Making friends might seem to come easy for some persons, but it’s maybe very hard for most persons. No matter how many friends you might already have, it is always a good idea to make new friends.
Being shy keeps a lot of people from making friends. Also, making friends might need a person to step outside of their comfortable places, which are hard for a lot of people, whether they are shy or not. However, overcoming the shyness to step out of your box is an important step in making friends.
There are lots of ways to meet new friends. First of all, remember that a good friendship is based on interests, so if you are ready to make friends, start to join clubs or go places where you have interest. For instance, if you like to play sports, join a sports team or after school sports club. If you have interests in music or writing, join clubs or organizations that you are interested in. When you see someone in a place like that, and you think that they look nice, it is always a good idea to go up to them and introduce yourself and ask interesting questions so that you can start a conversation. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, and remember that friendships don't always happen quickly.
Some friendships happen right away, and you'll be able to tell if someone will be a great friend right after you meet them. Some friendships take a long time to develop. Anyway, the friends that you meet are going to be worth it. If a friendship develops quickly, it doesn't mean that it is extra valuable, and if a friendship takes a long time to develop, it doesn't mean that it isn't worth it because it's too hard.
Making friends might be a bit difficult for you, and the friends you will make may not look anything like you. However, even though it might be scary to start conversations, you are worth doing it. All friendships start with a single hello.
【小题1】From the passage, it’s ______ to make friends for most people.

“I didn't hear them call my name,” explained Shelley Hennig to Active Teens (AT) as she talked about that exciting moment on national television when she won the honor of Miss Teen USA 2004. “Are you ready？”is what she heard. Then she said，“I shook my head no，and then they said ‘yes’ and it was announced again.”
It was four days after that life changing moment for the seventeen­ year ­old high school student from Destrehan, Louisiana­. She was still on_cloud_nine.
“I was so shocked! I never believed that it could actually really happen. ”Present in the audience (观众) that day were: her mother and father, older brother, her friends, and her dance teacher.
Understanding why members of her family and her friends would be there，AT asked why her dance teacher had traveled so far to see her compete (比赛). “She's always been my role model. I've danced with her since I was six. She's been through so many difficulties and came through them all. I've learned to get over bad life's experiences and learned how to move on because of her.”
One of those bad life's experiences for Shelley happened three years ago when her brother Brad was killed in a drunk driving accident. He was 18. She found writing helped her get through the tough days. She said, “I write a lot about my brother. I write a lot, a lot，a lot...”
As Miss Louisiana Teen, she traveled around the state speaking to teens (青少年) about the dangers of drinking and driving. In her role as Miss Teen USA, Shelley will continue to speak to youth about safe driving，in addition to many other things to help the youth.
When AT asked Miss Teen USA if she had any advice for our readers, she said, “Don't let anyone change you. Hang out with people that make you feel good about yourself. That way，it is easy to be yourself.”
【小题1】 What do the underlined words “on cloud nine” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

If you have a brother or sister, you already know you are different from each other. You live together in the same house and the same parents, but you have different personalities(性格).
Why is this? One possible reason is the way your parent treat you.
First –born children receive all the attention from their parents. Most families have twice as many photos of a first-born than any other child. Parents usually give first-born more responsibility and depend on them to take care of younger brothers and sisters. As a result, first -born are often responsible, hard-working, and jealous(嫉妒的). They often want to do well at school and work. There are more first-born American Presidents, for example, George Bush, George Washington, and Lyndon Baines Johnson than second or last-born children.
When a second child arrives, parents are more relaxed. The second child has to compete(媲美) with the first-born for the parents’ attention and love. Their children often choose different sports and hobbies to do well at school and work, but have to be creative to get their family’s attention. They are often friendly and cool. Many famous talk-show hosts were born last.
【小题1】The writer thinks that the second children are often ______.

Here is an interview with a painter. Read and choose the best.
Reporter: Mr. Shum, you were one of Taiwan’s most outstanding youths last year. Why was that?
Mr. Shum: Well, I can tell you that there are two reasons. First, I am a painter. Second, and more important reason is I am handicapped﹙残疾的﹚. I have no arms and only one leg.
Reporter: Well, how do you paint then if you’ve got no arms? Do you use your foot?
Mr. Shum: Hah! For some handicapped people, it’s true and they are able to use their feet. No, I use my mouth. I put my paintbrush or my crayons or pencils or whatever I am using in my mouth. I hold it firmly in my teeth and paint or draw like that. It was a little strange for me at first, but it quickly became very easy.
Reporter: I know you feel that you are first a painter and only secondly that you are a disabled person, but can we talk first about your handicap?
Mr. Shum: Well, in fact I think of myself firstly as a person, secondly as a painter and thirdly as someone with a physical handicap. Can I say that I am not happy with the word “handicapped”? I am a popular painter because my paintings are good, not because they were painted by a handicapped person. “handicapped” means you can’t do anything. It is difficult for me to do some things like getting dressed.
Reporter: Were you born with your handicap?
Mr. Shum: No. An accident happened to me when I was 15 years old. After that I became depressed﹙沮丧﹚and even tried to end my life, but my mother was always there for me.
【小题1】Mr. Shum is a painter who has no ____.

