In Shakespeare’s HAMLET, Polonius asks the prince, “What are you reading, my Lord?” Hamlet replies, “Words, words, words.” Either, as is likely, Hamlet wasn’t interested in what he was reading, or, less likely, he didn’t understand the words he was reading. In this case, Polonius should have lent Hamlet a good dictionary.
Dictionaries are essential tools for people who like to read. There are so many words in English that even the most educated person will sometimes meet an unfamiliar word and have to look it up. Languages keep changing, too, with new words constantly being added and new meanings being applied to old words. For example, the 12th edition of Xinhua Dictionary, the most popular dictionary in China, has added new words such as “chu xin” “fen si” “er wei ma” etc. As for new meanings, “girl” once meant “a small child of either sex”. And “naughty” didn’t mean you were “enjoying playing tricks”; it meant you were poor.
A printed dictionary can’t keep pace with all the changes, which is why most dictionaries have websites and apps to help you keep up-to-date. However, I still prefer printed dictionaries because they give you more definitions and more examples of how a word is used. Even a simple word, such as “set”, has 430 meanings (the most of English words) but an online dictionary would only offer two or three. A printed dictionary also gives you the opportunity to discover new words as you run your finger down the page looking for the word you want.
There is no “official” English dictionary, but the Oxford English Dictionary is considered to be the best. For English language learners, however, I would recommend the Collins COBUILD Dictionary for Advanced Learners. Hamlet, by the way, was Danish and a college student. He would have appreciated the Collins Dictionary to help himself with his words, words, words. This dictionary has over 40,000 words and gives you full-sentence definitions with good examples of how words are used.
1. What’s the function of paragraph 1?| A．To introduce the topic. |
| B．To let the readers know more about HAMLET. |
| C．To arouse readers’ interest in Shakespeare. |
| D．To explain when it’s necessary to use a dictionary. |
| A．To show how powerful Xinhua Dictionary is. |
| B．To support the idea: languages keep changing. |
| C．To prove new words are being added to dictionaries. |
| D．To imply “girl” also means “boy” in some cases. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Ambiguous. | C．Negative. | D．Critical. |
| A．To introduce the history of dictionaries. |
| B．To call on learners to use dictionaries. |
| C．To recommend Collins Dictionary. |
| D．To explain why Hamlet likes Collins. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Ways to Improve Vocabulary in Just One Day
The average American has a vocabulary in the thousands . Try these tricks to make sure yours builds up.
Watch movies
"If you see the movie version of your favourite book you're likely to have a deeper understanding and knowledge of the words in it," says Neuman, professor of Childhood and Literacy Education at New York University . "Seeing and reading something on the same topic is really important.”
Read magazines
If you want to improve vocabulary, don't just flip through your favourite magazine, really read it.
Listen to how words sound
Many people won't remember tricky words unless they come across them frequently. But if you hear a word that you think sounds interesting, you become word conscious(有意识的) and start using it yourself, says Neuman.
Join a book club
"Book clubs are a wonderful strategy to learn new words,” says Neuman. Not only will it force you to set aside time in your day to read, but it's also a good way to discover books you might not normally be drawn to.
Listen to the radio
Those types of programs can expose you to topics you may not be familiar with. Don't miss these middle school vocabulary words adults still don't know.
Pay attention to your surroundings
Next time walk down a busy street or take a walk in the park, try to describe what you're seeing as much as possible inside your head.
Read, read, read
Even if you don't stop to look up every single foreign word, chances are you can improve vocabulary simply by figuring out(想出) their meaning based on the context.
1. How many tricks mentioned above are through hearing?| A．1. | B．2. | C．3 | D．4. |
| A．By listening to the radio. | B．By joining a book club. |
| C．By walking around. | D．By watching movies. |
| A．Textbook. | B．Science report. | C．Website. | D．Novel. |
【推荐2】Riding School:
You can start horse-riding at any age. Choose private or group lessons any weekday between 9 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. on Saturdays). There are 10 kilometres of tracks and paths for leisurely rides across farmland and open country. You will need a riding hat. Opening Hours: Monday through Friday:9:00 a.m. ~ 8:30p.m.
Phone: (412) 396-6754 Fax: (412) 396-6752
Sailing Club:
Our Young Sailor’s Course leads to the Stage Sailing qualification. You’ll learn how to sail safely and the course also covers sailing theory and first aid. Have fun with other course members afterwards in the clubroom. There are 10 weekly two-hour lessons (Tuesdays 6p.m.~ 8p.m.) Opening Hours: Tuesdays: 6:00p.m.~ 8:00p.m
Phone:( 412)396-6644 Fax: (412) 396-6644
Diving Centre:
Our experienced instructors offer one-month courses in deep-sea diving for beginners. There are two evening lessons a week, in which you learn to breathe underwater and use the equipment safely. You only need a swimming costume and towel. Reduced rates for couples. Opening Hours: Monday and Friday: 6:30p.m.~ 8:30p.m
Phone: (412)396-6312 Fax: (412) 396-6706
Medical Center:
The staff of the Medical Center aim to provide convenient and comprehensive medical care to students and staff of the university. The center is well equipped and the staff here are trained to deal with a broad range of medical problems. Both female and male doctors as well as nursing staff are available for consultation. Also, all kinds of medicines are sold here and are cheaper for students than other drugstores.
