Cursive(草书) writing is about to become extinct.Do we raise the red flag? To teach or not to teach cursive writing is a question that several state education departments are meeting with.
Before you read this text, do a simple exercise.Pick a pen and paper and start writing in cursive.Yes, that fancy handwriting that you learned in grade school.You may not have forgotten the good times you had while writing curly(弯曲的) Ms and Ns.However, the chances are that you won’t be able to write it as excellently as you used to.Some people are good at making the perfect curls, while some are bad.I am still terrible at it.
Cursive writing is hardly used by kids anymore as even adults don’t write in this style, unless they are using it for their signature.Learning it was a usual practice in school for several decades.However, in 2011, the Indiana Department of Education made it optional(可选择的) for schools to teach cursive writing to the students.In fact, there are 46 more states that have also done the same.
There are some who believe that it is high time for cursive writing to retire from school curriculum.After all, if we don’t leave the past behind, we cannot make way for new things.If you walk into any classroom, you would find children using keyboards to communicate in the written form.On the other hand, fans of cursive writing insist on its usefulness.They remind us that if we stop teaching and learning cursive writing in school, very soon most of our historical documents will become hard to us.Where do we stand on this subject? Is it the right time to erase an almost forgotten writing style and live in the keyboarding world? Or can we do both without compromising on our school curriculum? Let me know your thoughts on this matter by leaving a comment in the section below.From the second paragraph, we know that the author ___________.
| A．didn’t learn cursive writing in grade school |
| B．is poor at making the perfect curls |
| C．often writes in cursive |
| D．often does physical exercise |
In Indiana schools, children ___________.
| A．must learn cursive writing |
| B．are interested in cursive writing |
| C．can choose to learn cursive writing |
| D．learn cursive writing every day |
It can be inferred that the author __________.
| A．prefers to learn cursive writing |
| B．is a cursive writing teacher |
| C．welcomes people to show their opinions |
| D．is a very famous expert in education |
Which of the following could be the best title for the text?
| A．Is cursive writing necessary? |
| B．Is the keyboarding world good? |
| C．How to write in cursive |
| D．How to improve cursive writing |
First lady Michelle Obama has some advice for some Tennessee High School graduates: Strike your own path in college and life and work to overcome(克服) difficulties with determination and courage.
The first lady told the 170 graduates that she spent too much of her own time in college focusing on academic achievements. While her success in college and law school led to a good job, she said, she ended up leaving to focus on public service.
“My message to all of you today is this: Do not waste a minute living someone else’s dream.” she said. “It takes a lot of real work to discover what brings you joy… and you won’t find what you love simply by checking boxes or padding your GPA(夸大成绩).”
She said the school reminded her of her own high school experience in Chicago. “My No. 1 goal was to go to a high school that would push me and challenge me.” she said. “I wanted to go somewhere that would celebrate achievement, a place where academic success wouldn’t make me a target(目标) of laughing at or bullying, but instead would be a badge of honour(荣誉的象征).” But Mrs. Obama said pitifully that not all students have the same opportunities. “Unfortunately, schools like this don’t exist for every kid,” she said. “You are lucky.”
The first lady told graduates that failure may be a part of their college lives and careers, and that how they respond to any difficulties will define them. “That’s when you find out what you’re really made of in those hard times.” she said. “But you only do that if you’re willing to put yourself in a position where you might fall.”
Overcoming difficulties has been the hallmark(特征) of many great people, she said. “There’s this guy Barack Obama… he lost his first race for Congress, and now he gets to call himself my husband.” The first lady joked: “I could spend a whole afternoon talking about his failures.”
