Online, English has become a common language for users from around the world. In the process, the language itself is changing. There are now thought to be some 4.5 billion web pages worldwide. Some language experts predict that within 10 years English will occupy the internet — but in forms very different to what we accept and recognize as English today.
That’s because people who speak English as a second language already outnumber native speakers. And increasingly, they use it to communicate with other non-native speakers, particularly on the internet where less attention is paid to grammar and spelling and users don’t have to worry about their accent (口音).
Users of Facebook already socialize in a number of different “Englishes” including Indian English, Spanish English and Korean English. While these different styles have long existed within their cultures, they’re now expanding and coming online. Technology companies are introducing newly-developed English words with products aimed at enabling users to add words that are not already in the English dictionary. And most large companies have English websites, while smaller businesses are learning that they need a common language — English — to reach global customers.
The increasing popularity of the internet allows more languages to develop quickly.
“Most people actually speak several languages — it’s less common to only speak one,” says Mr. Munro. “English has taken its place as the world’s common language, but it’s not pushing out other languages.” Instead, other languages are pushing their way into English, and in the process creating something new.
1.What does the text mainly talk about?
A.English is a common language around the world.
B.There are now many different language styles.
C.English language is developing with the Internet.
D.Smaller businesses are learning a common language.
2.Which of the following is NOT true about online communication?
A.People need to spell exactly.
B.Grammar is not so important.
C.People do not care about their accent.
D.Most English-speakers are not native speakers.
3.What can we infer from the text?
A.We can only communicate online in English.
B.It’s impossible to find all the English words in the dictionary.
C.Some technology companies start to publish English dictionaries.
D.Smaller businesses are not allowed to have English websites.
4.What can we learn from what Mr. Munro said?
A.The other languages are enriching English.
B.One can’t live well without speaking several languages.
C.English will become the only language in the world.
D.Chinese used to be the world’s common language.
Most heroes are not super. They don’t appear in comic books, on television, or in movies. They just do what they believe needs to be done to make their world a better place. Bike Batman is one of them. Bike Batman is a 30-year-old married engineer who lives in Seattle, Washington. He’s a cyclist who also buys and sells bikes as a hobby.
About three years ago, he was looking for a bike for his wife. He found one on Craigslist, a website where people list things they want to sell. As he often does, he also looked at Bike Index, a popular website that allows users to register (登记) their bikes and post reports when they’re taken. The bike, which he was considering buying, clearly matched one reported stolen on Bike Index. Then he called the person who claimed (声称) to be the bike’s owner and arranged (安排) to meet him — supposedly to complete the sale. When the two men met, Bike Batman told the thief, “You’ve got two options. You can wait until a police officer gets here, or you can just get out of here.” You can imagine what the thief did.
After that first success, Bike Batman developed safer steps. When he sees questionable bike ads on Craigslist, he compares the bikes with those reported on Bike Index. Once he has made sure about it with the owner, he arranges a meet-up with the thief and will call the Seattle police department so that officers can take part in the action. In more than half of the 22 cases in which he has got back and returned bikes, the thieves have been arrested (逮捕).
His nickname came from a discussion with a police officer who suggested he be called “Robin Hood”. Since he wasn’t exactly stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, “Batman” seemed a better fit. The idea of a superhero punishing criminals feels pretty silly to him, but the main reason he continues his work is to keep up Seattle’s reputation (名誉) as a friendly city.
1.What’s the author’s purpose of writing the text?
A.To explain what is a superhero.
B.To introduce a hero in Seattle.
C.To encourage citizens to catch bike thieves.
D.To show how badly the police perform their duties.
2.What can we infer from paragraph 2?
A.Bike Batman began his good deeds by accident.
B.The thief refused to return the bike.
C.The police failed to catch the thief.
D.Bike Batman doesn’t like online shopping.
3.What will Bike Batman do first when he discovers a questionable bike?
A.To contact the owner of the stolen bike.
B.To surf the net for more information of the bike.
C.To call the police department immediately.
D.To arrange to meet the thief at once.
4.What kind of person do the underlined words “Robin Hood” in the last paragraph refer to?
A.A superhero who always punishes criminals.
B.A clever person who is good at buying and selling bikes.
C.Someone who hates the rich and is friendly to the poor.
D.A heroic person who likes robbing the rich to help the poor.
The cultures of the East and the West are really different from each other a lot. This is because the culture systems are two separate ones on the whole.
The origin (起源) of the Eastern culture is mainly from two countries: China and India. Both of the two cultures are developed by rivers — the Yellow River in China and the Hindu River in India. They helped the two cultures develop for centuries and form their own styles.
When the two mother rivers gave birth to the Eastern culture, another famous culture was up on the Mesopotamian Plain — the Mesopotamian Civilization. This civilization later on developed into the cultures of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. And these two are well-known as the base of the European culture. Like the Chinese culture, the European culture also crossed waters. When the British settled down in America, their culture went with them over the Atlantic Ocean. So the American culture doesn’t have much difference from the European culture.
