2 . “Come on! All of us are cutting (逃课) maths. Who wants to go to take that quiz? We’re going to take a walk and get lunch instead. Let’s go!” says the coolest kid in your class. Do you do what you know is right and go to maths class, take the quiz and all? Or do you give in and go with him?

People who are at your age, like your classmates, are called peers. When they try to influence how you act and get you to do something, it’s called peer pressure. It’s something everyone has to deal with — even adults.

Peers influence your life, even if you don’t realize it, just by spending time with you. You learn from them, and they learn from you. It’s only human nature to listen to and learn from other people in your age group.

Peers can have a positive influence on each other. Maybe another student in your science class taught you an easy way to remember the planets in the solar system, or you got others excited about your new favorite book, and now everyone is reading it. Sometimes peers influence each other in negative ways. For example, a few kids in school might try to get you to cut class with them.

It’s difficult to say “no” to peer pressure, but you can do it. Paying attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and what is wrong can help you know what is the right thing you should do.

It can really help to have at least one other peer, or friend, who is willing to say “no” too. If you continue to face peer pressure and you’re finding it difficult to handle it, talk to someone you trust — a parent, or a teacher. They can help you feel much better and prepare you for the next time you face peer pressure.

1. According to the first paragraph, what is the kid doing?

A．Encouraging other kids to cut class.

B．Making an announcement about a dinner party.

C．Planning some interesting activities after school.

D．Persuading kids to take a quiz with him.

2. What can be known according to the author?

A．For kids, peer pressure may do more harm than good.

B．Kids today are under greater pressure than before.

C．Peer pressure exists among people of all age groups.

D．Maths is the most difficult subject for most kids.

3. What is suggested to the readers in the last paragraph?

A．Learning to refuse their friends in a polite way.

B．Getting support from someone else if necessary.

C．Making more close friends while at school.

D．Building closer relations with their parents and teachers.

4. Whom is the text probably written for?

A．The parents.	B．The teachers.
C．The friends.	D．The students.

3 . Growing pains and gains

It’s not easy to grow up. Actually it’s far from easy. Growing up can be a real “pain” for some of us. We are always doing things that someone else makes us do and aren’t allowed to do all the things we like. Sometimes we feel stuck, sometimes we are fearful, and sometimes we just don’t understand why we can’t stay young forever. When we look back on all the challenges in life with a positive attitude, we realize that all of our growing pains actually turn into growing gains!

As a young girl my parents forced my sisters and me to do so many things that I never liked. They made me learn to play the violin and then the piano. At that time I hated music, just because it was what they wanted me to do. But looking back now, I am so glad that my parents encouraged me to take music lessons. Music has enriched my life in so many ways. I realize that my parents and teachers were always pushing me along. not because they wanted me to suffer(受苦)but because they wanted me to succeed in life. They’ve always wanted me to have a better life than they did themselves.

Every moment of our lives is either living or dying, so live life to its fullest! We are all going to experience growing pains, but they are just small pains in life. They might seem so huge at the time but we must be strong. Think about how we would feel if we had no fear and live life like that. The future is ours!

A little hard work and sweat never hurt anyone! If we realize that these pains are just small bumps(凸块)on our road to success we will realize that our growing pains are actually growing gains!

1. According to paragraph 1, we learn that when we are young, ______.

A．life is full of joy

B．life is easy for us

C．we know we can stay young forever

D．we sometimes can’t do things we like

2. When the author was young, she was forced by her parents to ______.

A．take music lessons

B．turn gains into pains

C．look back on challenges

D．live a successful life

3. What does the underlined phrase “to its fullest” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Directly.

B．Completely.

C．Carefully.

D．Terribly.

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．Growing pains are necessary for us to grow up.

B．We all have to experience growing pains.

C．A little hard work and sweat are harmful to us.

D．Life without fear is a better choice for us.

4 . A teacher decided to let her class play a game. She told each child in the class to bring along a bag with several tomatoes. Each tomato would be given a name of a person that the child hated. So the number of tomatoes in his or her bag would depend on the number of people the child hated.

