Dragons are not real animals, but look like a combination(结合体) of many animals such as snakes, fish and deer. They have two horns(角) and a long moustache(胡子). With fantastic powers, they fly in the sky or swim in the sea. They can make rain, too. The Chinese dragon is a symbol of strength and good luck. The emperors of ancient China loved dragons. Their clothes were covered with pictures of dragons.
We are proud to call ourselves the “descendants(传人)of the dragon”. In Chinese, “excellent” people are often called “dragons”. A number of Chinese sayings talk about dragons, for example, “Hoping one’s child will become a dragon”, which means hoping he or she will be successful.
It is said that people born in the year of the dragon have certain characteristics(特征). They are creative, confident, brave and quick-tempered（性急的）. They are some famous “dragons” who have done excellent things, for example, the great man Deng Xiaoping, the famous businessman Li Jiacheng and the movie star Zhao Wei. They are all very successful.
There are also some traditional festivals about dragons in China, such as Dragon Head-Raising Day and Dragon Boat Festival. We have different kinds of activities to celebrate them. These two festivals come every year, but the Year of the Dragon comes every twelve years.
The dragon is very important in Chinese culture. As the “descendants of the dragon”, it is necessary for us to know the opinions on dragons in our culture. It can help us understand why our parents always want us to be “dragons”.
根据短文内容，选择最佳答案。
1.The Chinese dragon is a symbol of_____.
A. a combination of many animals B. Chinese sayings
C. traditional festivals D. strength and good luck
2.The underlined sentence “Hoping one’s child will become a dragon. ” means_____ in Chinese.
A. 龙马精神 B. 龙飞凤舞 C. 望子成龙 D. 龙腾虎跃
3.What characteristics may the people born in the Year of the Dragon have?
A. Creative, confident, brave and powerful
B. Creative, confident, brave and quick-tempered
C. Lovely, confident, brave and quick tempered
D. Lucky, confident, creative and successful
4.Some traditional festivals about dragons are celebrated _____ in China.
A. every year B. every twelve years C. in some special year D. every month
5.Which of the statements is True according to the passage?
A. Dragons are real animals.
B. There are many Chinese sayings about dragons.
C. People born in Year of the Dragon must be successful.
D. The “descendants of the dragon” are often called “dragons”.
I grew up in New Hampshire, a small town in South Canada, where in my father’s words for the seasons were “Spring, Summer, Fairtime and Winter!”At that time, a week-long fair was held in the town every autumn. Thousands of people from other towns came to sell and buy things. It was the busiest time of the year.
When “Fairtime” came, my grandma became the busiest person of the family. Grandma was a kind old lady. She was good at cooking. All her relatives liked the food she cooked. During “Fair time”, they would come to live in her house and have meals there. Grandma was always happy to look after them.
Year after year, many people moved to big cities. There was no longer “Fairtime”. Grandma became very old and was gradually going blind. My parents and I moved to live with Grandma. We did our best to make her life comfortable. I was at high school then. What I often did at home was to help Grandma with the daily newspaper’s crossword puzzle. However, she didn’t look happy. She often sat in her room for hours, without saying a word.
To attract（吸引） people to move back, the Town Hall decided to reopen the fair. One day, when I came back from school, I saw Grandma wearing her glasses, washing the dishes in the kitchen. With a big smile on her face, she looked much younger. She told me that her two nieces(侄女) would come. “They said the food I cooked was very delicious and they wanted to stay in my house again,” Grandma said happily. “They will stay here for one week and we can have a big party. That must be the busiest week I’ve had in years!”
I suddenly realized that Grandma didn’t want to be looked after. She wanted to be “useful” and helpful.
根据短文内容，选择最佳答案。
1.What do thousands of people come to the town to do at the Fair?
A. Enjoying Grandma food. B. Selling and buying things.
C. Learning to cook. D. Having a big party.
2.When “Fairtime” came, who became the busiest person of the family?
