Next Hot Language to Study: Chinese
The fourth-graders at Chicago’s McCormick Primary School are unaware of the difficulty in learning Chinese. For most, who speak Spanish at home, it’s becoming their third language. They’ve been learning and using Chinese words since kindergarten, and it’s now second nature to give a hearty “ni hao” when strangers enter the classroom.
The classroom scene at McCormick is unusual, but it may soon be a common fixture(固定物) in American schools, where Chinese is rapidly becoming the hot new language. Government officials have long wanted more focus on security—useful languages like Chinese, and pressure from them—as well as from business leaders, politicians, and parents—has driven a quick growth in the number of programs.
Chicago itself is home to the largest effort to include Chinese in US public schools. The program here has grown to include 3,000 students in 20 schools, with more schools on a waiting list. Programs have also spread to places like Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, and North Carolina. It’s true that the number of students learning Chinese is tiny compared with how many study Spanish or French.
Advocates (提倡者，拥护者) see knowledge of the Chinese language and culture as a help in a global economy where China is growing in importance. “This is an interesting way to begin to engage with the world’s next superpower,” says Michael Levine, director of education at the Asia Society, which has started five new public high schools that offer Chinese. “Globalization（全球化) has already changed the arrangements in terms of how children today are going to need to think about their careers… The question is, when not whether, the schools are going to adjust.”
In Chicago, the trend extends beyond schools with high numbers of Asian students. “The fact that my students are 98% low income and 99% Latino(拉丁美洲人) and they are succeeding in this, tells me everyone should have a try at learning languages,” says Virginia Rivera, principal at McCormick.“We want to give our young people opportunities to advance… and Chinese is a great opportunity to survive in today’s economy,” says Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago.
1.The first paragraph is mainly written to _______.
A. show the importance of Chinese learning
B. introduce the topic to be followed
C. advise primary schools to teach Chinese
D. prove it’s easy for children to learn language
2. How many languages are mentioned in this passage?
A. Six. B. Two.
C. Three. D. Four.
3. In the last paragraph, the underlined word “this ”probably refers to _____.
A. the competition between Latino and Asian students
B. the global economy
C. the interesting way to engage with China
D. the Chinese learning
4. What CANNOT be learned from this passage?
A. Most students at McCormick can speak three languages.
B. Chinese is gaining its popularity in all schools in Chicago.
C. French has far more speakers than Chinese does in Chicago.
D. Globalization in a way makes it necessary to learn Chinese.
5. Which of the following is mainly about in this passage?
A. The Chinese learning in Chicago.
B. The ways to learn Chinese.
C. McCormick Primary School.
D. Globalization and Chinese learning.
Before astronauts can go into space, they have to have the right suit. That’s why NASA（美国国家航天和航空局）scientists are developing a new kind of space suit——lighter and more flexible than before. These new space suits will have lots of mobility(灵活性) for the astronauts, but will not need much maintenance. NASA wants the suits to include new technology that can help astronauts be safe in outer space.
Right now, the American space suit weighs about 275 pounds and is big and massive. But the suit is also easy to work in for long periods of time. The Russian space suit is less complicated, but is used only a few times and then gets thrown away.
“Finding the right balance is always going to be a challenge,” said a long-time astronaut Jeff Williams. Williams has worn both types of suits. Space suits protect astronauts from both extreme heat and freezing temperatures. They carry life-packs with oxygen for the astronauts. They also shield astronauts from radiation, or particles that send out harmful rays.
Scientists are using computers to design the new suits. This allows them to change the design again and again, and to even test the design out before actually making anything. “There’s a lot more capable tools and technology to get the job done——a lot more knowledge, as well,” said Joe Kosmo. Kosmo helped design, develop, and test suits during the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and shuttle periods.
These new space suits will be much lighter and use a new kind of complex material. They also will have a smaller life support backpack, thanks to tiny electronics. NASA hopes to have the first prototypes(原型) in development by 2010 and certify(证明) the suit by 2012. This will be in time for the launch of the Orion spaceship in 2014.
