One topic is rarely mentioned in all the talk of improving standards in our schools: the almost complete failure of foreign-language teaching. As a French graduate who has taught for more than twenty-five years, I believe I have some idea of why the failure is so total. 21 the faults already found out in the education system as a whole — such as child-centred learning, the “discovery” method, and the low expectations by teachers of pupils — there have been several serious 22 which have a direct effect on language teaching.
The first is the removal from the curriculum (课程) of the thorough teaching of English 23 . Pupils now do not know a verb from a noun, the subject of a sentence from its object, or the difference between the past, present, or future.
Another important error is mixed-ability teaching, or teaching in ability groups so 24 that the most able groups are 25 and are bored while the least able are lost and 26 bored. Strangely enough, few head teachers seem to be in favour of mixed-ability school football teams.
Progress depends on memory, and pupils start to forget immediately they stop having 27 lessons. This is why many people who attended French lessons at school, even those who got good grades, have 28 it a few years later. Because they never need it, they do not practice it.
Most American schools have accepted what is inevitable and 29 modern languages, even Spanish, from the curriculum. Perhaps it is time for Britain to do the same, and stop 30 resources on a subject which few pupils want or need.
21. A. Due to B. In addition to C. Instead of D. In spite of
22. A. errors B. situations C. systems D. methods
23. A. vocabulary B. culture C. grammar D. literature
24. A. wide B. similar C. separate D. unique
25. A. kept out B. turned down C. held back D. left behind
26. A. surprisingly B. individually C. equally D. hardly
27. A. extra B. traditional C. basic D. regular
28. A. needed B. forgotten C. practised D. left
29. A. restored B. absorbed C. prohibited D. withdrawn
30. A. wasting B. focusing C. exploiting D. sharing
完形填空(时间:10分钟)
Several years ago, well-known writer and editor Norman Cousins became very ill. His body ached and he felt constantly tired. It was difficult for him to even __21__ around. His doctor told him that he would lose the ability to move and eventually die from the disease. He was told he had only a 1 in 500 chance of survival.
Despite the diagnosis(诊断), Cousins was __22__ to overcome the disease and survive. He had always been interested in medicine and had read a book, which discussed the idea of how body chemistry and health can be damaged by emotional stress and negative __23__. The book made Cousins think about the possible __24__ of positive attitudes and emotions. He thought, “Is it possible that love, hope, faith, laughter, confidence, and the __25__ to 1ive have positive treatment value?”
He decided to concentrate on positive emotions as a way to treat some of the symptoms of his disease. In addition to his traditional medical treatment, he tried to put himself in situations that would __26__ positive emotions. “Laugh therapy” became part of his treatment. He __27__ time each day for watching comedy films, reading humorous books, and doing other activities that would draw out _28__ emotions. Within eight days of starting his ‘‘laugh therapy” program his pain began to __29__ and he was able to sleep more easily. He was able to return to work in a few months’ time and _30__ reached complete recovery after a few years.
21. A. run B. pass C. move D. travel
22. A. able B. determined C. willing D. positive
23. A. attitudes B. beliefs C. goals D. positions
24. A. shortcoming B. harm C. benefit D. interest
25. A. emotion B. pain C. fear D. will
26.A. bring about B. set about C. put up D. make up
27.A. afforded B. appointed C. offered D. arranged
28.A. positive B. approving C. strong D. mixed
29.A. escape B. decrease C. shrink D. end
30.A. generally B. especially C. actually D. presently
When I entered Berkeley, I hoped to earn a scholarship. Having been a Straight-A student, I believed I could __1__ tough subjects and really learn something. One such course was World Literature given by Professor Jayne. I was extremely interested in the ideas he 2 in class.
When I took the first exam, I was 3 to find a 77, C-plus, on my test paper, 4 English was my best subject. I went to Professor Jayne, who listened to my arguments but remained_ 5 .
I decided to try harder, although I didn’t know what that 6 because school had always been easy for me. I read the books more carefully, but got another 77. Again, I 7 with Professor Jayne. Again, he listened patiently but wouldn’t change his 8 .
One more test before the final exam. One more 8 to improve my grade. So I redoubled my efforts and, for the first time. 10 The meaning of the word “thorough”. But my 11_ did no good and everything 12 as before.
The last hurdle(障碍) was the final. No matter what 13 I got, it wouldn’t cancel three C-pluses. I might as well kiss the 14 goodbye.
