How Do Languages Die?
How many languages do you think there are in the entire world? Altogether, people around the world speak about 6,000 languages. Does that surprise you? 1. Today, about half the world’s spoken languages are endangered. Experts say that another language becomes extinct (灭绝) every two weeks.
How do languages die? They die when people stop using them. But most people don’t just stop speaking their native language. It’s more complex than that. More often, they’re either pressured or forced to do so.2.They’re often pressured to speak the area’s main language instead of their own. This leads many immigrants to stop using their native language. They might not even teach it to their children.
Slowly, the native language dies out.
Sometimes, languages shift or develop instead of becoming extinct. Have you ever heard that Latin is a dead language? In a way, it is. No one today speaks Latin as their native language.3. People still use Latin in many ways. Scientists use it to name plants and animals.
4. That means the death of a language hurts people’s ability to take part in cultural traditions. They might lose access to stories and knowledge that were passed down for many years. This is one reason why many people today are working to save dying languages.
How can languages be saved? Some young people learn the language of their ancestors as adults.
Linguists travel the world to record the last native speakers of dying languages5.They do so in hopes that future generations will bring the languages back to life. Many educational programs today also work to help preserve native languages and cultures.
A.There used to be many more!
B.You may have used it in school.
C.Language is extremely closely tied to culture.
D.But that doesn’t mean it disappeared completely.
E.One example is when people move to a different country.
F.Some native speakers write dictionaries in their language.
G.There are plenty of things to do to help protect languages.
Tuition and fees for a four-year private college averaged $35,830 in 2018-19; at four-year, in-state public colleges, it was $10,230, according to the College Board. And that’s not even adding in room and board or other expenses.
By the end of last year, the amount families actually paid was $26,458, on average, according to Sallie Mae’s 11th annual “How America Pays for College” report. That’s up from $23,757 in the year earlier.
Income and savings from parents and students combined covered nearly half, or 47 percent of that amount in 2017-2018, up from 44 percent the year earlier, the education lender found. “Some families do pay 100 percent out of pocket while some others do get a full ride, which means their children gain a full scholarship,” said Marie O’Malley, the senior director of consumer research at Sallie Mae. “Typically, though, people rely on a number of different resources to pull it together.”
Scholarships, in fact, were the single most-used resource to pay for an undergraduate’s college bill. The share of college costs covered by scholarships and grants - money that does not have to be paid back - accounted for 28 percent of the total expense. The average total award among those who used one or more scholarships was $7,760, Sallie Mae said. Of course, many families also borrow to pay for school. Borrowed money, or loans, covered nearly a quarter, or 24 percent of the bill, down from 27 percent the year before. Contributions from grandparents or other relatives or friends paid for the remainder.
The report surveyed about 800 parents of children aged 18-24 enrolled as undergraduate students and nearly 800 undergraduate students aged 18-24 online.
1.How much did the typical American family pay last year for college on average?
A.$35,830 B.$10,230 C.$26,458 D.$23,757
2.Which of the following best explains “out of pocket” underlined in paragraph 3?
A.borrowing from others B.at their own expense
C.free of charge D.with nothing rewarded
3.What kind of American college tuition has decreased in percentage compared with the year earlier?
A.loans B.savings
C.scholarships D.parents’ income
4.What contributes to the most part of the college expenses except the income and savings?
A.borrowed money B.money from relatives
C.money from banks D.scholarships
I had always heard that North Americans value independence, and that Europeans value, togetherness. But I never fully understood it until 2 months ago, when I left my Ph.D. lab in Canada for a 4-month research in a lab in France. On my first day, Pierre — a Ph.D. student whose desk is across from mine — tapped me on the shoulder and asked: "Coffee?" I nodded and followed him down the hallway to the common room, where other grad students were filing in. I sat there, cautiously sipping the bitter liquid five times stronger than my normal Americano and trying hard not to reveal my uncultured tastes, while lab chatter（闲聊）filled the air.
Coffee breaks are a routine part of work life here. The chatter sometimes turns to serious scientific topics. But mostly, the meetups offer a chance to unwind — to share stories about life inside and outside the lab and to connect with people who understand what you're going through.
The lighthearted atmosphere and sense of community is a welcome contrast to my life in Canada, where I spent most of my workdays all alone. I went into the lab each morning with set goals for my day. At lunch, I'd keep my eyes glued to my computer while I shoveled（大量送入）forkfuls of salad into my mouth, trying to power through my to-do list.
Our lab held weekly meetings where we'd take turns presenting our latest, work and getting feedback from colleagues. But we didn't take daily coffee breaks. My labmates and I were too busy collecting data and publishing papers.
Looking back now, I realize how much we were missing. Researchers need community because good ideas don't just come from reading literature and thinking deep thoughts; it's helpful to bounce ideas off others, particularly in a nonthreatening environment. It's also helpful to have a spot to share the day-to-day ups and downs of life as a grad student. How else are you supposed to know that you're not the only one suffering from challenges like anxiety?
1.What can we learn about the author from the first paragraph?
A.He has a European dependent personality.
B.He was ill at ease in the new environment.
C.He was ashamed of his uncultured background.
D.He is too vain to work with other grad students.
2.The author takes coffee breaks as a way to .
