Italians like to say that when it comes to alcohol, they have a sipping (小酌) culture rather than a drinking
culture. That means that while Italians may enjoy a glass of wine or beer, they don't usually get very drunk.
     That's not true any more. The new study by the Italian National Health Institute found that 63 percent of
Italians under age 18 get drunk on the weekends. Now, the city of Milan has created a law that will stop anyone under 16 from buying alcohol. Anyone who sells or gives alcohol to a person under 16 can be fined up to $700.
     Young people who feel that the new law is unfair should go to the US for some perspective (观点). The US
has the highest drinking age in the world: It's illegal for anyone under 21 to buy alcohol, and stores or restaurants that are caught selling alcohol to people under the legal age risk losing their licenses.
     Many young Americans complain that the drinking laws are unfair: They are allowed to vote in elections and
join the army at age 18, so why wait another three years just to buy a bottle of beer?
     These young people have found help in an unusual place. Last year, more than 100 presidents of US
universities joined together to ask lawmakers to consider changing the drinking age. They argued that the law
doesn't stop underage college kids from getting drunk - it just makes them want to drink more.
     For now, the law seems unlikely to change. But US teenagers who want alcohol can go north to Canada,
where the drinking age is 18-19, or south to Mexico where the legal age is 18. Throughout much of Asia,
Africa and Europe, the legal drinking age ranges 16-18.
     In plenty of places though, the official drinking age is ignored, and even young children can buy alcohol if
they have the money to pay for it.
     No matter how old you are, you should always be responsible with alcohol. Teenagers in Milan are now
learning that their reckless (不顾后果的) drinking behavior may come at a high price. By Ariel Lown Lewiton,
21st Teens Staff

1. The new law by the city of Milan _______.

A. aims to keep Italy's sipping culture alive
B. forbids selling alcohol to people under 16
C. is welcomed by Italian young people
D. has reduced the number of underage youths getting drunk

2. Which of the following places has the lowest drinking age?

A. Milan
B. New York
C. Mexico
D. Canada

3. Many US university presidents want lawmakers to consider changing the drinking age because ______.

A. they've received complaints from many young Americans about the unfairness of the laws
B. they agree that people old enough to vote and join the army should be allowed to drink
C. they believe the law is pushing underage youths toward alcohol instead of stopping them
D. they don't want to see US teenagers going to neighboring countries for a drink

4. What can we infer from the passage?

A. Restaurants in the US don't sell alcohol to people under 21 for fear of a $700 fine.
B. The author thinks that US teenagers should go to Canada or Mexico to drink.
C. In many places, shop owners don't mind selling alcohol to underage customers.
D. Teens in Milan have to pay a lot of money for their reckless drinking behavior.

     As any homemaker who has tried to keep order at the dinner table knows, there is far more to a family meal
than food. Sociologist Michael Lewis has been studying 50 families to find out just how much more.
     Lewis and his co-workers carried out their study by videotaping (录像) the families while they ate ordinary
meals in their own homes. They found that parents with small families talk actively with each other and their
children. But as the number of children gets larger, conversation gives way to the parents' efforts to control the
loud noise they make. That can have an important effect on the children. "In general the more question-asking
the parents do, the higher the children's IQ scores," Lewis says. "And the more children there are, the less
question-asking there is." The study also provides an explanation for why middle children often seem to have a
harder time in life than their siblings (兄弟姐妹). Lewis found that in families with three or four children, dinner conversation is likely to center on the oldest child, who has the most to talk about, and the youngest, who needs the most attention. "Middle children are invisible," says Lewis. "When you see someone get up from the table and walk around during dinner, chances are it's the middle child." There is, however, one thing that stops all
conversation and prevents anyone from having attention: "When the TV is on," Lewis says,"dinner is a
non-event."

1. The writer's purpose in writing the text is to ______.

A. show the relationship between parents and children
B. teach parents ways to keep order at the dinner table
C. report on the findings of a study
D. give information about family problems

2. Parents with large families ask fewer questions at dinner because _______.

A. they are busy serving food to their children
B. they are busy keeping order at the dinner table
C. they have to pay more attention to younger children
D. they are tired out having prepared food for the whole family

3. By saying "Middle children are invisible" in paragraph 3, Lewis means that middle children ______.

A. have to help their parents to serve dinner
B. get the least attention from the family
C. are often kept away from the dinner table
D. find it hard to keep up with other children

4. Lewis' research provides an answer to the question ______.

A. why TV is important in family life
B. why parents should keep good order
C. why children in small families seem to be quieter
D. why middle children seem to have more difficulties in life

