Life is like the four seasons. Now I am very old, but when I was young, it was the spring of my life.
I played a lot, and then I started school. I learned many new things. Like a flower, I grew bigger every day.
There were happy days and sad days, some days the sun shone, and some days it didn't. In my twenties, I
had a good job. I was strong and happy. Then I married and had a child. In those days I didn't have much
time to think or to play. Every day I was busy and worked hard. I started to get some white hair. The
summer of my life passed quickly.
     Then the days got shorter. Leaves fell from the trees. My child was a university student and then an
engineer. My home was much quieter. I started walking more slowly. One day I stopped working, I retired.
I had more time. I understood this was my autumn, a beautiful time when the trees change color and give us
delicious fruits.  
     But the days kept getting shorter and colder. Winter has come. I am older and weaker. I know I do not
have many days left, but I will enjoy them to the end.

1. What does the writer think his life is like?

A. spring
B. summer
C. autumn
D. four seasons

2. The writer was very busy in the _______ of his life.

A. spring
B. summer
C. autumn
D. winter

3. According to the passage, which of the following ages is during the autumn of his life?

A. 15
B. 33
C. 62
D. 87

4. The best title of the passage can be _______.

A. Four Seasons.
B. Four Seasons in My Life.
C. Four Season In a Year
D. My Life

     Cold air. Snow. Shorter days. We are in winter now.
     Winter is the coldest season of the year. It comes between autumn and spring. For us, the winter
months are usually November, December and January. But that is only because we live in the northern
part of the Earth.
     In China, winter is the time between the beginning of winter, and the beginning of spring. But, this
is the time that the southern part of the Earth, has its summer. Imagine when we are playing with snow,
Australian kids are enjoying ice cream!
     Winter isn't always gray. It can also be bright. Here's how.
     Put on a holiday play and try acting. Ask your cousins or classmates to come to your house and make
beautiful clothes and write a play. Act it out for your family.
     Play around. Go outside and enjoy yourself. Make a snowman with your friends.
     If you really have to stay indoors, give your room a clean and decorate (装饰) it. You'll find it a lot
of fun.

1. What does this passage mainly talk bout?

A. The winter season and fun winter activities.
B. Ways to decorate houses.
C. The difference between China and Australia.
D. The colours linked to winter.

2. Why are Australian kids eating ice cream when it's winter in China?

A. Because they are crazy about ice cream.
B. Because winter in Australia is not as cold as that in China.
C. Because it's summer in Australia when it's winter in China.
D. Because they don't have much to do in winter.

3. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

A. The northern and southern parts of the Earth have different winter months.
B. Winter can be fun if you find interesting things to do.
C. The writer thinks it's great fun to clean your house and decorate it.
D. Australian kids enjoy having ice cream on winter days.

从短文中选出一种你喜欢的活动，并说明原因。 
     I think it will be great fun to 4. ____ this winter because I like to 5. ____. Also, it is 6.____ and it can
7.____. I'll try it out soon. 
Find words from the passage to fill in the blanks:
     In China, the winter months are usually November, December and 8.____. But it's different in Australia.
The winter in China is 9.____ in Australia because it is in the 10.____ part of the Earth.
     Winter is not always 11.___. You can have lots of fun. Try 12.____ a play and acting it out with your
cousins or friends. Or you can play 13.____ outside and make a 14.____. If you have to stay 15.____, clean
up your house and 16.____ it with fun pieces.
     Just enjoy winter!

      It's two weeks before Christmas in England and Mrs Smith is very busy. She buys a lot of Christmas
cards to send her friends and to her husband's friends. She puts them on the table in the room. Then, when
her husband comes home from work, she says to him,"These are the Christmas cards for your friends.
Could you please write the cards and I cook supper?"
      Mr Smith doesn't say anything and walks into his study room, after a while, he comes with a box full
of Christmas cards. He puts them on the table and says, "They are from last year. I forgot to send them."

1. Which season is it now?

A. spring
B. summer
C. autumn
D. winter

2. What does Mrs Smith buy before Christmas?