Learning a Second Language
Some people learn a second language easily. Other people have trouble learning a new language. How can you help yourself learn a new language, such as English? There are several ways to make learning English a little easier and more interesting.
The first step is to feel positive about learning English. If you believe that you can learn, you will learn. Be patient. You do not have to understand everything all at once. It is natural to make mistakes when you learn something new. We can learn from our mistakes. In other words, do not worry about taking risks,
The second step is to practice your English. For example, write in a journal, or diary, every day. You will get used to writing in English, and you will feel comfortable expressing your ideas in English. After several weeks, you will see that your writing is improving. In addition, you must s
peak English every day. You can practice with your classmates outside class. You will all make mistakes, but gradually you will become comfortable communicating in English.
The third step is to keep a record of your language learning. You can write this in your journal. After each class, think about what you did. Did you answer a question correctly? Did you understand something the teacher explained? Perhaps the lesson was difficult, but you tried to understand it. Write these accomplishments in your journal.
You must be positive about learning English and believe that you can do it. It is important to practice every day and make a record of your achievements. You will enjoy learning English, and you will feel more confidence in yourself.
66.To feel positive about learning English means _______.
A.if you are patient, you will learn
B.you can understand everything all at once
C.if you make mistakes, you can learn from your mistakes
D.if you believe you can learn, you will learn
67._____ follows in addition.
A.More information B. The same information C.The result D. The opposite information
68.When you learn English, you do not need to ______.
A.be patient B. make mistakes
C. express your ideas in English D. understand everything all at once
69.What is not helpful for you to enjoy learning English?
A.To communicate in English. B.To worry about taking risks.
C.To think about what has been done after each class. D.To make a record of the achievements.
70.What is the main idea of this passage?
A.It is very important to learn a second language.
B.Some people learn a second language easily. Other people do not.
C.There are ways to help you learn a second language more easily.
D.Don’t worry about taking risks when learning a second language.
“In only six days I lost seven pounds of weight.”
“Two full inches in the first three days!”
These are the kinds of statements used in magazine, newspaper, radio and television ads, promising new shapes and new looks to those who buy the medicine or the device of such products say they can shape the legs, slim the face, smooth wrinkles, or in some other way to beauty or desirability.
Often such products are nothing more than money-making things for their promoter. The results they produce are questionable, and some are dangerous to health.
To understand how these products can be legally promoted to the public, it is necessary to understand something of the laws covering their regulation. If the product is a drug, FDA(Food Drug Administration)can require proof (证明)under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that it is safe and effective before it is put on the market. But if the product is a device, FDA has no authority to require premarketing proof of safety or effectiveness. If a product already on the market is a danger to health, FDA can request the producer or distributor to remove it from the market voluntarily, or it can take legal action ,including seizure (查封) of the product.
One notable case a few years ago involved an electrical device called the Relaxacisor, had been sold for reducing the waistline. The Relaxacisor produced electrical shocks to the body through contact pads. FDA took legal action against the distributor to stop the sale of the device on the grounds that it was dangerous to health and life.
Obviously, most of the devices on the market have never been the subject of court proceedings (法律诉讼), and new devices appear continually. Before buying, it is up to the consumer to judge the safety or effectiveness of such items.It can be inferred that ads mentioned in the text are ______.
A.objective | B.costly | C.unreliable | D.illegal |
Which of the following is true according to the text?
A. The court is in charge of removing dangerous product.
B. New products are more likely to be questionable.
C. The production of a device must be approved by FDA.
D. The promoters usually just care about profits.FDA can ask for the proof of safety and effectiveness of a product ________.
A.if it is a drug |
B.if it is a device |
C.if its consumers make complaints |
D.if its distributors challenge FDA’s authority |
The Relaxacisor is mentioned as_______.
A.a product which was designed to produce electricity |
B.a product whose distributor was involved in a legal case |
C.a successful advertisement of a beauty product |
D.an example of a quality beauty product |
The author intends to __________
A.make consumers aware of the promoters’ false promises |
B.show the weakness of the law on product safety |
C.give advice on how to keep young and beautiful |
D.introduce the organization of FDA |
Even when you’re extremely busy, you aren’t using your time with 100% efficiency. There are gaps in everyone’s schedule where they aren’t doing anything important. Even if your schedule has no gaps, there is probably lots of time where you aren’t working as fast or as effectively as you possibly could.
Why aren’t you completely efficient? It’s because time isn’t the limiting factor. If it were the limiting factor, people could work non-stop without breaks or any unproductive distractions(消遣). Instead, people, even those who are highly productive, need to take breaks, occasionally procrastinate(拖延) and slow down on tasks throughout the day.
