17．A. example B. useful C. interesting D. competition E. different F. ctivity
　　The students' life today can be very stressful (紧张的). They are under pressure (压力) every day. They need a break from it. Parents should ask children to do something else. But don't let them relax in front of the TV. A hobby is the perfect answer.
　　There are many (1)      kinds of hobbies. Chess is a good (2)      . It is a very enjoyable game and it also helps children develop their thinking skills.
　　Collecting something is also a good hobby for children. A child can collect almost anything: key rings, stamps, postcards, old coins, etc. Many of these collecting can be both (3)      and fun. They teach children a lot and broaden (使变宽) their minds greatly. For example, gardening. Gardening is a useful hobby because it is a physical (4)      and it also teaches children about nature.
　　A hobby can be a(n) (5)      learning tool. Children may become experts in something if they really love their hobbies. Children will also learn to become more organized and make places. Hobbies will also teach children a lot about responsibility.

28．　　Every year many young people leave school for a few weeks or months and enjoy an unusual type of educational program. They learn new skills by living in a different country and doing unusual jobs. There are several organizations. They help students to find the experience they are looking for. The table below shows a few possibilities for students.

　　One interesting possibility is helping elephants in Thailand. ①Most people think of elephants as animals in zoos or circuses. ②Now, hundreds of them are homeless. ③Theses gentle animals are often found on the streets as they don't have owners to care for them. ④Although they may look well, they are often in poor health and don't have enough to eat.
　　One center in Thailand cares for these elephants. It gives them a safe and natural living space. When they are at the center, they stay in a building but are free to walk around. Students come from all over the world to help here. The student helpers work with the elephant keepers. These keepers train the students in caring for the elephants. In the morning, they go to the forest together and lead the elephants to the center. They clean them and give them food. In the afternoon, they take the animals back into the forest for the night. Helping at the center is interesting and the young people learn a lot.

29．　　The life has been full of challenges (挑战) and difficulties. Life is not about the smartest person or the strongest person, or even the richest person. However, life is about having the mind in your heart "Never Give Up", even when you feel that g(1)      up is the only choice. The world is waiting on your gifts.
　　Life won't be the s(2)      without you.
　　You are important to this world and believe it or not, someone is waiting for you to enrich their lives. You are too important to the world to just give up.
　　What if you win.
　　You may feel that life is challenging you from time to time and you can't take it anymore. You may want to give up right now. But here is a thought, what will (3)h       if you overcome the difficulties?
　　Focus (集中) on the (4)f       .
　　When an Olympic runner is in a race, he or she is focusing on one thing —the finishing line. You have to focus on the big picture — not just where you are right now. Focus in where you want to be. Make an agreement with your mind and your mouth. Life isn't crystal stair.
　　One of my favourite poems is called "Crystal Stair" written by Langston Hughes. In that poem, a mother tells her son that life is (5)h       , you will meet rocks and hard places, but the (6)e       is victory to those who stand their ground and ride the course.
　　There is a rainbow after every storm.
　　Whatever you are facing, you can make it through. There is a rainbow on the o(7)       side of your situation. Stay strong, stay focused and never give up.

30．　　There are many holidays and festivals. Dads have Father's Day. Mums have Mother's Day. But do our grandparents have a special festival?Yes, they do!
　　The Double Ninth Festival is a special day for older people in China. It started long ago. The festival is on lunar September 9th. On this day, people show love and respect (尊重) to their grandparents.
　　There are many ways in which Chinese people show their respect. When an older person enters a room, everyone stands up. People are introduced (介绍) from the oldest to the youngest. When we present a book to an older person, two hands are used. Young people always offer their seats to older people on a crowded subway or bus.
　　Respecting older people is a tradition in China. That's because the Chinese know that older people have knowledge and experience (知识和经验) that young people can learn. Chinese people are proud of being old.
　　In Western countries, however, older people seldom think they are old. They are called "seniors" instead of "old people". They'd rather do everything themselves. Even after retirement (退休) they take up hobbies, part﹣time jobs and new activities to keep their bodies working well.
　　Westerners respect their older people, too. Usually, seniors don't have to buy tickets for trains and buses. They are given discounts in stores and restaurants.
　　But Western seniors don't often live with their children — they live by themselves. For holidays, the family usually gather (聚集) at the grandparents' home, and a great smile and a warm hug for their parents are enough for grown children to show their respect.

31．我们学校有很多社团, 根据自己的情况写一篇文章
What is your favourite school club?
Why do you choose it? (at least two reasons)
What have you learnt from this club?