Hi, I'm Liu Ying. This is my school. It's big and beautiful. There are twenty classes in my school. There are nine hundred students in my school. There are four beautiful gardens(花园) in it. There is a building in my school. On the first floor(楼层), there are two offices and a hall, There are six classrooms on the first floor too. On the second floor, there are fourteen classrooms and two toilets. There is a big library and some reading rooms in my school too. I like my school very much.
【小题1】How many classes are there in the school?
A. Ten.            B. Fifteen.            C. Twenty.
【小题2】Is there a building in the school?
A. No, there isn't.
B. Yes, there is.
C. Yes, there are.
【小题3】Are there any classrooms on the first floor?
A. Yes, there are.
B. There is one.
C. No, there aren't.
【小题4】How many gardens are there in the school?
A. Three.    B. Four.     C. One
【小题5】There are _______ students in the school.
A. one hundred
B. nine hundred
C. eight hundred

In many English homes people eat four meals a day. They have breakfast at any time from seven to nine in the morning. They eat porridge(粥), eggs or bread and drink tea or coffee at breakfast. Lunch comes at one o’clock. Afternoon tea is from four to five in the afternoon and dinner is about half past seven. First they have soup, then they have meat or fish with vegetables. After that they eat some other things, like bananas, apples or oranges. But not all English people eat like that. Some of them have their dinner in the middle of the day. Their meals are breakfast, dinner, tea and supper and all these meals are very simple.
【小题1】Many English people have _________ meals a day.

What is “walk to School?”
Now we are working on a programme of “Walk to School”. We would like as many parents and children as possible to take part, even if in a small way. Children who walk to and from school along with their parents can learn essential(基本的)road safety and life skills.
You can take part by...
■Walking to and from school with your child every day.
■Walking for one or two days during the week.
■Encouraging（鼓励） others to walk, if you already do.
Walking is great!
■Walking is great exercise! A walk is good for your body and can keep you fit.
■You won’t have to waste time looking for a parking site(停车点).
■It’s pollution free.
■It’s a good chance to talk to your children and to meet other parents, too.
Enjoying walking to school!
Here is some advice to help you and your child enjoy walking to school.
■Plan a safe route(路线)together.
■Teach children what a kerb(马路牙子)is and what it means.
■Encourage your child to help you choose the safest places to cross the road.
■Look at and discuss the things you see on your way - especially road signs and what they mean.
Walk to school! Thousands of parents and children take part, could you?
Please go to www.walktoschool. org. uk for more information.
【小题1】By walking to and from school, children can learn _______________.

A “Gap Year” is a period of time when a student takes a break before going to university. It is often spent travelling or working. It can give young people useful learning experiences and new skills.
Gap years are popular with European and Australian students, but remain less popular in America. However, in recent years, more and more American students are preparing for college by taking a gap year. The advantages of taking a gap year are as follows：
Learn about the World and Yourself
Although you don’t have to go abroad to experience gap years, most gap year students catch the chance to travel abroad. You are able to work out who you are and what you are for. The experiences of different cultures offer you interesting lessons. You can learn more about the world and get to know yourself better.
Face Challenges and Have Fun
A gap year is not only a time to take a vacation, but also a time to face challenges. Gap year students usually work, volunteer or take service projects. You have to learn how to get along in the real world. This process isn’ t always easy, but it is an important part of growing up. Only in this way can you enjoy life and have fun.
Save Money and Improve Your College Admission Chances
There’s a common thought that gap years are only for rich students, but it’ s not true. Actually, taking a gap year can save your money. Gap year students often take a part-time job. Besides, at the end of a gap year, students are much more likely to know what to study in college. Clear learning goals ran keep the students working hard instead of wasting time and money playing.
Imagine an admission officer trying to admit (录取) only one between two students. Both of them are excellent and have high grades. However, one student has much practical experience or has volunteered in his vacation. Who do you think the admission officer will choose?
【小题1】A “Gap Year” means         in the passage.