Take a look at the following list of numbers: 4, 8, 5, 3, 7, 9, 6. Read them loud. Now look away and spend 20 seconds memorizing them in order before saying them out loud again. If you speak English, you have about a 50% chance of remembering those perfectly. If you are Chinese, though, you’re almost certain to get it right every time. Why is that? Because we most easily memorize whatever we can say or read within a two-second period. And unlike English, the Chinese language allows them to fit all those seven numbers into two seconds.
That example comes from Stanislas Dahaene’s book The Number Sense. As Dahaene explains: Chinese number words are remarkably brief. Most of them can be spoken out in less than one-quarter of a second (for instance, 4 is “si” and 7 “qi”). Their English pronunciations are longer. The memory gap between English and Chinese apparently is entirely due to this difference in length.
It turns out that there is also a big difference in how number-naming systems in Western and Asian languages are constructed. In English, we say fourteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen and nineteen, so one might expect that we would also say oneteen, twoteen, threeteen, and fiveteen. But we don’t. We use a different form: eleven, twelve, thirteen and fifteen. For numbers above 20, we put the “decade” first and the unit number second (twenty-one, twenty-two), while for the teens, we do it the other way around (fourteen, seventeen, eighteen). The number system in English is highly irregular. Not so in China, Japan, and Korea. They have a logical counting system. Eleven is ten-one. Twelve is ten-two. Twenty-four is two-tens-four and so on.
That difference means that Asian children learn to count much faster than American children. Four-year-old Chinese children can count, on average, to 40. American children at that age can count only to 15. By the age of five, in other words, American children are already a year behind their Asian friends in the most fundamental of math skills.
The regularity of their number system also means that Asian children can perform basic functions, such as addition, far more easily. Ask an English-speaking seven-year-old to add thirty-seven plus twenty-two in her head, and she has to change the words to numbers (37+22). Only then can she do the math: 2 plus 7 is 9 and 30 and 20 is 50, which makes 59. Ask an Asian child to add three-tens-seven and two-tens-two, and then the necessary equation(等式) is right there, in the sentence. No number translation is necessary: it’s five-tens-nine.
When it comes to math, in other words, Asians have a built-in advantage. For years, students from China, South Korea, and Japan --- outperformed their Western classmates at mathematics, and the typical assumption is that it has something to do with a kind of Asian talent for math. The differences between the number systems in the East and the West suggest something very different --- that being good at math may also be rooted in a group’s culture.
1.What does the passage mainly talk about?
A. The Asian number-naming system helps grasp advanced math skills better.
B. Western culture fail to provide their children with adequate number knowledge.
C. Children in Western countries have to learn by heart the learning things.
D. Asian children’s advantage in math may be sourced from their culture.
2.What makes a Chinese easier to remember a list of numbers than an American?
A. Their understanding of numbers.
B. Their mother tongue.
C. Their math education.
D. Their different IQ.
3.Asian children can reach answers in basic math functions more quickly because ____________.
A. they pronounce the numbers in a shorter period
B. they practice math from an early age
C. English speaking children translate language into numbers first
D. American children can only count to 15 at the age of four
After the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at retaliatory(报复的) action against China for its “significantly undervalued” currency, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner urged the IMF to pressure China to adopt “more flexible, more market-directed exchange-rate management”. This is a coded message to China: You’re keeping on purpose your currency cheap, and the U.S. economy is paying the price. So cut it out --- or else. The normally dull IMF meeting became the latest battleground for the U.S. to be against a fast developing China.
Our new conventional wisdom is that China’s policy leads to make trade deficits (逆差) greater and the loss of American jobs. Dozens of candidates have run ads attacking a competitor for allowing China to take advantage of us. In the election-year view, China grew 10% annually for the past decade while maintaining low inflation(通涨) only by taking advantage of its artificially low currency. The idea that the U.S. is not responsible for its own economy is a black-is-white view. It argues that China and its currency are causing the lion’s share of harm.
This is an argument born of fear. It covers a fact that the economies of China and the U.S. have become beneficial to each other. Those trillions in reserves that China accumulates: Where do they go? Back to the U.S. in the form of lending money to the federal government. Those made-in-China goods that account for the trade deficit: Whom do they benefit? China, yes, but also American consumers and companies. Without China, American companies could not have maintained their profitability in recent years. Take two brand names, Caterpillar and Nike. Both have their products made in China, but both also view China as a fast-growing market for their products.
George Soros warned recently that a currency war could put the world into disorder more damaging than anything caused by the financial crisis of the 1930s. He’s right. Whether we like it or not, we live in a global system. The zero-sum attitude toward China and its currency is a relic, the remaining of an earlier time when nations defined economic life.
