Reading is the key to school success, and like any skill, it takes practice. A child learns to walk by practicing until he no longer has to think about how to put one foot in front of the other. An excellent sportsman practices until he can play quickly, correctly and without thinking.
Educators (教育家) call it "automaticity (自动性)”．
A child learns to read by sounding out the letters and finding the meaning of the words. With more and more practice, he stumbles less and less. As a result, he can read by the phrases and soon by sentences. With automaticity, he doesn't have to think about the meaning of words, so that he can give all his attention to the meaning of the text.
It can begin as early as first grade. In a recent study of children in Illinois schools, Alan Rossman of Northwestern University found that automatic readers in the first grade not only read almost three times as fast as the others, but also got better results in exams.
According to Rossman, the key to automaticity is the amount of time a child spends reading, not his IQ. Any child who spends at least 3.5 t0 4 hours a week reading books, magazines or newspapers will probably reach automaticity. It can happen if a child turns off TV just one night for reading at home.
You can test yourself by reading something new which is suitable for your level. If you read aloud with expression, with a sense of the meaning of the sentences, you probably are an automatic reader. If you read brokenly, one word at a time, without expression or meaning, you need more practice."Reading is the key to school success" means that reading_______.
| A．helps school develop faster |
| B．is a key to a successful school |
| C．helps students go to a key school |
| D．can improve students' learning results |
Children with "automaticity" can read faster because they_______.
| A．know how to read the words |
| B．pay attention to the meaning of the text instead of the words |
| C．read by themselves without any help |
| D．do not have to think while reading |
The underlined word "stumble" in the second paragraph means“ ”in Chinese.
| A．结结巴巴地读 | B．全神贯注地读 |
| C．心不在焉地读 | D．声情并茂地读 |
The best title for the passage is“_______”．
| A．IQ is the Key- to the Automaticity |
| B．TV is Bad for Children's Reading |
| C．Automaticity Needs a Lot of Practice |
| D．Automatic Readers Must Be Successful |
【2014年四川省乐山市中考】
What should you take in with you when you take an exam? Pen, pencil, eraser, ruler…, and don’t forget a bottle of water!
According to a study at the British Psychological ( 心理学的) Society Annual Conference held in London, students who bring water into exams may improve their grades by up to 10 percent.
Scientists at the University of East London and the University of Westminster, UK, did a study on 447 students. The students were studying for different degrees (学历) at the University of East London. Only 25 percent of them entered the exam hall with something to drink.
Scientists then compared their exam results with their normal schoolwork grades. They found that all those who had brought drinks with them got better grades by between 2 and 10 percent.
It is unclear why drinking water improves exam results. But scientists say having enough water in our bodies and not feeling thirsty could have a helpful effect on our brains. Drinking water may also cut down on anxiety ( 焦虑), which has a bad effect on exam performances, according to Chris Pawson, PhD, of the University of East London.
“Whatever the explanation, it is clear that students should try hard to stay hydrated (含水的)with water during exams,” he said.
So next time, when you are going to have a big exam, try bringing a bottle of water with you.Who knows – it may help you pass the exam!How much may the students improve their grades most if they bring water into exams?
| A．By2%. | B．By8%. | C．By10%. | D．By25%. |
How many students in the study got better grades?
| A．About112 students who brought drinks or water into their exams. |
| B．All the447 students who come from the University of East London. |
| C．About300 students who took part in the study. |
| D．About10 percent of the students who studied different subjects. |
The underlined phrase “cut down on” probably means _______.
| A．increase | B．bring | C．reduce | D．change |
According to the passage, how does water help students in exams?
a. It is good for their brains.
b. It makes students smarter.
c. It helps students stay cool.
d. It helps students stay awake.
| A．a b | B．a c | C．b c | D．c d |
Where can you probably read the article?
| A．Fashion magazine. | B．Text book. |
| C．Travel guide. | D．Newspaper. |
【2014年上海市中考】
Answer the questions (根据短文内容回答问题) (12 分)
Chris is not a traditional explorer（探险者）- he usually works in an office for a large organization. Yet his job can sometimes be just as exciting and dangerous as being an explorer.
Chris works for MSF, an organization also known as Doctors Without Borders (无国界医生). MSF sends trained doctors all over the world to help people after a war or a disaster. Chris is a doctor from France who has travelled to many places to organize programmes that help people.
At the moment, there are over 27,000 trained medical staff taking part in MSF projects and tasks. The organization received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999. All kinds of doctors can volunteer for MSF. They need to be prepared to go almost anywhere in the world and, of course, they should expect difficult conditions. Doctors with experience in tropical（热带的）diseases are especially useful because most of MSF’s work is in Africa. When MSF accepts a doctor for a task, he has to go for at least six months. When doctors have completed a few tasks, they might be sent on an emergency task following a disaster, such as an earthquake.
But why would a doctor leave a comfortable life and a good salary to join MSF? According to Chris, the experience you gain is a great help in your career. Besides, just like the explorers of the past, you need to keep an open mind and learn to mix well with the people you meet. Most importantly, at the end of each task, you have made a real difference to people’s lives.Does Chris work for a large organization?
When does MSF send trained doctors all over the world to help people?
How many medical staff are taking part in MSF projects and tasks?
What kind of doctors are greatly needed in Africa?
According to Chris, why is his work important to other people?
