Not long ago, people thought babies were not able to learn things until they were five or six months old. Yet doctors in the United States say babies begin learning on their first day of life.
Scientists note that babies are strongly influenced by their environment. They say a baby will smile if her mother does something the baby likes. A baby learns to get the best care possible by smiling to please her mother or other caregiver. This is how babies learn to connect and communicate with other human beings.
One study shows that babies can learn before they are born. The researchers placed a tape recorder on the stomach of a pregnant woman. Then, they played a recording of a short story. On the day the baby was born, the researchers attempted to find if he knew the sounds of the story repeated while in his mother. They did this by placing a device in the mouth of the newborn baby. The baby would hear the story if he moved his mouth one way. If the baby moved his mouth the other way, he would hear a different story. The researchers say the baby clearly liked the story he heard before he was born. They say the baby would move his mouth so he could hear the story again and again.
Another study shows how mothers can strongly influence social development and language skills in their children. Researchers studied the children from the age of one month to three years. The researchers attempted to measure the sensitivity of the mothers. The women were considered sensitive if they supported their children’s activities and did not interfere unnecessarily. They tested the children for thinking and language development when they were three years old. Also, the researchers observed the women for signs of depression.
The children of depressed women did not do as well in tests as the children of women who did not suffer from depression. The children of depressed women did poorly in tests of language skills and understanding what they hear.
These children also were less cooperative and had more problems dealing with other people. The researchers noted that the sensitivity of the mothers was important to the intelligence development of their children. Children did better when their mothers were caring, even when they suffered from depression.According to the passage, which of the following is NOT the factor that influences intelligence development in babies?
| A.The environment. | B.Mother’s sensitivity. |
| C.Their peers (同龄人) | D.Education before birth. |
What is the purpose of the experiment in which newborn babies heard the stories?
| A.To prove that babies can learn before they are born. |
| B.To prove that babies can learn on the first day they are born. |
| C.To show mothers can strongly influence intelligence development in their babies. |
| D.To indicate early education has a deep effect on the babies’ language skills. |
Which group of children did the worst in tests of language skills?
| A.The children of depressed mothers who cared little for their children. |
| B.The children of women who did not suffer from depression. |
| C.The children of depressed but caring mothers. |
| D.Children with high communication abilities. |
What is the main idea of the passage?
| A.Scientific findings about how babies develop before birth. |
| B.Scientific findings about how the environment has an effect on babies’ intelligence. |
| C.A study shows babies are not able to learn things until they are rice or six months old. |
| D.Scientific findings about how intelligence develops in babies. |
第三部分:阅读理解(共20小题,每小题2分,满分40分)
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
A
Does this situation seem familiar to you? Your English is progressing well, the grammar is now familiar, the reading comprehension is no problem, you are communicating quite fluently, but: Listening is STILL a problem! First of all, remember that you are not alone. Listening comprehension is probably the most difficult job for almost all learners of English as a foreign language. The most important thing is to listen as often as possible. The first step is to find listening resources. The Internet is really a useful tool for English students. You can download The RealPlayer from RealMedia.com. The RealPlayer allows you to use the Internet like a radio station.
Once you have begun to listen on a regular basis, you might still be frustrated (懊恼) by limited understanding. What should you do?
Here is some of the advice I give my students:
●Accept the fact that you are not going to understand everything.
●Stay relaxed when you do not understand — even if you continue not to understand for a long time.
●Do not translate what you hear into your native language.
●Listen for the general idea of the conversation. Don’t concentrate on detail until you have understood the main ideas.
I remember the problems I had in understanding spoken German when I first went to Germany. In the beginning, when I didn’t understand a word, I insisted on translating it in my mind. This method usually resulted in confusion. Then, after the first six months, I discovered two extremely important facts. Firstly, translating creates a wall between the listener and the speaker. Secondly, most people repeat themselves constantly. By remaining calm, I noticed that — even if I didn’t pay much attention I could usually understand what the speaker had said.
56. The best way to improve our listening is to _____.
A. practice as much as possible
B. find as many listening resources as possible
C. use the Internet like a radio station
D. speak naturally and read as much as possible
57. Which of the following is a good habit when listening?
A. Try to understand everything. B. Try to get the main ideas.
C. Pay much attention to details. D. Translate each word in your mind.
58. Why did the writer mention his / her experience in Germany?
A. To prove the importance of translating.
B. To show the problems of speaking a foreign language.
C. To tell us the importance of staying calm.
D. To point out an ineffective method of listening.
59. The underlined part “a wall” in the last paragraph refers to “_____”.
A. a communication barrierB. culture shock
C. language conflict D. a little misunderstanding
D
Atoms are all around us. They are the bricks of which everything is made. Many millions of atoms are contained in just one-grain of salt, but despite (尽管) their small size they are very important. The way an everyday object behaves depends on what kinds of atoms are in it and how they act. For example, you know that most solid objects melt if they got hot enough. Why is this? It is the effect of the heat on the object's atoms. All atoms move constantly. When they are hot, they move faster. Usually the atoms in an object hold together and give the object its shape. But if the object grows hot, its atoms move so fast that they break the force that usually holds them together. They move out of their usual places so that the object loses its shape. Then we say that the object is melting.
69. The way an object behaves depends on the _____ .
A. action of atoms in it B. number of atoms in it
C. kinds of atoms in it and how they behaveD. size of atoms in it
70. Atoms in an object move _____ .
A. at all timesB. only when the object is heated
C. whenever they grow hot D. unless the object is melted
71. An object holds its shape because its atoms _____ .
A. usually hold together B. move fast
C. are hot D. are not moving
72. An object loses its shape because its atoms _____ .
A. move out B. are not in their usual place
C. lose the force D. break out
C
A year ago, I paid no attention to English idioms, though my teacher emphasized the importance again and again. But soon, the importance of English idioms was shown in an amusing experience.