At the same time, some other differences add to the cultural differences. Take the language system for example. In the East, most languages belong to the pictographic (象形) language while the western languages are mostly based on the Latin system. Other causes like human race differences count as well. But what’s more, due to the far distance and the steep areas between the East and the west, the two cultures seldom communicate until recent centuries. So they grew up totally in their own ways with almost no interference from the other.
The differences are everywhere. They are obvious and make people’s ways of thinking and their views of the world different. But different cultures make the world of 21st century more colorful. The cultural difference should not be the obstacle (障碍) to the civilization of human being. It ought to be the driving force of our going farther.
1.What is the text mainly about?
A.The origin of cultures. B.Culture differences.
C.Language systems. D.Colorful world.
2.Why is the American culture similar to the European culture?
A.Both of the two cultures have a very long history.
B.They have the same mother rivers as the Chinese culture.
C.The early settlers from Britain brought their culture to America.
D.Both the British and the American live along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
3.Which of the following can replace the underlined word “interference” in paragraph4?
A.difference B.influence
C.confidence D.environment
4.Where is the passage most likely from?
A.A diary. B.A magazine.
C.A novel. D.A guidebook.
Lake Tahoe offers some amazing lodging (住宿) options that will fit what you’re looking for.
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Resort & Casino
It offers convenient (方便的) location, comfortable rooms, and a lot of health clubs to make for an enjoyable vacation. The resort is just a few minutes’ walk from Tahoe’s main ski gondola, and Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course is a short walk. All of the resort’s rooms offer two bathrooms, desks, WiFi availability, coffeemakers, and TVs.
Marriott’s Timber Lodge
Located in South Lake Tahoe, CA, it is just miles from Heavenly Village where guests can enjoy shopping and local area restaurants. The Heavenly Gondola is right outside waiting to take guests for a day of skiing. The lodge features an activity center, restaurant, sauna, whirlpools, fitness center and heated outdoor pool. Guests rooms are villas (别墅) that include a kitchen, high speed internet, coffee maker, sofa and hairdryers in all bathrooms.
Lake Tahoe Vacation Resort — Ski Run Boulevard
It is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of South Lake Tahoe, California. The hotel is only minutes from a variety of dining options, and local attractions such as Tahoe Axe Throwing, Wyland Galleries, Van Sickle State Park, and Heavenly Gondola. The shores of Lake Tahoe are just steps away. Hotel facilities (设施) include a sauna, indoor and outdoor pools, and a fitness center.
Resort at Squaw Creek
In 1960 the Winter Olympics was held at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley, CA. Since this time, Squaw Creek has become a family-friendly resort town. The resort at Squaw Creek is a AAA Four Diamond resort with activities for every age. Young children age 4-12 can take part in rock climbing, board games, snowball fights, or swimming.
1.What can you do only at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Resort & Casino?
A.Having an enjoyable vacation.
B.Going skiing conveniently.
C.Having coffee without going out.
D.Playing Golf nearby.
2.Where can you swim indoors?
A.At Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Resort & Casino.
B.At Marriott’s Timber Lodge.
C.At Lake Tahoe Vacation Resort -Ski Run Boulevard.
D.At Resort at Squaw Creek.
3.Why does the author use “family-friendly” to describe Resort at Squaw Creek?
A.Because a Winter Olympics was once held at Squaw Creek.
B.Because it is a famous AAA Four Diamond resort.
C.Because travelers can play board games and go rock-climbing here.
D.Because there are various activities for people of all ages.
Translation
1.在饮食中有各种食物很重要。(variety)
2.人们应该更好利用风，这一古老的能源。（use）
3.我昨天看到的恐怖片起到了让我胃口倒掉的效果。( achieve)
4.通过看区分事实与错误观念的电视节目，青少年可以受到影响从而做出正确的选择。( decide )
As you grow older, you’ll be faced with some challenging decisions. Some don’t have a clear right or wrong answer—like should you play soccer or field hockey.1..
Making decisions on your own is hard enough, but when other people get involved and try to pressure you one way or another it can be even harder. People who are your age, like your classmates, are called peers. When they try to influence how you act, to get you to do something, it’s called peer pressure.
Peers can have a positive influence on each other. You might admire a friend who is always a good sportsman and try to be more like him or her. 2. For example, a few kids in school might try to get you to cut class with them.
Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that other kids might make fun of them. The idea that ‘everyone’s doing it’ can influence some kids to leave their better judgments, or their common sense, behind.
3. Paying attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing to do.
Even if you are faced with peer pressure while you are alone, you can simply stay away from peers who pressure you to do stuff you know is wrong.
If you continue to face peer pressure and you’re finding it difficult to handle, talk to someone you trust. 4.
A.You might follow whatever he or she does.
B.But sometimes peers influence each other in negative ways.
C.Talk to the peer who pressure you and you will feel much better.
D.It is tough to be the only one who says ‘no’ to peer pressure, but you can’t do it.
E.Other decisions involve serious moral questions, like whether to cut class, try cigarettes, or lie to your parents.
F.Talking to a parent, teacher, or school counselor can help you feel much better and prepare you for the next time you face peer pressure.
