No poem should ever be discussed or “analyzed”, until it has been read aloud by someone, teacher or student. Better still, perhaps, is the practice of reading it twice, once at the beginning of the discussion and once at the end, so the sound of the poem is the last thing one hears of it.

All discussions of poetry are, in fact, preparations for reading it aloud, and the reading of the poem is, finally, the most telling “interpretation” of it, suggesting tone, rhythm, and meaning all at once. Hearing a poet read the work in his or her own voice, on records or on film, is obviously a special reward. But even those aids to teaching can not replace the student and teacher reading it or, best of all, reciting it.

I have come to think, in fact, that time spent reading a poem aloud is much more important than “analyzing” it, if there isn’t time for both. I think one of our goals as teachers of English is to have students love poetry. Poetry is “ a criticism of life”, and “ a heightening(提升) of life”. It is “an approach to the truth of feeling”, and it “can save your life”. It also deserves a place in the teaching of language and literature more central than it presently occupies.

I am not saying that every English teacher must teach poetry. Those who don’t like it should not be forced to put that dislike on anyone else. But those who do teach poetry must keep in mind a few things about its essential nature, about its sound as well as its sense, and they must make room in the classroom for hearing poetry as well as thinking about it.

To have a better understanding of a poem, one should________.

A. discuss it with others           B. analyze it by oneself

C. copy it down in a notebook      D. practise reading it aloud

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a function of poetry?

A. Extending your life              B. Saving your life

C. Criticizing life                  D. Heightening life

According to the writer, one of the purposes of teaching English is to get students________.  

A. to understand life.               B. to enjoy poetry.

C. to become teachers.              D. to become poets

What does the last sentence in the third paragraph imply?

A. More stress should be laid on the teaching of poetry.

B. Poetry is more important than any other subject.

C. One cannot enjoy life fully without an understanding of poetry

D. Poetry is the foundation of all language and literature courses

The phrase “make room” in the last paragraph could be best replaced by

A. “build a booth”                      B. “provide equipment”

C. “leave a certain amount of time”        D. “set aside enough space”

Until a few months ago, he was a butler(管家) in one of the more expensive residential buildings in Manhattan. But now, Nepal-born Indra Tamang is the owner of two multi-million dollar apartments in the same building.

    The former owner - his former employer, Ruth Ford - died last year and left the apartments  to Mr Tamang in her will.

    Mr Tamang is happy but quickly points out that his good fortune did not come easily. "I am happy and have been touched by the generosity of the Ford family," he says. "I never expected that I will be given the ownership of these apartments. But I have been working for the family for the last 36 years, devotedly, with honesty and dedication(奉献). So my hard work has been rewarded."

    Mr Tamang was 21 when he was brought from Nepal by Charles Ford, a writer and a photographer. Mr Ford died in 2002; his sister, actress Ruth Ford, then took charge and told Mr Tamang that he was like a brother to her after Charles's death.

    Mrs Ford died aged 98. During the last five years of her life, she lost her eyesight and also developed speech problems. Mr Tamang looked after her most of the time and took care of her medicines and food.

    He also worked with Charles Ford on various photography projects, which he now wants to keep as the photographer's legacy(遗产). He hopes to organize exhibitions of Mr Ford's photographs and edit a book of his works.

Mr Tamang plans to sell the bigger, three-bedroom apartment to pay the taxes he owes to the government on his legacy. He says: "The rules of the building might be a problem, as they require a minimum monthly income to qualify to live as owner of apartments. I have my small house here but I am happy with it,"

   Mr Tamang has learnt his lesson from the life of his employers and plans to use his money with great caution. "I think one should save money for old age. That's when you need it the most to get care," he says. 

A

No poem should ever be discussed or “analyzed”, until it has been read aloud by someone, teacher or student. Better still, perhaps, is the practice of reading it twice, once at the beginning of the discussion and once at the end, so the sound of the poem is the last thing one hears of it.

All discussions of poetry are, in fact, preparations for reading it aloud, and the reading of the poem is, finally, the most telling “interpretation” of it, suggesting tone, rhythm, and meaning all at once. Hearing a poet read the work in his or her own voice, on records or on film, is obviously a special reward. But even those aids to teaching can not replace the student and teacher reading it or, best of all, reciting it.

I have come to think, in fact, that time spent reading a poem aloud is much more important than “analyzing” it, if there isn’t time for both. I think one of our goals as teachers of English is to have students love poetry. Poetry is “ a criticism of life”, and “ a heightening(提升) of life”. It is “an approach to the truth of feeling”, and it “can save your life”. It also deserves a place in the teaching of language and literature more central than it presently occupies.

I am not saying that every English teacher must teach poetry. Those who don’t like it should not be forced to put that dislike on anyone else. But those who do teach poetry must keep in mind a few things about its essential nature, about its sound as well as its sense, and they must make room in the classroom for hearing poetry as well as thinking about it.

1. To have a better understanding of a poem, one should________.

A. discuss it with others           B. analyze it by oneself

C. copy it down in a notebook      D. practise reading it aloud

2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a function of poetry?

A. Extending your life              B. Saving your life

C. Criticizing life                  D. Heightening life

3. According to the writer, one of the purposes of teaching English is to get students________.

A. to understand life.               B. to enjoy poetry.

C. to become teachers.              D. to become poets

4. What does the last sentence in the third paragraph imply?

A. More stress should be laid on the teaching of poetry.

B. Poetry is more important than any other subject.

C. One cannot enjoy life fully without an understanding of poetry

D. Poetry is the foundation of all language and literature courses

5. The phrase “make room” in the last paragraph could be best replaced by

A. “build a booth”                      B. “provide equipment”

C. “leave a certain amount of time”        D. “set aside enough space”