任务型阅读：根据短文内容，填写下列表格。

“   USA? England? Australia? Which country is better to study in?” As China opens its door, many Chinese students want to learn about the world. It's true that studying abroad(国外的) can help students develop themselves. Students' language skills will be improved and it may be easier for them to find a job.

   But there are problems that should be considered(考虑). Language is the first. Students must use a lot of time to learn another language and to get used to a different culture.

    Students must also learn to live without parents' care and deal with all kinds of things. When they have to take care of themselves, it is hard for the students to study well.

    Finally, studying abroad brings a heavy burden (负担)to the family. For most Chinese parents, the cost of studying abroad is very high. But is it worth(值得)it?

    We know that there are many famous people who succeed in great things through their hard work in China. Liu Xiang is a good example.

Do you live in a city? Do you know how cities began? Long long ago, the world had only a few thousand people. These people moved from one place to another. They moved over the land, hunting animals for food. No one knows how or when these people learned about growing food. But when they did, their lives changed. They did not have to move houses any more. They could stay in one place and grow it. People began to live near each other, so the first village grew. Many people came to work in the villages, and these villages became larger and larger. Then people had machines, life in the villages changed again. People built factories. More and more people lived near the factories. So the villages grew into cities. Some of them grew very big. Today, it's strange that some people are moving back to small villages. Can you tell me why ?

Teenage life—better now, or in the past?

    Does this situation sound familiar（熟悉）?

    You are complaining（抱怨）to your parents about something. Maybe your computer isn't powerful enough to play the latest games.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}.Then you hear…

    “When I was your age, there weren't any computers or video games. And I didn't get a bike until I was sixteen. And it was second-hand.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}”

    So, is it really true that life is better for teenagers now? It is certainly true that many teenagers have got more things nowadays.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}So parents have got more money to spend on each child. And many things are cheaper than they were when our parents were children.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Forty years ago, no one could imagine a world with tiny computers and amazing smartphones. And now these things are necessary—we can't imagine living without them!

    However, technology often means we spend more time at home. And often it's just us, with our computer or television. Teenagers don't do enough exercise.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} And, although young people still get on well with their friends, some people think teenagers today don't have so many social activities as they did in the past.

    What do you think? How is teenage life better these days?

A. And it was too big for me.

B. A typical family is smaller now.

C. Or your friends' bikes are better than yours.

D. So they aren't as healthy as they were in the past.

E. Technology is probably the greatest change in our life.

    Starting high school can be difficult.Everyone is nervous and nobody knows where to go for classes.Thinking about making new friends might make you feel nervous, too. But don't worry, because you are not alone. You are going to school with a group of students of your age, and we have several tips(贴士) for you to follow.

    Forget your fear and just talk to someone.

    It is easier said than done. But try to take a deep breath and find your voice. Don't be afraid to approach(接近) people. First, you should introduce yourself before starting a conversation about something you have in common. Then, sit in the middle of the classroom with as many new friends around you as possible.

    Join clubs.

    Clubs are good places to make friends. Try to make friends in the club that interest you..If you don't join anything, you will be just going to class and then going home.Being in a club makes you more social.

    Stay clean.

    No one likes a bad smell that could knock someone over.Shower every day, brush your teeth and wash your hair. You are supposed to make yourself look clean and tidy, whatever you wear.

    Be respectful(尊重的) of people's differences.

    Everyone has his or her own opinion of the world.And everyone believes in different things.It's a good thing to have different friends with different opinions because you can each share your own.

Information Card

    I'm Sara. I'm a middle school student. At school, we have nine subjects — math, English, Chinese, science, geography, history, art, P.E. and music. My mother is a Chinese teacher and she says Chinese is beautiful and important (重要的). I like Chinese. I always read Chinese books before I go to bed. I also like history. It is my favorite subject. Mr. Brown is great fun. In his history class, I can learn many interesting stories.

    Mr. Green is my math teacher. He says math is useful and interesting, but I think it is boring. My science teacher, Mrs. Smith, is nice. I listen to (听) her carefully (认真的) in class. But I can't do well in the science exam(考试). I don't know why. Although it's difficult for me, I will try my best to solve it step by step.

    We always have art, P.E. or music in the afternoon. For me, the classes in the afternoon are fun and relaxing. In P.E. class, I like to play ping-pong with my P.E. teacher Mrs. Miller. She plays very well.