21．
　　Sometimes, we all have trouble communicating with other people. This is a very (1)       problem. Some people are shy. Other people can't think of interesting conversation (2)      . Making conversation can be very difficult for them. If you have this problem, don't worry! We can teach you some easy (3)       for making conversation. These will help you find something fun to discuss. It doesn't matter whether you are with your new friends or with a (4)       stranger.

22．
　　Making interesting conversation is actually very easy. You just have to pay attention and ask the right questions. Remember that questions are (1)       better than comments (评论) because people can answer questions. Don't say, "I like your shoes." It's better to say, "Where did you get your shoes?" This will keep the conversation going. Remember to (2)       private topics. People (3)       like to talk about their age or their income. In the beginning, discuss fun things like traveling and friends. You will find out what people like to talk about after you (4)       them better. The most important things is to be sincere. If you are, you might make a new friend!

38．Choose the best answer (选择最恰当的答案)

39．Choose the words and complete the passage (选择最恰当的单词, 完成短文)
　　Students in China have one less things to put in their backpacks these days. The government recently banned (禁止) smartphones in public schools for all students through nine grades. Many schools around the world like Germany, Japan, the United States have similar bans.
　　Some educators say kids pay better attention in class when they aren't looking at their phones all the time. They say banning phones (1)       students to talk to each other more.
　　Most teachers would agree that they don't want a classroom full of kids texting (发短信). But many say a total ban on phones isn't (2)      . Some people argue that it's better to teach kids to use technology responsibly than take it away. Also, many parents point out that they need to be able to reach their kids during the day.
　　Yes! Smartphones make it (3)       for students to concentrate in class. Kids might play games, watch videos, or check out apps instead of paying attention to the teacher. They can easily miss important information. Besides, a ringing or buzzing phone distracts (使……分心) other students. Also, some kids might use their phones to cheat. They could go online and look up(4)       to a test, or they could turn to their friends for help.
　　No! Students should be able to have their phones with them in case of an (5)      . Kids need a way to get in touch with their parents if they get sick, if the school bus breaks down, or even if they forget their lunch at home. Smartphones can actually help kids do better in school. We can use them to go online and do research for a class project or for help with writing essays. (6)      , there are great educational apps we can use. They can help us study better. It's not a good idea to ban phones in school.

40．Read the passage and fill in the blanks with proper words(在短文的空格内填入适当的词, 是其内容通顺, 每空格限填一次, 首字母已给)
　　What is laughter?
　　Laughter is natural for people. We start to laugh at about four months of age. We start to laugh even before we start to speak!
　　Laughter is social. It connects us with other people. We laugh more when we are with other people. Studies find that we are 30 times more likely to laugh with others than when we are a (1)      . When one person laughs, other people begin to laugh, too.
　　It is difficult to pretend. Laughter is h(2)      . Try to laugh right now. It's difficult, isn't it? When people pretend to laugh, most people know it's not real. Studies show that people don't like the sound of fake (虚假的) laughter.
　　When do people laugh?
　　Only 10 to 20 percent of laughter is about something funny. Most laughter is about being friendly with other people. Most laughter says "I don't want to compete with you. I like to be with you." This kind of laughter brings people t(3)      .
　　We often laugh when we feel n(4)      . At the beginning of the meeting, someone often tells a joke. It's usually a small joke, but we laugh a lot. Our laughter helps us relax.
　　What is funny?
　　Some things are funny because we don't e(5)       them. When a joke begins, we already have an idea about the end. We think we know the end, but then the joke ends in a different way. The end of the joke surprises us. It makes us laugh.
　　Silly things are sometimes funny. We laugh at jokes about people and their m(6)       because we know something they don't know. We think we are better than they are.
　　Not everyone has the same sense of humor (幽默感). Some people think a joke is funny, but other people don't think so. People have different idea about what is funny. For young children, the world is new. Many things surprise them, so they laugh a lot. Teenagers often worry about what others think of them. They laugh to p(7)       themselves. Teenagers laugh when they feel embarrassed. Adults laugh at things that give them stress. Our reasons for laughter change over time.

41．Read the passage below and answer the following questions(根据文章内容回答下列问题)
　　My first few years at my summer camp made me so homesick (想家的) that I couldn't help crying in my bed because I missed my mom so badly and would beg my counselor (辅导员) to call her. I cannot tell you what changed in me exactly, but one day I realized that moms do not have the magic power to fix everything. Most of the time only you have the power to fix your own problems.
　　At camp, it does not matter who you are or where you come from, all that matters is that you are nice to other campers and counselors. I learned to work as a team member in some of the most difficult situations by finding the good in people. You learn to accept others for what they bring to the table. Camp opened my eyes to what qualities truly matter in people.
　　Growing up is hard; school is stressful, friends let you down, and family conflicts (矛盾) create problems out of your control. At camp, I could be the best version of me as a happy, confident, creative and cool girl. Camping gave me confidence and freedom to be who I wanted to be. Summer camps are an unusual place. The best friends I could ever make were always there with me. We climbed the high mountains and made camp near the lakes. Spending time with my friends made the best memories I could ever ask for. At camp, I laughed the hardest, smiled the biggest. I was much happier than ever before.
　　I attended my summer camp for over ten years, and during each summer I would become stronger and more confident. Whether it was hiking up large hills, learning skills for the first time, or thinking about what's good in me, camping gave me time to develop into the person I am today. Camping really makes me a better person.

42．Write at least 60 words about the topic " made me a better person". (请以"……使我成为更好的自己"为题, 写一篇不少于 60 个词的短文, 标点符号不占格．)
生活中往往有许多人或事帮助我们成为更好的自己．也许是曾经的某一次经历或某个人使我们发现了自己的潜力与天赋;使我们由依赖到独立, 敢于选择、敢于承担责任;使我们勇于面对未知, 尝试新经验, 主动做出改变．请补全标题并结合过去的真实经历, 谈一谈什么促使你成为更好的自己, 你又在哪些方面做出了改变．