题目内容
English is the most widely used language in the history of our planet. One in every seven human beings can speak it. More than half of the world’s books and three quarters of international mail are in English. Of all languages, English has the largest vocabulary—perhaps as many as two million words.
However, let’s face it: English is a crazy language. There is no eggs in an eggplant, neither pine nor apple in a pineapple and no ham in a hamburger. Sweet-meats are candy, while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat.
We take English for granted. But when we explore its paradoxes ( 探讨它的矛盾), we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, public bathrooms have no baths in them.
And why is it that a writer writes, but fingers don’t fing, grocers don't groce, and hammers don’t ham? If the plural(复数形式) of tooth is teeth, shouldn't the plural of booth be teeth? One goose, two geese—so one moose, two meese?
How can a slim chance and a flat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? How can overlook and oversee be opposites, while quite a lot and quite a few are alike? How can the weather be hot as hell one day and cold as hell the next?
English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects( 反映) the creativity of human beings. That’ why, when stars are invisible. And why , when I wind up my watch, I start it; but when I wind up this essay, I end it.
1.According to the passage ______.
A. sweet-meats and sweetbreads are different things
B. there should be an egg in an eggplant
C. pineapples are the apples on the pine tree
D. boxing rings should be round
2.Which of the following is the correct plural?
A. Beeth B. Greese C. Meese D. Tooth
3.Which of the following includes two items which have the similar meaning?
A. A wise man and a wise guy B. Overlook and oversee
C. Quite a lot and quite a few. D. Hot as hell and cold as hell.
4.The underlined words “wind up” in the last paragraph probably mean “___”.
A. blow B. roll up C. get hurt D. finish
5.Through the many paradoxes in the English language, the writer wants to show that human beings are _______.
A. clever B. crazy C. lazy D. dull
1.A
2.B
3.C
4.D
5.A
【解析】略
If you ask some people, “How did you learn English so well?” you may get a surprising answer: “In my sleep!”
These are people who have taken part in one of the recent experiments (实验) to test “the learn while you sleep” method (方法), which is now being tried in several countries, and with several subjects. English is among them.
Scientists say that this sleep study method greatly speeds language learning. They say that the ordinary person can learn two or three times as much during sleep as in the same period during the day—and this does not affect (影响) his rest in any way. However, sleep teaching will only put into your head what you have studied already while you are awake.
In one experiment, ten lessons were broadcast over the radio for two weeks. Each lesson lasted twelve hours — from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. The first three hours of English grammar and vocabulary (词汇) were given with the students awake. At 11 p.m. a lullaby (催眠曲) was broadcast to send the student to sleep and for the next three hours the radio in a soft and low voice broadcast the lesson again into his sleeping ears. At 2 a.m. a sharp noise was sent over the radio to wake the sleeping student up for a few minutes to go over the lesson. The soft music sent him back to rest again while the radio went on. At 5 o’clock his sleep ended and he had to go through the lesson again for three hours before breakfast.
1.In the experiment, lessons were given____ .
A.in the night time |
B.after lullabies were broadcast |
C.while the student was awake |
D.all through the twelve hours |
2.Before each lesson finishes, the student has to____ .
A.get up and take breakfast |
B.be woken up by a loud voice |
C.listen to the lesson again in sleep |
D.review (复习) the lesson by himself |
3.The sleep study method is being tried in many countries to teach____ .
A.the English language |
B.grammar and vocabulary |
C.a number of subjects |
D.foreign languages |
Malaysia is a country of exciting beauty, with a tropical(热带的) climate. Malaysia’s weather is hotter in the lowlands and cooler in the mountains and highlands. Temperatures vary between 20 and 30 centigrade. Rainfall can be expected at any time, with an average of between 200 and 260 centimeters.
The Malaysian population consists of Malays, Chinese, Indians and Eurasians. Its main religions are Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and Christianity. Its national language is Malay. English is widely spoken and is used all over the country. Other languages spoken in Malaysia are some Chinese dialects, Tamil, Portuguese and Arabic.
Malaysia is an exciting and fascinating place for tourists, with something special planned throughout the year. The natural attractions are plentiful, with magnificent mountains lying in green, large stretches of sandy beaches and hospitable and friendly people.
Malaysia’s economy is the most advanced in this part of the world. The annual income is M$1, 680, one of the highest in the whole of Asia. Malaysia is the world’s leading exporter of rubber, tin, tropical hardwood, palm oil, pepper, tea, coffee and cocoa and has vast resources of oil.
Malaysia’s capital is Kuala Lumpur in the southwest of the Malay Peninsula. Kuala Lumpur arose in the 1860s when tin was discovered, grew and spread very quickly. It became the state’s capital within forty years of its founding. Now it is home to over one million inhabitants, about 56% of whom are Chinese, 28% Malays and the rest are from anywhere and everywhere.
1.If you visit Malaysia, you will see ________.
A.people of the white and yellow races |
B.many temples and churches |
C.beautiful tropical scenery |
D.All of the above. |
2.Though Malay is Malaysia’s national language, ______.
A.over half of its population speak Chinese |
B.English is also a popular language |
C.people don’t know Malay |
D.it’s only spoken by Malays |
3.Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A.Malaysia is one of the richest countries in Asia. |
B.It rains a little now and a little then in Malaysia. |
C.Kuala Lumpur became Malaysia’s capital before 1910. |
D.Malaysia is rich in agricultural products. |