This is the VOA Special English Education Report. A few weeks ago, we talked about the Test of English
as a Foreign Language, or TOEFL. A listener in Cambodia named Thida asks if American colleges and
universities also accept the IELTS exam. IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It was
developed by the University of Cambridge ESOL examiners. Cambridge ESOL says the test measures true-to-
life ability to communicate in English for education, immigration or employment. The IELTS tests listening,
reading, writing and speaking skills. It uses a mixture of accents and spellings, including British English and
American English.
     The test is used by government agencies, schools and professional organizations in one hundred and twenty
countries. And, yes, that includes the United States. The many American schools that accepted the IELTS can
be found on the Web at felts.org.
     Some schools accept both the TOEFL and the IELTS, but the graduate school at Duke University in
Durham, North Carolina, for example, says it prefers the IEITS.
     The listening and speaking parts are the same for everyone who takes the IELTS, but people have a choice
of reading and writing tests-either academic or general training.
     The listening test takes thirty minutes. There are forty questions based on a recording. The reading test
takes sixty minutes. Students answer forty questions based on three written passages.
     The writing test also takes sixty minutes. Students have to write two essays. One essay has to be at least
one hundred and fifty words long and the other at least two hundred and fifty words. The shorter one is
description of something; the longer one has to support and argument.
     The speaking test takes less than fifteen minutes. The score is based on a recorded talk between the student
and a test examiner.
     And that's the VOA Special English Education Report, written by Nancy Steinbach. If you have a general
question for our series, write to special@voanews.com. I'm Barbara Klein.

1. What does TOEFL stand for?

A. The Voice of America
B. The International English Language Testing System
C. The Test of English as a Foreign Language
D. The Test of English as a Native Language

2. The International English Language Testing System commonly takes _____ in all.

A. less than 160 minutes
B. more than 165 minutes
C. no more than 160 minutes
D. less than 166 minutes

3. According to the passage, we can infer _____.

A. IELTS is efficient and necessary if you want to go to English-speaking countries
B. IELTS is completely different from TOEFL
C. every American needs to accept TOEFL
D. IEITS isn't used more widely than TOEFL

4. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. How can the readers write papers to the VOA programme?
B. It talks about some ways to pass TOEFL.
C. It introduces IELTS.
D. How can the readers pass two kinds of tests?

     Vint Cerf, who helped to build the Internet while working as a researcher in America, said that television
was approaching its "iPod moment"
      In the same way that people now download their favourite music onto their iPod, he said that viewers
would soon be downloading most of favourite programmes onto their computers."85 percent of all video we
watch is pre-recorded, so you can set your system to download it all the time," said Mr. Cerf, who is now the
vice-president of the Google, the world's largest search engine.
      "You are still going to need live television for certain things-like news, sporting events and emergencies-but
increasingly it is going to be almost like the iPod, where you download content to look at later." But some
critics, including some internet service providers, have warned that the Internet will collapse under the strain of millions of people downloading programmes at the same time.
     Broadband companies claim that the service will cause "traffic jams", which will cost millions of pounds to
sort out.
     But Mr. Cerf dismissed the warnings as "scare tactics", saying that critics had predicted 20 years ago that
the net would collapse when people all around the world started to use it.
     "In the intervening 30ears it's increased a million times… We're far from exhausting the capacity," he said.
"It's an understandable worry when they see huge amounts of information being moved around online."
     "I want more Internet," he said. "I want every one of the six billion people on the planet to be able to connect to the Internet."

1. What can we learn from the passage about TV in future?

A. The TV will be booming.
B. The traditional television is to die.
C. We are still going to need live television.
D. The Internet will collapse.

2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in this passage?

A. Mr. Cerf wants everyone on the earth to download their favourite music onto their iPod.
B. If people download the programmes the Internet will collapse.
C. Not all Internet service providers are in for TV's dying.
D. Half of all video we watch is pre-recorded.

