Pasta and pizza were on everyone’s lunch menu in my native land of Italy. Everyone who had such a lunch was fair-skinned and spoke Italian. A few years later, as I stood in the lunch line with my kindergarten class in a school in Brooklyn, I realized things were no longer that simple. My classmates ranged from those kids with pale skin and large blue eyes to those with rich brown skin and dark hair. The food choices were almost as diverse as the students. In front of me was an array of foods I couldn’t even name in my native language. Fearing that I would pick out something awful, I desperately tried to ask the boy ahead of me for a recommendation. Unfortunately, between us stood the barrier of language.
Although my kindergarten experience feels like a century ago, the lessons I learned will stick in my mind forever. For the past three summers, I have worked in a government agency in New York. New immigrants much like the little girl in the lunch line flooded our office seeking help. I often had to be an interpreter for the Italian-speaking ones. As I served the role of vital communication link, I was reminded of my desperate struggle to converse before I learned English. I watched with great sympathy as elderly Italians tried to hold a conversation in Italian with people who did not speak the language. It suddenly became very clear to me how lucky I was to be fluent in two languages.
In New York, a multicultural city, students like me are blessed with a chance to work with a diverse population. In my English to Italian translations, I’ve learned about social programs that I didn’t know existed. This work expanded my mind in ways that are impossible inside the four walls of a classroom. Walking through the streets of Brooklyn today, I am no longer confused by this city’s sounds and smells. Instead, enjoy its diversity.
1. What did the author realize after entering school in Brooklyn?| A．Time passed quickly. | B．English was hard to learn. |
| C．The food was terrible. | D．People were very different. |
| A．An Italian teacher. | B．A government official. |
| C．The author herself. | D．The author’s classmate. |
| A．It strengthened her love for school. | B．It helped sharpen her sense of direction. |
| C．It opened her eyes to the real world. | D．It made her childhood dream come true. |
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【推荐1】You may be surprised to learn that English gets 30 to 45 percent of its words from French. The reason goes back to the year 1066, when Norman forces invaded (入侵) what is now Britain. The Normans were from northern France and spoke French. During the Norman occupation, French became the language of England’s rulers and wealthy class. This lasted for more than 300 years. Other people in England continued to speak English during this period.
Over time, the two languages combined and shared words. Some researchers believe that about 10,000 French words eventually entered the English language. However, although English took many French words, their meanings have not always stayed the same. Sometimes the differences in meanings can be very important, and lead to funny or strange situations if the words are used in the wrong way.
Take, for example, the French word college. In English, college can often be used in place of the word university, or sometimes as a school within a university. However, in French, college actually means “middle school”, or the level of schooling for students in grades five or six through eight.
There are many other similar words in the two languages with completely different meanings. In English, the word chat is a verb which means “to talk casually”; but in French, the word chat is the word for an animal: a cat.
If an English speaker says someone is jolly, that means they are cheerful or friendly. But in French, jolie means someone is goodlooking or pleasant to look at. In any case, both are nice things to say to someone.
1. What language did the upper class speak in Britain of Norman times ?| A．English. |
| B．French. |
| C．Both English and French. |
| D．Some unknown language. |
| A．The teenager time. |
| B．University in French. |
| C．Middle school in English. |
| D．University in common sense. |
| A．Comparison between two languages. |
| B．Difficulty in grasping English. |
| C．French words in English. |
| D．Development of English. |
Certainly, there are some differences between British and American English. There are a few differences in grammar. For example, speakers of British English say “in hospital”and "Have you a pen?”, Americans say “in the hospital”and ‘Do you have a pen?’.Pronunciation is sometimes different. Americans usually sound theirs in words like “bird”and “hurt”. Speakers of British English do not sound theirs in these words. There are differences between British and American English in spelling and vocabulary. For example, “colour”and “honour”are British, “color” and “honor”are American.
These differences in grammar, pronunciation, spelling and vocabulary are not important, however. For the most part, British and American English are the same language.
