Which musical instrument shall I learn?

Many people would like to learn how to play a musical instrument, but they are put off by one big problem：What to play? Here are a few questions to help you decide.

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    Many instruments are of different use，but some are more fit for certain types of music. Some instruments may lead themselves better than others to the music you like, so consider this before you start.    Do you want to play with other people?

Think about your long-term future as a musician. If you want to play with other people, what sort of instrument would be most practical? Your first thought of playing the violin, for example, might disappear when too many people are competing with you！

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Many people live in flats and practicing the drums, for example, will drive your neighbors crazy. Think about where and when you are going to practice, as well as the feelings oI the people you live with or near.

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This is quite a big factor. Many instruments can be bought at different prices. But this doesn't change the fact that many, such as the piano, are always pretty expensive. If you can't afford your chosen instrument，will you be able to borrow someone else's or hire one?

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Talk to people you know who already play instruments. They might even let you try theirs. It's also a good idea to find an experienced music teacher, preferably one who plays a few different instruments, who can give you some advice and push you in the right direction.

AStill not sure?

BWhere are you going to practice?

CHow much money can you spend?

DAre you weak or strong?

EWhat king of music do you like?A

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}  Do you like music? Why or why not?（不少于5个单词）

B

Venus is close to Earth．It is the second planet from the Sun．Earth is the third planet from the Sun．Venus is similar to Earth in size and mass (质量).It is often described as Earth's“sister”.

    Scientists have been learning about Venus for a long time．First they looked at Venus through telescopes(望远镜)．But Venus is covered with thick(厚的)clouds．Scientists could not see Venus well through the clouds．So they made guesses about it．

    For a long time, scientists thought that Venus had water and plants．They thought Venus might have animals，too．But they didn't know for sure．

    Then scientists found a way to learn more about Venus．In the 1960s，they began sending probes (航天探测器) to Venus．The probes flew through the thick clouds．They took pictures of Venus up close．They found out many things ,too．The probes sent the pictures and things they found out back to the scientists．

    The scientists learned a lot from the probes．First they learned that most of their guesses were not right．And they learned that Venus is very hot．

    After that，scientists knew they could not send people to Venus．But they still wanted to know more about it．So they sent new probes．These new probes took great pictures of the planet．The pictures showed that Venus has plains(平原)and mountains! And in some ways，Venus looks like Earth．

①Charles works in the city center and wants to take up a sport that he can often do during his lunch break. He enjoys a game in which he can play with his workmate on the desk to relax. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} 

②Isabel, aged 17, is a Chinese girl who studies in the US now. She never misses any matches played by Houston Rockets. She hopes to follow in Yao Ming's steps. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} 

③Alex likes water sports very much. He is good at showing different styles, such as butterflies, frogs and so on. Believe it or not, he can dive under water for 2. 5 minutes. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

④Tara comes from America. Now she teaches English in a middle school in Beijing. In her free time, she would like to go in for a traditional sport so that she can learn more about China. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} 

⑤Toby is a student in charge of PE lesson in Riverside Middle School. These days he is training hard for the coming sports meeting. He wants very much to break the school record of 175cm. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} 

A.           B.           

C.            D.           E.

    A girl named Mary was killed at around 6：20 p. m. on a rainy day. Somebody found her on a street and called the police. The next day, the police got four suspects(犯罪嫌疑人). The police asked them the same question, "What were you doing at around 6：20 p. m. yesterday？"

Information Card

    Have you ever seen a robin(知更鸟)? Robins have dark heads and red chests.

    A good place to see robins is in your own backyard. Robins don't mind being around people. You may also see robins on lawns(草坪) or in parks. They are looking for worms and bugs to eat.

    Early in spring, robins build their nests(巢). They build them in trees. Robins hide the nests in trees so that they will be safe.

    The nests are made of grass, sticks, and mud. The mud makes everything together. The mother robin lays(产蛋) one egg a day for three or four days. She sits on them to keep them warm. The eggs are blue. After the babies come out, both the mother and father feed the babies. The young birds have spots on their chests.