What’s the purpose(目的) of Michelle’s visit to Tennessee High School?
| A．To give a speech to the graduates. | B．To help Obama win respect. |
| C．To welcome new students. | D．To give the graduates some advice. |
According to Michelle, _________.
| A．it’s enough for the students to study well at school |
| B．she was a target of laughing at or bullying when studying at school |
| C．it’s lucky for the students to study at Tennessee High School |
| D．most great people met with difficulties on their way to success including Obama |
Why did Michelle mention Obama in the last paragraph?
| A．To make the students know more about Obama. |
| B．To offer an example of overcoming difficulties. |
| C．To give advice on how to be a great man. |
| D．To talk about his failures. |
Junelle Lynch knocked on more than 200 doors in the Gayln Manor neighborhood of Brunswick in recent weeks. Her aim is to collect hundreds of pounds of food for the Brunswick Food Bank.
“I like helping people a lot，”said Junelle，who celebrated her 11th birthday in June.
With the support of her parents Isabella and Robert，Junelle walked along the streets with an orange grocery bag(杂货袋).Isabella always accompanies her daughter. Isabella helps her daughter by car，so Junelle can empty her grocery bag when it becomes heavy. Junelle's friend，Destiny Williams，helped the first night，but he didn't turn up the rest of the time.
Neighbor Lynda Mallory donated food to Junelle. Mallory dropped noodles，canned soup，vegetables and fruits into Junelle's bag. After visiting the last house and looking at what she collected，Junelle said she felt good about what she achieved with the help of her neighbors.
Working an hour a night three times per week，she has collected more than 400 pounds of canned and boxed food. This isn't the first year she's collected food. Junelle started nearly three years ago when，at 8 years old，she saw a collection box at a grocery store and decided to become involved. In her first year，she collected 80 pounds of food in the mostly undeveloped neighborhood，and 214 pounds the next year. The food helped feed many families.
When she isn't helping，Junelle is a straightA student who snowboards，plays the trumpet，sings with the Brunswick Chorus，plays basketball and writes poems. She plans on spending her summer vacation attending a basketball camp.According to the passage，Brunswick Food Bank is probably .
| A．a place to sell food to the poor |
| B．a store to sell farm produce |
| C．a bank for people to save and draw money |
| D．an organization to help the poor by offering food |
Who helped Junelle the most when she was collecting food？
| A．Destiny Williams. | B．Lynda Mallory. |
| C．Isabella Lynch. | D．Robert Lynch |
Which of the following statements is TRUE about Junelle's food collecting？
| A．She spent several hours on it each week. |
| B．She did it following her father's advice. |
| C．She started the activity to support her family. |
| D．The food to be collected will increase year by year. |
According to the passage，we know Junelle Lynch .
| A．always helps her neighbors |
| B．is too busy to do well in her study |
| C．is worried about her parents' health |
| D．has many hobbies in school life |
Do you want to be a successful person? Would you like to know how successful people usually think and what drives them? Here I am going to tell you the key to success that successful people share.
First of all, successful people never blame someone or something outside of themselves for their failure to move ahead. They realize that their future lies in their own hands. They understand that they can’t control things in life, such as nature, the past and other people. At the same time, they are well aware that they can control their own thoughts and actions. They take responsibility for their life.
Perhaps what most separates successful people from others is that they live life “on purpose” --- they are doing what they believe they are put here to do. In their opinion, having a purpose in their life is the most important element that enables them to deal with things around them. They hold the view that when they live their life “on purpose”, their main concern is to do the job right. They live what they do. People want to do business with them because of their commitment. To live their life “on purpose”, successful people find a cause they believe in and create a business around it.
Besides, they never give up easily. Once they have set up goals in their life, they are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. To achievers always bear in mind what they don’t have forever. Rather than see this as negative or depressing, they would use the knowledge to spur themselves on and go after what they want energetically and passionately.