1. According to this passage, we can guess a student who is learning to speak American English might be afraid that ________.
| A．British people cannot understand him |
| B．American people cannot understand him |
| C．the grammar is too hard for him |
| D．the spelling is too hard for him |
| A．Whether there are differences between British English and American English. |
| B．Whether British English and American English are one language or two. |
| C．How the differences between British English and American English came about. |
| D．How important the differences are. |
| A．British people | B．Americans |
| C．children | D．teachers |
| A．little | B．much | C．some | D．great |
【推荐3】Every 40 days a language dies. This “catastrophic” loss is being intensified by the climate crisis, according to linguists. If nothing is done, conservative estimates suggest that half of all the 7,000 languages currently spoken will be extinct by the end of the century.
Speakers of minority languages have experienced a long history of persecution (迫害), with the result that by the 1920s half of all indigenous (土著的) languages in Australia, the US, South Africa and Argentina were extinct. The climate crisis is now considered the “final nail in the coffin” for many indigenous languages and the knowledge they represent.
“Languages are already endangered,” says Anastasia Rachel, director of the Strathy language unit at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Huge factors are globalization and migration, as communities move to regions where their language is not spoken or valued, according to Rachel. “It seems particularly cruel,” she says, “that most of the world’s languages are in parts of the world that are growing unpleasant to people.” Vanuatu, a South Pacific island nation measuring 12, 189 km2, has 110 languages, the highest density of languages on the planet. It is also one of the countries most at risk of sea level rise. “Marty small language communities are on islands and coastlines easily subject to hurricanes and sea level rise,” she says. Others live on lands where rising temperature threatens traditional farming and fishing practices, leading to migration.
In response to the crisis, the UN launched the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL) in 2022. Promoting and conserving languages of indigenous communities is “not only important for them, but for all humanity”, said Csaba Korosi, the UN general assembly president, urging countries to allow access to education in indigenous languages.
1. Which statement best describes the facts of languages?| A．Climate change is the only challenge for minority languages. |
| B．Half of all the languages spoken will be extinct in the future. |
| C．Climate crisis is a huge threat to many indigenous languages. |
| D．Poor education is the direct cause of disappearing languages. |
| A．To explain the main reason for language density. |
| B．To show the common features of endangered languages. |
| C．To stress the impact of geographical position on migration. |
| D．To illustrate the situation of minority language communities. |
| A．Support migrants to access local education. |
| B．Discourage people from massive migration. |
| C．Protect the environment to reduce the temperature. |
| D．Preserve the languages of indigenous communities. |
| A．Faced with Disasters: Communities Have to Leave |
| B．Upset at Extinction: UN Urges International Cooperation |
| C．Lost for Words: Climate Crisis Brings Threat of Catastrophe |
| D．Involved in Action: Experts Seek Solutions to Climate Crisis |
【推荐1】A Simple Lesson
“Another bad day at school?” my father asked as I came into the room.
“How could you tell? I didn't shut the door heavily or anything,” I replied. Over the past two months I had either done this or thrown my backpack across the room ever time I came home from school. Papa thinks it has something to do with moving to a new house.
“I know this move has been hard on you. Leaving your friends and cousins behind is tough,” Papa said, as he put his arm around my shoulder. “What you must remember is that, with a lot of hard work and some time, you will make new friends.”
“You don't know how hard it is. This year my baseball team would have won the championship. They won't even give me a chance to pitch (投球) here. All I get to play is right field, and that's the worst!”
Papa turned toward me. "Things will get better, I promise you. Let me ask you, do you know why you were named David Lorenzo?"
“Yes, your name is David and grandfather's name is Lorenzo.”
“Very good, and what makes your grandfather so important?”
“He was the first in the family to come to this country and all that,” I answered.
“That is only partly correct. Your grandfather was a very great man. In Mexico, he had been a teacher. When he came to America he could only get low-paid labor jobs because hedidn't speak the language. It took him two years before he spoke English well enough to be allowed to teach here, but he did it. He never complained because he knew change could be difficult. Did he ever tell you that?” my father asked.
I looked down at my feet, ashamed at my behavior. “No. That must have been hard,” I said sheepishly.
