Before you go to another country it is a great help if you know the language and some of the customs of the country.

When people meet each other for the first time in Britain, they say, “How do you do? ”and shake hands. Usually they do not shake hands when they just meet or say goodbye. But they shake hands after they haven’t met for a long time or when they will be away from each other for a long time.

Last year a group of German students went to England for a holiday. Their teacher told them that the English people hardly shake hands. So when they met their English friends at the station, they kept their hands behind their backs. The English students had learned that the Germans shake hands as often as possible, so they put their hands in front and got ready to shake hands with them. It made both of them laugh.

1.It is ____ if you know the language and some of the customs of the country.

2.English people usually shake hands when they ______.

3.Usually English people don’t shake hands _______.

4.Which of the statement（陈述）is right?

5.This story is about _______.

Think of life as a game in which you are playing with five balls in the air. You name them work, family, health, friends and spirit and you keep all of them in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce (弹跳) back.

But the other four balls, family, health, friends and spirit, are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be broken. They will never be the same. You must understand that and try to have balance in your life. How?

Don’t look down on your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different and each of us is special.

Don’t let other people set goals for you. Only you know what is best for yourself.

Don’t give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

Don’t be afraid of difficulties. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

Don’t shut love out of your life by saying it’s impossible. The quickest way to receive love is to give it; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

Don’t run through life so fast that you forget not only where you’ve been, but also where you are going.

Don’t be afraid to learn. Knowledge is a treasure you can always carry easily.

Don’t use time or words carelessly. You can’t get them back. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift; that’s why we call it “the present” Life is not a competition, but a trip, step by step.

1.The passage tells us not to _________ because everyone is special.

A. be afraid of difficulties       

B. be afraid to learn

C. run through life so fast

D. compare yourself with others to look down on your worth

2.The sentence “Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.” means that _____.

A. Nothing is possible        

B. If we don’t give up, there is always hope

C. You should learn to give up     

D. Although you try, nothing will change.

3.The best way to keep love is to ___________.

A. say it’s impossible        B. give it       

C. give it wings       D. hold it tightly

4.According to the passage, which is the best title? ___________

A. Nothing is impossible.          

B. Glass balls are easy to be broken.

C. Things you can’t do            

D. Treat your life in a right way.

When you cough or sneeze(打喷嚏), please turn your head away from others and cover your mouth with the full part of your hand. Afterwards, you should say, “Excuse me.” This is a rule I set for my students. It is so simple, but many kids have never been told to do this. In fact, I noticed adults cough and sneeze in public without putting a hand over the mouth. I hate traveling by subway in New York during cold and flu season, because it is certain that someone is going to stand right behind me and cough or sneeze on my neck.

One important thing I point out to the kids is that after they sneeze or cough on their hand, they should wash their hands as soon as possible. Otherwise, they will be passing those germs(细菌) along to everything and everyone they touch. In order to help the kids remember this rule, I tell them about an old story. It says that when you sneeze, evil spirits jump into your body. If you don’t cover your mouth, the spirits will enter, but if you cover your mouth, you will keep them out. We say “God bless you” when someone sneezes, and in Germany you should say “Gesundheit.” That means “Good health to you.” Both expressions are said—just in case you didn’t cover your mouth in time and the spirits were able to enter your body. The kids love finding out the origins(起源) of these expressions and it encourages them to put advice to use more often.

1.The writer of this article must be _________.

A. a reporter        B. a teacher        C. a doctor          D. an officer

2.What does the underlined word “this” mean?

A. Don’t cough or sneeze in front of people.

B. Don’t stand beside someone who coughs or sneezes.

C. Many people cough or sneeze on the underground train.

D. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing and say sorry.

3.After coughing or sneezing on their hand, students are advised to _________.

A. say “God bless you” immediately

B. wash their hands as soon as possible

C. go to see a doctor as soon as possible

D. go home and have a good rest

4.According to the article, the writer would like the kids _________.

A. to be polite to adults                B. to be in better health

C. to have good manners               D. to do well in exams

请用适当的词完成这篇日记，每个空只能填写一个形式正确、意义相符的单词。

Nov. 26, 2011, Saturday
I’m upset these days. I have_1____ problem, and I do not 2_____ how to deal with it.
I have had a lot of _3______ every day since I became a Grade 9 student. I have no choice but to do it..  I oftern stay up late to finish it and then feel 4 ____ the next day.
5______ I undrestand that it is important to do my homework and _6____ it in on time. Sometimes I still don’t want to do so much homework. I almost have no free time for my hobbies, 7_____ as playing volleyball and ping-pong. The worst thing is that I even have homework on weekends and holidays. The longer the holidays are, the 8_______ homework I get. I really feel bad about it.
I am looking forward to a holiday9_______ homework so that I can relax and have some time for my hobbies. What should I do? I really hope that someone can give 10____ some suggestions. I am sure they will be of great value to me.