Throughout history, people have been interested in knowing how language first began, but no one knows exactly where or how this happened. However, we do know a lot about languages, the languages of today and also the languages of earlier times. There are probably about three thousand languages in the world today. Chinese is the language with the most speakers. English, Russian and Spanish are also spoken by many millions of people. On the other hand, some languages in the world have less than one hundred speakers.
There are several important families of languages in the world. For example, most of the languages of Europe are in one large family called Indo-European. The original (最初的) language of this family was spoken about 4,500 years ago. Many of the present day languages of Europe and India are modern forms of the language of 4,500 years ago.
Languages are always changing. The English of today is very different from the English of 500 years ago. In time some even die out completely. About 1,000 years ago English was a little -known relative of German spoken on one of the borders（边界）of Europe.
If a language has a lot of speakers or if it is very old, there may be differences in the way it is spoken in different areas. That is, the language may have several dialects. Chinese is a good example of dialect differences. Chinese has been spoken for thousands of years by many millions of speakers. The differences between the dialects of Chinese are so great that speakers of Chinese from some parts of China cannot understand speakers from other parts.The first paragraph mainly tells us that_______.
| A．most people in the world speak Chinese |
| B．there are thousands of languages in the world today |
| C．man has much knowledge about languages |
| D．some people know several languages |
Many European and Indian languages ______.
| A．will soon die out completely |
| B．were once a relative of English |
| C．are the same as before |
| D．come from the same family |
____ seems to have changed a lot
| A．Chinese | B．English | C．Spanish | D．German |
The best title of this passage is .
| A．English | B．Changes of English |
| C．Chinese | D．Knowledge of Language |
Win a week in England!
You still don’t know what to do this summer? Well, here’s your chance to win a one-week language course in Kent, England! Free4Fun and ETC (English Travel Connections) are giving away two trips to Rochester. This historic city is less than an hour’s drive from London and close to the sea resort of Herne Bay. It is also the home of one of England’s most famous writers, Charles Dickens. The town of Rochester is in Southeast England. Charles Dickens often wrote about it in his books. His home, Gad’s Hill, is there, too. A popular attraction is Rochester Castle, a large Norman fortress（堡垒）. It was built in the 11th century and rebuilt during the 14th century. Other attractions are Rochester Cathedral, which was built during the 13th century, and Dickens Centre. It has got its name in honour of Dickens himself.
The trip to England includes:
* travel by train (via the Eurotunnel) to and from any railway station in Germany
* room and full board with a guest family for one week
* language course in small groups
* two trips to London
* large choice of sports and entertainment
* German-speaking advisors available 24 hours a day
Interested? All you have to do is to answer the following question:
When was Charles Dickens born?
So, take the chance and send your answer by 1 May to:
Free4Fun "Rochester"
Free4Fun, 24 Elphinstone Road, Hastings, 2FQ6VJ
fax: 089 / 85 763-103
e-mail: free4fun@netlight.com
The two winners will be contacted directly before 5 May. They will also be announced in the June issue of Free4Fun. Good luck!
For further information contact:
phone: (03212) 144 43
fax: (03212) 144 42
e-mail: info@etc. comRochester Cathedral was built in the.
| A．1400s | B．1300s | C．1200s | D．1100s |
What activities can you participate in during the trip?
| A．Enjoying sports and entertainment. |
| B．Learning the German language. |
| C．Traveling by train with a guest family. |
| D．Working as a language advisor. |
If you want to win a prize you have to send your answer to.
| A．the June issue of Free4fun | B．ETC |
| C．info@etc. com | D．free4fun@netlight. com |
This ad was designed to target.
| A．Italians | B．Germans | C．Europeans | D．Americans |
Scientists have not come close to understanding all the different kinds of life on the planet, but US researcher Craig Venter is already working on creating the first artificial life.
Venter and his researchers made a breakthrough this August. They successfully moved the DNA of one type of bacteria(细菌) to a yeast(酵母) cell, changed it, then put it into another bacterial cell.
“Bacteria have systems that protect them from foreign DNA,” Venter explained to the BBC. In the experiment, the team managed to block this system.
The experiment was performed on a simple type of bacteria called Mycoplasma mycoides. The team took the bacteria’s genes and put them into a yeast cell.
Putting the DNA in a yeast cell allowed the team to change the genes----in this case, taking out a gene that was not necessary for the bacteria to live.
