Have you ever considered all the English expressions that include words about clothes? Let's have a look.
People wear pants to cover the lower part of their bodies. We sometimes say that people who are nervous have ants (蚂蚁) in their pants. Sometimes, people may get caught with their pants down. They are found doing something they should not be doing. And, in every family, one person takes control. Sometimes a wife tells her husband what to do. Then we say she wears the pants in the family.
Pants usually have pockets to hold things. Money that is likely to be spent quickly can burn a hole in your pocket. Sometimes you need a belt to hold up your pants. If you have less money than usual, you may have to tighten your belt.
I always praise people who can save their money and not spend too much. I really take my hat off to them. Yet, when it comes to my own money, I spend it at the drop of a hat, which means I instantly spend it.
Boots are a heavy or strong kind of shoes. People who are too big for their boots think they are more important than they really are. I dislike such people. My father is an important person. He runs a big company. He wears a suit and tie, and a shirt with sleeves (衣袖) that cover his arms. Some people who do not know him well think he is too serious and never shows his feelings openly. But I know that my father wears his heart on his sleeve.
Schoolgirl Lorna O'Brien was in her kitchen when she looked out of the window and was terrified (惊恐的) at what she saw. "Help!" she shouted. "There's smoke and fire coming out of the kitchen window opposite."
Her father, John, ran across to the house while her 15yearold brother Paul called the fire service. Lorna, 16, rushed across and caught up with her dad, who had just kicked open the front door. They looked upstairs where they saw smoke coming out of the top flat. Lorna followed her father into the flat, where they found a pan (平底锅) on fire in the kitchen and the young mother, Mane Linn, who had been asleep, passed out (失去意识) in the smokeblackened sitting room. Lorna's dad threw a wet cloth over the pan and then turned off the stove (炉子) before starting to help Mane through the smoke down the stairs to safety.
Suddenly Mane started crying, "My baby, my baby!" "Where's the baby?" asked Lorna. "In the bedroom," Mane shouted back. While John pulled the crying mother from the house, Lorna, without a thought for her own safety, turned back to search for the baby. She found the little girl, 14monthold Ann, lying with her eyes closed.
Lorna quickly took the baby, rushed downstairs through the fire and smoke. "It didn't cross my mind at the time that I was near to dying when I rushed through the smoke，" said Lorna. "I was just thinking of the baby. Even after I came out of the house, I wasn't frightened."
When help arrived, baby Ann and her mum were taken to hospital for treatment. It was only when Lorna got back into the safety of her own house that she realised the danger she had faced. "I started shaking all over and thought of what could have happened to me，" she said.
Simple ways to improve your written English
Many people think it is really difficult to improve (提高) their writing in English. Don't worry, though. Here are some simple steps that you can take to improve your written English.
Increase your vocabulary.
To express yourself clearly, you need a good active vocabulary. That's not just being able to know lots of words — it means actually being able to use them correctly.
Tip: When you learn a new word, try to learn all the forms of that word.
People often say that we learn to write best by reading. Reading in English is useful in many ways. It is a great way to get an idea of the different styles of writing and see how to use words properly.
Tip: Learning shouldn't be boring. Read each text several times to make sure you understand how to use new words and expressions in the text.
Improve your grammar.
Grammar is very important because it improves the quality (质量) of your writing.
Tip: The first time, look for general mistakes and the second time look for mistakes with the grammar point you are studying at the moment.
Just do it!
The best way to improve your writing is to get a pen and paper and write. Be prepared to write several versions (版本) of each text.
A. Know your readers.
B. Read widely and often.
C. Always check your writing twice.
D. Remember, practice makes perfect!
E. Choose books or articles that interest you.
F. Use simpler language and shorter sentences to show your ideas.
G. Do this by learning new words with example sentences, not just word lists.
These days having a best friend seems so important to girls. However I have learned that having one best friend is not the way to go. It's so much better to have many great friends.
As I was coming into middle school, I was really excited because my friend Jennifer was going to be in the same middle school! At first things were great, she introduced me to her friend Amy and we had lots of fun together. Then things started to change. Jennifer was very controlling: I couldn't make new friends, and pretty soon being Jennifer's friend was a struggle.
Jennifer wanted to be the "leader" of our little group. Amy and I were never partners with each other in class projects or gym; it was always, "Who gets the privilege (特权) of being Jennifer's partner?" Amy and I both wanted to be Jennifer's number one.
I always waited for Jennifer and Amy after class. They chatted by Jennifer's desk as Jennifer packed her books up and I waited by the door. Sometimes when they left, they'd walk right past me. No "Thanks for waiting." No "Sorry we took so long." It was as if they couldn't even see me.
After months of living through school this way, I had really changed. I was moody, depressed, lonely. I spent lots of days trying not to cry, I felt so left out.
Finally, near the very end of the school year, I was so incredibly sick of having to battle for friendship. I stopped sitting with Jennifer at lunch and stopped waiting for her after class.
