A year ago, I paid no attention to English idioms (习惯用语), _________ my teacher said again and again that it was important.
One day, I happened to _________ an Englishman on the road, and soon we began to _________. As I was talking about how I was studying English, the foreigner shook his head, saying, “You don’t say! You don’t say!” I was _________, I thought, perhaps this is not a _________ topic. Well, I’d _________ change the topic.
So I said to him, “Well, shall we talk about the Great Wall? _________ the way, have you ever _________ there?”
“Certainly, everyone back home will _________ me if I leave China without seeing __________“ It was great. I said, “The Great Wall is one of the wonders in the world. It is a place of __________.” Soon I was interrupted again by his words, “__________!” I couldn’t __________ asking, “Why do you ask me not to talk about it?” “Well, I didn’t __________ you to do so”, he answered, gently surprised. I said, “Didn’t you say ‘You don’t say’?”
Hearing this, the Englishman __________ to tears. He began to __________. “’You don’t say’ actually means ‘really?’ It is an __________ of surprise. Perhaps you don’t pay attention to English __________.”
Then I knew I had made fool of __________. Since then I have been more __________ with idioms.
1.A.though B.when C.because D.as
2.A.look B.meet C.call D.take
3.A.walk B.play C.talk D.go
4.A.pleased B.angry C.afraid D.surprised
5.A.proper B.strange C.safe D.polite
6.A.to B.better C.not D.like
7.A.On B.In C.To D.By
8.A.gone B.visited C.been D.seen
9.A.look after B.think of C.send for D.laugh at
10.A.it B.them C.he D.she
11.A.fun B.interest C.business D.play
12.A.Really B.Good C.You don’t say D.You are right
13.A.have B.do C.think D.help
14.A.say B.ask C.let D.have
15.A.laughed B.cried C.moved D.came
16.A.explain B.shout C.prove D.say
17.A.experience B.example C.explanation D.expression
18.A.words B.idioms C.phrases D.sentences
19.A.me B.myself C.him D.himself
20.A.helpful B.popular C.careful D.satisfied
As we all know, practice makes perfect. If you want to learn English well, you’ll have to keep practicing it. But, then, how do you do that? 1..
Read and watch news in English
Staying informed about what’s happening in the world is a great habit—do that in English! 2.. Start watching BBC and CNN. Trust me, this will also build your listening skills and help you to build your vocabulary.
Read children’s books
Now don’t be embarrassed (难为情) about doing that, “Oh, my God. I am too big to read these books.” The language that is used in these books is, of course, for children. So, no big words are used. 3.. And, of course, there are lots of pictures in these books, which will help you understand what is written about.
Keep a book
Every night, spend five minutes writing about what you did throughout the day. 4.. Also you can add new phrases or new words that you have learned. And then, whenever you want to refer to them, you can just quickly have a look.
5..
Find a partner to practice the language. Whether it is a friend or a family member, don’t be embarrassed about it. Just go ahead and start practicing. So, rather than being nervous or trying to struggle with words, a partner would help you to correct that.
A. Just go ahead and do that
B. Here are some ways to help you
C. Find someone and do it together
D. Instead, simple language is used
E. Start picking up English newspapers
F. And you can just write up a small story
G. The more you listen, The better you will speak
More and more people around the world are getting tattoos (纹身). In the United States a large number of people aged 25 to 40 get tattoos. A third of all Americans between 18 and 25 have a tattoo. In Britain a fifth of all adults are tattooed. Tattooing has become an important industry as well. Today, there are more than 50,000 tattoo artists in the US alone.
Even famous people such as Angelina Jolie and David Beckham have some kind of tattoo on their bodies. According to researchers many people tattoo themselves as a sign of individuality (个性). They want to express themselves and show others who they are. Other forms of body art are also on the rise.
Today, tattoos are widely accepted in society. That hasn’t always been the case. Tattoos used to be connected with criminals (罪犯), lower class people or certain groups like sailors and motorcycle gangs. While tattooing was once only for men, more and more women are now getting tattoos.
Tattooing goes way back in history. In many parts of the world, people used tattoos for different purposes. The ancient Romans tattooed their slaves. Native Americans tattooed themselves as a sign of bravery. N Nazi Germany Jews were marked with a number to tell who they were.
Not only has tattooing itself become a big industry, but removing them is also on the increase. Many people just don’t realize that a tattoo lasts forever and at some time in their lives they may want to get rid of it. The cost of tattooing yourself usually depends on how large the tattoo is or how complex (复杂的) it is. Prices are usually from a hundred to over a thousand dollars.
1.What can you learn from the first paragraph?
A.Tattoos are now very popular.
B.Many tattoo artists are moving to America.
C.It is against the law to get tattoos in Britain.
D.Young adults around the world have a preference for tattoos.
2.What might be Angelina Jolie’s attitude towards tattooing?
A.She is worried about it. B.She thinks little of it.
C.She is interested in it. D.She has no idea of it.
3.According to the fourth paragraph, tattooing __________.
A.is still not accepted by women B.has a long history
C.is not good for our health D.usually costs a lot of money
4.It seems that the business of tattooing will __________.
