Any foreigner who has tried to learn Chinese can tell how hard it is to master the tones required to speak and understand. And anyone who has tried to learn to play the violin or other instruments can report similar challenges.
Now researchers have found that people with musical training have an easier time learning Chinese. Writing in the online edition of Nature Neuroscience, researchers from Northwestern University say that both skills draw on the same parts of the brain that help people discover changes in pitch(音高).
One of the study's authors, Nina Kraus, said the findings suggested that studying music ''actually tunes our sensory system''. This means that schools that want children to do well in languages should hesitate before cutting music programs, Dr. Kraus said. She said music training might also help children with language problems.
Mandarin(普通话)speakers have been shown to have a more complex encoding(编码) of pitch patterns in their brains than English speakers do. This is because in Mandarin and other Asian languages, pitch plays a central role. A single-syllable word can have several meanings depending on how it is intoned.
For this study, the researchers looked at 20 non-Chinese speaking volunteers, half with no musical background and half who have studied an instrument for at least six years.
As they were shown a movie, the volunteers also heard an audio tape of the Mandarin word ''mi'' in three of its meanings: squint, bewilder and rice. The researchers recorded activities in their brain stems to see how well they were processing the sounds. Those with a music background showed much more brain activities in response to the Chinese sounds.
The lead author of the study, Patrick C. M. Wong, said it might work both ways. It appears that native speakers of tonal languages may do better at learning instruments.
1.When learning Chinese, a foreigner will find _____.
A.it difficult to learn music at the same time
B.it not difficult to learn music at the same time
C.it hard to master the tones required to speak and understand
D.it easy to use the brain to help him discover changes in pitch
2.Why does Chinese learning have something to do with music training?
A.Because there is the same difficulty in learning Chinese and music.
B.Because skills to learn the two make use of the same parts of the brain.
C.Because music training might help people with language study.
D.Because people who do well in Chinese study do well in music.
3.The underlined word ''intoned'' in the fourth paragraph can be replaced by the word ''_____''.
A.created B.spelled
C.seemed D.pronounced
4.What would be the best title of this passage?
A.Mandarin Speakers Are Smarter than English Speakers
B.Skilled Ear for Music May Help Language Study
C.Pitch Plays a Central Role in Chinese Learning
D.Schools Need to Develop Music Programs
In a foreign country, a man visited a local restaurant. He didn’t speak their language. He ordered something indecipherable off the menu. When the waiter brought him a plate of delicious looking fried noodles, he smiled and made an OK sign at the waiter with his thumb and forefinger linked in a circle. Looking angry, the waiter then picked up the dish and thrown it to his lap. What he did wrong, he wondered. Well, nothing is quite as it seems when it comes to using hand gesture in another country.
Gestures have been used to replace words in many countries, and they are often specific to a given culture. Gesture may mean something complimentary in one culture, but is highly offensive in another.
The gesture “thumb-up” is commonly misinterpreted. In English, it is popularly known as ‘thumbs up’, despite the fact that the action is commonly performed with only one hand. English-speaking Caucasians use it to signal ‘OK’, which is the same meaning as O.K. ring gesture. The two can in fact be used almost interchangeably.
Avoid using this gesture in Southern Sardina or Northern Greece unless you want to invite a fight. While American, British and Australian would use the thumb up to signal hitch-hiking to the drivers, this message will not encourage a Greek driver or motorist to stop to give them a ride.
There are no right or wrong signals, only cultural differences. Lack of cultural understanding will lead to disharmony among people from different cultures. When we know what to look for, such encounters with other cultures are actually very interesting, fascinating and fun. It is certainty a great topic to discuss over a cup of coffee and cakes.
1.What did the man in the first paragraph do wrong?
A.He misunderstood the waiter. B.He made the signal in a rude way.
C.He ordered something off the menu. D.He didn’t realize cultural differences.
2.What does the underlined word in the second paragraph mean?
A.Full of aggression. B.Full of admiration.
C.Full of complexity. D.Full of certainty.
3.What will happen if you make a thumb up toward a man in Northern Greece?
A.He will stop to give you a lift.
B.He will ask you to give him a HA.
C.He will get annoyed and fight against you.
D.He will make the same signal toward you.
4.What’s the purpose of the passage?
A.To tell stories about different cultures.
B.To advise us to have an understanding of cultural differences.
C.To explain the meaning of different gestures.
D.To persuade people from different countries to live in harmony.
With schools close in the UK during the COVID-19 outbreak, most children must now be homeschooled. Parents have found themselves not only having to balance work and having the children at home but also having to try and teach them. How can you keep your children focused while learning?
Nicola Anderson--Head of Customer Support at the UK’s leading online tutoring service My Tutor, provides new, up-to-date tips to hearten parents at this difficult time and advises how they can structure their children’s days.
One is to keep to a regular timetable so it still feels like your child is taking part in the school day. Ms Anderson said, “Children of all ages do well on routine and boundaries; schools provide this in abundance and it will make most children feel secure and happy if they can follow a similar timetable for their homeschooling.”
Another tip is to create an environment which is favorable to learning. She said, “The environment should be free from distractions and ideally near to an open window, to provide them with appropriate levels of fresh air and natural light. Some children find it comfortable and helpful to have quiet, instrumental music playing in the background to help them to focus, but this isn’t for everyone.”
Using technology to help with your child’s learning is also advised. Many schools are offering online classes and resources to help and companies are reducing or even not charging their fees during this time.
It is also important to keep physical exercise as a part of your routine. Joe Wicks, otherwise known as The Body Coach, has been keeping kids healthy with daily 10 minute workouts for children on his Youtube channel. Ms Anderson said, “It can be anything from running around the garden, walking the dog, a game of football or dancing around your living room!“
1.Who is the text intended for?
A.Students B.Teachers.
C.Coaches. D.Parents.
2.What may Nicola Anderson agree?
A.To allow children to adjust schedule freely.
B.To offer children peaceful study environment.
C.To recommend high-tech to online schools.
D.To combine routine with kids’ mental health.
3.What is the text mainly about?
A.How to improve homeschooling efficiency.
B.How to obtain online learning resources.
C.How to study attentively at home.
D.How to design a proper schedule.
假定你是李华，你的美国朋友Peter听说现在在中国人工智能已经进入人们的日常生活，包括旅游业。他来信询问你外出游玩时是否有这方面的体验，请你给他回信，内容包括：
1.门票无现金（手机）支付；
2.人脸识别进入景区；
3.邀请他来体验。
注意：1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：face recognition (人脸识别) mobile payment (移动支付)
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下列每个句子中有一处语言错误。每处错课涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词.
注意：每处错误及其修改均仅限一词
1.The firefighters had worked for two hours before the fire was finally under the control.
2.Cycling is of great benefit on health and the environment.
3.It is not typically of Thomas to be so particular about what to wear.
4.Andy was going to enjoy a film that night, but ended up work all night at home.
5.Planned tours were mostly canceled for lack bookings.
6.Which is known to all, this epidemic will have a lasting influence on every aspect of our society.
7.If I concentrated more on studies during on-line courses, I wouldn't be so nervous now about this examination.
8.He is nothing but stupid. In fact, he is rather smart but only too lazy.
9.In a circle of modern buildings lie our traditional style campus—Harbin No. 3 Middle School.
10.Why he has no interest in study is because he has been addicted to computer games.
Many things we benefit from now wouldn't be around _______ Albert Einstein.
A.aside from B.thanks to C.but for D.regardless of
