When early colonial settlers went to America, they took many forms of dance to their new home. Square dancing, one of the oldest forms of American folk dancing, developed from several different Old World group dances, mainly English country dances, and the French quadrille(四对方舞).
In the American version of square dancing, four couples form a square and dance to music. An American addition to square dancing is the caller. What do you think a caller does?
The callers---someone who calls out the dance steps in time to the music--- was a completely American invention. At first dancers memorized all the steps for a particular dance, but eventually the dances became so complicated that it was necessary to have someone call out cues (提示) so that dancers didn’t have to remember so many steps. The caller didn’t just call out “do-se-do your partner”; a good caller also came up with colourful sayings or witty lines that he said in between the cues such as “Don’t be shy and don’t be afraid. Swing on the corner in a waltz promenade (步伐).” A caller might also come up with new dance steps and routines.
Although popular for years, square dancing seemed to be going out of style and fading away until the early 1930s, when Henry Ford helped revive interest in it. Ford, the automobile manufacturer, used to vacation at the Wayside Inn in Massachusetts, where he enjoyed the dance programme run by a man named Benjamin Lovett. Ford asked Lovett to come to Detroit and teach dances, but Lovett said he couldn’t because he had a contract with the inn. Ford solved that problem by buying the inn and Lovett’s contract. He took Lovett back to Detroit, where together they established a programme for teaching squares and rounds. Square dancing was updated and groups began forming all over the country.
1.What is the best title for the passage?
A. The Different Steps of Square Dancing
B. The Origin and Development of Square Dancing
C. Who Was the Inventor of Square Dancing?
D. Why Did Square Dancing Go Out of Style?
2.What does the underlined part “their new home” refer to?
A. The United Kingdom. B. France.
C. Africa. D. America.
3.Why did the caller call out the steps for the dancers?
A. Because the dance was invented by the caller.
B. Because the dancers didn’t know the names of the steps.
C. Because the steps were very particular.
D. Because it was hard for the dancers to remember all the steps.
4.Why did the author mention Henry Ford in the last paragraph?
A. Because he was the man who made the first car.
B. Because he was vey fond of dancing.
C. Because he helped make square dancing popular again.
D. Because he taught people how to dance.
“Sesame Street” has been called “the longest street in the world”. That is because the television program by that name can now be seen in so many parts of the world. That program became one of American’s exports soon after it went on the air in New York in 1969.
In the United States more than six million children watch the program regularly. The viewers include more than half the nation’s pre-school children, from every kind of economic, racial, and geographical group.
Although some educators object to certain elements in the program, parents praise it highly. Many teachers also consider it a great help, though some teachers find that problems arise when first graders who have learned from “Sesame Street” are in the same class with children who have not watched the program.
Tests have shown that children from all racial, geographical, and economic backgrounds have benefited from watching it. Those who watch it five times a week learn more than occasional (偶然的) viewers. In the US the program is shown at different hours during the week in order to increase the number of children who can watch it regularly.
The programs all use songs, stories, jokes, and pictures to give children a basic understanding of numbers, letters and human relationships. But there are some differences. For example, the Spanish program, produced in Mexico City, devotes more time to teaching whole words than to teaching separate letters.
Why has “Sesame Street” been so much more successful than other children’s shows? Many reasons have been suggested. People mention the educational theories of its creators, the support by the government and private businesses, and the skillful use of a variety of TV tricks. Perhaps an equally important reason is that mothers watch it along with their children. This is partly because famous adult stars often appear on it. But the best reason for the success of the program may be that it makes every child watching feel able to learn. The child finds himself learning, and he wants to learn more.
1.“Sesame Street” is actually ____.
A. a street in the US B. a program for children
C. a program for teachers D. a program for students
2.Children who often watch the program ____.
A. can have problems in school
B. will find it a great help
C. will take no interest in their studies
D. will be well educated
3.What is special about the program?
A. It offers great fun.
B. It makes children feel able to learn.
C. It is shown at different hours during the week.
D. Children learn and enjoy themselves while watching.
4.Why is “Sesame Street” so popular in the world?
