Shopping green can make an important contribution to protecting the planet and conserving its resources.

Today’s consumer faces a wider range of choices than ever before, Add to that the steady stream of sales campaigns, and shopping smart only gets harder. To buy economically and reduce waste, safeguard health and protect the environment, you’ll need to follow some basic principles and have a clear idea of what you want.

1. Do Your Homework

Before making any major purchase, take the time to research it. Plentiful resources are usually available online. Avoid buying in a hurry, and don’t be persuaded by overenthusiastic salespeople. Sleep on it if necessary—you won’t regret giving yourself some extra time to think.

2. Take the Long View

Consider the running costs as well as the initial price of any item you buy. Many environmentally friendly products cost more to buy, but save you money in the long run. Choose items that are made to last. For example, pick a sofa that has a hardwood or steel frame rather than one made of softwood, which may break easily.

3. Skip the Disposable Option

Buy reusable products like washable cloth towels, handkerchiefs, serviettes（餐巾）and cleaning cloths rather than paper, single-use varieties. Avoid other disposable supplies like cups, glasses, and chopsticks, too.

4. Take the Local Route

Buy local products that are in season. It’s usually cheaper and fresher and has less harm to the environment. Markets and roadside stands are good sources. Some supermarkets also buy from local producers. Support it if you have one.

5. Avoid Wasteful Packaging

Better not buy products that have too much packaging. It’s estimated that approximately 10 percent of every shopping bill is actually paying for packaging—which you normally just throw away! Moreover, significant amounts of energy are used in the production of packaging. Purchasing refillable and renewable containers can also help cut this kind of waste.

1.What could be the best title for this passage?

A. Protection of the Planet

B. Green Shopping Principles

C. Environmentally Friendly Products

D. Resource Conservation

2.The underlined phrase “sleep on it” has the similar meaning with       .

A. think it over                                     B. forget about it

C. set it aside                                              D. put it into action

3.Why does the author advise us to buy lasting products?

A. Because they are less expensive to buy.

B. Because they save money in the long run.

C. Because they will never break.

D. Because they are local products.

4.Which of the following can be considered green shopping?

A. Following the stream of sales campaigns.      

B. Buying disposable chopsticks.

C. Focusing on packaging.

D. Purchasing from local markets.

Success starts within our mind. Now, we will discuss four steps to change our lives and create a new future.

   ■ 1. Think big. Get rid of negative(负面的)beliefs.

     Your beliefs have developed from what happened to you in the past. You should realize that the past is not equal to the future, unless you really live there. The first thing you need to do is to drive all the negative beliefs away from your mind. Those beliefs are not useful for creating a new future. Think that everything is possible if you put enough effort in it. When you change your beliefs into positive ones, you will feel more powerful. You will then be able to move on to the next level.

   ■ 2. Write your plan to achieve your goals.

     Your great goals should be divided into smaller goals. Make a timetable for each goal so that you can measure your progress. Write a detailed plan to achieve these goals.

   ■ 3.Take action according to your plan.

     Nothing bears fruit without action. Every successful person has to work hard towards his or her goals. There is no exception(例外). Be prepared to work according to your plan. Be willing to invest (投资) in the resources necessary for your progress. Do not give up.

   ■ 4. Review what you have done and know how good you are.

     While you are in the process of your work, take some time to review how well you have done. Review your progress based on your plan and see if you need to change anything. You can change your methods but you should not change your goals.

1. Why should we get rid of our negative beliefs?

A．They come from our past experiences.       B．The past and the future are different. C．They will stop us from starting a new future.              D．We should learn some useful things.

2. According to the second step, to achieve your big goals, you should _________.

A．change your methods                    B．make full use of every minute   C．divide them into smaller ones and achieve them one by one to time     D．measure your progress from time

3.Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．During your work, be prepared to change everything.               B．If you feel your goal difficult, you’d better give it up.                    C．Considering changing the ways you achieve goals is useful. D．Reviewing is more important than setting goals.

4. Which of the following has the same meaning as "Nothing bears fruit without action."?

A．No pain, no gain.    B．Better early than late. C．He laughs last who laughs best.  D．Nothing succeeds like success.

5.What’s the best title for the passage?

