1 . It’s time to go back to high school. Students are excited about the new beginning. But for many kids, the first day is more about friends than classes, and maybe with good reason. On that day, the teacher takes attendance, hands out books, and describes the teaching plan. If a student hears the same things in seven classes, you can’t blame (责备) them for thinking it’s going to be another long year. When the high schoolers’parents ask what they did in school, it’s pretty likely that the answer will be “Nothing.”
It doesn’t have to be this way. Last January, Jessica Johnson and Charlotte Jenkins, two ninth-grade physics teachers, suggested a school-wide movement called Make My Day to improve the first day of classes, and many teachers have changed their plan for the first class of a new term because of this.
One English teacher asks students to write 77 words about what they want to get out of her class. Then she reads their responses (回答) out loud. She keeps the responses until the last day of the school year when she hands them back to students so they can see if they achieved what they wanted. After encouraging kids with a year-long game, she begins the English course.
On the first day of science, a teacher gives students 30 minutes to build something to improve people’s lives. A history teacher organizes a debate on whether Swiss cheese is better than cheddar. In math class, another teacher puts students in groups of three, and gives them six minutes to come up with as many answers as possible to the question, “What is math good for?”
The new class activities are part of our school wide movement to improve the first day of classes. Many teachers choose to use creative ways to encourage kids from day one. And all students seem to enjoy the changes. Quite a few parents told me that their kids said, “I think English (or math or biology or Spanish) is going to be great!”
1. Which best describes the class on the first day of school in Paragraph 1?| A．A bit strange. | B．Too boring. | C．Really wonderful. | D．Quite challenging. |
| A．It was a city-wide movement. | B．It has been done for many years. |
| C．It was the idea of two P. E. teachers | D．It was attended by the whole school. |
| A．If their expectations have been realized. | B．If their writing skills have improved. |
| C．If they can understand the 77 words. | D．If the teacher likes their responses. |
| A．All ask students to work in groups. | B．All choose to do something exciting. |
| C．All hold discussions on teaching plans. | D．All try to improve students’creativity. |
| A．She shows little interest in it. | B．She feels surprised at it. |
| C．She is worried about it. | D．She supports it. |
2 . Bacteria are an annoying problem for astronauts. The micro-organisms from our bodies grow uncontrollably on surfaces of the International Space Station, so astronauts spend hours cleaning them up each week. How is NASA overcoming this very tiny big problem? It’s turning to a bunch of high school kids. But not just any kids. It is depending on NASA HUNCH high school classrooms, like the one science teachers Gene Gordon and Donna Himmelberg lead at Fairport High School in Fairport, New York.
HUNCH is designed to connect high school classrooms with NASA engineers. For the past two years, Gordon’s students have been studying ways to kill bacteria in zero gravity, and they think they’re close to a solution. “We don’t give the students any breaks. They have to do it just like NASA engineers,” says Florence Gold, a project manager.
“There are no tests,” Gordon says. “There is no graded homework. There almost are no grades, other than ‘Are you working towards your goal?’. Basically, it’s ‘I’ve got to produce this product and then, at the end of the year, present it to NASA.’ Engineers come and really do an in-person review, and… it’s not a very nice thing at times. It’s a hard business review of your product.”
Gordon says the HUNCH program has an impact on college admissions and practical life skills. “These kids are so absorbed in their studies that I just sit back. I don’t teach.” And that annoying bacteria? Gordon says his students are emailing daily with NASA engineers about the problem, readying a workable solution to test in space.
1. What do we know about the bacteria in the International Space Station?| A．They lead to air pollution. | B．They are hard to get rid of. |
| C．They damage the instruments. | D．They appear in different forms. |
| A．To strengthen teacher-student relationships. | B．To sharpen students’ communication skills. |
| C．To allow students to experience zero gravity. | D．To link space technology with school education. |
| A．Check their product. | B．Guide project designs. |
| C．Adjust work schedules. | D．Grade their homework. |
| A．Nature: An Outdoor Classroom | B．NASA: The Home of Astronauts |
| C．Space: The Final Homework Frontier | D．HUNCH: A College Admission Reform |
3 . Austria Class Trip
Class 4A will soon be leaving for this year's trip to Salzburg, Austria. We will depart from the campus at 6 a. m. on January 18th to catch the 9 a. m. flight. Our return flight leaves at 8 a. m. on January 21st, and we will expect to arrive back at the campus by bus, around 4 p. m. For the entirety of the trip's duration, we will be staying all three nights at Hotel Salzburg.
In addition to your personal belongings, you will be required to pack your passport and travel insurance certificate. Furthermore, remember to pack the appropriate winter necessities, especially if you plan to ski during your free time in the afternoons. Our scheduled morning events are detailed as follows.
