We often face difficult times. It’s a part of life. And in these difficult
times, just stopping is not enough, and we need to ask for help.
     When I have a problem, I never go to a single person for help. In fact, I am lucky enough to have a strong support group. First, my parents are nice to
me. So when I’m faced with difficulty, my parents are usually the first ones I go to. Many of us don’t think our parents can understand us. However,
they have gone through situations(情况) as hard as or maybe even harder than those we go through today. So why not listen to them and learn from their
experiences(经验)?
     There are quite a few situations when we don’t want to ask our parents
for advice（建议）. For these, we can turn to our friends. We can talk about our problems at school. It’s great to be able to receive the opinion of a
friend.
     Having problems is nothing to be ashamed of(难为情).When you need, go and ask for help, because the help of another can often get you through your
darkest times!

1. Do we often face difficult times?
___________________________________________________________________________.
2. What do we do when we are in difficult times?
___________________________________________________________________________.
3. Who do I go to first when I am in difficult times?
___________________________________________________________________________.
4. Why do we listen to our parents?
___________________________________________________________________________.
5. Where can we talk about our problems with our friends?
___________________________________________________________________________.

     The computer makes doing schoolwork easier tor me than it was tor 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 edits 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're reading The Outsiders, by S. E. Hinton. As a pre-reading assignment (作业), my
teacher asked us to research teenage groups on the Intemet. I tried Google, Encarta, and Yahoo first, and
finally found an article on Time. com.
     For a geography assignment 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 (经济). For example,the river's trade paths,the number of fish caught in it,and the tourists it attracts
directly influence Southemers' jobs and incomes (收入).
     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 assignment 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 young people because it's 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. Does the computer make doing schoolwork harder for the writer?
    ______________________________________________________
2. What does the writer use when he wr tes book reports and stories? 
    ______________________________________________________
3. How does the wr ter complete a big assignment or research project? 
     ______________________________________________________
4. What does the underlined word "spoils" mean in English? 
    ______________________________________________________
5. What's the ran idea of this passage? 
    ______________________________________________________

1. He is ______(interesting/interested) in Chinese food.
2. I never go to England,   _____(does/doesn't) I?
3. We know something about different ______(country/ countries) of the world.
4. Lin Tao is                                _____(the most interesting/more interesting) boy in our class.
5. Mr. Green often takes his students       ___(to/in) a Chinese grocery store.