A. The writer’s father. B. The writer’s grandpa.
C. The writer’s mother. D. The writer’s grandma.
3.Why was Grandma unhappy after there was no longer “Fairtime”?
A. Because she was too busy. B. Because no one lived with her.
C. Because she was no longer “useful”. D. Because she couldn’t see anything.
4.Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the passage?
A. Grandma was good at cooking. B. Many people moved to big cities.
C. Grandma didn’t like “Fair time”. D. Grandma was a kind old lady.
5.What’s the best title for the passage?
A. Fair time B. My “Old” Grandma
C. A Small Town D. Grandma’s Family
Each of us fails from time to time. If we are wise, having enough experience and knowledge, we will regard these failures (失败) as a necessary and ______ part of learning. But often as parents and teachers, we don’t _____this right (权利) to our children.
Donnie was a student in my class. His ______ about failure kept him away from classroom games which other children enjoyed. He _____ answered my questions—he was afraid of making mistakes.
I tried my best to build his self-confidence. But nothing changed ____ midterm, when Mary, a new teacher, came. She was young and pretty, and she was loved by every student _____ Donnie. She made a big difference to Donnie later.
One morning, Donnie copied the math problem clearly and ______, but he missed the fourth problem and began to cry with his head in his arms.
I didn’t know what to do. Suddenly, a smile __on Mary’s face. From the desk she got a box that _____ pencils. “Look, Donnie,” she said gently, kneeling (蹲在) beside him. “I’ve got something to ______ you.” She took out the pencils, one at a time, and placed them on his desk.
“See these pencils, Donnie,” she continued. “They ____ Mrs. Landon and me. See how the erasers are worn (磨损)? That’s because we make mistakes, too. But we erase the mistakes and try again. That’s what you ___ learn to do, too.”
She kissed him and stood up, “here,” she said, “I’ll leave one of these pencils on ______ desk, so you’ll remember that everybody makes mistakes, even teachers.” Donnie looked up with _______ in his eyes and a smile.
The pencil became Donnie’s prize. That, together with Mary’s encouragement, gradually made him understand ___ the meaning of making mistakes is ---it’s all right to make mistakes as long as you erase them and try again.
1.A. similar B. active C. important D. interesting
2.A. offer B. pass C. send D. lend
3.A. spirit B. worry C. excitement D. pleasure
4.A. always B. usually C. often D. seldom
5.A. since B. because C. until D. although
6.A. including B. except C. without D. with
7.A. simply B. carelessly C. casually D. carefully
8.A. appeared B. froze C. disappeared D. lost
9.A. was made of B. was covered by C. was filled with D. was close to
10.A. tell B. show C. ask D. thank
11.A. come to B. prefer to C. point at D. belong to
12.A. might B. could C. must D. can’t
13.A. your B. his C. her D. my
14.A. hate B. love C. fear D. sadness
15.A. how B. why C. where D. what
A:Excuse me. 1.
B:Yes, I’m a student there. I’m going to school now. You can follow me.
A:Thank you. I’m new in No. 11 Middle School. My name is Tom, from America. May I have your name?
B:Wang Wei. 2.
A:Well, I like doing things by myself. However I am lucky today. You are so helpful. Thank you!
B:3. We are classmates now. Could you please help me with my English ?
A:Certainly ! I’m weak in Chinese. Can you teach me Chinese ?
B:Sure! Let’s help each other.
A:4.
B:By the way, how do you like Chinese traditional music ?
A:Very much ! Erhu, dizi and pipa sound really wonderful.
B:There is going to be a Chinese traditional music concert at the Capital Stadium. I’ve got two tickets. 5.
A:I’d love to. Thanks so much!
B:You are welcome.
—Would you like to visit the newly-opened park or see a movie?
—____
A. No,I don’t . B. I agree. C. See a movie. D. Good luck.
Most students enjoy having lessons ____ are interesting and lively.
A. that B. what C. who D. whose