3. We know that Mr. Cerf is ____.

A. an engineer
B. a scientist
C. a critic
D. vice-president of the world's largest search engine　

     You don't need millions to be happy. In fact, at The Happiness Institute in Australia, a couple of hundred
dollars may be enough.
     The institute opened its doors last year, and, since then, men and women of all ages have been paying A
$ 200 an hour (US $140) for lessons on how to feel great. 
     " You can actually increase your happiness levels. That's what we teach," said Timothy Sharp, founder
of the institute.
     Experts say that only about 15 percent of happiness comes from income, assets and other financial factors. As much as 85 percent comes from things such as attitude, life control and relationships.
     Most of us are significantly better off financially than our parents and grandparents, but happiness levels
haven't changed to reflect that.
     Studies show that once the basic needs of shelter and food are met, additional wealth adds very little to
happiness. Many decades ago, the "sage of Baltimore, Maryland", editor HL Mencken, defined wealth as
earning US $100 more than your “wife's sister's husband.”
     Behavioral economists now say part of the reason we are richer but not happier is because we compare
ourselves to people better off materially. 
     "The argument is that if you want to be happy there's a very simple thing you can do: Compare yourself
to people who are less well off than you- poorer, smaller house, car," said Sharp.
     The Happiness Institute aims to show you how to overcome these unhappiness factors by focusing on
" more than just your bank account."
     "If I compare myself to Bill Gates then I'm always going to be down," said Sharp.
     A better thing to compare with, he said, might be Kerry Packer, Australia's richest person who has had
a kidney transplant and heart surgery in recent years.

1. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A. You can learn to increase your happiness levels by attending the classes at The Happiness Institute.
B. Most of us are happier than our parents or grandparents since we earn more.
C. Earning US $100 more than your wife's sister's husband if you want to be happy.
D. Both Bill Gates and Kerry Packer are examples of those who are extremely rich but obviously unhappy.

2. If you have 500 Australian dollars, you can get about _____ U. S. dollars from a bank.

A. 550
B. 450
C. 350
D. 250

3. The underlined phrase in the 9th paragraph has the same meaning as the word ______.

A. healthy
B. unhealthy
C. free
D. wealthy

4. The author wrote the passage to tell us ______.

A. happiness is everything
B. wealth is the foundation of happiness
C. have fun at the Happiness Institute
D. money doesn't always mean happiness

     Are you a media addict who would go mad after two hours without TV, friend requests, exciting
 online games and your mobile – or would you easily survive?
     Recently, university students around the world were asked to volunteer in a global experiment called 
Unplugged. It was designed to see how young people would react if they were asked to observe a total 
media ban by unplugging all forms of media devices for 24 hours.
     Unplugged is being run by Dr Roman Gerodimos, a lecturer in Communication and Journalism at
 Bournemouth University. The experiment is now over but he doesn't yet know the full findings. 
However, during the experiment, Dr Gerodimos said there were already signs of how much the exercise
 affected volunteers. He said: "They're reporting withdrawal symptoms (症状), overeating, feeling 
nervous, isolated and disconnected." During their 24-hour painful experience, three of the experiment's 
guinea pigs had to endure one intrusion (侵扰) from the media: a BBC reporter plus cameraman who
 followed them around for the day. They were asked to write down 100 lines about their day offline, but
 of course, they all waited until the next day when they had access to their laptops. Elliot Day wrote: 
"Today, my whole morning routine was thrown up into the air. Despite being aware of the social
 importance of the media, I was surprised by how empty my life felt without the radio or newspapers.
" From Caroline Scott, we read: "I didn't expect it, but being prevented from the media for 24 hours
 resulted in my day-to-day activities becoming so much harder to carry out than usual… I didn't break 
out in a cold sweat like our lecturer expected us all to, but it's not something I would like to do again!
" And Charlotte Gay wrote: "I have to say the most difficult item for me to be without has been my 
mobile; not only is it a social tool, it's my main access point of communication." 
     Earlier in the year, a UK government study found that in the UK we spend about half our waking 
hours using the media, often plugged into several things at once. And a recent study by Nielson found 
that on average, US teenagers send and receive over 3,000 texts per month-that's about six texts per 
waking hour. So, with technology continuing to develop at an alarming rate, how much time will you set
 aside for sleep in the future?

