Next Hot Language to Study: Chinese

The fourth-graders at Chicago’s McCormick Primary School are unaware of the difficulty in learning Chinese. For most, who speak Spanish at home, it’s becoming their third language. They’ve been learning and using Chinese words since kindergarten, and it’s now second nature to give a hearty “ni hao” when strangers enter the classroom.

The classroom scene at McCormick is unusual, but it may soon be a common fixture(固定物) in American schools, where Chinese is rapidly becoming the hot new language. Government officials have long wanted more focus on security—useful languages like Chinese, and pressure from them—as well as from business leaders, politicians, and parents—has driven a quick growth in the number of programs.

Chicago itself is home to the largest effort to include Chinese in US public schools. The program here has grown to include 3,000 students in 20 schools, with more schools on a waiting list. Programs have also spread to places like Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, and North Carolina. It’s true that the number of students learning Chinese is tiny compared with how many study Spanish or French.

Advocates (提倡者，拥护者) see knowledge of the Chinese language and culture as a help in a global economy where China is growing in importance. “This is an interesting way to begin to engage with the world’s next superpower,” says Michael Levine, director of education at the Asia Society, which has started five new public high schools that offer Chinese. “Globalization（全球化) has already changed the arrangements in terms of how children today are going to need to think about their careers… The question is, when not whether, the schools are going to adjust.”

In Chicago, the trend extends beyond schools with high numbers of Asian students. “The fact that my students are 98% low income and 99% Latino(拉丁美洲人) and they are succeeding in this, tells me everyone should have a try at learning languages,” says Virginia Rivera, principal at McCormick.“We want to give our young people opportunities to advance… and Chinese is a great opportunity to survive in today’s economy,” says Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago.

The first paragraph is mainly written to _______.

A. show the importance of Chinese learning  

B. introduce the topic to be followed

C. advise primary schools to teach Chinese   

D. prove it’s easy for children to learn language

How many languages are mentioned in this passage?

A. Six.                  B. Two.      

C. Three.                D. Four.

In the last paragraph, the underlined word “this ”probably refers to _____.

A. the competition between Latino and Asian students  

B. the global economy  

C. the interesting way to engage with China  

D. the Chinese learning

What CANNOT be learned from this passage?

A. Most students at McCormick can speak three languages.

B. Chinese is gaining its popularity in all schools in Chicago.

C. French has far more speakers than Chinese does in Chicago.

D. Globalization in a way makes it necessary to learn Chinese.

Which of the following is mainly about in this passage?

A. The Chinese learning in Chicago.  

B. The ways to learn Chinese.

C. McCormick Primary School.      

D. Globalization and Chinese learning.

阅读下面短文，根据所读内容在文后第76至第85小题的空格里填上适当的单词。

注意：每空1个单词。

When it comes to the world of computers, green computing is becoming popular. But what is green computing?

The term “green computing” is one that is being used in many different markets and areas all over the world in today’s global technology. However, many computer users aren’t sure what it means. Green computing is actually quite easy to explain and to do—it is basically learning to use computer resources more efficiently to protect the environment as well as saving energy. The main goal is to reduce the use of energy and materials that harm the environment.

Green computing started as early as 1992, when the EPA created Energy Star program that improved computing equipment and technologies. Because of this program sleep pattern appeared and many computer users began to adopt this policy to help save energy when they were not using their computers. In October of 2006, Energy Star made the requirements stricter for computers. Because of these new requirements, there are over 20 states that have now set up a special recycling program for old computers to help with green computing.

Many of today’s IT systems are beginning to rely on both people and hardware to help push their computer systems toward a more green computing system to help both the company and others. This is a hard balance to achieve, as it has to satisfy users. Many companies are learning the best ways that they call go greener when it comes to their computing and also help their business in the process. While many home computer users may not be quite as familiar with green computing as large firms, this term is starting to become more mainstream all around the world.

Who is your role model? Normally the answer to this question would be anyone around you who you find truly inspiring. It could also be someone like J. K. Rowling or Martin Luther King Jr. who have proven to be strong and intelligent people.

However, in today's world, stars are regarded as role models along with the heroes listed above, despite their intentions or actions. Teens attempt to imitate their actions for two major reasons. First, to be fashionable and accepted by popular culture, and second» because stars' actions are so well documented by the media that it seems to grab our attention and turns it to following stars' lives. Much of the reports about stars is shocking and exhibits bad morals or lifestyles that aren't right for teenagers. In addition, almost everything stars do is described beyond truth to make a shocking story by taking it to the next level.

However, teens must take responsibility for their actions. We can't always blame stars for influencing us. Only you have control over yourself and only you choose to do something. Our bodies and actions are in the hands of no one else.

Now, who ever said stars are role models? Whether they choose to be or not, stars set examples as soon as they step into the spotlight. With reporters following and recording every move they make, it is impossible not to be watched and then be imitated. These people influence, teens whether or not they want to. Why should someone who doesn't want to be setting an example set one? So，should we look up to them or to people who are true and good role models? It's our responsibility as teens to know right from wrong, and it's time for us to take responsibility for our actions. In doing so ，we will lean toward those inspiring people that want to be setting an example, and follow in their steps to be like them. 

1.According to the first paragraph, _____can usually be role models.

