American English began in the 17th century. At the beginning of the 17th century, the English language was brought to North America by colonists (殖民者) from England. They used the language spoken in England, that is, Elizabethan English, the language used by Shakespeare.
In order to exploit (开发) new resources in America, British colonists settled down there and from 1607 to 1732 set up thirteen colonies. In these thirteen areas, English was a common language used by all people. They continued to speak as they had done in England.
As time went by, the English language gradually changed on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Foreigners longing for wealth set foot on the coastal area to trade. The Americans adopted many words from foreign languages and invented lots of new words to meet their commercial (贸易的) needs.
Following American Independence, famous people like Thomas Jefferson, the president, began to consider that the country should have a language of its own. Noah Webster compiled (编纂) three elementary books on English. Later, he expressed the idea that as an independent nation, America should have a system of its own in language as well as in government. After the second half of the 19th century, many great writers such as Mark Twain helped the development of American English.
English in America has developed a character of its own, showing the life and the physical and social environment of the American people. Since the rise of the United States to a position of world importance, American English has been developing and changing. There is no doubt that American English will enrich the English language greatly. With the rapid development of modern mass media and the common needs of economic, cultural and political exchanges, American English will be more widely used in the world than British English.
1.What can we infer from paragraph 3?
A. People from the seaside were more willing to learn English.
B. The English language changed as a result of inner culture shock.
C. New words occurred in American English as a result of local invention.
D. International business contributed to the development of American English.
2.What do we know about American English according to the passage?
A. It came into being at the end of the 17th century.
B. It hardly makes contributions to the development of English.
C. Its development has a close relationship with American people’s life.
D. It has been more widely used than British English from the beginning.
3.What’s the best title for the passage?
A. The Difference between American English and British English.
B. The development of American English.
C. The Birth of American English.
D. Language and Business.
The human brain remembers negative experiences more easily than positive ones. Our brains have developed in this way because threats, like dangerous animals, have a more immediate effect on people’s survival compared to positive things like food or shelter. As a result, you clearly know what makes you unhappy, but do you know what makes you happy?
Research suggests that our level of happiness is partly shaped by the choices we make. If you’ve been chasing wealth, fame, power and some material things, you may be looking for happiness in the wrong places. Psychologists suggest that the following habits can make people happier.
People who own close relationships tend to be happier than those who do not. The number of our friends is not important. What matters is the quality of our relationships. Relationships that bring happiness usually consist of the sharing of feelings, acceptance, mutual (双方的) respect and trust.
People who exercise regularly can improve both their physical and mental well-being. Some research has shown that exercise can be as effective as some medicine in treating depression.
If we are so interested in an activity, we may lose track of time, and we can be in a state of flow. The activity could be playing the piano, surfing the Internet or playing a game… People who experience flow in their work or life tend to be happier.
People are more likely to be happy if they know what their strengths are and can use them regularly. People are especially happy when they can set goals and use their strengths to achieve them.
People, who think positively by being grateful, mindful and optimistic, are more likely to be happy. Being grateful means being thankful. Being mindful means considering, focusing on, and enjoying the experiences of the present moment. Being optimistic means being hopeful about the future.
1.Human brains remember negative things more easily because negative things____ .
A. tend to affect human survival immediately
B. are much more important than other things
C. can make people live much happier
D. are easy to remember
2.According to this passage, people may find happiness in___ .
A. being famous B. chasing power
C. setting life goals D. earning money
3.In the last paragraph, the author tries to tell us to ____.
A. think more about our future B. be positive in our life and work
C. focus on everything in our life D. only enjoy the present moment
4.What does the passage mainly want to tell us?
A. Why people remember positive things easily.
B. Why people remember negative things easily.
C. What makes people happy.
D. What makes people sad.
Once upon a time, a daughter complained to her father that her life was unhappy and that she was tired of struggling all the time.
Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes, eggs and coffee beans in them. After 20 minutes, he took them out, putting the potatoes and eggs in a bowl and the coffee in a cup.