5. Which of the following statements would the writer agree to?

A. It is important to have the right food for children.
B. It is a good idea to have the TV on during dinner.
C. Parents should talk to each of their children frequently.
D. Elder children should help the younger ones at dinner

     I was always told that patience, positive thinking and strong will were a sure path 1. ______ success. But
this advice does not always work as 2. ______ (计划). My high school maths exam is one 3. e______. The
exam, which was originally to be held in our own classroom, was changed to the library at the last minute.
This, 4. ______ didn't bother me as maths had always been my 5. s______ subject of all. I patiently walked
to the library, 6. t______ my seat and did some deep breathing to help relax 7. ______. But my mood changed
quickly when I saw the first question. I tried to stay positive 8. ______ I finally found the solution. After
9. s______ the problem, I felt very proud. Unfortunately, I then noticed that I had just ten 10. ______ (分钟)
left to complete the rest!

Dear Mom and Dad,
     I enjoy working as an account in Chicago. Living in a city is really much 1. _____ for my career than living
in a small town. 2. _____ rent is high here, I have already saved more than a few pence, and it feels wonderful
to be no longer dependent on allowance.
     Living in the city is also great because of all the entertainment. I am always going somewhere 3. _____ fun-
to weekend brunch buffets, theaters or parties. This weekend, I will even play hostess at my own party.
     Today, I bought the latest edition of American Living, 4. _____ had an article about the population mobility
boom. The headline was 'Population Mobility in the USA' and included many quotations. Younger people spoke
about wanting excitement and job opportunities, and elderly people said they were looking for communities of
older people. For some, it seems that there is 5. _____ trend for many retired people to move to warm places.
For some, it seems that the move is permanent, but for 6. _____ it is just seasonal. However, all of them feel
very comfortable living in Florida 7. _____ many adaptations have been made for older people. Perhaps you
two should move there when you retire.
     I just wanted you to know that I am happy and 8. _____ my job is going very well. I will write you again
next week. 
                                                                                                                                          Yours love,
                                                                                                                                           Jessie

     Not only college students but also high school students can apply for an internship (实习) in summer
vacation. An internship is a very good opportunity for getting trained in a field of students' choices. Summer
internships for high school students in fact provide an easy way by which the students come to know how an
organization actually operates. The internship helps them to increase their knowledge's depth. It is an efficient
way of learning communication skills and this kind of job helps students learn how to recognize and appreciate
work of others.
     As a high school student, you can try for full or part-time internships and you can choose paid or unpaid
positions. If you want to apply for a paid internship, at first you're required to make a decision about what you
want to do. Students interested in home of office decoration can approach an interior (室内的) designing firm
or students who are fond of photography or acting can approach an advertising firm. You may consult your
teachers as they'll be able to guide you in the best way in this regard.
     Then you need to make preparations for internship interviews carefully by studying internship interview
questions. You need to prepare a proper resume that will contain your educational qualification and information 
on what you're studying. While applying, you need to mention the purpose of your internship application and
you are expected to explain how you can deliver a good performance at your workplace.
     Now when it comes to the amount you are going to earn, you should be satisfied with whatever you are
getting. The certificate earned after the successful competition of the internship is much more valuable.
     Unpaid internships are as valuable as paid internships. They are available in innumerable fields like animal
care, computer science, entertainment (amusement parks, national parks) and not-for-profit social services,
etc.

     It's hard when a best friend isn't around-maybe because she moved to a different school or a different
class, or maybe she's just homesick for the day. Break or lunchtime can feel lonely without her. 1_____
You want to have new friends, but how do you make them? Maybe it seems like everybody else already
has their friends. 2_____
     Start by looking around your classroom-think about which kids you'd like to play with at break. Look
for chances to say hi to them, smile, and he friendly. 3_____ Invite someone to play with you or say "Do
you want to sit here?" in the lunchroom. When you're at break, walk over tc kids you want to play with,
act friendly, and say "Hi, can I play, too?" or just join in.
     If you have trouble doing this or if you're feeling shy, ask your teacher to help you make new friends.
Teachers are usually pretty good at matching up friends. 4_____ Be kind, be friendly, share, say positive
things, offer to help-and pretty soon, you'll have one, or two, or even more new friends. 
     5_____ But when you see each other, you can share something you didn't have before she left: You
can introduce her to your new friends!

A. What's right for me?
B. But remember, there's always room for more friends.
C. Will it ever feel the same?
D. The best way to make friends is to be a friend.
E. Offer to share something or offer greetings. 
F. Make a choice in your life.
G. You might still miss that special best friend.

