To learn an instrument(乐器) such as the violin or accordion（手风琴）takes years. The job opportunities for musicians are scarce and competition is fierce. Then why are more people than ever before paying a lot of good cash to get their children the best music teaching they can afford?
The secret lies in the influence of music on the whole person. It has been found that learning a musical instrument actually increases a person’s IQ over time. Different instruments and different trypes of music have varying effect, with classical music and the string（弦乐） family coming out on top, potentially increasing you IQ by up to 12 points!
When is a good time to start learning music? Experts have found that even the fetus（胎儿）can benefit from listening to classical music. Surround yourself and your family with good music from the first. The Suzuki Piano Method teaches children from the age of 3 years piano, with two lessons per week. From preschool, children can learn to read music and play from sheet music. Progress in learning your instrument is directly proportional（成比例的）to the amount of practicing.
Is there such a thing as an unmusical child? Shinichi Suzuki proposes that music is the native home language of all human beings and therefore nobody can be “unmusical”. Of course there are exceptional talents, compared to which others may seem to be slower learners.
Is there any benefit for adults in starting an instrument? Apart from the purely relaxing aspect, yes. Learning an instrument can earn even adults additional IQ points, and as an added benefit in improves your health by reducing your stress levels. Your social life may benefit too, if you are prepared to come out of your box and join occasions such as Ceilidhs (musical get-togethers) or arrange house concerts. It has been established that people who play instruments tend to be more emotionally balanced and more patient with themselves, others and life in general.
So go ahead, sign up for that amateur orchestra, dust off your old trombone（长号）or take your first real six-string down from the attic（阁楼）; get out there and play!
【小题1】Playing which of the following musical instruments can help increase a person’s IQ most?

A teacher of English as a second language is the 2004 Teacher of the Year in the United States .Kathy Mellor of Rhode Island will spend the next year as an international spokeswoman for education. President Bush and his wife, Laura ,honored her during a ceremony at the White House last week.

   For the past nineteen years ,Kathy Mellor has taught English as a second language at Davisville Middle School in North Kingstown, Rhode Island ,in the northeastern United States .She redesigned the program for E.S.L students at her school to provide each student with one to three periods per day in classes for English learners .How much instruction the students get depends on their level of skill in listening ,speaking ,reading and writing. The amount of time they spend in these classes in reduced as their level of English increases.

   A teacher describes this as the most successful E.S.L. program in North Kingstown. She also praises Kathy Mellor for providing help to students and their families by forming a local parents group for speakers of other languages .This improved their ability to help their children.

   Kathy Mellor earned a master’s degree in education from Rhode Island College. She studied teaching English as a second language.

   She was chosen for the national honor of Teacher of the Year from among top teachers in each of the fifty states .As Teacher of the Year ,Kathy Mellor will travel around the United States and to other countries .She will talk about the importance of education and the work of teachers.

This passage is mainly about________.

    A．Teacher of the Year 2004 in the United States

    B．Ms Mellor’s English teaching instruction

    C．Ms Mellor’s teaching skills of learning English

    D．praises to Ms Mellor from other teachers

What does “E.S.L.” in the passage stand for?

    A．English study learners.             B．English speaking and listening.

    C．English special learners.           D．English as a second language.

From this passage we can learn that ________.

    A．middle school teachers from each state are honored Teachers of the Year

    B．middle school teachers in the USA have to get master’s degrees

    C．Ms Mellor’s students have no problems in learning English

D．the American government pays much attention to education

A teacher of English as a second language is the 2004 Teacher of the Year in the United States.Kathy Mellor of Rhode Island will spend the next year as an international spokeswoman for education.President Bush and his wife,Laura,honored her during a ceremony（仪式）at the White House last week.

For the past nineteen years,Kathy Mellor has taught English as a second language at Davisville Middle School in North Kingstown,Rhode Island,in the northeastern United States.She redesigned the program for E.S.L students at her school to provide each student with one to three periods per day in classes for English learners.How much instruction the students get depends on their level of skill in listening,speaking,reading and writing.The amount of time they spend in these classes is reduced as their level of English increases.

A teacher describes this as the most successful E.S.L.program in North Kingstown.She also praises Kathy Mellor for providing help to students and their families by forming a local parents group for speakers of other languages.This improved their ability to help their children.Kathy Mellor earned a master’s degree in education from Rhode Island College.She studied teaching English as a second language.

