The tradition of birthday parties started in Europe a long time ago. It was feared that evil spirits were particularly attracted to people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family would come to stay with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to keep away from the evil spirits. This is how birthday parties began.
The following are some countries' birthday traditions:
Canada —Greasing(涂) the nose with butter. In Atlantic Canada, the birthday child's nose is greased for good luck.
China —Noodles for lunch. The birthday child pays respect to his/her parents and receives a gift of money. Friends and relatives are invited to lunch and noodles are served to wish the birthday child a long life.
England —Fortune telling cakes. Certain symbolic（象征性的）objects are mixed into the birthday cake as it is being prepared. If your piece of cake has a coin in it, then you will be rich.
Italy—Pulling ears. The child's ears are pulled as many times as how old they are turning.
Japan-New clothes. The birthday child wears entirely new clothes to mark the occasion.
New Zealand—Birthday claps. After the birthday cake is lit, the happy birthday song is sung loudly and often out of tune and then the birthday person receives a clap for each year they have been alive and then one for good luck.
The United States—Cake, candles and song. A cake is made, and candles are put on top based on how old the person is.
1.The first paragraph mainly talks about _________
A. where the tradition of birthday parties started
B. how to keep away from evil spirits
C. why gifts must be given to the birthday person
D. how birthday parties started.
2.According to the passage, in which country do the birthday children receive a gift of money?
A. England B. China
C. Ireland D. Japan
3.Which of the following is NOT true?
A. In New Zealand, an eight-year-old birthday child receives eight claps in all.
B. In Italy, people will pull the birthday children’s ears.
C. In England, objects mixed into the birthday cake are meaningful.
D. In the US, the number of candles means the age of the birthday person.
4.Which of the following groups is true about birthday celebrations in different countries?
a. China-eating noodles
b. Canada-bumping on the floor
c. England-coin in the birthday cake
d. Japan-- butter-greased nose
e. Italy--- pulling ears
f. America--- cake with candles on top
A. a, b, c, f B. b, c, d, e
C. c, d , e ,f D. a, c , e , f
A popular saying goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, that’s not really true. Words have the power to build us up or tear us down. It doesn’t matter if the words come from someone else or ourselves — the positive and negative (消极否定的)effects are just as lasting.
We all talk to ourselves sometimes. We’re usually too embarrassed to admit it, though. In fact, we really shouldn’t be because more and more experts believe talking to ourselves out loud is a healthy habit.
This “self-talk” helps us motivate(激励) ourselves, remember things, solve problems, and calm ourselves down. Be aware, though, that as much as 77% of self-talk tends to be negative. So in order to stay positive, we should only speak words of encouragement to ourselves. We should also be quick to give ourselves a pat on the back. The next time you finish a project, do well in a test, or finally clean your room, join me in saying “Good job!”
Often, words come out of our mouths without us thinking about the effect they will have. But we should be aware that our words cause certain responses in others. For example, when returning an item to a store, we might use warm, friendly language during the exchange. And the clerk will probably respond in a similar manner. However, harsh and critical(批评的) language will most probably cause the clerk to be defensive.
Words possess power because of their lasting effect. Many of us regret something we once said. And we remember unkind words said to us! Before speaking, we should always ask ourselves: Is it loving? Is it needed? If what we want to say doesn’t pass this test, then it’s better left unsaid.
Words possess power: both positive and negative. Those around us receive encouragement when we speak positively. We can offer hope, build self-esteem(自尊) and motivate others to do their best. Negative words 
destroy all those things. Will we use our words to hurt or to heal? The choice is ours.
1.The main idea of the first paragraph is that ________.
A. not sticks and stones but words will hurt us
B. inspiring words give us confidence
C. negative words may let us down
D. words have a lasting effect on us
2.There is no sense for us to feel embarrassed when we talk to ourselves because ____.
A. almost everybody has the habit of talking to themselves
B. we can benefit from talking to ourselves
C. talking to ourselves always gives us courage
D. it does no harm to have “self-talk” when we are alone
3.The underlined part in the third paragraph means that we should also timely______.
A. remind ourselves B. praise ourselves
C. make ourselves relaxed D. give ourselves entertainment
4.The author would probably hold the view that ________.
