Most people want to be happy, but few know how to find happiness. Money and success can’t keep lasting happiness for a long time. Aristotle, a great thinker, said, “Happiness depends on ourselves.” In other words, we make our own happiness. Here are a few suggestions to help you be happier.
The first secret of happiness is to enjoy the simple things in life. We often spend so much time thinking about the future —for example, getting into college or getting a good job. If you always think about those, you will be unhappy. You should enjoy simple happiness in your life, such as reading a good book, listening to your favorite music, or spending time with close friends. People who have several close friends often live happier and healthier.
Another secret to living a happy life is to be active*, and have hobbies. They can help you forget your problems and time. Many people enjoy dancing, or playing a sport, such as swimming. You can forget about your problems, and only think about the activity. Finally, many people find happiness in helping others. Studies show that people feel good when they spend their time helping others. If you want to feel happier, do good things for someone. You can help a friend with his or her studies, go shopping to buy food for an old person, or help your mother do some cleaning.
1. The second paragraph tells us that ________.
A. the more friends you have, the happier you will be
B. we shouldn’ t think about our future
C. happiness is to enjoy the simple things in life.
D. some people fail to live a happy life
2.The passage gives us _________ pieces of advice on happiness
A. one. B. two. C. three. D. four.
3.In the passage “Happiness depends on ourselves” probably means_________?
A. others can give you happiness.
B. nobody can bring us happiness.
C. you can bring happiness to yourself.
D. happiness is important to us.
4.Which of the following is not mentioned* in the passage?
A. Reading a good book.
B. Traveling to a foreign country.
C. Playing a sport
D. Spending time with close friends.
5.The writer thinks that _________.
A. everyone knows how to live a happier life
B. it’s wrong to spend time on work.
C. hobbies take up too much time
D. doing good things for someone can make you happier
Sports are important in English life. The people of England are sports lovers. Some of the world’s famous sports began here such as football and cricket*.
Football is a fast game played in winter and early spring. Lots of people play football in parks or playgrounds just for fun. With hundreds of years’ history, it’s one of the most popular sports in England. The English love football very much and they turned most of their main players into famous persons. David Beckham and Bobby Charlton became heroes for many children. The most interesting part of the English football year is the FA (Football Association) Cup Final each May.
Cricket is a national sport in England. It is a very popular summer sport. It is a game played on grass by two teams of eleven players. Players wear white clothes and score points by hitting the ball with a bat. People can sit around the green, enjoying the sun, having drinks and watching the team games.
1.Where do lots of people play football in England?
A.Parks. B. Playgrounds.
C. Hospital. D. Both A and B
2.Bobby Charlton is a hero in children because _________.
A. he is helpful B. he plays football well
C. he is cool D. he plays cricket well
3. ________ is the most important month in the English football year.
A. January B. May C. July D. December
4.What’s the meaning of the underlined word “green”
A. the green room B. the green house
C. the green grass land D. the green clothes
5.What’s the best title of the passage?
A. English hero B. Famous sports in England
C. Football in England D. Cricket is popular
A SCHOOL REPORT
Name： Edward Scott School： Revin Grove State High School Grade： 8 Term ending： 6 May
Subjects：
Maths
He is not as good as last term, but he has tried his best to catch up with others.
Science
He can finish many difficult exercises. Well done!
English
He is the best in the class. Keep it up.
History
He is not so good at this, but has done better than before.
P.E.
He is a member of the school basketball game. And he runs the fastest in the class. Cool boy!
Music
He doesn’t like pop songs, though sings very well.
Remarks*： Edward can do a lot better. More work is needed next term.
Class teacher： Ivy
Head teacher： M. L. Martin
School reopens： 11 September
1.After reading this, we know this is_____.
A. a studying plan of Edward Scott
B. a teaching plan of Ivy
C. a school report of Edward Scott
D. a working plan of M. L. Martin
2.Which of the following is NOT mentioned(提到) in the passage ______?
A. PE. B. Music C. Art D. History
3.Edward’s best subject is______.
A. Music B. English
C. Maths D. History
4.Edward is NOT so good at_____.
A. science and PE B. maths and history
C. history and English D. music and English
5.According to the passage, which of the following sentences is TRUE?
A. Next term will start in November.
B. M. L. Martin wrote the report.
C. Edward can do better if he works harder next term.
D. The term ends at the end of May.
Jim is a successful businessman. One day he told the experience of __ childhood. When he was twelve, his parents ___ . He was alone and didn’t get on well with others. People always laughed at him. No one showed kindness* __ _ him. His only friend was a dog named Tiger.
One day as he walked down the street, a young lady was walking in front of him. Suddenly one of her ___ dropped from her arms. When she stopped to pick it up, She dropped other bags. He came to help her. “Thank you, dear! You are a nice boy!” She said kindly, smiling.
A special feeling came to him. These were the ___ kind words for him. He watched her __ she went far away, and he took his dog to a river nearby. “Thank you dear, you are a nice little boy.” He said the words again and again. Then in a low ___ _ he said to his dog, “You are a nice little dog!” Tiger raised its ear as if it understood. “Uh! Even a dog likes it!” he said, “Well, Tiger, I won’t say unkind words to you from now on.” Tiger waved* its tail* ___ .
The boy thought and thought. Finally, he looked at himself in the river. He saw nothing but a dirty boy. He washed his face ___ . Again he looked. He saw a clean nice boy. He was so pleased. From then on, he had a new life.
After telling this, the businessman stopped for a while, and then he said, “Boys and girls, this is the place where that kind woman planted in me the first seed* of kindness. All of us should learn about kindness, How wonderful it is!”
If you ___ _ kindness to others, you will be a great man..
1.A. he B. his C. him D. himself
2.A. die B. died C. dead D. dying
3.A. at B. to C. with D. about
4.A. bags B. money C. boxes D. coats
5.A. first B. second C. third D. last
6.A. before B. while C. until D. when
7.A. sound B. noise C. voice D. noisy
8.A. sadly B. happily C. angrily D. differently
9.A. careful B. Carefully C. careless D. carelessly
10.A. buy B. sell C. show D. Receive
—What about going to the zoo by bus?
— . It’s good for the air.
A Little B. It doesn’t matter
C. That’s bad D. Good idea
— What’s the matter with Betty? She likes the book, but she will not buy it.
— Betty saves her money _____ buy her mother a present on Mother’s Day.
A. because B. when
C. so that D. in order to
