Unit 2 Growing pains and gains阅读理解-新外研八下

A
When we talk about growing up, many people only think about getting taller, getting older, or finishing their studies. But true growth is not just about physical changes or academic achievements. It is a deep and lasting process that shapes who we are and how we see the world.
Lily, a 14-year-old girl, learned this lesson last summer. She was chosen to lead her school’s drama club in a city-wide competition. At first, Lily was excited. She thought being a leader meant giving orders and making everyone follow her plan. However, things did not go well. Some members disagreed with her ideas, and others stopped showing up for practice. The team was falling apart, and Lily felt like a failure. She even wanted to quit.
One evening, her grandmother, a retired teacher, noticed her sadness. “A true leader doesn’t stand above others,” her grandmother said. “She stands with them.” The next day, Lily changed her approach. She called a meeting and asked every member to share their thoughts. She listened carefully, accepted good suggestions, and even changed the play’s ending based on a new idea from a shy freshman.
Slowly, the team came together. They practiced harder than ever, and everyone felt proud to be part of the group. In the end, they did not win the first prize, but they got the “Best Team Spirit” award. When Lily held the trophy, she realized that she had gained more than a prize. She had learned to listen, to respect others, and to take responsibility for her mistakes. That was the moment she truly grew up.
Growth happens when we step out of our comfort zones, face our weaknesses, and learn to care about others. It is not measured by what we get, but by who we become. Every challenge, every mistake, and every difficult conversation is a chance to grow. As we move through adolescence, we should not be afraid of these moments—they are the building blocks of a strong and kind adult.
Questions:
1. What does the passage mainly discuss
A. The importance of winning competitions
B. The story of a drama club’s success
C. The true meaning of growing up
D. How to be a good drama club leader
2. Why did Lily’s drama team almost fall apart at first
A. The members were not interested in the competition
B. Lily failed to lead the team in a proper way
C. The play’s ending was not good enough
D. The team did not have enough practice time
3. What advice did Lily’s grandmother give her
A. To quit the drama club and focus on studies
B. To give more orders to make the team follow her
C. To stand with team members instead of above them
D. To change the play’s ending by herself
4. What did Lily do to improve the situation of the team
A. She asked every member to share their ideas and accepted good suggestions
B. She replaced the shy freshman with a more experienced member
C. She stopped the practice and reorganized the team
D. She asked her grandmother to be the new leader
5. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE about growth
A. It is only about physical changes and getting older
B. It is measured by the prizes we win in competitions
C. It happens when we face challenges and learn from them
D. It means never making mistakes or facing difficulties
Answers:
1.C
2.B
3.C
4.A
5.C
B
Adolescence, the period between childhood and adulthood, is often called a time of “growing pains.” It is a stage filled with rapid physical, emotional, and social changes. For many young people, these changes can feel overwhelming and confusing.
One of the biggest challenges during this time is the struggle for independence. Teenagers want to make their own decisions, choose their own friends, and develop their own identities. This can lead to conflicts with parents and other family members, who may still see them as children. For example, a teenager might want to stay out late with friends, but their parents worry about their safety and set a curfew. These disagreements are a normal part of the process of growing up.
Another common challenge is dealing with peer pressure. Friends and classmates can have a strong influence on a teenager’s choices and behavior. Sometimes, this influence is positive, encouraging them to try new things, work hard at school, or be kind to others. However, it can also be negative, pushing them to engage in risky behaviors like smoking, drinking, or skipping classes. Learning to say “no” and make good choices, even when it’s difficult, is an important life skill.
Despite these challenges, adolescence is also a time of great “gains.” It is a period when young people develop important skills like problem-solving, empathy, and resilience. They learn to understand and manage their emotions, build meaningful relationships, and discover their own strengths and interests. These experiences help them to become more confident and prepared for the responsibilities of adulthood.
As the old saying goes, “No pain, no gain.” The difficulties we face during our teenage years are not meant to break us, but to shape us into the people we are meant to be.
Questions:
1. What does the passage mainly talk about
A. The importance of making friends in adolescence
B. The physical changes that happen during adolescence
C. The challenges and growth of adolescence
D. How to avoid conflicts with parents
2. Why do teenagers often have conflicts with their parents
A. Because teenagers want more independence
B. Because parents are too strict
C. Because teenagers don't understand their parents
D. Because parents don't care about teenagers' safety
3. Which of the following is an example of negative peer pressure
A. Encouraging a friend to study harder
B. Pushing a classmate to skip a class
C. Helping a friend join a sports team
D. Inviting a classmate to a school club
4. According to the passage, what is one of the "gains" of adolescence
A. Becoming more dependent on parents
B. Losing interest in school
C. Developing important life skills
D. Avoiding all challenges
5. What does the saying "No pain, no gain" mean in the context of the passage
A. Teenagers should avoid all pain and difficulties
B. Difficulties in adolescence help us grow and become stronger
C. Pain is more important than gain
D. Teenagers should only focus on having fun

Answers:
1. C
2. A
3. B
4. C
5. B
C
When I was 13, I had a big argument with my mother. I wanted to get a part-time job at a local café to earn my own pocket money. She was against it, saying that schoolwork should be my first priority and that I was too young to work. I felt that she didn’t trust me and that she was trying to control my life. We didn’t talk to each other for a whole week.
During that time, I thought a lot about why she was so upset. I realized that she was worried about my safety and my grades. I also remembered how hard she worked to support our family. So, I decided to talk to her again. I told her that I understood her concerns, but I also wanted to be more independent. We finally reached an agreement: I could take the job, but only on weekends, and I had to promise to keep my grades up.
This experience taught me that communication is key. When we face conflicts with our family, we should try to understand each other’s feelings and find a solution together. It also made me realize that growing up means taking responsibility for our choices.
Questions:
1. Why did the writer want to get a part-time job
2. What was the mother’s attitude towards the writer’s plan
3. How long did the writer and his mother not talk to each other
4. What agreement did they finally reach
5. What did the writer learn from this experience
参考答案：
1. To earn his own pocket money.
2. She was against it, saying that schoolwork should be his first priority and that he was too young to work.
3. For a whole week.
4. He could take the job only on weekends and had to promise to keep his grades up.
5. He learned that communication is key when facing family conflicts, and that growing up means taking responsibility for his choices.

D
Last year, I tried out for the school basketball team. I had practiced for months and I was confident that I would make the team. However, when the list of selected players was posted, my name wasn’t on it. I was heartbroken. I felt like all my hard work had been for nothing.
For a few weeks, I didn’t want to play basketball anymore. I avoided the court and even stopped watching games on TV. But then, my coach found me and talked to me. He told me that failure is a part of life and that it doesn’t mean I’m not good enough. He encouraged me to keep practicing and to try again next year.
I took his advice. I started practicing even harder than before. I worked on my shooting, my dribbling, and my teamwork. When tryouts came around again, I was ready. This time, my name was on the list. I made the team!
This experience taught me that failure is not the end. It’s just a stepping stone to success. It also made me more resilient and determined. Now, when I face a challenge, I don’t give up easily. I know that if I keep trying, I can achieve my goals.
Questions:
1. What happened when the writer tried out for the basketball team last year
2. How did the writer feel after he didn’t make the team
3. Who encouraged the writer to keep practicing
4. What did the writer do to prepare for the next tryouts
5. What did the writer learn from this experience

参考答案：
1. His name wasn’t on the list of selected players.
2. He was heartbroken and felt like all his hard work had been for nothing.
3. His coach.
4. He started practicing even harder, working on his shooting, dribbling, and teamwork.
5. He learned that failure is not the end but a stepping stone to success, and it made him more resilient and determined.