Consider these five words: island, honour, sign, tongue, climb. At first glance, you probably don't think they have anything in common. Then, you might find some of them contain the most common letter in the English language. And you might need to go back to your grade-school grammar lessons to see the connection. If you're still confused, say each word slowly. Did you notice a missing syllable (音节) or two? Actually, all five words have one or more silent letters—and that's just a small sample of them.
It's no secret that the English language has lots of crazy grammar rules, and the way we pronounce words is no exception While there are 26 letters in the alphabet, they share at least 44 different pronunciations among them. The letter A, for example, has seven different English pronunciations alone. At least you can safely ignore these common grammar rules.
On top of that, almost every letter in the alphabet has a silent usage, too. Think about it: From the C in scissors to the U in build, the English language has a bad habit of dropping letters in certain words. Even unusual letters like Z and J are silent in words that we have adopted from foreign languages, such as marijuana (originally a Spanish word) and laissez-faire (French).
But as Merriam-Webster Dictionary points out, one unusual letter is never silent: the letter V. While it makes an appearance in words like quiver and vivid, you can be sure it always behaves the exact same way. That might change soon, though. Last year, President Donald Trump tweeted the word “covfefe”, which caused heated debate about how, exactly, one should say this made-up term. Some suggested that it is pronounced with a silent V.
1.What do the underlined words in Paragraph have in common?
A.They contain the exactly same letters.
B.They have one or more silent letters.
C.They are difficult to pronounce.
D.They all refer to a place.
2.Why is the letter A mentioned in Paragraph 2?
A.To show that it has many pronunciations.
B.To tell that English has many grammar rules.
C.To explain that words have similar pronunciations.
D.To prove English letters have various pronunciations.
3.Which letter is seldom silent in the English language?
A.The letter A. B.The letter J.
C.The letter V. D.The letter Z.
4.What is the text mainly about?
A.English pronunciations. B.English dictionaries.
C.English grammar. D.English vocabulary.
Hard work really does pay off. Scientists find that perseverance (坚持不懈) leads to better grades and higher achievements in school.
“Being passionate (热情的) is not enough to ensure academic success,” says researchers, who thought of “courage” as a key to success. This is also regarded as effort in reaching long-term goals, and determination to continue one's efforts in spite of hardships.
Researchers think that the finding could help create new training to help children develop the skill and help ensure their future success.
Researchers from the Academy of Finland studied more than 2,000 students from Helsinki. They were followed through their academic career from 12 to 16, the sixth grade until the ninth grade in local school years. Researchers found that the factor that best predicts courage was related to goals, with previous academic achievements playing no role in developing the skill.
Professor Katariina Salmela-Aro, who led the study, said, “Courage means a young person is really interested in his or her studies and does not give up easily. A key element of courage is high perseverance when facing difficulties and hardships. The important finding is that these factors are the key to success and well-being. Our study shows the power of courage.”
Professor Salmela-Aro also thinks it is important to develop new practices and qualities to improve courage in teenagers. She added, “Young people should see everyday school work as part of their life in a broader context and establish achievable goals for themselves. Schools must also serve as a place where it is safe to fail and learn to deal with setbacks. One must not be discouraged by setbacks, but draw strength and new energy from them!
1.What can we learn about the research?
A.It takes at least three years. B.It helps students make progress.
C.It makes many discoveries. D.It follows 2,000 students abroad.
2.What should students do according to the researchers?
A.Focus on former grades. B.Achieve their goals.
C.Try all their best. D.Forget sadness.
3.What does the underlined word “setbacks” in Paragraph 6 mean?
A.Strengths. B.Difficulties.
C.Weaknesses. D.Efforts
4.Which is the text probably taken from?
A.A picture book. B.A literature book.
C.A geography textbook. D.An educational magazine.
