If English means endless new words, difficult grammar and sometimes strange pronunciation, you are wrong. Haven't you noticed that you have become smarter since you started to learn a language?
According to a new study by a British university, learning a second language can lead to an increase in your brain power. Researchers found that learning other languages changes grey matter. This is the area of the brain which processes information. It is similar to the way that exercise builds muscles.
The study also found the effect is greater, the younger people learn a second language.
A team led by Dr Andrea Mechelli, from University College London, took a group of Britons who only spoke English. They were compared with a group of "early bilinguals" who had learnt a second language before the age of five, as well as a number of later learners.
Scans showed that grey matter density (密度) in the brain was greater in bilinguals than in people without a second language. But the longer a person waited before mastering a new language, the smaller the difference.
"Our findings suggest that the structure of the brain is changed by the experience of learning a second language," said the scientists.
It means that the change itself increases the ability to learn.
Professor Dylan Vaughan Jones of the University of Wales, has researched the link between bilingualism and maths skills. "Having two languages gives you two windows on the world and makes the brain more flexible (灵活的),"he said. "You are actually going beyond language and have a better understanding of different ideas."
The findings were matched in a study of native Italian speakers who had learned English as a second language between the ages of two and 34. Reading, writing, and comprehension were all tested. The results showed that the younger they started to learn, the better. "Studying a language means you get an entrance to another world," explained the scientists.
1.The main subject talked about in this passage is ______.
A. science on learning a second language
B. man’s ability of learning a second language
C. 1anguage can help brain power
D. 1anguage learning and maths study
2.In the second paragraph, the writer mentions “exercise” in order to ______.
A. say language is also a kind of physical labor
B. prove that one needs more practice when he (she) is learning a language
C. to show the importance of using the language when you learn the language
D. make people believe language learning helps grey matter work well
3.The underlined word “bilingual'’ probably means ______.
A. a researcher on language learning
B. a person who is good at learning foreign languages
C. a person who can speak two languages
D. an active language learner
As you grow older, you’ll be faced with some challenging decisions--like whether to cut class or try cigarettes. 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. Maybe another student in your science class taught you an easy way to remember the planets in the solar system. Maybe you got others excited about your new favorite book, and now everyone’s reading it. These are examples of how peers positively influence each other.
Sometimes peers influence each other in negative ways. For example, a few kids in school might try to get you to cut class with them; your soccer friend might try to convince you to be mean to another player and never pass him the ball.
It is tough to be the only one who says “no” to peer pressure, but you can do it. Paying attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing to do.
You’ve probably had a parent or teacher advising you to “choose your friends wisely.” Peer pressure is a big reason why they say this. If you choose friends who don’t cut class, smoke cigarettes, or lie to their parents, then you probably won’t do these things either, even if other kids do.
If you continue to face peer pressure and you’re finding it difficult to handle, talk to someone you trust. Don’t feel guilty if you’ve made a mistake or two.
1.For whom is the passage most probably written?
A. Students. B. Parents.
C. Teachers. D. Doctors.
2.In the last three paragraphs, the author mainly_____.
A. explains why friendship is so important
B. gives advice on how to deal with peer pressure
C. discusses how peers influence us
D. shows how to make more good friends
3.Which of following may help handle peer pressure?
A. Spending more time with classmates.
B. Taking up more relaxing hobbies.
C. Choosing friends with no bad habits.
D. Helping others who are in trouble.
4.What is the topic of the passage?
A. Friendship B. Making decisions
C. Self-confidence D. Peer pressure
No one likes to make mistakes. But a new study says organizations learn more from their failures than from their successes, and keep that knowledge longer.
One of the researchers was Vinit Desai, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver Business School. He worked with Peter Madsen from the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University in Utah.
They did not find much long-term "organizational learning" from success. It is possible, they say. But Professor Desai says they found that knowledge gained from failure lasts for years. He says organizations should treat failures as a learning opportunity and not try to ignore them.
The study looked at companies and organizations that launch satellites--and other space vehicles. Professor Desai compared two shuttle flights.
In two thousand two, a piece of insulating(隔热的) material broke off during launch and damaged a rocket on the Atlantis. Still, the flight was considered a success.
Then, in early two thousand three, a piece of insulation struck the Columbia during launch. This time, the shuttle broke apart on re-entry and the seven crew members died. NASA officials suspended all flights and an investigation led to suggested changes.
Professor Desai says the search for solutions after a failure can make leaders more open-minded. He points to airlines as an example of an industry that has learned from failures in the past.
He advises organizations to look for useful information in small failures and failures they avoided. He also urges leaders to encourage the open sharing of information. The study appeared in the Academy of Management Journal.
