Some people worry about being the target of laughter. These people are frightened. They suffer from
an emotional disorder called gelotophobia. That long name comes from the Greek language. The word
Gelos means laugh, while phobos means fear.
     Victor Rubio is an expert on human behavior at the Autonomous University of Madrid. He says people
laugh at others for many different reasons. He says being laughed at causes a fear response in the victim.
That fear leads the victim to avoid social situations. Sadly, gelotophobia limits the way they lead their lives.
     Victor Rubio was among researchers in a huge international study about laughter. The researchers
wanted to understand the difference between normal shyness and true gelotophobia. Another goal was to
measure the fear of being laughed at within different cultures.
     A team from the University of Zurich led ninety-three researchers from many countries in search of
answers    
The researchers surveyed more than twenty-two thousand people. They used questions provided in forty-two
languages. Their findings were reported in the scientific publication Humor.
     Some of the people questioned said they felt unsure of themselves in social situations. But they hid their
feelings. Others said they avoided social situations where they had been laughed at before. People also
admitted to differing levels of fear that they themselves were the targets of other people's laughter. The
researchers measured and compared all these reactions.
     Fear of being laughed at, being made fun of, is a common emotion. But the researchers learned that
these feelings differed from nation to nation.
     For example, the study found that people in Turkmenistan and Cambodia are likely to hide insecure
(不安) feelings when they are around others' laughter. But people in Iraq, Egypt and Jordan who feel they
have been victims before may avoid such situations. 
     People in Finland were the least likely to believe that people laughing in their presence were making fun
of them. Only eight and a half percent of Finns said they would - compared to eighty percent of those
questioned in Thailand.

1. The passage is mainly about _______.

A. a common emotion
B. laughter
C. shyness
D. gelotophobia

2. In which country are people most likely to avoid social situations where they have been laughed at before?

A. Turkmenistan
B. Iraq
C. Finland
D. Thailand

3. According to the text the following is true EXCEPT that ______.

A. people suffer from gelotophobia because they are shy
B. not all the people questioned hid their feelings in social situations
C. perhaps Humor is a magazine
D. people in Finland are the least likely to suffer from gelotophobia

4. A person who suffers from gelotophobia will probably ______.

A. be active in social activities
B. be easily laughed at
C. like to laugh at others
D. like to stay alone

     British potato farmers were taking to the streets to call for the expression "couch potato" to be taken
away from the dictionary on the grounds that it harms the vegetable's image.
     The British Potato Council wants the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) to replace the expression with
the term "couch slouch", with protests planned outside parliament in London and the offices of Oxford
University Press. Kathryn Race, head of marketing at the Council, which represents some 4,000 growers
and processors, said the group had complained in writing to the OED but had yet to receive a response.
     "We are trying to get rid of the image that potatoes are bad to you," she said Monday.
     "The potato has had its knocks in the past. Of course it is not the Oxford English Dictionary's fault
but we want to use another term than couch potato because potatoes are naturally healthy."
     The OED says "couch potato" originated as American slang, meaning"a person who spends leisure
time passively or idly sitting around, especially watching television or video tapes."
     John Simpson, chief editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, said the dictionary first included the term
"couch potato" in 1993 and said"dictionaries just reflect the words that society uses."
     Simpson said words were never taken out of the full-length dictionary, which includes some 650,000
words contained in 20 volumes. But little-used words can be removed from the smaller dictionaries to make
way for newer ones.
      "If society stops using words, then they are taken out of the smaller dictionaries", he added. "The first
known recorded use of the expression 'couch potato' was in a 1979 Log Angeles Times article," Simpson
said.
     Nigel Evans, a member of parliament for the Ribble Valley in Lancashire, has made a motion in support
of the campaign, highlighting the nutritional value of the British potato.

1. British potato farmers were taking to the streets ____.

A. to advertise their production
B. to call for a higher price for t heir potatoes
C. to remove the expression "couch potato" from the dictionary
D. to let people know how important the potato is in people's lives

2.The farmers think that ____.

A. potatoes have had a bad imagine
B. potatoes are good for people by nature
C. potatoes sometimes do harm to people
D. it's the dictionary's fault to use the expression "couch potato"

3. John Simpson thinks that ____.

A. he expression can be taken out of every kind of dictionary
B. dictionaries do not necessarily reflect the words the society uses
C. little used words can remain in the smaller dictionaries
D. it is impossible to take the word out of the dictionary

4. What is wrong with the expression "couch potato"?

A. It is connected with unfavorable meaning.
B. Potato should be used in the expression.
C. It is borrowed from American English.
D. It refers to a kind of person.

