How quickly can you count from one to ten? Do you use ten different words to do it? Can you do it in English, or do you have to use your first languages? Do you count on your fingers? Many people think tikat numbers and math are the same all over the world* But scientists have discovered that it is not true.

People in different parts of the world use different ways to count on their fingers. In theUnited States, people begin counting with their first fingers, which they extend or stick out.They then extend the rest of their fingers and finally the thumb(拇指) to count to five. Then they repeat this with the other hand to get to ten. In China, people count by using different finger positions. In this way, a Chinese person can easily count to ten on only one hand.

Besides ways of finger counting, scientists have found that cultures and languages are also different when it comes to numbers. Some languages have only a few words for numbers, and others have no words for numbers. A group of scientists studied aboriginal(土著的) people in Australia. These people don't have hand movements to stand for numbers. They don't even have words for numbers. However, they are still able to understand different ideas about numbers.

In a similar study, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology discovered that people of the Piranha tribe(部落) in northwestern Brazil don't have words for numbers such as "one" or 6'three". They are not able to say 66five trees" or "ten trees" but can say "some trees," "more trees," or 66many trees." Professor Edward Gibson said that most people believe that everyone knows how to count, t6but here is a group tbat does not count. They could learn, but it isn't not useful in their culture, so they've never picked it up."

Although ali[ humans are able to understand quantities(数量：) ,not alllanguages have numbers and not all people use counting. Number words in a certain language are a result of people needing numbers in their daily lives. Now we know that people have different ideas about numbers and math, too.

1.The writer begins with the four questions in order to .

A. make a survey B. interest readers

C. tell a story D. solve math problems

2.What do we learn from the difference in finger counting between the U.S. and China?

A .People from China count much faster than people from the U.S..

B. People from China need two hands to count from one to ten.

C. People of different cultures may use different ways of finger counting.

D. People of different cultures use the same way of finger counting.

3.Which of following is TRUE about aboriginal Australians?

A. They have only a few words for numbers.

B. They have hand movements to stand for numbers.

C. They can only count to five on their fingers.

D. They can understand different ideas about numbers.

4.The study of the Piranha tribe shows that .

A. people all over the world know how to count

B. people of the tribe have words for number

C. some groups of people are not smart enough to count

D. counting is not usefulin the culture of the tribe

5.What is the main idea of the passage?

A. People from different cultures have different ideas about numbers and math.

B. Chinese people can count more easily on their fingers than Americans.

C In some aboriginal culture, people don't even know how to count.

D. Some languages don't bave number words because people don't need numbers.

从方框中选择适当的单词填空。

We know China is a big country with a long history and very wonderful culture. Many people are learning 1.____about Chinese history and culture.

Some foreign girls are learning how to make Chinese knots(中国结).One of the girls says, "Hi, nice to meet you. We are not Chinese, 2.____we are interested in Chinese history and culture. So we come to China. Chinese are very3. ，Today we have known4.____ _to make Chinese knots. It is interesting. We are your5.___ _. And we can be good friends."

改写句子。按括号中的要求完成句子，每个空格填一个单词。

(5分、

1.1 am going to study computer science .(改为否定句)

I _ going to study computer science.

2.I usually get dressed at six o’clock（就句子画线部分提问）

do you usually get dressed?

3.“How can we become good learners" the students asked the teacher.（改写句子，句意不变）

The students asked the teacher____they____ become good learners.

4. Huamulan dressed up like a boy and fought in the army instead of his father.（改写句子，句意不变）

Huamulan dressed up like a boy and ．her father's____to fight in the army.

5. Putin gave Xidada a hot weleome when he visited Russia in 2014.(改写句子，句意不变)

Xidada_ __ _ a hot welcome when he visited Russia in 2014.

Are you always busy with your studies and forget to read a story?

April 2 is the perfect time for you to enjoy your favorite book It is International Children's Book Day. The day is also the same date as Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen's birthday. He was the author of many famous children's stories like The LzYtle Mermaid and The Ugly Ducking. Here, we have chose some of the best books for you from the Washington Post and Time magazine. Are you ready to pick up a book and get reading?

Kids Who Are Changing the World by Anne Jankeliowitch, France

Can only scientists and great people change the world? Of course not. As a young adult,you can also make a difference. Kids Who Are Changing the World finds 45 0f these kids and young adults. For example, Felix Finkbeiner is a 15-year-old boy from Germany. At the age of 9, he started a website to tell kids that planting trees can reduce greenhouse gases. Other kids in the book have recycled computers and raised money for clean drinking water. They share their success and what role their parents played in their stoW A few also tell us their biggest mistakes and how they learned from them. Who may inspire you most?

All Creatures and Small by James Herriot, UK

For people living in big cities, a busy lifestyle can easily make them forget small beautiesb and touching moments. But James Herriot wants us to remember them and fully enjoy them.In the book he tells us his experience as a vet in the English countryside. Some of bis experiences are fun, such as when he welcomed the birth of little lambs. Some are heartbreaking, such as when he saw the death of a very ill dog that was the only friend of an old man, although he tried his best to save it Herriot shows us the wonderful relationship between man and animal with bis loving eyes.

Writer to Writer: From Think to Ink by Gail Carson Levine, US

Do you love writing? Have you ever wanted to catch readers with great opening, or make vour characters leap off(跃然纸上) the page? If you answered yes to any of these questions,then Writer to Writer: Form Think to Ink can help you achieve your goals, The book tells readers to look deeper at life around you, from watching what people do on a subway train to feel what happens when people have different emotions(情感). For example, fear is a heart heating faster, an open mouth and wide eyes. At the end of many chapters（章节）,there are exercises in which you can test yourself. You will find that writing is difficult but that it should also be enjoyable.

1.根据短文内容回答问题。

When is Hans Cbristian Andersen's birthday?

2.根据短文内容回答问题。

What did Felix Finkbeiner do when he was 99

3.根据短文内容回答问题。

What does the underline word 6Cvet" mean in English?

4.把短文中画底线的句子译成汉语。

5.根据短文内容用一个完整的英文句子（限15个词以内）回答问题。

What is the purpose of the passage?

书面表达（10分）根据所给图画，用英语写一篇80词左右的短文。要求完整叙述图画内容。提示词：regret v．感到后悔，感到抱歉

---Lily, could you please pass me the ______? I want to cut the apple. --- Sure, here you are.

A.pen B. spoon C. fork D. knife

Father’s birthday is coming. What should we get ______?

A. he B. him C. his D. her

Swimming can be ______ exciting sport for kids in summer.

A./ B. a C. an D. the

Mom added some salt into the soup, ______ it still wasn't salty enough.

A.so B. and C. but D. or

---I’m too nervous to give a speech before so many people. ---_______, Maria. You can do it.

A.That’s true B. With pleasure

C. Come on D. You’re right