Today, when a man steps on to the moon, or something new and important happens, the world learns about it immediately. What did the newspapers say about that first flight in 1903? Strangely enough, they said hardly anything about it at all. There were only a few reports about it in the papers. These reports said very little. Some of the things they said were not even correct.

　　In 1904 the Wrights built a second machine. They called it "Flyer No. Two". They invited some reporters to a field near Dayton to watch them fly. Unfortunately there was some mechanical （机械的）trouble with the plane and it did not fly at all that day. The newspapermen went away. They were disappointed and did not come back. The Wrights went on with their work. In 1905, they built an even better machine, "Flyer No. Three". They were able to stay upon the air for half an hour and more in the machine and they were able to turn and climb in the air. Farmers and travelers on the road around Dayton often saw them flying. But when these people told newspapermen about it, they refused to believe them.

　　The Wrights offered "Flyer No. Three" to the United States govern ment. The government was not interested. They seemed to think the Wrights wanted money in order to build a plane. They did not understand the Wrights had already done this, and flown it as well. Experts were still saying that mechanical flight was impossible. At the end of 1905, the two brothers took their plane to pieces. The parts were put into a huge wooden box. It seemed nobody was interested.

　　1．The reports about the first flight________

　　　　A. were not carried in any newspaper

　　　　B. said nothing

　　　　C. were quite different from the fact

　　　　D. were not quite correct

　　2．Newspapermen didn't believe what farmers and travelers said because_______

　　　　A. they didn't see "Flyer No. Three" flying

　　　　B. they saw the Wrights failed to fly "Flyer No. Two"

　　　　C. they had never seen a machine that can fly

　　　　D. all the above

　　3．The U. S. government could not understand that __________

　　　　A. the Wrights had already built a machine that could fly

　　　　B. experts still thought flight was impossible

　　　　C. the Wrights wanted more money to build an airplane

　　　　D. "Flyer No. Three" was then in a woken case

　　4．The Wrights took their plane to pieces because ________.

　　　　A. they planned to leave for Europe

　　　　B. nobody was interested

　　　　C. the government didn't give them any money

　　　　D. the newspapermen didn't report their flights

Among the four skills in learning English ,which of these is the “Odd-Man-Out”?The answer is speaking. The other three you can do alone on your own. But you can't really speak alone! Speaking to yourself can be “dangerous” because men in white coats may come and take you away!

Where can you find people to speak English? And how can you practise speaking when you are alone?

At school if you pay to go to a language school ,you should use the chance to speak .If your teacher asks you to speak in pairs or groups with other students ,try to say as much as possible. Don't worry about your mistakes. Just speak!

Conversation Clubs　Many cities around the world have conversation clubs where people can exchange one language for another .Look in your local newspaper to find a conversation club near you .They are usually free although some may charge a small entrance fee.

Shopping　Even if you don't want to buy anything ,you can ask questions about products that interest you in a shop.“How much does this cost?” “Can I pay by cheque?” Often you can start a real conversation—and it costs you nothing!

Cafe and Bars　There are often American, Britain, Irish and Australian bars in many large cities .If you can find one, you'll probably meet many people speaking English as a first or second language.

Language is all around you　Everywhere you go, you find language .Shop names, street names ,advertisements ,notices ,and car numbers....When you walk down the street ,practise reading the words and numbers that you see .Say them to yourself .It's not exactly a conversation ,but it will help you to “think” in English .But don't speak too loud!

Songs and Video　Repeat the words of an English-language song singing with the music until it becomes automatic. It's good practice for your memory and for the mouth muscles that you need for English.

Above all ,speak as much as possible! Make as many mistakes as possible! When you know that you have made a mistake, you know that you have made progress!

1.What does “Odd-Man-Out” probably mean according to the passage?

A.Someone or something appearing different from others.

B.Someone or something standing out of the group.

C.Someone or something arranged in pairs.

D.Someone or something easily mistaken for another.

2.What might happen if you speak to yourself loudly in public?

A.The police will take you away and punish you.

B.The doctors will force you to stay in hospital.

C.You will have to pay to escape being punished.

D.You will be forbidden to be member of the club.

3.Why does the writer say “Make as many mistakes as possible”?Because _______.

A.everyone will make mistakes in learning English

B.everyone will meet people speaking English with some mistakes

C.making mistakes is a must in making progress in learning English

D.making mistakes can make one realize the importance of speaking

4.According to the passage,which way is not likely to be accepted by English beginners?

A.Recite poems loudly along the riverside.

B.Listen to some English pop songs and video.

C.Find an Englishman to speak English with.

D.Take to the TV showing programmes at home.

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