“Your grandfather taught me that if you let people see your talent, they will accept you for who you are. I want you to always remember what my father taught me, even if it takes a few years for people to see who you are,” said Papa.
All I could say was, “Okay.” Then I asked, “What should I do now?”
Laughing, Papa said, “How about you pitch a few to me? You need some work.”
1. Why was the author unhappy that day?| A．Because he moved to a new country. |
| B．Because his baseball team lost the game. |
| C．Because he wasn't offered a chance to pitch. |
| D．Because he quarreled with his friends at school. |
| A．asking him to train harder |
| B．playing baseball with him |
| C．telling his grandfather's story |
| D．introducing him some new friends |
| A．shyly | B．patiently |
| C．clumsily | D．cautiously |
| A．He thinks his father lives in the past. |
| B．He'd rather live with his grandfather. |
| C．He will continue to dislike school and everything. |
| D．He will try his best to adapt to the new environment. |
【推荐2】It’s getting close to midnight, and close to my destination—mile marker 133 on Alaska’s Glenn Highway, where I’m on the road to realize a lifelong dream. I’m going to see the northern lights.
I am Scott’s only customer tonight, but whether it’s one person or a bridal party from Japan, the professional photographer and videographer loves to come put here to witness one of nature’s most spectacular shows — and to share it with others. “I can’t tell you how much joy I get from seeing the smile on people’s faces. That’s worth it right there. That’s the reason why I do tours,” he says.
I emerge from the van into minus 6 degrees. A bazillion stars sparkle, and the Milky Way pours overhead. What looks like a gray stream of cloud arches low over the horizon. “That’s it!” says Scott. Really? That’s it? I spent 13 hours in planes and airports, and then drove 2.5 hours to see a gray belt? “Patience,” he says. “It will get better. Wait till 2 am. That’s usually the best time.”
Aurora (极光) tourism is combined with winter activities like ice fishing, snow machine rides, and hot springs. As aurora guides and scientists will tell you, there’s no guarantee of a sighting. But Fairbanks is a statistically good bet because of its northern location and freedom from coastal clouds, which can be a challenge for Anchorage. Travelers are recommended to put aside at least three nights to improve your chances of viewing, with the idea that you’ll be up much of the night each time.
Each time he wakes me and I step outside, it appears more glorious. At first, a fuzz the size of a honeydew floats along the horizon. Another time, a broad green line stretches across the sky, followed by a short tail. “Do you see the red?” Scott asks. He has me look through his camera. It can see more color than the naked eye. Finally, as if playing a visual symphonic tune, a giant line of phosphorous (发磷光的) green seems to swoop down to the treetops and dollop them with a curlicue swirl. I’m smiling inside and out. We can go now.
1. What makes Scott like to do aurora tourism?| A．The chance to take spectacular photos. | B．The happiness of tourists. |
| C．The party to enjoy the norther lights. | D．His lifelong dream. |
| A．She felt very angry. | B．She was quite thrilled. |
| C．She was a little disappointed. | D．She gradually lost her patience. |
| A．It offers visitors a guaranteed sighting. |
| B．It’s located in the Antarctic Circle. |
| C．It has winter activities for travelers. |
| D．It’s free from coastal cloudy weather. |
| A．The beauty of aurora. | B．Scott’s camera. |
| C．The author’s departure. | D．The shapes of northern lights. |
【推荐3】Many years ago, when we were a young couple with two small children, aged 2 and 4, we were practically impecunious. My in-laws lived from hand to mouth, so we didn't expect any help from them. My parents lived a great distance away, and I was too ashamed to let them know about our situation.
My husband was trying to earn a living with an old pick-up truck, carrying groceries for local shopkeepers, but it was constantly breaking down. It took almost all the money we had to have it fixed. The truck was also the only means of transportation for us.
We lived in the countryside, and we always used the back door because the driveway led to it. One winter evening, I stepped outside to take a bag of trash to the barrel and almost tripped over something. It was nearly dark, and I had to bend down to see what it was. I could hardly believe my eyes. There sat a large basket loaded with food.
