.
随着经济的快速发展，城市中的高楼越建越多，道路越修越宽，但树木却越来越少，垃圾处处可见。为了拥有更美好的生活环境，你发出了“美化城市”的号召。你以Make Our City Green and Clean 为题写一篇英文作文。
内容：1.目前城市中存在的问题
2.你的解决办法
注意：1.词数100—120个
2.内容可适当发挥，以使行文连贯
The computer makes doing schoolwork easier for me than it was for my mom and dad. For example, when writing book reports and stories, I use Microsoft Word instead of a pen and paper. That way, after my teacher checks my work, I can go back and make revisions without having to rewrite the whole thing. And Microsoft Word has a spell check! I use it all the time.
For English class, we are reading The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. As pre-reading homework, my teacher asked us to research teenage groups on the Internet. I tried Google, Encarta, and Yahoo first, and finally found an article on Time. com .
For geography homework on the United States, I used Encarta to learn about the Mississippi River. I needed to find out how deep the river is, how its widths and depths are different, what states it runs through, and what kinds of fish live in it. I used the information to show how the geography of a country influences its economy. For example, the river’s trade paths, the number of fish caught in it and the tourists it attracts directly affect Southerners’ jobs and incomes.
I never go to the library to do research. It takes too much time. Since I live in New York City and both my parents work, getting to the library isn’t always easy. For a big task or research project, I used to stay at the library to read, or sign out whatever books or magazines I needed. Now being able to find the information in my own living room makes everything a lot simpler. Online dictionaries and encyclopedias (百科全书) also save time.
Sometimes, I think the computer spoils my generation because it is so easy --- at least physically. But computers are not like television, which does the thinking for you. You still have to use your mind. I prefer using a computer, easy, fun, and fast.
1. What does the writer use when he writes book reports and stories? (no more than 3 words)
2. Why doesn’t the writer go to the library to do research? (no more than 6 words)
3. How does the writer complete a big assignment or research project at present? (no more than 10 words)
4. Why does the author prefer using a computer? (no more than 11 words)
Critical thinking means thinking logically and developing an ability to ask questions or ask for evidence for a particular subject. Developing critical thinking skills in a child through the right critical thinking exercises is very important.
Critical thinking develops the ability of subjective analysis of a particular fact. Critical thinking is to evaluate the reason behind a particular fact. All possible viewpoints must be thought about before analyzing a fact, and this develops problem-solving skills in a child.
Here are some exercises you can use to encourage your child to think critically.
Quiz your child. Ask your child about daily activities that he does in the school. Quiz him about certain things that do not have a single correct answer. This will increase his ability to think about the things he’s just learned in class. Keep on telling your child simple information about nature, like the seasons when flowers bloom. You can either ask him questions or just explain to him in a casual way.
Recognize and classify. For critical thinking, your child must learn to recognize important information that is closely connected with the subject. Classification of things on a certain firm and logical basis of information is included in the critical thinking ability. Colorful toys or images can be included in teaching critical thinking. Ask your child to identify the names of the flowers, fruits and animals from a colorful chart.
Critical thinking exercises are not intended to make your child intelligent, but it is about making him successful in his decision-making ability and helping him make a successful career. Although thinking habits are cultivated(培养) in early childhood through exercises, they are indeed helpful for a lifetime.
Title: Critical Thinking Exercises for Children
A recent online poll (民意调查) asked kids what they hated most about school. “Classes are boring” came in first. “Too much homework” was a close second. Since all activities remain interesting for only so long, too much homework can lead to ennui. So, why are some kids getting homework overload? Teachers give two reasons. First, they say, the government now requires schools to meet higher-than-ever achievement goals for students. If students don’ t succeed, the school faces punishment. Second, many parents want their children to be able to get into the best colleges and universities. These parents believe homework is a way to ensure that students are learning as much as possible.
People who favor homework argue that it can have many beneficial effects. They claim it can help students develop good study habits. Homework can help students recognize that learning can occur at home as well as at school. It can help develop their independent learning and responsible character traits(性格特征).
But studies show that middle school students doing 60 to 90 minutes of homework a night are doing just as well in school as those doing more than 90 minutes. And homework can have negative effects. Homework can deny students access to leisure(休闲) activities that also teach important skills. For example, sports teams teach cooperation and leadership, in addition to helping kids stay physically active. Another problem with too much homework is that parents can get too involved. They can put too much pressure on their kids.
So what should be done? Good homework assignments in the proper amount will have positive effects. Too much homework, however, will have negative effects. The bottom line: Students in grades three through six should do no more than 30 to 60 minutes of homework each night.
1.The underline word “ennui” in Paragraph 2 can be replaced by “______” .
A. relaxation B. fancy C. boredom D. intelligence
2. According to Paragraph 1, the kids are given much homework because ________.
A. schools are evaluated in terms of students’ achievement.
B. the government doesn’t take the problem seriously
C. it is a good way to improve the students’ ability
D. time will be made full use of in this way
3.Those who are in favor of homework think that _______.
