1 . Jonas was careful about language. Not like his friend, Asher, who talked too fast, mixing up words and phrases until they were barely recognizable and often very funny.
Jonas smiled, remembering the morning that Asher had dashed into the classroom, late as usual, arriving breathlessly in the middle of the chanting of the morning anthem (国歌). When the class took their seats at the conclusion of the patriotic song, Asher remained standing to make his public apology as was required.
“I apologize for inconveniencing my learning community.” Asher ran through the standard apology phrase rapidly, still catching his breath. The Instructor and class waited patiently for his explanation.
“I left home at the correct time but when I was riding along near the pool, the crew was separating some salmon. I guess I just got distraught, watching them.”
“I apologize to my classmates,” Asher concluded. He smoothed his messy collar and sat down.
“We accept your apology, Asher.” The class recited the standard response in unison. Many of the students were biting their lips to keep from laughing.
“I accept your apology, Asher,” the Instructor said. He was smiling. “And I thank you, because once again you have provided an opportunity for a lesson in language. ‘Distraught’ is too strong an adjective to describe salmon viewing.” He turned and wrote “distraught” on the instructional board. Beside it he wrote “distracted.”
Jonas, nearing his home now, smiled at the recollection.
Thinking, still, as he wheeled his bike into its narrow port beside the door, he realized that frightened was the wrong word to describe his feelings, now that December was almost here. It was too strong an adjective.
He had waited a long time for this special December, when the Ceremony of the Twelve will be held and the future assignment will be announced by the Elders in the committee.
Now that it was almost upon him, he wasn’t frightened, but he was... eager, he decided. He was eager for it to come. And he was excited, certainly. All of the Elevens were excited about the event that would be coming so soon. But there was a little tremble of nervousness when he thought about it, about what might happen.
Anxious, Jonas decided. That’s what I am.
1. Asher arrived at the school _________.| A．as soon as the students concluded the national anthem |
| B．after all the other students had taken their seats |
| C．when the Instructor had begun the language lesson |
| D．when students had started singing the patriotic song |
| A．To show he accepted the apology. |
| B．To explain the confusing words. |
| C．To warn students against using it. |
| D．To shame Asher for using the wrong word. |
| A．he found himself struggling to describe his feelings precisely |
| B．he was certain that he would make the same mistake as Asher did |
| C．he was reminded to use the appropriate language for the ceremony |
| D．he finally understood how Asher was feeling that morning |
| A．a science fiction novel |
| B．a journal of applied linguistics |
| C．a documentary about campus life |
| D．a manual for using language correctly |