One day, I happened to meet an Englishman on the road, and soon we began to talk.
As I was talking about how I was studying English, the foreigner seemed to be astonished gently shaking his head, shrugging his shoulders, saying "You don't say" "You don't say!" I was puzzled. I thought, perhaps this is not a proper topic. "Well. I'd better change the topic." So I said to him, "Well, shall we talk about the Great Wall? By the way, have you ever been there?" "Certainly, everyone back home will laugh at me if I leave China without seeing it. It was magnificent." He was deep in thought when I began to talk like a tourist guide. "The Great Wall is one of the wonders in the world. We are very proud of it." Soon I was interrupted again by his order " You don’t say!" I couldn't help asking, "Why do you ask me not to talk about it?" "Well. I didn't request you to do so," he answered, greatly surprised. 1 said, "Didn't you say you don't say?" Hearing this, the Englishman laughed into tears. He began to explain, "You don't say actually means really? It is an expression of surprise. Perhaps you don't pay attention to English idioms."
Only then did I know I had made a fool of myself. Since then I have been more careful with idiomatic expressions.
65. A year ago, I paid no attention to English idioms because______.
A. English idioms were too difficult to master
B.I cared little about the teacher's instruction
C. my teacher didn’t emphasize the importance
D.I had no interest in English learning
66. When I first heard "You don't say!" I thought ______.
A. the Englishman was not interested in my English studies
B. the Englishman was only interested in the Great Wall
C. I had talked too much
D. I had to stop talking at once
67. Which of the following is true?
A. The Englishman was leaving China without seeing the Great Wall.
B. The Englishman wanted to see the Great Wail after 1 talked about it.
C. The Englishman wanted me to act as his guide.
D. The Englishman visited the Great Wall and thought it worth visiting.
68. After the Englishman explained the idiom, ______.
A. the Englishman made me a fool B. the Englishman made a fool of himself
C. I felt very sillyD. I felt proud of my understanding
B
Visiting Canada This Summer?
A visit to Canada begins with a stop at customs. This can be done quickly if visitors keep in mind the following general tips:
* Most American visitors are allowed into Canada after answering a few simple questions. In some cases, customs officers may examine your car and your possessions.
* You must have photo identification when you cross the border. If you are travelling with children who are not your own, they should have their own identification, and you need a permission note from their parents or guardians.
* You can bring with you no more than 40 ounces (1.14 litres) of liquor or 52 ounces of wine or 24 containers of beer (355 ml or 12 oz. each). Please note that we classify coolers according to the type of alcohol they contain. Also, you may not bring more than 200 cigarettes. 50 cigars, 200 tobacco sticks, and 200 grams of manufactured tobacco without paying duty.
* Generally speaking, you are allowed to bring personal goods for your trip into Canada.
* You cannot bring handguns into Canada unless you have a special permit and only under specific conditions. You cannot bring long guns into Canada except in special cases such as hunting season or for use in a competition. You must declare all guns at customs or they will be seized. You cannot bring weapons such as mace into Canada in any cases. For more information, see pamphlet Importing a Firearm or Weapon into Canada.
* You may qualify for a rebate (折扣)of the goods and services tax (GST) or the harmonized (协调的)sales tax (HST) you pay on accommodation (住所)and shopping you make while in Canada. For more information, see Tax Refund/or Visitors to Canada.
* You may also bring gifts worth up to CAN$60 each for your friends or relatives in Canada without paying duty, as long as these do not consist of alcoholic drink or tobacco products.
* Please do not wrap these gifts until after you have cleared customs, since an examination may be required.
Welcome to Canada and have a pleasant stay!
61. You can bring _____ litres of wine.
A. 1.2 B. 1.5 C. 1.7 D. 1.9
62. You may get your money from the tax at _____ .
A. the bank B. the shop C. accommodation D. customs
63. What does the underlined word "they" refer to?
A. All guns. B. Mace and pepper spray.
C. Handguns. D. Long guns.
64. The topic of the passage could be _____.
A. clearing customs in Canada
B. things forbidden to bring into Canada
C. inviting people to visit Canada this summer
D. introducing Canadian customs
第三部分:阅读理解(共16小题;每小题2分,满分32分)
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。
A
In recent years, advances in medical technology have made it possible for people to live longer than in the past. New medicine and machines are being developed every day to extend life. However, some people, including some doctors, are not in favor of these life extending measures, and they argue that people should have the right to die when they want. They say that the quality of life is as important as life itself, and that people should not be forced to go on living when the conditions of life have
become unbearable. They say that people should be allowed to die with dignity (尊严) and to decide when they want to die. Others argue that life under any conditions is always to extend life as long as possible. And the battle goes on and on without a definite (明确的) answer.
57. The best title for the passage is ______.
A. The Right to Live B. The Right to Die
C. The Doctor's Duty D. Death or Life
58. In recent years, people can live longer than in the past because of______.
A. the development of medical technology B. big hospitals
C. good medical workers D. both B and C
59. In the eyes of the law, whether a dying patient has the right to die or not is up to ______.
A. the doctors B. the surroundings
C. the family D, the patient himself/herself
60. According to the writer's opinion ______.
A. death is better than life B. life is better than death
C. neither death nor life is good D. none of the above