1 . The bell rang. Jada sighed, slowly moved from the lockers where she had been leaning, and headed down the hall to her chemistry class. Honors Chemistry! Jada couldn't believe that her mom was making her take the class because Jada's counselor had said that she had real talent in science.
Jada had to admit that she liked science and that last year's class was a breeze, but come on, Honors Chemistry? She wouldn’t know anyone in the class，and they probably wouldn't know anyone like her.
The good thing about being late is that it shortened the period a bit. The bad thing is that it made her seem like she was making a grand entrance. To make matters worse, the only two seats left in class were at the lab table at the very front of the room.
Jada held her breath and walked in. Everyone's eyes were on her. She just knew it. They were staring at her coal black hair (freshly dyed), her black lipstick, her black fingernail polish, and her thrift-store black leather jacket. All she saw were polo shirts and khaki pants.
This can’t get any worse, Jada thought. But at least she didn't get shouted at by the teacher. He was too busy talking to a new kid, a HUGE new kid, who had to weigh at least 250 pounds. A football player, probably. She hated football players. They thought they were so great. That group of jocks that hung out by the cafeteria always made fun of her.
The new kid made his way over to her table with his head down. He had to squeeze into the seat, and his legs wouldn't fit under the lab table. He shot Jada a glance and turned red.
Mr. Martin, the teacher, began class with this announcement: "Okay, everyone. I know most of you know each other from last year's Honors Physical Science class." Jada sighed loudly."But just take a minute and introduce yourself to the person sitting at your table. You'll be partners. You'll be working closely together all year."
Jada rolled her eyes and stared straight ahead. Then she heard a surprisingly soft voice from next to her. "Hi, I'm Robert. I'm new here."...
1. What can you learn about Jada from the first two paragraphs?| A．She found she didn't like science as she thought. |
| B．She was angry that her mother made her go to school. |
| C．She wasn't willing to take the Honors Chemistry class. |
| D．She thought this year's chemistry class would be a breeze, |
| A．reveal how different she was from her classmates |
| B．explain why she was late for school that morning |
| C．imply that she felt sorry for making a grand entrance |
| D．give readers a general impression of science students |
| A．the new kid | B．football players |
| C．Jada's teacher | D．Jada's classmates |
| A．He was shy. | B．He was rude. |
| C．He liked sports. | D．He looked sad. |
2 . 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. |
3 . Trips to museums are part of many children's education. Every year, museums receive a large number of school students.
Typically, schools are concerned about students performing well on required math and science tests.
In order to learn how a trip to an art museum affects students, the team looked at 11,000 students and found that students who visited an art museum were more tolerant (容忍的)
This study involved two groups. The first group who saw a live performance experienced improvement in tolerance.
Some museums are looking for ways to provide new programs for schools. Apart from their usual field trips, the museums also offer STEM-based tours for science, technology, engineering and math.
| A．People gradually recognize the importance of field trips |
| B．The other one watched a movie version of the same play |
| C．This motivation is very important to the success at school |
| D．Therefore, teachers may not see the value of art museum trips |
| E．Students analyzed data carefully after they visited art museums |
| F．These tours look at connections between art, science, math and architecture |
| G．Plus, they learned more about the art and developed stronger critical thinking skills |
4 . 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. |
5 . Along the hallway (走廊), I saw mixed expressions on the faces of my students: excited, nervous, and worried.No doubt about it: they were this term’s freshmen. My own first day at high school flashed into my mind.
Since our family had just moved to the place, I didn’t know anyone at the school. On arriving, I picked up a map and my schedule (日程表). Oh, my goodness, what a large school it was! Nervously, I looked about for where my first class was to be held.
When I finally found my class, everyone was talking and laughing together, and I felt so lonely. Throughout the day, each period brought some new faces I had not seen before. But when my English class came around, I had a surprise: an old classmate! It was Ben, who had left my middle school right after sixth grade. We talked and joked about middle school and the clubs we were in together. My nerves eased (放松) a little.
Next was the P E. class. This was the first class that I found without difficulty. Sitting through the boring introduction to the class by the teacher, I started talking to a girl sitting near me. I found out that her family had just moved here too, and she didn’t know anyone either. As we talked, we discovered that we had a lot in common, and had a lot of classes together. This girl ended up becoming my best friend. I am so glad that I met her.
By the end of that day, I was full of optimism (乐观). I knew that high school would be an amazing experience.