As Austria is a country of great importance in European history, learning more about its unique culture will be the foundation of your trip. Thus far, your pre-trip assignment has been to investigate the last 60 years of Austrian history. To bring this unit to its conclusion, we've arranged a meeting in the hotel's conference room with several local retirement associations. Also taking place on hotel grounds are various workshops that we've arranged, hosting three local speakers. Please be sure to attend at least one of these.
Upon return, use the information you obtained from the interviews and workshop(s)to write a 500-word reflection on a subject of your choice, worth 60%of your final grade. Of special focus should be the social and cultural impacts of World War Ⅱ, with a secondary focus on how the modern Austrian government treats its senior citizens. Your report is due by 5 p. m. on January 25th.
1. When will the plane for Austria take off?| A．At 6 a. m. on January 18th. | B．At 9 a. m. on January 18th. |
| C．At 8 a. m. on January 21st. | D．At 4 p. m. on January 21st. |
| A．European history. | B．Causes of World War Il. |
| C．Winter climate in Austria. | D．Life of Austrian elderly people. |
| A．Education. | B．Sightseeing. | C．Exercise. | D．Charity. |
4 . On a school trip to New York, our school had us wear name tags (牌) with our school name on it. Since all the attractions we visited were popular with school groups, the tags let the teachers know we should be with our group. If any of us separated from the group, teachers would quickly call us back.
Some students had tried to hide or throw away their name tags to avoid this, so our head teacher—a very strict lady—said that anyone found without the name tag would have to spend the rest of the trip staying with her at all times and then have a month’s worth of lockdown (禁闭) when we got back.
While we were all on a ferry (渡船), we were allowed to go around. While playing with friends, I didn’t realize it was my name tag until it was too far to reach. I started to freak out at once. I had never got into trouble at school before or had even a single punishment, and I would possibly face a month’s worth of them! After thinking for a moment, I finally decided to just tell the head teacher what had happened.
I went to the head teacher and explained very nervously to her. Instead of shouting at me, she took out another name tag and handed it to me. She said, “I have prepared several more name tags in case something unexpected happens.” Then she smiled at me, “Did you think you would get lockdown? Don’t worry, and that’s just for the trouble-makers in order to stop them losing it on purpose. I believe you’re a good kid. Don’t be worried about this. But be careful later.” When I heard these words, tears came to my eyes. What a kind teacher she is!
1. Why did the school ask us to wear name tags?| A．To avoid being separated. | B．To visit the attractions freely. |
| C．To make us popular. | D．To attract the classmates’ eyes. |
| A．Be happy. | B．Be anxious. |
| C．Be silent. | D．Be excited. |
| A．She knew he was not a trouble-maker. |
| B．She disliked him very much. |
| C．She was unfair in fact. |
| D．She thought he was the best kid. |
| A．Strict but impolite. | B．Brave but unfriendly. |
| C．Strict and patient. | D．Brave and honest. |
5 . Spare time activities at the University of Victoria
Arts
There are many art galleries and ongoing displays on the campus of the University of Victoria (UVic). The Student Union Building lounge displays various local students’ artworks. The Maltwood Art Museum Gallery, located in the main lobby of the University Center, features local, national, and international works. The McPherson Library Gallery located on the main floor of the library, features art produced by UVic students. To see ongoing art displays. you can visit the Fine Arts Building.
Movies
Cinecenta is the students’ society’s 300-seat movie theater, which always offers an excellent choice of movies. Take the time on a Sunday afternoon and catch a 2:30 matinee (午后) for only $3.75 or catch a midnight classic! Movies are only $4.75 for students with a-valid student ID—or buy a 10-movie pass and pay only $3.75 each. You can pick up a free timetable around campus.
Music
The music department on campus holds over 100 concerts a year. Everyone is welcome to attend student recitals (独奏会), held every Friday at 12:30 pm in the Phillip T. The Victoria symphony offers reduced price tickets to students if tickets. are purchased on the day of the concert.
Publications
Copies of the following publications can be picked up from campus publication boxes that are located in every building on campus. The Martlet, the official student paper of UVic, is funded partially through student fees and is produced by an autonomous collective of students and staff. A publication funded by UVic and produced by the women’s center, the Women’s Publication Network, which is available every other Thursday, is the oldest women student newspaper in Canada. The paper has a feminist (女权主义者) focus. Published monthly by CFUV (Victoria’s campus & community radio station), Offbeat is your guide to CFUV’s program schedule. The Ring, published every two weeks, is UVic’s community newspaper for staff, students and off-campus readers.
