A home computer not only helps children master the old ways of learning, but also opens up possibilities that simply aren’t available in traditional education. Some software, for example, allows kids to make decisions and see the results in different situations. The World Wide Web encourages young minds to move easily from link to link, topic to topic. The best software draws children into learning by making them curious — what if I click on this picture, drag this over here, visit that website?
Knowing how to use a computer also encourages a child’s confidence. Kids figure out quickly that computers are powerful, and mastering the machine makes them feel grown-up. In turn, feeling confident on a computer often translates to academic (学术的) confidence. Researchers have found that attitudes toward writing, for example, improve when students write on a computer.
Perhaps most importantly, computers can enrich family life. Forget the idea that computer kids are separated. Children like to use the computer with adults and other kids, asking questions and comparing results. “The Internet is a unique opportunity to bring resources home,” notes Susan Haugland, PhD, Cape Girardeau, Mo., author of Ｃｏｍｐｕｔｅｒｓ ａｎｄ Ｙｏｕｎｇ Ｃｈｉｌｄｒｅｎ： Ａ Ｗｏｒｌｄ ｏｆ Ｄｉｓｃｏｖｅｒｙ.
Although the benefits of computers are real, they have disadvantages, too. Kids can lose their way, wasting hours on mindless software or violent games. Just as parents have always helped children make good choices about everything from friends to food, books to TV, now we must make sure they get the best out of computers.
1.The passage is mainly talking about _____.
A. the disadvantages of children’s using computers
B. the advantages of children’s using computers
C. the development of computers
D. the fact using computers makes children lose their way
2.Which of the following is NOT an advantage of a home computer?
A. It provides new ways of learning.
B. It encourages children’s confidence.
C. It can enrich family life.
D. Kids can play violent games on it.
3.What effects do computers have on family life?
A. They reduce the connection between family members.
B. They destroy the relationship between parents and kids.
C. They provide more opportunities of communication.
D. They make all the family members study together.
4.According to the last paragraph, we can learn that we should _____.
A. let children use computers freely
B. forbid children to use computers in their spare time
C. permit children to use any software they like
D. help children make good use of the computers
He knew his colors and shapes, he learned more than 100 English words, and with his own brand of one-liners he established (确立) himself in TV shows, scientific reports, and news articles as perhaps the world’s most famous talking bird.
But last week, Alex, an African parrot, died, obviously of natural causes, said Dr Irene Pepperberg, an expert at Brandeis University and Harvard who studied and worked with the parrot for most of its life and published reports of his progress in scientific journals. The parrot was 31.
Scientists have long debated whether any other species can develop the ability to learn human language. Alex’s language ability was, in some ways, more surprising than the efforts of those animals that have been taught, like Koko, the gorilla (猩猩) trained by Penny Patterson at the Gorilla Foundation in Woodside, or Washoe, another gorilla studied by R. Allen and Beatrice Gardner at the University of Nevada in the 1960s and 1970s.
When Dr Pepperberg, who was then a doctoral student in chemistry at Harvard, found Alex was good at remembering words in a pet store in 1977 and bought it, scientists had little expectation that birds could learn to communicate with humans. Most of the research had been done on pigeons, and was not promising.
But by using novel methods of teaching, Dr Pepperberg taught Alex to learn about 150 words, which he could put into categories. He could count small numbers and tell colors and shapes. “The work changed the way we think of bird brains,” said Diana Reiss, a psychologist at Hunter College who works with dolphins and elephants. “We used to look down upon those birds, but now we look at those brains — at least Alex’s — with some awe.”
1.Alex is very famous because ________.
A. it died of a strange disease
B. it lived longer than any other parrot
C. it hosted many famous TV shows
D. it has a special talent in learning human language
2.What was the direct reason why Dr Pepperberg bought Alex?
A. He found it was good at remembering words.
B. He liked its colors and shapes.
C. He wanted to do research on birds.
D. Diana Reiss asked him to do that.
3.What does the underlined word “novel” mean in the last paragraph?
A. Special. B. New.
C. Great. D. Unique.
4.According to the last paragraph, we can learn that ________.
A. people used to think dolphins were the cleverest
B. Alex’s ability of learning human language has changed some researchers’ ideas about birds
C. elephants are better at learning human language
D. birds’ great ability in learning human language has already been noticed before
5.What would be the best title for this passage?
A. Who are cleverer, birds or gorillas?
B. A famous talking bird died
C. Have you ever talked with a bird?
D. The keeper of a famous bird
The Internet brings us many advantages.
With the Internet, people can send and receive e-mails. On the Internet, people can skim over news. Using the Telnet, the user anywhere on the Internet can log into any other machine on which he has an account. It is possible to use the FTP program to copy files from one machine on the Internet to another.
But the Internet also brings us troubles.
Internet use seems to cause a fall in psychological (心理的) health, according to research at Carnegie Mellon University. Even people who spent just a few hours a week on the Internet experienced more depression and loneliness than those who logged on less often, the two-year study showed. And it wasn’t that people who were already feeling bad spent more time on the Internet, but that using the Net actually seemed to cause the bad feelings.
Researchers are puzzling over the results, which were completely opposite to what they had expected. They expected that the Net would prove socially healthier than television, since the Net allows users to choose their information and to communicate with others.
The fact that Internet use reduces time used for family and friends may be the reason for the drop in health, researchers said. Faceless, bodiless “virtual” (虚拟的) communication may be less psychologically satisfying than actual conversations, and the relationships formed through it may not be so deep. Another possibility is that exposure to the wider world through the Net makes users less satisfied with their lives.