A. political leaders

B. wealthy writers

C. people inspiring others

D. people with great intelligence

2.What are the major reasons for the teens to imitate stars? _____.

A. Interest in stars' life and expectation of getting rich

B. Motivation for being fashionable and inspiration from popular examples

C. Intentions to gain acceptance and encouragement from stars' lifestyle

D. Desires to be stylish and great influence from the mass media

3.The author writes the passage mainly to advise the teenagers to_____.

A. have a control over their own bodies and actions

B. be responsible for their own choices and behaviors

C. follow fashionable stars' steps to be more popular

D. choose right role models according to different reports

4.It can be inferred from the passage that  .

A. stars have the responsibility for teenagers' actions

B. not all famous stars choose to influence teenagers

C. teenagers choose those inspiring people as their role models

D. stars set examples immediately they stepped into the spotlight

In today's world of cell phones, mini laptops and MP3 players, most people have at least one time-telling tool with them. Since these devices are so common, is time running out for the 500-year-old watch? According to some consumers, yes. New Jersey teenager Charlie Wollman says a watch is "an extra piece of equipment with no necessary function." Many young adults agree ─ and use their cell phones to tell time. Louis Galie, a senior vice president at Timex, said that fewer young people wear watches today than five years ago. As a result, some people claim that the watch industry is at a crossroads.

However, watchmakers optimistically say that watches regain popularity when consumers reach their 20s and 30s. By then, they are willing to spend money on a quality timepiece that doesn't just keep good time. Fifty years ago, watchmakers boasted(自夸) about their products' accuracy. But in recent years, the watch industry has transformed itself into an accessory(附件，配件) business. And for many today, the image(外形) a watch communicates has become more important than the time it tells.

"Complications" ─ features that go beyond simple timekeeping ─ are an important part of a watch's image. Today's watches offer a host of features that suit almost any personality. These features include altitude trackers(追踪器), compasses(指南针), lunar calendars, USB drives, and even devices that measure the effectiveness of golf swings!

   Creativity is also a key element in today's watches. For example, Japanese watchmaker Tokyoflash makes watches that don't even look like watches. The company's popular Shinshoku model uses different color lights to tell the time. It looks more like a futuristic bracelet(手镯) than a watch. Another Japanese watchmaker, EleeNo, makes a "handless" watch. Using a ring of circles to keep time, this watch makes an excellent conversation piece.

   Whether a watch communicates fashion sense, creative flair or a love of sports, consumers want their timepieces to stand out. Nowadays, everyone has the same kind of gadget in their bags, so people want to make a statement with what's on their wrists(手腕). Will this interest in wrist fashion last? Only time will tell!

1.Why aren’t watches popular with young people as before?

  A. Because watches cannot keep good time as cell phones, mini laptops and MP3 players.

  B. Because watches are featured by the disadvantages of simple function

  C. Because watches are too expensive to afford.

  D. Because watches don’t have beautiful appearance as other modern time telling tools.

2. What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 1 mean?

  A. Watching-making is facing a survival crisis challenge.

  B. Watching-making is faced with the developing opportunity.

  C. Watching-making becomes the sun rising industry.

  D. Watching-making has a specific development target.

3. It can be implied that ____________________.

  A. people will gradually lose interest in watches as they grow older

  B. watchmakers hardly change the development strategy for watches

  C. today’s watches are better than those in the past in quality

  D. customers used to be more concerned with the quality of a watch than with its image.

4.The following qualities can make a watch popular EXCEPT _________.

  A. multifunction   B. accuracy   C. nice design   D. low price

5.What’s the best title of the passage?

  A. Watches and Teenagers     B. The History of Watches

  C. The Accuracy of Watches   D. Watches Tell More Than Time

D

There are many types of reports. A report is simply an account of something that has happened. The commonest are news reports. We get them in newspapers, over the radio and on television Sometimes cinemas also show us newsreels.

The main purpose of a newspaper is to provide news. If you examine a newspaper closely,   you will find that there are all types of news, accidents, floods, fires, wars, fashions, spoils,

books, etc. The news covers everything that happens to people and their surroundings. Some-

times there are news items which are very amusing.

A news report is usually very short, except when it is about something very important, but it contains a lot of information. It is also written in short paragraphs. The first paragraph is in fact

a summary of the news item. It gives all the necessary information -what, when, where, how

and why. The other paragraphs give full details of the subjects. There may also be interviews

with people. The words actually spoken by them are written in inverted commas(引号).

Often there are photographs to go with the news to make it more interesting.

53. The easiest way to get today's news is _______

A. to go to the cinema                  B. to watch a color TV

C. to read today's newspapers          D. to listen to music over the radio

54. Newspapers sell well mainly because _______

A. they cost very little                        

B. they are easy to get

C. they have got pictures to go with the news   

D. they provide all sorts of news in them

55. If you want to get enough information about yesterday's traffic accident within a very short time, you can __

A. read the first paragraph of the news report in today's newspaper

B. start with the second paragraph of the news report in today' s newspaper

C. look through the whole news report in today' s newspaper

D. talk with people who have seen the accident

56. To interest more people, a news report __

A. usually produces amusing news

B. always writes very short news reports

C. often prints pictures to go with the news

D. sometimes provides long and important news

57. This passage mainly talks about __

A. different types of reports                    B. news reports

C. happenings to people and their surroundings    D. the length of a news report