It was tough at first, but now, I have tons of friends. We have fun and happy times together and I love them all to bits. It amazes me how easy our friendship is. There's no struggling to be on top. I wish Jennifer could understand. Maybe one day she'll look back at what happened and she'll change, but even though I lost a friend, I am a happier person
Parents often believe that they have a good relationship with their teenagers. But last summer, Joanna and Henry noticed a change in their older son. Suddenly he seemed to be talking far more to his friends than to his parents. "The door to his room is always shut，" Joanna noted.
Tina and Mark noticed similar changes in their 14yearold daughter. "She used to cuddle up (依偎) against me on the sofa and talk," said Mark. "Now we joke that she does this only when she wants something. Sometimes she wants to be treated like a little girl and sometimes like a young lady. The problem is understanding which time is which."
Before age 11, children like to tell their parents what's on their mind. "In fact, parents are first on the list," said Michael Riera, author of Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers. "This completely changes during the teen years，" Riera explained. "They talk to their friends first, then maybe their teachers, and their parents last."
Parents who know what's going on in their teenagers' lives are in the best position to help them. To break down the wall of silence, parents should create chances to understand what their children want to say, and try to find ways to talk and write to them. And they must give their children a mental (思想的) break, for children also need freedom, though young. Another thing parents should remember is that to be a friend, not a manager, with their children is a better way to know them.
I see him, he's reading.
Ken was my best friend for 30 years. I told him I would leave Chicago for Philadelphia to receive a new job there. "What do you mean you're leaving?" Ken asked angrily. "When did you interview for a job in another city? You had never told me before." I explained that was the new company's rule. "Like you couldn't tell me?" he asked. "I thought our friendship meant more to you than that." "I'm sorry," I said. But I would never give up the job because of friends.
Ken and I had met in a church. Then Ken was a college student studying mental health and I was working in a company. I found we both grew up in small towns and struggled for school life. He often volunteered in Thailand during school holidays. And I once worked there for five years. Talking with Keri gave me great pleasure. Gradually, our conversations even involved in deeper subjects, like our dreams.
I was older than Ken. When he married Lee, I gave him advice about marriage. By that time, I was running a television production business, and was under a lot of stress. It was Ken who encouraged me and helped me get through the hard time. He was a great guy. Even so, I didn't change my mind.
Anyway, when leaving Chicago, Ken and Lee had a warm farewell (告别) party. But we didn't talk much later. After September 2012, everything changed. It started with a letter from Ken: Lee had cancer. Unfortunately, I got divorced (离婚) later and everything was a mess.
In February 2013,I flew to Chicago to see Ken and Lee. We talked. I found there was no one I had ever been able to talk to quite like Ken. I needed to be there for Ken in any way I could. This friendship mattered more than work. When going back to Philadelphia, I left my job and bought a plane ticket that would mean a lot to the rest of my life.
Alexis and Zoe were sitting at the kitchen table doing their homework. They had a hard time focusing on their homework because the radio station was playing music from their favourite band, the Shape Shifters.
"I can't believe the Shifters are going to be playing here and we can't go!" Alexis said.
"I know," Zoe replied. "Tickets are sold out in five minutes and even if we can get some, they are so expensive!"
"It's totally unfair," said Alexis. "They should give the tickets to their biggest fans first!"
"You mean us, right?" Zoe said.
"Obviously," said Alexis. "Everyone knows we're their number one fans."
Zoe turned the radio up a bit louder. Their fevourite song was on, and the girls had an impromptu (即兴的) dance party right there in the kitchen. As it ended, they sat on their chairs again. The radio host started talking about the concert.
"I have exciting news to share with all of you. We will give away two tickets to Saturday's sold-out show and will look for the third caller who can correctly answer this question: who is the oldest member of the Shape Shifters?" the host said.
Alexis and Zoe looked at each other. They couldn't believe how easy the question was.
"It's Georgie!" said Alexis.
"No, it's Natasha," answered Zoe.
"Everyone knows Georgie is 29. He's much older than the rest of the band," said Alexis.
"I know he's the oldest person, but the question is who's the oldest member of the band. Natasha started the band when she was just 15. The others joined the group after her," Zoe explained.
Alexis thought for a while and later agreed with Zoe. And they decided to call the radio station to answer that question. They stood together and held their breath.
"Hello, girls, you are lucky caller Number 3!" The girls screamed excitedly. "Nobody seems to know the answer to our question. Do you?" the host continued. Zoe said, "We know the answer!" "I hope so. If you get it right, you'll have a chance to Saturday's sold-out show!"
Paragraph 1：
"Okay, I am ready to answer that question," Zoe said breathlessly.
Paragraph 2：
"Congratulations, girls! You've won two tickets to this concert!" the host shouted.
Anyone who loves to sing will probably tell you how good it makes them feel. But there are many different physical, emotional and social benefits associated with singing that you may not realize.
● Singing improves your memory and cognition (认识). For one thing, there is no question that singing requires you to use your memory in ways that you don't normally use even if you can't always remember all of the lyrics to your favorite songs. For another thing, singers and musicians typically have higher IQ than nonmusicians. Singing can improve your overall brain function and help you think a little clearer.
