A

Many facts suggest that children are now overweight and the situation is getting worse according to the doctors, for which I feel there are a number of reasons.

Some people blame (责怪) the fact that we are surrounded by shops selling unhealthy, fatty foods, such as fried chicken and ice cream, at low prices. This has turned out a whole generation of grown-ups who seldom cook a meal for themselves. If there were fewer of these restaurants, then probably children would buy less fat-giving food.

There is another argument that blames parents for allowing their children to become overweight. I agree with this, because good eating habits begin early in life, long before children start to visit fast food shops. If children are given fried chicken and chocolate rather than healthy food, or are always allowed to choose what they eat, they will go for sweet and salty foods every time, and this will carry on throughout their lives.

There is a third reason for this situation. Children these days take very little exercise. They do not walk to school. When they get home they sit in front of the television or their computers and play computer games. Not only is this an unhealthy pastime (消遣), it also gives them time to eat more unhealthy food. What they need is to go outside and play active games or sports.

The above are the main reasons from this problem, and therefore we have to encourage young people to be more active, as well as steering them away from fast food shops and bad eating habits.

B

“S.H.E is going to sing at the CCTV annual Spring Festival Evening Party, is that true?” cried out Peng Weiye, a Senior 2 girl in Shanghai and die-hard S.H.E. fan.

After checking it on the Internet, Peng quickly phoned friends to spread the news. For fans like her, S.H.E.’s performance is perhaps the only part of the old fashioned evening to get excited about.

The Taiwanese band is made up of Selina, Hebe and Ella. Their name comes from the first letter of each of the singers’ English names.

Last week S.H.E. announced they would perform in Las Vegas, the US. over Christmas and then in Guangzhou on January 15.

At their Shanghai show on October 30, hundreds of parents waited outside the Hongkou Stadium. Inside, thousands of teenagers sang, cried and shouted as the band performed.

“I love their music, healthy image and everything related to them. Thank God that, although my parents don’t understand why I love them so much, they still bought me a ticket for that show,” said Peng about the Shanghai performance.

It is not just on the mainland that the three girls have made audiences much excited. In the past year the band has passed through Taiwan, Hong Kong and even Singapore and Malaysia.

When the three high school girls entered a singing contest in Taiwan in 2000, none of them ever dreamed of being a superstar. “We had never met before, and we didn’t talk at all at the beginning,” recalled Ella.

When asked about the secret of their success, she said, “Our average looks and not-so-expensive clothes keep us close to our fans. We are happy to be the girls next door, your singing sisters.”

“It’s really a magical journey, from day-dreaming high school girls to singers performing on the same stage as our idols (偶像). Nothing but magical,” she said.

55. Why was Peng Weiye, a Senior 2 girl, so excited?

A. S.H.E. band will get the old fashioned evening exciting.

B. S.H.E. will perform in Las Vegas over Christmas.

C. Her parents bought her a ticket for S.H.E.’s Shanghai show.

D. S.H.E. will perform on the CCTV Spring Festival Evening Party.

56. What do you know about Peng Weiye?

A. She stayed outside the Hongkou Stadium to listen to S.H.E.’s performance.

B. She will watch the performance in Guangzhou on January 15.

C. She pays close attention to everything about S.H.E.

D. She was grateful that her parents understood and supported her.

57. Which is TRUE about S.H.E.?

A. The secret to their success is their pretty faces and lovely clothes.

B. They were close friends when they entered a singing contest.

C. They caused a storm of excitement in Southeast Asia.

D. They have well prepared to perform with their idols.

58. Which do you think is NOT the reason for S.H.E’s popularity among their fans?

A. Their music and their healthy image.

B. They can make audience much excited.

C. Their success meets their fans’ daydream of becoming others’ idols.

D. Their average looks and not-so-expensive clothes keep them close to their fans.