A young girl called Ida in Sweden decided to travel to a place she hadn't seen for 22 years. She had a happy life until some kids asked, "Why don't you look like your mom?" Ida was sent to her adopted(收养) family in Sweden right after she was born. She really didn't know anything about her birthplace, Korea, except for some information she recently heard about her birthparents.

During her schooldays, she was often questioned about her looks. Ida considered herself a normal Swedish person. She tried to be part of the group in her school, but she found it hard. She was still seen as an outsider.

    As she grew older, she accepted(接受)who she  was. Still, she

wanted to find the missing piece of the puzzle (困惑). After finding out the place of her birthparents, Ida went to Korea in 2008. When she first arrived, she was surprised to see so many people who looked like her. However, apart from her looks, not much could be shared (分享) with others. She knew little about the culture, food, especially the language. Being in Korea wasn't always easy for her.

Perhaps Ida can never truly fit in either culture, but it's worth visiting her birthplace because she finally realized how special and different she is. She has two loving families, and most of all a better understanding of who she is. This helps her to have a positive view of her life.

1. Where was Ida born?

A. In Japan. B. In Sweden. C. In England.        D. In Korea.

2.Why was she seen as an outsider in Sweden?

A. Because of the culture. B. Because of her looks.

C. Because of the food. D. Because of the language.

3.What does the phrase "apart from" in Paragraph 3 mean?

A. except B. as for C. as well as D. besides

4.What can we learn from the passage?

A. Ida hadn't seen her birthparents for at least 22 years.

B. Ida found it easy for her to get used to living in Korea.

C. Ida still couldn't accept who she was after she went back to Sweden.

D. Ida realized she can't live a happy life either in Sweden or in Korea.

 

Answer the questions (根据短文内容回答下列问题)
I’ve always wanted to try rock climbing, but never had time or money for it. But I’ve discovered a way to experience the thrill(兴奋，紧张) of climbing rock. Indoor climbing is an easy and exciting way to get a taste of rock climbing. And it is also much cheaper and safer! Indoor climbers don’t climb on real rock, but on a plastic wall. You can probably find a climbing wall near you. Many gyms,
schools and camps have one.
You can climb in doors at any time of the year, no matter how the whether is. It is usually not expensive. Most gyms provide the equipment you need. The convenience of indoor climbing is one reason why it has become so popular. But the main reason people climb is for rush(刺激感) they get. When I stand at the roof of the wall and look up, I’m always scared, but once I start climbing, fear changes to determination. With my heart pounding(心剧烈跳动), I reach the top and look down. I can’t stop grinning. I did it! Indoor climbing is a great workout(锻炼). Climbing uses muscles(肌肉)that are hard to exercise, especially those in the shoulders, arms, chest and back. Many people say climbing makes exercise fun. Most gyms have several climbing walls with various degrees of difficulty. The easier ones are like climbing a ladder. The difficult ones bulge out(凸出)in places so that climbers must sometimes climb parallel(平行的)with the floor.
Although gym climbing is easier and safer than real rock climbing, you should still be careful. Always climb with a partner. As you climb, your partner pulls you climbing rope through something called a belay device(绳索控制器). The belay catches you if you slip. But make sure your partner knows how to use this equipment. And if you are a first-time climber, get some instruction before you begin.

【小题1】Is indoor climbing cheaper and safer than real rock climbing?
【小题2】On what do indoor climbers climb?
【小题3】What are the reasons that make the indoor climbing so popular?
【小题4】Who should always be with you when you climb?
【小题5】What does your partner do as you climb?
【小题6】Which do you think sounds more fun, rock climbing or indoor climbing? Why?

Be Thankful

Be thankful when you don’t already have everything you want.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something,

for it gives you the chance to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for each new challenge(挑战) ,

because it will build your strength(意志) and character(品格).

Be thankful for your mistakes.

They will teach you important lessons

Be thankful when you’re tired,

because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things

A life of rich fulfillment(满足) comes to those

who are also thankful for the setbacks(挫折).

Gratitude(感激) can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,

and they can become your blessings.

1.According to the poem, ________ make us grow.

