题目内容
17．Though the US regards itself as the world's melting pot（大熔炉），few people take an interest in learning a second language．However，the importance and advantages of learning a second language are continuing to increase day by day．The importance of learning a second language is not just limited to the ability of communicating with people who speak different languages．According to studies，it has shown that learning a second language leads to students'achieving greater development in thinking and creativity compared with students who speak only one language．A number of studies have also shown that when students learn a second language，they tend to do better in examinations．Still other studies have shown that the academic（学业的） skills of students learning a second language are promoted（提升） in improving their abilities in mathematics，writing，and reading．
When people learn a second language，they become valuable in the community where they work and live．Apart from the requirement of translators and interpreters，there are an increasing number of jobs where people are required to interact with people that speak other languages．Learning a second language also enables a person to get used to a variety of cultural backgrounds．Also，the capacity of communicating in another language can be an important factor in personal achievement and career goals．
Language is one of the main parts of the civilization and culture of the people who speak it．Therefore，learning a second language can be a comparatively easy and wonderful way of absorbing （吸收） another culture．
When we absorb another culture by learning a second language，apart from appreciating other people and their cultures，it also enables us to comprehend what role language plays in shaping our thought patterns．Often，other languages have better methods of expressing ideas，concepts，or thoughts compared with English，which can usually become a part of English，thus enabling English language speakers to communicate better．
Learning a second language，therefore，can not only challenge your mind，but also enrich your soul．Apart from being able to communicate with different people in their own language，it can also teach you understanding，tolerance，and patience．
Therefore，start off right now and take up learning a second language．
32．In paragraph 1，the writer thinks thatD．
A．Americans show more and more interest in learning foreign language
B．Americans hope to learn a second language for their melting pot
C．it's meaningless for Americans to learn a second language
D．it's necessary for Americans to learn a second language
33．According to many studies，learning another language can helpA．
A．improve a variety of abilities besides communication
B．develop in thinking and creativity
C．do better in examinations
D．promote the academic skills
34．Why is it easier for students learning a second language to absorb another culture？C
A．Because they can easily get used to different cultural backgrounds．
B．Because they can better communicate with the native people．
C．Because language is one of the important factors of its culture．
D．Because they are quicker in thinking and doing things．
35．What is the writer's purpose of writing this passage？B
A．To show us the importance of learning a second language．
B．To encourage us to learn a second language．
C．To inform us where to study a second language．
D．To give us examples of the benefits of learning a second language．
分析 本文是一篇历史文化类阅读，属于议论文，虽然我们美国认为自己是世界的熔炉，很少有人感兴趣学习第二语言，然而，学习第二语言的重要性和优势将继续增加．本文以此展开，主要讲述了学习一门外语的好处，并鼓励我们学习一门外语．
解答 32．D．细节理解题．根据However，the importance and advantages of learning a second language are continuing to increase day by day．可知，作者认为对于美国人来说，学习一门外语很重要．故选D．
33．A．细节理解题．根据The importance of learning a second language is not just limited to the ability of communicating with people who speak different languages．According to studies，it has shown that learning a second language leads to students'achieving greater development in thinking and creativity compared with students who speak only one language．可知，根据研究发现，除了可以提高交流能力，还可以提高思考，创造力等其他能力．故选A．
34．C．细节理解题．根据When we absorb another culture by learning a second language，apart from appreciating other people and their cultures，it also enables us to comprehend what role language plays in shaping our thought patterns．可知，通过吸收文化来学习一门语言之所以更简单是因为语言是文化的一个重要部分．故选C．
35．B．推理判断题．阅读全文，根据文章内容，尤其是Therefore，start off right now and take up learning a second language．可知，本文主要讲述了学习一门外语的好处，并鼓励我们学习一门外语．故选B．
点评 本文是一篇历史文化类阅读，题目涉及多道细节理解题，推理判断题．做题时学生应仔细阅读原文，把握文章主要内容，联系文章上下文内容并结合所给选项含义，从中选出正确答案，一定要做到有理有据，切忌胡乱猜测．