A. homework helps students to succeed
B. it’s good for kids to help each other in learning
C. parents are a great help when kids do homework at home
D. homework helps children to learn independently
4. Which of the following is NOT a negative effect of too much homework?
A. Kids have little time to do leisure activities.
B. There is a lack of sleeping time.
C. The chances of learning other skills are lost.
D. Kids are under pressure from their parents.
5. The author’s purpose in writing the passage is _______.
A. to criticize the school teachers
B. to attract public attention to kids’ study
C. to offer more help to today’s kids
D. to call for proper amounts of homework
HOLIDAY HOMES IN MALLORCA
Holiday houses in Mallorca sailing and fishing port—quiet even in summer season. Beautifully situated houses with sights of sea and mountains, yet near to shops and restaurants. Cars and bicycles for hire. Sailing and sports clubs nearby.
ITALY IN COMFORT
Luxury coach(carriage) trips of Italy, out of normal holiday season. 21days to visit five Italian cities starting from London 1st May, 1st September. The trips are guided by profess or Martin Davis, head of Italian Studies, London University. See the arts and culture of historic Italy.
KIBBUTZ HOLIDAYS IN ISRAEL(以色列)
Working holidays on a kibbutz (co-operative farm) in Israel. All nationalities welcome for one to three months, if prepared to work morning with kibbutz members. Accommodation, food and trips to historic sights all provided free—you pay only for the special low- cost return flight.
TWO WEEKS ON A CARIBBEAN ISLAND
Two- week holidays in the Hotel Splendid, on a lovely beach with golden sands and deep-blue sea. Tennis, golf, sailing and all water sports, trips around the island arranged. Near to town of Castries with lively evening entertainment—dancing.
1st November—31st March = ￡720 per person
1st April—30th October = ￡850 per person
Jack and his wife Mary, who have recently retired, want to see places of cultural and historic interest abroad, but Mary hates flying.
Peter and Maria, university students, want to travel as far as possible on little money, and would like to get to know a country by working there for three months with other young people.
Michael, a young computer programmer, has been working hard and needs a holiday to relax in winter. He would like to go somewhere warmer and sunny, where he can swim in the sea, and he enjoys sports and dancing.
Harry and Kate, both teachers, and their two sons, have to take their holiday during the school summer holidays. There must be plenty for the boys to do, although Harry and Kate just want to have beautiful scenery, good food and wine and peace.
1. Michael would most probably go to ________ for his holiday.
A. Italy B. Israel C. Mallorca D. a Caribbean island
2.The most suitable place where Peter and Maria can enjoy their holiday would be________.
A. an Italian city B. a kibbutz in Israel
C. a Caribbean island D. the port in Mallorca
3. The best holiday for Jack and Mary would be________.
A. the 21- day coach trip of Italy
B. the 2-week stay in the Hotel Splendid
C. the 14-day trip around a Caribbean island
D. the working holidays for 1-3 months on a kibbutz in Israel
4. Harry and Kate and their sons would like________.
A. a holiday working on a kibbutz in Israel
B. a holiday visiting cities by coach in Italy
C. a holiday house in the fishing port in Mallorca
D. a holiday hotel on a lovely beach on a Caribbean Island
5. You can find this passage most probably in ________.
A. a school library B. a tourist agency C. the post office D. the museum
When my father was dying, I traveled a thousand miles from home to be with him in his last days. It was far more heartbreaking than I’d expected, one of the most difficult and painful times in my life. After he passed away I stayed alone in his apartment. There were so many things to deal with. It all seemed endless. I was lonely. I hated the silence of the apartment.
But one evening the silence was broken: I heard crying outside. I opened the door to find a little cat on the steps. He was thin and poor. He looked the way I felt. I brought him inside and gave him a can of fish. He ate it and then almost immediately fell sound asleep.
The next morning I checked with neighbors and learned that the cat had been abandoned by his owner who’s moved out. So the little cat was there all alone, just like I was. As I walked back to the apartment, I tried to figure out what to do with him. Having something else to take care of seemed like the very last thing I needed. But as soon as I opened the apartment door he came running and jumped into my arms. It was clear from that moment that he had no intention of going anywhere. I started calling him Willis, in honor of my father’s best friend.
From then on, things grew easier. With Willis in my lap time seemed to pass much more quickly. When the time finally came for me to return home I had to decide what to do about Willis. There was absolutely no way I would leave without him.
It’s now been five years since my father died. Over the years, several people have commented on how nice it was of me to rescue the cat. But I know that we rescued each other. I may have given him a home but he gave me something greater.
1. When the author first saw the cat, she_____________.
A. was very happy B. felt sympathy for him
C. didn’t know what to do D. was angry with his crying
2. The underlined sentence in the third paragraph implies that the author___________.
A. needed something to fill the empty apartment
B. was too busy and tired to keep a cat
C. loved to stay alone in the apartment
D. needed something to take care of to kill time
3. The cat rescued the author by ____________.
A. making her feel better in her hard times
B. giving her courage to go on with her life
C. helping her tidy the department
D. telling her what life is
4. We can learn form the passage that _________.
A. Willis was named after his previous owner
B. Willis didn’t like staying in the apartment
C. the author and Willis were both homeless
D. time passed quickly after the author adopted Willis
5. What’s the best title for the passage?
A. A little cat B. A painful experience
C. How to take care of animals D. What I got from a little cat
