Baseball is America's national sport. So it is not unusual that many popular expressions come from
baseball. But first, let me explain a little about the game.
    Each baseball team has nine players. The pitcher of one team throws the ball to a batter from the
other team. The batter attempts to hit the ball. If he misses, it is called a strike. If a batter gets three
strikes, he loses his turn at bat and is called out. The batter also is out if he hits the ball in the air and
an opposing player catches it. But if the batter hits the ball and it is not caught, the batter tries to run
to one or more of the four bases on the field. The batter can run to all four bases if he hits the ball
over the fence or out of the ballpark. Such a hit is called a homerun.
    Now, here are some common expressions from baseball. Someone who is "in the ball" is intelligent
and able to do a good job. But a person who "threw a curve ball" did something unexpected. Someone
who "steps up to the plate" is ready to do his or her job. A "pinch hitter" takes the place of someone
else at a job or activity.
    Sometimes I have to give information quickly, without time to think it over. Then I would say
something "right off the bat." If someone is doing an extremely good job and is very successful, you
might say he or she is"batting one thousand."
    If I say I want to "touch base" with you, I will talk to you from time to time about something we
plan to do. I might say I"touched all the bases" if I did what is necessary to complete a job or activity.
And if I "covered my bases" I was well prepared. However, someone who is "way off base" did
something wrong or maybe even dishonest or immoral. A person with strange ideas might be described
as "out in left field." Finally, when a situation changes completely, we say "that is a whole new ballgame."

1. The writer's purpose is ____.

A. to explain the rules of a sport game-baseball
B. to tell you more about America's national sports
C. to introduce some useful expressions from baseball
D. to show the connection between expressions and sports

2. The underlined sentence "The batter also is out" means ____.

A. the batter will run to one of the four bases
B. the batter will not continue the game
C. the match will be over immediately
D. the batter will change his position

3. Which of the following expressions means that someone is able to do a good job?

A. to be on the ball
B. to step up the plate
C. to throw a curve ball
D. to touch all the bases

     Baseball is America's national sport. So it is not unusual that many popular expressions come from baseball.
But first, let me explain a little about the game.
     Each baseball team has nine players. The pitcher of one team throws the ball to a batter from the other team.
The batter attempts to hit the ball. If he misses, it is called a strike. If a batter gets three strikes, he loses his
turn at bat and is called out. The batter also is out if he hits the ball in the air and an opposing player catches it.
But if the batter hits the ball and it is not caught, the batter tries to run to one or more of the four bases on the
field. The batter can run to all four bases if he hits the ball over the fence or out of the ballpark. Such a hit is
called a homerun.
     Now, here are some common expressions from baseball. Someone who is "on the ball" is intelligent and able
to do a good job. But a person who "threw a curve ball" did something unexpected. Someone who "steps up to
the plate" is ready to do his or her job. A "pinch hitter" takes the place of someone else at a job or activity.
     Sometimes I have to give information quickly, without time to think it over. Then I would say something
"right off the bat". If someone is doing an extremely good job and is very successful,you might say he or she is
"batting one thousand."
     If I say I want to "touch base" with you, I will talk to you from time to time about something we plan to do.
I might say I "touched all the bases" if I did what is necessa- ry to complete a job or activity. And if I "covered
my bases" I was well prepared. However,someone who is "way off base" did something wrong or maybe even
dishonest or immoral. A person with strange ideas might be described as "out in left field".
     Finally, when a situation changes completely, we say "that is a whole new ballgame."

1. The writer's purpose is _____.

A. to explain the rules of a sport game-baseball
B. to tell you more about America's national sports
C. to introduce some useful expressions from baseball
D. to show the connection between expressions and sports

2. The underlined sentence "The batter also is out" means _____.

A. the batter will run to one of the four bases
B. the batter will not continue the game
C. the match will be over immediately
D. the batter will change his position

3. Which of the following expressions means that someone is able to do a good job?

A. To be on the ball.
B. To step up the plate.
C. To throw a curve ball.
D. To touch all the bases.

1.When did the new rules come out?

A.In April.      
B.In March.       
C.In June.        
D.In May.

2.Why should kids be open to new ideas?

A.Because new ideas make life better for everyone.
B.Everyone's ideas are important.
C.Try to think of others,not only yourself.
D.Maybe discover Earth Ⅱ someday.

3.If you are top students,you shouldn't __________ from this article.

A.have high marks    
B.use the Internet
C.dye your hair    
D.love animals

4.What should kids do when they use the Internet?

A.Play computer games for a long time.
B.Try to look at web pages that are good for kids.
C.Talk with people we don't know on computer.
D.Watch unhealthy(不健康的)movies on computer.

5.The article tells us how to __________.

A.be top students    
B.do more at school
C.tell the truth    
D.use the Internet

     New rules and behavior standards (行为规范) for middle school students came out (颁布) in March.
Middle schools are going to use a new way to decide who the top students are. The best students won't only
have high marks. The following are some of the new rules.?
     Tell the truth. Have you ever cheated (作弊) in an exam? Don't do it again! That's not something honest
students should do.
     Do more at school. Good students love animals and care for other people. April is Bird Loving Month in
China. Is your school doing anything to celebrate it? You should join! In that way, you can learn more about
animals and how to protect them.?
     Be open to new ideas. Have you ever thought people could live on the moon? Maybe you'll find another
earth in space in the future. Everyone's new ideas are important.
     Protect yourself. Has a thief ever taken money from one of your classmates? Don't let it happen to you.
If you have to go back home late, you should let your parents know.
     Use the Internet carefully. The Internet can be very useful for your study. But some things on the Internet
aren't for kids, so try to look at the good web pages. You can use the web pages for fun or homework.?

1. When did the new rules and behavior standards for middle school students come out?
    _________________________________________________________________________.
2. What should the best students do in an exam? ?
    _________________________________________________________________________.
3. What should you do if you have to go back home late?
    _________________________________________________________________________.
4. What can the children use the good web pages for? ?
    _________________________________________________________________________.
5. What is the right attitude (态度) to new ideas?
    _________________________________________________________________________.