It was heavy, so I called my husband to carry it into the house. Once inside, we discovered two loaves of bread, some butter, several cans of vegetables, a can of orange sauce, and a large turkey. There was so much that I can't remember it all, but it was everything we needed to fix a wonderful dinner—everything except potatoes.
A little while later I remembered that I hadn't taken the trash to the barrel. By now it was dark, so I had to turn on the yard light —and that's when I spotted a small bag of potatoes sitting on the porch.
That dinner was the best I can remember.
We weren't able to thank our donators, though, because we never found out who had been so generous in helping a struggling young family. Whoever it was, we are forever grateful.
1. Which of the following can replace the underlined word "impecunious" in Paragraph 1| A．Generous. | B．Harmonious. |
| C．Penniless. | D．Stubborn. |
| A．By starting a garage. | B．By selling food door to door. |
| C．By delivering goods. | D．By working as a shop assistant. |
| A．She was angry. | B．She felt a sense of relief. |
| C．She was terrified. | D．She was astonished. |
| A．A helping hand in time | B．A struggling young couple |
| C．A tale of potatoes | D．A reward from a stranger |
【推荐1】Consider going eastward, you will see mountains, forests and thousands of lakes, as well as wide rivers and large cities. On the 15th June I set foot off the airplane and into Calgary, Canada. I’ve never been to this side of the world before and I had some strange expectations when I could only see fields and no cityscape in view from my plane window during landing. However, as we got closer and closer to the airport the city came into view.
Phew! I sighed of relief as I’m a real city-goer. We were greeted by my girlfriend’s parents and whisked away to the main city. The large amount of greenery in Calgary’s city makes it a completely different city to visit and I advise if anybody is around this side of the world, it’s surely an interesting visit. It not only brings us good feelings, it also makes you fall in love with this city. Despite all the things we’ve done here, the thing that blew me away the most was the Canadian woodlands and mountains just a few hours outside of Calgary. The highlight for me was risking travelling to the small town of Fernie and hiking into the woods up to a small waterfall where the water was so clear we could just drink straight from the stream.
The time away from the main city had a great holiday feel and gave me time to recover after a busy university year. It’s been a great experience being in the Canadian mountains and woodlands and it taught me the importance of just having some time for yourself! So whatever you guys are doing this summer, make sure you take some time out to relax, rest and recharge. Maybe you will get a much more comfortable trip when you jump out of the busy work.
1. Which of the following best describes the author’s feeling while landing?| A．Embarrassed. | B．Afraid. | C．Hopeful. | D．Amazed. |
| A．Greetings from girlfriend’s parents. |
| B．Natural beauty of the city. |
| C．Culture outside the city. |
| D．Clear water from the stream. |
| A．the Canadian people |
| B．the Canadian snacks |
| C．the Canadian entertainment |
| D．the Canadian woodlands and mountains |
| A．He needs relaxation from his busy life. |
| B．He preters the city’s busy life. |
| C．He is in great love with his girlfriend. |
| D．He is enthusiastic about work. |
Until last January. I was very much a prose(散文)writer. I loved to write short stories but couldn’t stand poetry because it seemed like a lazy version. But then I entered a local poetry competition and won a prize. I read my poem at the award ceremony, and received a positive reaction from the audience. It was then that I realized poetry was much more interesting and diverse than I had previously thought, and that maybe I wasn’t too bad at writing it.
Since February. I have been trying to write poetry as often as possible, and it proves that somehow I like it now. Poetry isn’t a lazier version of prose, but it can be an easier one. This is because there are fewer rules in poetry and it is far more personal. What makes it so interesting is that it is told through the poet’s style.
This is what makes writing poetry such a good method of calming yourself down Writing about worries, stresses and insecurities can really help you to make sense of how you feel about them, and to create something-valuable from a bad situation. It also helps poems to catch on quickly. People love to hear personal stories about troubles they also struggle with.
Not only is poetry a fantastic form of therapy (治疗), but it can also earn you respect and sometimes even a career. As more and more poetry competitions for young people are set up, it is easier than ever to get recognized. As well as competitions, there are events such as poetry salons where you can share poems with others. Social media can also be a good platform for poetry.
