THE FRESHMAN CHALLENGE①
Hi! My name is Adam and I'm a freshman at senior high school.Going from junior high school to senior high school is a really big challenge.The first week was a little confusing②.
[1]First, I had to think very carefully about which courses I wanted to take.The school adviser helped me choose the suitable ones: maths, English, chemistry, world history, and Chinese.I know that Chinese is a very difficult language, but I hope to be fluent③ when I graduate④.[2]My adviser recommended⑤ that I should sign up for⑥ advanced⑦ literature⑧ because I like English and I'm good at it.
[1]本句为主从复合句。which引导宾语从句，作介词about的宾语。
[2]本句为主从复合句。其中that引导的从句作recommend的宾语；because引导的从句作主句的原因状语。
I had to choose extracurricular⑨ activities, too.I tried to join⑩ the school football team, but the coach told me that I didn't play well enough.Obviously?， I was unhappy, but I won't quit?.[3]I'll find a way to improve? on my own so that I can make the team next year.I joined a volunteer? club instead.Every Wednesday, we work at a soup kitchen and hand out? food to homeless? people in the community?．
I know I'll have to study harder as a senior high school student and get used to? being responsible? for a lot more.I'm a bit worried about keeping up with? the other students in my advanced course, and it'll be quite difficult to get used to all the homework.Still, I'm happy to be here.[4]Studying hard isn't always fun, but I'll be well prepared for university or whatever else comes in the future.
[3]本句为主从复合句。句中含有so that引导的从句作主句的目的状语。
[4]本句为并列复合句。由并列连词but连接前后两个分句，前一分句中的主语为动名词短语studying hard；后一分句中whatever引导的从句为宾语从句，作介词for的第二个宾语。
①challenge n．挑战；艰巨任务vt.怀疑；向……挑战
②confusing adj.难以理解的；不清楚的
③fluent adj.(尤指外语)流利的；熟练的
④graduate vi.& vt.毕业；获得学位n.毕业生
⑤recommend vt.建议；推荐；介绍
⑥sign up (for sth)报名(参加课程)
⑦advanced adj.高级的；高等的；先进的
⑧literature n．文学；文学作品
⑨extracurricular adj.课外的；课程以外的
try to join ...力争/尽量加入……
?obviously adv.显然；明显地
?quit vi.& vt.停止；戒掉；离开(工作职位、学校等)
?improve vi.& vt.改进；改善
?volunteer n．志愿者
?hand out分发；发出
?homeless adj.无家可归的
?community n．社区
?get used to doing习惯做
?responsible adj.负责的；有责任的
be responsible for对……负责
?keep up with跟上；保持同步
be prepared for ...为……做准备[参考译文]
