1 . It is hard to say the first day of school in the United States because when the first day of school is and what happens on the first day of school usually are different by districts（地区）.

The first day of school for many school districts in different states is on the day after the first Monday in September. In some other school districts, school begins in mid-to-late August. For example, the Denver, Colorado schools go back in mid-August and schools in Cleveland, Ohio start back usually one week before the first Monday in September. The Boston, Chicago, New York City and San Diego schools start back on the Tuesday or Wednesday after the first Monday in September.

Schools in Cleveland, Ohio used to start the school year on the day after the first Monday in September, but in the 1976-1977 and 1977-1978 academic years, the school year was affected by several bad snowstorms, extreme cold. In the 1978-1979 school year, the Ohio Department of Education moved the start of the year to late August, one week before the first Monday in September. This went into effect in the 1980-1981 school year.

In most school districts in Utah, the school year starts between August 25 and August 30, and goes until the last week of May or the first week in June next year.

In American high schools, the freshmen class usually goes back one or two days before the rest of the school body for an orientation（迎新）period. An orientation period helps the freshmen get familiar with their new school, its rules, and surroundings.

In some schools, the freshmen classes have their photographs taken for identification purposes. Some high schools have tried to make the first week of school fun for incoming freshmen.

1. According to the passage, which schools start their school year the earliest?

A．Schools in Denver.

B．Schools in Cleveland.

C．Schools in New York City.

D．Schools in Boston.

2. Why did the Ohio Department of Education change the start of the school year?

A．Because of some political events.

B．Because of the entrance examinations.

C．Because of the increasing number of students.

D．Because of the extreme weather.

3. How many months does the school year last in schools in Utah？

A．About seven months.

B．About eight months.

C．About nine months.

D．About ten months.

4. The article is probably taken from ________.

A．a book about one's life story

B．an official website of education

C．an advertisement in a newspaper

D．a sports magazine

2 . Rich and Famous

Twenty years ago the most common ambition of American children was to be a teacher, followed by working in banking and finance, and then medicine. But today’s situation is quite different.     1     Instead they most commonly say they want to be a sports star, a pop star, or an actor—in other words, they hope to become a celebrity .

According to experts, young people desire these jobs largely because of the wealth and the fame.     2     Let’s take athletes and singers as an example. Their careers are short-lived. Many athletes’ best time only lasts a few years and singers can have a very limited career. The field that was once the focus of their lives becomes something they have little or no involvement in. As a result, they’ll have a feeling of worthlessness and a lack of control.     3    The truth is quite simple: they have been so far removed from it for so long.

In spite of these disadvantages, there is greater ambition than ever among young people to achieve that status. They are not satisfied just making a living—they want to be rich and famous. Globally, more and more TV shows provide talent competitions where winners can achieve their goals in just a few weeks or months.    4    They unrealistically believe that this lifestyle is easily obtained and leads to great satisfaction.

While many people argue that there is nothing wrong with having such ambitions, others feel that this trend will finally lead to dissatisfaction as more and more people are unable to reach their goals.     5     That means they ignore the simple fact that great effort is needed before success. As a result, many people won’t realize their childhood dreams, which could have a negative effect on their happiness.

A．In many ways this has been brought about by the celebrity culture.

B．People no longer have a sense of satisfaction once their goals have been achieved.

C．Besides, it can be difficult for them to adapt back to a normal everyday life.

D．The younger generation don’t favor these professions any more.

E．Unfortunately, they do not always have a positive effect on people’s life.

F．The reason is that they don’t realize it takes talent and hard work to be rich and famous.

G．This quick way of gaining wealth and fame creates a celebrity culture among people.

3 . Who is your role model? Normally the answer to this question would be anyone around you who you find truly inspiring. It could also be someone like J. K. Rowling or Martin Luther King. Jr. , who have proven to be strong and intelligent people.
However, in today’s world, stars are regarded as role models along with the heroes listed above, despite their intentions or actions. Teens attempt to imitate their actions for two major reasons. Firstly, to be fashionable and accepted by popular culture, and secondly because stars’ actions are so well documented by the media that it seems to grab our attention and turns it to following stars’ lives. Much of the reports about stars is shocking and exhibits bad morals or lifestyles that aren’t right for teenagers. In addition, almost everything stars do is described beyond truth to make a shocking story by taking it to the next level.
However, teens must take responsibility for their actions. We can’t always blame stars for influencing us. Only you have control over yourself and only you choose to do something. Our bodies and actions are in the hands of no one else.
Now, whoever said stars are role models? Whether they choose to be or not, stars set examples as soon as they step into the spotlight. With reporters following and recording every move they make, it is impossible not to be watched and then be imitated. These people influence teens whether or not they want to. Why should someone who doesn’t want to be setting an example set one? So，should we look up to them or to people who are true and good role models? It’s our responsibility as teens to know right from wrong, and it’s time for us to take responsibility for our actions. In doing so，we will lean toward those inspiring people that want to be setting an example, and follow in their steps to be like them.
1. According to the first paragraph, _______ can usually be role models.

A．political leaders

B．wealthy writers

C．people inspiring others

D．people with great intelligence

2. What are the major reasons for the teens to imitate stars?

A．Interest in stars’ life and expectation of getting rich.

B．Motivation for being fashionable and inspiration from popular examples.

C．Intentions to gain acceptance and encouragement from stars’ lifestyle.

D．Desires to be stylish and great influence from the mass media.

3. The author writes the passage mainly to advise the teenagers to _______.

A．have a control over their own bodies and actions

B．be responsible for their own choices and behaviors

C．follow fashionable stars’ steps to be more popular

D．choose right role models according to different reports

4. It can be inferred from the passage that _______.

A．stars have the responsibility for teenagers’ actions

B．not all famous stars choose to influence teenagers

C．teenagers choose those inspiring people as their role models

D．stars set examples immediately they stepped into the spotlight