One Canada, Two Languages
Canada is one of the few nations in the world to have two official languages: English and French. There are 10 provinces in the country but only one of these—Quebec is known as “French Canada”. This is because it was founded by French explorers while British adventurers discovered the rest.
Canada left the British empire(帝国) in 1867 to become an independent country and English and French have been recognized as the official languages ever since.
Most people speak English as their first language and the two national television networks broadcast in English throughout the country. Apart from in Quebec and a few places on the east coast, French television is very rare.
The same goes for traffic signs and menus, for example, outside of Quebec, there are only a few places where you’ll see traffic signs in French. In restaurants, it’s almost impossible to find French on the menu unless you are in the heartland (中心地带) of French Canada. However, all products sold in Canada must, by law, have labels (标签) and instructions in both languages.
In Canada’s English speaking provinces, official bilingualism (双语) means that students can choose to complete a special French language course. Under this program, they are taught most of their subjects in French.
If a student begins the course in kindergarten (幼儿园) or Grade One, it is likely that all their lessons will be in French. However, if they start at junior high school, 25 percent of the teaching will continue to be in English.
1.How many provinces are there in Canada?
A. Ten. B. Nine. C. Eleven. D. Two.
2.Which country controlled Canada before its independence?
A. France. B. Britain. C. America. D. Germany
3.Where can you watch French television programs?
A. Only in Quebec.
B. In Quebec and a few other places.
C. From the two national television networks.
D. All over Canada
4.What do we know about the education in Canada?
A. In English speaking provinces only English courses are offered.
B. If you choose a special French language course, most of the subjects are taught in French.
C. The courses in primary school are all taught in English.
D. Most of the courses in junior high schools are taught in English.
Shane Thomas is a 10-year-old pianist from England. He’s being called the next Mozart because of his amazing abilities.
He has only been having piano lessons for four months, and practices four hours a week, but he has already played difficult classical pieces. He was just seven when he sat down at the piano, and could play at once. He also says he never gets nervous.
When Shane was three years old, he said that he could play the piano, but nobody took him seriously. At school, he could listen to the teacher and do his work while composing (作曲) in his head. Shame remembers all the melodies（旋律）,and when he gets home he plays them on the piano, while his father records them. Shane loves playing the piano, and when he grows up he wants to be a composer.
His tutor, Richard Goffin-Lecar, says he is like Amadeus Mozart, who lived during the 18th century in Salzburg, Austria, and was one of the most famous composers ever. Mr. Goffin-lecar says, “I don’t teach Shane very much. I just give him directions, then sit back and watch.”
His father, a single parent with two other children, says that although he has little money, he wants to send Shane to a good music school. “I’m a single father, but I have this gifted child. I don’t have much money, but I want to give him the best teachers, and also take him into a studio to record.”
1.When did Shane tell others that he could play the piano?
A. At age three. B. At age ten. C. At age seven. D. At age four.
2.Which of the following is TRUE about Shane?
A. He feels nervous while playing the piano
B. He can compose in his head while doing his work.
C. He wants to be a piano tutor when he grows up.
D. He doesn’t like to listen to the teacher at school.
3.What do we learn about Shane’s father?
A. He also plays the piano well.
B. He’s a single father with two children.
C. He believes in Shane’s talent for music and will support him.
D. Not having enough money, he will ask the teachers for help
My husband hasn’t stopped laughing about the thing that happened to me. It’s 1now but it wasn’t that time.
Last Friday, after doing all the family shopping in town, I 2a rest before catching the train, so I bought a 3and some chocolate and went to the station coffee shop that was a cheap, self-service place with long 4to sit at. I put my heavy bag down on the floor, put the newspaper and chocolate on the table to 5a place and went to get a cup of coffee.
When I came back with the coffee, there was someone in the 6seat. It was one of those 7young man, with dark glasses and torn clothes, and hair colored bright 8at the front, not so unusual these days. What did 9me was he’d started to eat my chocolate! Naturally, I was annoyed. However, to avoid trouble—then really I was rather uneasy about him—I just 10down at the front page of the newspaper, tasted my coffee, and took a bit of chocolate. The boy looked at me 11. then he took another piece of my chocolate. I could hardly 12it. Still I didn’t want to start an argument. When he took a 13piece , I felt more 14than annoyed. I thought, “ Well, I shall have the last piece.” And I 15it.
The boy gave me a 16look, and then stood up. As he left, he shouted out, “This woman is mad!” Everyone 17. That really made me feel silly, but it was 18when I finished my coffee and got ready to leave. My face went red—as red as his hair when I 19I’d made a mistake. It wasn’t my chocolate he’d been taking. There was mine, unopened, just under my 20.
1.A. serious B. wonderful C. funny D. exciting
2.A. enjoyed B. took C. had D. wanted
3.A. cake B. newspaper C. magazine D. bag
4.A. chairs B. tables C. benches D. beds
5.A. order B. find C. keep D. visit
6.A. very B. same C. free D. next
7.A. wild-looked B. wild-looking C. good-looking D. good-looked
8.A. red B. black C. brown D. white
9.A. interest B. surprise C. frighten D. hurt
10.A. looked B. lay C. sat D. put
11.A. eagerly B. friendly C. closely D. shyly
12.A. believe B. hear C. notice D. stop
13.A. last B. big C. single D. third
14.A. angry B. lucky C. happy D. curious
15.A. covered B. threw C. got D. wrapped
16.A. strange B. exhausting C. nervous D. pleasant
17.A. agreed B. promised C. stared D. followed
18.A. better B. worse C. later D. easier
19.A. wondered B. realized C. decided D. recognized
20.A. bags B. clothes C. book D. newspaper
______ you are alone at home, why don’t you go with us to the party?
A. Even though B. As though C. So that D. Now that
Can you ___me to call Mr. Smith this afternoon? You know how forgetful I am.
A. permit B. persuade C. remind D. allow
It was quite ___accident that I met him; he was homeless and ___rags at that time.
A. by; in B. on; in C. at; by D. in; in