● A joint Yale and Harvard study showed that for some people living in New Haven, Connecticut, choral singing promoted healthy minds and hearts, which increased the length of life.
● Singing lowers your blood pressure. There have been several case studies that have revealed that singing can decrease blood pressure due to its calming and relaxing effect.
● Singing brings people together and creates a sense of community. Singing in a choir or singing in any sort of group environment with other people can be a fun, bonding activity. What's more, singing in a choir can decrease depression in many adults.
A. Singing leads to a longer life.
B. Singing can cure various diseases.
C. It gives you an opportunity to share an experience with a group of people.
D. This is one excellent way to keep your brain remember things well as you age.
E. Although singing is good for your health, it is not good singing loudly in public.
F. It's no secret that singing can reduce your stress and bring much fun into your day.
G. Patients are able to calm themselves down and lower blood pressure by singing songs.
I can still remember the first day when I met my best friend. She had just moved to the neighbourhood and her grandmother brought her down to meet me. I hid behind my mother and she hid behind her grandmother, scared of looking at each other.
Soon, we lost the shyness and started playing with each other, riding bikes to each other's house and having sleepovers. In 7th grade she was going through family problems. However, every summer we would sit at each other's house, watch movies on TV and talk about all the boys we liked.
It was last year that I noticed the problem. She suffered from clinical depression (临床抑郁症), and had to go to a hospital during the day. I was very sorry for her at first. But with the late night calls and meeting each other halfway up the street at midnight, we still stayed in touch. I wanted to be there for her since her new best friend left her, and I knew I still cared about her like a sister.
Yesterday she came to me and said, "I never knew what a best friend was until you were the only person that would stop me from cutting myself and that ever made me feel better about myself and my problems. You didn't know this but I was trying to kill myself that very night you called me and I was crying. I owe you so much, and you didn't even know you were helping me. "
We both cried. And I guess a kind of lesson from my life so far is to never give up your friends. Even if they aren't as cool as others, or people think they are crazy, they need someone there. If you leave them, you will only be very sorry. So if your friends need you, and you care about them, you should be always there for them.
Fun classroom activities for high school students
Classroom activities can help students relax after long-time lessons. They can educate as well as entertain the students at the same time. They will help spread knowledge and awareness(意识) among them.
Debate
Children are very enthusiastic when it comes to debates. You can choose any topic，either a political one or a topic from the textbook. Divide the class into two groups，and make one group argue in favor of the topic and the other against it. Debates will improve spur-of-the-moment(一时冲动的) thinking of the students. They will also improve their communication skills and help them think more logically.
History activity
The only problem with history is remembering the dates. All you have to do is ask the students to prepare themselves for any two battles or wars for this activity. Then make notes with different events that took place in any one war or battle. Mix them up and distribute(分发) them among the students. Then ask the students to open their notes and arrange themselves according to the dates of the events in the notes.
Quiz competition
Choose a topic and ask the students to prepare for it. Then divide the class into three teams and make a set of questions. See which team scores higher.
A. Choose some simple questions.
B. Ask the teams these questions one by one.
C. Make this task more fun through this activity.
D. It can help a student learn the values himself.
E. Record which side makes more good points during the argument.
F. Given below are some fun classroom activities for high school students.
G. The students would have to remember the dates in order to arrange themselves correctly.
|
Word |
Definition |
|
⑴t |
someone who is between 13 and 19 years old |
|
⑵s |
a thin flat piece of food cut from a larger piece |
|
⑶a |
worried because you think something bad might happen |
|
⑷q |
something that people may have as part of their character |
|
⑸p |
to change the date or time of a planned event or action to a later one |
|
⑹i |
giving people a feeling of excitement and a desire to do something great |
|
⑺d |
make someone less friendly or warm towards someone or something |
My best friend is Mark, parents have been working with mine for nearly ten years. We both study in a high school is famous in our city. Mark always helps me with my studies. Whenever I need help or support, he is always there and provides the best solutions to the problems I can't solve.
During the school holidays, Mark is also the one with I would like to travel. We have spent so much time together and have created memories will remain throughout my life.
We enjoy our life according to our needs and wishes. Mark has been my support system and my strength. There is no one can take the place of him in my life.
Sport activities are great ways for kids and adults (正在寻找更多朋友). Things, such as joining your school's sports team, provide you with a way to socialize with other people (志趣相投). For example, sports (需要一名搭档), like tennis or badminton, offer great opportunities to meet new people. You can also go to health clubs and gyms, where it is easy to find a workout friend (会让你充满活力).
Watching sports can even give you a surprise. You can chat with people (正在观看比赛), and find out their story. Perhaps, some of them are looking for another person to go on regular walks with just like you.
Here are some tips when you join a sports team. Don't be too competitive. One thing (你应该记住) is to treat others with respect because you're also trying to make friends. Don't take yourself so seriously. If you're trying out new sports, you might not have the skills (被需要). Have patience with yourself and others. After all, it will go a long way towards building a sense of achievement and forming new friendships.
