Work Your Mind
Here’s something to think about the next time you ask your teacher for help: struggling with schoolwork on your own can help you learn. According to a recent study, the more you struggle while you are learning new information, the better you can remember it later.
This theory might surprise you. When teachers are presenting new information, they often give students lots of help. But a new study shows this may not be the best way to support learning. “Don't be too quick to get help when learning something new,” education expert Manu Kapur told TFK. “Try to work on it yourself even if it means trying different ways.”
Kapur came up with the idea that struggling can lead to better learning. Then he tested it out on students in Singapore. He separated students into two groups. In the first group, students were asked to solve math problems with the teacher’s help. In the second group, students were asked to solve the same problems by helping one another, instead of getting help from the teacher.
With the teacher’s help, students in the first group were able to find the correct answers. Students in the second group did not solve the problems correctly. But they did come up with a lot of good ideas. The students were then tested on what they had learned. The group without any help from a teacher scored much higher than the group who had help. Kapur said working to find the answers helped students understand the process, not just the solution.
Kapur’s advice for kids is to put a lot of effort into learning something new rather than going to your teacher for help. “Simply doing a little work or nothing at all won’t work,” says Kapur. “The struggle needs to be a genuine attempt to figure out or solve a problem in as many ways as possible.”
1.When you have doubt on schoolwork, you’d better ____________.
A.ask your teacher for help
B.make it clear by yourself
C.ask your classmates to help you
D.ask your parents for help
2.What’s Manu Kapur educational idea on learning new knowledge?
A.Give students much help as soon as possible.
B.Let students learn it on themselves in one way.
C.Let students learn it by themselves in the same way.
D.Let students learn it for themselves in different ways.
3.How did Kapur check his idea on better learning?
A.By asking questions.
B.By solving art problems.
C.By group comparations.
D.By solving science problems.
4.What is the most important in learning knowledge?
A.Getting the teacher’s help.
B.Getting the student’s help.
C.Grasping the learning course.
D.Receiving the final solution.
While many of us may have been away somewhere nice last summer, few would say that we’ve “summered.” “Summer” is clearly a noun, more precisely, a verbed noun.
Way back in our childhood, we all learned the difference between a noun and a verb. With such a tidy definition, it was easy to spot the difference. Not so in adulthood, where we are expected to “foot” bills, “chair” committees, and “dialogue” with political opponents. Chances are you didn’t feel uncomfortable about the sight of those verbed nouns.
“The verbing of nouns is as old as the English language,” says Patricia O’Conner, a former editor at The New York Times Book Review. Experts estimate that 20 percent of all English verbs were originally nouns. And the phenomenon seems to be snowballing. Since 1900, about 40 percent of all new verbs have come from nouns.
Even though conversion (转化) is quite universal, plenty of grammarians object to the practice. William Strunk Jr. and E.B.White, in The Elements of Style — the Bible for the use of American English — have this to say: “Many nouns lately have been pressed into service as verbs. Not all are bad, but all are suspect.” The Chicago Manual of Style takes a similar standpoint, advising writers to use verbs with great care.
“Sometimes people object to a new verb because they resist what is unfamiliar to them,” says O’Conner. That’s why we’re comfortable “hosting” a party, but we might feel upset by the thought of “medaling” in sports. So are there any rules for verbing? Benjamin Dreyer, copy chief at Random House, doesn’t offer a rule, but suggests that people think twice about “verbifying” a noun if it’s easily replaceable by an already existing popular verb. Make sure it’s descriptive but not silly-sounding, he says.
In the end, however, style is subjective. Easy conversion of nouns to verbs has been part of English grammar for centuries; it is one of the processes that make English “English.” Not every coinage (新创的词语) passes into general use, but as for trying to end verbing altogether, forget it.
1.What can we learn about the verbing of nouns?
A.It hasn’t recently been opposed by many grammarians.
B.It is more commonly accepted by children than adults.
