As a British exchange student in China, I wanted to immerse(使沉浸于) myself in the local culture. One of the activities my school offered was a calligraphy(书法) club, and I chose to1 it to learn more about this traditional Chinese art.
The calligraphy room was a quiet and peaceful place, which2 the pleasant smell of ink and the soft sound of brushes touching paper. Our calligraphy teacher, Mr. Li, was known for his3 and skill.
On my first day, I watched attentively as Mr. Li4 the art of calligraphy. He moved the brush with grace and5 , and the characters he created looked like beautiful paintings. I was amazed and couldn't wait to try it myself.
Mr. Li introduced the tools of calligraphy: the brush, ink, paper, and ink stone. He explained that these were not just tools but the foundation(基础) of this ancient art. He taught us how to hold the brush6 and how to move our hands to create smooth flowing lines.
When it was my turn to try, I found it harder than it looked. My first characters were far from perfect and I felt7 ,but Mr. Li patiently encouraged me and gave me support.
From then on, I8 to attend the calligraphy club every week. Slowly I felt my skills improving. I learned not only how to write the characters but also the9 behind them. Calligraphy was more than just10 It was a way to express myself and connect with Chinese culture.
Our bodies are made up of about 60% water, which plays a great role in many bodily functions. Drinking enough water is important, especially for teenagers.
Water helps regulate(调节) body temperature. When we are play or exercise, our bodies heat up, and we sweat to cool down. If we don't drink enough water, we can become dehydrated(脱水的), which can result in tiredness and even dizziness(头晕). Another reason why water is so important is that water helps break down food in our stomachs and allows nutrients to be absorbed more easily. Without enough water, we might have some tummy(h肚子) troubles. Drinking enough water is also good for our skin. Water can help keep our skin looking fresh and youthful. Most importantly, water is crucial for our brains. Being even a little dehydrated can affect how we feel, how energetic we are and how well we can think. Drinking enough water can help us think more clearly and stay focused all day.
So, how much water should we drink? The usual advice is to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, but it can be different for each person, depending on our activities and the weather. A good way to remember is to drink when we're thirsty and have a glass or two with each meal.
In conclusion, drinking enough water isn't just about not being thirsty but also about supporting our overall health and well-being. So, don't forget to drink water and stay healthy!
Last weekend, my dad asked me to garden with him together in the backyard. I wasn't too excited about it, as I'd rather be playing video games indoors. But Dad insisted(坚持), so we gathered outside with seeds and gardening tools.
We started by planting seeds. Dad handed me a packet of sunflower seeds and a small shovel.
"Plant them about an inch deep," he instructed. I followed along, feeling the soil between my fingers, and soon we had a row of seeds waiting to sprout(发芽).
Days passed, and nothing seemed to happen. I was about to lose hope, thinking the seeds were just a waste. But then, a gentle reminder came, "Be patient. Good things take time." A week later, tiny green shoots came out of the soil. I was amazed and ran to show everyone.
As the sunflowers grew taller, Dad taught me how to take good care of them. "Just like these plants, you also need care and love to grow," he said. I began to understand how my parents support and care for me behind my growth.
One stormy night, the tallest sunflower broke. I felt very upset. Sitting beside me, a comforting voice said, "Sometimes, even the strongest can fall. But remember, they can still bloom, just a bit lower to the ground."
Covered by snow and ice, Antarctica (南极洲) is the coldest and most mysterious(神秘的) continent on Earth. With so difficult conditions, why does this wild place still attract people to explore it?
Despite all the difficulties, the Antarctic is a great place to research the land, ocean, air, ice shelves and biology. It also has rich sources like coal, fresh water and seafood.
More than 30 countries have built research stations in the Antarctic. During the past 40 years, China has built five stations: Changcheng, Zhongshan, Taishan, Kunlun and Qinling.
With an average temperature ranging from -25C to -30C all year round in the Antarctic, scientists there don't have many choices for traveling. If the weather is good, scientists will go outside to collect samples (标本) of water, rocks and other things. But when it's too cold or windy outside, which happens quite often, they have to stay indoors and work in the various laboratories(实验室) at their stations.
Scientists in Antarctica can balance work with recreation very well. They have found many ways to relax. At Zhongshan Station, for example, there is a sports field where they can play basketball, volleyball and badminton. Zhongshan Station is not far from stations built by Russia, India and Australia. Sometimes, people from the four stations will meet and hold big parties and sports events.
