浙江省杭州市建兰中学2020-2021学年八年级上学期英语期...

Here is a story: A man sees a butterfly. The butterfly tries to get out of its chrysalis(蛹).Feeling sorry for it, the man decides to help. He cuts the chrysalis and the butterfly comes out easily. Surprisingly enough, the butterfly is unable to fly. If the butterfly doesn't struggle(挣扎) to leave the chrysalis, it can't fly! The struggle develops the energy in the butterfly which makes it fly. Similarly, the challenges of life bring out the best in young people and make the fly.

When people are young, meeting and overcoming challenges will make them strong and ready to face life. When we look at successful people, we see that the most successful of them are people who have had to struggle. One famous businessman, who now owns many big supermarkets, used to carry clothes on his back and sell them from door to door when he was young. Another successful man is Dennis. His father died when he was only twenty. His father's death forced him to mature fast. He had to bring up a family of nine people. He faced the challenges and overcame(克服) them. Today his brothers and sisters are leading successful lives.

Sometimes challenges do not appear to us because we keep away from them. So some parents and teachers actively encourage young people to face challenges. They might organize some activities for young people which provide them with challenges, like rock-climbing, camping, volunteer work and so on. However, just passing exams will not prepare a person for life. We must meet and overcome challenges. The young people of today will become the leaders of tomorrow. For countries to continue to become successful, it is important that the young people learn to meet challenges and overcome them.

Some parents think childhood is just for playing, so they don't ask their children to do housework.

Other parents say, "I know it's wrong, but it's quicker to do it by myself" But most parents believe that housework is a way of teaching kids responsibility(责任). Children learn to help, share and care about others by doing housework. Things like taking care of a pet or a baby and helping make meals are some examples of helping others.

Reasons for doing housework:

To learn responsibility: Most people believe that doing housework is good for kids.

To share the workload(工作负担): Kids that help clean won't make a big mess.

To learn skills: Kids will learn how to cook, clean and do other things in the house.

There are benefits(益处)and challenges when you are doing housework, so start to help your parents with the housework. You will learn a lot by doing them.

Many animals have tails. They use their tails to do many different things.

Some animals use their tails as flyswatters(苍蝇拍). Have you ever seen a cow shake its tailback and forth? It's driving away the flies. Horses also use their tails in the same way.

Some animals hang by their tails. Monkeys often do this. Then Kangaroo they can use all four of their paws for other things, such as eating. Monkeys use their tails as a "hanger", which can help them hang in the trees and climb trees. Animals that live in the water use their tails to help them swim. A fish uses its tail from side to side. A kangaroo has a large, useful tail. It's like a chair. The kangaroo stands on its tail to rest. It helps the kangaroo stand well. The tail is also good for landing. This is important because an adult kangaroo can jump as far as 15 feet at a time. A fox has a big tail. This is a good tail to have on cold nights. The fox can put its tail over its nose and paws while it sleeps. The tail can keep the fox warm.

Some animals don't keep their tails with them at all times. If their enemies catch them, their tails will break off. Don't worry. They will soon grow a new tail. How amazing it is!

Every year, when fall ends and winter comes, almost every woman may have a question, "Why don't I have a proper coat, a pretty sweater, a nice scarf...?" In order to welcome the new season, women buy more new clothes. Now, another question is coming: How do I deal with the old clothes? Here is some advice.

If your old clothes are still in good condition and suit your friends' style of dressing, please give them to your friends. They will be pleased and appreciate(感激) it.

There are many people who need help in poor areas. So you can send your old clothes to such kind of groups, even if they are not new, or clean. Just be sure these clothes can be used after washing.

You must need a duster to do some cleaning at home. Why not make one from old cotton T-shirts or cut them up and use them for rags to clean your home.

Take a pair of scissors, prepare some colorful old clothes and make some toys like soft dolls and Teddy Bears with your kids at weekends.

Don't throw used clothes away. You can send them to Goodwill of Southern California. Sales of used clothes will support Goodwill's educational program and job training to help get proper jobs.

It was still in deep night, everything seemed to be the same as usual.

"Tommy!" called a clear little voice. Tommy1and sat up in bed. At the foot of the bed stood a boy about his own age, all dressed in2, like fresh snow. He had very bright eyes, and he3Tommy straightly. "Who are you?" asked Tommy.

"I am the New Year!" said the boy. "This is my day, and I bring4your leaves."

"What leaves?" asked Tommy.

"The new ones, to be sure!" said the New Year. "I hear5words of you from my Daddy."

"6is your Daddy?" asked Tommy.

"The old year, of course!" said the boy. "He said you asked too many questions and I see he was right. And one day you7your book into the fire. Now, all this8stop."

"Oh, must it?" said Tommy. He felt9, and did not know just what to say.

"10it does not stop." the boy said," you will grow11every year, till you grow up into a Terrible Man. Do you want to be a Terrible Man?"N-nol! said Tommy.

"Then you must stop being a terrible boy!" said the New Year. Take your12!" And he held out a book made of leaves, all white.

"Turn over one of these every day." he said," and soon you will be a good boy instead of a bad one." Tommy took the leaves and looked at them.13each leaf were a few words. On one it said, "Help your mother!" On14,"Don't eat so much!" "And on still another," Don't fight Billy Jenkins!"

"Oh!" cried Tommy. "I have to fight Billy Jenkins! He said —"

"Goodbye!" said the New Year." I shall come15when I am old to see whether you are a good boy or a terrible one. Remember, terrible boy makes terrible man."

A few years ago, my husband and I were on an island for a long weekend with our two daughters. As we wondered about what (do) next, our girls jumped in and told us exactly what they wanted to do." We want to go to the butterfly museum," said Ariela and Eliana.

As soon as we walked into the main area of the museum, we (see) thousands of beautiful butterflies, all flapping(拍打着) their colorful wings. My girls were jumping up and down (excited), and I knew we had made the right decision to come to the museum. They were having so much fun. I turned to our museum tour guide I was curious(好奇的), and asked, "How long do butterflies live?" She said, "About ten days," "What can butterflies do in ten days?" The guide stopped, looked at me and/ said. They make the world more beautiful place." "Wow," I said, "I've never thought about butterflies that. Thank you."

After we said goodbye, I couldn't stop (think) about what the guide had said. She was right. We all have (anything) to offer the world with the time we have. When we focus(集中) our gifts on taking care of each other every day, we can make a (different).

How thankful it is that you can have the influence(影响) on your family, friends and neighbors! Like a butterfly, you have your own way of making the world a little (good) for everyone!

— Sorry, I forgot to tell you. I had a meeting yesterday.

Dear Larry,

How are you? I hope you're fine and not too busy! I'm doing a survey on the TV programs people like these days. Could you please tell me your family members' ideas about some TV programs? What about you?

I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Yours, Linda

Dear Linda,

……

Yours,

Laura