C.It hasn’t been a rare phenomenon in the past century.
D.It is easily replaced by existing verbs in practice
2.What is most leading experts’ attitude towards the practice of the verbing of nouns?
A.Cautious. B.Satisfied.
C.Disappointed. D.Unconcerned.
3.What does the author think of ending the verbing of nouns?
A.Predictable. B.Practicable.
C.Approaching. D.Impossible.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.Are 40 Percent of all new verbs from nouns？
B.Are Summering and Medaling Annoying?
C.Are You Comfortable about a New Verb?
D.Are There Any Rules for Verbing?
Genealogy, or researching your family tree, is a hobby that can rapidly develop into an obsession. Before you start looking for your own ancestors, read this advice from genealogist Maria McLeod.
The first question to ask yourself is why you want to research your family tree. Genealogy is not about discovering that you are the lost prince or princess of an unknown kingdom. It’s about finding more about yourself. For most people the important question is “Why am I like I am?” You might not look like other members of your immediate family and you want to know where your green eyes or curly hair come from. You may be curious about why you have such a quick temper. You may even be suffering from a medical condition and want to know if something in your genetic makeup has caused it.
Another common motivation for researching your family tree is that you plan to visit the place that your ancestors came from and you secretly hope that you will find some long lost cousins with whom you can share your memories. There can be few more exciting things than meeting a distant cousin who is living on the other side of the globe and finding that she looks just like your younger sister. But you should also bear in mind that they may not necessarily want to have anything to do with you. Sometimes there are skeletons in the cupboard that you and your branch of the family are unaware of, but which are still fresh in the minds of your more distant relatives.
Once you are clear about your motivations, you need to take a moment to think about just how many ancestors you might have and how far back you intend to go. You have, no doubt, thought about your parents’ parents and your parents’ parents’ parents. But go back ten generations and the picture becomes much more complicated. You can work it out for yourself. You may be descended(遗传) from no fewer than 1,024 people through ten generations. This can mean that you spend hours going through official records, either in person at the records office or on the Internet. Are you prepared for such a huge task?
1.What might be Maria Mcleod’s first piece of advice be?
A.Be prepared to accept your bad temper.
B.Don’t expect to find lovely relatives.
C.Be prepared to find out your hidden health problems.
D.Don’t expect to find out you are a member of a royal family.
2.Why are some relatives unwilling to meet you?
A.You may bring back bad memories.
B.They find it disturbing to entertain you.
C.They suspect you of having wrong motives.
D.You could remind them of their lost loved ones.
3.What does the underlined word “it” in the last paragraph refer to?
A.Who your great grandparents are.
B.When you can finish your huge task.
C.Why researching a family tree is complex.
D.How many people you are descended from.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.Uncovering family secrets: do you dare?
B.The science of genealogy: new developments
C.Expert opinions on researching your family past
D.A step-by-step guide to researching your family tree
Come to the AG Society's expedition (探险) program and you will surely get unique experiences! SWIM WITH THE HUMPBACKS(座头鲸) OF TONGA
Darren Jew and his team are your hosts for an unforgettable AG Society adventure, filled with in- water meetings with humpback whales in the Kingdom of Tonga's group of islands.
WHO: Darren Jew's underwater whales
DATES: 26 September-4 October 2018
COST: $ 5,450 per person
BOOKINGS: Call 0756679413, email reservations @ whalesunderwater.com or visit whalesunderwater.com
11-DAY KIMBERLEY COASTAL CRUISE(乘船浏览)
The AG Society is partnering with APT to present an exciting voyage along the Kimberley coastline. Expedition cruising offers the easiest way to explore the Kimberley. Guests on this 11-day voyage will go ashore, explore natural wonders, meet traditional owners, see rock art and spot wildlife.