                                 Should Smoking Be Banned in Public Places?
     Saki Kuroda, 24
     Schoolteacher (Japanese nonsmoker)
     Yes. It should be banned. Smoking is not only bad for the smoker's health, but also for nonsmokers
through passive smoking. In public people should think about others.
     Alex Wright, 23
     Teacher (American nonsmoker)
     I don't smoke. However, I don't really care if people smoke around me. Leave them alone. They have
the right, and let them be.
     Masako Imai, 24
     Phone engineer (Japanese smoker)
     I smoke but I think it should be banned. I really want to give up and I think that if everywhere became
nonsmoking, it would make it much easier for me to do so.
     Luke Collings, 35
     Musician (British smoker)
     I'm a smoker but am against others having to share my addiction. It's only a matter of time before society
wakes up and realizes how addictive and destructive nicotine is.
     Jenny Wilcox, 31
     Civil servant (British smoker)
     I smoke but I agree with a ban. It forces people, including me, to smoke less. I'm from London, and
although smokers were against the ban at first, it now feels totally normal.
     Chris Kennedy, 23
     Student (British nonsmoker)
     Walking pasta smoking area, like the one by Hachiko, feels and smells absolutely awful. At least if smokers
could smoke anywhere, then it would be spread out.

1. How many of the above smokers may now regret having picked up the bad habit?

A. All B. None.
C. Two.
D. Four.

2. Which of the four people are very tolerant of smoking?

A. Chris Kennedy
B. Luke Collings
C. Saki Kuroda
D. Alex Wright

3. The underlined word "Hachiko" in the last part probably refers to _____.

A. someone who dislikes smelly smokers
B. someone who smokes but agrees with a ban
C. a place near which there is an area for smokers
D. a legal smoking area which may spread out

     When farmers and wild animals share land, conflicts can be hard to prevent. 1._____ The FAO and other
groups are developing what they call the Human-Wildlife Confict, Mitigation (缓和) Toolkit-a collection of
advice and information that farmers in southern Africa have been testing. The main aim of the toolkit is to
provide low-cost methods to deal with wild animals without harming them.
     In Zambia and Mozambique, crocodiles are blamed for more deaths than any other animal. Nile crocodiles
kill an estimated three hundred people each year in Mozambique alone. 2._____ Besides, people should always
enter the water several at a time, in groups armed with weapons like sticks and stones, axes and spears.
     The toolkit also has ideas to control baboons. These large monkeys raid crops and they can kill sheep and
other livestock. One suggestion is to remove the center from a loaf of bread and hide a snake inside-a live one
if possible. Baboons have a fear of snakes, 3._____ A baboon frightened by a snake sandwich will probably
not come back.
     Another animal with a good memory-the elephant-often destroys field crops. The loss of their crops means
the loss of a family's food supply. 4._____ Famers can mix pepper powder with elephant waste and form
bricks. The idea is to burn these bricks around the edges of fields to keep elephants away. Farmers can also
grow fields of chili peppers. Another way to control elephants is with a plastic gun. It fires balls that burst and
release a chili liquid when they hit the elephant's skin. 5._____

A. You might also be able to stop an elephant by shining lights in their eyes.
B. But the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization is trying to help.
C. For example, some farmers in Kenya use donkeys to guard against lions.
D. And they also have very good memories.
E. Crocodile attacks are less likely in places that have not been overfished.
F. Strong fencing at watering points can offer protection.
G. Did you know elephants hate chili pepper?

     Let children learn to judge their work. 1_____ If corrected too much, he will stop talking. He notices a
thousand times a day the difference between the language he uses and the language those around him use.
Bit by bit, he makes the necessary changes to make his language like other people's. 2_____ They learn to
do without being taught to walk, run, climb, whistle, ride a bicycle, compare their own performances with
those of more skilled people, and slowly make the needed changes.
     But in school we never give a child a chance to find out his mistakes and correct them for himself. 3_____
we act as if we thought that he would never notice a mistake unless it was pointed out to him, or correct it
unless he was made to. Let him work out, with the help of other children if he wants it, what this word says,
what the answer is to that problem, whether this is a good way of saying or doing this or not.
     If it is a matter of right answer, as it may be in mathematics or science, give him the answer book. 4_____
Why should we teachers waste time on such routine work? 5_____ Let the children learn what all educated
people must some day learn, how to measure their own understanding, and how to know what they know or
do not know.

A. Children learn to do all the other things in the same way.
B. Let him correct his own papers.
C. Point out his mistakes.
D. We do it all for him.
E. We allow him to learn from other children.
F. A child learning to talk does not learn by being corrected all the time.
G. Our job should be to help the child when he tells us that he can't find the way to get the right answer.