题目内容
Today a large coal-fired power plant can give out in a single year as much poisonous gas as was blown out by the May 18,1980 outbreak of Mount St. Helens, ______ some. 400,000 ton.
A. its amount was B. amounts to C. amounting to D. it was amounted
C
Everyday, 340 million people speak it. One billion people are learning it and it is said that by 2050, half of the world’s population will be using it. What are we talking about? That is the global language—English.
The English language started in Britain in the 5th century. It is a mixed language. It was built up when German. Scandinavian and French invaders settled in England and created a common language for communication.
Today it is the official language of the UK, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and Ireland as well as many islands in the Caribbean. Many other countries and regions use it for politics and business, for example, India. Pakistan, Nigeria and the Philippines. English is also one of the official languages of Hong Kong.
But global advertising and pop music mean that in most countries, you will see or hear some English. Thanks to McDonalds, we all know about “burgers”. “fries” and “milkshakes”. Songs by Madonna, Britney Spears and Celine Dion are in English. We can sing along, even if we do not understand what we are singing!
English is a messy (杂乱的) language. Every year, dictionaries include new words that talk about popular culture, for example, computer-related words such as "blogging", "download" and "chartroom". Also included are words that teenagers use. Who does not know “cool”, “OK” and “hello”?
Other languages also influence English. Many English words come from French. Words like “café” and expressions like “c'est la vie” (that is life) are all part of the English language. On the other hand, the French language includes English words like "le weekend" and "le camping". German words are also part of English. Words like "kindergarten" come from the German language.
Recently, British people have become interested in “yoga”. But the word comes from an ancient Hindu language in India.
【小题1】 The English language has a history of ______.
A.over 2000 years | B.over 500 years |
C.over 1500 years | D.over 1000 years |
A.because of | B.in order to | C.as usual | D.as if. |
A.It has been changing all the time. |
B.It has borrowed words from all the other languages. |
C.French words are used by the English because dictionaries have French words. |
D.Singers and film stars have the greatest influence on language. |
A.One billion people | B.340 million |
C.almost all the people in the world. | |
D.not mentioned above, but the number is growing rapidly. |
A.the USA | B.Nigeria | C.the Philippines | D.Norway |
What’s On Stage
An acrobatic show: To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the China Acrobatic Troupe (剧团) will present “The Soul of China”, where the seemingly impossible is made real. Chills will run down your spine(脊柱) as you watch breathlessly as performers take their art and their bodies to the edge.
Time: 7:30 p.m., September 13-19
Place: Capital Theatre, 22 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District
Exhibitions
Joint Show: A group ink painting exhibition is running at the Huangshicheng Art Gallery in Beijing. About 50 works by 25 young artists including Ge Yun and Yu Yang are on display.
Time: 9:00 a. m.-5:00 p.m. until September 10
Place: Huangshicheng Art Gallery, 136 Nanchizi Dajie, Dongcheng District
Oil paintings: The Wanfung Art Gallery will host a joint show of oil painting by 10 young and middle-aged artists. On display are more than 30 of their latest works, which capture the wondrous variety of life in unique styles.
Time: 9:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m. until September 15
Place: 136 Nanchizi Street, Dongcheng District
Literature museum: The National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature offers an in-depth study of the evolution of Chinese contemporary literature from 1919 to 1949.
Time: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., daily
Place: 45 Anyuan Donglu, Chaoyang District (Shaoyaoju area)
Concerts
Beijing rocks: “The Fashion Night of Chinese Rock” is set to bring rock fans out by the thousands next month. Nine Chinese rock bands will perform at the concert, including older generation bands, middle generation and some recent arrivals. The audience will be given a chance to decide what songs they want to hear, which is sure to bring a storm.
Time: September 16
Place: The Olympic Center
Belgium orchestra:La Petite Bande, the Baroque Orehestra of Belgium, will perform in Beijing at the Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities as part of activities across the world in memory of the 250th anniversary of Bach’s death.
Time: 7:30 p.m. September 11-14
Place: Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities
【小题1】 What do you think of the acrobatic show mentioned above?
A.When you watch it, you will certainly feel cold. |
B.Unexpected things will make you excited and surprised. |
C.Something strange will puzzle everyone, including scientists. |
D.Even the bravest ones will be too frightened to go on watching. |
A.it will certainly cause a rock storm throughout China |
B.it is to bring thousands of rock fans out of their homes |
C.it is to be held in memory of one of the greatest musicians |
D.it will let the audience choose the performers and the music |
A.2. | B.3. | C.4. | D.5. |
A.we can enjoy a large variety of cultural activities in Beijing |
B.people in Beijing prefer modern culture to something traditional |
C.most of the cultural activities in Beijing are for foreign visitors only |
D.there are usually more cultural activities in September than in any other month |
What’s on Stage
An acrobatic(杂技) show: To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the China Acrobatic Troupe(剧团) will present “The Soul of China”, where the seemingly impossible is made real. Chills(寒意) will run down your spine(脊柱) as you watch breathlessly as performers take their art and their bodies to the edge.
Time: 7:30 p.m. , September 13~19
Place: Capital Theatre, 22 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District
Exhibitions
Joint Show: A group ink paiting exhibition is running at the Huangshicheng Art Gallery in Beijing. About 50 works by 25 young artists including Ge Yun and Yu Yang are on display.
Time: 9:00a.m. ~5:00 p.m. until September 10
Place: Huangshicheng Art Gallery, 136 Nanchizi Dajie, Dongcheng District
Oil paintings: The Wangfu Art Gallery will host a joint show of oil painting by 10 young and middle-aged artists. On display are more than 30 of their latest works, which capture(充分体现) the wonderful variety of life in unique styles.
Time: 9:00 a.m. ~4:00 p.m. until September 15
Place: 136 Nanchizi Street, Dongcheng District
Literature museum: The National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature offers an indepth study of the evolution of Chinese contemporary literature from 1919 to 1949.
Time: 9:00 a.m. ~4:00 p.m. , daily
Place: 45 Anyuan Donglu, Chaoyang District (Shaoyaoju area)
Concerts
Beijing rocks: “The Fashion Night of Chinese Rock” is set to bring back fans out by the thousands next month. Nine Chinese rock bands will perform at the concert, including older generation bands, middle generation and some recent arrivals. The audience will be given a chance to decide what songs they want to hear, which is sure to bring a storm.
Time: September 16
Place: The Olympic Center
Belgium Orchestra: La Petite Bande, the Baroque Orchestra of Belgium, will perform in Beijing at the Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities as part of activities across the world in memory of the 250th anniversary of Bach’s death.
Time: 7:30 p.m. , September 11~14
Place: Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities
【小题1】The main purpose of the passage is to ______.
A.prove there’re more cultural activities in September |
B.compare several interesting activities |
C.ask use to decide which activity is the best |
D.attract the audience to attend different activities |
A.Oil paintings | B.An acrobatic show | C.Literature museum | D.Joint Show |
A.3. | B.4. | C.5. | D.6. |
A.When you are watching the acrobatic show, you’ll certainly feel cold. |
B.The audience cannot select any music in Beijing rocks concert. |
C.If you are interested in foreign literature, you can go to the Literature museum. |
D.We can enjoy a lot of cultural activities in Beijing in September. |