Turning to his daughter, he said, “Look closer, and touch the potatoes.” She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to taste the coffee. Its good smell brought a smile to her face.
“Father, what does this mean?” she asked. He then explained that the potatoes, the eggs and the coffee beans were in the same adversity(逆境)——the boiling water. However, each one reacted differently.
The strong and hard potato became soft and weak in boiling water. The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard. However, the coffee beans were unique. After they were exposed to the boiling water, they changed the water and created something new. “Which one do you want to be like,” he asked. “When adversity knocks on your door, how will you respond?”
In life, challenges happen to us all, but the only thing that truly matters is what happens within us.
1.Why did the girl complain to her father?
A. Because of her hard life.
B. Because of her tiring job.
C. Because of her father’s busy work.
D. Because of the food her father cooked.
2.What can we infer from this story?
A. The girl liked the coffee best.
B. The father was good at cooking.
C. The girl didn’t like the potatoes and eggs.
D. Different people have different reactions to adversity.
3.What does the underlined word “fragile” mean in the 4th paragraph?
A. thick B. easily-broken C. strong D. hard
4.What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Father and daughter.
B. Adversities and a chef.
C. A chef and coffee beans.
D. Challenges and responses.
TALENT ON PARADE
It is time for the Smithdale Student Activity Club’s yearly talent show. In the past, the club has had performers sing, dance, and play the violin, guitar, or piano. This year the show will be called “Talent on Parade”, and we are looking for performers with great new ideas. In addition, we have planned two important changes for this year’s show.
Two Shows Instead Of One
First, “Talent on Parade” will be held on two nights. Performers in the Wednesday night show will include students in Grades K-5. Performers in the Friday night show will include students in Grades 6-12.
Smithdale High School Hall Wednesday, May 11, 6:30 P.M. Friday, May 13, 7:30 P.M.
No Tryouts (预选)
The second change is that this year’s performers will be chosen in a new way. No tryouts will be held. The first twenty acts to sign up for each show will be accepted. Others will be put on a waiting list in case someone has an act that is not allowed. You’ll be told by telephone or e-mail if your act is included.
If you do not wish to perform but would enjoy helping backstage with lights or sound, print “stagehand” in large letters at the top of the permission slip (同意书).
Rules For Acts
1. Each student chosen to perform must turn in a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian(监护人).
2. All performers must be at the school one hour before the show time.
3. Performers must provide their own transportation to and from the school.
4. Each act is limited to three minutes.
5. No act may have more than five people in it.
6. Performers must provide their own music (tapes, CDs, or instruments) and costumes.
7. Singers may sing with or without musical accompaniment, but they may not sing along with a recorded voice on a CD or tape.
1.The twenty-first act to sign up will be allowed to be performed only if____.
A. a performer is unable to attend B. a performance is shortened
C. the performance is original D. the performer is approved
2.Each person performing in the talent show is required to turn in a____ .
A. telephone number B. musical recording
C. costume drawing D. permission slip
3.When should a second grader show up at school on the show night?
A. Before 6:30 P.M. B. Before 5:30 P.M.
C. After 6:30 P.M. D. After 5:30 P.M.
4.Where is this passage most likely to be found?
A. In a city evening paper. B. On an entertainment website.
C. On a school news board. D. On the wall of a music store.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What is the top news story?
A. An animal was missing.
B. There is a thief at the zoo.
C. The school year changes.
2.Who is Lacy?
A. A school director. B. A zookeeper. C. A monkey.
3.How does the speaker describe Lacy?
A. She is crazy. B. She is dangerous. C. She is probably scared.
4.When did the school year finish before?
A. In early June. B. In mid-June. C. In late June.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Who is the woman probably talking to?
A. A friend. B. A stranger. C. A tour guide.
2.What time does Line 6 stop running every night?
A. At 10:30. B. At 10:45. C. At 11:45.
3.How will the woman go to the M Hotel?
A. By taxi. B. On foot. C. By subway.
4.When is the conversation probably taking place?
A. On Saturday. B. On Thursday. C. On Tuesday.
