Strangely enough, music is no fun at all for some people. About four percent of the population is what scientists call "amusic", People who are amusic are born without the ability to recognize or reproduce musical notes. Amusic people often cannot tell the difference between two songs. Amusics can only hear the difference between two notes if they are very far apart on the musical scale.
As a result, songs sound like noise to an amusic. Many amusics compare the sound of music to pieces of metal hitting each other. Life can be hard for amusics. Their inability to enjoy music set them apart from others. It can be difficult for other people to identify with their condition. In fact, most people cannot begin to grasp what it feels like to be amusic. Just going to a restaurant or a shopping mall can be uncomfortable or even painful. That is why many amusics intentionally stay away from places where there is music. However, this can result in withdrawal and social isolation. "I used to hate parties," says Margaret, a seventy-year- old woman who only recently discovered that she was amusic.
By studying people like Margaret, scientists are finally learning how to identify this unusual condition.
Scientists say that the brains of amusics are different from the brains of people who can appreciate music. The difference is complex, and it doesn't involve defective hearing. Amusics can understand other nonmusical sounds well. They also have no problems understanding ordinary speech. Scientists compare amusics to people who just can't see certain colors.
Many amusics are happy when their condition is final diagnosed. For years, Margaret felt embarrassed about her problem with music. Now she knows that she is not alone. There is a name for her condition. That makes it easier for her to explain. "When people invite me to a concert, I just say, No, thanks, I am amusic',"says Margaret. "I just wish I had learned to say that when I was seventeen and not seventy. "
1.Amusics have the following characteristics except that___________
A. they are born without the ability to recognize musical notes
B. they hate music and often keep off places where there is music
C. they are set apart from others as they fail to enjoy music
D. they prefer to make metal noise rather than listen to music
2.How do scientists finally identify the unusual condition of amusic?
A. By sorting documents and data.
B. By studying people with amusic
C. By making a lot of experiments.
D. By drawing on research results of others.
3.What does the underlined word most probably mean in the passage?
A. detective.
B. acute.
C. imperfect.
D. artificial.
4.In the last paragraph, Margaret expressed her wish that __________
A. she were seventeen years old rather than seventy
B. she hadn't felt embarrassed about her problem
C. her problem with music had been diagnosed earlier
D. there could be a better name for her condition
It was once common to regard Britain as a society with class distinction. Each class had unique characteristics.
In recent years, many writers have begun to speak the 'decline of class' and 'classless society' in Britain. And in modern day consumer society everyone is considered to be middle class.
But pronouncing the death of class is too early. A recent wide-ranging society of public opinion found 90 percent of people still placing themselves in particular class; 73 percent agreed that class was still a vital part of British society; and 52 percent thought there were still sharp class differences. Thus, class may not be culturally and politically obvious, yet it remains an important part of British society. Britain seems to have a love of stratification.
One unchanging aspect of a British person's class position is accent. The words a person speaks tell her or his class. A study of British accents during 1970s found that a voice sounding like a BBC newsreader was viewed as the most attractive voice. Most people said this accent sounded 'educated' and 'soft'. The accents placed at the bottom in this study, on the other hand, were regional city accents. These accents were seen as 'common' and 'ugly'. However, a similar study of British accents in the US turned these results upside down and placed some regional accents as the most attractive and BBC English as the least. This suggests that British attitudes towards accent have deep roots and are based on class prejudice.
In recent years, however, young upper middle-class people in London, have begun to adopt some regional accents, in order to hide their class origins. This is an indication of class becoming unnoticed. However, the 1995 pop song 'Common People' puts forward the view that though a middle-class person may 'want to live like common people' they can never appreciate the reality of a working-class life.
1.A recent study of public opinion shows that in modern Britain ________.
A. people regard themselves socially different
B. most people belong to middle class
C. it is easy to recognize a person’s class
D. it is time to end class distinction
2.The word “stratification” in Paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to ________.
A. variety B. qualification C. authority D. division
3.British attitudes towards accent ________.
A. are based on regional status
B. have a long tradition
C. are shared by the Americans
D. have changed in recent years
4.What is the main idea of the passage?
A. The middle class is expanding
B. A person’s accent reflects his class
C. Class is a key part of British society
D. Each class has unique characteristics.
Sunny days in Seattle are quite rare. I’d planned to spend my weekend in the sun, potting flowers outdoors. But that was before the pair of crows（乌鸦） arrived. Out of nowhere, they had set up their base camp in our backyard.
We first discovered our feathered enemies on Friday morning. It was early, and the sound the birds made traveled through our neighborhood. I figured they’d go away soon. But, no. They were getting louder and probably annoying my neighbors nearly as much as us with the noise. I admit I got a little desperate.
