If you are asked to chair a meeting, remember the following six golden rules for meeting management.

    Always start the meeting on time. If you begin on time, group members who show up late will realize the value of time. Beginning on time shows skill as an effective time manager and sets an example for others to follow.

  Select a note-taker. You may need to refer back to something that was discussed during the meeting at a later date. Good record-keeping is a sign of a good meeting manager as well.    

  Learn to listen. So many times we think about what we are going to say and, in the process, miss important points that other group members may be contributing （做贡献）. Additionally, we often hear only what we want to hear, instead of really listening to other people. Meetings with effective listening are successful meetings.

  Keep the discussion on track（轨道）. Many times an important topic can get sidetracked in a meeting, especially when everyone has a different opinion about the topic. If an unexpected conflict（冲突） develops once the meeting is in progress, either ask a special group to look into the problem, or ask members involved in the conflict to meet with you after the meeting. Doing so will help keep the discussion on track and reduce the chances of wasting group members’ valuable time.

  Give everyone an opportunity to be heard. Some people like to control meetings, while others wait to be asked their opinions. As the leader of the meeting, you need to keep an open mind and make sure everyone feels welcome to contribute and express ideas without criticism.

    End on time. If you said the meeting would last no longer than one hour, make sure the meeting lasts for only one hour. Running late with a meeting makes members late for other appointments, increases the chances that the members will mentally leave the meeting and reduces your reliability as an effective meeting manager.

53. Why should we learn to listen according to the passage?

  A. To show respect to other members.

  B. To hear only what we want to hear.

  C. To get useful and important points.

  D. To save the members’ valuable time.

54. The expression “Give everyone an opportunity to be heard.” in Paragraph 6 means __________.

    A. every one can express their ideas freely without criticism

    B. the meeting manager shouldn’t speak a lot at the meeting

    C. everyone has the right to ask others opinions at the meeting

    D. all group members have to express their ideas at the meeting

55. What can we learn from the passage?

  A. Everyone should look back to what is discussed at the meeting later.

  B. The meeting should be ended on time or some members will leave.

  C. A meeting manager should let members discuss unexpected conflicts.

  D. If you start the meeting on time, late—comers may not be late next time.

56. The author’s main purpose of writing the passage is to __________.

  A. make everyone realize the value of time

  B. encourage people to have their own ideas

  C. advise people how to hold a meeting successfully

  D. give some advice on how to be an effective manager

    I am an eighth-grade student at Central Middle School. In my three years at the school, I have played soccer, basketball, and baseball. I love sports and really enjoy being part of a team. Playing on our school sports teams has been the best part of middle school for me. I know I’m lucky that  I’ve had this opportunity.

    Some kids have not been so lucky. In fact, many kids who love sports don’t have the chance to play on a school team. That’s because, to make a team, you have to try out. The idea is that kids who are good at sports will do well in tryouts and make the team. But what about the kids who don’t do well during tryouts? Maybe they are ill that day, or nervous, or are just having a bad day, so they don’t play their best. They don’t make the team, and that is too bad.

    Also, there are kids who really don’t have the skills to play well. They never make a team, and that isn’t fair either. How will kids ever learn the skills if they don’t have a chance to play ? Remember, this is school and students are here to learn. All kids should have the chance to learn sports skills and teamwork by playing on a school sports team.

    There are other reasons why every student should have the chance to play sports. Sports are important for good health and fitness. They help kids feel good about themselves and their school. They build friendships among teammates. Coaches are good role models, and students who play team sports learn good sportsmanship. And, most important, team sports are fun! Players have fun playing, and their parents have fun watching and cheering for the team. So, sports bring kids and parents together, too.

     By now you know how I feel. Every kid who wants to play on a school sports team should have the chance. These teams are for fun and fitness—they’re not professional teams ! Let’s change the rules for making a team. Let’s get rid of tryouts. Let’s give every student at Central Middle School the chance to wear a team uniform.

1. How many kinds of sports has the writer played in the three years at school？

   A. Two.           B. Three.           C. Four.           D. Five.

2. The writer believes that tryouts are ____________.

   A. fun            B. hard             C. useful          D. unfair

3. Which of the following is NOT true according to the fourth paragraph？

   A. Sports bring kids and parents together.

   B. Sports build friendships among teammates.

   C. Sports help kids feel good about themselves.

   D. Sports are fun and make students study better.

4. The writer’s main purpose for writing this article is to____________.

   A. advise kids not to try out for a school team

   B. tell about exciting moments on sports fields

   C. make people believe all kids should play team sports

   D. share his opinions of playing team sports with readers