I used to be a thin little kid who was always the shortest and sickest in my class. I wasn't very athletically involved during my childhood.

    When I entered middle school, a lot of my friends were signing up for the school's sports teams. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}On the first day of tryouts(选拔赛) for the soccer team, the coach told us to run laps for warm-up. As I struggled to keep up with the team, I found myself falling farther behind until I was the last one to finish. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    I was disappointed, but at the same time, I knew I had to do something about my health and fitness. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} People thought I was crazy because I ran a slow 11-mintue mile in the gym class, but I was determined to get into shape and improve my mile time.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It was a lot of running for me, but I kept on practicing day after day. As the seasons progressed, I found that I could run longer and faster.

    Eighth grade soon rolled around and I was feeling really confident about trying out for another sports meet. Instead of attempting soccer a second time, I decided to give field hockey a try. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} This time, I was well prepared. After a week of tryouts, I was ecstatic (狂喜的) to see that my name made it on the list.

    I was inspired, and I learned an important lesson: Once you do get into shape, don't stop or give up!

A. Again, the coach instructed us to run a lot of laps.

B. After tryouts were over, my name never made it on the list.

C. I made a big decision to sign up for the track and field team.

D. Being in shape helped me feel energetic, flexible, and strong.

E. Fortunately, I wasn't the only slow runner trying to get into shape.

F. The first day of practice was one of the hardest workouts I've ever had.

G. One of my friends convinced me to try out for the soccer team with her and I agreed.

Money Matters

    Parents should help their children understand money. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} So you may start talking about money when your child shows an interest in buying things, candy or toys, for example.

    1 The basic function of money

    Begin explaining the basic function of money by showing how people trade money for goods or services. It is important to show your child how money is traded for the things he wants to have. If he wants to have a toy, give him the money and let him hand the money to the cashier(收银员). {#blank#}2{#/blank#} When your child grows a bit older and understands the basic function of money, you can start explaining more complex ways of using money.

    2 Money lessons

    Approach money lessons with openness and honesty. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you must say no to a child's request to spend money, explain, — You have enough toy trucks for now. Or, if the request is for many different things, say, — You have to make a choice between this toy and that toy.

    3 {#blank#}4{#/blank#} 

    Begin at the grocery store. Pick out two similar brands of a product — a name-brand butter and a generic (无商标产品), for example. You can show your child how to make choices between different brands of a product so that you can save money. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If he chooses the cheaper brand, allow him to make another purchase with the money saved. Later, you may explain how the more expensive choice leaves less money for other purchases.

A. Wise decisions.

B. The value of money.

C. Permit the child to choose between them.

D. Tell your child why he can — or cannot — have certain things.

E. Ask yourself what things that cost money are most important to you

F. Talk about how the money bought the thing after you leave the toy store.

G. The best time to teach a child anything about money is when he shows an interest.

    While you are travelling abroad，cultural mistakes are more serious than linguistic mistakes，which can lead to serious misunderstanding and even ill—feeling between individuals．{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Touching Someone{#blank#}2{#/blank#}In Mediterranean countries，if you don't touch someone's arm when talking to them or if you don't greet them with kisses or a warm hug，you'll be considered cold．But backslap(拍背)someone who isn't a family member or a good friend in Korea，and you'll make them uncomfortable．In Thailand，the head is considered sacred—never even pat a child on the head．

Talking Over Dinner

    In some countries，like China，Japan and some African nations，the food's the thing，so don't start chatting about your day's adventures while everyone else is digging into dinner．{#blank#}3{#/blank#} It's not because your group is unfriendly，but because meal times are for eating，not talking．

Removing Your Shoes or Not

    Take off your shoes when arriving at the door of a London dinner party and the hostess will find you uncivilized，but fail to remove your shoes before entering a home in Asia，Hawaii，or the Pacific Islands and you'll be considered disrespectful．So，if you see a row of shoes at the door，start undoing your laces．{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Once you are on the ground of a different country，remain highly sensitive to native behavior．{#blank#}5{#/blank#}And don't feel offended if something seems offensive—like queue jumping．After all，this is a global village，and we are all very different．

A．Personal space varies as you travel the globe．

B．Asians consider removing shoes impolite at home．

C．Never be completely surprised by anything．

D．The linguistic mistake means that someone is not fully expressing his idea．

E．Look out for the following cultural mistakes and try to avoid them．

F．If not，keep the shoes on．

G．You'll likely be met with silence．

    A kiln (窑) is a type of oven or furnace used to cure (加工处理), harden, or burn certain materials. Depending on which materials are heated in it, a kiln may be square, tunnel shaped, or beehive shaped, and usually made of brick or stone.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It may be set as low as sixty-five degrees to cure grain or as high as 3,200 degrees to transform limestone to quicklime (熟石灰).

