1990 was a significant year in world events. In February, Nelson Mandela was set free after 27 years in prison. In October, East and West Germany became one country again. Then at the end of 1990, the World Wide Web was born. For this final event we have one man to thank, Tim Berners-Lee, the father of the Web.
Berners-Lee was born on June 8, 1955 in London, England. His parents, both computer designers, encouraged him to think and work creatively as he grew up. He was an excellent student and naturally took an interest in computers and science.
After graduating from Oxford University, Tim went to work at a science research center in Switzerland. There he developed some of the different systems that would later become the Web. The first was HTML, the computer language used to make web pages. The second was an address system that let computers anywhere find each other and send and receive information. In 1990, while still at the science center in Switzerland, he put them together to make the first Internet browser. It could run on any computer and allowed people to share their information with the rest of the world.
Tim knew that the more people used the Web, the more useful it would be. He wasn’t interested in money but knowledge, so he gave out his invention for free to anyone who was interested. Many were interested and the growth of the Internet began.
Today Tim works as a professor at the MIT in America, researching new and interesting ways to use the Web. He has received many awards from governments and organizations for his efforts. He is still not very interested in money. That is why he is so admired by his students and workmates. It may also be one of the reasons why few people outside the world of technology know his name.
1.What can we learn about Berners-Lee from the passage?
A. He was encouraged to be creative.
B. He didn’t do well at school.
C. He cares little about money and knowledge.
D. He is well-known all over the world.
2.Where does Berners-Lee live today?
A. England. B. Switzerland. C. America. D. Canada.
3.Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A. The address system was used to make web pages.
B. The World Wide Web was created in Switzerland.
C. The first web browser was very expensive to buy.
D. Many people could use the Internet before 1990.
4.What is the passage mainly about?
A. The events that took place in 1990. B. The history of the Internet.
C. The invention of the Internet browser. D. The man who created the World Wide Web.
Some people learn a second language easily. Other people have trouble learning a new language. How can you help yourself learn a new language, such as English? There are several ways to make learning English a little easier and more interesting.
The first step is to feel positive about learning English. If you believe that you can learn, you will learn. Be patient. You do not have to understand everything all at once. It is natural to make mistakes when you learn something new. We can learn from our mistakes. In other words, do not worry about taking risks.
The second step is to practice your English. For example, write in a journal, or diary, every day. You will get used to writing in English, and you will feel comfortable expressing your ideas in English. After several weeks, you will see that your writing is improving. In addition, you must speak English every day. You can practice with your classmates outside class. You will all make mistakes, but gradually you will become comfortable communicating in English.
The third step is to keep a record of your language learning. You can write this in your journal. After each class, think about what you did. Did you answer a question correctly? Did you understand something the teacher explained? Perhaps the lesson was difficult, but you tried to understand it. Write these accomplishments in your journal.
You must be positive about, learning English and believe that you can do it. It is important to practice every day and make a record of your achievements. You will enjoy learning English, and you will have more confidence in yourself.
1.When you learn English, you don’t need to .
A. be patient
B. make mistakes
C. express your ideas in English
D. understand everything all at once
2.Which is NOT helpful for you to enjoy learning English?
A. To communicate in English.
B. To worry about making mistakes.
C. To think about what has been done after classes.
D. To make a record of your achievements.
3.What is the main idea of this passage?
A. It is very important to learn a second language.
B. Some people learn a second language easily while other people do not.
C. There are ways to help you learn a second language more easily.
D. Don’t worry about making mistakes when learning a second language.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What do the Hoffmans do for a living?
A. They are gardeners. B. They sell vegetables. C. They run a guesthouse.
2.How much direct sunshine do tomato plants actually need every day?
A. Five hours. B. Eight hours. C. Twelve hours.
3.Why do Irish potatoes grow better in the shade?
A. They have deeper roots. B. They have wider leaves.
C. They have bigger flowers.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What are the speakers mainly talking about?
A. A summer job. B. A birthday party. C. A food company.
2.What does the man’s company do?
A. Design furniture. B. Organize concerts. C. Offer food services.
3.What will the man do before the party?
A. Set tables. B. Cook food. C. Play music.
4.What does the woman think of the man’s work?
A. Difficult. B. Interesting. C. Valuable.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the radio program for?
A. Sharing personal feelings. B. Discussing language skills.
C. Promoting community service.
2.What is the second point Prof. Sheffield mentioned?
A. To give details and facts. B. To introduce main ideas. C. To conclude the article.
3.What makes an excellent article according to Prof. Sheffield?
A. Formal language. B. Detailed facts. C. Personal style.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the man have to do now?
A. Plan a trip. B. Look for a job. C. Make a decision.
2.What does the woman think of the journey to South America?
A. Dangerous. B. Exciting. C. Expensive.
3.What advice does the woman give to the man?
A. Going abroad. B. Staying at home. C. Opening a bookstore.