Although life in the Antarctic can be tough, people there get to learn more about the unknown world and appreciate the beauty of nature. That might be the best part of visiting the area.
A. It's also a great way to show you trust them.
B. At the same time, make efforts to listen when they speak.
C. Tell them about your day, your interests and your feelings.
D. Remember that good communication takes time to develop.
E. Say ""I feel misunderstood." instead of "You don't understand.".
F. Here's how you can make your conversations effective and enjoyable.
As a middle school student, you might find that your parents always disagree with you and talking with them can sometimes be a bit difficult. But don't worry. _____
Sharing and listening.
Start by sharing your world with your parents. _____ Sharing your experiences helps them understand your world better and shows them that you value their participation in your life. _____ Active listening shows respect and helps you understand their views, which is extremely important for mutual understanding.
Expressing Feelings.
Don't shy away from expressing your feelings. Whether you're excited, scared or upset, letting your parents know how you fel can lead to supportive conversations and helpful advice. _____
Using "I" Statements.
When you need to discuss something important or challenging, try using "T" statements. _____ When you feel your parents give you too much homework, just say "I feel overwhelmed when I have a lot of homework because I also need time to relax and do things I enjoy." to express your thoughts. This helps avoid blame and keeps the conversation focused on finding solutions together.
By following these tips, hopefully you can improve the quality of your communication with your parents and build a strong parent-child relationship.
选出最适合阅读的书籍，并将其标号填入括号中。
| A. Nate The Great In this series of mystery novels, a young detective(侦探) Nate uses his wits and skills to solve cases. Each book presents a new mystery that Nate must solve, keeping readers guessing till the end. |
| B. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer This is a humorous book by Mark Twain. It's about a boy named Tom Sawyer who loves playing tricks. Tom and his friend have many adventures and always find a way to have fun. |
| C. Charlotte's Web This book by E.B. White is one of the most loved children's books of all time. It's a story of two friends on a farm: Wilbur the Pig and Charlotte the Spider, which shows the power of friendship. |
| D. Treasure Island This is an exciting book by Robert Louis Stevenson. The boy named Jim Hawkins finds a treasure map and goes on a big adventure. He meets pirates and has to be very brave to find the treasure. |
| E. Pride and Prejudice Written by Jane Austen, this book is about people falling in love and learning about each other. The story shows how people can change and grow when they try to understand each other better. |
| F. The Gift of the Magi It is a short heartwarming story written by O. Henry. Jim and Della are a couple who love each other very much. They both sell their most valuable possessions to buy each other Christmas gifts. |
_____Kevin prefers funny stories, allowing him to laugh and find humor in life.
_____Rachel is interested in stories where characters change and grow over time.
_____Christina is often touched by stories about love and giving things up for others.
_____Sally is always fascinated by mysterious plots, especially those in detective stories.
_____Leo loves following characters to know how they overcome challenges and grow braver.
将答案填在答题卡规定的位置。
Liu Bowen, also known as Liu Ji, was a celebrated wise man who lived in ancient China. He was famous_____his wisdom and great contributions he made to the Ming Dynasty.
Here is one of the most popular_____(story) about how Liu Bowen helped the Ming Dynasty. Once, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang was planning to build city walls around Nanjing,_____ was the capital of the Ming Dynasty, to protect it from being attacked. Usually, people would build walls straight up and down,_____ Liu Bowen, with his understanding of the terrain(地形), put forward a better idea. He advised the emperor_____(follow) the shape of the land, like going up and down hills and around rivers. This strategy(计策) would not only save time and resources but also make the wall much_____(strong).
The emperor thought it was a great idea and decided to take_____(he) advice. They built the wall just as Liu Bowen_____(suggest). Finally, the wall turned out to be really good at keeping_____city safe, providing a natural barrier(屏障) against enemies.
This story shows us that Liu Bowen is a very creative thinker. We can all learn from him to look at things_____(different) and find smart solutions to our problems. His idea about the walls teaches us an important lesson: sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to think outside the box.
的感激之情。要点包括：
1. 表达感谢；
2. 礼物对你的意义
3. 希望和期待。
写作要求:
1.80词左右，开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数：
2. 文中不得出现真实姓名和校名；
3.可适当增加细节，以使条理清楚、行文连贯；
4.标点正确，书面整洁。
参考词汇:手绘明信片hand-painted postcard
Dear Kevin,
I hope this letter finds you well.
……
Thank you again, Kevin. Your thoughtful gift has truly made my day.
Best wishes,
LI Hua
