阅读下面短文，根据以下提示：1）汉语提示，2）首字母提示，3）语境提示，在每个空格内填入一个适当的英语单词，并将该词完整地写在右边相对应的横线上。所填单词要求意义准确，拼写正确。
Last Saturday evening I arrived at the concert hall very early. The
performance began at 7:30. All the ________ (座位) were not free . We 1.. _______
were so excited by the special sound of heavy metal _____ we couldn’t 2.. ______
h______ crying and jumping. Suddenly I heard the sharp sound of 3.. ._______
an ambulance and saw a young man t________ out of the hall quickly. 4.. ._______
_______ must have been injured in the excitement, But this didn’t stop the 5.. _____
concert. It still went on smoothly. When the concert was ______, the singer 6.. _______
thanked us ______ our enthusiasm. We kept cheering for some time. 7.. ______
To tell the t_______, I’m really crazy about the singing with heavy metal. 8.. .______
I am sure I’ll be a fan of this type of popular________(音乐). And I think 9.. .______
more and more people will become _______(兴趣) in it very soon.. 10.. .______
If English means endless new words, difficult grammar and sometimes strange pronunciation, you are wrong. Haven’t you noticed that you have become smarter since you started to learn a language?
According to a new study by a British university, learning a second language can lead to an increase in your brain power. Researchers found that learning other languages changes grey matter. This is the area of the brain which processes information. It is similar to the way that exercise builds muscles.
The study also found the effect is greater, the younger people learn a second language.
A team led by Dr Andrea Mechelli, from University College London, took a group of Britons who only spoke English. They were compared with a group of “early bilinguals” who had learnt a second language before the age of five, as well as a number of later learners.
Scans showed that grey matter density(密度)in the brain was greater in bilinguals than in people without a second language. But the longer a person waited before mastering a new language, the smaller the difference.
“Our findings suggest that the structure of the brain is changed by the experience of learning a second language,” said the scientists.
It means that the change itself increases the ability to learn.
Professor Dylan Vaughan Jones of the University of Wales, has researched the link between bilingualism and maths skills. “Having two languages gives you two windows on the world and makes the brain more flexible,”he said. “You are actually going beyond language and have a better understanding of different ideas.”
The findings were matched in a study of native Italian speakers who had learned English as a second language between the ages of two and 34. Reading, writing, and comprehension were all tested. The results showed that the younger they started to learn, the better. “Studying a language means you get an entrance to another world,” explained the scientists.
1... The main subject talked about in this passage is_______.
A. science on learning a second language
B. man's ability of learning a second language
C. language can help brain power D. language learning and maths study
2...In the second paragraph, the writer mentions “exercise” in order to_______.
A. say language is also a kind of physical labor
B. prove that one needs more practice when he (she) is learning a language
C. to show the importance of using the language when you learn the language
D. make people believe language learning helps grey matter work well
3... We may know from the scientific findings that________.
A. the earlier you start to learn a second language the higher the grey matter density is
B. there is no difference between a later second language learner and one who doesn't know a second language
C. the experience of learning a second language has bad effect on people's brain
D. the ability of learning a second language is changing all the time
4... In the last two paragraphs, the author wants to tell us that_______.
A. learning a second language is the same as studying maths
B. early learning of a second language helps you a great deal in study other subjects
C. Italian is the best choice for you as a second language
D. you’d better choose the ages between 2 and 34 to learn a second language
Grown-ups know that people and objects are solid. At the movies, we know that if we reach out to touch Tom Cruise, all we will feel is air. But does a baby have this understanding?
To see whether babies know objects are solid. T. Bower designed a method for projecting an optical illusion(视觉影像)of a hanging ball. His plan was to first give babies a real ball, one they could be expected to show surprised in their faces and movements, All the 16 to 24-week-old babies tested were surprised when they reached for the illusion and found that the ball was not there.
Grown-ups also have a sense of object permanence. We know that if we put a box in a room and lock the door, the box will still be there when we come back. But does a baby realize that a ball that rolls under a chair does not disappear and go to never-never land?
