Do you have imagination? Do you like to solve problems? Can you? If so, you could be the next great inventor. "But I'm just a kid", you might be! Don't worry about a little thing like age. For example, one famous inventor--Benjamin Franklin--got his start when he was only 12. At that young age, he created paddles for his hands to help him swim faster. Finally his creation led to what we know is called flippers!

    So you don't have to be adult to be an inventor. One thing you do need, though, is something that kids have plenty of: curiosity and imagination. Kids are known for looking at things in new and unique ways.

    So what should you do if you have what is a great idea for an invention? Talk to a friend or family member about it. Get input from others about your idea. Then ask them to help you create a working model--called a prototype(原型) of your idea.

    Once you have a prototype, you can test it. Sometimes your idea turns out to be not as great as you thought. At other times, though, you realize it is a good idea and your prototype can help you figure out how to make it even better.

    If your idea is really a good one, an adult can help you contact companies that might be interested in it. You will also want an adult's help to get a patent for your idea, so that it is protected and can't be stolen by someone else. If you need some inspiration, consider these kids and their inventions:

    Jeanie Low invented the Kiddie Stool when she was just 11. It's a folding stool that fits under the kitchen sink. Kids can unfold it and use it to reach the sink all by themselves.

    At the age of 15, Louis Braille invented the system named after him that allows the blind to read.

    Chelsea Lanmon received a patent when she was just 8 for the "pocket diaper(尿布)", a new type of diaper that includes a pocket for holding baby wipes and powder.

21. By saying "But I'm just a kid", you probably mean you ___________.

A. are too young to achieve anything B. can do anything though you are young

C. are old enough to become an inventor D. have to learn knowledge from other people

22. Kids are most likely to be inventors probably because they _________.

A. would like to make friends with others B. usually work hard at their lessons at school

C. like playing all kinds of toys at home D. think about things in quite different ways

23. Who invented something that helps the blind to read?

A. Jeannie Low B. Benjamin Franklin C. Chelsea Lanmon D. Louis Braille

24. Which of the following can be the main idea of this passage?

A. Kids have curiosity and imagination B. There are some world famous inventors.

C. Kids are exactly like adults in a way D. It is possible for kids to be inventors.

    Are you a bit bored with your nine-to-five routine? Have a look at our exciting range of holidays and decide what type of adventure you'd like.

    Activity holidays  Our activity holidays are for everyone who loves danger. We have a huge of water, snow and desert holidays. We'll take you scuba diving(戴水肺潜水) in the Red Sea of kayaking(皮划艇) and white water rafting in Canada. If you prefer snow, you can try skiing or snowboarding in the Alps or even igloo-building(搭建冰屋). For those who like warm weather, we also have sand boarding(the desert version of skateboarding) or camel safaris.

    Polar expeditions  Take a cruise to the Antarctic or the Arctic; explore a land of white nature beauty or wonderful wildlife. Our experts will explain everything about the two poles as you watch penguins or whales in the Antarctic and polar bears in the Arctic. There's no greater adventure than traveling to the two ends of the earth.

    Culture journeys   Our culture journeys will help you discover the secrets of distant places such as India, Thailand or Egypt. Explore their history by visiting temples, palaces and ancient ruins. You can also get to know how people live in the modern world by exploring markets, eating exotic foods and meeting local people.

    Hiking tours   We have hiking holidays to famous places, such as Machu Picchu or the Everest Base Camp Trek, as well as some nearer to home, for example in the highlands of Scotland. You don't need to be too sporty, just fairly fit. You'll have a great time enjoying nature with a group of new friends. Some of the holidays need camping, but we'll transport the tents for you!

    Wildlife holidays  We organize small group tours to get closer to nature in Africa, Asia or South Africa. Go on safari in Africa and watch lions and giraffes. Meet the famous turtles of Galapagos Islands. Look for tigers in India, or take an elephant safari in Sri Lanka. We use local guides and stay in a range of accommodation, from tents to tree houses.

25. What kind of activities can you do if you go to the Red Sea in summer?

A. White water rafting  B. Diving  C. Igloo-building  D. Sand boarding

26. According to the passage, ______ can make you experience the most adventurous holiday.

A. Activity holidays  B. Polar expeditions  C. Culture journeys  D. Wildlife holidays

27. Tom prefers to choose a culture holiday, and he may _________.

A. visit many historical sites  B. see lions and tigers  C. eat at local people's home  D. live in a tree house

28. Which country might make the advertisement?

A. Egypt  B. Canada  C. Britain  D. India

    Many people lie awake at night, worrying about something from their job to the future. Now, researchers have discovered a simple and cheap solution: going to bed earlier. What time a person goes to bed and how much they sleep affects how much they worry, according to a new study.

    Researchers found people who go to bed later, or sleep less, have pessimistic thoughts that seem to repeat in their minds, which they feel unable to control.