Why is an MSF doctor’s job exciting and dangerous?
【2014年湖南省娄底市中考】
第一节判断正误 阅读下面短文，判断下列句子是否符合短文内容，符合的写（A），不符合的写(B)。（共5小题，计10分）
Taobao, China’s largest online shopping site(网上购物网站), has become an important part of Huang Xinhui’s life. She spends lots of money on Taobao.
A large number of Chinese Internet users like Huang have found the joys of online shopping. Most online shoppers are students and young workers. More women shop on line than men. Clothing and household products(家用产品) are the most popular on line.
It was reported that more than 300 billion(十亿) yuan was spent on online shopping last year, 80% through Taobao.
Taobao means “looking for treasure” in Chinese. People can find almost everything they need on Taobao, from clothes to books, from candies to DVD players.
You may question the security(安全) of online shopping, Huang Xinhui said, “ It’s very safe and convenient(便利的). If you don’t receive the products from the sellers or you are not satisfied with them, the shop owner will not get the money. You can also get your money back if you want to return the products.”China’s largest online shopping site is Taobao.
Most online popular products are clothing and household ones.
300billion yuan was spent on online shopping last year through Taobao.
People can only find three kinds of things on Taobao.
If you are not satisfied with the products, you can return them.
【2014年福建省龙岩市中考】
A: 阅读下面材料 ，从每题所给的三个选项（A、B和C）中，选出最佳选项。
 Michelle Obama |
From March 20 to 26, the US first lady was on a trip to China with her daughters and mother. She met China’s first lady Peng Liyuan in Beijing. They went to the Forbidden City and had dinner together. Then they went to Xi’an and Chengdu. Michelle gave a speech at No. 7 High School in Chengdu, talking about the importance of education. |
 Jiang Wenshan |
He’s a 32-year-old man who was born without his left arm. He entered a university with a high score in “Gaokao”. He often takes part in volunteer activities to help others like him. He traveled to more than 60 cities by selling his dreams online. Jiang not only sold his dreams, he also “sold” his courage. He has helped many other disabled people realize their dreams. |
 Wang Changdian |
Wang, 63, is a retired(退休) policeman in Lushan, Ya’an, Sichuan. After the Lushan earthquake that killed 176 people took place on April 20, 2013, Wang volunteered to work in Qingjiang, a mountain village in Siyan to help the villagers rebuild homes. |
What did Michelle do at No. 7 High School in Chengdu?
A. She gave a speech on education.
B. She had dinner with China’s first lady.
C. She talked with a retired teacher.We can learn from the passage that Jiang Wenshan ______.
A. is a man of 30 years old
B. failed to enter a university
C. always helps disabled peopleJiang Wenshan traveled with the money he made by ______.
A. teaching in different schools
B. selling his dreams online
C. working in a mountain villageWang Changdian went to Qingjiang Village to ______.
A. help to rebuild homes for the villagers
B. work as a volunteer teacher
C. meet his daughters and motherWhich of the following is True according to the passage?
A. The US first lady went to visit China with her husband.
B. Jiang Wenshan was born without his right arm.
C. Wang Changdian used to work in a police station.
【2012年上海】
Dear Disney,
Last weekend, the four members of my family spent an enjoyable holiday at the Magic Kingdom - Disneyland. And one event made our visit seem truly magical. We got to the front of the line at Space Mountain, only to find out that our little daughter Gloria couldn't take her ice-cream on the ride. We were so excited that we all forgot ice-cream was not allowed on the ride.
Gloria broke into tears and we all had no idea what to do. Then Murphy, one of the staff(员工) members, came over. She bent down and told Gloria that she would hold the ice-cream for her and give it to her when she finished the ride. Gloria said, "Promise?" Then she gave Murphy her ice-cream, and she completely enjoyed the ride.
Sure enough, as we walked out the exit, there was Gloria's new friend with "her" ice-cream. Now you and I both know what happened, because we know that an ice-cream won't last twenty minutes on a summer afternoon in Florida. Murphy knew' what time we would get off the ride; she went to the nearest shop and bought a brand-new ice-cream thirty seconds before we walked out the exit. Gloria said, "Thank you," but I'm sure she thought it was the same ice-cream.
We know that someone tried hard to make our visit special. Thanks so much for going above and beyond!
Your fan,
Carmen RiveraThe family's visit to the Magic Kingdom was ________.
| A．helpful | B．awful |
| C．frightening | D．amazing |
Before the ride, Gloria cried because _________.
| A．she couldn't find her parents in the line |
| B．she was too little to take the ride |
| C．she couldn't take her ice-cream on the ride |
| D．she had to wait for twenty minutes |
Murphy was waiting for Gloria ___________ after the ride.
| A．in the ice-cream shop |
| B．at the exit |
| C．in the front of the line |
| D．at the entrance |
In order to keep the promise, Murphy __________.
| A．took Gloria to the nearest shop |
| B．asked her new friend to help Gloria |
| C．helped Gloria get off the ride |
| D．bought a new ice-cream for Gloria |
The underlined word "someone" in the last paragraph refers to (指的是) _________.
| A．Murphy | B．Disney |
| C．Gloria | D．Carmen |
Carmen Rivera wrote the letter to __________.
| A．order ice-creams | B．promise to visit again |
| C．express her thanks | D．give some suggestions |