1. What characteristic does the new space suit have?
A. The new space suit will need much maintenance.
B. The new space suit will be heavier than before.
C. The new space suit will have less mobility than before.
D. The new suit will use new technology to help astronauts be safe in outer space.
2.What’s the disadvantage of the Russian space suit?
A. The Russian space suit is big and massive.
B. The Russian space suit is much complicated.
C. The Russian space suit is merely used a few times.
D. The Russian space suit is easy to work in for long periods of time.
3.The underlined word “shield” in the third paragraph might mean_______.
A. harm B. protect C. help D. warn
4.Why can scientists test the design out before actually making the new space suits?
A. Because designing the new space suit is not a complex task.
B. Because computers are being used to help scientists design the new space suits.
C. Because it needs little knowledge to design the new space suits.
D. Because the scientists only change the old space suits a little and make them into the new ones.
5.How long will it take scientists to put the new space suits from prototypes into the first practical use?
A. Two years. B. Three years. C. Four years. D. Six years.
Most young people enjoy some forms of physical activity. It may be walking, cycling, or swimming, or in winter, skating or skiing. It may be a game of some forms—football, basketball, hockey, golf or tennis. It may be mountaineering.
Those who have a passion of climbing high and difficult mountains are often looked upon with astonishment. Why are men and women willing to suffer cold and hardship, and to take risks in high mountains? This astonishment is caused, probably, by the difference between mountaineering and other forms of activity to which men give their leisure.
Mountaineering is a sport and not a game. There are no man-made rules, as others, as there are for such games as golf and football. There are, of course, rules of different kinds which would be dangerous to ignore, but it is this freedom from man-made rules that makes mountaineering attractive to many people. Those who climb mountains are free to use their own methods.
If we compare mountaineering with other more familiar sports we might think that one big difference is that mountaineering is not a “team game”. We should be mistaken in this. There are, it is true, no “ matches” between “teams” of climbers, but when climbers are on a rock face linked by a rope on which their lives may depend, there is obviously teamwork.
The mountain climber knows that he may have to fight forces that are stronger and more powerful than man. He has to fight the forces of nature. His sport requires high mental and physical qualities.
A mountain climber continues to improve in skill year by year. A skier is probably past his best by the age of thirty. But it is not unusual for men of fifty or sixty to climb the highest mountains in the Alps. They may take more time than younger men, but they perhaps climb with more skills and less waste of effort, and they certainly experience equal enjoyment.
1. What sports are popular among people in winter in the passage?
A. Soccer and golf. B. Skiing and skating.
C. Cycling and hockey. D. Mountaineering.
2. The underlined word “passion” in Paragraph 2 could best be replaced by ______.
A. strong emotion B. good way
3.Mountaineering is a sport, not a game because_______.
A. it has man-made rules
B. it is too dangerous for climbers
C. it can’t bring people joy or leisure
D. it is free for climbers to use their own methods
4. We know from the passage that _______.
A. mountaineering has no appeal for people
B. physical quality is more important than mental one for climbers
C. a mountain climber passes his best by the age of thirty
D. it is possible for an old man of fifty or sixty to climb the Alps
5. What is the best title for the passage?
A. Sports in winter B. Team work in climbing
C. Mountaineering D. The quality for mountaineering
语法填空（共10小题； 每小题1.5分，满分15分）
阅读下面短文,按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求,在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空,并将答案填写在答题卡标号为16-25的相应位置上。
Research has shown that motivation is very important in learning a language; you need to be enthusiastic at it and to be interested in it. Different people will have different motives(动机)—the desire 1. promotion, the hope of being able to study abroad, and the pure intellectual enjoyment are only some of the possible motives. But actually wanting to learn is 2. most important motive of all. Courage is an essential attribute in learning a language. 3. takes a lot of courage to speak a foreign language either in front of your friends 4. to native speakers, but don’t be afraid of making mistakes—that is the way we learn. Nowadays there are many different forms of English, each with its own construction and accent, and so long as you can make yourself 5. (understand) and can understand what is said to you, you have succeeded in communicating, which is the purpose of any language.