WHO: APT
DATES: 6 - 16 September 2018
COST: $ 13,395 per person
BOOKINGS: Visit kimberleywild.com. au
LIGHTNING RIDGE FOSSIL(化石) DIG
The AG Society offers you a chance to hunt for fossils. Guided by experts, you'll go to special locations, seeking new fossils for the collections of the Australian Opal Centre. Your discoveries will further establish these museum collections as a world-class scientific and cultural resource. There are also a series of lectures on mining history, fossils, dinosaur hunting and new dinosaurs.
WHO: The Australian Opal Centre
DATES: 20 -25 August 2018
COST: $ 2,200 per person, including all activities and lunches and dinners
BOOKINGS: Call 0427904587, email dig @ stralianopalcentre.com or visit australianopalcentre.com
AG DEVIL ARK EXPEDITION
Come and join Tim Faulkner for a unique hands-on experience with this Tasmanian devil (袋獾) feeding program in the beautiful Barrington Tops of NSW. You'll get to see Tasmanian devils up close when you help with feeding individuals.
In addition to working with the animals, there'll be opportunities to explore the area's natural treasures and spot local wildlife. Don't miss your chance to get involved in this important conservation effort.
WHO: Devil Ark
DATES: 24 - 26 November 2018
COST: $ 1,750 per person
BOOKINGS: Call 0243408610, email info @ devilark.org. au or visit devilark.org. au
1.If you join in LIGHTNING RIDGE FOSSIL DIG, you can .
A.go to seek new fossils individually
B.learn something about mining history
C.collect the world-class scientific fossils
D.become an expert and go to special locations
2.What can you do if you take part in AG DEVIL ARK EXPEDITION?
A.Help protect wildlife. B.Learn about dinosaurs.
C.Watch humpback whales. D.Enjoy an exciting voyage.
3.Which program will you choose if you want to enjoy rock art?
A.AG DEVIL ARK EXPEDITION.
B.LIGHTNING RIDGE FOSSIL DIG.
C.11-DAY KIMBERLEY COASTAL CRUISE.
D.SWIM WITH THE HUMPBACKS OF TONGA.
阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。续写的词数应为150左右。
My crippled(瘸腿) grandmother was dancing. I stood in the living room doorway, absolutely shocked. I heard her sing when I opened the door but did not want to interrupt her by shouting I had arrived. She was wearing beautiful dancing shoes and her legs obeyed her perfectly. As long as I could remember, she was once the pet of the dancing world. But it was all over after a sudden accident. She had always limped(一瘸一拐地走)，helped with a cane(拐杖).
She turned around and saw me standing in the doorway. Her song ended, and her beautiful movements with it. Grandma turned towards the kitchen. She was walking with no difficulties in her beautiful shoes. I followed her, not believing my eyes.
“So…” I asked surprisedly but happily, “How did your leg heal（康复）?”
“To tell you the truth—my legs have been well all my life,” she said.
“But I don’t understand!” I said, “ I mean… You pretended all these years?
“Very much so,” Grandmother closed her eyes, “And for a very good reason.”
“What reason?”
“Your grandfather.”
“You mean he told you not to dance?”
“No, this was my choice. I am sure I would have lost him if I had continued dancing. I weighed fame（名声）and love against each other and love won.”
“We were talking about engagement（订婚）when your grandfather had to go to war. It was the most terrible day of my life when he left. I was so afraid of losing him, the only way I could stay peaceful was to dance. And then one day a letter came. There were only three sentences:‘I have lost my leg. I am no longer a whole man and now give you back your freedom. It is best you forget about me.’”
Grandma continued to tell me that Grandfather was in hospital and she made her decision not to give him up. She took her leave, and traveled away from the city.
Several weeks later, she returned.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
She took a deep breath, leaned on her cane and limped to Grandfather.
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假定你是李华,你所在学校要举办英语戏剧节(TheEnglishDramaFestival)。你们想邀请外教John参加。请你给他写一封信,要点如下:
1.介绍活动内容;
2.邀请他表演节目;
3.请他提出活动建议。
注意：1.词数80左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear John,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sincerely yours,
Li Hua
