You must ______ a wide vocabulary if you want to learn a language well.

I keep hammering this because I keep seeing people who don’t do it.
1. Look up English to Elvish.
2. Look up the Elvish word in the best Elvish dictionary you have, and, preferably, find out the context（上下文） in Tolkien’s language dictionary.
3. Change the word to suit rules of grammar: singular or plural, mutations, verb tenses, etc.
You cannot leave out any of these steps. If you do, you’re almost certain to have errors. Why you have to do step 2:
Languages never match up one- to-one. English and Elvish are closer than usual, but there are still problems. And English has strange idioms: why are there no baths or beds in public bathrooms or restrooms? You can’t translate literally（逐字地）. You have to understand the meaning behind each word.
In Elvish this is even more true, since our dictionaries contain more or less questionable reconstructions, and words that Tolkien later threw away or replaced. Find the best one you can.
Consider the word “fair”. We tend to use it to mean “just”. Tolkien tends to use it to mean “beautiful”. In Elvish, these are two entirely different words. So when you look up “fair”, you’ll have to go to the Elvish dictionary to see that you’ve got the right one.
Consider the nightmare（噩梦）of He left the bar. Is “left” the opposite of “right” （which also has two meanings） ? Is “bar” extruded steel（型材钢）, or something to do with law? You have to know what words mean in both languages.
And you’d be amazed at how many people ignore step 3, forgetting that language is more than a string of words, and there are rules about how to fit those words together. You can’t simply look up the word “I” and use it everywhere. Sometimes you need “me” or “my”. There’s a reason it takes a while to learn a language: you have to learn the rules.
It drives me completely mad when people give a questionable translation they insist is right because “it’s in the dictionary”. A dictionary is a tool, a resource. but its entries（词目）should not be mistaken for a finished product. They are raw materials.
【小题1】The underlined word “this” in paragraph 1 refers to         .

A．consulting the dictionaries when translating between languages

B．finding out the true meaning in context

C．ignoring the rules of grammar

D．leaving out some of the three steps the author mentions

When was the last time you did something really fun with one of your patents—just the two of you?

    Parents who take their young children to music, swimming and art classes often stop arranging such activities once their kids are older and in school all day. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Doing something enjoyable with your kids just might make you look at each other in a whole new way, especially if you do it through a class or an event. When parent and child become students together, it puts them on the same level, at least for a while.

“I really like parents to come to class with their kids—they start sharing things and talking about what they’re doing and what they like,” said art teacher Pyper Dixon.

    However, finding something new in common is a big choice for them, especially when kids get involved in sports and other after-school activities. But it’s possible to learn a new skill or hobby together.

    That’s certainly true of Lauren, 11, of Silver Spring, who is in Dixon’s class with her father, Dennis. “I was just going to drop her off,” Dennis said, “but Dixon persuaded me to stay.”

Now Lauren gets to nag（央求） her father about doing his art homework. “He always leaves it to the last minute,” she said. “But then he’ll turn around to do amazing drawings,” she added, “We have different styles of drawing, so it’s interesting to talk it over with him.”

    Without the Saturday morning art class, Dennis said, he would be reading the paper, and Lauren would be on her own in her room or on the computer. But they talk more now. “I can’t think of an experience where you communicate with your kid so closely,” he said.

68. The author raises the question at the beginning to_______.

A. expect an answer        B. criticize some parents

C. introduce the topic       D. support his argument

69. What does Dixon think is the benefit of parent and child studying art together?

A. The two will become equal.        B. The two will communicate more.

C. The child will learn art much better.  D. The parent will learn something new.

70. We can learn from the text that_______.

A. Lauren used to talk a lot with her father   B. Dennis enjoys studying art with Lauren

C. Lauren dislikes her father’s drawings     D. Dennis likes playing computer games

Over the last ten years, technology has been constantly improving. Learning languages outside classes has__36__from using sets of tapes or CDs to much more creative and interesting __37__.This is largely due to the ever __38__Internet. There are now hundreds of __39__that will help you learn a language, some are better than others; some charge and some are __40__. Below are some of the free-of-charge websites that I recommend (推荐) to __41__ you learn a language.
Busuu is like Facebook for language learners. __42__of this website span (跨越) across the globe. It works by giving you exercises to __43__; these exercises can be grammar, __44__, or reading comprehension. The more exercises you complete, the more your “Language Garden” __45__. Written exercises are corrected by native speaker of the language you are learning. You can also help students of your language by __46__ their work.
MyHappyPlanet is an online community for people __47__ in learning a language in __48__ for teaching their own language. For example, you help someone in Barcelona with their Chinese __49__they help you with your Spanish. With Myhappyplanet, you can practice speaking with a __50__speaker, learn more about other cultures, and make friends with people __51__in the world.                      
BBC languages is probably one of the most __52__ways to learn a language online, and it’s great for beginners .The lessons are in the __53__of a TV series shot in your target language. It’s like watching your favorite show and __54__at the same time. They also help you to have a better understanding __55__ the culture of the country

The best way of learning a language is using it. The best way of learning English is talking in English as much as possible. Sometimes you’ll get your words mixed up (混合) and people will not understand you. Sometimes people will say things too quickly and you can’t understand them. But if you keep your sense of humor (幽默感) you can always have a good laugh at the mistakes you make. Don’t be unhappy if people seem to be laughing at your mistakes. It’s better for people to laugh at your mistakes than to be angry with you, because they don’t understand what you are saying. The most important thing for learning English is: “Don’t be afraid of making mistakes because everyone makes mistakes.”
【小题1】The writer thinks that the best way for you to learn a language is ____.