She was chosen for the national honor of Teacher of the Year from among top teachers in each of the fifty states.As Teacher of the Year,Kathy Mellor will travel around the United States and to other countries.She will talk about the importance of education and the work of teachers.

50.This passage is mainly about______.

A.Teacher of the Year 2004 in the United States

B.Ms Mellor’s English teaching instruction

C.Ms Mellor’s teaching skills of learning English

D.praises to Ms Mellor from other teachers

51.What does“E.S.L.”in the passage stand for?

A.English study learners.　　　　                           B.English speaking and listening.

C.English special learners.　　　　                       D.English as a second language.

52.From this passage we can learn that______.

A.middle school teachers from each state are honored Teachers of the Year

B.middle school teachers in the USA have to get master’s degrees

C.Ms Mellor’s students have no problems in learning English

D.the American government pays much attention to education

C
Why should you tour Spain with SpainExchange?
◇We design and personalize(个性化)your tour to fit your desires and needs.
◇We are Spain insiders: we are located in Spain and we know the country.
You get the tour you want. You do not have to follow a schedule, but we encourage you to make your own with our help. If you have a few cities in Spain that you want to visit or a specific theme for your tour that needs some fine-tuning(微调), we can do it for you. On the contrary, if you are not sure what’s here and need some extra help, we can help you. We can assist you in developing the tour that fits you and your students.
You get more for your money. Yes, it may cost you the same price as with the other companies—usually less—but you will receive more in return. With any other company you will be mixed with other groups. With SpainExchange, your tour is for and your students only: your group alone will be in your bus; your students will be housed in double rooms; they will have 2 paid meals per day, and your entrance fees will be on us.
Your students will have an educational experience they’ll never forget. The students will learn about world history, not just Spanish history, art history, archeology, Spanish culture, and much more. Many students have “fallen in love” with Spain and make plans for future studies here. And teachers are amazed at how much Spain has to offer. As one teacher said, “I can’t wait to come back and see the rest.”
Only a professional Spain insider that is flexible to design the tour that fits your group can provide all that for you. Just tell us what you want and enjoy the ride.
64．What is the advantage of SpainExchange over other touring companies?
A．It is designed for your personalized needs.
B．It is much cheaper than the tours from other companies.
C．It is organized by a Spanish-speaking agency.
D．It offers double rooms and 2 paid meals per day.
65．Who do you suppose this passage is written to?
A．School teachers.                                         B．College students.
C．Spain locals.                                              D．Exchange professors.
66．The passage is probably take from_______.
A．Wild “Burning” Journey Back To Spain
B．Spain Teaching School Tries Something New
C．A World of Novels: Picks For Best Foreign Fictions
D．Tour Brochure: Learning Beyond Classroom

                            B

　　What is language for? Some people seem to think it's for practicing grammar rules and learning lists of words—the longer the lists，the better. That's wrong. Language is for the exchange（交流）of ideas and information. It's meaningless knowing all about a language if you can't use it freely. Many students I have met know hundreds of grammar rules, but they can't speak correctly or fluently. They are afraid of making mistakes. One shouldn't be afraid of making mistakes when speaking a foreign language. Native speakers make mistakes and break rules, too. Bernard saw once wrote, "Foreigners often speak English too correctly." But the mistakes that native speakers make are different from those that Chinese students make. They're English mistakes in the English language. And if enough native speakers break a rule, it is no longer a rule. What used to be wrong becomes right. People not only make history, they make language. But a people can only make its own language. It can't make another people's language. So Chinese students of English should pay attention to grammar, but they shouldn't overdo（做过头）it. They should put communication first.　

1.Language is used to ________.

A. express oneself　　　        B. practice grammar rules

B. talk with foreigners only    D. learn lists of words

2.Generally, when an American or an Englishman speaks English, he ________.

A. never makes mistakes　　         B. often makes mistakes

C. can't avoid making mistakes      D. always makes mistakes

3."Foreigners often speak English too correctly. "This sentence means that ________.

A. foreigners speak correct English

B. foreigners speak incorrect English

C. foreigners speak English according to the grammar rules

D. foreigners never make mistakes when they speak English

4.If too many native speakers break a rule, ________.

A. what they use will become right  B. they are against the law

C. they should say sorry to others  D. they will become heroes

5.When we speak a foreign language, we should ________.

A. speak in Chinese way       B. speak by the rules

C. speak to native speakers   D. not be afraid of making mistakes