．A poster. |
| 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. |
2 . When I was in the middle school, I seldom raised my hands to answer questions in class. And I found lots of my classmates were just like me. When the teacher asked a question, I always lowered my head because I was afraid that the teacher saw me.
One day, in a foreign language class, Mr. Black gave us a lesson. He wanted us to be active in class, so he asked us some questions, but no one answered. "At the beginning of the class, let me tell you a story." He said.
"When I came to the United States to study, the university often invited famous people to make speeches. Before the beginning of every speech, I found an interesting thing. The students around me always took a cardboard folded（折叠）in half, wrote their names in bold（粗体） with the most eye-catching color, and then placed the cardboard on the seat. So when the speaker needed the answers from the students, he could see and call a listener's name directly."
"I couldn't understand that. My classmates told me the speakers were all top people who meant chances. When your answer was to their surprise, it meant they might give you more chances. In fact, I really saw a few students got great chances because of that."
After listening to the story, I understood that the chance will not find you itself. You must show yourself all the time so that you can find a chance and then catch it.
1. When the writer's classmates were asked questions, most of them .| A．raised their hands |
| B．shook their heads |
| C．closed their eyes |
| D．lowered their heads |
| A．Because he wanted the students to do homework. |
| B．Because he wanted the students to take notes carefully. |
| C．Because he wanted the students to be active in class. |
| D．Because he wanted the students to be quiet in class. |
| A．the computer |
| B．the cardboards on the students' seats |
| C．Mr. Black |
| D．the name list on the teacher's desk |
| A．Being active in class is interesting. |
| B．Doing as others do is necessary. |
| C．Answering questions bravely is easy. |
| D．Showing yourself bravely can win chances. |
Can the Time Go Slower?
by Joanna Pitt.
Can the time go slower?
I’m still thinking of the answers.
Can the time go slower?
My head is not yet clear.
Can the time go slower?
For me the rules of math are too hard to remember.
Can the time go slower?
My grade is what my father really cares about.
So can the time go slower?
My dear teacher, I don’t want to run behind others.
oh no!
There are still lots of questions to be answered!
1. What is the reading about?
| A．Taking a test. |
| B．Teaching math. |
| C．Learning driving. |
| D．Running at the school. |
| A．She is missing her good old times. |
| B．She does not want to get old with time. |
| C．She is worried that there’s not enough time. |
| D．She is afraid that her father will be home soon. |
4 . Most people graduate from school and then get a job. Everyone wants a job that pays well. How much money can you make? Ask yourself these questions: What can I do? What skills do I have? Also ask yourself: How much education do I have? For most jobs, the higher your education, the higher your earning power.
In the United States, high school graduates make about $18,600 a year. If you do not finish high school, you make only $10,800 a year. You can make $7,800 more each year by staying in high school!
If you stay in school, then you can make more money. A person with a high school degree makes about $18,600 a year. If that person goes to college and gets a bachelor’s degree(学士学位), he can make $42,000. With a master’s degree (硕士学位), he can make about $53,000. If the person gets a PhD(博士学位), he can make almost $79,000 or more a year.
We can learn a very important thing from this information. If you want to work and make more money, get a good education.
1. The passage mainly talks about ________.| A．how education and pay are connected | B．high paying jobs |
| C．jobs for high school students | D．good schools |
| A．save | B．spend | C．pay | D．make |
| A．a university graduate | B．a person who gets a PhD |
| C．a person who only finishes primary school | D．a person with a master’s degree |
| A．$37,000 | B．$68,200 | C．$60,400 | D．$26,000 |
| A．a high school degree is not important |
| B．university is too expensive |
| C．a person can make more money with a good education |
| D．people with a degree don’t need to worry about finding jobs |
