American middle school students don’t seem to care that they’re worse at maths than their counterparts (同龄人) in China’s Hong Kong and Finland. “I don’t need it,” my student says, “I’m going to be a basketball star.” Or a car mechanic, or a singer.
Middle school students’ maths skills were tested by the International Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. The United States ranked 28th out of 41 countries tested. After all, when was the last time you used algebra (代数)？
But maths isn’t just about training Americans to become scientists. It has its own value. It helps you see patterns and develops your logic skills, and it teaches you to concentrate and to separate truth from falsehood. Maths helps you make wise financial decisions, so you can avoid false claims from advertisers, politicians and others. It helps you determine risk. For example, after an airplane crash, studies show that people are more likely to drive than to take a plane in spite of the fact that they are much more likely to be killed or injured while driving. Planes are not like criminals who repeat the same crime over and over. One plane is not more likely to crash just because another plane recently did. In fact, the most dangerous time to drive is probably right after a plane crash because so many people are on the road.
It is not possible to really understand science and the scientific method without understanding maths. A rainbow is even more beautiful and amazing when we understand it.
The precision (精确性) of maths helps us think in a very special way. How do we bring the learning of maths back to life? I don’t have the big answer. I try my best to help pupils find answers to some maths problems. When I can get one to say, “Wow, that’s great,” I feel the joy of a small victory.
1.Some American students don’t care about their poor maths results because __________.
A. maths is useless to most people
B. they have no interest in maths
C. they think maths has nothing to do with their future
D. they don’t do well in maths
2.The example in Paragraph 3 is used to show __________.
A. every coin has its two sides
B. we should not be cheated by fault facts
C. maths is close to our daily life
D. a simple fact shows complicated rules
3.The writer would agree that __________.
A. it’s normal that America kids are weak in maths
B. without maths we’ll miss much in our life
C. maths is the most important subject at school
D. American kids don’t work hard at school
4.This text is most probably written by __________.
A. a student career guide B. a researcher on students’ problems
C. a specialist in students’ studies D. a maths teacher
Two runners stand side by side at the starting line of a race. Both look every strong and fast. __41__ one runner speeds ahead and wins the race. The other falls behind.
Some sportsmen can reach great goals__42_ the achievement of an Olympic gold medal while others__43__live up to their promise. What kind of __44_ before a race or other event makes the __45__?
Everyone knows that sportsmen work out to strengthen（加强） their __46_. But research shows that strengthening the mind may be just as __47__. Careful study shows that the best sportsmen win __48__ because they think they can win.
Thinking positive(乐观的) thoughts seems to give possibility for __49__ in sports. People who say to themselves over and over, “I know I can do this,” often find they have the __50__ to win. On the other hand, people who think “I can’t win” often __51__.
One procedure（步骤）that helps many sportsmen is creating __52__ in the mind. They are told to think of each __53__ they must make to win. Some use pictures that are more fanciful. One skater liked to __54__ a star bursting inside her, __55__ her with energy. Another sportsman who wanted to feel __56__ pictured himself as a __57__ floating(漂浮) in the air.
Next time you want to do something well, try training your __58__ to help you. Perhaps a teacher or other instructor can help you plan your training. If you imagine yourself doing better, you may soon see __59__ in what you __60__ can do. Positive thinking and picture created in your mind can help you win!
1.A. Therefore B. And C. But D. While
2.A. for example B. so on C. in all D. such as
3.A. always B. never C. sometimes D. not
4.A. preparation B. picture C. plan D. working
5.A. same B. difference C. most D. best
6.A. mind B. thought C. bodies D. legs
7.A. important B. interesting C. possible D. correct
8.A. mostly B. almost C. partly D. nearly
9.A. success B. goals C. win D. failure
10.A. disadvantage B. advantage C. luck D. hope
11.A. fail B. succeed C. win D. pass
12.A. ideas B. pictures C. thoughts D. movements
13. A. move B. step C. jump D. place
14.A. think B. imagine C. hope D. wish
15.A. giving B. helping C. filling D. supporting
16.A. calm B. excited C. encouraged D. happy
17.A. fish B. bird C. cat D. horse
18.A. body B. mind C. thoughts D. imagination
19.A. improvement B. advantage C. chance D. winning
20.A. usually B. really C. possibly D. mostly
This area soon ____ from the effects of the earthquake.
A. hid B. recovered C. concerned D. set
It is the first time that I _____ in public.
A. have spoken B will speak C. had spoken D. will be speaking
Someone called me up in the middle of the night, but they hung up ____I could answer the phone.
A. as B. since C. until D. before
Only ___________ this direction can you reach the railway station.
A. with B. in C. under D. to
