本文作者： 21st
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The requirements for high school graduation have just changed in my community. As a result, all students must 1 sixty hours of service learning, 2 they will not receive a diploma. Service learning is academic learning that also helps the community. 3 of service learning include cleaning up a polluted river, working in a soup kitchen, or tutoring a student. 4 a service experience, students must keep a journal (日志) and then write a 5 about what they have learned.

Supporters claim that there are many 6 of service learning. Perhaps most importantly, students are forced to think 7 their own interests and become 8 of the needs of others. Students are also able to learn real-life skills that 9 responsibility, problem-solving, and working as part of a team. 10 , students can explore possible careers 11 service learning. For example, if a student wonders what teaching is like, he or she can choose to work in an elementary school classroom a few afternoons each month.s5u

12 there are many benefits, opponents (反对者) 13 problems with the new requirement. First, they 14 that the main reason students go to school is to learn core subjects and skills. Because service learning is time-consuming, students spend 15 time studying the core subjects. Second, they believe that forcing students to work without 16 goes against the law. By requiring service, the school takes away an individual’s freedom to choose. ks5u

In my view, service learning is a great way to 17 to the community, learn new skills, and explore different careers. 18 , I don’t believe you should force people to help others – the 19 to help must come from the heart. I think the best 20 is one that gives students choices: a student should be able to choose sixty hours of independent study or sixty hours of service. Choice encourages both freedom and responsibility, and as young adults, we must learn to handle both wisely. k

1. A. spend B. gain C. complete D. save

2. A. and B. or C. but D. for

3. A. Subjects B. Ideas C. Procedures D. Examples

4. A. With B. Before C. During D. After

5. A. diary B. report C. note D. notice

6. A. courses B. benefits C. challenges D. features

7. A. beyond B. about C. over D. in

8. A. careful B. proud C. tired D. aware

9. A. possess B. apply C. include D. develop

10. A. Gradually B. Finally C. Luckily D. Hopefully

11. A. through B. across C. of D. on

12. A. So B. Thus C. Since D. While

13. A. deal with B. look into C. point out D. take down

14. A. argue B. doubt C. overlook D. admit

15. A. much B. full C. less D. more

16. A. cost B. pay C. care D. praise

17. A. contribute B. appeal C. attend D. belong

18. A. Therefore B. Otherwise C. Besides D. However

19. A. courage B. desire C. emotion D. spirit

20. A. decision B. purpose C. solution D. result

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Imagine that Mom and Dad have friends over, and you have to talk to adults all evening. Say the 1 thing and the parents might get mad. But, say 2 , and they’ll think you weren’t friendly. So, 3 can you talk with adults?

It’s 4 . Just ask them questions about themselves. “Many of them like to talk about what they do for a living,” suggests psychologist Tim Ursiny, author of The Confidence Plan.

Kids can also talk to grown-ups about 5 . Ask what the last good movie they saw was, because people at dinner parties “ 6 ” when the conversation turns to movies, Ursiny says. If a grown-up is 7 Harry Potter, it’s OK to talk about your love for Harry. It’s a(n) 8 topic, one that both grown-ups and kids can enjoy, so 9 and talk about whether Dumbledore is really dead.

But 10 the topic of video games. “Adults don’t want to hear about your video game 11 they play it,” Ursiny explains.

Adults also don’t want to hear slang. Don’t use language they don’t 12 . Ursiny says kids should learn to speak to other people in their own language.

13 most adults aren’t into slang, they do remember what it was like to be a kid. Ursiny recommends asking adults what 14 was like when they were your age. “It might be a fun discussion if you 15 your 10th-grade experience with theirs.” 16 you chat with your parents beforehand to find out which topics are off-limits (禁区).

Also, don’t chat about the things that make your parents feel guilty. Don’t mention 17 stuff such as how Dad has been sleeping on the couch, Ursiny says. And don’t complain that Mom has been late preparing breakfast.

18 , Ursiny says, kids should try to put themselves in their parents’ 19 . Learning how to 20 that type of understanding might help you out in the future. “The most successful people can develop a sympathetic feeling for others,” he says.

1. A. exact B. wrong C. unfortunate D. serious

2. A. everything B. something C. anything D. nothing

3. A. how B. whatever C. why D. when

4. A. important B. interesting C. hard D. easy

5. A. movies B. meals C. parties D. hobbies

6. A. look up B. light up C. make up D. keep up

7. A. in B. on C. into D. onto

8. A. safe B. exciting C. helpful D. positive

9. A. hold on B. walk out C. go ahead D. turn around

10. A. neglect B. avoid C. prevent D. ignore

11. A. when B. unless C. but D. because

12. A. believe B. accept C. understand D. agree

13. A. While B. As C. If D. Since

14. A. family B. school C. society D. nature

15. A. show B. compare C. balance D. match

16. A. Make sure B. Pay attention C. Watch out D. Take care

17. A. incredible B. special C. embarrassing D. personal

18. A. However B. Instead C. Therefore D. Yet

19. A. shoes B. clothes C. condition D. location

20. A. produce B. shape C. raise D. develop