Many students in China are learning English. Some of these students are small children. Others are teenagers(青少年). Many are adults(成年人). Some study at school, others learn by themselves. A few learn English language over the radio, on TV, or in the films. One must work hard to learn another language.
Why do all these people want to learn English? It is difficult to answer that question. Many boys and girls learn English at school because it is one of their subjects. They study their own(自己的) language and maths and English. Some people learn English because it is useful for their work. Many people often learn English for their higher studies, because at college or university(大學(xué)) some of their books are in English. Other people learn English because they want to read newspapers and magazines in English.
【小題1】Are there many adults learning English in China?

British English and American English
A student is studying British English. He wonders: Can I have a talk with Americans? Can they catch me? Learners of English often ask--what are the differences between British English and American English? How important are these differences?
Certainly, there are some differences between British English and American English. There are a few differences in grammar（語法）. For example, speakers of British English say “in hospital” and “Have you a pen?” Americans “in the hospital” and “Do you have a pen?” Pronunciation (發(fā)音) is sometimes different. Americans usually sound the “r” in words like “car”and “farm”. Some speakers of British English do not sound the “r” in these words. There are differences between British English and American English in spelling and vocabulary. For example, “colour”and “honour” are British English spellings. “Color” and “honor” are American English spellings.
These differences are in grammar, pronunciation, spelling and vocabulary. However, they are not important. For the most part, British English and American English are the same language.
【小題1】In American English, we can say, “      ? ”

Beijing Opera is also called Peking Opera.. It came into being after 1790 when the famous four  Anhui opera troupe(戲班) came to Beijing. Its music and singing(唱腔) came from Xipi and Er-huang in Anhui and Hubei. Its costtumes are all fascinating and artistic.It is the highest expression of the Chinese culture. It’s full of famous stories , beautiful facial paintings, and wonderful gestures and fighting. This kind of opera is very popular with Chinese people.
There are four main roles in Beijing Opera: Sheng ,Dan, Jing and Chou. Sheng is the leading male(男性) actor。For example , a Wusheng is a soldier or fighter .A Xiaosheng is a young man . A Laosheng is the comedy actor or clown.Dan is the female (女性)role 。 Jing，mostly male , is the face-painted role and Chou is the comedy actor or clown.
Stories in Beijing Opera are very intetesting . Some of them are from the history book ,but most of them are from the literature , especially famous novels . The people in the story usually have some disagreements. They become angry and uhappy . They are sad and lonely . Sometimes they are nervous and worried. Then they find a way to make peace . The stories usually end with happiness and lunghter and people are all happy in the end.
【小題1】.Beijing Opera’s singing is from _______.

Although English is not as old as Chinese, it is spoken by many people around the world every day. English speakers are always making up new words, and we are often able to know where most come from.
Sometimes, however, no one may really know where a word comes from. Did you ever think about why hamburgers are called “hamburgers”, especially when they are not made with ham(火腿)? About a hundred years ago, some men went to America from Europe. They came from a big city in Germany called Hamburg. They didn’t speak good English, but they ate good food. When some Americans saw them eating round pieces of beef, they asked the Germans what they were. The Germans didn’t understand the question and answered, “We come from Hamburg.” One of these Americans owned a restaurant, and had an idea. He cooked some round pieces of bread with beef in them and started selling them. Such bread came to be called “hamburgers”. Today, “Hamburgers” are sold in many countries around the world.
Whether this story is true or not, it certainly is interesting. Knowing why any word has a certain meaning is interesting, too. This reason, for most English words, can be found in any large English dictionary.
【小題1】English is spoken by many people around the world every day, but English is ______.

Before I left to meet Lynne, my friend told me that I had better take some money, but I didn’t listen to him. I thought that Lynne would pay because she invited me.
I arrived at the restaurant on time because I knew Americans like to be on time. Lynne and I sat at a table near the door and soon we began to enjoy ourselves there.
The food there was very delicious. I talked a lot about Saudi Arabia and Lynne told me all about herself. After two hours the waiter came and asked if we wanted one check(賬單) or two. Lynne said two. Lynne paid her check, and the waiter gave me mine, I had no money. Then I had an idea, I called my friend. In a few minutes he arrived with some money. He laughed at me all the way home.
Now, I think it’s funny, but I guess you can understand how I felt at that time. So when you visit a foreign country, you have to learn their language and culture.
【小題1】From the first paragraph, we mainly know____________.