Opening Hours: 24 hours from Monday to Sunday
Phone: ( 412)396-6649 Fax: (412) 396-6648
Watersports club:
We use a two-kilometre length of river for speedboat racing, and water-skiing. A beginners’ course consists of ten 20-minute lessons. You will learn to handle boats safely and confidently but must be able to swim. The club is in a convenient central position and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with lessons all through the day.
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday: 9:00a.m.~ 4:00p.m
Phone: (412)396-6899 Fax: (412) 396-6890
1. If you want to swim and enjoy activities which are fast and a bit dangerous, you should join _______ .| A．Sailing Club | B．Riding School |
| C．Watersports Club | D．Diving Centre |
| A．(412) 396-6752 | B．(412) 396-6706 |
| C．(412 ) 396-6648 | D．(412) 396- 6876 |
| A．24 hours from Monday to Sunday |
| B．Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m.~ 10:00 p.m. |
| C．Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m.~ 8:00 p.m. |
| D．Monday and Friday: 6:30 p.m. ~ 8:30 p.m. |
| A．Sailing Club | B．Diving Centre |
| C．Watersports Club | D．Riding School |
【推荐3】Phonetic (语音的) information-the smallest sound elements of speech, typically represented by the alphabet-is considered by many linguists (语言学家) to be the foundation of language. Infants are thought to learn these small sound elements and add them together to make words. But a new study suggests that phonetic information is learnt too late and slowly for this to be the case. Instead, rhythmic information helps babies learn language by emphasizing the boundaries of individual words and is effective even in the first few months of life
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Trinity College Dublin investigated babies' ability to process phonetic information during their first year. The study found that phonetic information wasn't successfully encoded until babies were seven months old, and was still rare for babies at 11 months old when they began to say their first words. A sister study has shown that rhythmic information was processed by babies at two months old -and individual differences predicted later language outcomes.
Professor Giovanni Di Liberto said, “This is the first evidence we have of how brain activity relates to phonetic information changes over time in response to continuous speech.” Previously, studies have relied on comparing the responses to nonsense syllables, like "bif" and “bof” instead.
“We believe that rhythmic information is the hidden glue underpinning the development of a well-functioning language system,” said Cambridge “Infants can use rhythmic information like a scaffold or skeleton to add phonetic information on to. For example, they might learn that the rhythm pattern of English words is typically strong-weak, as in 'daddy' or 'mummy', with the stress on the first syllable. They can use this rhythm pattern to guess where one word ends and another begins when listening to natural speech.”
Goswami says that there is a long history in trying to explain dyslexia (阅读理解) and developmental language disorder in terms of phonetic problems, but the evidence doesn't add up. She believes that individual differences in children's language originate with rhythm.
1. What is the key to babies language learning according to the new study?| A．Nonsense syllables. | B．Phonetic information. |
| C．Rhythmic information. | D．Parent-kid interaction. |
| A．Exist. | B．Expand. |
| C．Seem reasonable. | D．Seem formal. |
| A．It is meaningful. |
| B．It missed adult participants out. |
| C．It needs further investigation. |
| D．Its result proved the previous assumption. |
| A．It's better for parents to use baby talk. |
| B．Singing to babies may help them learn a language. |
| C．It's essential for babies to be exposed to phonetic information. |
| D．Dyslexia results from poor response to continuous speech. |
【推荐1】Teenagers who travel around the world alone have been making headlines quite often. A young person alone in a dangerous situation attracts attention and supporters. Young sailors also attract various views. For example, Jessica Watson was asked by the government to call off her solo trip across the ocean, yet the Prime Minister (总理) called her “a hero for young Australians” when she returned. It seems views are poles apart on the ability and independence of young people.
Some experts tell us that teenage brains are likely to make wrong judgments. But such ideas often do not apply to specific individuals (个体) . Between the ages of 14 and 18, teenagers differ greatly in their abilities. The amount of independence that each is allowed should be determined not simply by their ages but by discussion with the related, responsible adults. Some teens are certainly inexperienced and make childish mistakes, but the ones who attempt dangerous journeys normally do so by winning the confidence of hard-headed and experienced adult supporters.
But it’s also wrong to think that any 16-year-old can make a hit as Jessica Watson. Watson calls herself “a common girl who had a dream”. Her purpose is to encourage teenagers but this idea can have the opposite effect of making them feel not good enough because great achievements are beyond them. Should all teens have such wild dreams? Actually, individuals face different conditions that limit their dreams.
