Only about half of this year’s high school graduates have the reading skills they need to succeed in college, and even fewer are prepared for college-level science and math courses, according to a yearly report from ACT, which produces one of the nation’s leading college admissions tests.

The report, based on scores of the 2005 high school graduates who took the exam, some 1.2 million students in all, also found that fewer than one in four met the college-readiness benchmarks① in all four subjects tested: reading comprehension, English, math and science.

ACT sets its college-readiness benchmarks — including the reading comprehension benchmark, which is new this year—by correlating② earlier students’ ACT scores with grades they actually received as college freshmen. Based on that data, the benchmarks indicate the skill level at which a student has a 70 percent likelihood③ of earning a C or better, and a 50 percent chance of earning a B or better.

Among those who took the 2005 test, only 51 percent achieved the benchmark in reading, 26 percent in science, and 41 percent in math; the figure for English was 68 percent. Results from the new optional ACT writing test, which was not widely taken this year, were not included in the report.

About 40 percent of the nation’s 2005 high school graduates took the ACT, and the average overall score was unchanged from the year before. Minority students make up 27 percent of all ACT test takers. Besides, there are also other worrying trends in the ACT report as well, including a continuing decline in the percentage of students planning to major in engineering, computer science and education.

Notes:

① benchmark  n.  基准

② correlate  v.  联系

③ likelihood  n.  可能性

1. The report from ACT mainly tells readers the problem that ______.

  A. few minority students graduates took ACT

  B. many who intend to go to college are not ready

  C. the college-readiness benchmarks is high this year

  D. the tests for some subjects are too difficult

2. According to the benchmarks in 2005, about how many students will not earn C?

  A. 30 percent.      B. 70 percent.      C. 50 percent.       D. 26 percent.

3. Which of the following pictures can correctly show the numbers of the students who achieve the benchmark in different subjects?

   A.        B.

   C.      D.

4. Which of the followings can be found in the report from ACT in 2005?

  A. The report about the writing test is very objective.

  B. More boy students are not good at science and math.

  C. The percentage of students majoring science declined.

  D. The average score of 2005 ACT participants changed greatly.

Visiting a new place can be a scary experience for a lot of people because it could include speaking in a language that most people are not comfortable with ---- English. So how can you keep away form this kind of situation? Learn how to speak English fluently. Here are 4 English speaking tips you must know to become a more confident English speaker.
1. Listen first.
One of the best English speaking tips is to listen carefully to understandable English EVERY DAY. Most people turn to textbooks to study English grammar rules, but you cannot learn the correct English pronunciation of the words merely by reading them. You do not need to learn grammar in detail because this can prevent you from speaking English fluently.
Instead, listen to how native English speakers pronounce and observe their mouth movements. Also watch English shows and movies to build on your English accent and improve your vocabulary.
2. Practice makes perfect.
Studies show that you’ll probably spend three months of practice every day in order to have strong mouth muscles. Read aloud in English for 15 to 20 minutes a day in front of the mirror, which helps in accent reduction and improves your English communication skills.
Also, practice with your friends and family. Talking with a good English speaker can help improvise (即兴发挥) your usage of words and formation of sentences.
3. Think in English.
One of the most effective English speaking tips is to think in English. What most English learners do in the early stages of learning is that they think of what they have to say in their native language, translate and then say it in English. This can be mentally tiring.
If your goal is to speak English fluently, you need to learn “thinking” in English. Make up the sentences in English as you think about them before saying them. With practice, you will be able to respond automatically in English.
4. Be more confident.
All these English speaking tips will be in vain if you are not that confident in your English speaking skills. It is quite natural to commit errors when learning a new language.
Try to relax if you’re speaking in English. When you speak at a normal speed, you’ll discover that you will be able to pronounce the words correctly and people will understand you. Most of the time, the person you are talking to is not even aware of your errors.
In a word, learning English does not happen overnight. It takes a lot of time, effort and practice. Don’t get too frustrated and never give up. Follow these English speaking tips and practice daily. Soon, you would learn to speak English fluently as if it is your own language.
English speaking tips you must know