Experiments done by Bower suggest that babies develop a sense of object permanence when they are about 18 weeks old. In his experiments, Bower used a toy train that went behind a screen. When 16-week-old and 22-week-old babies watched the toy train disappear behind the left side of the screen, they looked to the right, expecting it to re-appear. If the experiment took the train off the table and lifted the screen, all the babies seemed surprised not to see the train. This seems to show that all the babies had a sense of object permanence. But the second part of the experiment showed that this was not really the case. The re-searcher substituted(替换) a ball for the train when it went behind the screen. The 22-week-old babies seemed surprised and looked back to the left side for the train. But the 16-week-old babies did not seem to notice the switch(更换).Thus,the 16-week-old babies seemed to have a sense of “something permanence,” while the 22-week-old babies had a sense of object permanence related to a particular object.
1.The passage is mainly about .
A.babies’sense of sight B.effects of experiments on babies
C.babies’understanding of objects D.different tests on babies’feelings
2..In Paragraph 3, “object permanence” means that when out of sight, and object .
A.still exists B.keeps its shape C.still stays solid D.is beyond reach
3..What did Bower use in his experiments?
A.A chair B.A screen C.A film D.A box
4.. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A.The babies didn’t have a sense of direction.
B.The older babies preferred toy trains to balls.
C. The younger babies liked looking for missing objects
D.The babies couldn’t tell a ball from its optical illusion.
With their weakening bodies, advanced age or increasing pressure of work or study, people have been advised and usually persuaded to have health care products. Do you remember your first time to take a nutritional supplement(营养补充品)? What was your first impression?
Posted by Amy, Dec. 23, 2010 8:05 PM
Madeline on Dec. 24, 2010 7:25 PM
Years ago, as a young mom with two small children, I struggled to keep up with the demands of a busy life. One day, I woke up feeling so tired that I knew something had to change!
A friend gave me some Royal Jelly—an amazing substance(物质)from the beehive(蜂房). I was doubtful, but desperate…so I tried it! In time, I began to experience renewed energy and vitality(活力)like never before! Now, over two decades later, I travel all round the country, sharing my life-changing experience. I’m grateful for the energy to keep up and love to share this wonderful discovery with others.
Blanca on Dec. 25, 2010 7:02 PM
Ten years ago, when I was 73, my mind wanted to be busy and useful, but my body didn’t. I became tired and lethargic(无精打采的). That’s when my daughter Madeline tried to persuade me to try her special Royal Jelly. It made such a dramatic(巨大的)difference in her life, so she was sure it could help me too! Hesitating for 2 days, I gave in. She was right! I no longer felt worn out. I had a new, youthful zest(热情)for life and I’ve been OK — thanks to Royal Jelly!
Lori on Dec. 25, 2010 10:27 PM
When my mom Madeline was introduced to Royal Jelly, it affected my life, too! Mom gave me some of her fantastic Royal Jelly. Boy, things did turn around! I had more energy and stamina(耐力)and was finally able to keep up with high school and, eventually, college activities. Today, I’m a busy mom in my mid-thirties with two active boys and a new business! I have enough energy to do it all! I’m glad I took my Mom’s advice.
1..
.From the text, we learn that ________________. .
A. Madeline became more than willing to take Royal Jelly at the very beginning
B. Lori was grateful partly because Royal Jelly helped him to improve his studies
C. Royal Jelly is a product that can help renew a person’s energy and vitality
D. Amy has benefited from Royal Jelly so she posted a topic about the product
2..
Which of the following is true of Blanca?
A. She replied to the topic on Christmas Eve.
B. She tried Royal Jelly without hesitation.
C. She is now supposed to be in her seventies.
D. She was the second one to reply to the topic.
3..
. What’s the relationship between the Royal Jelly takers?
