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    Some people learn a second language easily. Other people have trouble learning a new language. How can you help yourself learn a new language, such as English? 1.

◆Be patient.

You do not have to understand everything all at once.2.We can learn from our mistakes.

◆Practice your English.

For example, write in a journal every day. You will get used to writing in English, and you will feel comfortable expressing your ideas in English. After several weeks, you will see that your writing is improving. 3.You can practice with your classmates outside class. You will all make mistakes, but gradually you will become comfortable communicating in English.

◆4.

If you believe that you can learn, you will learn.

◆Keep a record of your language learning.

After each class, think about what you did. Did you answer a question correctly? Did you understand something the teacher explained? Perhaps the lesson was difficult, but you tried to understand it. 5.

◆Be positive about learning English and believe that you can do it.

It is important to practice every day and make a record of your achievements. You will enjoy learning English, and you will have more confidence in yourself.

A. Write these achievements in your journal.

B. Besides, you must speak English every day.

C. You might be afraid of making mistakes.

D. There are several ways to make learning English a little easier and more interesting.

E. Share your achievement with your parents and friends.

F. Feel confident about learning English.

G. It is natural for you to make mistakes when you learn something new.

    There are many differences between British English and American English. I used to teach a course about the differences between the two. We speak English on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean but we have many differences in our common language. We have examples of the same words having very different meanings, differing spellings of the same words as well as completely different words for the same things. Here are some examples.

A cookie in the US is called a biscuit in the UK. A biscuit in the US is a small cake in the  UK. Crisps in the UK, are known as chips, but we British people eat a plate of chips that you call fries in the US. In the UK, a pie can be made from either meat or fruit, while in the US pies are normally made from fruit; pot pies are made from meat. Most things are measured in grams and kilograms in the US, not pounds and ounces.

One very obvious difference is the side of the road we each choose to drive on. Petrol in the UK is gas in the US. The place where we fill up our cars, in the UK, is a garage; while in the US, it’s a gas station. The term garage is also used as a place to store your car next to or close by your house. In the UK we call a lorry what is known as a truck in the US.

An elevator in the US is called a lift here, and the first floor in the US, is called the ground floor here, so many visitors get off on the wrong floor in British hotels.

I could continue with this. There are countless examples of differences within our one  shared language. With so many differences, no wonder it’s hard to understand each other well.

1.The passage is mainly about the differences between British English and American English in____.

A.vocabulary B.grammar

C.sound D.spelling

2.It’s implied in the passage that the author may be______.

A.a driver from the US.

B.a cook from the US.

C.a teacher from the UK.

D.a gas station worker from the UK.

3.What can we learn from the passage?

A.“Elevator” is commonly used in the UK.

B.Pies mean the same thing in the UK and the US.

C.In the UK, things are measured in pounds and ounces.

D.British and American people drive on the same side of the road.

    An international group of coffee experts has considered Ethiopia’s coffee as the best in the world.Coffee is a top export (出口物) of the country. But at home, it is seen as national pride. Ethiopians feel good about their coffee, and enjoying a drink with friends is a long tradition.

Some people say the climate produces quality beans. Morton Wennersgarrd is a coffee importer. He said, “Ethiopia has different ancient types of coffee. They are planted in places with perfect soil, perfect altitude (海拔), and climates that are really suitable for coffee processing.”

Finding the best quality beans is often an issue of taste. The process is known as  cupping — tasting and comparing coffee from different roasted beans, grading and then pricing them. But before international experts come to taste, coffee beans are studied in small coffee laboratories. Helen Assefa, a lab technician, describes  the process, “When the coffee comes to the lab, we assess (评价) its quality first by recording the details.Then we weigh the moisture (水分) level and we examine the beans for analysis. After that we grind (磨碎) the coffee beans and taste the samples. In the end, we check for defective (有瑕疵的) beans.” Mubarik Abaoli is a lab worker.He says that testing is a very difficult and long process. “We select out the defects by hand. And we select out the defect according to the defect types.”

Ethiopia has got a lot of money by exporting coffee to more than 120 countries. The country has an export revenue (税收) of more than 840 million a year. But not all the best coffee leaves Ethiopia. Forty percent of the coffee grown in the country stays there. It remains an important part of everyday life at work, at home and at ceremonies.

1.Ethiopians’ attitude towards coffee may best be described as        .

A.proud B.relaxed

C.brave D.doubtful

2.The third paragraph is mainly about_______.

A.the ways of making coffee

B.the process of assessing the coffee

C.the tips on planting the best coffee

D.the influence of the coffee

3.What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A.More than 120 countries export coffee to Ethiopia.