A.break away from his work life in Canada.
B.get involved in serious scientific topics.
C.relax and exchange ideas with people.
D.collecting data from his colleagues.
3.Which of the following best describes the authors work life in Canada?
A.Demanding but satisfactory.
B.Impersonal but efficient.
C.Challenging and tiresome.
D.Stressful and independent.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.Why Scientists Should Take Coffee breaks?
B.Coffee Inspires Creativity in Scientists
C.Lighthearted Atmosphere Counts
D.North American Life VS. European Life
I was 16 years old the day I skipped school for the first time. It was easily done: Both my parents left for work before my school bus arrived, so when it showed up at my house on that cold winter morning, I simply did not get on. The perfect crime!
And what did I do with myself on that glorious stolen day, with no adult in charge and no limits on my activities? Did I get high? Hit the mall for a shoplifting extravaganza (狂欢)?
Nope. I built a warm fire in the wood stove, prepared a bowl of popcorn, grabbed a blanket, and read. I was thrilled and transported by a book—it was Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises—and I just needed to be alone with it for a little while. I ached to know what would happen to Jake Barnes and Lady Brett Ashley and Robert Cohn. I couldn’t bear the thought of sitting in a classroom taking another biology exam when I could be traveling through Spain in the 1920s with a bunch of expatriates (异乡客).
I spent that day lost in words. Time fell away, as the room around me turned to mist, and my role –as a daughter, sister, teenager, and student— in the world no longer had any meaning. I had accidentally come across the key to perfect happiness: I had become completely absorbed by something I loved.
Looking back on it now, I can see that some subtle things were happening to my mind and to my life while I was in that state of absorption. Hemingway’s language was quietly braiding itself into my imagination. I was downloading information about how to create simple and elegant sentences, a good and solid plot. In other words, I was learning how to write. Without realizing it, I was hot on the trail of my own fate. Writing now absorbs me the way reading once did and happiness is their generous side effect.
1.Why did the author skip school on that day?
A.Because her parents left home early.
B.Because it was a cold winter morning.
C.Because she was fascinated by a novel.
D.Because she hated to take the biology exam.
2.What did the author think is the source of true joy?
A.Reading by the fire. B.Travelling in Spain.
C.Breaking the regulations. D.Being occupied by one’s passion.
3.Which can best replace the underlined phrase “braiding itself into” in the last paragraph?
A.Entering. B.Destroying.
C.Mending. D.Blocking.
4.What can we infer from the passage?
A.I was tired of my real-life roles.
B.I learnt how to write on the internet.
C.Hemingway’s style influenced me a lot.
D.Becoming a writer was my childhood dream.
USA TODAY 10Best's Readers Choice Awards are currently on hold.We asked our readers to vote for the top events across six categories:music,general food,specialty food,film,cultural and emerging industries(founded in the past five years).These are some of the winners:
Kutztown Folk Festival
The nine-day Kutztown Folk Festival is the nation's oldest continuously operated folk life festival,drawing visitors from around the globe.A celebration of Pennsylvania Dutch culture and heritage,the event includes America's largest quilt sale,200 craftsmen and folk artists,local food and family friendly entertainment.
Water Lantern Festival
The Water Lantern Festival is all about connections.Magical nights in cities across the US include food,live music and the beauty of thousands of lanterns decorated with letters of love, hope and dreams floating on the water.
Carnaval of Quebec
The Quebec Carnaval is a 10-day festival of winter,the world's largest,complete with nighl parades(庆祝游行），ice skating,snow sculptures and a towering ice palace.Other highlighls include ice canoe racing,a sugar shack and iconic Caribou drinks.
San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade
San Francisco has celebrated its Chinese heritage during its annual Chinese New Year Festival&Parade since just after the Gold Rush.The parade ranks among the best in the world, with 100 units,fancy costumes,fireworks and a 268-foot Golden Dragon,which takes a team of 100 men and women to march through the streets.It has become one of the largest events of its kind in the world,drawing some three million spectators and television viewers.
1.What can you see during Kutztown Folk Festival?
A.Modern arts.
B.Quilts for sale.
C.Traditional weddings.
D.Shows on stage.
2.Which festival is meant to promote interpersonal relationships?
A.Kutztown Folk Festival.
B.Carnaval of Quebec.
C.Water Lantern Festival.
D.San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade.
3.Carnaval of Quebec and San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade both...
A.include special food
B.relate to parades
C.take place only at nights
D.have sculpture exhibitions
阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，便之构成一个完整的故事。
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself: “Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd (书呆子).”
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, he said, “thanks!” There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. We talked all the way home, and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. The more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him.
Over next four years, Kyle and I became the best friends. When we were seniors, he had the highest marks in the class and was chosen to give a speech at the graduation ceremony. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a lot, and I was so glad it wasn’t me having to get up there and speak.
Graduation day, I saw Kyle. I said, “Hey, big guy, you’ll be great!” He looked at me with one of those looks, the really grateful one, and said “Thanks,” smiling.
As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. “Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give him or her. I am going to tell you a story.”
注意：
1. 所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2. 至少使用5个短文中标有下划线的关键词语；
3. 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；
4. 续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1:
I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met.
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Paragraph 2:
I smiled back in tears.
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