One of the most popular items in the school newspaper is the advice column (专栏). Here are some of the questions asked and their answers.

Q: I’m always late for school. I try not to be late, but I can’t help it. Please advise me about what to do. Tommy.

A: You are probably late for school because you don’t really like school. My advice to you is to enjoy school more, and then you won’t be late so often.

Q: I find it difficult to make friends. What do you think I should do? Sara.

A: I can’t advise you until I know more about you. Your problem may be that you are shy. On the other hand, it may be the opposite. You may be bold(大胆的). Write and tell me more about yourself.

Q: I’m always at the bottom (末尾)of the class. What do you advise me to do? Molly.

A: I advise you to try to improve your grades in one subject at first. Next, try to improve your grades in another subject. If you do this, by the end of the year you should be quite a long way up from the bottom in all your subjects.

1.What is the main idea (主要意思) of this passage?

2.What is Tommy’s problem?

3.What does the adviser (建议者) want Sara to do?

4.What does Molly want to do?

5.By the end of the year, where should Molly be in all her subjects if she does as the adviser says?

 I _______ you if I find my uncle’s phone number.

A. tell       B. told       C. will tell     D. have told

I find           easy to learn English.

Ben Jones was walking home from school one day when he saw a black cat. It was walking across the street in front of him. Ben stopped, turned around, and walked down a different street to go home. Why did he do that?

“It’s unlucky when a black cat crosses the street in front of you,” says Ben, “I did not want to walk down that street!”

Many people think that some things bring bad luck or good luck. For example, some people think that 13 is an unlucky number. They never invite 13 people to a party.

“I never walk under a ladder(梯子),” says Ben. “And I never open an umbrella inside the house. They both bring bad luck.”

And what brings good luck? “We have a horseshoe over the front door of our house for good luck,” says Ben.

“And when I find a penny on the ground, I always pick it up. That brings me good luck all day!”

1.Why did Ben turn around when he saw the black cat crossing the street?

A. Because he thought it was unlucky.   

B. Because he disliked a black cat.

C. Because he was afraid of the cat.

2.In western countries, which number do some people think is unlucky?

A. 4       B. 10        C. 13

3.Which of the following things can bring people good luck?

A. Opening an umbrella inside the house.     

B.  Walking under a ladder.

C. Picking up a penny on the ground.

4.Where does Ben’s family have a horseshoe?

A. Over the front door.  

 B. Inside the house.  

 C. Under a ladder.

5.Which is the best title of the passage?

A. A black cat.           

B. Good luck and bad luck.

C. Good things can bring good luck.

假如你是林平，你的笔友Sally正在美国的一所学校学习汉语，她给你发了一个电子邮件。请根据其内容，给予回复。邮件的开头及结尾均已给出（不计入总词数）。

要求：1. 词数80左右。

2. 条理清楚，语意连贯，句式规范。

参考词汇： listening ability（能力）, spoken Chinese, radio, TV programs, video tapes

From:  Sally

To:    Lin Ping

Subject: Asking for help

Dear Lin Ping,

How are you getting on? Thanks for telling me something about your school life. I’m glad you’re doing well in your English study.

As you know, I began to learn Chinese 2 years ago. Now let me tell you something about my Chinese study. Though I can read and write a little Chinese, I’m still weak in listening and my spoken Chinese isn’t improving. I find it hard to talk with the people around in Chinese. Could you give me some advice? How I wish I could talk to you in Chinese one day!

Hope to hear from you soon.

Yours,

Sally

From: Lin Ping

To:   Sally

Subject: Re: Asking for help

Dear Sally,

Glad to hear from you. You say you have some problems in learning Chinese. Don’t worry. __________________________________________________________

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I hope you will make great progress in your Chinese study. Good luck!

Yours,

Lin Ping