So why not give it a try？Write about whatever is in your mind, and don’t worry about following any rules. Let yourself be inspired and inspire someone else.
1. How did the author feel about poetry in the past? （no more than 10 words）2. What’s the turning point for the author’s starting writing poems? （no more than 10 words）
3. In the author’s opinion, what is the difference between poetry and prose?（no more than 10 words）
4. How do you understand the underlined part in Paragraph 3? （no more than 10 words）
5. What can you learn from the author’s experience? （no more than 20 words）
【推荐3】There are days when I find it necessary to step outside my classroom and check to be sure that my name is still in the TEACHER space over my door. Sometimes I feel that I am a student in my classroom rather than the teacher.
Seated in the classroom, my sixth grade students each held a different tool in the hand. The students discussed how words are like tools-they have the ability to build or to destroy, and they discovered how the right tool used at the right time for the right job can produce great results. I watched and listened with a sense of satisfaction. They got it!
A. few days later, one of my students, Laura, had an unexpected outburst in class. She refused to work with her group. I asked her to excuse herself and to go to our next door team center. She marched from the back of the room to our classroom door-shooting me an angry look, and then proceeded to slam the door as she left for the team meeting room.
Minutes later, I stood over her. Being extremely angry about her disrespectful behavior, I was sharp in my tone and harsh with my words. When I paused for her response, she stated, “You’re using your tool against me.” I was speechless.
There are times when you are at a critical crossroads with a student and the road you choose will make all the difference. I knew at that moment the right thing to do was to kneel down next to her chair, and softly say, “You’re right, Laura. I have used my words unwisely and unkindly. Will you forgive me?” She looked me in the eye and simply said, “Yes, I forgive you, Mrs. Ekre. I’m sorry, too.”
At the end of the year, she wrote me a beautiful letter, attached to which was a small key-a tool, she said, for a language arts teacher who taught her how important words can be. It serves as my reminder of a lesson I taught as a teacher but one I really learned from my student.
1. Why does the writer feel she is a student?| A．Her students often challenge her. | B．Her name is not in the TEACHER space. |
| C．Her students transform her ideas. | D．She abuses her power as a teacher. |
| A．Laura’s angry look. | B．Laura’s abrupt explosion. |
| C．Laura’s slamming the door. | D．Laura’s accusation against her. |
| A．Caring but stubborn. | B．Tolerant and open-minded. |
| C．Strict and changeable. | D．Sincere and flexible. |
| A．The power of words. | B．The importance of teaching. |
| C．The value of forgiveness. | D．The beauty of understanding. |
【推荐1】Some of my earliest memories involve sitting with my dad in his study every night when he came home from the office. I’d watch as he put his personal items away: his watch, wallet, comb, and car keys. They would always occupy the same spot on the table every time.
Dad’s comb was bought when he married Mum. Every evening, he would smile, hand me the comb and say: “Be a good girl and help Daddy clean it, OK?” I was more than happy to do it. This seems a mundane task, but it brought me such joy at that time. I would excitedly turn the tap on, then brush the comb with a used toothbrush as hard as I could. Satisfied that I’d done a good job, I would proudly return the comb to Dad. He would smile at me and place the comb on top of his wallet.
About two years later, Dad left his sales job and started his own wholesale business. I started primary school. That was when things started to change. Dad’s business wasn’t doing so well, and our stable life started getting shaky. He didn’t come home as much as he used to. And when he did come home, it was always late, and I’d already be in bed. I started to get mad. Why didn’t he listen to Mum and just stick to his old job? Why take the risk and place the whole family in trouble? Over the years, I stopped waiting for him to come home, and stopped going downstairs to check on him.
Now 28, I’ve graduated from college and got a job. Dad’s business has also started to get back on track. Yet the uncomfortable silence between Dad and me went on.