Then, on Sunday afternoon, I looked out of the kitchen window to see our dog Quatchi staring at something on the ground. I went to explore and found a small coal-black bird in the grass. Its eyes were milky, and it stayed perfectly still as my dog walked towards it. Only when Quatchi touched his nose to its head did it walk away. I grabbed the dog and locked him inside and came back with my camera.
It never occurred to me that the young would be hanging out on the ground, growing and gaining strength as its parents guarded it from above. The second I saw this little creature I forgave the crows.
To be honest, I’ve never been much of a bird person. I also have a healthy respect for birds and by healthy, I mean slightly fear-based. They’re basically living dinosaurs.
I wish they’d chosen another backyard. There are only so many sunny days in Seattle, and I still can’t do any gardening out there. But I’m also grateful that I got to see this little bit of nature unfold up close. It’s pretty amazing.
The experience has also strengthened my desire to create a beautiful backyard garden that attracts lots of bees, butterflies, and yes, birds. They are welcome here.
1.The arrival of the two crows ______.
A. disturbed the author’s life B. frightened the author’s dog
C. angered the author's neighbors D. damaged the author's backyard
2.Why did the author lock her dog up?
A. She wanted to take some photos.
B. The dog kept making loud noises.
C. She wanted to protect the little bird.
D. The parent crows were to attack the dog.
3.After seeing the little crow, the author ______.
A. decided to help look after it
B. planned to drive the crows away
C. fell in love with the pair of crows
D. appreciated knowing its growing process
4.By saying “They’re basically living dinosaurs” in paragraph 5, the author means ______
A. birds are rare B. birds are very ugly
C. she is afraid of birds D. she is respectful to birds
Summer Holiday Fun 2017!
The summer holidays are upon us again. Here is our guide to summer holiday fun in Peterborough!
Peterborough Museum
The Age of the Dinosaurs is the museum's main attraction this summer. Get up close to prehistoric creatures via some great hands-on exhibits！Watch out for monsters lurking around every ember！The museum is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday, and from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sundays in August.
Call 01733 864663 for details.
Saxon Youth Club
School holiday fun: Young people aged 13－19 will be able to produce their own music, compete in sports activities, or try their hand at cooking at Saxon Youth Club, Saxon Community Centre, Norman Road, Peterborough every Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 pm. PLUS an aero ball tournament will take place on Thursday, 12th August between 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm.
Call 01353 720274 for details.
Houghton Mill
Through the Looking Glass－a new production of the family favorite on Monday 30th, August. Bring rugs or chairs to sit on and a picnic if you wish to eat during the play. Gates open 5:30 pm, performance 6:30 pm－8:30 pm. Tea room will be open until the end of the interval. Adult ￡ 10. Child ￡7. Family ￡20.
Booking advisable on 0845 4505157.
Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey
Farmland Games: From Wellie Wanging to Pretend Ploughing matches, come and join the Farmland Team. Collect your sporting stickers and create a colorful rosette that is fit for a winner！No need to book, just turn up between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm on Thursday, 19th August. Suitable for children aged four and above, each child should be accompanied by an adult and all activities are included in the normal admission price. Tickets Cost: ￡ 7 per child.
For further information, call 01223 810080.
1.If you are interested in cooking, you can go to ________.
A.Saxon Youth Club B.Houghton Mill
C.Farmland Museum D.Peterborough Museum
2.You want to watch the new play with your parents, so it will cost you ________.
A.￡ 17 B.￡ 27 C.￡ 20 D.￡ 7
3.Which of the following activities needs parents' company? ____________
A.Watching the new play. B.Competing in sports activities.
C.Visiting the dinosaur exhibition. D.Playing farmland games.
假定你是李华，是一名高二学生。你发现很多同学晚上学习到很晚，他们边学习边吃零食，第二天早上却由于起床太晚而不吃早餐,导致上午学习时昏昏欲睡。你感觉这样对身体有害。请你根据这种现象，给«英语周报»写一封信，反映上述情况，并谈谈自己的看法。
注意：1.词数： 100词左右。已给出的开头不计入词数。
2. 可根据实际需要，适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：零食：snack
Dear Editor,
I’m a high school student who has just entered Grade Two .
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1．每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2．只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Three years ago I failed a important exam in my life and became a student in an ordinary school. Disappointing as I felt at the shabby campus and the poor equipped classroom, I found the teachers patient and considerate. Besides, I enjoyed the friendly atmosphere in class. I decided make the best of it. I worked hard and get along well with my teachers and classmates. Whenever I had difficulties, and they were always available. Soon, I became one of the top student in my class, that greatly increased my confidence and got me motivated.
My experience tells me that it is not that you are given but how you make use with it that determines who you are.