A. encouraging words are sure to lead to kind offers
B. negative words may stimulate（激励）us to make more progress
C. people tend to remember friendly words
D. it is better to think twice before talking to others
马上就要进入高三了，每个人都应该为实现自己的梦想而努力。请你以“My dream”为题,为校报“学生天地”栏目写一篇英语短文。要点如下：
1．你的梦想是什么；
2．你为什么有这样的梦想；
3．对于梦想你最大的困扰是什么；
4．你将怎样努力。
要求：1．词数100左右，开头语己为你写好；
2．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Everyone has his own dream..
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假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏子符号（∧）并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（＼）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Long ago people used bells more than they do today. The postmen was used to ring a hand bell when they delivered letters. Fire engines had bells instead sirens(警笛). People which sold things came past houses, rang a bell and shouting what was for sale. In many country, bells were hung around the necks of animals. The bells help owners find lost cows or sheep. Today, at India, animals still wear bells. Now bells are used more because various modern sound-makers have taken its place. Now people try to keep the old bells in schools and churches so that they won’t lose their beautifully sounds forever.
“USA? Britain? Which country is1.(good) to study in?” We often hear such discussion. As China opens its door, it is a dream for many Chinese students to study abroad. They want to learn about the outside world.
It’s true that studying abroad can help students develop2. (they). Their foreign language skills will3. (improve) and it may be easier to find jobs.
But there are problems4. should be considered. Language is the first. Students must spend a lot of time5. (learn) another language.
Students must also learn6. (live) without parents’ care and deal with all kinds of things they didn’t have to do before, like looking after themselves. There are 7. (report) about Chinese students abroad running into an ocean of difficulties 8. giving up in the end. When they have to take care 9. themselves, it is hard for students to study well.
Finally, studying abroad brings a heavy burden to the family. For most Chinese parents, the cost of studying abroad10. (be) very high. But is it worth it?
On a foggy evening, Steven took his old father to a restaurant for dinner. His father was very old and weak. While eating, he______dropped food on his shirt and trousers. Other______watched him in disgust while his son was ______.
The whole restaurant fell ______. All the diners turned away from the father and son one after another while Steven ______his father in a soft voice of a man, “Eat as ______ as you can, father. It will be weeks before I _______back from my business trip.”
At that moment, the old father nodded with_____, tears full of his eyes.
After he finished eating, Steven, his son, who was not at all______, quietly took him to the wash room,______the food particles(饭粒), removed the stains, combed his hair and______ his glasses firmly.
When they came out, the entire restaurant was______ them in dead silence, not able to understand ______someone could embarrass themselves publicly like that. The son______ the bill and started walking out with his father.
At that time, an old man among the diners called out to the _______ and asked him, “Don’t you think you have ______ something behind?”.
The son replied, "No sir, I haven't".
The old man insisted, “Yes, you have! You left a(n) ______ for every son and hope for every ______”.
The restaurant went silent. All behind looked at Steven with regret and then, with great respect at both father and son, who were______ into the fog.
To care for those who once cared for us is one of the______ honors. We all know how our parents cared for us for every little thing. Love them, respect them, and care for them.
1.A. constantly B. freelyC. Regularly D. silently
2.A. waiters B. waitresses C. diners D. men
3.A. angry B. calm C. anxious D. fearful
4.A. lucky B. happy C. hopeless D. speechless
5.A. encouraged B. urged C. begged D. mentioned
6.A. quickly B. slowly C. less D. much
7.A. come B. write C. run D. phone
8.A. unhappiness B. difficulty C. thanks D. surprise
9.A. worried B. tired C. regretful D. embarrassed
10.A. wiped B. threw C. washed D. ate
11.A. pull B. removed C. fitted D. picked
12.A. commenting B. holding C. watching D. studying
13.A. when B. how C. what D. where
14.A. forgot B. counted C. refused D. paid
15.A. father B. son C. diners D. waiter
16.A. took B. ignored C. left D. deserted
17.A. lesson B. story C. encouragement D. experience
18.A. diner B. one C. son D. father
19.A. going B. moving C. driving D. running
20.A. respected B. best C. highest D. extraordinary