1. Where should you go if you want to visit UVic students’ artworks?| A．The Fine Arts Building. | B．The McPherson Library Gallery. |
| C．The Student Union Building lounge. | D．The Maltwood Art Museum Gallery. |
| A．$3.75. | B．$4.75. | C．$7.5. | D．$9.5. |
| A．It is financially supported by UVic. | B．It is a weekly official student newspaper. |
| C．It is a guide to CFUV’s program schedule. | D．It is the oldest student newspaper in Canada. |
6 . History Fair Competition
Understanding history is vital to understanding ourselves as a people and as a nation. History is much more than the study of dusty old objects and events long past. It is an essential part of who we are today and who we will become. Thornton Middle School History Fair Competition makes understanding history exciting, engaging, and fun!
This Year’s Theme
All participants must address how communication or transportation technology has promoted the quality of life for Americans throughout history. To many people, technology means computers, hand-held devices, or vehicles that travel to distant planets. However, technology is also the application of scientific knowledge to solve a problem, touching lives in countless ways.
Individuals or groups may enter one of the following categories:
· Performance
· Documentary
· Essay Writing
Category Requirements
Performance: A dramatic presentation of the topic no more than 10 minutes long. If special clothes are used, they should truly represent a given period.
Documentary: A visual presentation (such as a video, slide show, or computer project) no more than 10 minutes long. A desktop computer, screen, projector, and loudspeakers will be available. Students must provide their presentations on CDs before Friday, March 23.
Essay Writing: An academic paper of 2, 000 to 2, 500 words. No illustrations (图解) are allowed. Please do not include covers. A list of references must be included.
Important Dates
January 5Submit a topic proposal to your history teacher. The teacher may require a second proposal if the first is off-topic or unclear.
February 5 Submit a first draft of your essay, performance script, or documentary highlights.
February 19 A committee of teachers will evaluate materials and give opinions. Students then have an opportunity to improve their products.
March 9 Submit a final draft of your essay.
March 15 Performance and documentary committee preview
March 24 Thornton Middle School History Fair Competition
7:00A. M-9:00A. M Participants signing in at the gym
10:00A. M. -6:00PM. Competition and judges’ review
7:00P.M. Awards ceremony and picnic
1. According to Paragragh 1, what is the major goal of understanding history?| A．To preserve national traditions. | B．To prepare for a history competition. |
| C．To better know the present and future. | D．To further explore historical mysteries. |
| A．How has technology developed in America. | B．How has science interacted with technology. |
| C．How has science made the study of history easy. | D．How has technology improved the life of Americans. |
| A．Include more information in the essay. | B．Remove the references. |
| C．Provide a cover for the essay. | D．Explain the details with illustrations. |
| A．Preview performances and documentaries. | B．Make comments on the materials. |
| C．Improve the participant’s first draft. | D．Collect a second proposal from the participant. |
7 . A primary school in County Cork, Ireland, has decided to do away with all homework for the entire month of December, replacing it instead with acts of kindness.
For the third year in a row, students at Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Uí Choileáin will not have any homework for the month of December. Instead, they are being asked to undertake acts of kindness for friends, family and the community — and to record these in a special “Kindness Diary” which each student will fill in daily and then get signed by their parents.
“Building on the overwhelming success and positivity of last year’s Gratitude Diaries, when children and their families documented the small things they were grateful for in their lives, this year they are asked to undertake little acts of kindness that could make a big difference in somebody’s life,” Vice Principal Íde Ní Mhuirí said.
The school suggests doing something nice for an elderly neighbor, or performing an act of kindness for a relative or friend who may be feeling lonely, but the act can be anything as long as it brightens someone’s day.
Alongside this Kindness Diary initiative (倡议), there will be a kindness bucket in school, where the children can place kind observations about their peers which will boost the self-respect of those around them. Each Friday morning at the gathering a random selection of these observations will be shared to stress how small acts and kind words can make huge differences in somebody’s life. And finally, each class will put their heads together and come up with a class-wide project which can help the community.
“In this world, consumed by social media, where our young people are constantly experiencing pressure, there is no better way to show them the way forward in the world than by practicing kindness,” Íde Ní Mhuirí said.
1. What does the school require the pupils to do this December?| A．Keep a diary of their daily lives. | B．Show kindness to someone else. |
| C．Express their gratitude to others. | D．Finish their homework on time. |
| A．It needs improving. | B．It ended in failure. |
| C．It is quite satisfactory. | D．It will be continued. |
| A．To monitor their behaviour. |
| B．To evaluate their moral character. |
| C．To share their ways of dealing with stress. |
| D．To give them a sense of pride and importance. |
| A．Homework or Acts of Kindness? |
| B．How to Make a Big Difference in Life? |
| C．Irish School Relieves students of Homework. |
| D．Irish School Replaces Homework with Acts of Kindness. |
8 . Every year, students across the U.K.engage in the annual ritual (仪式) of telling college and university admissions officers why they deserve a seat at the school of their choice.However, this task is filled with anxiety and fear.
