This dictionary tells you about English words and how to use them in reading, writing and speaking English. It not only gives the meaning of words, it can also help you with spelling, word building, grammar and pronunciation.
To use your dictionary correctly, you need to understand how the dictionary works. At the front of the book, you will find some exercises to help you make the most use of your dictionary.
If you look up the word “colour”, you will find two spellings for this word. “Colour” is used in British English, while “color” is used in American English. When such a thing happens, the dictionary shows it with the word “BrE” for British English and “AmE” for American English.
The dictionary also helps you pronounce words correctly. It uses a special alphabet (特殊字母表) to show pronunciation. If you turn to the inside back face, you will see all the phonetic letters (音标) with some words to show you how they are pronounced. Just have a look at this page when you’re not sure how to say a word.
The most important reason for using a dictionary is to find out the meaning of a word—its DEFINITION.
In this dictionary, the definitions have been written using only 2000 words. This means that the definitions of even the most difficult words are simply explained and easy to understand.
1. According to the passage, “neighbor” is used in ______ English.
A. Australian B. Canadian
C. American D. British
2. In Paragraph 5, what does the underlined word “definition” mean?
A. 词性 B. 词条 C. 词库 D. 词义
3. The dictionary explains ______.
A. some of the difficult words B. all the words in a simple way
C. all the easy words D. the words of two meanings
Every school has a notice board. Let’s see what is on the notice board of an America school.
1. According to School Policy, visitors have to ______ when entering the school.
A. hand in a note B. call at 524-9752
C. check in at the office D. telephone the school
2. From ______, students can get information on the parents meeting.
A. School Policy B. Report Card
C. After-school Program D. Class Announcement
3.Suppose Tony doesn’t do well at school but makes progress, he will get ______ on the Report Card.
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4
Reuben, a 12-year-old boy, saw something in a shop window. But the price—five dollars—was far beyond his means. He couldn’t ask his parents the money. His father made a living through in Bay Roberts. His mother, Dora, tried hard to feed and clothe their five children.
Hesitating(犹豫) for a few minutes, he opened the and talked to the shopkeeper. “…I don’t have the money right now. Can you please it for me?” “I’ll try,” the shopkeeper smiled.
Reuben respectfully touched his worn cap and walked out. Hearing the sound of hammering from a side street, he suddenly had a(an) . He ran towards the sound and stopped at a construction site(建筑工地).Reuben knew he could collect the discarded nails(被丢弃的钉子) and sell them to the factory for five cents .
He looked for nails until sunset. Then he ran to the factory and sold them. Reuben tightly clutched(握紧) the five-cent pieces and ran home. He found a rusty iron can and dropped his inside. Then he rushed into the barn(谷仓) near his house and hid it. It was dinner time when Reuben got home. His father sat at the big kitchen table, working on a fishnet. Dora was at the kitchen stove, ready to serve as Reuben took his place at the table. Looking at his mother, Reuben smiled.
Every day after school, Reuben searched the town, trying to finish his task. Finally, the time had come! He ran into the barn, opened the can, poured the coins out and began to count.
He still needed 20 cents! He had to sell four nails the day ended. Rushing to the town, Reuben searched every corner. It was getting dark when Reuben arrived at the factory. The man at the factory was about to .
“Please, mister. I have to sell these nails now—please.”
“Why do you need this money so ?”
“It’s a secret.”
The man took the nails, reached into his pocket and put four coins in Reuben’s hand.
Clutching the can tightly, Reuben for the shop.
“I have the ” he solemnly told the owner.
Back home, his mother was cleaning the kitchen. “Here, Mum! Here!” Reuben shouted as he ran to her. He a small box in her roughened hand. She opened it carefully. A blue-velvet jewel box appeared. Dora lifted the lid(盖子). Tears began to blur(模糊) her vision. In gold lettering on a small, almond-shaped brooch(胸针) was the word Mother.
It was Mother’s Day, 1946.
1. A. aboutB. forC. ofD. with
2. A. farmingB. drivingC. fishingD. cleaning
3. A. doorB. shopC. windowD. box
4. A. buy B. watchC. makeD. keep
5. A. taskB. goalC. planD. idea
6. A. eachB. anyC. eitherD. all
7. A. nailsB. cansC. coinsD. dollars
8. A. breakfastB. tableC. lunchD. dinner
9. A. publicB. secretC. excitingD. surprising
10.A. beforeB. afterC. whenD. while
11.A. call upB. lock upC. clear upD. turn up
12.A. hurriedlyB. hardlyC. badlyD. immediately
13.A. wentB. lookedC. paidD. left
14.A. pocketB. moneyC. lidD. time
15.A. movedB. pulledC. placedD. took
—Why did Miss Yang look so worried when we saw her?
—Because she wondered __________.
A. where did the other students go
B. when would the policeman come
C. what her students have done during the trip
D. if her students had survived the earthquake
There are a lot of new buildings on ______ sides of the street.
A. either B. every C. all D. both
The decision about the price _____ in a few days. So they have to wait.
A. will be made B. was made
C. is being madeD. is made