    They also tend to worry excessively about the future, look back too much on the past, and experience annoying thoughts, mirroring the symptoms of people with anxiety and depression.

    Regular lack of sleep might actually be linked to the development of anxiety, the researchers concluded.

    The findings, coming after a number of studies, suggested getting between seven and eight hours sleep which is essential for good health. Less than this is thought to increase the risk of a person becoming fat, depressed, and can even cause severe health problems such as cancer and heart disease, because it upsets the body clock.

    As part of the new study, researchers asked 100 young adults at Binghamton University to complete questionnaires and two tasks on computer. These measured how much the students worried about something. They were also asked if they were more of a "morning" or an "evening" person.

    The researchers found that people who sleep for shorter periods of time--and go to bed later--often experience more negative thoughts than others. This was also true for those students who described themselves as evening types.

    Jacob Nota, of Binghamton University, who carried out the research, said, "Making sure that sleep is obtained during the right time of the day may be an inexpensive and easy solution for individuals who are both bothered by negative thoughts".

29. According to the findings mentioned in the passage, which of the following shows the correct order?

A. Experiencing negative thoughts--> Going to bed late--> Suffering anxiety

B. Going to bed late--> Suffering anxiety--> Experiencing negative thoughts

C. Suffering anxiety--> Experiencing negative thoughts--> Going to bed late

D. Going to bed late--> Experiencing negative thoughts--> Suffering anxiety

30. What information do Para 2 and Para 3 mainly give?

A. The causes of sleeping less  B. The findings of the research on sleep

C. Symptoms of anxiety and depression  D. The effects of the research on sleep

31. How was the research carried out?

A. By testing and comparing          B. By surveying and analyzing

C. By checking and measuring       D. By observing and interviewing

    During the past Spring Festival, many children may have received red packets from their families. But Xing Pu, a 40-year-old economist, is asking the government to give red packets to every Chinese citizen.

    Xing suggested the government give out 1,000 yuan to each Chinese since the government income has increased rapidly in recent years. He said his suggestion would allow everyone to directly enjoy the fruits of the country's economic success, help the lower-income groups deal with rising prices and increase consumption around the country.

    Recent years we have seen the government carry out a series of pro-poor() and pro-rural() policies, including increasing spending on public health care and calling off the agricultural tax. But the lower-income group still needs more help while being hit hard by an 11-year high in prices.

    Xing said while making the draft, he has borrowed many ideas from practices in countries like the Unites States and Singapore, whose governments offered cash handouts() to their citizens earlier this year as the result of a surplus in government income. As for in China, "We can even encourage the rich to donate their 1, 000 yuan red packets to the poor," said Xing.

    Although Xing's suggestion has gained wide support among ordinary Chinese on the Internet, many other economists criticized it as unpractical. Even Xing himself admitted he made the suggestion without any careful calculation. But they agreed with Xing's point that the growing economic pie should be shared among the people.

    "To better use the increase of money, handing out money is not a solution that holds good for all time. It could be better to improve the public service or cut the price of energy use in daily life," said Qiao Xinsheng, an economic professor.

32. Xing Pu suggested that the government give out one thousand yuan to each Chinese because ________.

A. the poor should get help from the rich B. the government should increase consumption

C. all people should benefit from the economic growth  D. the government should carry out pro-rural policies

33. What has the government done to help the lower-income group?

A. Spending less on public health care B. Reducing the agricultural tax

C. Handing out money to every Chinese D. Carrying out policies to assist the poor

34. According to some experts, what is better than giving out money?

A. Supplying food to everyone every day B. Cutting the price of energy use in daily life

C. Controlling the rising prices D. Increasing the government' s income

35. Xing Pu's idea of giving red packets to every Chinese citizen mainly came from ______.

A. customs of the Spring Festival B. what other nations have done

C. the increase in public health care D. the high prices in the past years

How to Teach a Child to Respect

    As a child grows out of being an infant and begins to notice and react to the world around him, you may find yourself wondering how you possibly impart all of the things that he needs to become a responsible, respectful adult.   36   A child who learns to respect all he meets not only receives respect from others, but also learns to respect himself as well.

●Show your child respect. This is perhaps the best way to teach your child how to respect others. Listen to your child by giving him your full attention and he will learn to listen to you, understanding how important this is in communication.

●  37   The more you say “Please” and “Thank you” to your child, the more likely he will learn to use them with you and others. Politeness then becomes a normal part of any conversation.

● Agree to disagree.    38   Explain your decision so that he will understand your reasoning and expect respectful responses. Disagreeing with you doesn’t equate to disobedience.

● Control your impulse to overact. When a situation arises between you and your child that requires calmness, keep in mind that you are supposed to be modeling correct behavior.    39  

    Praise, praise, praise! So much is focused on what a child does wrong and how to correct it that the accomplishments(成就) are not celebrated enough.    40