I stopped working head. I felt I knew the course material as well as I ever would. The night before the final, I even 15 myself to a movie. The next day I decided for once I’d have 16__with a test.
A week later, I was surprised to find I got an A. I hurried into professor Jayne’s office. He 17__ to be expecting me. “If I gave you the As you 18 , you wouldn’t continue to work as hard.”
I stared at him. 19 That his analysis and strategy(策略) were correct. I had worked my head 20 , as I had never done before.
I was speechless when my course grade arrived: A-plus. It was the only A-plus given. The next year I received my scholarship. I’ve always remembered Professor Jayne’s lesson: you alone must set your own standard of excellence.
1. A. take B. discuss C. cover D. get
2. A. sought B. presented C. exchanged D. obtained
3. A. shocked B. worried C. scared D. anxious
4. A. but B. so C. for D. or
5. A. unchanged B. unpleasant C. unfriendly D. unmoved
6. A. reflected B. meant C. improved D. affected
7. A. quarreled B. reasoned C. bargained D. chatted
8. A. attitude B. mind C. plan D. view
9. A. choice B. step C. chance D. measure
10. A. memorized B. considered C. accepted D. learned
11. A. ambition B. confidence C. effort D. method
12. A. stayed B. went C. worked D. changed
13. A. grade B. answer C. lesson D. comment
14. A. scholarship B. course C. degree D. subject
15. A. helped B. favored C. treated D. relaxed
16. A. fun B. luck C. problems D. tricks.
17. A. happened B. proved C. pretended D. seemed
18. A. valued B. imagined C. expected D. welcomed
19. A. remembering B. guessing C. supposing D. realizing
20. A. out B. over C. on D. of
Although I had left school against the advice of my teachers, I had, without telling anyone, tried to 36 my studies in literature at evening classes. It was a tiresome 37 from one end of the city to another and to 38 among adults was uninteresting. I was the youngest in the 39 , so the friendship I knew at school was 40 . I put up with it for a short period. It was 41 long a walk on cold winter’s nights and it was hard to put my 42 into Shakespeare with wet shoes and trousers. So I continued writing poetry at home.
By chance, I 43 some prizes and awards for literature. A young woman from a 44 company came to the college one day. She told me that I won a national poetry award. I 45 at her in astonishment and disbelief. She wanted to make a short 46 about me, to which I said, “ No, I couldn’t do that.” Not that I had any real 47 . I was just frightened. In the end she 48 me that I should do it the following day.
So I did. They made a short film of me reading one of my 49 and I became 50 interested in literature than ever. I 51 what I should do after this, and decided some weeks later that I could not 52 myself spending the rest of my days dealing with machines. So one evening, I hesitatingly told my parents that I wanted to _53 to school. They were greatly surprised and a little afraid, but they did not try to persuade me not to. They wanted to know if I was 54 , and if I knew what it meant and 55 I realized that if I gave up my job training, it would be very difficult to get a good job. But nothing could stop me, and they asked about the matter no further.
36.A.stop B.go on C.continue D.walk
37.A.talk B.journey C.job D.walk
38.A.do B.sit C.talk D.work
39.A.family B.class C.city D.country
|
40.A.absent B.missed C.lost D.over
41.A.too B.very C.much D.quiteA few days ago, I got a letter from a student. In his letter, he told me, “I have this friend at school. She’s one of my good friends but lately she has been ___36__ strange. When I talked to her the other day, she said coldly, ‘Do I look like I care?’ She was being all strange to me. She told me __37___ she thought I was a bad friend, but she still thinks I am her best friend. I am so confused.”
In my letter in reply, I gave him my advice:
After reading your question, I can understand why you’re confused. It sounds like your relationship with your friend is a little shaky. There could be several reasons for her __38__. For example, maybe she has a lot on her mind and is __39__ a few challenges of her own. She may not feel comfortable talking to anyone about them __40__ and may just need a little time to sort through her own feelings. Or, on the day you talked to her, she could have been having a bad day and didn’t realize she was very cold to you. I could list a few more __41__for you, but you know, __42__, the only person who knows why your friend reacted that way is your friend. My__43__ to you is to tell her how you feel. Let her know she hurt your feelings and ask why on some days she’s nice to you, and on other days she isn’t __44__ nice. It could be that your friend is making some other new friends at school and is having difficulty __45___ her old relationships. Whatever her reasons are, you should let her know that you are a unique, caring person who certainly deserves a good friendship at school, _46__ you wouldn’t have taken the time to write me. If your __47__ with this person fades a bit, it’s OK, because you will develop may other friendships.