So keep in mind what successful people always hold to be true so that you will have a clear idea of what you should do to be successful in life.According to the passage, to be successful, ______.
| A．you should set up a realistic goal |
| B．you should know your strengths and weaknesses |
| C．you shouldn’t blame others for your failure |
| D．you shouldn’t waste time |
Which is NOT the key to success that successful people share?
| A．Taking responsibility for their life. |
| B．Never giving up easily. |
| C．Having a goal in life. |
| D．Controlling things in life. |
The underlined word “spur” in paragraph 4 probably means “______”.
| A．interest | B．equip | C．depend | D．inspire |
The author’s purpose in writing this passage is to ______.
| A．explain the exact meaning of success |
| B．share the key to success with readers |
| C．tell his experience of achieving success |
| D．encourage readers to learn from failure |
| LOST AND FOUND |
ROOMMATES |
| FOUND：Cat, 6 months old, black and white marking. Found near Linden and South U.Steve, 800-4661. |
FEMALE ROOMMATE WANGTE Own room near campus. Available December 1 . Rent $80 per month until March 1 st. $129 Thereafter. Call Jill for details. 800-7839 |
| LOST: Gold wire rim glasses in brown case. Campus area. Reward. Call Gregg 800-2896 |
Need person to assume lease for own bedroom in apt. Near campus, $92/mo. Starting Jan.1. Call 800-6157 after 5pm |
| FOR SALE |
HELP WANTED |
| MOVING：Must sell. TV b/w 12,$50; AM/FM transistor radio A/C or battery , $15; cassette tape recorder ,$10;music records, Call John or Pat,800-0739 after 5pm or weekends |
BABYSITTER-MY HOME If you are available a few hours during the day , some evenings and occasional weekends to car for 2 school-age children , please call Gayle Moore days 800-1111, evenings and week ends 800-4964 |
 USED FUR COATS and JACKETS. Good condition. $50-$125. Call 800-0436 after 12 noon |
WAITRESS WANTED:10am-2pm or 10:30 am-5pm. Apply in person, 207S. Main, Curtis Restaurant. |
What was lost in campus area according to the LOST AND FOUND ads?
| A．A cat | B．A radio |
| C．A pair of glasses | D．A cassette tape recorder |
You will call if you want to buy a radio.
| A．800-0436 | B．800-0739 |
| C．800-4661 | D．800-4964 |
If you want a job of taking care of children , which ad will you answer?
| A．Lost AND FOUND | B．ROOMMATES |
| C．FOR SALE | D．HELP WANTED |
It was Monday, Mrs. Smith’s dog was hungry, but there was not any meat in the house.
Considering that there was no better way, Mrs. Smith took a piece of paper, and wrote the following words on it: “Give my dog half a pound of meat.” Then she gave the paper to her dog and said gently: “Take this to the butcher（卖肉者）, and he’s going to give you your lunch today.”
Holding the piece of paper in its mouth, the dog ran to the butcher’s shop. It gave the paper to the butcher. The butcher read it carefully, recognized that it was really the lady’s handwriting and presently did as he was asked to. The dog was very happy, and ate the meat up immediately.
At midday, the dog came to the shop again. It gave the butcher a piece of paper again. After reading it, he gave it half a pound of meat once more.
The next day, the dog came again exactly at midday. And as usual, it brought a piece of paper in the mouth. This time, the butcher did not take a look at the paper, and gave the dog its meat, for he had thought of the dog as one of his customers.
However, the dog came again at four o’clock. And the same thing happened once again. To the butcher’s more surprise, it came for the third time at six o’clock, and brought with it a third piece of paper. The butcher felt a bit puzzled. He said to himself, “This is a small dog. Why does Mrs. Smith give it so much meat to eat today?”
Looking at the piece of paper, he found that there were not any words on it!When Mrs. Smith’s dog was hungry, what did she give to the dog?
A. some chicken
B. half a pound of meat
C. a hot dog
D a piece of paper with some words on itMrs. Smith treated her little dog quite __________.
| A．rudely | B．proudly |
| C．friendly | D．angrily |
From its experience, the dog found that __________.
| A．only the paper with Mrs. Smith’s words on it could bring it meat |
| B．a piece of paper could bring him half a pound of meat |
| C．the butcher would give the meat to it whenever he saw it |
| D．Mrs. Smith would pay for the meat it got from the butcher |
At the end of the story, you’ll find that __________.
| A．the dog was clever enough to write on the paper |
| B．the butcher was told not to give any meat to the dog |
| C．the dog dared not go to the butcher’s any more |
| D．the butcher found himself cheated by the smart animal |
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