One morning Fan Xing discovered that her classroom had changed.The 13-year-old saw that the desks were no longer in rows,but pushed together to make six bigger desks.
The new arrangement was part of a reform at Fan’s school,Changsha Daotian Middle School in Hunan.About five weeks ago,more than 2,000 junior students at the school began studying in this way,with six to eight students sitting in groups.
“This reform is designed to provide students with easier ways to study and more chances for discussion,” said Liu Xu,a school head teacher.“Our school hopes it can improve students’ abilities for self-study as well as teamwork.”
The new arrangement took some time for students to get used to.“I was too curious about it for the first two days,” said Fan.But soon she and her classmates got used to it.“Now our class is quieter because we can stop loud students with some simple gestures,” said Fan.“What’s more,we can express our own ideas and learn others’ through discussion.It’s a better way to study.”
Feng Yu likes this new classroom arrangement very much and has made some progress in studying.The 14-year-old said,“Group members first discuss,and then explain the solutions or answers to difficult questions in front of the whole class.”
“The discussion gives us more confidence to make speeches,” said Feng.“We can also improve our friendships.”
The reform has asked for more from teachers.They have no 
more than 15 minutes to teach in class.“It is a big challenge to teach in such a short time the lessons which should be taught in 45 minutes,” English teacher Wang Jing said.“We have to improve methods to teach better.We must prepare some interesting topics and exercises before class so that students can discuss them.”
Wang said that some students always talk.The teachers have to move continuously in the classroom to keep them quiet and get them to concentrate on class.“It demands more,but I believe it will pay off,” Wang added.
1.From the first paragraph of the passage,we know that .
A. Fan Xing was a 13-year-old student
B. Fan Xing’s classroom was changed in rows
C. Fan Xing’s desk was no lo
nger in her classroom
D. six big desks were moved into Fan Xing’s classroom
2.The purpose of the new classroom arrangement is to .
A. make the students feel fresh and interested
B. divide big classes into small classes
C. make more room for new students
D. provide students with more chances for teamwork
3.What is the big challenge for the teachers in classroom teaching in the reform?
A. The teachers have to improve their studying methods.
B. The teachers must prepare more interesting topics for exercises.
C. The teachers are only given 15 minutes to teach in one period of the class.
D. The teachers have to move about in the classroom to keep the students quiet.
4.Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. The students in Changsha Daotian Middle School are sitting in groups when having classes.
B. The reform in the school is aimed at improving the students’ abilities for self-study.
C. Studying in groups gives the students more confidence to concentrate on class.
D. The new classroom arrangement also brings some new challenges to the teachers.
A typical lion tamer(驯兽师) in people’s mind is an entertainer holding a whip(鞭) and a chair.The whip gets all of the attention,but it’s mostly for show.In reality,it’s the chair that does the important work.When a lion tamer holds a chair in front of the lion’s face,the lion tries to focus on all four legs of the chair at the same time.With its focus divided,the lion becomes confused and is unsure about what to do next.When faced with so many options,the lion chooses to freeze and wait instead of attacking the man holding the chair.
How often do you find yourself in the same position as the lion?How often do you have something you want to achieve(e.g.lose weight,start a business,travel more)—only to end up confused by all of the options in front of you and never make progress?
This upsets me to no end because while all the experts are busy debating about which option is best,the people who want to improve their lives are left confused by all of the conflicting information.The end result is that we feel like we can’t focus or that we’re focused on the wrong things,and so we take less action,make less progress,and stay the same when we could be improving.
It doesn’t have to be that way.Anytime you find the world waving a chair in your face,remember this:All you need to do is focus on one thing.You just need to get started.Starting before you feel ready is one of the habits of successful people.If you have somewhere you want to go,something you want to accomplish,someone you want to become...take immediate action.If you’re clear about where you want to go,the rest of the world will either help you get there or get out of the way.
1.Why does the lion tamer use a chair?
A. To trick the lion. B. To show off his skills.
C. To get read
y for a fight. D. To entertain the audience.
2.In what sense are people similar to a lion facing a chair?
A. They feel puzzled over choices.
B. They hold on to the wrong things.
C. They find it hard to make changes.
D. They have to do something for show.
3.What is the author’s attitude towards the experts mentioned in Paragraph 3?