36. A. proving B. thinking C. showing D. acting
37. A. before B. if C. until D. in case
38. A. background B. feelings C. reaction D. appearance
39. A. getting alone B. going through C. blaming for D. standing up
40. A. already B. too C. yet D. afterwards
41. A. choices B. questions C. opportunities D. excuse
42. A. last but not least B. to conclude C. to be honest D. as a result
43. A. letter B. focus C. recommendation D. advice
44. A. too B. as C. also D. such
45. A. refusing B. finding C. remembering D. balancing
46. A. and B. otherwise C. because D. so
47. A. attitude B. progress C. hesitation D. closeness
完形填空
阅读下面短文,从各题所给的四个选项中选出最佳答案。
Mary had her own special kind of joy. and she knew exactly how to spread it around. She lifted children from 1 into laughter,love,and belonging.
Each time she found a new 2 for a child,she gave the family one of her little homemade paper roses. It had become a 3 for her,and the families didn’t’ever forget it.
One evening,Mary was 4 a meeting for adoptive parents.0ne of the 5 fathers stood up to introduce himself. But before he spoke,he reached into his coat pocket and held up a 6 ,red paper rose.
“Twenty years ago today, I felt alone and 7 .I didn’t know the talents inside me or what was possible for me.
Then Mary 8 two wonderful people into my life. They taught me what it was like to feel 9 .They not only loved me 10.They opened a world of 11 that I didn’t know existed.My new parents told me,‘Reach for your dreams!’
I did, and today I’m 12 to be giving that chance to a child who 13 just like me. My mother gave me this little rose. By now,all of you 14 where she got it so long ago.
Mary sent me a new rose just yesterday. And my new rose 15 a new spring,a beautiful new 1 6 for my own little girl. It 1 7 me to show her what unconditional love is,and to teach her to reach for her own beautiful dreams.
Thank you, Mary,for the special little things like roses that 18 our lives together. And thank you for all you’ve done for me and so many families over the years!”
One brief event can send our spirits soaring or 19 us in
quiet to ponder a new beginning. 20 it is also the very small
things,like Mary’s roses,that tie together the meaningful things.
1.A.poverty B.10neliness C.misery D.suffering
2.A.home B.place C.school D.1ife
3.A.glory B.favor C.habit D.tradition
4.A. organizing B. planning C. hosting D. attending
5.A.new B.grateful C.kind D.active
6.A.broken B.faded C.treasured D.dried
7.A.tasteless B.powerless C.priceless D.worthless
8.A.directed B.introduced C.brought D.accepted
9.A.10ved B.protected C.cared D.cheered
1 0.A. silently B. continuously
C.unintentionally D.unconditionally
1 1.A.necessities B.possibilities C. beauties D.riches
1 2.A.eager B.willing C.proud D.1ucky
13.A.started out B.came up C.turned out D.grew up
1 4.A.understand B.guess C.tell D.know
1 5.A.replaces B.symbolizes C.equals D.creates
1 6.A.chance B.mystery C.challenge D.beginning
1 7.A.reminds B.helps C.accompanies D.drives
18.A.fix B.close C.tie D.gather
19.A.cause B.push C.put D.1cave
20.A.Yet B.Besides C.Otherwise D.Therefore
阅读下面短文,按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求,在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空,并将答案填写在答题卡标号为31~40的相应位置上。
Old people enjoy surfing on the Internet
Chinanews, Beijing, Dec. 29. In Beijing, a group of old people, take great 31 (please) in surfing on the Internet. Recently, these senior web surfers organized a party, CCTV international channel reported.
About 40-50 old people went to the party, 32 was full of joy and happiness. To many people, this might be the first time for them to meet each other face to face. On the other hand, 33 , they might have become very close friends through online chatting.
34 these people, the youngest might be in 35 50s and the oldest might be over 70 years old now. Despite their old age, many might have just started to learn computer and online surfing for no more than a year. Mr. Fan had 36 touched any computers, because he didn’t know any of the Pinyin forms adopted by computers.
“We can do what is supposed to 37 (do) by young people. It is quite an exciting experience for me sitting by the desk to get to know what has happened around the world. It sure makes my life more 38 (color).” said a senior person at the party.