A. Lori and Blanca are Madeline’s grandchildren.
B. Madeline is Blanca’s daughter and Lori’s mother.
C. Blanca is Lori and Madeline’s great grandmother.
D. They have no blood relationship but friendship.
4..
Where can we most probably read this text?
A. In a sports club. B. On an Internet page.
C. In a fiction. D. In a travel magazine.
The Hawaiian Islands are in the Pacific Ocean almost 4,000, kilometres west of California. Tourism is very important to Hawaii. The tropical weather and beaches bring people from all over the world. But Hawaii is also experiencing problems from the downturn(经济衰退).
Last year was the first year since 2004 that Hawaii has had fewer than seven million visitors. The state had 6,800,000 arrivals in 2008. That was a decrease of 10% from the year before. State officials expect a decrease this year of another 2%. And they expect no growth in the economy through most of the year.
The Hawaiian Islands were formed millions of years ago by hot liquid rock flowing from undersea volcanoes. Visitors can still watch the process take place on the largest island, which like the state is named Hawaii. People usually just call it the Big Island.
Experts say Polynesian people first sailed to Hawaii about 2,000 years ago. A king ruled the islands when the 18th century British explorer James Cook arrived. At first, Hawaiians treated Captain Cook like a god. But in the end, he was killed on the Big Island in 1779.
Britain gave the islands their independence in 1843. Then, fifty years later, a group of American businessmen ousted the ruler and founded the Republic of Hawaii. It became an American territory in 1900.
That was three years after the United States set up a naval base at Pearl Harbor, on the island of Oahu, which served as the command base for American operations in the Pacific during World War Two.
After the war, most Hawaiians required that Hawaii should be an independent state. In Congress(国会), though, there was resistance from southern states because of Hawaii’s non-white native population. But Congress passed the Hawaii Statehood Bill in 1959. Hawaiians accepted it, and on August 21st, President Eisenhower declared Hawaii the fiftieth state.
1..The number of visitors to Hawaii in 2009 is expected to be about _________.
A. 5,984,000 B. 6,664,000 C. 6,800,000 D. 6,936,000
2..When did the US set up a naval base at Pearl Harbor?
A. In 1893. B. In 1897. C. In 1900. D. In 1959.
3..What does the underlined word “ousted” in Paragraph 5 mean?
A. Forced out. B. Picked out. C. Elected. D. Became.
4..Which of the following is the correct order in the history of Hawaii?
a. It was ruled by a Polynesian king. b. It became an American territory.
c. The Republic of Hawaii was founded. d. It was under the rule of the British.
e. It became independent in 1843. f. It joined the United States.
A. a, b, d, c, e, f B. a, e, d, c, b, f C. a, d, e, c, b, f D. a, e, e, d, b, f
Once upon a time two brothers who lived on neighbouring farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious one in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed .
Then the long cooperoration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.
One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days’ work" he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with. Could I help you?"
"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek(河沟) at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow（草地） between us and he took his bulldozer（推土机） to the river levee（堤） and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. I want you to build me a fence — an 8-foot fence — so I won't need to see his place or his face any more. Cool him down , anyhow."
The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."
The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing, and hammering.
About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.
There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge — a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work — and his younger brother, was coming across, his hand spread out ..
"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."
The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter lift his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.
"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but, I have many more bridges to build."
1.. What was the life for the two brothers before the conflict ?
A. They live a poor , miserable life .
B. They were friendly neighbours ,helping each other .
C. They never speak to each other .
D. They live together as one family.
2.. The underlined word “spite” in paragraph 4 probably means ______________.
A. try to please B. make angry on purpose
C. laught at D. look down upon
3...Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage ?
A. The younger brother used his bulldozer to dig a creek .
B. After the conflict John was angry with his younger brother.
C. At first the carpenter planned to build an 8-foot fence as John asked him to.
D. The two brothers made peace at last .
4.. The best title for this passage is _______________.
A. A Fine Piece of Work B. A Clever Carpenter
C. A Conflict between Two Brothers D. Two Brothers