Two days before my birthday last year, Dad came home early. On that evening, I helped him carry his bags into his study as usual. When I turned to leave, he asked me to clean his comb. I looked at him for a while, then took the comb and headed to the sink. It was a new comb. I hadn’t noticed that he’d changed it. I brushed the comb, and it hit me then: why, as a child, helping my dad clean his comb was such a joy.
I passed the clean comb back to Dad. This time, I noticed my dad had aged. But his smile was still as heartwarming as before. Dad carefully placed his comb on top of his wallet. After so many years, I guess some things never change. And for that, I’m glad.
1. As a child, the author helped her dad clean his comb happily because ________.| A．she was good at cleaning the comb |
| B．she thought that she should do that as a good girl |
| C．her dad was home early to spend the evening with her |
| D．the comb was important for her father and her mother |
| A．Important. | B．Exciting. |
| C．Unnecessary. | D．Uninteresting. |
| A．disappointed | B．impatient |
| C．tired | D．sorry |
| A．Evenings With Dad. |
| B．How to Clean the Comb. |
| C．My Memory with My Dad. |
| D．I Love My Family Members. |
The group said it was unfair and unacceptable that the student and her 18-year-old classmate at Spring Valley High School who taped the incident were the only people charged that day when authorities already knew Richland County Deputy Ben Fields had tossed the girl from her desk to the ground.
They also said their petition had hundreds of thousands of names from around the country asking prosecutor Dan Johnson to drop the "disturbing schools" charges against the teens. The students in the case are black; Fields is white.
Johnson issued a statement Wednesday saying he won't do anything with the case until the FBI finishes its investigation into Fields, who was fired after the video became public. "I do not simply decide cases based upon feelings, public opinion or sentiment, nor do I decide them based on political pressure," Johnson said in the statement.
Disturbing schools is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail. The students' lawyer did not respond to telephone messages.
The video spread quickly across the country, prompting questions about when police officers should get involved with classroom discipline. Fields was called to the classroom after the student refused to stop using her cellphone, and then she would not leave the classroom for a teacher or administrator.
In the days after the incident, the teacher turned her class over to a substitute and the administrator was placed on leave. Richland two officials didn't respond to an email asking about their current status. The students were allowed back in school.
Organizers of the protest said they plan to be at South Carolina's Statehouse next year, calling for legislators to change the law that allows police officers to arrest students for misbehaving at schools. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott blamed that law for escalating the situation. "Let's find a way where we don't saddle students with arrest records," said EfiaNwangaza from the Malcom X Center for Self Determination. "Let's get ahead of the schoolhouse-to-jailhouse train in South Carolina."
1. What are the teens charged with?
| A．Playing cellphones in class |
| B．Disobeying the teacher |
| C．Disturbing schools |
| D．Fighting with the police officer |
| A．Indifferent | B．Ambiguous |
| C．Subjective | D．Cautious |
| A．whether the incident reflects a racial issue |
| B．when police officers should get involved with classroom discipline |
| C．whether students can play cellphones in class |
| D．whether the law that allows police officers to arrest students for misbehaving at schools should be changed |
| A．Police officer fired for tossing student |
| B．Black parents protest charge for teen tossed from desk |
| C．Charged teens allowed back in school |
| D．Violence at school |
【推荐3】Think of the last time you disagreed with another person. Maybe you argued with a sibling (兄弟姐妹) over what to watch on TV.
How can you understand both sides of an issue? Often it is best to start by asking questions.
When seeking to understand both sides of the issue, it’s important to know the difference between facts and opinions. Remember, facts are based on true information. Opinions can change from person to person. Paying attention to facts can stop biases (偏见) from taking over in a disagreement.
Disagreements may be uncomfortable at first.
| A．In many situations, disagreements are unavoidable. |
| B．Questions help us learn about the world around us. |
| C．This can help everyone involved see both sides of the issue. |
| D．After all, don’t most people just want to prove that their side is right? |
| E．Maybe you’re wondering why it’s important to understand both sides of an issue. |
| F．Or perhaps you tried to convince grown-ups that ice cream makes a better dinner than vegetables. |
| G．However, when both sides truly try to understand each other, they often find they have more in common than they thought. |
