Why play games? Because they are fun, and we can learn even more while playing. Following the rules, planning your next move, acting as a team member — these are all “game” ideas that you will come across all through your life. They can help you in different ways.
Think about some of the games you played as a young child, such as rope-jumping and hide-and-seek. Such games are very interesting. But perhaps more importantly, they translate part of life into exciting games that teach children some of the basic rules they will be expected to follow the rest of their lives, such as taking turns and cooperating (合作).   
Many children’s games have a practical side. Children around the world play games that prepare them for work they will do as grown-ups. For example, some Saudi Arabian children play a game called bones, which improves the hand-eye coordination (协调) needed in fishing.
The most famous games of all, the Olympic Games, bring athletes from around the world together to take part in friendly competitions. People who watch the event (比赛项目) know that a gold medal is a win for the whole country, not just the athlete who got it. For countries experiencing natural disasters (灾害) or wars, an Olympic win can mean so much.
Sports games are also an event that unites (团结) people. Football is the most popular sport in the world. People all over the world play it — some for fun and some for a living. Nicolette Iribarne, a Californian football player, has discovered a way to spread hope through football. He created a foundation (基金会) to provide poor children with not only soccer balls but also a bright future.
Next time you play your favorite game or sport, think about why you enjoy it, what skills are needed, and whether these skills will help you in other parts of your life.
【小题1】What are children expected to learn when they play games?

Welcome to the City Zoo! There are many　 16　 in the zoo. Let’s see the koalas first. Koalas are 17　 Australia. They are quiet,　 18　 and cute. Children like them very much. The kangaroos (袋鼠) are also from　 19　 . They are quiet and interesting,　 20 they are not friendly.

The giraffes come from Africa. They have a　 21　 neck (脖子). They like to eat leaves. The lions are also from Africa. They are exciting, but a little　 22　 . Many people don’t like　 23　 . We also have pandas. They are from China. They are very cute and friendly, but they are very shy. So please be　 24　 .

Have　 25　 and enjoy yourself here!

(　 ) 16. A. children　 B. flowers　 C. animals　 D. vegetables

(　 ) 17. A. at　 B. from　 C. in　 D. with

(　 ) 18. A. friendly　 B. successful　 C. ugly　 D. difficult

(　 ) 19. A. Canada　 B. China　 C. America　 D. Australia

(　 ) 20. A. or　 B. but　 C. and　 D. so

(　 ) 21. A. short　 B. big　 C. long　 D. small

(　 ) 22. A. smart　 B. clever　 C. shy　 D. scary

(　 ) 23. A. it　 B. you　 C. us　 D. them

(　 ) 24. A. busy　 B. clean　 C. quiet　 D. new

(　 ) 25. A. music　 B. fun　 C. dinner　 D. food

When I was a teenager growing up in Russia, I felt studying very boring, I wanted to leave school and have my own life. There were only two ways for me to do this—working in the toy factory in my town, or getting married. I chose the first one. I was nervous when I told my father that I wanted to leave school. I thought he would say, “No! You are going to college.” Instead,  he took me by surprise when he said, “OK. We’ll go to the toy factory.”

Two days later, he took me to the factory. I had a very romantic idea of working in a factory. I had imagined everyone to be friendly working together and having fun. I even imagined there would be music and singing. I guess I had watched too many movies as a teenager.

When we arrived at the factory gates, my father spoke to the guard and one minute later we went inside. My father said, “Take your time. Look around.” I walked around the factory, looking at the buildings, the workers, and listening to the noise. It was terrible. I ran back to my father and said, “I want to go home.”

He asked me, “What do you think of the factory?”

“It’s terrible,” I replied.

“And you have another choice, but I think getting married is even worse!” he said.

I went back to school the next day. From then on, I studied as hard as I could. Finally I got into a good college. I enjoyed studying English so I decided to major in languages at college. Thanks to my father and our trip to the factory, I now work at the United Nations and my father is very proud of me. I married a very good man and my life is much better than it would have been working in the factory!

1.The writer lived in ________ when she was a teenager.

A．Russia            B．Japan             C．China             D．England

2.At first she thought life in the factory would be ________ than in school.

A．more terrible      B．more colorful      C．busier            D．more boring

3.After they visited the factory, the writer ________.

A．decided to work there                   B．changed her romantic idea

C．wanted to get married                    D．argued with her father

4.Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A．The writer studied languages after she went into the college.

B．The writer now works at the United Nations.

C．The writer’s father used a special way to let his daughter go back to school.

D．The writer’s father is proud because his daughter married a good man.