They then put the gene into a host bacteria cell. The cell went on to divide normally, producing new healthy bacteria.
In January, the team created artificial genes of a new type of bacteria. Their next goal is to put the artificial DNA into a host cell to create a new species, according to a report in Science magazine.
“If we don’t make any errors, I think it should work and we should have the first artificial species by the end of the year,” Venter said in the report.
The first artificial life from is likely to be a simple man-made bacteria, to prove that the technology can work. But that form will be followed by more complex bacteria that turn coal into cleaner natural gas, or algae that can take in carbon dioxide and change it into fuel.
Many scientists think it’s good news to have this artificial life, but others are worried that the technology to create new organisms might end up in the wrong hands, with dangerous results.Craig Venter and his team are working to ______.
| A．create a new animal |
| B．clone a new species |
| C．produce the first artificial bacteria |
| D．develop a new system |
Which of the following is the right order of the experiment?
a. A gene was removed and put into a host bacteria cell.
b. The genes were put into a yeast cell.
c. The cell produced new healthy bacteria.
d. The genes were changed.
e. Some genes were taken out of Mycoplasma mycoides.
| A．d-e-a-c-b | B．e-b-d-a-c |
| C．a-d-e-c-b | D．b-e-d-c-a |
According to the passage, complex artificial bacteria, which will follow the first simple man-made bacteria, are intended to ______.
| A．cure deadly diseases |
| B．prepare the Earth for natural disasters |
| C．prove that the technology can work |
| D．improve the earth’s environment |
We can learn from the passage that ______.
| A．Venter and his team are the only scientists trying to create artificial life |
| B．The experiment was based on research into different kinds of life on Earth |
| C．A new type of bacteria was created in January |
| D．All scientists are not in favor of the research |
CLASSIC TOURS — COACH BREAK INFORMATION
Luggage
We ask you to keep luggage down to one medium-sized suitcase per person, but a small suitcase can also be taken on board the coach.
Seat Allocation(分配)
Requests for particular seats can be made on most coach breaks when booking, but since allocations are made on a first come, first serve basic, early booking is advisable. When booking are made with us you will be offered the best seats that are available on the coach at that time.
Travel Documents
When you have paid your deposit we will send to you all the necessary documents and labels, so that you receive them in good time before the coach break departure date.
Special Diets
If you require a special diet you must inform us at the time of booking with a copy of the diet. This will be informed to the hotel or hotels on your coach break. Certain coach breaks the hotels used are tourist class and while offering value for money within the price range, they may not have the full facilities to cope with special diets.
Accommodation(住宿)
Many of our coach breaks now include, within the price, accommodation with private facilities, and this will be shown on the coach break page. Other coach breaks have a limited number of rooms with private facilities which can be reserved and guaranteed at the time of booking—the additional charge shown in the price panel will be added to your account.
On any coach break there are only a limited number of single rooms. When a single room is available it may be charged more and this will be shown on the brochure page.
Entertainment
Some of our hotels arrange additional entertainment which include music, dancing, films, etc. The presence of the entertainment is at the discretion of(听凭…处理) the hotel and therefore not guaranteed and could be withdrawn if there is a lack of demand or insufficient numbers in the hotel. If you want to sit at the front of the coach, you should ________.
| A．ask when you get on the coach |
| B．arrive early on the departure date |
| C．book your seat well in advance |
| D．avoid traveling at peak times |
It may be necessary to pay extra for _________.
| A．single rooms | B．the best seat |
| C．additional luggage | D．entertainment |
With every booking Classic Tours guarantees you will be able to ___________.
| A．request high quality meals. |
| B．take hand luggage on the coach. |
| C．have a bathroom to yourself. |
| D．see a film if you want to. |
When 7-year-old Warren Buffett said, “I will be the richest man one day,” his friends made fun of his “daydreaming”. But ever since then the little boy has set about learning how to make money by selling drinks, delivering newspaper and buying stocks. The American had already earned $9,000 (equal to $90,000 today) by the time he graduated from the high school.
And this month the 78-year-old, who earned his fortune by making a lot of sound investment in the stock market, took the place of Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, as the world’s richest man. Gates’ worth declined $1.5 billion to $55.5 billion in 33 days after the recent financial storm, according to Forbes Magazine.
