Does technology pose a threat to the purity of Chinese language?

Many Chinese use instant messenger tools such as MSN or QQ, listen to music on MP3 players and log on the Internet using ADSL—most without knowing the literal Chinese translation of the abbreviations(缩略词). But they don’t have to, as many English letters have become part of the local vocabulary.

A dozen abbreviations including GDP, NBA, IT, MP3, QQ, DVD and CEO are among the 5,000 most-frequently used words in the Chinese media last year, according to a report on the 2006 Language Situation in China.

The report said some parents are so keen on English letters that a couple tried to name their baby “@”, claiming the character used in email addresses reflects their love for the child. While the “@”is obviously familiar to Chinese e-mail users, they often use the English word “at” to pronounce it “ai ta”,or “love him”.

The study collected more than 1 billion language samples from newspapers, magazines, TV, radio and websites. The annual report is jointly compiled by the Ministry of Education and the State Language Commission.

“Nowadays, more and more English abbreviations are being used in Chinese, making them an important part of modern language,” said Hou Min, a professor at Communication University of China.

“The abbreviations have gained popularity because of the ease of usage,” Hou said. For example, DNA is much simpler to use than its Chinese version. “As more Chinese people learn foreign languages, especially English, in recent years, using abbreviations has become a trend among educated people,” she added.

Some language scholars fear such usage will contaminate(污染)the purity of Chinese and cause confusion in communication.

Which of the following is TRUE about the report on the 2006 Language Situation in China?

A.The report is compiled by the Ministry of Education alone.

B.The report is compiled every year.

C.The report is compiled every two years.

D.The report is based on over 1 billion language samples from websites.

Why does the author use the example of a couple who tried to name their baby “@”?

A.To show Chinese is badly polluted by English.

B.To express the couple’s love for the child.

C.To indicate “@”is a very common sign among the e-mail users.

D.To show some people are very enthusiastic over English letters.

Why are the English abbreviations becoming more and more popular according to the passage?

A.Because English is the most common language in the world.

B.Because using English abbreviations is a fashion.

C.Because English abbreviations are easy and simple to use.

D.Because English abbreviations are easy to pronounce.

What can we infer from the passage?

A.People should know clearly the exact Chinese translation of English abbreviations.

B.More and more Chinese people will use English abbreviations in the future.

C.Most parents like to give their child English names now.

D.Language scholars hate to use English abbreviations.

A tall figure appeared from the dark door of the tent. It was a smoking young man about twenty three or four. He had an almost black face, though smooth. His moustache was black with curled points. There was an unusual force in his face, and in his daring rolling eyes. cef

  Rebecca still stood hesitating like a swimmer about to make his dive, hardly knowing whether to return or move forward.

         "Hi, my beauty, what can I do for you?" said he, approaching. Realizing that she was quite at a loss, the man spoke in a gentle voice, "Never mind. I am Mr. Thackeray. Have you come to see me or my mother?"

  This scene differed greatly from what Rebecca had expected. She had dreamed of an aged and dignified(威严的) face. She told herself to be calm and answered "I came to see your mother, sir."

  "I am afraid you cannot see her-she is ill in bed," replied the representative of the house; for this was Mr. Alee Thackeray, the only son of the noble family. "What is the business you wish to see her about?"

  "It isn't business-it is-I can hardly say what!"

  "Pleasure?"

  "Oh no. Why, sir, if I tell you, it will seem..."

  Rebecca's sense of a certain ridicule(奚落,讥笑) was now so obvious and strong that, despite her general discomfort at being here, her rosy lips curved(弯曲) towards a smile, much to the attraction of the young man.

  "It is so foolish", she murmured. "I fear I can't tell you!"

  "Never mind; I like foolish things. Try again, my dear," said he kindly.

  "Mother told me to come," Rebecca continued; "and, indeed, I was in the mind to do so myself. But I did not expect it would turn out like this. I came…sir, I came to tell you that we are of the same family as you."

  "Ho Ho! Poor relations?"

  "Yes."

  "Rossetti?"

  "No. Thackeray."

  "Ay, ay; I mean Thackeray."

  "Our names are worn away to Durbeyfield; but we have several proofs that we are Thackeray. The local scholars hold the view that we are, and...and we have an old seal and a silver spoon marked with the same castle as yours. So mother said we ought to make ourselves known to you, as we've lost our horse by a bad accident. We can hardly make a living."

    "It’s very kind of your mother, I'm sure." Alec looked at Rebecca as he spoke, in a way that made her uneasy. "And so, my pretty girl, you've come on a friendly visit to us, as relations?"

  "I suppose I have," looking less confident and uncomfortable again.

"Well, there's no harm in it. I mean it doesn’t hurt to come and make yourself known to me. Where do you live? What are you?" …

1.While meeting with Alec, Rebecca feels _______during the whole course.

A. nervous and uneasy

B. excited and hopeful

C. amazed and comfortable

D. pleased but embarrassed.

2.Which of the following is suitable to describe Rebecca’s impression of Alec?

A. unfriendly and ta lkative

B. forceful and daring

C. gentle and reliable

D. older than expected

3.What is Rebecca’s real purpose of making this visit?