The real and most important limiting factor for productivity is your energy levels to pay attention. Energy levels limit your productivity because when you’re tired, you can have ample time and still not get everything done. Your attention ability is also limited, because even if there are a million things that need to be done, you can only focus on one or two at a time.
You might not be able to insert another 4-5 hours into your schedule without making some sacrifices. But even extremely busy people can add an hour or two into their schedule without cancelling anything. The reason it’s hard to “find time” isn’t a lack of time. It’s because you don’t have enough energy left to focus on something else that needs to fit into your day.
I first suspected time wasn’t the real problem during an extremely busy period in my life over a year ago. I was insanely (发疯地)busy, but at that time I still exercised regularly. I had daily to-do lists with over twenty items, and I still found time to exercise. However, after a few weeks off, due to illness, I stopped exercising. I was not busy by any standards, in fact, my schedule was incredibly light. Despite this free time, I found it hard to find time to exercise. It seemed to get pushed later and later into my schedule until it was gone. How can I explain this odd experience? I believe you have known it.If someone can’t work with 100% efficiency, the most important limiting factor is ________.
A.a schedule without gaps | B.breaks and distractions |
C.the limited time | D.the limited energy |
According to paragraph 4, everyone, including the extremely busy people, can ___________.
A.work without any rest | B.focus on many things at a time |
C.find some more time in a day | D.do some exercise regularly |
After a few weeks off, what was the change of the writer’s life?
A.He had a longer daily to-do lists with over twenty items. |
B.He stopped doing exercise because of the lack of energy. |
C.He found it hard to find time to exercise because he was busier. |
D.He pushed most of the things later and later in his schedule. |
The writer gives the example of himself in the last paragraph in order to ___________.
A.prove what the real limiting factor is |
B.show us how busily he needs to work |
C.explain how important a healthy body is |
D.tell us what an odd experience he has |
What is the best title of the passage?
A.Are You Really Lack of Time? | B.How Can You Work Efficiently? |
C.What Makes Your Energy Limited? | D.When Should You Do Exercise? |
As I grew older, my dad and I grew further apart.We always had totally different opinions.He thought that college was a waste of time,but for me it was important to finish college.He wanted me to work my way to the top as he had done in his field,but l wanted a different life.There was a time when we did not talk with each other.
A few months ago, I heard that my 84-year-old dad was in poor health.When he called and asked whether I could move from Colorado back to Tennessee to help him,I knew he was seriously ill.I am his only child and so it was time to meet my father’s requirement.
Two weeks after moving back,we bought a boat and started fishing again.Fishing was one of the few things that we did while l was young and that we both enjoyed.It is strange but true that as we are fishing we are able to put things that have kept us apart for so many years behind us.We are able to talk about things that we have never talked about before.Fishing has been healing the old wounds that have kept us apart.
It is not important how many fish we catch.It is about enjoying the relationship that we have not had for years.I’m 62 and he is 84.When we are on the lake fishing,it is like two kids enjoying life.It is far better to find a way to put the unhappy past behind.I am so lucky to spend the happy time with my father in his last years.Now my heart is filled with love.A smile always graces my lips.The author and his father became further apart because______________.
A.they lived very far from each other |
B.they had different views on things |
C.they only communicated by phone |
D.they seldom went to see each other |
Why did the author come back to Tennessee?
A.Because his father invited him to go fishing |
B.Because he decided to live in a different city |
C.Because his father is ill and needs caring |
D.Because he regretted being rude to his father |
For the author,fishing with his old father___________ .
A.helps cure his father’s disease |
B.is a good way to get close to nature |
C.makes him realize the importance of relaxation |
D.provides a chance for them to communicate |
According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A.The writer’s car is always breaking down. |
B.Father intended me to be a fisherman. |
C.I was unwilling to came back. |
D.Father uesed to think it was useless to attend college.. |
What can be the best title for the text?
A.Fishing Brings Us Together | B.Forgiving Is Difficult |
C.Memories of Old Days | D.My Beloved Father |
She belongs to no one but the whole world that can understand her language. Her music is appreciated across the globe but it is Singapore, China, Thailand and Britain that have helped to shape her talent.
Violinist, Vanessa-Mae, best known for her pioneering mix of pop and classical music, has just completed her Asian tour. She has a magic power that has attracted an audience from around the world but the violin genius has always drawn fans by blazing a new trail.
“I don’t like playing it safe, I like jumping into new styles,” she said. She started her Asian performance tour in China’s Hong Kong on September 19 and visited the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumper. The tour, aiming to promote her new album, “The Best of Vanessa-Mae”, ends in Thailand’s capital Bangkok on September 30.