When the day came, every child brought some tomatoes with the name of the people he or she hated. Some had two tomatoes. Some had three tomatoes. Some even had five tomatoes. The teacher then told the children to carry the tomatoes with them wherever they went for a week. Days passed, and the children started to complain because the rotten (腐烂的) tomatoes let out terrible smell. Besides, those having five tomatoes also had to carry heavier bags. After one week, the children were very happy because the game had finally ended.

Then the teacher told them the meaning behind the game. The teacher said, “This is the same situation when you carry your hatred for somebody inside your heart. The terrible smell of hatred will pollute your heart, and you will carry it with you wherever you go. If you cannot stand the smell of rotten tomatoes for just one week, can you imagine what it is like to have the smell of hatred in your heart for your lifetime?”

1. The teacher asked students to give each tomato a name of a person they _________.

A．knew

B．helped

C．disliked

2. The students felt _________ when the rotten tomatoes let out terrible smell.

A．unhappy

B．scared

C．surprised

3. The underlined word “hatred” in Para. 4 means “_________” in Chinese.

A．善意

B．憎恨

C．遗憾

4. We can know from the passage that _________

A．hatred can make us happy and it’s good for our health

B．carrying our hatred for someone will make our life hard

C．hatred has a strange taste which make us polluted

5 . Sharon, Aged 22

The most important thing to keep in mind when going into high school is to be yourself. Besides, I don’t know what your middle school was like, but high school teachers will not care about things such as how much homework you already have in one night. It’s best to just learn to deal with things and manage your time wisely so you can achieve everything you need.

Frank, Aged 21

I think almost every kid feels both nervous and excited before their first day. You will probably love it. I know I did. You should join in some sports or activities that will make your high school experience more enjoyable. Good luck！

Eddie, Aged 20

When I started high school I was really nervous too, especially since I had been home-schooled all through middle school and didn’t really know anyone, I suppose the best advice would be to just relax. The first couple of days can be a little bit hard, but things will become easier after you know it.

David, Aged 19

I’m not going to lie. The first day is kind of frightening. But you’ll get used to it. Don’t be afraid of anyone; upperclassmen will pick on you more if you let them know you’re afraid. Just take it easy. Making some friends and staying with them will greatly help you get used to high school quickly. After the first week it’s really not bad at all. Don’t worry.

1. What can we infer from Sharon about high school?

A．Teachers are quite strict.

B．Students often stay up at night.

C．Teachers provide little care for students.

D．Students should make good use of their time.

2. How did Eddie feel on his first day of high school?

A．Excited

B．Bored.

C．Worried.

D．Relaxed.

3. Who mentions the importance of friends?

A．Frank.

B．David.

C．Sharon.

D．Eddie.

9 . A few extraordinary female singer-songwriters from the 1970s helped form music as we know it today, and continue to inspire so many with their soulful melodies(旋律).

Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell’s influence goes beyond her own generation. Her earnest songwriting continues to be a source of inspiration for many, who acknowledge her position as a pioneer of female expression in music.

The 1971 album Blue showed Joni’s truthful self, telling the stories of her experiences in life and in love. Blue was later chosen by the New York Times as one of the 25 albums that represented “turning points and the highest points in 20th-century popular music”.

Carole King

Carole King wrote or co-wrote over 118 hits between 1955 and 1999, making her the most successful female songwriter in the second half of the 20th century. However, King initially found herself less recognized than her husband and writing partner at the time, Gerry Goffin.

As the 1970s arrived, so did Carole King in full bloom. Now pursuing a solo career, 1971 saw the release (发行)of her album Tapestry. The album was highly significant, not only commercially but symbolically.

Joan Armatrading

Still in the 1970s but putting in the work on this side of the pond, Joan Armatrading became the first black British female artist to achieve international praise.

Joan’s place as a female pioneer in music continued as she became the first UK female artist to be nominated (提名)for a Grammy in the blues category, going on to receive two further nominations. An artist who is confident with who she is and what she wants to create, Armatrading famously keeps her private life to herself and lets her music do the talking.

1. What is the album Blue about?

A．Female wisdom.

B．Female creativity.

C．Joni’s musical dream.

D．Joni’s life experiences.

2. When was King’s album Tapestry available to the public?

A．In 1955.	B．In 1999.
C．In 1970.	D．In 1971.

3. Which of the following best describes Joan Armatrading?

A．Brave.	B．Self-confident.
C．Odd.	D．Unsociable.