A．difficult times                          B．good things

C．challenges                             D．blessings

2.We should thank for new challenges because they will _________.

A．give you the chance to learn               B．build your strength and character

C．teach you important lessons               D．make your life different

3._________ can turn a negative into a positive.

A．Troubles          B．Gratitude          C．Mistakes          D．Chances

4.The underlined word “blessings” probably means “_________” in Chinese.

A．幸事             B．烦恼             C．困境             D．霉运

5.The writer thinks that we should learn to be _________.

A．thankful          B．helpful            C．important         D．negative

 

Steven Cleaver has some outdoor activity ideas for families. The activities will drive your family’s sadness away. Steven is the Executive Director（执行理事）of Horizons for Youth, an organization in Massachusetts that has worked on children’s enviromental education for more than 60 years.

We asked Steven to share some outdoor activities that families can do together. Here’s what he told us.

Going to a nature center---In State Audubon societies, there are usually smaller nature centres. Naturalists are ready to answer kids’ questions so parents don’t need to worry about teaching the subject matter themselves.

Hiking---Going on a hike is a great way to go outdoors and get some exercise. State parks can offer free paths to hike along and many fields to explore.

Gardening--- Gardening is a wonderful family activity. Not only can the whole family get involved, but everyone can benefit from the harvest. Since it’s winter, you might just start with a family plan for the garden. The garden can be a cooperative effort where parents can teach their children teamwork. Assign tasks to each family member. Who plans? Who waters?

Fruit picking---It’s a great seasonal outdoor activity. Children get to see how fruits grow and everyone gets to enjoy the fruits which they pick.

Cleaning up---Taking part in nature clean-ups or volunteering to do path maintenance(维护)teaches kids that they have the ability to do something positive for the environment and communities. When parents get involved, they can set a good example for their children to follow, which will help children realize their responsibility to protect the environment.

1. Will the outdoor activities drive your family’s sadness away?

______________________________________________________

2. Who will answer kids’ questions in nature centres, naturalists or parents?

   ______________________________________________________

3. Which places can offer free paths to hike along?

   ______________________________________________________

4.What is a great seasonal outdoor activity?

______________________________________________________

5.What can children learn from these outdoor activties ?

   ______________________________________________________

 

 

Helping your children to read and write at home will improve their skills and confidence—it will also make them get ready for learning in the classroom environment.
　    　 are needed by every child in every subject in every year of their life in or outside school. Students who improve their reading and writing skills will increase their vocabulary and their ability（能力）to use the English language correctly. As parents, you can play an important role in improving your children’s literacy（读写能力）. You can make a difference by listening, asking questions, giving information, and reading with your children outside school hours.
Here are 8 tips on how to help your children to read and write:
² having everyday conversations with your children
² trying to ask more “wh-” questions instead of easy “yes” or “no” questions
² encouraging your children to talk about events you don’t know
² reading to your children each night
² listening to your children read
² teaching your children how to use dictionaries
² talking about your children’s writings
² practicing filling in forms, writing letters, sending cards or emails
You can also encourage your children to join the Reading Challenge Club and discuss the books they are reading together. In the club, children must read 15 books from the Challenge book list and 5 more books chosen by themselves. There are over 1,000 books on the list. The reading must be done in one year. What’s more, it is a wonderful way to help your children to write. For example, you can encourage them to write diaries or book reviews. Remember to make positive comments as much as possible.
【小题1】This passage is mainly written for __________.

A．children

B．teachers

C．parents

D．doctors

【小题2】__________ is the best for the missing part in Paragraph 2.

A．“Listening and speaking skills”	B．“Reading and writing skills”
C．“Listening and writing skills”	D．“Reading and listening skills”

【小题3】__________ is NOT mentioned in the 8 tips above.

A．“Listening to the radio every day”	B．“Listening to your children read”
C．“Reading to your children each night”	D．“Talking about your children’s writings”

【小题4】 In the Reading Challenge Club, children have to read __________ in one year.

A．5 books

B．10 books

C．15 books

D．20 books

【小题5】 Parents can help children to write by encouraging them to__________.

A．draw pictures or take photos	B．listen to pop music
C．write diaries or book reviews	D．play computer games