1. What's the purpose of the first paragraph?    

A. To ask for information.    
B. To entertain the readers.    
C. To lead to the topic.          
D. To present an idea.

2. About Dr. Roman Gerodimos' experiment, we know that ________.   

A. volunteers felt uncomfortable in it
B. volunteers didn't want to eat anything    
C. the experiment was still going on
D. volunteers were allowed to take their laptops 

3. The underlined expression "was thrown up into the air" most probably means ________.    

A. went on normally           
B. was completely disturbed    
C. turned out perfect          
D. was badly designed

4. Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage?   

A. Surviving without the Media     
B. Unplugging Your Life    
C. Valuing Social Communication    
D. Setting Aside Time for Sleep

     A teacher of English as a second language is the 2004 Teacher of the Year in the United States .
Kathy Mellor of Rhode Island will spend the next year as an international spokeswoman for education.
President Bush and his wife, Laura ,honored her during a ceremony(仪式)at the White House last
week.
    For the past nineteen years ,Kathy Mellor has taught English as a second language at Davisville
Middle School in North Kingstown, Rhode Island ,in the northeastern United States .She redesigned
the program for E.S.L students at her school to provide each student with one to three periods per day
in classes for English learners .How much instruction the students get depends on their level of skill in
listening ,speaking ,reading and writing. The amount of time they spend in these classes in reduced as
their level of English increases.
    A teacher describes this as the most successful E.S.L. program in North Kingstown. She also praises
Kathy Mellor for providing help to students and their families by forming a local parents group for
speakers of other languages .This improved their ability to help their children.
    Kathy Mellor earned a master's degree in education from Rhode Island College. She studied teaching
English as a second language.
   She was chosen for the national honor of Teacher of the Year from among top teachers in each of the
fifty states .As Teacher of the Year ,Kathy Mellor will travel around the United States and to other
countries .She will talk about the importance of education and the work of teachers.

1. This passage is mainly about________.

A. Teacher of the Year 2004 in the United States    
B. Ms Mellor's English teaching instruction
C. Ms Mellor's teaching skills of learning English  
D. praises to Ms Mellor from other teachers

2. What does "E.S.L." in the passage stand for?   

A. English study learners.            
B. English speaking and listening.
C. English special learners.            
D. English as a second language.

3. From this passage we can learn that ________. 

A. middle school teachers from each state are honored Teachers of the Year
B. middle school teachers in the USA have to get master's degrees
C. Ms Mellor's students have no problems in learning English
D. the American government pays much attention to education

      Every child should have a solid science education whether they want to be the next Albert Einstein
or Michael Jordan.Science is all around us. it is everywhere. reaching everything that we do.The  "we" 
 in that last statement includes children.Children that understand how science plays a role in our everyday
lives have a wonderful foundation (基础) for success in life.
     Children can learn science at any age really.The earlier they start the better.The best way for kids to
learn is through play and repetition.There are wonderful science toys for preschool science activities.With
play being the best way kids learn. it only makes sense then to introduce toys to them that encourage
understanding science.Children love to use their imagination to have fun and to help them understand the
world around them.So play is a wonderful time to be introducing science to them.Think of the games that we used to play:Don't Spill the Beans. Don't Break the Ice. the Telephone Game. Lincoln Logs. each of
these games has science behind it.
     Children are by nature curious (好奇的) as they feel out the world. trying to make sense of what is
around them.Science feeds that curiosity that they have.It is a hunger that needs to be encouraged and
satisfied.Finding these toys is not as hard as one would think.To make sure that you get good quality toys. visit science toy shops online.These are the best places to find unique (独特的) science toys such as 3D
space projectors. or Hydro Greenhouses.
      Help your children appreciate the world around them by understanding the world around them.This
way. they understand how we are all connected together.Children will not only question the world. but
be able to come up with answers to those questions on their own.Science is life.

1. Children should have a good science education because________.

A. they want to be famous scientists in the world
B. it can help them to make a large amount of money
C. it plays a decisive role in their daily lives
D. it is hepful to their success in the future.