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They have a variety of purposes. The cement (水泥) industry uses revolving kilns to heat and separate raw materials. Bricks, pottery, and china made from clay must be fired, or hardened, in kilns. Certain kinds of coal and wood must be kiln-dried （在窑里烘干的）before they can be used. Hobbyists use small kilns to fire a variety of ceramic (陶瓷) objects.

    There are two main types of kilns. A periodic kiln, used to fire certain kinds of delicate china, is raised to a high temperature and then completely cooled before its contents are removed. A continuous, or tunnel kiln contains several chambers, or zones, which heat, bake, and cool a product. Stacks of clay bricks move through a tunnel kiln on tracks{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Gas, oil, and coal are all used to heat modern kilns{#blank#}4{#/blank#} But for special jobs, where cleanliness and careful heat（绝热）are important, kilns must be heated by electricity oven though it is more expensive. Small kilns used in the home or in craft shops are also heated electrically because electricity is clean and convenient.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} When ancient people discovered that heat hardened some materials, they were able to make durable household objects such as jugs and bowls. Today our museums display many kinds of ancient statues and art objects that have lasted because they had been kiln-dried. They come from lands as far apart as China and Greece.

A. Its temperature may vary.

B. Then they come out, hardened, and cooled.

C. Kilns are used in industry and in craft-making.

D. Kilns have been in use for thousands of years.

E. An electric kiln is a heating chamber used to transform materials.

F. Most manufacturers use whichever material is cheapest in their area.

G. Clay, when heated properly, becomes hard enough to form bowls and plates.

    Green lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular nowadays.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}You don't have to completely change the way you live, you just need to make a few small changes. From recycling to green shopping, each small change you make can really make a difference. Here are some benefits of living a green lifestyle.

    Help the environment. By being energy-efficient and using green products you can reduce your influence on the environment. You can help preserve our natural resources and reduce pollution.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} It does feel very rewarding when you start making positive changes and feeling as though you're making a difference to such an important cause.

    Live a healthier life. If more people commit to being green then we'll be able to live in a healthier environment, with less pollution and better air quality. You're also more likely to make better choices when it comes to food and you could find yourself leading a more active lifestyle. Growing your own vegetables is a very healthy way to live as well as buying green, natural foods. Cycling and walking to places instead of using your car can have a big influence.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Save money on bills. You can greatly reduce your energy bills by using energy efficient equipment.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Recycling is also another great way of saving money and helping the environment.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Once you have picked up some good tips and green living techniques you can pass them on to other people. You can also talk to friends and family and inform them of the benefits of going green. Your children will grow up understanding the importance of living a green lifestyle and will learn how to reduce their influence on the environment.

A. Educate others.

B. Meet like-minded people.

C. It will also make you much fitter.

D. There are lots of ways of saving money.

E. You can also do your part for wildlife conservation.

F. Living a green lifestyle isn't as hard as it might seem.

G. If you grow your own produce, you needn't spend as much on food.

    Many people think of guys as being carefree when it comes to their appearance. But in fact, a lot of guys spend plenty of time in front of the mirror. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Body image is a person's opinions and feelings about his or her own body and physical appearance. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}You appreciate your body for its abilities and accept its imperfections.

    So, what can you do to develop a positive body image? Here are some ideas:

    Recognize your strengths. Different body types are good for different things. What does your body do well? Maybe your speed, strength, or coordination (协调) makes you better than others at a certain sport. That may be basketball, table tennis, mountain biking, dancing, or even running. Or perhaps you have skills, like drawing, singing, playing a musical instrument, writing, or acting. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Exercise regularly. Exercise can help you look good and feel good about yourself. Good physiques (体形) don't just happen. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}You can keep healthy by simply exercising 20 minutes to one hour three times a week. Taking exercise can also lift your spirits.

    Respect your body! Practising good habits- regular showering; taking care of your teeth, hair, and skin; wearing clean clothes, and so on-can help you build a positive body image.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Your body is just one part of who you are. Your talent for humor, a quick wit (智慧), and all the things make you special. So try not to let small imperfections affect you.

A. Use this as an opportunity to discover what you're good at.

B. Be yourself.

C. They care just as much as girls do about their body image.

D. Just explore talents that you feel good about.

E. They take hard work, regular workouts, and a healthy habit.

F. The good news is that self-image and body image can be changed.

G. Having a positive body image means feeling satisfied with the way you look.