Have you ever noticed advertisements which say “Learn a foreign language in 6 weeks or your money back”?

Of course, it never happens quite like that. The only language which is easy to learn is the native tongue. Before the Second World War people usually learnt a foreign language in order to read the literature of the nation. Now speaking a foreign language is what most people want. Every year millions of people start learning one. How can they do it?

Some people try at home, with books or tapes; some use radio or television programs. If they use the language only 2 or 3 times a week, learning it will take a long time. A few people have to learn a language fast by studying for 6 or more hours a day. It is easier to learn a language in the country where it is spoken in everyday life. However, most people cannot afford this, and for many it is not nesessary. They need the language in order to do their work better. For example, scientists chiefly need to be able to read books and reports in the foreign language. Whether the language is learnt quickly or slowly, it is hard work. Machines and books will help. But they cannot do the students’ work for them.

A. replaces   B. takes   C. follows      D. happens

A. native      B. common     C. spoken       D. special

A. spoke      B. liked   C. learnt  D. disliked

A. world      B. tradition     C. time    D. nation

A. that  B. why    C. what   D. because

A. shows      B. programs    C. activities    D. plays

A. However B. Also    C. Afterwards D. Still

A. pay  B. afford C. obtain D. gain

A. practical  B. possible      C. necessary    D. successful

A. result     B. succeed      C. decide D. help

The old lady's hand shook frequently. She explained to her doctor ________ this shaking had begun half a year before, and ________, only because of this, she had been forced to give up her job.

1. A.
   when; how
2. B.
   how; when
3. C.
   how; how
4. D.
   why; why

The term “multitasking” originally referred to a computer's ability to carry out several tasks at one time. For many people, multitasking has become a way of life and even a key to success. In fact, some excellent mental aerobic exercises (大脑训练) involve engaging the brain in two or more challenging activities at a time. Although checking e-mail while talking on a phone and reading the newspaper may be second nature for some people, many times multitasking can make us less productive, rather than more. And studies show that too much multitasking can lead to increased stress, anxiety and memory loss.

In order to multitask, the brain uses an area known as the prefrontal cortex (前额叶脑皮层). Brain scans of volunteers performing multiple tasks together show that as they shift from task to task, this front part of the brain actually takes a moment of rest between tasks. You may have experienced a prefrontal cortex “moment of rest” yourself if you've ever dialed (拨电话) a phone number and suddenly forgotten who you called when the line is answered. What probably occurred is that between the dialing and the answering, your mind shifted to another thought or task, and then took that “moment” to come back. Research has also shown that for many volunteers, job efficiency (效率) declines while multitasking, as compared to when they perform only one task at a time.

Multitasking is easiest when at least one of the tasks is habitual, or requires little thought. Most people don' t find it difficult to eat and read the newspaper at the same time. However, when two or more attention-requiring tasks are attempted at one time, people sometimes make mistakes.

We often don't remember things as well when we're trying to manage several details at the same time. Without mental focus, we may not pay enough attention to new information coming in, so it never makes it into our memory stores. That is one of the main reasons we forget people's names—even sometimes right after they have introduced themselves. Multitasking can also affect our relationships. If someone checks their e-mail while on the phone with a friend, they may come off as absent-minded or disinterested. It can also cause that person to miss or overlook key information being passed on to them.

1. Why are some mental aerobic exercises designed to engage people in multitasking?

A. To make them more productive.                

B. To reduce their stress and anxiety.

C. To develop their communication Skills.         

D. To help them perform daily tasks more easily.

2. According to Paragraph 2, why may a person suddenly forget who he has called?

A. He may have his prefrontal cortex temporarily damaged.    

B. He is probably interrupted by another task.

C. He is probably not very familiar with the person he has called.    

D. He may need a rest between dialing and speaking.

3. People tend to make mistakes when       .

A. they perform several challenging tasks at a time 

B. new messages are processed one after another    

C. their relationships with others are affected       

D. the tasks require little thought

4. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Multitasking has become a way of life.

B. Multitasking often leads to efficiency decline.

C. Multitasking exercises need to be improved.

D. Multitasking enables people to remember things better.

A year ago, I paid no attention to English idioms, though my teacher emphasized(强调) the importance again and again. But soon, the importance of English idioms was shown in an amusing experience.

One day, I happened to meet an Englishman on the road, and soon we began to talk. As I was talking about how I was studying English, the foreigner seemed to be astonished. Gently shaking his head, shrugging his shoulders, he said, “You don’t say!” “You don’t say!” I was puzzled. I thought, perhaps this is not an appropriate topic(适当的话题). “Well, I’d better change the topic.” So I said to him. “Well, shall we talk about the Great Wall? By the way, have you ever been there?” “Certainly, everyone back home will laugh at me if I leave China without seeing it. It was magnificent.” He was deep in thought when I began to talk like a tourist guide. “The Great Wall is one of the wonders in the world. We are very proud of it.” Soon I was interrupted again by his words：“You don’t say!” I couldn’t help asking, “Why do you ask me not to talk about it?” “Well, I didn’t request you to do so, ” he answered, greatly surprised. I said, “Didn’t you say’ you don’t say？” Hearing this, the Englishman laughed to tears. He began to explain, ‘You don’t say’ actually means ‘really!’ It is an expression of surprise. Perhaps you don’t pay attention to English idioms.” Only then did I know I had made a fool of myself. Since then I have been more careful with idiomatic expressions. Remember: what the English teachers said is always right to us students.

A year ago, I paid no attention to English idioms because _______.

A. English idioms were not important

B. I was not careful with English idioms

C. my teacher didn’t emphasize the importance of them

D. I had no interest in them

At first, on hearing “You don’t say,” I thought the foreigner meant _______.

A. he was not interested in the topic

B. he was only interested in the Great Wall

C. I had talked too much

D. I had to stop talking

The underlined word in the first paragraph probably means _______.

A. interesting  B. important

C. terrible       D. unlucky

Which of the following is true according to the passage？

A. The Englishman left China without seeing the Great Wall.

B. The Englishman wanted to see the Great Wall after I talked about it.

C. The Englishman wanted me to act as his guide.

D. The Englishman visited the Great Wall and thought it worth visiting.

After the Englishman explained the idiom, _______.

A. I thought the Englishman had made me a fool

B. the Englishman became a real fool.

C. I felt very silly

D. I became more carefully in everything