A. Tolerant. B. Doubtful.
C. Respectful. D. Supportive.
4.When the world is “waving a chair in your face”,you’re advised to .
A. wait for a better chance B. break your old habits
C. make a quick decision D. ask for clear guidance
“Good afternoon!Remember tomorrow is Crazy Day,so you are welcome to do anything crazy,” boomed a voice through our school speakers.
“Crazy Day?What does that mean?” I asked my ESL teacher,Mrs Ramsey.She answered,“On this day,everyone dresses up like a crazy person.” She suggested I make a strange hairstyle or wear two different shoes.However,I decided that I would wear my T-shirt backwards.
The next day as I walked into the classroom,everybody looked so funny:Mrs Toalson had curled her hair into large curls and my classmate Bradley had coloured his hair white!I thought he was an old person when I first saw him.
“Hi,Jim,you look weird!How do I look?” My friend Taylor asked.She was wearing an old hat that looked like it came from the 17th century paired with a cute and trendy skirt.It reminded me of women from ancient times mixed with a 21st century woman who chewed gum 
during school.
The next day,I received a note from school that said “Tomorrow is Pajama(睡衣)Day.” “Should I wear my pajamas to school tomorrow?What if tomorrow is not Pajama Day?What if the note is just a joke?” I worried.“What if tomorrow I am the only one wearing pajamas?I will look silly and strange!” I decided to be safe and not wear my pajamas.
As I walked into the classroom the following day,I was amazed how my classmates were dressed!They were all wearing pajamas!Some of them even brought their dolls and Barbies with them!I deeply regretted not wearing my pajamas.
1.What days are mentioned in this passage?
A. Crazy Day. B. Pajama Day.
C. April Fool’s Day. D. Both A and B.
2.What did his teacher advise him to do?
A. She advised him to wear two different coats.
B. She advised him to wear his pajamas.
C. She advised him to make a weird hairstyle.
D. She advised him to wear T-shirt backwards.
3.Why didn’t the author wear his pajamas?
A. Because he thought it was a joke.
B. Because his mother didn’t allow him to wear his pajamas.
C. Because he wanted to be beautiful.
D. Because he didn’t have any pajamas.
4.What does the passage mainly talk about?
A. Mrs Toalson had curled her hair into large curls.
B. Two crazy days in America.
C. They all wore their pajamas including the author.
D. The author was afraid to wear his pajamas to school.
I studied at a British high school for one school year. It was quite an 1. for me. My class with 29 students is of 2. size in Britain, but much smaller according to the Chinese standard. At first, I find the homework a little 3. as everything was in English, but I soon got used to it. Later I made great progress in English. I worked hard and 4. high grades so I earned 5. from my classmates. After school I enjoyed 6. under a tree or sitting on the grass. When I 7. my family and friends, I would 8. them at lunchtime in the school Computer Club for 9.. One thing I like about British food is the 10. after the main meal.
1.---- How was your trip to Beijing?
---- Great. My only r___________ was that I had no time to visit the Great Wall.
2.---- What are we having for d___________?
---- Ice-cream, cheese cake and chocolate pudding.
3.---- How much are these books?
---- Five dollars each. But if you buy two, you could get the third one for f_______.
4.---- May I i___________ myself? I’m Jerry Blom, assistant to Dr. Smith.
---- Nice to meet you.
5.---- Why don’t you buy that cellphone? It’s 30% off today!
---- Not unless my parents a____________.
6.---- What’s the matter, officer? I was driving at 50 miles an hour. I wasn’t speeding.
---- Sir, you are r___________ by law to wear a seat belt.
7.---- What’s your new boss like?
---- Oh, she is hard to p________. Everything should be perfect.
8.---- Look at the mistakes! You are not paying a___________ in class!
---- I’m sorry sir. I promise I’ll listen more carefully.
9.---- What’s your secret to success?
---- The reason I a__________ good results is that I work hard. So could you!
10.---- Do you agree with me?
---- I totally disagree with you, but I r__________ your opinion.
pay attention to approve of above average
miss the chance earn respect
1.Her performance last night was well ____________, which surprised everyone.
2.I do not ____________ your choice of friends.
3.If you don’t _____________ the teacher in class, I don’t think you will pass the examination.
4.You will soon regret it if you ___________.
5.If you want to be a good boss, you will have to ____________ from your employees first.
