One morning, Wu Liang discovered that her classroom had changed. She found that the desks were no longer in rows, but pushed together to make eight bigger desks. She was too excited about it for the first two days and she couldn’t listen to the teachers carefully. But soon she and her classmates got used to this new classroom arrangement (安排). ‘Now our class is quieter,’ said Wu Liang. ‘What’s more, we can come up with our own ideas and learn more through discussion. It’s a better way to study.’
Li Yu liked it, too. He said, ‘Group members first discuss, and then show ourselves in front of the whole class. It makes us believe in ourselves.’ It was part of a reform (改革) at Li’s school. The school made this reform because they wanted to provide students with easier ways to study and more chances to discuss. ‘Our school hopes it can improve students’ abilities (能力) to study by themselves and work in groups,’ said Zhang Ming, an English teacher.
However, the reform has demanded (要求) more from teachers. Now they have only 15 minutes to give the lesson which should be taught in 45 minutes before. It is difficult to teach in such a short time. The teachers have to find better ways to teach more effectively.
‘The reform demands more, but I’m sure it is helpful,’ added Zhang Ming.
【小题1】After the new classroom arrangement, it was easier for Wu Liang and her classmates to _____________ in class.

One morning, Wu Liang discovered that her classroom had c__1.__. She found that desks were no longer in rows , but were p___2.__ together to make eight bigger desks . She was too excited about it for the first two days and she couldn’t listen to the teachers carefully. But soon she and her classmates got u___3._ to this new classroom arrangement . “Now our class is quieter.” said Wu .”What’s more , we can come up with our o_4._ ideas and learn more through discussions. It’s a better way to study .”

Li Yu liked it, too. He said ,”Group members first discuss , and then show the r_5.___ of our discussions in front of the whole class. It makes us believe in ourselves.” It was part of a reform(改革) at Li’s school . The school made this reform because they wanted to p___6.__students with easier ways to study and more c__7._) to discuss. “Our school hopes it can i__8.__ students’ abilities to study by themselves and work in groups .” said Zhang Ming , an English teacher .

However, the reform has demanded(要求) more for teachers . Now they have only 15 minutes to give the lesson which should be taught in 40 minutes before . It is difficult to teach well in s__9._ a short time . The teachers have to find b___10.__ ways to teach more effectively.

“The reform demands more, but I’m sure it is helpful.” Added Zhang Ming .

In the United States, it is important to be on time, for a date, a class, a meeting, etc. However, this is not true in all countries. Mr. Moster, an American professor, arrived at the classroom on time on the first day in Brazil, but no one was in the classroom. Many students came after 10 am. Several arrived after 10:30 am. Although all the students greeted the professor as they arrived, few students felt sorry for their lateness.

The professor talked to the Brazilian students about lateness and found something surprising. If the Brazilian students had a lunch date with a friend, most of them felt the friends were late for about half an hour.

In an American university, classes not only begin on time, but always end on time. On the other hand, in Brazil, neither the teachers nor the students arrive at the starting time. Arriving late may not be very important in Brazil.

As a result of his study, the professor learned that the Brazilian students were not being impolite. So he was able to understand and felt comfortable in the new culture.

根据短文内容,判断正(T)误(F)

1.  It is important to be on time in America.

2.  Many Brazilian students felt sorry for their lateness.

3.  In Brazil, teachers are usually on time while students are usually late.

4.  The professor felt uncomfortable about students’ lateness after his study.

The article tells us different countries have different cultures.

One morning, Wu Liang discovered (发现) that her classroom changed. She found that the desks were no longer in rows, but pushed together to make eight bigger desks. She was too excited about it for the first two days and she couldn’t listen to the teachers carefully. But soon she and her classmates got used to this new classroom arrangement (安排). “Now our class is quieter,” said Wu. “What’s more, we can come up with our own ideas and learn more through discussion. It’s a better way to study.”

Li Yu liked it, too. He said, “Group members first discuss, and then show ourselves in front of the whole class. It makes us believe in ourselves.” It was part of a reform (改革) at Li’s school. The school made this reform because they wanted to provide (提供) students with easier ways to study and more chances to discuss. “Our school hopes it can improve students’ abilities(能力) to study by themselves and work in groups,” said Zhang Ming, an English teacher.

However, the reform has demanded (要求) more from teachers. Now they have only 15 minutes to give the lesson which should be taught in 45 minutes before. It is difficult to teach in such a short time. The teachers have to find better ways to teach more effectively.

“The reform demands more, but I’m sure it is helpful,” added Zhang Ming.

1.After the new classroom arrangement , it was easier for Wu Liang and her classmates to ________ in class.

2.The school made the reform in order to provide students with ___________ to study.

3.The Chinese meaning of the word “effectively” in this passage is ___________.

4.The best title of this passage may be “____________”.

Cyber Café (网吧) or computer centers are found in many cities around world.Now，a few American high schools are opening these centers.For example，a high school in the state of Maryland began operating a Cyber Café last March.All students at Bethesde­Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda can use the Cyber Café.But school officials say it’s set especially to help students who have no computer or cannot use the Internet at home.

The officials say thirteen percent of the students at the school are from poor families.Many students have arrived in the United States from other countries recently.Students in the school’s program for learning English speak twenty­three languages.

The idea for a Cyber Café at Bethesda­Chevy Chase High School began three years ago.At that time officials were planning to restore the school building.Parents interested in technology proposed (建议) to build a Cyber Café.

Over two years，money for a Cyber Café and other new computers was collected.It received more than one hundred seventy thousand dollars.The Café now has sixteen computers，a printer and a scanner (扫描仪)．School official Ann Hengerer says students use the Internet to complete research.They also write homework and required papers on the computer.In addition，they can send and receive electronic mails.That is especially helpful for many students who have family members in other nations.

The Cyber Café also serves a social purpose.Visitors can stop by for a drink of coffee，tea or hot chocolate.

5．According to the passage，who do you think can use the Cyber Café at Bethesda­Chevy Chose High School?

A．Only the students from foreign countries.

B．Only the students who have no computer at home.

C．All the teachers at school.                      D．All the students at school.

6．What does the underlined word “purpose” in the last paragraph probably mean?

A．Function.                                           B．Committee.

C．Attitude.                                             D．Organization.

7．Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A．Students can write homework on line in the Cyber Café.

B．Students can send and receive electronic mails in the Cyber Café.

C．Students can play some computer games in the Cyber Café.

D．The Cyber Cafe also provides some drinks for students.

8．What column may the passage be taken from in the newspaper?

A．Travel.                                               B．Business.

C．Education.                                          D．Entertainment.

9．What is the best title for the passage?

A．Cyber Café at High Schools                   B．How to Use Computers

C．How to Surf the Internet                       D．Cyber Café in America