It is well-known that the “prom”, a formal dance held at the end of high school or college, is an important date in every student’s life. What is less well-known is that the word “prom” comes from the verb “to promenade”, which means to walk around, beautifully dressed, in order to attract attention. The idea is that you should see and be seen by others.
The prom is not just an American tradition, though most people believe that it started in America. In Canada the event is called a “formal”. In Britain and Australia the old fashioned word “dance” is more and more frequently being referred to as a “prom”. Most countries have some form of celebration when students finish high school: after all, it means the end of life as a child, and the beginning of life as an adult.
The prom is expensive to organize and the tickets can cost students a lot of money. The tradition is that students themselves have to raise the money to pay for it. Selling the students newspapers is one way to raise money; so is taking a part-time job at the weekend.
Although the prom should be the experience of a lifetime, it also worries many students. There is the problem of what to wear, who to take as your partner, who will be voted “prom queen”, etc. And it is not only students who feel worried. What many parents find difficult is the realization that their children’s school days are almost over. However, for most people at the prom, once the music starts playing, everyone relaxes and stops worrying.
【小题1】In which country is the prom called a “formal”?

There is no doubt that mothers play an important leading role in the lives of their children. But what about a father's role? I believe that fathers play just as important a role as mothers.
Fathers give us support. They are the shore（岸）we swim to when our arms and legs feel increasingly tired. They are the strength we rely on （依靠）as we take our first steps into the world. Fathers can be gentle and powerful, but they probably have the simplest love we ever know.
_______, the father is their first hero and possibly the only man they will ever feel comfortable loving.
For daughters, the father is the first man they admire and the first man whose eyes shine with happiness when they look at them. He is the first man to fall in love with them.
For mothers, the father of our children is the person we can believe in to watch over the babies as closely as we would. We are protectedin the knowledge of their love. A father is the person on the planet with whom we can do whatever we want ... one who will be just as interested and never feel bored in the face of our devotion.
Without fathers, we wouldn't be mums. I would like to thank them from all our hearts for this honor and for being our partners in the business of raising children.
【小题1】From the passage, we can know the writer is a_______.

Hello, everyone. Because of the high rate of school violence (暴力) in some areas, teenagers’ safety becomes a serious problem. We are planning to set up an organization, or you can call it a group --- School Watch. It makes sure that students have a safe school environment. Please be part of our plan!
What is School Watch?
School Watch is a volunteer project in our school. It helps us stop violence and improve the quality of school life. It will keep yourself and your schoolmates safe. The other members of School Watch care for you and your classroom, and you do the same for them.
Is it for everyone?
Anybody can become a member of School Watch because everyone has something to offer.
What else can it do?
School Watch makes it possible for us not only to help each other but also to make friends with each other. Some members may offer to help the schoolmates who have problems with their homework.
Who will be the School Watcher?
Our school will look for the School  Watcher and give him or her lots of prizes. You could be the one!
How do you join it?
To be part of this plan, the only thing you need to do is to talk to the director of School Watch in your grade. You can check the official website at www.schoolwatch.com if you want to get more information.
【小题1】What is School Watch?
【小题2】 Where is the School Watch?
【小题3】 Who can join School Watch?
【小题4】 How do you join it?
【小题5】 What does the passage tell us?