浙江省杭州市萧山区2020-2021学年八年级上学期英语12...

As we know, there are differences between Western culture and Chinese culture. We can see differences when we pay attention to the way words are used. Let's look at the words about animals and plants. Most expressions in Chinese are about the dog, for example, "a homeless dog" "a mad dog" "a running dog" and "a dog catching a mouse", having negative meanings. But in Western countries, dogs are thought to be honest and good friends of humans. In English, people use the dog to describe positive things. For example, "you are a lucky dog" means "you are a lucky person". And "every dog has its day" means "each person has good luck some time". To describe a person's serious illness, they say "sick as a dog". The word "dog-tired" means very tired. However, Chinese love cats very much. But in Western culture, "cat" is often used to describe a woman who is cruel（残忍的）.

The rose is a symbol of love in both China and some Western countries. People think the rose means love, peace, courage and friendship. And the rose is a kind of important flowers in England, America and many other countries.

The words about plants and animals are used in positive or negative ways in different cultures. We can learn about many differences in culture by comparing how some words are used.

People have money problems, work problems, family problems, health problems... That is to say, life is full of problems.

Many times we find it hard to stay happy. When one problem is solved, another one comes up. You can solve problems under pressure or run away from them. Wherever you go, there will be problems for you to solve. Because this is a fact of life, you need some skills to solve your problems in life.

One of the best ways to solve problems is to have the right attitude. We should face them when we have problems. You may think that successful people and rich people have fewer problems than you, and that they can get what they want because they have a lot of money. But the fact is that different people have different problems. The more successful you are, the more problems you may have to face.

Everyone needs problems, because they help us grow and learn. When you have a problem, it means that you need to improve yourself. So, solving problems means that we can be better.

If you cannot live without your car, Zurich might be the last city you would like to visit. In Zurich, people are welcome, but cars are not! Over the past 20 years, this city has used smart ways to make traffic lighter.

One is to keep the same number of parking spaces. For example, if 50 new parking spaces are built in one part of the city, then 50 old spaces in other parts are taken away for other uses. So the total number does not change. Some are unhappy that there are never enough parking spaces. That is just what the city has in mind: If people find parking more difficult, they will drive less.

Also, the number of cars in the city is counted. Over 3,500 little computers are put under Zurich roads to check the number of cars that come into the city. If the number is higher than the city can deal with, the traffic lights on the roads that enter the city will be kept red. So drivers who are traveling into Zurich have to stop and wait until there are fewer cars in the city.

Now, you may ask why Zurich is doing this. This is simply because the city wants to make more space for its people.

Today, people are paying more and more attention to improving their health through sports and exercise. But some of them have some wrong ideas about it.

In fact, the best meal before games should have carbohydrates(碳水化合物). Foods like potatoes, bread, bananas are rich in it, but chicken and meat are not. Carbohydrates are the best and most easily used form of energy. The energy that you get for today's game is from what you ate yesterday!

No. Morning is a good time to exercise, but it may not be suitable for you. If an afternoon or evening period suits you, and you enjoy the feeling of getting healthier, you can choose any time to exercise. There is no fixed time for you to exercise.

The fact is that you must have some water during breaks when you exercise. And after exercising, you must have enough water. If you don't drink enough water, then you'll probably get headaches and feel tired.

Not right. Exercising the same body part every day is the fastest way to cause problems. To improve strength, you want to work your muscles(肌肉) hard, but then you need to give those muscles a day of rest. Too much exercise can cause serious problems to muscles.

Wrong. We usually connect those big muscles with bodybuilders(健美运动员), but girls don't have enough male hormone(雄性激素) to make their muscles big like men. Strength training is a good way to make their muscles strong for girls.

It snowed again. My seventh Christmas was coming. I dreamed of getting the gift from Father Christmas until my elder sister said "There is no Father Christmas."

I ran to my grandmother's house, for she always told the truth. Grandmother was at home. I told 1everything. "No Father Christmas?" She was a little2. "Don't believe it. Put on your coat, and let's go." "Go? Where，Grandma?" I asked. "Kerby's Store. "

As we walked through its door, Grandma handed me ten dollars and said. "Take the3and buy something for someone who needs it. I will wait for you in the car. "Then she turned and walked out of the store.

For a few seconds I just stood there, holding the money, wondering4 to buy, and whom to buy it for. I thought of5I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors…then I thought of Bobbie Decker, a6with bad temper and messy hair. He sat right behind me7 Mrs. Pollack's class.

Bobbie8went to any party during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, 9we all knew that he didn't have a cold, and he didn't have a coat. I decided to buy Bobbie a red warm 10that he would like.

That evening, grandma helped me wrap the coat and11"To Bobbie. From Father Christmas "on it. Grandma told me Father Christmas never let people know that he12them. Then she drove me to Bobbie's house, telling me that I was helping Father Christmas13the gift. We stood behind the trees near Bobbie's home. Then Grandma said to me," All right, Father Christmas, get going. "I took a deep breath, ran to the front door, put the gift down14the door, rang the doorbell and flew back to the15. We waited breathlessly in the dark for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobbie.

That night, I realized that Father Christmas was alive, and we were on his team.

Did you watch that popular TV drama A Smile Is Beautiful last summer vacation? Yang Yang plays  important role in it. He plays a handsome and smart college student who is good at(play) computer games. Many people think Yang is the right person the role. First, Yang has good looks and a nice smile. Second, he also likes to swim and play computer games, just like the role.  it doesn't mean he does not do well in acting.

Yang always says, "I like to compete with (I). " Now, Yang is one of the most famous (act) in China. People like to call him "Little Fresh Meat". At the end of the year 2015, Yang (win) "The Most Influential TV Actor".

He worked with many stars, such as Zheng Shuang, Deng Chao and Liu Yifei. They all think he tries his best in everything. "If he feels his acting is not(good) enough, he(ask) to try it again. He is(serious) than anyone else." Su Youpeng, the director of movie The Left Ear, said in a talk show.

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Hello, everyone! I'm very glad to go to the winter camp.

……

I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you soon.

That's all. Thank you.