Curiosity is not only a possible motivation, it is also of great help in your learning. Remember that a language is not just a grammatical system. It is the outcome of a certain culture or different cultures. It is no good 6. (learn) strings of words and lists of grammatical rules unless you know as much as possible about the background of the language. So learn as much as 7. can about the different cultures which influence English—watch television programs, listen to the radio, try to obtain newspapers which
8. (write) by native speakers. They will show you 9. a language is really used. English language is not an abstract system. Instead, it is a living form of 10. (express).
完形填空 （共15小题； 每小题2分，满分30分）
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从 下列各题所给的A、B、C和D项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
An English padre（神父） wanted to become a member of a certain club in Africa. In order to become a member, each person had to 1 at least one lion. The padre had never shot an animal for his life. So, armed with a rifle and led by a young African boy, the padre set out one evening for a pool in the jungle where he was told a lion came each evening to 2 . He waited patiently for a few 3 until shortly before midnight when he heard a rustling(沙沙声) noise. Sure enough a few feet away the head of the lion appeared above a bush that separated the padre and the pool. He aimed and fired. The head of the lion 4 fell behind the bush but a moment later
5 . So the padre aimed and 6 again. The head of the lion fell behind the bush and once more reappeared. The padre fired again: the same 7 . He remained calm because he 8 he had brought sixteen bullets with him. After his fourth try, his aim seemed to become more and more 9 : in fact, after his 10
try the African boy had to 11 him: “This is your last chance. If you 12 this time, we are in trouble.” The padre then realized how 13 the situation was, so he took a deep breath, aimed very carefully and fired. They waited for a moment, and then slowly 14 up to twenty: the head of the lion did not reappear. The padre was certain that at last he had shot his lion. They 15 forward together to the spot behind the bush. And what do you think they found? Sixteen lions!
1. A. shoot B. kill C. catch D. hurt
2. A. eat B. walk C. drink D. hunt
3. A. minutes B. seconds C. days D. hours
4. A. fast B. immediately C. once D. directly
5. A. turned B. reappeared C. returned D. moved
6. A. killed B. jumped C. fired D. tied
7. A. result B. situation C. answer D. problem
8. A. acknowledged B. understood C. believed D. knew
9. A. inaccurate B. unnecessary C. impossible D. indirect
10 A. last B. fifteenth C. sixteenth D. many
11. A. tell B. frighten C. warn D. remain
12. A. fell B. shot C. fired D. missed
13. A. difficult B. serious C. exciting D. mad
14. A. counted B. waited C. added D. named
15. A. drove B. rushed C. wandered D. climbed
读写任务（共1小题，满分25分）
阅读下面的短文，然后按照要求写一篇150词左右的英语短文。
During a recent Senior Three English lesson, the teacher caught Xiao Li, a female student, busily typing messages on her cell-phone. To the teacher’s surprise, Xiao Li wasn’t just texting her friends the latest gossip. She was actually blogging about what was being taught in the classroom, sharing her opinions about the information and material with her classmates and other students.
The case aroused a heated discussion among teachers and students city-wide. Miss Li, an English teacher from another nearby school said, “I am amazed at how creative the students can be when writing on their blogs. To me it’s a great way for students to improve their writing skills while writing about personal feelings and experiences.” But other teachers are worried that blog-addiction may interfere with their students’ study.
A supporter and classmate of Xiao Li said, “We love her blog! We all read it each day and can’t wait to see what she writes about next. Her interesting stories and great suggestions on study really help to motivate us. And it adds a little fun to our stressful life.” Another student blogger admitted that he often works late into the night, writing his blog and responding to comments posted there. “Sometimes I don’t even have time to finish my homework. I can’t help myself. I really have a lot to say.”
【写作内容】
1）以约30个词概括这篇短文的主要内容；
2）然后以约120个词就“中学生博客”的问题进行议论，内容包括：
a）博客的利与弊；
b）你对中学生博客的态度；
c）关于此问题的建议。
【写作要求】
1）在作文中可以使用自己亲身的经历或虚构的故事，也可以参照阅读材料的内容但不得直接引用原文中的句子；
2）作文中不能出现真实姓名和学校名称。
【评分标准】
概括准确，语言规范，内容合适，篇章连贯。
