Question

    US student Ariana Levin, 15, has an unusual way of memorizing speeches: She turns the words into lyrics and sings them.

Then she delivers her speech to the local Gavel Club, which launched (成立) this year to help teenagers to practice public speaking.

“I’m very passionate about music,” says Levin, a sophomore (高二学生) at Walt Whitman High School. So forgetting a speech isn’t her main concern. “My main thing is stuttering (口吃),” she says.

But monthly rehearsals (彩排), presentations and competitions have taught her to take a moment to pause, she says. In that way, she avoids “ums” or “uhs”, which are noted by a club member given the task.

Gavel Clubs are a new initiative (方案) of the Jack and Jill organization in the US. The organization provides opportunities such as leadership development, financial literacy (素养) and volunteer service for kids aged between 2 and 19 years.

“We do group activities to build our character and get us ready for the outside world,” says Chandler Perry, 17, a senior at Friends Academy in New York.

“It’s important for children to be able to enjoy public speaking,” says Mondi Kumbula-Fraser, the Eastern regional director overseeing (监督) 59 Jack and Jill chapters (分部). They’ll use the skill in college and job interviews, she says.

The students gain confidence in an “open and caring environment,” says Mecca Baker, a mother of twin daughters.

On March 10, Perry took part in a competition held by the local chapter.

For her speech, Perry talked about pets and what they do for their owners. “The toughest part was the first time I had to get up on the stage,” Perry says. “I told myself this is only three minutes of my life and I only have three minutes to be the best I can be. I feel like this could help me in my future.”

Taylor Fernandez, of North Babylon, says that he puts on a suit and tie to give his speeches and that he’s learned to project (投射) his voice and to move around the stage to emphasize (强调) what he has to say.

1.What can we know about Ariana Levin from the first four Paragraphs?

A.She helps teenagers to practice public speaking.

B.She improves her speaking skills in a local club.

C.She often forgets words when giving a speech.

D.She prefers public speaking to music.

2.When students join Jack and Jill, they ______.

A.are recommended to take part in speaking competitions

B.take one-to-one speech training classes

C.can learn some practical skills

D.get the chance to become the leader of a chapter

3.What is Chandler Perry’s attitude toward the organization?

A.Worried. B.Doubtful. C.Supportive. D.Critical.

Answer

1.B

2.C

3.C

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文，以在当地一家俱乐部提高了演讲技巧的阿里安娜·莱文为例介绍了美国杰克和吉尔组织，该组织致力于为孩子们提供发展领导能力、学习金融知识和参与志愿服务等机会。

1.

细节理解题。根据第二段中的“the local Gavel Club, which launched (成立) this year to help teenagers to practice public speaking.”可知，这家当地的俱乐部旨在帮助青少年练习公共演讲，再根据第三段中的“My main thing is stuttering”及第四段中的“In that way, she avoids “ums” or “uhs””可知，在这家俱乐部里练习演讲帮助阿里安娜·莱文克服了口吃（她在当地的一家俱乐部提高了演讲技巧），故B项正确。

2.

推理判断题。根据第五段“Gavel Clubs are a new initiative (方案) of the Jack and Jill organization in the US. The organization provides opportunities such as leadership development, financial literacy (素养) and volunteer service for kids aged between 2 and 19 years.”可知，这家俱乐部是美国杰克和吉尔组织的一项新举措，该组织为2至19岁的孩子提供发展领导能力、学习金融知识和参与志愿服务等机会，由此可知，加入杰克和吉尔组织的同学会学到一些实用的技能，故C项正确。

3.

推理判断题。根据第六段““We do group activities to build our character and get us ready for the outside world,” says Chandler Perry, 17, a senior at Friends Academy in New York.”可知，17岁的钱德勒·佩里是纽约朋友学院的大四学生，他说：“我们做集体活动是为了塑造我们的性格，让我们为外面的世界做好准备”，由此可知，他对杰克和吉尔组织持支持态度，故C项正确。