The graceful and beautiful musician has attracted lots of fans in the places she has visited. She said although she enjoys trying out different forms of performance, including fashion shows and singing, she feels more comfortable with her violin. She has promised her fans she will never abandon the classical music that was the foundation of her training.
Vanessa-Mae, now 23, first picked up the violin at five. After six months of intensive training in Beijing, he turned professional at 10. it was her fusion (融合) of classical and rock in her 1995 album “The Violin Player”, that shot the then 17-year-old to international recognition. The record sold 3 million copies worldwide.
She has a Chinese-Singaporean mother and a Thai father. She was born in Singapore and grew up in Britain. Vanessa-Mae has released seven albums and plans two more in the near future—first a classical album,, then a pop recording.
She has said she wants to perform for the next 10 years, but after that she may settle down with her boyfriend, a 33-year-old wine-dealer from France, and concentrate on writing music.Vanessa-Mae started her Asian performance tour .
A.to concentrate on writing music |
B.to go on a lobng journey |
C.to sell her new album “The Best of Vanessa-Mae” |
D.to attract her fans |
She has given performance in these forms EXCEPT.
A.playing the violin | B.fashion shows |
C.singing | D.playing the piano |
What can we know about Vanessa-Mae from the passage?
A.Her music is a mix of pop and classical music. |
B.She has released nine albums. |
C.Her music is a fusion of Chinese and Western music. |
D.Being born in Singapore and growing up in Britain have resulted in popularity of her music. |
If a diver surfaces too quickly, he may suffer the bends. Nitrogen (氮) dissolved (溶解) in his blood is suddenly liberated by the reduction of pressure. The consequence, if the bubbles (气泡) accumulate in a joint, is sharp pain and a bent body — thus the name. If the bubbles form in his lungs or brain, the consequence can be death.
Other air-breathing animals also suffer this decompression (减压) sickness if they surface too fast: whales, for example. And so, long ago, did ichthyosaurs (鱼龙). That these ancient sea-animals got the bends can be seen from their bones. If bubbles of nitrogen form inside the bone they can cut off its blood supply. This kills the cells in the bone, and consequently weakens it, sometimes to the point of collapse. Fossil(化石)bones that have caved in on themselves are thus a sign that the animal once had the bends.
Bruce Rothschild of the University of Kansas knew all this when he began a suty of ichthyosaurs bones to find out how widespread the problem was in the past. What he particularly wanted to investigate was how ichthyosaurs adapted to the problem of decompession over the 150 milllion years. To this end, he and his colleagues traveled the world’s natural-history museums, looking at hundreds of ichthyosaurs from the Trassic period and from the later Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
When he started, he assumed that signs of the bends would be rarer in younger fossils, reflecting their gradual evolution of measures to deal with decompression. Instead, he was astonished to discover the opposite. More than 15% of Jurassic and Cretaceous ichthyosaurs had suffered the bends before the died, but not a single Trassic specimen showed evidence of that sort of injury.
If ichthyosaurs did evolve an anti-decompression means, they clearly did so quickly — and, most strangly, they lost it afterwards. But that is not what Dr Rothchild thinks happened. He suspects it was evolution in other animals that caused the change.
Whales that suffer the bends often do so because they have sufaced to escape a predator (捕食动物) such as a large shark. One of the features of the Jurassia oceans was an abundance of large sharks and crocodiles, both of which were fond of ichthyosaurs lunches. Trassic oceans, by contrast, were mercifully shark-and crocodile-free. In the Trassic, then, ichthyosaurs were top of the food chain. In the Jurrasic and Cretaceous, they were prey (猎物) as well as predator —and often had to make a speedy exit as a result.Which of the following is a typical symptom of the bends?
A.A twisted body. |
B.A gradual decrease in blood supply. |
C.A sudden release of nitrogen in blood. |
D.A drop in blood presure. |
The purpose of Rothchild’s study is to see .
A.how often ichthyosaurs caught the bends |
B.how ichthyosaurs adapted to decompression |
C.why ichthyosaurs bent their bodies |
D.when ichthyosaurs broke their bones |
Rothchild’s finding stated in Paragrapg 4 .
A.confirmed his assumption | B.speeded up his research process |
C.disagreed with his assumption | D.changed his research objectives |
Rothchild might have concluded that ichthyosaurs .
A.failed to evole an anti-decompression means |
B.grdually developed measures against the bends |
C.died out because of large sharks and crocodiles |
D.evoled an anti-decompression means but soon lost it |