Question

    Among the four skills in learning English，which one of these is the “odd-man-out”? The answer is speaking．The other three you can do alone on your own．But you can’t really speak alone! Speaking to yourself can be “dangerous” because men in white coats may come and take you away!

Where can you find people to speak English? And how can you practice speaking when you are alone?

At school- If you pay to go to a language school, you should use the opportunity to speak．If your teacher asks you to speak in pairs or groups with other students, try to say as much as possible．Don’t worry about your mistakes．Just speak!

Conversation Clubs-Many cities around the world have conversation clubs where people can exchange one language for another．Look in your local newspaper to find a conversation club near you. They are usually free although some may charge a small entrance fee(费用)．

Shopping-Even if you don’t want to buy anything，you can ask questions about products that interest you in a shop．“How much does this cost?” “Can I pay by cheque?” Often you can start a real conversation-and it costs you nothing!

Café and Bars-There are often American，Britain，Irish and Australian bars in many large cities．If you can find one, you’ll probably meet many people speaking English as a first or second language．

Language is all around you-Everywhere you go，you find language．Shop names，street names，advertisements，notices，and car numbers….When you walk down the street，practice reading the words and numbers that you see．Say them to yourself. It’s not exactly a conversation, but it will help you to “think” in English．But don’t speak too loud!

Songs and Video-Repeat the words of an English song singing with the music until it becomes automatic．It’s good practice for your memory and for the mouth muscles that you need for English．

Above all, speak as much as possible! Make as many mistakes as possible! When you know that you have made a mistake，you know that you have made progress!

1.What does the underlined part “odd-man-out” probably mean according to the passage?

A.Someone or something that can be easily mistaken for another．

B.Someone or something appearing different from the others．

C.Someone or something standing out of the group．

D.Someone or something arranged in pairs．

2.In which places can you learn English NOT free of charge?

A.At school, in shops and café bars．

B.In conversation clubs and in the streets．

C.In conversation clubs，shops，songs and video．

D.At school, in conversation clubs and café and bars．

3.Why does the writer say “Make as many mistakes as possible”?

A.Because everyone will make mistakes in learning English.

B.Because making mistakes is a must in making progress in learning English.

C.Because everyone will meet people speaking English with some mistakes.

D.Because making mistakes can make one realize the importance of speaking.

4.What is the purpose of the passage?

A.To tell us that English is all around us.

B.To tell us that we can speak English alone.

C.To give us some advice on how to practice speaking.

D.To tell us speaking is the easiest of the four skills in learning English.

Answer

1.B

2.D

3.B

4.C

【解析】

本文是说明文。文章讲述了如何提高英语学习者的口语水平的多个技巧和方法。

1.词义猜测题。根据第一段中的Among the four skills in learning English, which one of these is the “odd-man-out”? The answer is speaking. The other three you can do alone on your own.（在英语学习的四种技能中，哪一种是“odd-man-out”?答案是说。其他三个你可以自己做。但你不能一个人说!）可知，此处指在英语学习的四种技能中，哪一种是不一样的。由此推知，odd-man-out指与别的不一样的事物。故选B。

2.细节理解题。根据At school中的If you pay to go to a language school, you should use the opportunity to speak.（如果你花钱去语言学校，你应该利用这个机会说英语），Conversation Clubs中的They are usually free although some may charge a small entrance fee(费用).（他们通常是免费的，尽管有些人可能会收取一点入场费），Café and Bars中的If you can find one, you’ll probably meet many people speaking English as a first or second language.（如果你能找到一个，你可能会遇到很多把英语作为第一或第二语言的人）及常识可知，去咖啡馆和酒吧的话，肯定会有消费的。由此可知，你可以花钱在学校、会话俱乐部、咖啡馆和酒吧学英语。故选D。

3.推理判断题。根据最后一段中的When you know that you have made a mistake，you know that you have made progress!（当你知道你犯了一个错误，你就知道你进步了!）可推知，作者说“尽量多犯错误”，是因为犯错误是学好英语的必经之路。故选B。

4.推理判断题。根据第二段中的Where can you find people to speak English? And how can you practice speaking when you are alone?（你在哪里可以找到说英语的人?当你一个人的时候，你怎么练习说呢?）及下文所推荐的地方和方法可知，文章主要讲述了如何提高英语学习者的口语水平的多个地方和方法。由此可知，本文的主要目的是给我们推荐了一些如何练习口语的建议。故选C。