A．How to Live a Happy Life                  B．Ways to Create Your New Future C．How to Change Yourself   D．Nothing Bears Fruit Without Action

Success starts within our mind. Now, we will discuss four steps to change our lives and create a new future.
   ■ 1. Think big. Get rid of negative(负面的)beliefs.
     Your beliefs have developed from what happened to you in the past. You should realize that the past is not equal to the future, unless you really live there. The first thing you need to do is to drive all the negative beliefs away from your mind. Those beliefs are not useful for creating a new future. Think that everything is possible if you put enough effort in it. When you change your beliefs into positive ones, you will feel more powerful. You will then be able to move on to the next level.
   ■ 2. Write your plan to achieve your goals.
     Your great goals should be divided into smaller goals. Make a timetable for each goal so that you can measure your progress. Write a detailed plan to achieve these goals.
   ■ 3.Take action according to your plan.
     Nothing bears fruit without action. Every successful person has to work hard towards his or her goals. There is no exception(例外). Be prepared to work according to your plan. Be willing to invest (投资) in the resources necessary for your progress. Do not give up.
   ■ 4. Review what you have done and know how good you are.
     While you are in the process of your work, take some time to review how well you have done. Review your progress based on your plan and see if you need to change anything. You can change your methods but you should not change your goals

1. 1.

   Why should we get rid of our negative beliefs?

   1. A.
      They come from our past experiences
   2. B.
      The past and the future are different
   3. C.
      They will stop us from starting a new future
   4. D.
      We should learn some useful things
2. 2.

   According to the second step, to achieve your big goals, you should ______.

   1. A.
      change your methods
   2. B.
      make full use of every minute
   3. C.
      divide them into smaller ones and achieve them one by one to time
   4. D.
      measure your progress from time
3. 3.

   Which of the following statements is TRUE?

   1. A.
      During your work, be prepared to change everything
   2. B.
      If you feel your goal difficult, you’d better give it up
   3. C.
      Considering changing the ways you achieve goals is useful
   4. D.
      Reviewing is more important than setting goals
4. 4.

   Which of the following has the same meaning as "Nothing bears fruit without action."?

   1. A.
      No pain, no gain
   2. B.
      Better early than late
   3. C.
      He laughs last who laughs best
   4. D.
      Nothing succeeds like success
5. 5.

   What’s the best title for the passage?

   1. A.
      How to Live a Happy Life
   2. B.
      Ways to Create Your New Future
   3. C.
      How to Change Yourself
   4. D.
      Nothing Bears Fruit Without Action

Parents are important elements in the children’s educational progress. They are capable of being good resources not just for children, but also for schools and teachers.

Parents can help children realize the value of education through their love and support, and most importantly, their encouragement plays an important role in educational success. So parents can be more involved in children’s classroom activities. For example, parents can help out with teaching arts and crafts（工艺美术）to preschoolers and children in grades 1-3. Asking parents to show the children their own talents and impart（传授）the knowledge on the subject they love is a good way to involve the parents in their children’s education. And as a teacher, having someone on call to help you with the cutting and gluing（粘）during a craft class will ensure a less daunting（使人畏缩的）job.

Having parent volunteers around when organizing activities for children is definitely an advantage. Organizing field trips, outings, community services, camps, etc., can be a daunting task when you are the only member responsible for catering to the needs of a large group of children. At such times, asking parent volunteers to help out with the basic requirements makes perfect sense. You can even ask them to stay together with students on camping and field trips or help with community services. And activities which allow them to mix freely with the children will help them understand the needs of the children better.

Asking parent volunteers to keep records of classroom activities, the resources used, etc., is a good way of making good use of them. Ask them to help out with restocking（补充）the materials needed for arts and crafts. You can even ask them to help tune musical instruments, organize the library and the children’s artwork. Make sure that they are comfortable doing the work assigned（布置）to them, after all, you would not want to offend（冒犯）their feelings.

 School is considered as a second home, and there is a constant need to conduct research or surveys to find out whether the children are comfortable in school and what they think of it. A better way to do this is to employ parent volunteers to complete the task. Ultimately（最重要地）, the goal of research or surveys is to make the school environment-friendly and home-like. Thus, it makes sense to conduct research or surveys with the help of parent volunteers.

It goes without saying that you ought to thank the parent volunteers for all their help. To conclude, I agree with the saying,“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”