Alice is not afraid to be the center of attention—she enjoys performing traditional Chinese dances on stage. But the 16-year-old high school student in Texas, US, felt alienated (被疏远的) earlier this year when she walked into her first computer science lecture. There were only 11 girls out of 100 students. It was familiar feeling for Alice. When she was in ninth grade, she was one of only seven girls out of 40 competitors who were competing at a state science fair.
After that, Alice decided to do her part to close the gender gap (性别差异) in STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math. She formed a club called Girls in STEM. It focuses on teaching and encouraging girls who are interested in STEM. And only girls can join it.
Alice wants girls to know that STEM can be fun. The club isn't just about sitting in a lab and doing homework. There are interesting activities that can spark girls' interest in STEM. Girls can also share learning experiences with each other. The club started with seven girls at her school. Over the years, the club has spread to other schools. It now has 45 members.
According to recent surveys, women work in fewer than 30 percent of STEM jobs in the United States. Alice's goal is to bring Girls in STEM to 10 schools in total and turn it into a non-profit in the coming years, hoping it will help more young women follow their dreams in this field.
1.Why did Alice feel uncomfortable in her computer science lecture?
A.She had no friends there. B.Computer science was hard.
C.She was the only foreigner. D.There were not many girls.
2.What is the aim of the club Girls in STEM?
A.To help students with their studies.
B.To get more girls involved in STEM.
C.To encourage boys to help girls in science.
D.To bridge the gap between students and teachers.
3.What can be the best title of the text?
A.Teaching girls to love science
B.STEM courses at school
C.Helping girls start a club
D.The gender gap in STEM
The Lion King Tickets
Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington Street, London, WC2E 7RQ
Info：
Ever since The Lion King opened in 1999, the show has remained a firm audience favorite，combining songs，movement and puppetry (木偶) into a dazzling West End show. This memorable story is certain to stay in your heart and mind for a long time.
Did you know?
The cast of The Lion King is made up of over 30 people,and The Lion King has been seen by over 90 million people worldwide, with productions in the West End, on Broadway as well as productions around the globe.
Show Information:
Booking From: Tuesday, 1st October 2019
Booking Until: Saturday, 30th May 2020
Age Restriction:
Children under 3 years of age are not permitted to enter the Lyceum Theatre. The Lion King is recommended for ages 6 and up. All persons aged 16 or under must be accompanied by an adult and may not sit on their own within the auditorium (观众席). All persons entering the theatre, regardless of age, must have a ticket.
Show Schedule:
Tue: 7:30 p.m.
Wed: 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Thu: 7:30 p.m.
Fri: 7:30 p.m.
Sat: 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sun 2:30 p.m.
1.Where can you enjoy The Lion King?
A.Wellington Theatre. B.West Broadway.
C.London Theatre. D.Lyceum Theatre.
2.Who will be able to see the show?
A.A father with his 5-year-old child with tickets.
B.A mom and her 1-year-old baby with tickets.
C.A 16-year-old boy alone with a ticket.
D.A 6-year-old girl with no ticket.
3.When can you watch the show?
A.7: 30 a. m. Wednesday. B.7: 30 p. m. Monday.
C.2: 30 p. m. Saturday. D.2: 30 p. m. Friday.
假定你是高三学生李华，高考前夕,你的美国朋友Jack发来邮件说他被哈佛大学(Harvard University)录取了。请你用英语给他写一封电子邮件，要点包括:
1.表达祝贺;
2.介绍你的情况 ( 想争取考上…，紧张备考, 考试前不自信);
3.寻求建议。
注意: 1.词数不少于100; 2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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（A)，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。
It was raining light when I got up yesterday. After quick breakfast, I took an umbrella with me and went to school in a hurry. It was fifteen minutes after school began. I was running quickly while I saw an old man walking slowly in the rain. I stopped, wondered whether to help him or not, as I might be late to school. Then I made a decision to walk with him home. About ten minutes late, we arrived at his house. He thanked me again and again. I smiled and said it was nothing. I was late when I got to school. Hearing his story, the head teacher, that was giving his lecture, praised me before all the students.
