Sharon, Aged 22
The most important thing to keep in mind when going into high school is to be yourself. Besides, I don't know what your middle school was like, but high school teachers will not care about things such as how much homework you already have in one night. It's best to just learn to deal with things and manage your time wisely so you can achieve everything you need to.
Frank, Aged 21
I think almost every kid feels both nervous and excited before their first day. You will probably love it. I know I did. You should join in some sports or activities that will make your high school experience more enjoyable. Good luck!
David, Aged 19
I'm not going to lie. The first day is kind of frightening. But you'll get used to it. Don't be afraid of anyone; upperclassmen will pick on you more if you let them know you're afraid. Just take it easy. Making some friends and staying with them will greatly help you get used to high school quickly. After the first week it's really not bad at all. Don't worry.
Eddie, Aged 20
When I started high school I was really nervous too, especially since I had been homeschooled all through middle school and didn't really know anyone. I suppose the best advice would be to just relax. The first couple of days can be a little bit hard, but things will become easier before you know it.
My name is Sara. When I was little, I played the drums. I also had a guitar. In fourth grade, I started playing the trombone (长号). I practised about four hours a week. All of this might not seem like a big deal for a lot of kids, but there's something about me that makes me a bit different from others. I was born without hands. Since I was about one year old, I've worn prosthetics (假肢).
This year, I got an invitation to join the high school marching band (行进管乐队). I told my mom I wanted to do it. But I had an instructor who thought I would not be able to march in the band — not because it was a high school band and I was only in seventh grade, but probably because my body was different. All I wanted was to show that I could do it, so I joined the band. And it paid off!
Music gives me energy. That happens sometimes. One time I was so down that I didn't even want to get out of bed. Then I hit my MP3 player by accident. A song came on, and I got up and started dancing. It helped me say to myself, "OK, I can get through today. "
Around my musician friends, we all share the same problems, like working out how many beats there are in a measure (小节). I have a hard time counting the beats, but so do a lot of the other kids. It's a normal problem that we musicians share. When I'm with the band, I don't feel as different as I do in other situations. It's just another way that music makes me want to go on, and not to just sit down by myself and not care about life.
Chinese cuisine is widely known and enjoyed all around the world. Who doesn't long for a favourite Chinese dish? But there is one interesting concept concerning Chinese food which is almost unheard in the West, and which is becoming increasingly ignored by the youth of the East — the ancient custom of tonic food.
Tonic food is food which is consumed to improve one's well-being or avoid sickness. For instance, it was once the custom for new mothers to eat a sesame oil hotpot every day for the first month after giving birth. It was believed that this dish would benefit the muscles, reduce pain, improve circulation, stimulate sweating, and warm the body. Some foods, such as goat meat and spinach (菠菜), are seen as "hot ", while others, such as Chinese cabbage and radishes (小萝卜), are seen as "cold ". One should be careful not to eat too much of either "hot " or "cold " food. However, how much "hot " or "cold " food one should eat depends on the time of the year, how the food is prepared and what it is prepared with, and the individual's health.
The custom of employing tonic food for a healthier life also influences the catering industry. Chinese herbal medicines, such as the wolfberry (枸杞子), can be found on many a restaurant menu, either added to fruit tea or as a beneficial addition to a dish. These herbs attract customers, such as overworked office staff in need of a modest pick-me-up.
So, whether you need to boost your strength with a large helping of chicken soup, or increase your mental powers with some fish soup, you may find that this ancient Chinese custom could be just the tonic you were looking for.
Starting high school is a great experience for any teenager. Whether you are coming from a middle school (grades six through eight) or a junior high school (grades seven through nine), there are many things about high school that are different from your old school environment.
You will face being in a new school, making new friends in an unfamiliar class and getting to know new teachers. These new teachers will usually have higher academic (学术的) level than your middle and junior-high school teachers. In return, they expect you to work hard and develop your skills. On top of all this, peer pressure to drink and smoke often increases in high school.
Although there is a lot of pressure, it is nothing you cannot deal with. If you are feeling pressure to do something that you feel is wrong, talk to a friend, parent or counselor to find a solution.
If you are not succeeding academically, find someone to help you. If you feel lonely, try to join a school club or group to make new friends.
With time, you will come to be thankful for everything about your experience. On the point of starting your high school, are you ready?
A. You will experience many changes.
B. They want to help you get into college.
C. High school may seem discouraging at first.
D. You can make friends at senior high school easily.
E. They are there to help you get into this great new time in your life.
F. High school is difficult for those who are not prepared well at first.
G. Besides, the pressure could also come from grades, loneliness and so on.
Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a pianist's concert on a summer holiday evening. After they found their 1 , the mother saw two friends in the hall and walked to 2 them.
It was the boy's first time to come to the hall. He thought it was a good 3 for him to explore the wonders of the concert hall. He 4 and walked around. He walked 5 a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE " (禁止入内).
When the hall lights dimmed (变暗), the 6 would begin. The mother returned to her seat and discovered that her son was 7 . The mother was 8 worried at the moment that tears were in her eyes.
The concert began and the lights focused on (聚焦于) the wonderful piano on stage. The mother was 9 to see her little boy sitting at the keyboard, playing the song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star 10 he did at home.
At that moment the great pianist came, quickly moved to the piano and 11 in the boy's ear, "Don't stop. Keep playing. " He leaned over (俯身) and began filling in a bass part (低音) with his left 12 , then added a running obbligato (伴奏) with his right hand. They played the piano together 13 . The old pianist and the young boy changed a frightening situation into a wonderful creative experience. The audience (观众) stood up and 14 them.
An artist's achievements and charm depend on not only his perfect skills 15 his good qualities.
