“What is success?” Mr Gruber asked his 6^th grade business class. It was his opening conversation for the first class of the term.

“Success is riding in a sweet car, watching an 80-inch TV, and living in a place with at least twelve rooms.” One student answered, earning laughs from all the students.

Mr Gruber smiled, but shook his head. “Tom, that is excess(过量). That is not success.”

“How about being able to provide for your family?” A blonde girl named Sandy in the front suggested as an answer.

“Now we’re getting closer,” Mr Gruber smiled, “but try thinking about what you need and what you want.”

“Getting everything you want.” Tom shouted out an answer again, trying for more laughs.

Mr Gruber sighed. “ I believe we’ve already talked about excess versus(与…比较) success.”

“Getting everything you need, but some of what you want?” James, sitting in the back wondered aloud.

“Quite right!” Mr Gruber clapped. “Success is getting everything you need and some of what you want. The more you get that you want, the more successful you are. You do reach a point where you are living in excess, though.”

“What does this have to do with business?” Tom asked. It seemed if it wasn’t funny, he wasn’t happy.

“Well, Tom, think of it this way: the point of business is to make a living to support your family. Once you have properly seen to (确保) their needs, you can then see to getting the extras that you want.”

“What if I don’t have a family?” he continued to be difficult.

“Then you have to provide for yourself, a family of one.”

“He has goldfish to think about!” Peter, Tom’s friend, shouted out.

“Then he needs to provide for a family of one with a fishbowl.” Mr. Gruber corrected himself.

Tom nodded, satisfied with that answer.

“So in the next nine weeks, we’re going to study basic business situations, like having a checking account and understanding credit cards.”

Tom rubbed his hands together excitedly. “When do we get to start spending?”

“You already are, Tom. You’re spending time with us!” Mr. Gruber laughed. “Now, let’s see what you guys know about credit cards…”

1.What class did Mr Gruber teach?

A．History           B．Science           C．Maths            D．Business

2.Which student didn’t seem to be taking the class seriously?

A．Tom              B．James            C．Peter             D．Sandy

3.How did Mr Gruber make his class lively and interesting?

A．He himself kept talking’

B．He just read from a textbook.

C．He showed a movie to his students.

D．He got his students to take part in a discussion.

4.What do you think of Mr Gruber according to the passage?

A．Strange           B．Patient            C．Shy              D．Proud

5.What can be the best title of this passage?

A．Get What You Want                      B．Needs and Wants

C．Try to Get More Money                   D．How to Live Well

 

Millie and Simon find a youth worker's website. There are some e-mails from teenagers all over the world. Read four of the e-mails.

　　Hi, my name is Joanna. I live with my family in a small town. My parents are very strict. They disagree on everything I do. For example, when I talk on the phone, they always tell me to stop. I like talking on the phone because I am not allowed to go out with friends. It is my only chance to communicate with people. I talk on the phone in my free time. What is wrong with that? I only talk to my best friends. The caller's number is displayed on the phone so my parents can always tell who is calling me. Why do they still not let me talk to my friends on the phone?

　　My name is Irene. I like looking up information on the Internet but my parents say I should concentrate more on schoolwork. I am stressed. They say learning is good. Why should I only learn from books? I can learn from the internet as well. They say time is valuable but they watch TV all the time. I do not want to give up my Internet time. What should I tell my parents? Please give me some advice.

　　This is Tom. How can I keep a balance between friendship and schoolwork? My family moved to this city two years ago. I didn't have a friend here. My parents always tell me to study hard so I can improve my English and Maths. I know it is important to get good marks but I want to have a colourful life, too. Every day, I spend many hours studying I achieve good marks but I still have no friends. I need help!

　　I am May. Please tell me what I should do. My parents control my life! They tell me what to do, what to wear, when to eat, when to sleep and many other things. I am 15 but they think I am still a baby. They never let me go out with my friends. They do not let me watch TV except the news. What should I do?

Millie is trying to think of the lives of the four teenagers. Look at their pictures on the website. Write the names of the teenagers in the blanks.

　　Millie and Simon find a youth worker's website. There are some e-mails from teenagers all over the world. Read four of the e-mails.

　　Hi, my name is Joanna. I live with my family in a small town. My parents are very strict. They disagree on everything I do. For example, when I talk on the phone, they always tell me to stop. I like talking on the phone because I am not allowed to go out with friends. It is my only chance to communicate with people. I talk on the phone in my free time. What is wrong with that? I only talk to my best friends. The caller's number is displayed on the phone so my parents can always tell who is calling me. Why do they still not let me talk to my friends on the phone?

　　My name is Irene. I like looking up information on the Internet but my parents say I should concentrate more on schoolwork. I am stressed. They say learning is good. Why should I only learn from books? I can learn from the internet as well. They say time is valuable but they watch TV all the time. I do not want to give up my Internet time. What should I tell my parents? Please give me some advice.

　　This is Tom. How can I keep a balance between friendship and schoolwork? My family moved to this city two years ago. I didn't have a friend here. My parents always tell me to study hard so I can improve my English and Maths. I know it is important to get good marks but I want to have a colourful life, too. Every day, I spend many hours studying I achieve good marks but I still have no friends. I need help!

　　I am May. Please tell me what I should do. My parents control my life! They tell me what to do, what to wear, when to eat, when to sleep and many other things. I am 15 but they think I am still a baby. They never let me go out with my friends. They do not let me watch TV except the news. What should I do?

Mille is telling her mother the problems of the four teenagers. Her mother is cooking so she misses some information. Help Mille answer her mother's questions. Choose the correct answers.

1 Mrs Wang: How do Joanna's parents know who is calling?

Millie:…

A. Her parents will take messages for her.

B. The caller's number is displayed on the phone.

C. Joanna tells her parents.

2 Mrs Wang: What does Irene like doing on the Internet?

Millie:…

A. She likes chatting.

B. She likes listening to music.

C. She likes looking up information.

3 Mrs Wang: Why is Tom studying so hard?

Millie:…

A. He wants to improve his English and Chinese.

B. He wants to improve his English and Maths.

C. He wants to find a good job.

4 Mrs Wang: How old is May?

Millie:…

A. She is 13 years old.

B. She is 14 years old.

C. She is 15 years old.