Parents are the closest people to you in the world．They love you just because you are you．And they would do anything for you．

    Like a lot of middle school students，ZhuangShuxia has a problem．She and her parents don’t get on well．

    “I really want to be my Daddy’s little girl．But it feels like he just doesn’t understand．He talks at me and doesn’t listen，”said Zhuang，a Junior 3 student

    Do you and your parents also have problems?

    Well, why don’t you all take a walk and have a talk on Saturday? It’s the International(国际的) Day of Families．On May l5，people around the world give thanks for good things about their families and work on family problems．

    A study last year showed that l,500 Beijing families had the same problem as Zhuang’s family：The children，12 to 15 years old，didn’t like talking with their parents much．They weren’t happy at home．

    Of course，lots of kids feel that way．But you and your parents will be much happier if you can be friends．Here are some ways to have a good talk with them：

    Find a good time to talk，like when you’re eating dinner, going out for a walk or watching TV．

   Tell them something you’re interested in，or ask them about their lives when they were young．They love to talk about it．

   Listen to them carefully，and look them in the eye．

   Be honest(诚实的)．Your parents will trust(信任)you more．And a trusting family is a happy family．

1. Who are the closest people to us according to the writer of this passage?

A. The people who love us.          

B. The people who understand us.

C. Our father and mother.          

D. All the family members.

2. What is Zhuang Shuxia's problem?

     A. Her father thinks she is old enough.

     B. Her father doesn't like to talk with her.

     C. She really wants to be a little girl again.

     D. She and her father don't understand each other well.

3. What does the writer suggest (建议) the students do on the International Day of Families?

     A. They should remember the special day for the families in the world.

     B. They should take a walk and have a talk with their parents.

     C. They should do something to celebrate the International Day of Families.

     D. They should help others to solve their family problems.

4. How does the writer know 1,500 families had the same problem as Zhuang's family?

     A. From a study made in Beijing.

     B. From reports about family problems.

     C. From discussions with parents and their children.

     D. From a report on the International Day of Families.

5. In this passage the writer tells the children,12 to 15 years old,           

     A. how to show their thanks to their parents

     B. how to make friends with their parents

     C. how to feel happier at home in different ways

     D. how to win their parents' trust by listening to their parents

 

Problems
A	B	C
My problem is my parents. They never stop going on about how I should keep my room tidy, keep my hair tidy and wear smart clothes. They even make me do the washing-up after dinner every night! None of my friends have got such terrible parents. What should I do?  Helen	My best friend has suddenly turned her back on me and I don’t know why! Last week we phoned each other every day and e-mailed too, and over the weekend we went shopping together and she was fine. But at school on Monday morning she didn’t look at me or speak to me. I don’t know what I’ve done. She now spends all her time with another group of friends.  Jane	I have a really bad habit of chewing（嚼）the ends of my hair. I try to stop, but I can’t! My mom is starting to get really angry about it. Have you got any ideas?  Gina

 

Advice
Hi _________, Why should your parents do all the washing-up? You should help around the house—it’s only fair. I don’t think you should change your looks though. Young people should look like young people.	②Hi_________, Wearing your hair pulled back in a ponytail（马尾辫）will help keep it out of your mouth. When you feel like chewing something, try bubble gum（泡泡糖）. Give yourself time and you should be able to break this habit. The first few days are usually the hardest. Good luck!	③Hi ________， Don’t worry about it so much! Phone your friend up as usual and she won’t be able to refuse you. I am sure you will get along well with each other. Everything will be fine.

1. 1.

   根据所读内容将Helen, Jane, Gina 三个名字分别填入相应的横线上。
   ①_______________  ②________________  ③________________

2. 2.

   The three girls wrote to ask for ________________________.

3. 3.

   The underlined words “turned her back on me” means “____________” in Chinese.

4. 4.

   It is clear that Helen is not ________________________ with her parents.

5. 5.

   According to the advice, Jane should _____________________ her friend as usual.