On a hot August morning, in a classroom overlooking New York’s Hudson River, a teacher guides a group of 3-year-olds completely in Chinese. This is just a language summer camp run by the primary school Bilingual Buds, which offers a year-round course in Chinese as well as Spanish for kids as young as 2.

A lot of research now shows the regular, high-level use of more than one language may actually improve early brain development. Knowing two or more languages can improve the ability to focus, decide and deal with information better. These important skills are grouped together, known in brain terms as “executive function”. The research suggests they develop ahead of time in bilingual children, and are already evident in kids as young as 3 or 4. Bilingual education, common in many countries, is a growing trend across the United States, with 440 elementary schools offering the study in Spanish, Chinese and French.

But Tamar Gollan, a professor at the University of California, has found a vocabulary gap between children who speak only one language and those who grow up with more. On average, the more language spoken, the smaller the vocabulary in each one. Gollan’s research suggests that while that gap narrows as children grow, it does not disappear completely. Gollan says, “Vocabulary tests help us find that bilinguals have the disadvantage, where you know the word but you just can’t get it out.”

In fact some of the values of bilingualism can’t be measured at all, of course. To speak more than one language is to open the mind to more than one culture or way of life.

Bilinguals also appear to be better at learning other new languages. Clarisse spent her early childhood in Switzerland speaking French. At 6, she learned English. Later she learned Spanish, German, and, during three years living in Tokyo, Japanese. Now she has easily mastered several languages.

1.Why should children learn more than one language according to Paragraph 2?

A. Because it can do good to children’s brain development.

B. Because it’s part of a language summer camp.

C. Because it is common in many countries.

D. Because it is popular with children.

2.The underlined word “they” in Paragraph 2 probably refers to _________.

A. many countries

B. bilingual children

C. these important skills

D. two or more languages

3.According to Tamar Gollan, __________.

A. knowing two or more languages can improve children’s skills

B. the more languages children know, the better they will be

C. children had better not take vocabulary tests

D. bilingual education is not always good to children

4. From the passage we can learn_________.

A. Clarisse likes French best instead of Japanese

B. bilingual education is mainly loved by children

C. bilinguals can have a disadvantage in learning other new languages

D. knowing more languages can help children learn more about foreign cultures

英语知识运用

Last Christmas, I didn't get a single Christmas present. This wasn't a ______ I had asked for it. A week before Christmas. I decided that instead of ___presents. I wanted to buy presents for the 43 in the local orphanage (孤儿院).

When I told my family my plans, there was a lot of _____ . On Christmas Day, however. the _____ shocked me.

As I knocked on the door of the orphanage that morning. I fell _____ and unprepared for what was coming. I almost _ _____ , but then a woman opened the door and ______ as she led me in.

I'd heard a lot about how orphanages were _______ built but the reality was still a shock. I instantly ______ it. There were no smiles. It felt a bit like being in a huge house filled with forgotten. ______ kids.

I was taken to a room full of children, and was suddenly _______ at how empty it felt. I wanted to make these children smile. I felt ___ ,and I was.

But then, as my presents were _____ , the atmosphere in the room changed. I could see the ________ in the eyes of the children. My feeling of powerlessness _______. A little girl ran up to me and _____ my legs. I carried a little boy in my arms and he kissed me on the nose before lying___ ______ against my shoulder, which moved me to tears.

For many of us, Christmas is the best time of the year. The time I spent in the orphanage taught me that the _______ I felt at Christmases should not be taken for granted. It taught me to ______ everything that was mine.

1.A. joke B. holiday C. surprise D. story

2.A. distributing B. receiving C. donating D. exchanging

3.A. doctors B. patients C. workers D. children

4.A. support B. doubt C. disagreement D. humor

5.A. trend B. disaster C. reality D. emotion

6.A. energetic B. ashamed C. excited D. uncomfortable

7.A. turned up B. turned away C. broke down D. broke in

8.A. hesitated B. smiled C. whimpered D. cried

9.A. secretly B. frequently C. poorly D. randomly

10.A. hated B. left C. forgot D. abandoned

11.A. unwanted B. unwilling C. unbearable D. unconscious

12.A. regretful B. angry C. confused D. amused

13.A. proud B. encouraged C. disappointed D. powerless

14.A. picked out B. put aside C. turned down D. handed out

15.A. envy B. kindness C. excitement D. tension

16.A. arose B. grew C. disappeared D. returned

17.A. hugged B. bit C. scratched D. hit

18.A. heavily B. gently C. quickly D. guiltily

19.A. happiness B. gratitude C. respect D. loneliness

20.A. receive B. keep C contribute D. value

If you’re like most students, you may find it challenging to learn a foreign language. However, there are a few tips you can use in order to earn a top grade — as well as actually use the skills you’ve learned.

One of the most important and basic lessons in dealing with a foreign language is to learn and understand each concept and lesson before moving on to the next one. If you don’t understand one concept but move on to the next chapter anyway, you’re less likely to understand the new material.

Learning a new language is not only an academic tool, but can help you in your everyday life as well. Being good at another language can help you communicate with other people, aid you when traveling to foreign countries, and even make your résumé look better.

And it is important to learn correct pronunciation as soon as possible for poor pronunciation can be hard to break. Native speakers of the language as well as others fluent in the language you are learning will appreciate your efforts to learn correct pronunciation.

Gather outside materials such as books, study guides, books on tape, and travel books to aid you in learning the language. Your textbooks can’t possibly teach you everything you need to know, so seeking outside sources is generally a good rule of thumb to keep in mind.

A significant motivator in learning a foreign language is traveling to the country where the language is spoken. That way, you can see firsthand how the language is used, learn the culture, and meet native speakers of the language. Native speakers appreciate sincere attempts of others who take the time to learn their language.

Seek out native speakers of your new language in your school or neighborhood. They can help you with many skills, including pronunciation, and they can provide immediate feedback on your progress.

1.We can learn from the passage that _____.

A. textbooks are not good for us when learning a foreign language

B. learning pronunciation well from the very beginning is very important

C. poor pronunciation can be easy to break with the help of native speakers

D. seeking too many outside sources will be more harmful than beneficial

2. What is suggested doing in the last paragraph?

A. Going on a trip abroad.

B. Practicing with native speakers.

C. Asking for feedback from our teachers.

D. Finding a motivator in learning languages.

3.In which part of a website would this text probably appear?

A. Entertainment. B. History.

C. Education. D. Nature.

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