“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(经济的), racial(种族的), 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(理论) of its creators, the support by the government and private(私人的) 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.
40. “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
41. 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
42. 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.
43. The best title for this passage can be _______.
A. TV Programs B. Educating Children
C. Sesame Street D. A Great Success
In the United States, it is important to be on time , or punctual , for an appointment , a class, a meeting, etc. However, this may not be true in all countries. An American professor discovered the difference while teaching a class in a Brazilian（巴西的） university. The two-hour class was scheduled to begin at 10 A.M. and end at 12. On the first day , when the professor arrived on time, no one was in the classroom. Many students came after 10:30 A.M. Two students came after 11 A.M. Although all the students greeted the professor as they arrived, few apologized(道歉)for their lateness．Were these students being rude? He decided to study the students’ behavior.
The professor talked to American and Brazilian students about lateness in both an informal and a formal situation：at a lunch with a friend and in a university class, respectively．He gave them an example and asked them how they would react, If they had a lunch appointment with a friend，the average American student defined lateness as 19 minutes after the agreed time，On the other hand．the average Brazilian student felt the friend was late after 33 minutes．
In an American university, students are expected to arrive at the appointed hour．In contrast, in Brazil，neither the teacher nor the students always arrive at the appointed hour．Classes not only begin at the scheduled time in the United States，but also end at the scheduled time．In the Brazilian class, only a few students left the class at 12：00；many remained past 12：30 to discuss the class and ask more questions．While arriving late may not be very important in Brazil , neither is staying late．
36. The word‘punctual’most probably means________.
A．1eaving soon after class B．coming early
C．arriving a few minutes late D．being on time
37. Why did the professor study the Brazilian students’behavior?
A．He felt puzzled at the students’ being late．
B．He felt angry at the students' rudeness．
C．He wanted to make the students come on time later．
D．He wanted to collect data for one of his studies．
38. It can be inferred from the professor’s study of lateness in the informal situation that____．
A．American students will become impatient if their friend is five minutes late
B．neither Brazilian nor American students like being late in social gatherings
C．being late in one culture may not be considered so in another culture
D．Brazilian students will not come thirty-three minutes after the agreed time
39. From the last paragraph we know that in Brazil____.
A. it is important to arrive at the appointed time
B．it is rude to keep the professor staying after class
C．it is normal for students to leave during lectures
D．it is acceptable for professors to be late for class．
完形填空(共20小题;每小题1.5分,满分30分)
I grew up in a community called Estepona. I was 16 when one morning, Dad told me I could drive him into a __16___ village called Mijas, on condition that I took the car in to be ___17___ at a nearby garage. I readily accepted. I drove Dad into Mijas, and ___18___ to pick him up at 4 pm, then dropped off the car at the __19___. With several hours to spare, I went to a theater. ___20___, when the last movie finished, it was six. I was two hours late!
I knew Dad would be angry if he ___21___ I'd been watching movies. So I decided not to tell him the truth. When I ___22___ there I apologized for being late, and told him I'd __23___ as quickly as I could, but that the car had needed some major repairs. I'll never forget the ___24___ he gave me. "I'm disappointed you ___25___ you have to lie to me, Jason. " Dad looked at me again. "When you didn't ___26___, I called the garage to ask if there were any ___27___, and they told me you hadn't yet picked up the car." I felt __28___ as I weakly told him the real reason. A ___29___ passed through Dad as he listened attentively. "I'm angry with ___30___. I realize I've failed as a father. I'm going to walk home now and think seriously about ___31___ I've gone wrong all these years." "But Dad, it's 18 miles!" My protests and apologies were ___32__. Dad walked home that day. I drove behind him, ___33___ him all the way, but he walked silently.
Seeing Dad in so much ___34___ and emotional pain was my most painful experience. However, it was ___35___ the most successful lesson. I have never lied since.
16. A. lonely B. small C. distant D. familiar
17. A. kept B. washed C. watched D. serviced
18. A. agreed B. planned C. determined D. promised
19. A. village B. community C. garage D. theater
20, A. However B. Then C. Therefore D. Still
21. A. realized B. found out C. thought D. figured out
22. A. went B. ran C. walked D. hurried
23. A. started B. left C. arrived D. come
24. A. word B. face C. look D. appearance
25 A. find B. decide C. believe D. feel
26. A. turn up B. drive out C. go away D. come out
27. A. questions B. problems C. mistakes D. faults
28. A. ashamed B. frightened C. nervous D. surprised
29 A. nervousness B. sadness C. silence D. thought
30 A. you B. myself C. me D. yourself
31 A. where B. how C. why D. when
32 A. meaningless B. useless C. helpless D. worthless
33 A. asking B. persuading C. begging D. following
34 A. physical B. practical C. personal D. natural
35 .A indeed B. always C. also D. almost
She told her husband that she couldn’t the rest of the housework without his help.
A．get over B．get through C．get into D．get off
The Food and Drug Administration that anyone who too much the drug
suffer side effects.
A．warned; took; will B．has warned ;takes; may
C．warns; took; must D．has warned; will take; need
-The ballet “Nutcracker” will be put on next week. Why not join us to the theater?
-Well, not me. .
A．That is simply not my cup of tea B．I can’t wait to go
C．I just don’t believe a single word of in! D．That is not a point