A. To see Alec himself.

B. To see Alec's mother.

C. To confirm that they are of the same family.

D. To make known their relationship and seek help.

4.From the passage, we can conclude that Alec appears quite friendly to Rebecca largely because __________.

A. Rebecca is his distant relation

B. Rebecca looks polite to him

C. Rebecca is a pretty girl

D. Rebecca looks ridiculous

 

The very first capsule hotel to be opened in Shanghai has attracted many budget travelers with its prices, even though it is not fully operational yet.

The hotel consists of 68 "capsules", each 1.1-meters high, 1.1-meters wide and 2.2-meters long. The basic rate is 28 Yuan ($4.22) per person, plus an additional 4 Yuan an hour. The hotel also offers a package of 68 Yuan for 10 hours and 88 Yuan for 24 hours.

All of the capsules are imported from Japan where capsule hotels originated,and each is equipped with independent sockets, clocks, lights, TV and wireless Internet service. The hotel also has a public lavatory(洗手间),shower room, smoking room and shared guest room.

"This is a huge bargain compared with other budget hotels in Shanghai," said Ta Zan, the owner of the hotel. Ta used to stay at capsule hotels in Tokyo during his undergraduate years and worked at a capsule hotel while he was doing his MBA in Japan in 2005, so he knows how they work and how to make guests feel comfortable.

He based the hotel on capsule hotels in Japan but he has made some special changes based on Chinese guests' habits. "In Japan capsule hotels are usually equipped with bathtubs, but in China people are more willing to take a shower, so we have the shower room," he said. He has also separated the capsules into three snoring (打鼾的) zones so that guests who often snore won't disturb others. Like most of capsule hotels in Japan, the one in Shanghai is for men only.

But the idea of staying in such a compact space is not appealing to everyone. "I feel the idea is like putting a person in a coffin (棺材), and the price is also not that appealing. A bed at a youth hostel in Shanghai costs about 60 Yuan per night," said Wang Lei, a student from Beijing.

1.The first capsule hotels in the world appeared in        .

A. Shanghai           B. Japan               C. Beijing          D. America

2.If you stay in the capsule hotel in Shanghai for 8 hours, you will have to pay       yuan.

A. 28                            B. 60                  C.68                D.88

3.What does the underlined word "compact" mean?

A. Dear                   B. Cheap.                    C. Close.            D. Clean.

4.The capsule hotel in Shanghai differs from those in Japan in that           .

A. it serves men as well as women

B. its capsule is much larger

C. it has a shower room

D. it has no snoring zones

5.We can know from the passage that            .

A. everybody considers the capsule hotel a nice place to stay

B. all the capsules of the hotel were made in China

C. each capsule of the hotel has a private lavatory

D. no guest has ever stayed in the capsule hotel in Shanghai

 

 

Wednesday 15 Oct 2009 – 13:12

Language Tutors/ Teachers Needed

Location: London

Our company provides language training for schools, businesses and private individuals across the UK. We provide training in European languages, as well as Asian and Middle Eastern languages.

We are looking for experienced language tutors to join our team. If you have a passion for languages and a love for teaching, we will be delighted to hear from you! Please send your CV together with your contact details to: Jane@conversation-piece.co.uk

TEL: 01771 876532

Monday 13 Oct 2009 – 09:54

Primary Private Tutor Wanted

Location: Manchester

You should have

the identity of a native English speaker.

a good standard of literacy and oral communication skills.

a recognized degree or Teaching qualification, teaching experience. TA or HLTA.

Salary is £20 per hour

Please call me on 01772 814739

or e-mail: astartuition@btinternet.com

visit: http://www.astartuition.com

Thursday 7 Oct 2009 – 14:46

Tutor Jobs in Italy

Location: Italy

Employ experienced teachers and assistants now for 2009 / 2010 school year

(Early childhood, primary, middle and high school).

We are the only English Mother Tongue childcare / education agency with actual offices in Italy and not just an internet site. Our staff is surely Australian, American and Italian (speaking both English and Italian).

Interesting travel, the opportunity to experience continental Europe, the culture and of course the great food!!

www.europlacements.it

TEL: 02762 804506

Info@europlacements.it

Wednesday 1 Oct 2009 – 15:20

Private French Teacher

Location: South Hight St Kensington

The teacher

is a native French speaker

has a flexible timetable

is experienced in teaching

The teaching

beginner, intermediate, advanced, all levels covered

grammar, vocabulary, literature etc.

French songs, games, drawing, theatre, etc. for the children!

The lessons

Small groups, long term teaching

£20 per hour

Looking forward to meeting you!

Call me on: 07780 923504

frenchiefrenchcourse@hotmail.fr

64.   These advertisements are most probably taken from         .

       A. a job application book                    B. a travel brochure 

       C. an entertainment magazine       D. the Internet

65.   If you are a native Chinese speaker from Jiangsu and fond of language teaching, you may

       contact         .

       A. Jane@conversation-piece.co.uk       B. astartuition@btinternet.com

       C. info@europlacements.it    D. frenchiefrenchcourse@hotmail.fr

66.   All of the four teaching jobs pay special attention to your         .

       A. speaking ability        B. writing ability

       C. master’s degree         D. teaching experience    

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