2. According to the passage. which of the following is TRUE?

A. Science is hardly connected with our daily lives.
B. Children learn science best through playing.
C. Children learn science using their hands.
D. Parents should encourage their children to study hard.

3. Don't Spill the Beans. Don't Break the Ice. the Telephone Game and Lincoln Logs are
    the games________.

A. that are the most widely played
B. that can introduce science to children
C. that most students like to play at school
D. that keep children strong and healthy

4. The third paragraph is mainly to tell us that________.

A. children are born curious about the world
B. it is necessary to feed children in time
C. science toys can satisfy children's curiosity
D. most of the toys online are very cheap

5. The text is most probably written for________.

A. parents  
B. scientists  
C. children          
D. teachers

    Although parents' first reaction is usually to deny (否认) favoring one child over another, most
parents end up admitting that they do it, according to Dr Kenneth Hardy."All parents have favorites, "
he believes.
Hardy said children were often aware of it, too.The kids didn't hesitate to nod when asked whether
their mother favored one."If you ask two children from the same family which one is the favorite and
both point to themselves, there's no problem, " he says."If both kids point one way, you know you
have a problem."
     "It seems that she doesn't love me, " Jamie started to say when he was asked if his mother loved
him, and then corrected himself, "She does love me, but she seems to like Chris more." Their mother
said she loved both boys, but sometimes found that Jamie's complaining could make her dislike him."I
don't think with   Chris I ever have that same feeling."She also said she found Chris more lovely.
     Like the other mothers, Dianne Ely said she felt guilty when she realized how much she was favoring
one of her children.She thought it was just not right to treat her children differently.
     Like Jamie, Morgan Johnson is aware that__________in her family."They don't like me that much, "
Morgan said."It doesn't make me feel angry, but it makes me feel sad, "she added.
     But_Hardy_said_parents_should_keep_in_mind_that_each_of_their_children_had_good_and_bad
_qualities.The most important thing, Hardy said, was for parents to admit the favoritism."It's not a horrible
thing for a parent to look at herself in the mirror and say, 'You know what, I do like one more than the
other.'I think that's a good sign, and a good healthy first start."
1. What is the best title for this passage?(Please answer within 8 words.)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. Which sentence in the passage can be replaced by the following one?
When we asked the children if their mother favored one over another, they immediately nodded.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. Please fill in the blank in Paragraph 5 with proper words.(Please answer within 6 words.)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. What do you think of parents favoring one child over another?(Please answer within 30 words.)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. Translate the underlined sentence in the last paragraph into Chinese.
________________________________________________________________________

[1]The best way to make your senior year fun is to make sure everything you need to get taken care of
is done during your junior year of high school.There are so many things that need to be done, not only to
make sure you have enough credits (学分) to graduate from high school, but to make sure that you have
what you need all ready to go to college.
[2]Take all your AP (大学预修课程) classes before your senior year, or if you can, make sure you have as many as possible.On the other hand, make sure that you know what is going on with your________________.Students'college searches play a very important part in college study.
[3]Work out where you are going to school, so you can decide if you need a car, or can get a job in the
area, or have to work in the college.This_will_help_you_think_about_how_much_money_you_will_need_
to_save_to_get_you_through_your_first_semester_at_school.
[4]Make sure you know when you can apply (申请) to colleges, and which ones you can apply to now.
You can apply to some schools whenever you feel like, but it is usually easier to apply as early as possible, since they only take a certain number of students per year.
[5]So simply, make sure you have all your bases covered.Also make sure that you are set for college, so
that all you have to do is make sure that you have a great senior year of high school!
1. What's the passage mainly about?(Please answer within 15 words.)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. Which sentence in the passage is the closest in meaning to the following one?
You must know the proper time when you can apply to colleges and the schools which you can apply to
at present.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. Fill in the blank in Paragraph 2 with proper words.(Please answer within 5 words.)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. What is the best way to make your senior year more enjoyable?(Please answer within 20 words.)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. Please translate the underlined part in Paragraph 3 into Chinese.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________