“But it’s important to remember this is not about the technology; it’s about how it is used,” said one of the researchers. “It really points to the need for considering social factors (因素) when you design new inventions.”
1.The writer mainly wants to tell us that _________.
A. the Internet can bring people many advantages
B. the Internet use may cause psychological problems
C. the Internet users are not satisfied with their lives
D. we shouldn’t use the Internet
2.Why are the researchers puzzling over the results?
A. Because the results were completely different from what they had thought.
B. Because the Net proved socially healthier than television.
C. Because the Internet users were all healthier.
D. Because the Internet users experienced less depression and loneliness.
3.What may be the reasons why the Internet use causes a fall in psychological health?
A. Internet use reduces time used for family and friends.
B. Virtual communication is less psychologically satisfying than actual conversations.
C. Exposure to the wider world through the Net makes users less satisfied with their lives.
D. All the above.
4.According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A. Users anywhere on the Internet can log into any other machine.
B. The two-year study showed that using the Net seemed to cause the bad feelings.
C. People who are already feeling bad spend much more time on the Internet.
D. Relationships formed through the Internet are usually deep.
5.What does the underlined part in the last paragraph mean?
A. What matters is not the technology but how it is used.
B. This passage is not about the technology but about how it is used.
C. We should remember to learn about the technology.
D. We should remember to learn how to use computers.
Guide to four of the most exciting new adventure trips for 2008:
Tribal (部落的) India
Attractions: Myths and Mountains
Length: 17 days
Details: For the travelers who has already visited the best-known India sites, this new trip visits a relatively unexplored state in central India ruled by the Vindhyachal Range and known for its wildlife, waterfalls, ancient sites and tribal culture.
Departure Time(出发时间): Feb. 17
Price: $7,530
Information: 800-670-6984; myths.com
Across Patagonia: From the Andes to the Ocean
Attractions: Boundless Journeys
Length: 8 days
Details: The newest route across Patagonia starts high in the Argentine Andes and follows the Futaleufu River into Chile all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Travelers start by trekking along the river, changing to rafts before taking up kayaks for the final leg.
Departure Time: March 5
Price: $2,995
Information: 800-941-8010; boundless.com
Sahara
Attractions: International Expeditions
Length: 18 days
Details: Remember the movie Ishtar? Now you, too, can spend days wandering in the desert, just like Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman. Designed for rugged travelers, the camping expedition crosses 1,500 miles of Niger’s Sahara in four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Departure Time: Nov. 17
Price: $3,998
Information: 800-633-4734; ietravel.com
Dalmatian Coast Biking
Attractions: Backroads
Length: 7 days
Details: The company’s first foray into Croatia follows scenic roadways across four islands between Dubrovnik and Split.
Departure Time: May 7
Price: $2,298
Information: 800-462-2848; backroads.com
1.The passage is mainly about _______.
A. suggestions on the adventure trips in America in 2008
B. the guide to several adventure trips around the world
C. the attractions in India
D. the prices of four most exciting adventure trips next year
2.A trip across Patagonia starts _______.
A. on Feb. 17 B. on March 5
C. on Nov. 17 D. in January
3.Which trip costs the least?
A. Tribal India. B. Crossing Patagonia.
C. Sahara. D. Dalmatian Coast Biking.
There lived in the State of Qi a man who had a very bad memory. While walking, he would forget to stop; while sleeping, he would forget to get up. His wife was very much _______ this and said to him one day, “I’ve _______ that Master Ai is a very _______ man. He can even _______ the dying back to life. Why don’t you go and _______ him for advice?”
“Good idea!” the man agreed. So he _______ on horseback, bow and arrow in hand. Before he had _______ a distance of about 30 li he felt a call of nature (想解手). He got off his horse and, after sticking the arrow into the ground and tying the _______ to a tree, crouched down (蹲下) to hide himself. This done, he _______ and looked to the left and then caught sight of the __________.
“Wow!” he cried. “What a narrow escape! I wonder __________ that arrow came from. It __________ hit me.” Then, looking to the __________, he saw the horse.
“Well, well!” he said with joy. “__________ I’ve been badly frightened, I’m now __________ with a horse.” Whipping his horse, he took the __________direction. Not long afterwards, he arrived __________ pacing up and down in front of __________ own house, he said to himself, “Whose house is this? Can this be the house of Master Ai?” __________ this moment, his wife saw him. Guessing that his memory must have gone wrong again, she said dirty words to him. Very much upset, the man __________, “I’ve never seen you before in my life. Why did you say something like that to me?”
1.A. excited about B. angry with C. worried about D. surprised at
2.A. heard B. known C. understood D. told
3.A. kind B. stupid C. strange D. learned
4.A. bring B. take C. get D. lead
5.A. see B. tell C. ask D. look
6.A. set out B. set up C. set aside D. set on
7.A. gone B. covered C. done D. passed
8.A. horse B. bow C. arrow D. hand
9.A. pulled up B. sat down C. stood up D. set up
10.A. arrow B. bow C. horse D. tree
11.A. which B. when C. why D. where
12.A. almost B. closely C. just D. only
13.A. front B. left C. sky D. right
14.A. Even B. Though C. Once D. As
15.A. rewarded B. punished C. fined D. given
16.A. direct B. right C. front D. wrong
17.A. home B. house C. village D. city
18.A. her B. his C. their D. Master Ai’s
19.A. During B. On C. At D. In
20.A. complained B. smiled C. felt D. laughed
— Sorry, I got a bad cold yesterday.
— Every time you are absent, you _______ an excuse.
A. take up B. give up
C. send up D. make up