B.Coffee plays an important role in Ethiopians’ life.

C.40% of the coffee grown in Ethiopia is exported.

D.Ethiopians earn their living by exporting coffee.

4.What is the main purpose of the passage?

A.To advertise the coffee in Ethiopia.

B.To comment on coffee experts’ work.

C.To introduce the best coffee in the world.

D.To recommend tourists activities in Ethiopia.

    Are you scared about moving up to senior high school? It can be a new experience, but

you shouldn’t worry. We’ve put together a guide to help you in the first week.

You’re not alone

Remember everybody else in your year is in the same boat.They may not realize it, but  they’re just as nervous as you are.Moving to senior high school is an opportunity, not a problem.Things are different and all you need to do is be polite and learn the new rules.

Teachers are ready to help

If you’re unsure what to do or are worried about anything, then ask for help.Teachers are probably the best people to turn to as they’re experienced in helping new students.Some senior high schools also have a “friends system”. If your school has this, then you will be paired with an older student.He/She will help you if you have any problems or questions.

All change

There are lots of differences between junior high school and senior high school. You’ll have a homework diary or a student planner. You will have your lessons with different teachers in different rooms. You will have homework for different subjects on different days, so make sure you get organized. Make sure you have a copy of your school timetable written down so you know which rooms your classes are in and on which days you will have your different subjects.

Other points

If you’ve got an older brother or sister at the school, then ask them for advice.Be yourself! It sounds simple, but people will know you much better if you just act naturally.

Having early nights makes a difference and you’ll find it easier to get up in the morning!

1.Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined sentence?

A.Other students have similar feelings to yours.

B.Other students have to learn boating with you.

C.Other students will help you solve your problems.

D.Other students will teach you politeness and new rules.

2.New students turn to teachers first when having problems because teachers      .

A.can find friends for students

B.are good at helping new students

C.can look after students like parents

D.care for younger students more

3.Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A.You should act in a natural way.

B.You should go to bed early.

C.You must know how to dress properly.

D.You can ask your older brother for advice.

4.The author wrote the passage to ________.

A.tell students the importance of learning

B.warn students not to ignore friendship in senior high school

C.make a difference when moving up to senior high school

D.help new students to get used to the life in senior high school

When you go to St. Petersburg, the number of attractions can seem overwhelming. If you’re short on time, or just want to make sure to hit the highlights, these are the top must-see sights in St. Petersburg.

The Hermitage Museum

The Hermitage Museum is one of the most important sights to see for any visitor to St. Petersburg. There you can see lots of different paintings of old masters inside the Hermitage. Prepare to come face-to-face with classic Western artists.

The Russian Museum

The Russian Museum holds one of the largest collections of Russian art in the world. View Russian art creations through the ages, from Byzantine (拜占庭)-style icons to the Socialist Realism of Stalin’s times.

Kizhi Island

Kizhi Island is an open-air museum of wooden buildings from the Karelia Region of Russia. These impressive structures are made without any nails (钉子) — the wood fits together with joints and grooves (沟槽).

Peterhof

Peterhof is as beautiful as it is fun. You’ll be charged for admission (门票), but go to Peterhof when the fountains (喷泉) are working — during the day in the summer. They are shut off in winter as well as in the evenings.

The Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood

Love it or hate it, the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood is an attractive must-see sight. The beautiful look may make your eyes brighten, and the paintings inside the church will make you say “Wow!”

The Bronze Horseman Statue

The Bronze Horseman is a part of Russian Culture and a symbol of St. Petersburg. Made famous by Alexander Pushkin (普希金), this statue of Peter the Great sitting on his horse can truly show Peter the Great’s influence on the Russian idea of greatness.

1.If you’re interested in paintings, you’d better go to _____.

A.the Hermitage Museum and Peterhof

B.the Hermitage Museum and the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood

C.Kizhi Island and the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood

D.the Russian Museum and Kizhi Island

2.The man on the Bronze Horse refers to _____.

A.Peter the Great B.Alexander Pushkin

C.Byzantine D.Stalin

3.What can we know from the passage?

A.The fountains in Peterhof can be seen all year round.

B.The largest collection of Russian art is in the Hermitage Museum.

C.The buildings on Kizhi Island are made of wood.

D.You can visit Peterhof free of charge.

4.The main purpose of this passage is to _____.

A.show the wonderful history of Russia

B.introduce the famous buildings in Russia

C.persuade artists to study St. Petersburg

D.attract tourists to visit St. Petersburg