China is far from perfect and seeks its own advantage, but holding it accountable for our domestic problems is beyond outdated. It reflects a dangerous refusal to deal with the world as it is. Retaliating against China over currency will not regain high-end jobs in the U.S., which needs more our own demand. It will not renew construction or retool the American labor force. It will not rebuild rotting bridges or create a next-generation energy network.
1.Which of the following argument can be supported by the writer?
A. China is the winner in the Sino-US trade.
B. China’s rapid development over the past ten years is based on its low inflation.
C. The world’s economy will benefit from China’s policy changes on its currency.
D. The US will get hurt if it tries hard on damaging China’s economy.
2.This passage is in a tone that is ____________.
A. in favor of China
B. in the shoes of US
C. blaming China’s low currency policy
D. helping IMF solve the world’s economic problem
3.The writer makes his point of view clear through the passage by using _____________.
A. reasonable analysis
B. leaders’ quotations
C. figure examples
D. moving stories
4.China’s currency policy ________.
A. will help increase the demand in the US
B. is unable to equip the American labor force with new working skills
C. could guide the world economy for the next decade
D. is to be controlled by the international currency groups
It is official: Jim Parsons is the new poster child for geekdom.
The actor, who recently won his first Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for his portrayal of Sheldon Cooper on the hit television show The Big Bang Theory, is the hotness right now.
Parsons is a big hit on the Web as a trending topic on Twitter and has a devoted fan base who spread their adoration via Facebook and fan sites.
Parsons is considered by many to be a central part of the sleeper success that has been The Big Bang Theory. The sitcom about two brilliant physicists and their group of friends started out slowly building buzz when it first appeared on CBS in 2007.
Since then, the show has grown into a big success for the network, even raking in fans abroad with its international distribution. In May, The New York Times reported that Warner Bros., which produces and distributes the show, had entered into “what is believed to be one of the most profitable TV deals ever” with TBS and local Fox stations.
Audiences just can’t seem to get enough of the character of Sheldon Cooper, who is as socially dysfunctional as he is bright. Admirers take to Facebook fan pages to post their favorite Sheldon quotes, including: “I’m not insane (crazy), my mother had me tested!” and “They were threatened by my intelligence and too stupid to know that’s why they hated me.”
Fans can visit Jim Parsons Online, and there is even a site, SheldonShirts.com, dedicated to the many shirts worn by the character, complete with links to where to buy them. Mary Waring created the site because of her husband’s interest in Sheldon Cooper’s shirts. And with his character’s nerdy character and addiction to all things “Star Trek,” Parsons is also a hit with fan boys and fan girls.
1.The underlined phrase “raking in” means ___________.
A. earning the support of
B. making fun of
C. classifying
D. comforting
2.Where are you most likely to find this passage?
A. In a biography.
B. In a magazine.
C. In a talk-show program.
D. In a textbook.
3.What we can infer from the passage?
A. Parsons was dreaming about the success before the comedy.
B. Mary Waring was interested in Sheldon Cooper’s shirts so she set up a website.
C. Before The Big Bang Theory, Parsons was not very popular.
D. Sheldon Cooper is a character who is intelligent as well as sociable.
4.What is the suitable title of the passage?
A. The Big Bang Theory Catching our Eyes
B. Sheldon Cooper Adored by Vast Audiences
C. Jim Parsons: Hot on Web
D. “Star Trek” loved by boys and girls
Eat to Excel
How fit are you? Do you look after yourself?
Do you eat healthily or do you eat anything you like? Premier League football
club Aston Villa are encouraging their players and local children to eat
healthy food. They know that what you eat is the key to success.
How fit is a footballer?
Could you run ten kilometers in 90 minutes? A professional footballer can. Footballers have to be strong, quick, skillful and creative in their moves. Every Premier League club makes sure it has a good coaching scheme and a well-planned fitness program. They also ensure that players have the practice and training that will prepare them for matches. What else do you think clubs pay special attention to? A good stadium? Anything else? What about the food they eat?
Eating the right thing
A good diet is a fundamental part of sport these days. Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill’s sport and health experts have chosen a secret weapon --- organic food (food grown without chemicals). Fitness manager Jim Henry eats with his players and said: “I chose to switch to organic food for Aston Villa because I’ve read studies showing that organic food has higher levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.” He believes that the best way to get these is to eat the very best fresh food.
