“In my day, we had to walk a mile to school—uphill, both ways.” That may sound like an old joke. Today, only 13 percent of kids walk to school, down from 66 percent 30 years ago.
Studies show that fewer children are walking and biking to school, and more children are at risk of becoming overweight. Changing behaviors of children and parents require creative ways that are safe and fun.
A walking school bus can be both.
It works like a bus, pickin
g up ‘passengers’ along the way at designated(指定的) ‘bus stops’ except everyone is walking!
The Walking School Bus works as a supervised group of children walking to and from school along a safe and enjoyable set route. There are at least two parents in a group. One parent ‘drives’ at the front of the bus, while the other parent supervises at the back. The same of different supervisors go with the children to and from school. Additional(增加的) parents may be needed depending on the walking environment.
The ‘bus’ can go as often as parents want to ‘drive’ i
t and children want to use it. This means that it can even work as little as one morning or afternoon each week. All children are welcome to join the bus even if their parents cannot be drivers. And the service is free.
Socially, it’s great because the children meet other children, otherwise they would only know by sight.
“My children have formed some good friendships because of the Walking Bus. The parents get to know other parents too!” a parent said. “From our experience of the Walking Bus, it has only been a meaningful thing. It gets all of us walking more and the children do not complain about walking like they used to. ”
Some kids said compared to walking school bus, it’s boring in a car when they were asked why not get into a car.
Besides these, it might have a good effect on heavy traffic.
1.How many students walked to school 30 years ago?
A. 66 percent.B. 13 percent.C. 30 percent.D. 53 percent.
2.What does the underlined word “supervised” mean in the passage?
A. controlledB. explored C. requiredD. improved
3.What can the Walking School Bus NOT do to help the children __________.
A. make more friendsB. reduce the risk of being overweight
C. exercise more D. complain about walking
4.The best title of this passage is “__________”.
A. A new way to exerciseB. A new school bus
C. A walking school busD. Parents’ driving school bus
Whatever the situation, you need to understand gestures(手势). Many gestures that we use are universal(通用的). Some of them can create wrong meanings to others. Using the wrong gesture could get you into trouble when you communicate with foreigners. Be careful with these gestures：
The ‘thumb up’ sign—In Italy, Germany and Greece, this sign simply means the number one. In Russia the meaning of this expression is ‘good’ or ‘well done’. In Egypt and Iraq, it means perfect or very good. It is widely used between people. But in Iran it is traditionally an obscene(不正经的) gesture.
The ‘OK’ sign—Often used to mean agreement, but it is considered rude in Brazil, southern Italy, Germany and Greece. In Japan, this gesture is a sign of money. In southern France it is used to show that something is worthless.
The victory sign—With the index finger and middle 
finger rose to form a V. It means victory or peace. Be careful about using it in Britain, however, if the palm is facing toward you, the gesture is considered obscene.
Snapping your fingers(打响指)—Some might use this gesture to get someone’s attention. In France and Belgium it sends a bad message. You would never snap your fingers to get a waiter’s attention.
Hands in the pockets—This is commonly seen in daily life. In Finland, Sweden, France, Belgium, Indonesia and Japan, putting your hands in your pockets would be considered impolite in a business meeting.
The meaning of gestures is not universal. Use these tips to prevent a cultural misunderstand. When in doubt, the best advice would be to ‘keep your hands to yourself.’
1.In which country does the ‘Thumb up’ NOT mean good or well done?
A. In Italy.B. In Russia.C. In Egypt.D. In Iran.
2.When you want to get a waiter’s attention in France, __________.
A. you can use the ‘OK’ sign
B. you can’t put your hands in the pockets
C. you can’t snap your fingers
D. you can use your fingers to form a V
3.Which sign means impolite in a business meeting?