A. Because it is supported by the government and businesses.
B. Because it uses a variety of skillful tricks.
C. Because mothers watch it along with their children.
D. Because it makes every child watching it feel able to learn.
How do successful people think? What drives them? Interviews and investigations indicate that there are several keys to success that successful people share.
First of all, successful people never blame someone or something outside of themselves for their failure to go ahead. They realize that their future lies in their own hands. They understand that they cannot control things in life, such as nature, the past and other people. But in the meantime, they are well aware that they can control their own thoughts and actions. They take responsibility for their life and regard this as one of the most empowering things they can do. Perhaps what most separates successful people from others is that they live a life “on purpose”---- they are doing what they believe they are put here to do. In their opinion, having a purpose in their life is the most important element that enables them to become fully functioning people. They hold that when they live their life on purpose, their main concern is to do the job right. They love what they do ---- and it shows. People want to do business with them because of their commitment(忠诚). To live their life on purpose, successful people find a cause they believe in and create a business around it. Besides, they never easily give up. Once they have set up goals in their life, they are willing to work hard whatever it takes to achieve their goals. Top achievers always bear in mind what they don’t have.
Rather than be negative or depressing, they use the knowledge to spur themselves on and go after what they want energetically and passionately.
1.The underlined word “it ” refers to “____”.
A. the main concern of successful people
B. the job that successful people do
C. the commitment with which successful people do their jobs
D. the business that successful people do with other people
2.By living a life “on purpose”, successful people can do the following EXCEPT ____.
A. do a lot of work
B. concentrate on their jobs
C. do business with many people
D. control things in life
3.The underlined word “spur ” most probably means “____”.
A. encourage B. excite C. relieve D. compel
阅读下列短文，掌握其大意，然后从各题所给的四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
The story goes that some time ago, a man had a very lovely little daughter. One day the man 1his 3-year-old daughter for 2a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became 3when the child tried to decorate a 4to put under the Christmas tree. 5, the little girl brought the gift to her 6the next morning and said, “This is for you, Daddy.”
The man was 7by his earlier 8, but his anger flared again when he found out the box was 9. He yelled at her, “Don’t you know, when you give someone a present, there is 10to be something inside?” The little girl looked 11at him with tears in her eyes and cried, “Oh, Daddy, it’s not empty at all. I 12kisses into the box. They are all for you, Daddy.”
The father was crushed. He 13his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her 14.
Only a short time later, an 15took the life of the child. It is also told that her father 16that gold box by his bed for many years and whenever he was discouraged, he would take out a(n) 17kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.
In a very real sense, each of us, as human beings, has been given a gold container 18unconditional love and kisses from our children, family members, friends, and God. There is simply no other 19, which anyone could hold, more 20than this.
1.A. asked B. praised C. begged D. punished
2.A. wasting B. stealing C. selling D. holding
3.A. glad B. angry C. sad D. upset
4.A. room B. hall C. box D. ball
5.A. Nevertheless B. But C. Therefore D. And
6.A. father B. mother C. teacher D. sister
7.A. puzzled B. surprised C. scared D. embarrassed
8.A. overwork B. overreaction C. overcoat D. overpass
9.A. empty B. heavy C. full D. wet
10.A. happened B. seemed C. supposed D. used
11.A. down B. back C. up D. forward
12.A. blew B. sent C. set D. passed
13.A. put B. turned C. handed D. gave
14.A. kindness B. forgiveness C. sadness D. carelessness
15.A. overview B. incident C. accident D. action
16.A. remembered B. owned C. had D. kept
17.A. imaginary B. kind C. gentle D. warm
18.A. filled with B. pleased with C. crowded with D. equipped with
19.A. world B. feeling C. possession D. love
20.A. expensive B. precious C. comfortable D. interesting
He speaks English well indeed, but of course not ______ a native speaker.
A. as fluent as B. more fluent than
C. so fluently as D. much fluently than
I don’t think you should mention it at the beginning of the story, or it may ____ the shocking ending.
A. give out B. give away C. give up D. give off
