2 . “Me”. It's a small word with big meaning, and that meaning is as individual to each of us as the way we look. How to deline beauty? How could we learn to appreciate the beauty in ourselves? Will our attitude change as we grow up?

When I was young, I believed the world and success only belonged to pretty people. When I read many kinds of books, the main characters who became successful at last were handsome or beautiful. When I saw films, the attractive key roles would finally won. So I thought that being beautiful and attractive was the only way to become a success.

As I grew up, the story of my classmate made me realize that outer beauty didn't mean everything. The girl was very beautiful and every-classmate liked to chat with her at first. But as time went by, her friends left her one by one because of her arrogance(傲慢). In her opinion, she could get all she wanted with her beauty. Later on, she gradually came to know the importance of the beauty in a person's heart, which changed her attitude and she made friends again.

Turning on TV, we can see many advertisements, most of which seem to give us a feeling that physical attractiveness is the most important thing. There seems to be a boom in plastic surgery(整形手术). It is surprising that more and more people, especially girls and women, would like to have a try. They believe that attractive people can easily find a job. Most good-looking people usually get higher scores in the job interviews. But is it always true? Well, external beauty means something. It can be an expression of our personalities, helping us make a good and positive first impression on others. But life won't stop at “the first impression”. It'll move on. Remember the story of my classmate? The beauty judged with eyes is temporary, while the inner beauty counts when people get along with each other and live a life. Meanwhile, being healthy is beautiful, and we should wear that beauty with confidence. It not only makes us more beautiful, but happier.

Now do you have your own definition of beauty? How do you appreciate the beauty in yourself?

1. Why did the author want to have a good appearance when she was young?

A．Because she wanted to follow the example of her friend.

B．Because she wanted to get higher scores in the job interviews.

C．Because she wanted to become as successful as those attractive characters.

D．Because she wanted to be one of the characters in the books or in the films.

2. The writer mentions her classmate's story to show________.

A．her classmate's arrogance

B．the way to make more friends at school

C．to be a beautiful girl is a terrible thing

D．external beauty doesn't mean everything:

3. What does the underlined sentence in the fourth paragraph mean?

A．Plastic surgery is becoming more and more popular with people.

B．More and more people pay attention to inner beauty.

C．More people can afford the price of doing plastic surgery.

D．The living standard has been improved over the past years.

4. What can we learn from the passage?

A．The success of most beautiful persons in the films.

B．The key factor to find a good job is being attractive.

C．Inner beauty and health is important for people to live a happy life.

D．Plastic surgery is the best way to make a person more beautiful.

5. Which of the following statements will the author agree with?

A．If you are too beautiful, all your friends will leave you out of envy.

B．Those who have good appearances should also develop the inner beauty

C．There has been a boom in plastic surgery because of TV advertisements

D．You must get higher scores in the job interviews if you look attractive.

5 . Dragon dances, acrobats, fireworks, a parade (庆祝游行) --- London is buzzing with excitement for Chinese New Year. Find out more about how people in London celebrate.

The event

For London's Chinese community (and everyone else who loves a good party), Chinese New Year is a huge event. Before Chinese New Year, people make sure their houses are clean and tidy, buy new clothes and get a haircut to bring good luck for the new year. Hundreds of thousands of people watch the parade, which stretches from the West End to Trafalgar Square. It includes Chinese acrobats and traditional lion and dragon dances.

The celebrations

In central London, there are fireworks and stage performances with all kinds of acts and special guests. Previous celebrations have included fashion shows and Chinese hip-hop acts, as well as more traditional performances with Chinese acrobats. Chinatown is buzzing with excitement. The streets are decorated with lucky red lanterns and full of craft and food stalls (货摊). If you're thinking of eating in one of the Chinatown's excellent Chinese restaurants, you have to book a table early, or you won't find one on the night.

Chinese people in Britain

For young Chinese people studying or working in the UK, web conferencing is a good way to join family celebrations back home. Those who miss home might also cook dumplings for friends in Britain or organize an evening of karaoke, another popular way of celebrating. The festivities (欢庆) are not as noisy as back home, where loud firecrackers are traditionally used to frighten away a terrible monster called “Nian”. But there is still plenty of excitement, happiness and good feelings as people come together to enjoy the celebrations.

1. How do people in London's Chinese community celebrate Chinese New Year?
a. Clean up their houses.
b. Get a haircut.
c. Sing songs at Trafalgar Square.
d. Watch traditional dragon dances.

A．abc

B．acd

C．bcd

D．abd

2. What is the advice for people who want to eat in Chinatown's excellent Chinese       restaurants?

A．Bring some small gifts.

B．Wear red clothes.

C．Book a table early.

D．Prepare enough money.

3. Chinese people in the UK think their celebrations are not as noisy as back home mainly because________.

A．they can't talk with their families

B．they can't make dumplings with their families

C．they can't sing karaoke with their friends

D．they don't set off loud fireworks at night

4. What do we know about the celebration of Chinese New Year in London?

A．It is rather old-fashioned.	B．It is colorful and exciting.
C．It is limited to Chinatown.	D．It is much noisier than in China.

5. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To introduce how Chinese people in the UK celebrate the Chinese-New Year.

B．To describe the activities in Chinatown during the Chinese New Year.

C．To compare Chinese tradition with British tradition.

D．To tell the story of the terrible monster “Nian”

6 . ________   is important for us to break boundaries and work together.

A．What

B．That

C．This

D．It

7 . Since nobody could help Mary with her study, she________   have finished it by herself.

A．can

B．need

C．must

D．should

8 . ________ the energy problem, more than 100 experts from different countries came to the conference and had a discussion.

A．To tackle

B．Tackle

C．Tackling

D．Tackled

10 . MSF is a non-profit organization ________ mission is to provide medical care to those affected by conflict, epidemics or disasters.

A．that

B．which

C．whose

D．where