A. The ‘OK’ sign.B. The victory sign.
C. Snapping your fingers.D. Hands in the pockets.
It may be the happiest place on Earth, but the Magic Kingdom has become a little more restrictive(限制的) for the children hoping to enjoy Disney’s US parks on their own. Beginning on March 23 of this year, anyone under the age of 14 must go there with someone over 14. If a worker who works at the front gates sees a child who looks younger than 14 without a person who looks older than that, he will have a talk with the tourist. If he is sure the tourist is under 14, his parents will be contacted to pick them up.
Before this, Disney did not have any age restrictions(限制) for tourists. The new rule was set up after Disney conducted a survey of its tourists and contacted various child welfare association(福利机构). They both thought it was necessary to have the age requirement. The American Red Cross suggested that 14 is the minimum(最小的) age for babysitters(保姆).
News of the age restriction comes nearly a week. A child on vacation with his father and mother fell into a pool and died at Disneyland Pop Century Resort(度假村). Anthory Johnson was swimming in the hotel pool with a group of children including his little brother and a cousin at about 9:30 pm when the accident happened. Witnesses said the teen was playing in the water on Sunday evening without family members. A cousin found him under water around 9:10 pm and to
ld others in the group who pulled him out of water. Orange Country Sheriff’s officials said after Anthony was taken to nearby hospital, he died several days later.
1.How does the worker know the child is under 14?
A. By contacting with his parents.
B. By seeing if the child comes on his own.
C. By seeing if the child comes with his parents.
D. By looking at the child’s appearance and talking with him.
2.What ISN’T the reason for setting up the new rule?
A. 14 is the minimum age for babysitters.
B. Children like to play in Disney’s US parks with their parents.
C. Tourists think it’s necessary to have the age requirement.
D. A child on vacation with his parents died in a pool at Disney’s Pop Century Resort.
3.What’s the main idea of this passage?
A. The happiest place for children.
B. A new rule of age requirement about children who go to Disneyland.
C. A survey of age requirement about children who go to Disneyland.
D. A child who fell into a pool and died at Disneyland.
I played a tennis game against my cousin Ed last week, and I will never forget it.
I had played a lot of games before, but it was one of the most games I’ve ever had. When Ed first phoned and sugges
ted we play, I quietly, thinking I was sure to beat him, because I didn’t think Ed could win any games with his fat body.
As long as I can remember: Ed’s been the least physically fit member in the family, but strangely of himself. His big stomach has always ballooned out between his T-shirt and trousers. Although the family often joked about that, Ed to buy a larger T-shirt or to lose weight. So when Ed arrived for our game not only with the bottom of his shirt inside his trousers but also with a stomach you could notice. I was so surprised that I was speechless.
My cousin must have made an effort to get himself into . As a result, at the point in our game, when I’d have predicted(预测) I would win the game by 9 to 1, it was 7 to 9 —and Ed was leading. The sudden realization was . We continued to play like two men. When the score was 16 up. I even thought if I could stay alive. When the game finally ended, my cousin and I were lying on the floor on our backs, too tired to move. In some ways, I think that we won: I won the game, but Cousin Ed won my respect.
1.A. tiringB. interestingC. movingD. frightening
2.A. cheered B. screamedC. performedD. smiled
3.A. proudB. afraidC. shyD. guilty
4.A. agreed B. wantedC. refusedD. afforded
5.A. nearly B. hardlyC. properlyD. suddenly
6.A. sizeB. shapeC. heightD. weight
7.A. likeB. betweenC. aroundD. instead
8.A. unknown[B. ungratefulC. unpleasantD. unnecessary
9.A. madB. smartC. luckyD. brave
10.A. noneB. eitherC. bothD. neither
---Show me the map, please. I wonder______________.
--- Look, they’re here., in the east of China, near Taiwan Province.
A. where Diaoyu Islands are B. where are Diaoyu Islands
C. what are Diaoyu Islands like D. what Diaoyu Islands like
---Be quiet! Mr Smith is coming.
--- Don’t worry. It__________be him. Mr Smith is much taller.
A. mustn’t B. must C. can’t D. needn’t
