1 . There are so many expressions in American English that sound good but actually are not.
“Face the music” is a good example. When someone says they have to face the music, it does not mean they are going to a musical show or a concert. To “face the music” means accepting the bad results of behavior.
Imagine a friend asks you to take care of her beautiful red sports car. She gives you the keys and says, “Thanks so much for watching my car while I’m away. But please do not drive it. It is a very fast car and you are not on the insurance (保险).” But you do not listen. You want to show it to some friends and pretend (假装) the car is yours. So, you drive it around town one night. As bad luck would have it, you lose control of the car and drive it into a stop sign. The damage is serious. When your friend returns, you must tell her what you have done and “face the music”. The “music” here is the result of your behavior. It could be losing her friendship or paying for repairs to her sports car or both. Whatever the “music” is, you must face it.
There are other American expressions that mean the same as “face the music”.
“Take your medicine” means accepting the results of something bad you have done. And if someone says, “You made your bed. Now lie in it.” He means you created a bad situation and now you will experience the results, or as we say in American spoken English, you must deal with it!
“Pay the piper” also means the same as “face the music”. But that expression has its own very interesting beginning. We will talk about that in the next Words and Their Stories.
1. What’s the main idea of this passage?A.To invite a friend to go to a musical performance. |
B.To tell people how to deal with a bad situation. |
C.To give people a lesson on an action. |
D.To introduce some expressions. |
A.You broke the traffic rules and were liable to a fine. |
B.You worked hard but failed in the exam. |
C.You caught a cold and took some medicine. |
D.You moved to a new city and lost touch with your old friends. |
A.Face the music. | B.Take your medicine. |
C.Make your bed. | D.Pay the piper. |
A.other words and their stories | B.the beginning of “pay the piper” |
C.the wider use of “face the music” | D.an example of “take your medicine” |
2 . Four Cool Languages
Chinese
Around 1.4 billion people speak Chinese. Chinese is a tonal (声调的) language, meaning that changing the tone of just one syllable (音节) can affect a word’s meaning. Chinese writing has ancient roots, which is thought to have developed starting around 2000 B. C.
Arabic
Over 370 million people speak Arabic. Written Arabic uses a cursive-style font (连笔) that looks more like artworks than writing. Arabic is written from right to left rather than left to right, making it different from many other languages.
English
Around 379 million people speak English as a native language. It’s an official language in a huge number of other countries.
English is the most widely spoken second language, with over a billion people speaking it as a non-native language. That means around twice as many people speak English as a second language than people who speak it as a first language.
Italian
Nearly 68 million people speak Italian. If you play music or sing, chances are that you already know a lot of Italian because many familiar musical terms are actually Italian.
Not only will learning Italian help you pick up vocabulary, but it will also help you understand the meanings of musical terms in greater depth.
1. What is a feature of Arabic?A.It doesn’t have cursive-style fonts. | B.It helps artists with their artworks. |
C.It is written from right to left. | D.It is closely related to music. |
A.Arabic. | B.English. | C.Chinese. | D.Italian. |
A.Nearly 68 million. | B.Around 370 million. |
C.Over 379 million. | D.Around 1.4 billion. |
增加:在缺词处加一个漏字符号(^),并在其下面写出该加的词。删除:把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改:在错的词下面划一横线,并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意:1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词;
2. 只允许修改 10 处,多者(从第 11 处起)不计分。
Dear Sir,
Thank you for invite me to the summer English courses in your school .As for my choice between the two courses , I prefer the four-week course because of it will allow me more time to do traveling but make a little new friends . Of all the subject I’m learning at school, I like English best. I had been learning English for eleven years but my spoken English is poorly .So I really hope to take this chance to improve them. If possible, I’d like to stay with a family for a couple of days in order that I can know some customs in England, that I’m particularly interested in. I believe I will have good time this summer.
4 . A popular saying goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, that’s not really true. Words have the power to build us up or tear us down. It doesn’t matter if the words come from someone else or ourselves — the positive and negative effects are just as lasting.
We all talk to ourselves sometimes. We’re usually too ashamed to admit it, though. In fact, we really shouldn’t be because more and more experts believe talking to ourselves out loud is a healthy habit.
This “self-talk” helps us motivate ourselves, remember things, solve problems, and calm ourselves down. Be aware, though, that as much as 77% of self-talk tends to be negative. So in order to stay positive, we should only speak words of encouragement to ourselves. We should also be quick to give ourselves a pat on the back. The next time you finish a project, do well in a test, or finally clean your room, join me in saying “Good job!”
Often, words come out of our mouths without us thinking about the effect they will have. But we should be aware that our words cause certain responses in others. For example, when returning an item to a store, we might use warm, friendly language during the exchange. And the clerk will probably answer in a similar manner. Or harsh(刻薄的) and critical language will most likely cause the clerk to be defensive.
Words have power because of their lasting effect. Many of us regret something we once said. And we remember unkind words said to us! Before speaking, we should always ask ourselves: Is it loving? Is it needed? If what we want to say doesn’t pass this test, then it’s better left unsaid.
Words possess power: both positive and negative. Those around us receive encouragement when we speak positively. We can offer hope, build self-esteem(自尊) and motivate others to do their best. Negative words destroy all those things. Will we use our words to hurt or to heal? The choice is ours.