What is a library for? Most libraries have books and other things to read. Many of them have things to listen to. Some libraries even have computers. Very few people would think of a library as a place to live in.
One library in New York City changed into a home for 250 people for a few days. These were all people near the library. They slept on the floor. Why did the people move into the library?
The people moved into the library because the city wanted to close it to save money. These 250 New Yorkers loved their library. They didn't want to lose it. So they moved in. They knew that the library couldn't be closed if they were living inside it. At last the city agreed to keep the library open, and the people all went home.
【小題1】Where did the story happen?_________.

 Americans with small families own a small car or a large one. If both parents are working, they usually have two cars. When the family is large, one of the cars is sold and they will buy a van(住房汽車)
　　A small car can hold four persons and a large car can hold six persons but it is very crowded. A van hold seven persons easily, so a family three children could ask their grandparents to go on a holiday travel They could all travel together.
　　Mr. Hagen and his wife had a third child last year. This made them sell a second car and buy a van. Their children sixth and seventh seat are used to put other things, for a family of five must carry many suitcases(衣箱)when they travel. When they arrive at their grandparents’ home , the suitcases are brought into the two seats can then carry the grandparents.
　Americans call vans motor homes. A motor home is always used for holidays. When a family are traveling to the mountains or to the seaside, they can live in their motor home for a few days or to the seaside, they can live in their motor home for a few days or weeks. All the members of a big family can enjoy a happier life when they are traveling together. That is why motor homes have become very popular. In America there are many parks for motor homes.
【小題1】 From the passage, a van is also called ____________.
　　 

Valentine’s Day(情人節(jié)) is on February 14th every year. On this day, people send valentines(情人卡)to their loved ones, Valentine’s Day is a special time to tell how much you care about a person.
Many people send candy in hearted shaped(“心”狀的)boxes to people they love. Flowers are also presents that people send on Valentine’s Day. Valentine cards with words are often used by many people.
Can you guess who gets the greatest number of Valentine cards in the United States each year? Is it mother or father, sister or brother? Is it uncle or aunt? Is it the special friend? No, it isn’t!
Mothers get a lot of cards, but school teachers get the most each year. Do you know who sends the most? Children do. Children send five times as many on February 14th as adults do.
【小題1】Valentines Day _____.

Many people like to travel by plane, but I don’t like it because an airport is usually far from the city. You have to get there early and wait for hours for the plane to take off and it is often late. you can’t open the window. You can’t choose the food. Planes are fast, but they still take hours to get out of the airport and into the city.
I like traveling by train. I think trains are safe. Railway stations are usually in cities. When you are late for a train you can catch another one .you can walk around in the train and open the windows. You can see many interesting things on your way. I know it takes a little more time.
I also like cars. You can start your journey when you want to, and you don’t need to get to a railway station or a bus stop. Also you can carry many things with you in a car. But sometimes there are too many cars on the road.
【小題1】Why do many people like to travel by plane?____
A. Because it is fast.                
B. Because it is safe.
C. Because you can walk around in the plane.
【小題2】Which is not the good thing about the train?____   
A. It is safe.     
B. It takes a little more time. 
C. You can open the windows.
【小題3】If you want to take a lot of things with you ,what do you take to go out?____
A. A bus          B.A car.             C.A train
【小題4】What is the bad thing about the car ?_____
A. you needn’t go to a station  
B. you can start your journey when you want to.
C. There are too many cars on the road.
【小題5】What does the writer think of the plane ,train and car?_____
A. he thinks it takes a lot of time to go to and get out of the airport.
B. He likes to take a train because it takes a little more time.
C. He likes to take a car because he has a car.

We call the Chinese New Year the Spring Festival. There is a name for each Chinese year. We may call it the year of the sheep, the year of the monkey or the year of the dog. And this year is the year of the tiger.
Before New Year’s Day, people are busy shopping and cleaning their houses. On New Year’s Eve, there is a big family dinner. After dinner, the family don’t go to sleep to welcome the New Year. On the first day of the New Year, people put on their new clothes and go to visit their friends and relatives. They say “Happy New Year” and some other greetings (問候) to each other. People usually have a very good time during the festival.
【小題1】How many Chinese festivals are mentioned(談到) in this passage(段)?