Buffett, the only son of a stockbroker, was ready to think outside the box to develop his business from a very early age. At 8, he went to golf courses collecting and selling the used balls. At 11 when he sold soda pop door-to-door with a friend, the pair collected lids on streets to judge which flavor was the most popular.
As a paper boy during high school, Buffett delivered two competitor papers, so that even when customers canceled one of the subscriptions (订阅) , he could still make a profit from the other. With his paper delivery savings, Buffett bought 162,000 square meters of farmland and collected rent. Young Buffett stepped into the stock market at 11 but earned only $5. The experience taught him one of the virtues（优点）in investing patience.
After graduating from university, Buffett started his venture with stocks with his childhood earnings and money from friends. He researched the stocks and just bought those of solid companies that were undervalued and inexpensive at the time. By sticking to companies such as American Express and Coca-Cola, Buffett has become rich.
“Learning is important to Buffett’s success. He is a learning machine who can spend his entire day reading. He keeps learning from books, street smarts and investigation, from both success and failure. In this way, he over achieved his aptitude (能力),” said Charlie Munger, his longtime business partner.The passage is mainly about_____.
| A．why Buffett took the place of Bill Gates as the world’s richest man |
| B．what effect Buffett’s childhood experiences have on his success |
| C．how Buffett earned his fortune and achieve his aptitude |
| D．what Buffett dreamt about when he was a child |
How did Buffett behave at the stock market?
| A．He will buy the stock whose price is lower than its value. |
| B．He often prefers some inexpensive stocks. |
| C．He always borrows money from his friends to buy stocks. |
| D．He will sell the stock if its price doesn’t go up. |
Which is the main factor that determines Buffett’s success?
| A．His desire to learn. |
| B．His family background. |
| C．His education. |
| D．His cooperation with his partner. |
What can we infer from the passage?
| A．Buffett is an immediate success in the stock market |
| B．Buffett and Gates are business partners. |
| C．His father helped him a lot in his business. |
| D．Buffett has a good sense of business. |
We lived in a very quiet neighborhood. One evening I heard a loud crash in the street. Earlier that evening my wife had asked me to go to the store to get some soft drinks. It seemed like this would be a good time to let my teenage daughter Holly practice her driving, so I sent her to the store in my truck.
At dinner my son talked about how much he liked my truck. I enjoyed having it, but I said: "Guy, my heart is not set on that truck. I like it but it is just metal and won’t last forever. Never set your heart on anything that won’t last."
After hearing the loud noise, the whole family ran outside. My son shouted: "Dad! Dad, Holly crashed your truck."
My heart sank and my mind was flooded with conflicting thoughts. Was anyone hurt? Who else was involved? As I ran to the door, I heard a voice in my heart say: "Here is a chance to show Holly what you really love. She’ll never forget it."
The accident had occurred in my own driveway. Holly had crashed my truck into our other vehicle, the family van (搬运车). In her inexperience, she had confused the brakes and the gas pedal. Holly was unhurt physically, but when I reached her, she was crying and saying: "Oh, Dad, I’m sorry. I know how much you love this truck." I held her in my arms as she cried.
Later that week a friend stopped by and asked what had happened to my truck. I told her the whole story. Her eyes moistened (湿润) and she said: "That happened to me when I was a girl. I borrowed my dad’s car and ran into a log that had fallen across the road. I ruined the car. When I got home my Dad knocked me to the ground and began to kick me."
Over 40 years later, she still felt the pain of that night.
I remember how sad Holly was and how I comforted her. One day, when Holly thinks back on her life, I want her to know what really matters in my life. How did the crash happen?
| A．The van was parked in the wrong place that evening. |
| B．Holly stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brakes. |
| C．The brakes of the truck didn’t work properly. |
| D．Holly was too careless and young to drive a truck. |
Why didn’t the writer punish Holly?
| A．He was so rich that he didn’t care about losing one truck. |
| B．He thought there was no point punishing her after the accident. |
| C．He believed the truck was made of metal and of poor quality. |
| D．He wanted Holly to know he loved her more than any possessions. |
What does the underlined sentence mean?
| A．She still suffered physical pain. |
| B．She felt guilty of damaging the car. |
| C．It left a deep wound on her soul. |
| D．She was not forgiven by her Dad. |
Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
| A．What really matters? |
| B．Better to forgive and forget |
| C．Who is to blame? |
| D．Accidents will happen |