1. The main idea of the first paragraph is that ________.A.not sticks and stones but words will hurt us |
B.encouraging words give us confidence |
C.words have a great effect on us |
D.negative words may let us down |
A.almost everybody has the habit of talking to themselves |
B.it does no harm to have “self-talk” when we are alone |
C.talking to ourselves always gives us courage |
D.talking to ourselves can have a positive effect on us |
A.remind ourselves | B.praise ourselves |
C.make ourselves relaxed | D.give ourselves happiness |
A.it is better to think twice before talking to others |
B.negative words may stimulate us to make more progress |
C.people tend to remember friendly words |
D.encouraging words are sure to lead to kind offers |
词汇:1. be poor at 在……方面不擅长 2. at one’s earliest convenience 尽早
注意:
1. 词数80左右;
2. 可适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
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6 . There are many podcasts (播客) that teach English and you can listen to them anytime. Here is a list of some of the best podcasts that you must see.
Learn English Podcast
This podcast has three levels.The first is for beginners, the second is for intermediates (中级学生) and the third is for upper intermediates. If a person wants to learn Business English,then episodes are also made for him.Every podcast is short but very informative. Worksheets and vocabulary tasks are also included.
Speaking Broadly
This podcast is made for advanced learners. Explained through discussion and interviews, each episode has non-native English speakers and every recording also has expert feedback. You will see some common mistakes made by English learners and you can improve your English by learning from those mistakes.
The English We Speak
This podcast airs one episode daily and every episode is only three to four minutes, which talks about phrases and idioms.There are two people in each episode who communicate with each other. Whatever level you are,you will find it rewarding
Elementary Podcast
This podcast is mainly for beginners and intermediate level learners. The length of a podcast is around 25 minutes but you can pause it anytime and continue whenever you want. The hosts of each episode are different.
1. Which podcast provides exercises going with it?A.Learn English Podcast. | B.Speaking Broadly. |
C.The English We Speak | D.Elementary Podcast. |
A.It records just expert speakers. | B.It aims at beginners. |
C.It presents some typical mistakes. | D.It provides feedback from listeners. |
A.They have the same length. | B.They are both interactive. |
C.They share the same contents. | D.They are suitable for beginners. |
7 . What is standard English? Does it really matter? With the rise of Internet technologies, does anyone actually speak a pure form of their own English anymore? Many English speakers have found Americanisms slowly influencing their language. English may be the international language of communication — but which kind?
As a teacher, a favorite question continually asked by my students is “Which is better, American or British English?” My answer is always the same, “It depends!” These days, we can also add the Australian variety, as learners in Asia where I live are more exposed to Australian English and are more likely to study in Australia than in the United States or the UK, although the difference between Australian and British English is very small and mainly vocabulary-based.
So what can influence whether foreign learners are better off learning a particular standard of English? Put simply, it depends on what is more suitable. Learners need to think over their academic, work or social needs. If someone is working for a US-owned company then the company will probably require American English in its written communication. Similarly if you are studying to be a tour guide in an area that has many British tourists, it makes sense to pay more attention to that standard. If a learner is going to study in Australia then studying Australian English will help him in the long run.
When I have managed language schools, there was often healthy competition between teachers of different nationalities for the importance of their particular standard of English. Language schools abroad may prefer one particular standard of English, and therefore sometimes, understandably, give preference to that particular nationality of teacher.
Personally though, I like to keep an open mind, as there can also be advantages for both students and teachers. Students get to be exposed to more varieties of English, providing them with a more well-rounded education. So teachers should pay attention to the differences in varieties, increasing their own knowledge base.
1. What is the author’s purpose in writing paragraph 1?A.To introduce some general information on English. |
B.To bring up the topic of standard English. |
C.To discuss the importance of English. |
D.To explain what standard English is. |
A.It has been influenced by Asian languages. |
B.It is most popular with international students. |
C.It is the author’s preferred variety of English. |
D.It differs from British English mostly in vocabulary. |
A.His educational level. | B.His personal needs. |
C.His own interest. | D.His nationality. |
A.Supportive. | B.Doubtful. | C.Surprised. | D.Uncaring. |
8 . Four Best Online English Courses
Udemy: English for Beginners
This 77-hour course is among the bestselling courses. The design based on real need makes it easy to adapt to even the busiest schedules. It opens to students with no knowledge of the language. Learners will become good enough to speak clearly and confidently and understand the language well enough to follow movies and TV.
Price: $109
Time to complete: 20 weeks
Coursera: English for Career Development
Coursera is supported by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ office of English learning. Coursera teaches English for business skills like job searching, resumes and interviewing. Learners can start at any time.
Price: $100
Time to complete: 40 weeks
Alison: English for Career Development
This self-paced (自定进度的) course takes a unique approach to teaching business English. English language learners learn the basics of searching, applying, and interviewing for jobs in the United States. Though all parts of the course are free, certification costs $30 and is available only to those who receive 80 percent or higher on their assessments (认证).
Price: Free
Time to complete: Self-paced
Perfectly Spoken: English for Daily Use
This course helps non-locals with the kinds of English used on the street and on vacation. It covers common expressions, such as what to say when meeting and greeting people, and how to express feelings. The course includes the language used when traveling, ordering at a restaurant, and during the United Kingdom holidays.
Price: $90
Time to complete: 36 weeks
1. How much should learners pay for Udemy?A.$30. | B.$90. | C.$100. | D.$109. |
A.They are free of charge. |
B.They must be finished in 40 weeks. |
C.They focus on business English. |
D.They are suitable for pupils. |
A.Perfectly Spoken. | B.Coursera. | C.Alison. | D.Udemy. |
9 . 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 |
You probably have ever been warned against using certain hand gestures when
Mark Mofftt, author of The Human Suarm, describes our need to belong to a certain group. We are
Humans gravitate (吸引) to those people who are
Outsiders to our group
There are many things help us identify these strangers or outsiders-the clothes they wear and the way they speak. Now, experts know that their body language is also an indicator. In our ancestors’ times, knowing