When the party ended, many senior people said they felt very happy when 39 (attend)a party like this, it made them feel 40 they were young people, too
阅读下面短文,按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求,在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空,并将答案填写在答题卡标号为31~40的相应位置上。
Old people enjoy surfing on the Internet
Chinanews, Beijing, Dec. 29. In Beijing, a group of old people, take great 31 (please) in surfing on the Internet. Recently, these senior web surfers organized a party, CCTV international channel reported.
About 40-50 old people went to the party, 32 was full of joy and happiness. To many people, this might be the first time for them to meet each other face to face. On the other hand, 33 , they might have become very close friends through online chatting.
34 these people, the youngest might be in 35 50s and the oldest might be over 70 years old now. Despite their old age, many might have just started to learn computer and online surfing for no more than a year. Mr. Fan had 36 touched any computers, because he didn’t know any of the Pinyin forms adopted by computers.
“We can do what is supposed to 37 (do) by young people. It is quite an exciting experience for me sitting by the desk to get to know what has happened around the world. It sure makes my life more 38 (color).” said a senior person at the party.
When the party ended, many senior people said they felt very happy when 39 (attend)a party like this, it made them feel 40 they were young people, too
I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. Coming my way from across the parking lot was 1 society would consider a bum(无业游民). From the 2 of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. He sat down in front of the bus stop but didn’t look like he could have enough money to even 3 the bus. “That’s a very pretty car,” he said. He was 4 but he had a(n) 5 of dignity around him. I said, “thanks,” and 6 wiping off my car. He sat there 7 as I worked. The 8 beg for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside said, “ask him if he needs any help.” I was 9 that he would say “yes”. “Do you need any help?” I asked. He answered in three 10 but profound(深远的) words that I shall never 11 . “Don’t we all?” he said.
I had been feeling high, successful and important 12 those three words 13 me like a shotgun. Don’t we all? I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I 14 my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and 15 for the day. Those three little words still ring 16 . No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have 17 , you need help too. No matter how 18 you have, no matter how 19 you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can 20 help.
1. A. that B. what C. which D. how
2. A. expressions B. manners C. looks D. attitudes
3. A. ride B. buy C. drive D. stop
4. A. generous B. disappointed C. modern D. ragged
5. A. air B. atmosphere C. appearance D. figure
6. A. finished B. stopped C. continued D. began
7. A. quietly B. casually C. aimlessly D. eagerly
8. A. intenting B. expected C. boring D. supposed
9. A. afraid B. glad C. doubtful D. sure
10. A. simple B. complex C. strange D. rigid
11. A. accept B. forget C. respond D. choose
12. A. unless B. after C. until D. when
13. A. fightened B. moved C. wounded D. hit
14. A. reached in B. searched for C. looked up D. exposed to
15. A. shelter B. clothes C. reward D. blanket
16. A. nice B. ridiculous C. true D. proper
17. A. submitted B. devoted C. applied D. accomplished
18. A. few B. many C. little D. enough
19. A. loaded B. puzzled C. angry D. unsatisfied
20. A. receive B. give C. need D. seek
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer of his plans to 1 the house-building business to live a more 2 life with his wife and 3 his extended family. He would miss the paycheck(工资)each week, but he wanted to retire. They could 4 .
The employer was 5 to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, 6 over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He used bad workmanship and 7 materials. It was an unfortunate way to 8 a dedicated(献身的)career.
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to 9 the house. Then he handed the front-door 10 to the carpenter and said, “This is your house... my 11 to you.”
The carpenter was shocked!
What a 12 ! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
13 it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting 14 than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we 15 we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently.
But, you cannot 16 . You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or build a wall. Someone 17 said, “Life is a do-it-yourself project.” Your 18 , and the choices you 19 today, help build the “house” you will live in tomorrow. Therefore, build 20 !
1. A. continue B. start C. leave D. find
2. A. leisurely B. lonely C. orderly D. friendly 3. A support B. share C. enjoy D. care 4. A. go off B. get by C. pass on D. work away 5. A. polite B. nervous C. proud D. sorry
6. A. but B. while C. which D. before 7. A. perfect B. inferior C. superior D. tough 8. A. satisfy B. improve C. meet D. end
9. A. buy B. repair C. inspect D. sell 10. A. roof B. window C. key D. design 11. A. gift B. promise C. salary D. words
12. A. disappointment B. shame C. pleasure D. success 13. A. So B. Yet C. As D. Such 14. A. worse B. more C. rather D. less 15. A. realize B. explain C. think D. admit 16. A. step forward B. go back C. come out D. look around