The mistakes we learn from do not have to be our own. We recently asked people on our Facebook page to tell us a time they had done something really silly.
Fabricio Cmino wrote: Not long ago I wanted to watch TV, but it wouldn't turn on, so I did everything I could to start it. Thirty minutes later my mum showed up and, passing by, said to me "Did you try plugging it'? I’m just dusting, Mum!”So she wouldn't notice how dumb I am sometimes!
Bruno Kanieski da Silva told about a time he looked everywhere for his key. It was in his pocket. He wrote: I always promise I will never do it again, but after-a few weeks,where is my wallet? For sure it will be in a very logical place.
1.What we get from failure differs from that from success in that_______.
A. what we learn from failure is more powerful
B. what we learn from success does no good to us
C. the knowledge gained from failure is important for a company
D. the knowledge gained from failure lasts longer
2.From the passage, we can infer that________.
A. The insulating material problem in 2002 didn't arouse enough attention
B. There were no astronauts on Columbia
C. In spite of the problem, Atlantis was considered a success
D. Columbia exploded during its launch time
3.The writer gives the last two paragraphs to show that________.
A. many people make mistakes in the world
B. mistakes were a very embarrassing thing when found by others
C. we can also draw a lesson from others' mistakes
D. making mistakes was a necessity
4.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Only organizations can learn from mistakes
B. We can also learn from failures that have been avoided.
C. Lessons from the shuttle flights are more important.
D. Leaders often lack an open mind and seldom share information.
Children have their own rules in playing games. They seldom need a referee (裁判) and rarely take trouble to keep scores. They don’t care much about who wins or loses, and it doesn’t seem to worry them if the game is not finished. Yet, they like games that depend a lot on luck, so that their personal abilities cannot be directly compared. They also enjoy games that move in stages, in which each stage, the choosing of leaders, the picking-up of sides, or the determining of which side shall start, is almost a game in itself.
Grown-ups can hardly find children’s game exciting, and they often feel puzzled at why their kids play such simple game again and again. However, it is found that a child plays games for very important reasons. He can be a good player without having to think whether he is a popular person, and he can find himself being a useful partner to someone of whom he is ordinary afraid. He becomes a leader when it comes to his turn. He can be confident, too, in particular games, that it is his place to give orders, to pretend to be dead, to throw a ball actually at someone, or to kiss someone he has caught.
It appears to us that when children play a game they imagine a situation under their control. Everyone knows the rules, and more importantly, everyone plays according to the rules. Those rules may be childish, but they make sure that every child has a chance to win.
1.What is true about children when they play games?
A. They can stop playing any time they like.
B. They can test their personal abilities.
C. They want to pick a better team.
D. They don’t need rules.
2.To become a leader in a game, the child has to _________.
A. be a useful partner
B. wait for his turn
C. be confident in himself
D. be popular among his playmates
3.Why does a child like playing games?
A. Because he can be someone other than himself.
B. Because he can become popular among friends.
C. Because he finds he is always lucky in games.
D. Because he likes the place where he plays a game.
4.Which is the best title for this passage?
A. Rules in Children’s Games
B. Advantages of Playing Games for Children
C. Reasons for Children’s Games
D. How to Be a Popular Game Player
请从下列人物中选择你最喜欢的一位，用英语写一篇100词左右的短文。要求根据所给信息作适当发挥，且需包括以下三部分内容：
1．对该人物的简单介绍；
2．喜欢该人物的理由；
3．从该人物身上得到的启示。
Thomas Edison | Helen Keller | William Shakespeare |
inventor; creative; diligent; full of wisdom | ordinary but great woman; disabled; optimistic; eager to learn | writer; talented; imaginative; man of all ages |
“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine perspiration.” | “…if I had the power of sight for three days.” | “Life is a stage…” |
假如英语课上老师要求同学们交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的一篇作文。文中共有10处语言错误， 要求你在错误的地方增加、删除或修改某个单词。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），在其下面写上该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写上修改后的词。
注意：1．每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2．只允许修改10处，多者（从11处起）不记分。
例如：It was very nice to get invitation to spend ∧ weekend with you．Luckily
I was completely free then, so I’ll to say “yes”．I’ll arrive in Bristol at am around 8 pm in Friday evening． on |
Dear Ms White,
Now I have been back in China for near a month. I am always remembering the days when we spent together in Australia. I would like to thank you for your kind and hospitality during my stay here. I hope you and your family will come to China to travel when you have time. China is an amazed place, it has a long history and rich culture. And there are many place of interest. You are sure to have wonderful time here.
In addition, our group photos had been sent to you by emails. You can download it from the Web.
I’m looking forward to your reply!
Best wishes!
Yours,
Wang Ping