1. The writer of this passage is a __________.| A．parent | B．college student | C．high school student | D．high school teacher |
| A．the school was very large | B．the map did not show the way |
| C．the teacher would be serious | D．the first class would be difficult |
| A．met her old classmate Ben | B．made friends with a girl |
| C．had P.E. class together with Ben | D．finally found her first class |
| A．Nervous. | B．Bored. | C．Hopeful. | D．Satisfied. |
6 . 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. |
7 . Schools consume a large amount of energy, which has a bad effect on the environment.
Use natural light when the sun is bright. It may not always be necessary for you to have the lights on in your classroom. There may be times of day when the sun is especially bright andenough for what you are doing in your classroom.
Set up a recycling station at your schooL Recycling is a great way to save energy because it reduces the need to produce new materials.
Get others involved.
| A．Postsigns about conserving energy. |
| B．Whether you are a teacher or a student. |
| C．Ifyour school does not have one. |
| D．Turn offyour computer when it's not used. |
| E．Shut down the lights when rooms are not in use. |
| F．Other times of day you might only need half ofthe lights. |
| G．If your school's garbage company offers recycling services |
8 . Montgomery County Special Olympics held its eighth yearly show of unified (联合的) basketball at Blessed Sacrament School. The gym was filled with cheerleaders (啦啦队队员), parents and friends. The walls were covered with posters made by thirdandfourthgraders at the school. And all the elementary, middle and high school unified teams were playing hard and having fun. Every basket, no matter which team scores, is cheered and celebrated.
Special Olympics support more than 20 unified games. What are unified games? They are programs designed for players with special needs. In the games, they play with kids who are volunteers, called unified partners. The special athletes are unable to play normally like other healthy kids, and some of them are wheelchair (轮椅) users. In basketball, the unified partners rebound (抢得篮板球), pass and sometimes push a special athlete’s wheelchair. As Brian Ross, a seventhgrader at St. Albans School in Washington, says, “ You just try to help and get everyone to take part.”
Some special athletes have come a long way to be where they are. Caleb Head is a 15yearold special athlete. When he started, Caleb would only stand at the door and watch. Then Caleb began to practice his shooting but still would not play in the games. Now Caleb runs up and down looking for his shot.
The special athletes are not the only ones who benefit (受益) from unified sports; the unified partners do, too. Marla Grusin, whose son Tyler is a special athlete, says every kid should come to a Special Olympics game. If they do, they will learn “ to share the ball” and that the game “ is not all about me”.
Not a bad lesson for any athlete.
1. The first paragraph is about____________.| A．an exciting unified basketball game | B．special Olympics’ development |
| C．the benefits of playing basketball | D．the meaning of unified games |
| A．are disabled | B．love cheerleading |
| C．know little about ball games | D．want to become a star player |
| A．a cheerleader | B．a unified partner |
| C．a special athlete | D．a basketball teacher |
| A．learn basic basketball skills | B．become more selfless |
| C．improve their health | D．get better grades |
9 . In high school I was very shy, content to hang around with my small group of friends and to concentrate on my courses. I was quickly labeled a "brain." I did so well that by the end of senior year I had perfect grades and enough college credits to give up an entire quarter of coursework.
But in early June of senior year, the principal called me into his office. He asked me to give a speech at graduation. I was surprised to look at him, my heart thumping. This was the reward for my hard work? I murmured something and fled the office, blaming myself for staying away from physics, a subject sure to have broken up my perfect record.
I finally agreed to a compromise. I would share the honor with five other students. I agreed to introduce my friend Judy, who would then give her own, full-length speech.
Graduation day soon arrived, I’d been practicing my speech for days, and I had it memorized. The first half hour of the ceremony passed in a blur, and then my moment came. My name was announced. I managed to reach the stage without falling down. I faced my classmates. My voice trembled a little, but mostly it was clear and strong. But within seconds, I was done and heading back to my seat. I accomplished something I’d never dreamed of — I spoke in front of hundreds of people.
Although I didn’t realize it at the time, the successful completion of that speech gave me the confidence to take part in class at college, to give oral reports, and to eventually break free of my shyness. I never would have chosen to give a speech at graduation — or ever. But I’m glad I did. I no longer hesitate when I’m faced with the prospect of doing something I feared. I know it may very well turn out to be one of my shining moments.
1. Why was the writer called a "brain"?| A．She was the most intelligent student. |
| B．She was the head of her small group. |
| C．She was a bookworm all the time. |
| D．She did more coursework for good grades. |
| A．She ruined her health by studying hard. |
| B．She got the reward as was expected. |
| C．She was grateful for giving a speech. |
| D．She wasn't good at physics at school. |
| A．Excited. | B．Moved. |
| C．Scared. | D．Embarrassed |
| A．She had nothing to fear in life, |
| B．She won enough college credits. |
| C．She got rid of her sense of shyness. |
| D．She desired to become a speaker. |