Teenagers who travel around the world alone should not be judged by preconceived (先入为主的) views about young people. Nor should young “common” teenagers feel pressure to long for extraordinary personal goals. In fact, I believe the example of solo sailing overstresses what an individual can do. The teenage years are when most of us “common” people learn that we can achieve great things in cooperation with others.
1. Why is Jessica Watson mentioned in the first paragraph?| A．To set a heroic example for teenagers. |
| B．To point out the public’s interest in young people. |
| C．To introduce different opinions on teenagers’ adventures. |
| D．To show the Prime Minister disagreed with the government. |
| A．Different journeys. | B．Brain development. |
| C．Communication with adults. | D．Confidence in themselves. |
| A．She likes dangerous journeys. | B．Teenagers can make success. |
| C．She can accept she is common. | D．Teenagers should go travelling. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Supportive. | C．Uncaring. | D．Uncertain. |
Animal care activists have urged in recent years to discourage keeping elephants in zoos, largely because of the lack of space and small numbers of animals that can be kept in a group.
The researchers found that the median life span for African elephants in European zoos was 16.9 years, compared with 56 years for elephants who died of natural causes in Kenya’s Amboseli Park. Adding in those elephants killed by people in Africa lowered the median life expectancy there to 35.9 years. For the more endangered Asian elephants, the median life span in European zoos was 18.9 years, compared with 41.7 years for those working in the Burma Timber Enterprise. Median means half died younger than that age and half lived longer.
There is some good news, though. The life expectancies of zoo elephants have improved in recent years, suggesting an improvement in their care and raising, but “Protecting elephants in Africa and Asia is far more successful than protecting them in Western zoos.”
There are about 1,200 elephants in zoos, half in Europe, researchers concentrated on female elephants, which make up 80 percent of the zoo population. One amazing thing was that Asian elephants born in zoos had shorter life spans that those brought to the zoos from the wild.
Zoos usually lack large areas that elephants are used to in the wild, and that zoo animals often are alone or with one or two other unrelated animals, while in the wild they tend to live in related groups of 8 to 12 animals. In Asian elephants, baby death rates are two to three times higher in zoos than in the Burmese logging camps, and then, in adulthood, zoo-born animals die young. People are not sure why.
1. What is argued about in this passage?
| A．Zoo elephants don’t live as long as those in the wild. |
| B．Elephants should not be on display. |
| C．Asian elephants are in danger. |
| D．Asia is far more successful in protecting elephants in zoos. |
| A．Average | B．Longest. | C．Shortest. | D．Ordinary. |
| A．Limited number of relatives. | B．Lack of space. |
| C．Shorter life expectancy. | D．Less attention. |
| A．Zoologists. | B．Animal care activists. |
| C．Zoo visitors. | D．The public. |
【推荐3】We’ve all been there. It has been a long day, there is nothing in the fridge, cooking seems arduous and the solution is obvious: takeaway. It’s easy for takeaways to become a regular habit. At some point, you have to wonder: even if you don’t look different in the mirror, is it doing you any harm?
There is some evidence that too many takeaways is linked to weight gain, but the relationship isn’t clear. A 2022 study found a connection between eating takeaway-style food in the 24 hours before taking the survey and increased BMI in participants, although the researchers were careful to point out that they didn’t know whether frequently eating takeaways made people overweight, or whether overweight people frequently eat takeaways. There is, however, evidence that simply living near(or walking past)a takeaway outlet or two can have an impact on body weight, with exposure to outlets near the workplace, most likely to tempt people.
But why? Well, takeaway food tends to be high in fat and salt - ingredients that are relatively cheap and taste good, making you more likely to reorder. There is also some evidence that junk food can be addictive, as the combination of salt, fat and sugar makes it hard to stop eating.
There is also the nutritional quality of the ingredients themselves. “Most takeaways contain highly processed ingredients and additives, nutrient-poor carbohydrates and plenty of deep-fried foods cooked in oil repeatedly heated to high temperatures, says Pearson.
So, what is the message? If you must place that order, consider the options:
The worst offenders on any menu are likely to be fried foods, or anything covered in high-sugar sauces. If you order Chinese food, go for steamed dumplings, grilled fish or soup. If you are going for Indian food, go heavy on the side dishes, like bean and potato curries, which are often more flavourful and healthy.
Finally, try to cut your consumption: consider switching your daily routes, hide the menus, and delete the apps on your phone.
1. What does the underlined word ‘arduous’ in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Attractive | B．Troublesome |
| C．Confusing | D．Dull |
| A．The cause and effect relationship of takeaways and being overweight |
| B．Whether there is any connection between takeaways and being overweight |
| C．Which ingredients in takeaway food are the most addictive |
| D．Whether takeaways near the workplace are more likely to attract people |
| A．Hamburgers and fries | B．Indian main courses |
| C．Fried noodles | D．Steamed dumplings |
| A．Takeaways make you fat |
| B．Are takeaways harmful? |
| C．How to choose the best takeaway |
| D．How to avoid takeaways |
