C

    In England, people often talk about the weather because they can experience (经历) four seasons in one day. In the morning the weather is warm just like in spring. An hour later black clouds come and then it rains hard. The weather gets a little cold. In the late afternoon the sky will be sunny, the sun will begin to shine, and it will be like in summer at this time of a day.

    In England, people can also have summer in winter, or have winter in summer. So in winter they can swim sometimes, and in summer sometimes they should take warm clothes.

    When you go to England, you will see that some English people usually take an umbrella (伞) or a raincoat with them on a sunny morning, but you should not laugh at them. If you don't take an umbrella or a raincoat, you will probably regret (后悔).

The Vine That Ate the South

    Kudzu is a fast-growing vine (蔓生植物) that covers a large area in the southern United States. It is so common that one might think it is a native plant, but it is not. Kudzu was brought to the United States from Japan in 1876. Many Americans thought it was beautiful, and they began to plant it. They didn't know it could grow up to a foot a day during the summer months. Nor did they know it would grow up and over anything in its path (路径).

    In Japan, kudzu experienced cold winters and a short growing season. But in the United States, it has a very long growing season with warm and wet southern weather. It is fine weather for the vine to grow fast.

    In the 1920s, people used the vine to feed farm animals. Ten years later, the government supported to plant kudzu because it kept soil (土壤) from washing away. However, by the 1950s, the government no longer wanted people to plant the vine. Twenty years after that, the government said it was a harmful plant.

    The vine grows up trees and buildings, making some beautiful shapes. However, trees die after kudzu covers them because they cannot get enough light. Scientists are looking for ways to kill the vine. They used poisons (毒药)to kill the vine. However, some of the poisons made it grow even better. Scientists also find it difficult to dig up Kudzu. The plant is really tough.

    Because kudzu is so hard to kill, some people are making the best of it. So they try to find different uses for the vine. They find the vine can be used to make paper and baskets, it can be used to feed the goats, and it can even be eaten by people. Scientists are studying it in the hope that the vine can be used as a medicine. At the very least, kudzu serves as an example of the unexpected results that can come from non-native plants.

Choosing a job isn't always easy, but there are still some tips that can help you make up your mind.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Sometimes adults may want you to become a doctor, or work in banking, or be a teacher. Listen to them, but remember it's your life and it's your decision. So be sure that you are the one who makes that decision.

Consider what you are good at. 

It's true that things like salary are important, but don't let them lead you down the wrong path. Follow your heart and your personality. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}If you don't like work which needs lots of attention to detail, think long and hard before you decide to do something like applying to study engineering at university.

Your first decision isn't forever.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}They start a job, love it straight away and stick at it. But it isn't always like that. So remember that you are allowed to change your mind. It's not necessary to worry for years. Maybe your first job doesn't turn out to be suitable for you. Maybe the right job for you is right around the corner!

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

Some people choose their jobs simply because they think they'll make huge amounts of money. OK, if that is what you want. But people usually get more satisfaction out of their jobs if they feel they are doing something valuable for others. It doesn't have to be charity work. It could be a job that helps other people in the community.

Just don't forget that job satisfaction isn't only about money.

Which of the above tips do you agree with most? Why? (20词以内) {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

When Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu (712-770) wrote this poem, he was living in Chengdu. Sometimes he went to farm in the field. The poem shows his care for farmers.

The very first word, "good", shows the poet's joy and love for the spring rain. The rain is good indeed, as it "knows" the right time to come. Here the poet uses personification (拟人), as if the rain were smart enough to know that it should come in time for the farmer's busy plowing (农耕) season.

When the rain comes, it appears during the night. Unlike the thunder (雷) and lightning of summer storms, the quiet spring rain makes its contributions (贡献) without being known.

In the night sky, the clouds look dark and heavy, showing that there will be enough rain during the night. Then the poet imagines: tomorrow morning, all of the flowers in the city will bloom (盛开) after the rain.

Food is an important part of everyone's life, but it can become a problem when it's all you think about. If you are trying to make a change in your diet, you may be fighting against continuous thoughts about food that you are hungering for. To keep food off your mind, follow the following tips and start a healthy relationship with food.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Sometimes your body gets some wrong message and tells you that you're hungry when you really just need some water. Keep a water bottle with you during the day and drink water very often. If you start to think about food, drink some water to see if it makes you not feel hungry anymore.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

If you buy things like cookies, chips, and soda, you're probably going to think about them while they are sitting in your kitchen. Avoid the temptation by only buying healthy foods. Create a shopping list before you go shopping and stick to it as much as you can. Never go to the food store while you are hungry. This can cause you to buy unhealthy food that you are hungering for.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

If you're starting to think about food, try getting up and going for a ride a run, or even a round of soccer with your friends. Exercise is a great way to keep your mind and body occupied while meeting your fitness goals. Try to find a physical activity that you like doing so that you look forward to it. Hiking, rock climbing, weight training, and swimming are all great activities to get your body moving.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

If you're just sitting in your home, you are more likely to think about all the food that is in your kitchen. Go for a walk around the block, run some errands. or head to a movie to keep your mind off food. If you have a pet,take them for a short walk around your neighborhood as a excuse to get out of the house.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

Sometimes your brain may still be focused on food. Try keeping a diary to write in whenever you feel like food is on your mind. Write down what you did that day, how you are feeling, and what your goals are. Get creative with your diary by adding pictures or stickers as decoration. Use a pocket-sized diary to keep with you whenever you might need it.

A. Get yourself out of the house.

B. Add healthy fats to your diet.

C. Keep junk food out of the house.

D. Do a fun physical activity that you enjoy.

E. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated (补水).

F. Write in a diary to keep a record of your thoughts.

Running is good for you.

 Every day in newspapers and magazines there are articles telling us we should exercise more. And scientists now say that running is one of the best ways to keep fit. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Some say it can even make you live longer. 

Get started!

{#blank#}2{#/blank#} You don't need to buy special clothes but you should get a good pair of trainers. And remember - you should always buy trainers for running one size larger than your usual shoes. 

Make each day different!

 Some people find running boring, so go cycling or swimming instead sometimes. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It's very important to rest two or three times a week. You should eat well and drink lots of water but you can still have nice things like chocolate sometimes. Do some leg and stomach exercises, because this helps you run better. 

Enter a race!

 If you're a beginner, there are lots of ways to make exercise fun. You can join a group or you can exercise with a friend. Another idea is to enter a race. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

What else can you do to make exercise fun? {#blank#}5{#/blank#}