What to eat after the match
Head chef at Aston Villa, lan Edge, feeds players with the best food as soon as they finish an away match. He says: “Food is very important to sports stars and particularly after a game. There is an hour of opportunity when they need to eat to get the best muscle strength, so I hand out meals on the coach on the way home. If we can make one per cent difference to the players by using organic food, then it is worth it.”
Teaching healthy eating
Everyone at Aston Villa enjoys organic food at their training ground. But the club is also worried about the unhealthy diet among local children who prefer sweets and unhealthy fast food. As part of their work in the community, Aston Villa has opened up their kitchen and invited children from local schools to come and learn how to cook with the help of the Villa head chef. Villa midfielder, Nigel ReoCoker, visited the children on the opening day. “The kitchen promotes healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle.” he said.
A final word from the kitchen
Head chef Ian says: “Footballers know how important food is to their profession and nine times out of ten, they go for the healthiest option.” Do you watch your diet? If you do and you keep yourself fit, you can be a winner!
1.Every Premier League Club provides footballers with ______________.
A. a good coach
B. a fitness center
C. proper practice and training
D. a delicious diet
2.According to Jim Henry, ___________________.
A. he believes the studies he has read about organic food
B. he will only eat organic food with his players
C. he thinks food is especially important after a game
D. he chose organic food as a secret weapon for footballers
3.We can learn from the passage that ___________________.
A. people can make one percent difference to players by using organic food
B. only a few footballers pay attention to the healthy eating
C. footballers in Aston Villa usually eat on their way to the match
D. footballers in Aston Villa usually eat some food within an hour after a match.
4.Why has Aston Villa invited children from local schools?
A. Because they want to teach kids how to cook delicious food.
B. Because they want to teach kids to play football.
C. Because they are fond of the kids in the community.
D. Because they intend to promote healthy eating.
完形填空(共20小题；每小题l.5分，共30分)
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
The Man Who Achieved Everything He Could
Once upon a time, there lived a man who wanted to achieve everything he was capable of achieving. He was obsessed with this desire --- he ate, slept, and walked with one and only dream: to die, having accomplished every single thing he was able to accomplish.
There were so many things he could do. He felt like the whole world could be his, 36 he set his mind to it.
He knew that his 37 had no limits. He knew that he could accumulate 38 that would dwarf (使相形见绌) that of ancient kings; he knew that he could 39 books that would shake the minds of generations; he knew that he could 40 things that would forever change the lives of millions of people. He lived, constantly feeling the power within --- and that power knew no bounds.
There was only one problem: having such a potential, but only one 41, he had to make a choice. He had to decide where to 42 all of his ability. Making that decision was extremely hard, for any 43 meant cutting off some future achievements. In the meantime, he went to school, graduated, found a job, married, and 44 children. And he spent every minute of his spare time trying to decide 45 he should bring his potential into full play.
Time went by, and he grew 46. Some roads he used to dream about became closed to him. But there was still so much he could accomplish.
One day, a sudden chest pain made him come home early. He dragged his feet to the bathroom. There, feeling 47, he looked in the mirror. A worn-out, gray-haired man stared back at him. He looked 48 into these eyes and, all of a sudden, 49 one simple truth. The next moment, the pain came again, and his heart stopped 50 forever.
The truth that came upon him was rather simple: People only flatter themselves (自以为是，自鸣得意) by thinking that they could have 51 this or that if not for such-and-such circumstances. Yet this is nothing but 52 . You simply lack something that is 53 for achieving that goal you’ve never reached — a talent, a skill, willpower, 54 something else. In fact, 55 you don’t achieve is something you’re not capable of achieving.
1. A. before B. since C. if D. though
2. A. wisdom B. potential C. world D. freedom
3.A. courage B. interest C. knowledge D. power
4. A. write B. read C. buy D. edit
5. A. invent B. acquire C. adopt D. destroy
6. A. step B. life C. chance D. condition
7.A. promote B. accumulate C. increase D. apply
8. A. choice B. mistake C. failure D. effort
9.A. assisted B. loved C. raised D. punished
10. A. why B. where C. when D. whether
11. A. greedier B. wiser C. older D. cruder
12. A. sleepy B. weak C. satisfied D. comfortable
13. A. carelessly B. secretly C. angrily D. closely
14. A. realized B. remembered C. reminded D. created
15. A. fueling B. starting C. beating D. moving
16. A. learned B. achieved C. undertaken D. doubted
17.A. reality B. history C. imagination D. record
18. A. unimportant B. necessary C. unbelievable D. ordinary
19.A. and B. even C. or D. as
20. A. what B. which C. that D. how
It is hard to say what kind of person he is. Sometimes he is very friendly; at other times he ___ be very cold.
A. can B. must C. will D. shall