VIII．写作（满分20分）
【写作内容】请根据以下提示，写一篇英语短文。      
1、我们经常在公共场合见到各种不道德的行为，叙述你的一次相关经历。 
2、这些不文明的行为会有哪些影响。 
3、我们应该怎样改善这种现象。 
【写作要求】
词数120左右。开头已为你写好，不计入总词数；可使用自己的亲身经历或虚构的故事；
语言规范，内容合适，篇章连贯。使用以下要求的句型和结构的至少4种：1）名词性从句、2）定语从句、3）非谓语作状语或定语或主语或宾语、4）1个S+V+O+OC（宾补）的句型、5）并列句。
Immoral Behavior in Public
To witness immoral behavior in public, one need only to visit ________....

At IRA’s annual research conference, held each year immediately prior to the annual convention, researchers and practitioners have an opportunity to share information about research-based best practices in reading education.

       The research conference is an important opportunity for educators whose primary responsibility is providing pre-service and in-service education in reading and literacy

Program

       Reading research 2007 will feature four distinct lines: beginning reading, comprehension, teacher preparation, and adolescent literacy. Get program details.

       The keynote speaker will be Donald J. Leu, holder of the John and Maria Neag Endowed Chair of Literacy and Technology |at the University of Connecticut.

       New this year, the 2007 IRA research award winners will be honored at a special Research Awards Luncheon during this conference and dissertation finalists will display their poster presentations

Registration            

       Prepaid registration is now open. The prepaid registration deadline is April 9,2007.

       Please note: Registration for the Saturday Reading Research Conference is limited, and we encourage attendees to take advantage of the savings and convenience of registering in advance. If there is additional space available on the day of the conference, only cash or checks will be accepted on site in Toronto.

       Conference registration includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and a closing wine and cheese reception. You can register online or by using the Convention Prepaid Registration Form from the December/January and the February/March issues of Reading Today or from the Preliminary Program, There will be no telephone registrations. Questions about registration should be directed to customerservice@ reading, org.

       Please note: Separate registrations are required for the Annual Convention, the Sunday Institutes, and the Saturday Research Conference!

Other information

       For information on travel and housing, visit the annual convention area.

       For further information on this conference,, contact the Research and 'Policy Division, international Reading Association, 800 Barksdale Road, PO Box 8139, Newark, DE 19714-8139, USA. E-mail; gkeating@reading.org. Telephone: 302-731-1600, ext. 226.

1.What is this passage mainly about?

       A．The registration information for IRA's annual research conference.

       B．Pre-service and in-service education in reading and literacy.

       C．Reading Research 20C 7.

       D．Convention Prepaid Registration Form.

2.Which of the following is true?

       A．Practitioners have no opportunity to attend the conference.

       B．The 2007 conference v/ill be held at the University of Connecticut.

       C．Attendees can make a phone call to register.

       D．Attendees can take the separate registrations．

3.What is new for 2p07 IRA annual research conference?

       A．The keynote speaker will be Donald J．Leu．

       B．IRA research award winners will be honored at a special-Research Awards Luncheon．

       C．Attendees will visit the annual convention area．

       D．Conference registration includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and a．closing wine and cheese reception．

第二卷（共35分）

第三部分：写作（共三节，满分35分） 

单词拼写（共10小题；每小题0.5分，满分5分）

根据下列句子及所给单词的首字母，在题中所给的空白处按题号写出各单词正确的完全形式（每空限写一词）。

71.On a freezing night, the little match girl was f__________ to death in a street corner.

72.It was the first time that he had been on the stage. He could feel his heart b__________ wildly.

73.If you were Expo v__________, what would you do to make contributions to this great event?

74.With the d______of modern society, we have become more and more dependent on advanced technology.

75.I’m interested in business and I’ll run a company of my own after learning some c__________ courses at university.

76.Having prepared for the exam for half a year, he stepped into the classroom and took the exam _________（自信地）.

77.People call the USA a “melting pot” because its society is one __________（组成）of people from all over the world.

78.Most American people __________(最初) came from Europe.

79.What is the __________（官方的）language of India?

80.Looking at the volcano through a pair of binoculars, we can hardly imagine how this quiet volcano __________（摧毁）the whole city 2000 years ago.