A.Slow down B.disappear soon
C.become very hard D.continue growing
Everyone has got two personalities---the one that is shown to the world and the other that is secret and real. You don’t show your secret personality when you’re awake because you can control yourself, but when you’re asleep, your sleeping position shows the real you. In a normal night, of course, you often change your sleeping positions. The important position that best shows your secret personality is the one that you fall asleep with.
If you go to sleep on your back, you’re a very open person. You normally trust people and you are easily influenced by fashion or new ideas. You don’t like to upset people. So you never express your real feelings. You’re quite shy and you aren’t very confident.
If you sleep on your stomach, you are a person who likes to keep secrets. You worry a lot and you’re always easily becoming sad. You never want to change your ideas, but you are satisfied with your life the way it is. You usually live for today not tomorrow.
If you sleep curled up(卷曲), you are probably a very nervous person. You have a low opinion of yourself and you often protecting yourself from being hurt, so you are very defensive. You’re shy and you don’t usually like meeting people. You prefer to be on your own. You’re easily hurt.
If you sleep on your side, you have usually got a well-balanced(平衡的) personality. You know your strengths and weaknesses. You’re usually careful. You believe in yourself. You sometimes feel anxious, but you don’t often get unhappy. You always say what you think, even if it makes people rather angry.
1.You may find the passage in_____.
A.a story book. B.a guide book.
C.a sports newspaper. D.a science magazine.
2.Which is NOT mentioned in the second paragragh about a person’s personality?
A.He or she is always open with others. B.He or she is always easily upset.
C.He or she always likes new ideas. D.He or she tends to believe in others.
3.Tina hardly tells her secrets to her friends. She probably goes to sleep _______.
A.curled up. B.on her back.
C.on her stomach. D.on her side.
4.What does the passage tell us?
A.Sleeping positions show people’s secret personalities.
B.Sleeping on your side is the best way of sleeping.
C.Changing positions will cause sleeping problems.
D.Enough sleep makes people look better and healthier.
One day, when I was a boy, my classmates and I were going to pick berries (莓果). Before I left, my father said, “Harry, when you find a good bush, don’t leave it to try to find a better one. The other kids will run about, picking one or two berries here, and one or two there, and getting very few in the end. If you want to get more berries, stick to your bush!”
I went with my classmates and we had a good time. But it was just as my father had said. Once one of my classmates found a good bush, he called to the others, and they would leave their places and run off to see what he had found.
But I remembered my father’s words, and I stuck to my bush. When I had done with one, I went to another. When night came, I had a large basketful of nice berries, and more than all the others put together. And I was not so tired as they were. I went home happily that night.
Now I have worked for 6 years, but I never forget the lesson my father taught me. I always stick to my bush. When I had a good place and was getting on well, I wouldn’t leave it and spend days or weeks trying to find a better place. When my friends said, “Come with us, and we will find you something better to do.” I shook my head, and stuck to my bush. Now I’m running a big company. I owe(归功于) all I have to the lesson my father taught me.
1.What did Harry think of that day’s berry picking?
A.Boring. B.Surprising.
C.Enjoyable. D.Painful.
2.When that day’s berry picking finished, __________.
A.Harry had got the most berries B.Harry’s father came to pick him up
C.Harry was as tired as his classmates D.Harry shared his berries with his classmates
3.From the last paragraph we can learn that Harry __________.
A.accepted his friends’ help B.is not satisfied with his job
C.spent weeks finding his job D.is in charge of a big company
4.What does the author mainly tell us?
A.Keep on doing one thing. B.Who laughs last laughs best.
C.Always keep parents’ words in heart. D.A good beginning makes a good ending.
The California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento totals 100,000 square feet. Completed at a cost of $16.1 million, the museum opened in May 1981. It houses 21 old locomotive (火车头) and cars, some dating back to 1862. Here, visitors can learn a lot about railroad history in California and the West in America.
Hours & Tickets
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). Tickets are sold until 4:30 p.m. $ 12 adults, $ 6 students, children aged 5 and under are free.
Parking
A small number of metered parking spaces are available on the streets of Old Sacramento. However, these spaces are not for guests visiting longer than 90 minutes. All-day parking is available in large public garages at both ends of Old Sacramento.
Food Service
The Silver Palace Restaurant in the Central Pacific Railroad Passenger Station serves good food at the right prices. It is just one block southwest of the main entrance to the museum. There are many other restaurants throughout Old Sacramento.
Other Offerings
Guided tours and films about the museum are offered daily. There are many other chances at the museum, too, including some historical attractions (景点) within Old Sacramento State Historic Park.
1.Which of the following is TRUE about the museum?
A.It is open all year round.
B.It is more than 160 years old.
C.It many attract visitors interested in railway history.
D.The old locomotives there were all made in California.
2.If a 4-year-old visit the museum with his parents, they should pay __________.
A.$12 B.$24
C.$30 D.$36
3.In the author’s eyes, the Silver Palace Restaurant __________.
A.is worth a visit B.is famous for its expensive food
C.is far from the museum D.is the best one in Old Sacramento