Keep your individuality in the spotlight.
Committees value authenticity.They want to hear your voice.This essay may give you the time and space to explain why a particular achievement means too much to you.But resist the urge to exaggerate: admission counselors read thousands of essays each year.
Sound like yourself.Don’t use words you wouldn’t normally use.Don’t use fancy language you wouldn’t use in real life.Imagine yourself reading this essay out loud to a classroom full of people who have never met you.
| A．They can spot something unreal. |
| B．This rule works in all the aspects of your life. |
| C．Writing about oneself can be highly stressful. |
| D．Keep a confident tone even if you’re not feeling that way. |
| E．Remember, it’s all about you rather than a fashionable subject. |
| F．An informative and powerful essay focuses on the readers’ needs. |
| G．Experts often recommend looking for something unique of your life story. |
9 . At a comedy night at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, members of the school's comedy(喜剧) club bring lots of laughter to their classmates with funny speeches and humorous body movements. These college student comedian’s humour entertains busy, young people and eases their stress.
Yet the club member Ariella Shua says comedy is serious work. Every comedy starts as an individual project-- each member writes their own material. Then they try it out in weekly club meetings where all club members read the material, going joke by joke and seeing what works and what doesnt. Nothing unsatisfactory will be compromised(妥协). In this way comes a satisfying comedy.
Ariella joined the club last year. Now she does not go anywhere without bringing something on which she can take notes. ''Whenever I just have a thought in my head or when I see something or overhear someone saying something in the library, I just put it down, '' Ariella explained. ''when I'm trying to write my own set, I go through that…to see if there is anything in there that I can use. ''
Club president Nicholas Scandura finds writing one of the many skills he has developed since joining the club. ''Writing jokes takes a lot of critical thinking.'' he said. The club gives its members a sense of community. When they meet, they share funny experiences. tell jokes and laugh.
Harry Kuperstein discovered the club was a natural fit. Noticing the funny qualities of different situations improved his way of looking at the world. Becoming an active member also helped him work on the future skills he'll need as a medical doctor. ''Having jokes ready to go might help smooth these interactions and make you a better public speaker, '' he said.
1. What can a successful comedy be described as?| A．A group effort | B．A personal project |
| C．A satisfying task | D．A compromised result |
| A．Creating her own style. |
| B．Going to the library regularly |
| C．Taking notes in class |
| D．Becoming a good observer |
| A．By easing his stress of being a doctor |
| B．By preparing the ground for his career. |
| C．By changing his way of communication |
| D．By developing his interest in public speaking |
| A．Laughter Is Serious Work |
| B．Humor Is an Edge in Jobs |
| C．Comedy Comes with Learning |
| D．Clubs Influence One's World View |
10 . If you could design your own school and study whatever you wanted, what would you choose to learn?
This isn’t an unlikely question for students at Monument Mountain Regional High School, who are taking part in an activity called the Independent Project. The program is a special school within the Massachusetts public high school that’s completely run by students - no teachers, parents, or adults are allowed - and they’re in charge of deciding their whole curriculum (课程).
These teens’ homework and what they study in the classroom are all totally up to them. Charles Tsai, a journalist, made a 15-minute film about the project that shows the wide variety of activities different students join.
Students aren’t taking this lightly - instead of reacting irresponsibly (不负责任地) to the freedom to design their own studies, they’re dealing with their own interests by writing poetry (诗歌) collections, learning instruments and taking flight lessons.
The program is this: On Mondays students come up with questions in relation to one of their school subjects, then they spend the rest of the week researching and coming up with possible conclusions to these questions. On Fridays, they present this information to their classmates.
“I think the more choices we have in our school, the more students we will help develop into the kind of citizens that we need,”Principal (校长) Marianne Young explains in the film.
In the video, teens express their satisfaction with the program because it holds different kinds of learners, even those who don’t always succeed in a traditional study situation.
“I have difficulty in reading and writing. School has always been a big problem for me,” one student named Sergio explains in the video. “If it were not for this program, I don’t know if I’d be graduating - I don’t know where I’d be right now. I think this has really been my savior (救星) and got me through the last two years of high school.”
1. What is the Independent Project about?| A．Various activities for students. | B．Student-centered curricula. |
| C．A self-designed school. | D．Teacher-free classes. |
| A．Teachers work out a curriculum for students. |
| B．Students research topics they put forward. |
| C．Teachers work together with students. |
| D．Students serve as teachers in turn. |
| A．Curious. | B．Doubtful. |
| C．Uncertain. | D．Optimistic. |
| A．He finds it hard to graduate. |
| B．He has bitter memories of high school. |
| C．He feels grateful to the Independent Project. |
| D．He performs badly in the Independent Project. |
