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April 13th, 1539
Outside Mexico City
Dear Mariana,
Today we arrived safe. It was a long and dangerous trip over the ocean. The winter storms were strong. We were always a little sick from high waves.
The journey from the shore to Mexico City is also long and dangerous. There are robbers in the countryside. We will travel together with the other ship passengers, thinking we will be safer as a group. Tomorrow we will travel into the city to find our uncle.
Father says it will take a year for this letter to reach you. The trip from New Spain to Spain is very long.
Your loving brother,
Tomas
April 20th, 1539
Mexico City
Dear Mariana,
Father and I finally arrived at Mexico City. Here, old buildings are being pulled down; new ones are being built. Just around the corner from Uncle's city house, Aztec workers are pulling down a small, beautiful pyramid. Father says it is one of the last Aztec temples.
In the center of the city, I met an Aztec boy named Carlos. He speaks a little Spanish. Carlos learns Spanish at his new school. He told me that the Spanish set up new schools for the Aztecs. There he got his new name, Carlos. He says he likes his new school but misses his old city. I wonder what this city used to be like before Cortes came.
Tomorrow we will go to Uncle's farmland. He and father are talking about the Aztec workers that father will oversee.
Your brother,
Tomas
found v. 建立 battle n. 战役 conquer v. 征服
Technology provides more than a way of communication. However, it is becoming the only way to communicate for our teens. It has made face-to-face interaction 1 often and has made a negative①effect on the social abilities of the teens.
These days we communicate on websites like Facebook, but I wonder why we have no in-person friendships. I see teens texting②2. They text while talking to someone else, at the dinner table, in the car and at the movies. This tiny piece of plastic is distracting③ teens from the real world.
As you can see, I am very much 3 technology but there are ways that helps. It helps many people stay in touch with friends that might have moved away. In my life, I will have to move from my friends from time to time. With the help of Wechat, it can be easy to 4them and to ask if they would like to do something in person. Staying in touch can be done in person as much as over technology.
Some people have 5 making new friends and the Internet provides ways to meet new people through chat rooms. I believe relationships built online can be a little eccentric④. One study suggests that online relationships simply take longer to develop than those face-to-face.
Online relationships can be 6 because you never know who's on the other side of the chat. You can become more open over the Internet if you don't have a chance to meet others in real life. Meeting people online can give you confidence, but I believe it also tears you down. Online relationships will either build you up or break you down. Most importantly, don't let keyboards be the key to your heart.
A) youngest B) professional C) likely D) grows up E) won |
Each year, the news magazine Time For Kids selects several young people to serve as TFK kid reporters. These kids are not reporters, but they still have to interview some important people.
Martin, who lives in New York, is a computer buff, plays the piano, and wants to be an airline pilot when he . When he got the assignment from TFK to interview Andrew Hsu, he wanted to talk about science. After all, Andrew had just become the winner of the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair. The 11-year-old scientist the grand prize for identifying a particular genes that plays an important role in keeping the human body healthy.
F) free G) meet H) receive I) also J) improving |
Martin soon discovered that being a science whiz is just one of Andrew's achievements. He's an athlete who competes in swimming. But the main thing Andrew wanted to tell Martin about was the World Children Organization (WCO). Andrew started this organization along with his brother Patrick. This project is meant to help improve the lives of children.
Andrew and Patrick believe thateducation is the best way they can make a positive difference for children. They know that there are places where a education isn't available to kids. To helpthat need, Andrew and Patrick had the idea of producing videos about science, math, and languages for children in countries where there aren't enough qualified teachers.
you a film with your friends last weekend?
will the boring meeting come to an end?
He didn't know what to his parents on the phone.
That tower to remember the dead soldiers.
Simon until twelve o'clock last night.
The teacher asked me I go abroad for further study.
Tips for incoming freshman in High school
I never really knew exactly how I felt about starting high school. While I was excited to make new friends and learn new things, I was also very nervous about finding my way around. I knew it would be d to get used to a new life, but there really isn't much to fear! So, for all those new incoming freshmen out there, I'm here to help you make it through your first year of high school!
Here is just a list of some of the things I found helpful throughout my first year.
1) Remember, you aren't a. There are hundreds of teens experiencing what you are experiencing this very moment! Although you may feel a million different things, just keep in m that there are people that are feeling the same way.
2) Don't be afraid to make new friends. There are many people who s the same interests as you and are looking for those who have that interest. Sometimes you may have nothing in common but the need to make friends! Remember, there are plenty of teens out there for you.
3) Join an interesting club or sport. High school is the time to tnew things, and luckily your school has so much to offer! There are so many clubs to choose from, like the environmental club, Spanish club, cooking club, and so many more! Many schools also offer a wide variety of sports, i a freshman level! Joining a club or sport is also a great way to meet people!
…
See? It really isn't that hard! Knowing these things will hopefully make you feel a little more cabout your freshman year of high school. Just keep your head held high and enjoy it while you can!
Elizabeth got out of bed and dressed. She ate here favorite breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, and juice. Her mother gave her a kiss before opening the front door and wishing her daughter a good day.
Elizabeth, carefully tapping along, made her way down the sidewalk to her best friend Kate's front door. Elizabeth used to attend a school for the blind. Today she was joining Kate at Washington Carver Elementary. "Here comes my brother," Elizabeth said. Kate looked around but saw no one. Then, suddenly, John came around the next corner on his skateboard. "How did you know John was coming?" Kate asked.
"From the sound of the wheels on his board," replied Elizabeth. "I'd know it anywhere. Kate listened again until she heard the joyful sound hidden among all the much louder noises on the street.
John rode along the sidewalk, moving from one side to the other and back again, until he came to a stop in front of Elizabeth and Kate. "Hey Sis," he said. "Good luck today!" "Thanks, John," said Elizabeth. "Any words of wisdom for me?" "Yeah," her brother replied, smiling. "Stay away from the sloppy joes in the cafeteria." After these words, John went away on his board.
Kate wondered if Elizabeth still remembered eating the sloppy joes before she lost her sight at the age of six, because of a high fever. Kate wondered if she felt sad. She decided to ask. "I used to think I couldn't do anything," explained Elizabeth. "But now I know that I can do most things. I just need a little more learning time." Kate could see the sunny smile on her friend's face.
Giving her friend a big hug, Kate said to herself, " ⑹ ".
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一个好的习惯会让我们终生受益。什么是好习惯？请你分享你的一个好习惯，说说你是怎么养成的，它给你带来哪些好处。请结合生活实际，谈谈你的体验或想法。
（注意：短文中不得出现任何人名、校名及其他相关信息，否则不予评分。）