     This is the place for you to come to share stories with other real kids who are trying hard to improve their
bodies and minds! Did you score a goal in your soccer game? Have you got rid of a bad habit? Are you working
to reduce your stress in life? Tell the world what makes your body and mind healthy!
     Posted by Dp, Ohio
     I have been working on a fitness equipment to exercise for over four months. I have completed my goal of
losing weight and I am very proud of myself. That is so cool!
     Posted by MK, Missouri
     I was always tired at school, because I used to stay up late watching TV. I even fell asleep one day in my
history class, and when I woke up, the teacher was looking at me and laughing! I decided that minute to start
going to bed on time. It's kind of a drag missing the shows I like, but I can tell my body loves it-I feel so much
better!
     Posted by SP, Georgia
     Last year, I didn't make the soccer team at school. I didn't want to try out again this year, but a few weeks before tryouts (選拔賽), I started kicking the ball around and practicing. When tryout day came, I decided to give it another shot. Guess what? I made the team!
     Posted by JS, New York
     I'm deaf, so I've had more trouble playing sports than other people. But who wants to sit at home all the
time? I like to play basketball with guys in my neighborhood. I can't hear the ball bounce (彈起) or listen to the
guys call players, but I've taught them to use some sign language, and so far, we've been unstoppable!

1. The kids mentioned in the text came here _____.

A. to make new friends
B. to learn to tell stories
C. to talk about their efforts to keep fit
D. to share weight-losing experiences

2. The achievement that SP, Georgia has made is that _____.

A. he was admitted to the school soccer team
B. he scored a goal in an important soccer match
C. his soccer skills have improved a lot this year
D. he helped the school soccer team win an important match

3. Who taught other kids sign language?

A. DP, Ohio
B. JS, New York
C. SP, Georgia
D. MK, Missouri

4. The underlined part "a drag" in the text probably refers to something that is _____.

A. satisfying
B. rewarding
C. puzzling
D. annoying

     Who are these people rushing by you in the street? More than 215 million people now call America
"home", but most of them can trace their families back to other parts of the world. If you look at the
names on shop windows, you will see that Americans come from many different lands. The idea that
these people, who once were strangers to the United States, have lost the customs and cultures of their
original countries and have become "American" is really not true. In fact, what exists in America is more
often a kind of "side-by-side" living in which groups of people from other countries often have kept many
of their customs and habits. They join the general American society only in certain areas of their lives-such
as in schools, business, and sports-but they keep many of their own native customs and manners socially
and at home. This living "side-by-side" has both advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes it may cause
disagreements to develop between groups whose ways of life are very different from one another. However,
there are also great advantages that come from the variety of cultures brought by settlers from other lands.
There is great freedom of choice among ideas and dress, food, and social customs in America. Everyone
can find some part of his or her familiar world in the United States, in churches, music, food, national groups,
or newspapers.

1. More than 215 million people call America "home" because_______.

A. they have their houses
B. they settle there now
C. they want to make their home there
D. they like that land very much

2. "Side-by-side" living style means _______.

A. to make friends with native people
B. to keep their own customs while sharing American ones in certain areas
C. the groups of people who live nearby
D. that they get closer to American society

3. Which of the following statements is true?

A. Americans from different lands always stick to their own customs and habits.
B. "Side-by-side" living style is not suitable.
C. Americans from different lands face the society they are not familiar with.
D. The advantages coming from the variety of cultures make life in America colorful.

4. Which is the best title for this passage?

A. Advantages and Disadvantages.
B. Different Customs and Habits.
C. Home for the People.
D."Side-by-side" Living Style in America.

     We are all called upon to make a speech at some point in life, but most of us don't do a very good
job.    1   .
     So, you have to give a speech-and you are terrified. You get nervous, you forget what you want to
say, you stumble (結(jié)結(jié)巴巴) over words, you talk too long, and you bore your audience. Later you think,
"Thank Goodness, it's over. I'm just not good at public speaking. I hope I never have to do that again."
     Cheep up!    2   . Here are some simple steps to take the pain out of speech making. Ask yourself the
purpose of your speech. What is the occasion? Why are you speaking? Then, gather as many facts as you
can on your subject. Spend plenty of your time doing your research. Then spend plenty of your time
organizing your material so that your speech is clear and easy to follow. Use as many examples as possible,
and use pictures, charts, and graphs if they help you make your points more clearly.     3   . Don't talk over
their heads, and don't talk down to them. Treat your audience with respect. They will appreciate your
thoughtfulness.
     Just remember: Be prepared. Know your subject, your audience, and the occasion. Be brief.    4   . And
be yourself. Let your personality come through so that you make person-to-person contact with your
audience.
     If you follow these simple steps, you will see that you don't have to be afraid of public speaking. In
fact, you may find the experience so enjoyable that you volunteer to make more speeches! You're not
convinced yet?    5   .
A. It doesn't have to be that bad.
B. Take several deep breaths before your speech.
C. This article gives some advice on how to give a good speech.
D. Say what you have to say and then stop.
E. Don't say what you aren't familiar with.
F. Never forget your audience.
G. Give it a try and see what happens.

     Do you know anything about Australian students?
     Parents in Australia are strict with their children. At home Australian students should do the following.
     They get up after the alarm clock rings every morning. They cook breakfast and prepare lunch box.
By the way, they must have enough time to catch the school bus. Their parents don't come along with them
to go to school or go home.
     They must let their parents know clearly how they are at school. For example, their study, the relations
to their classmates and teachers. So their parents can know their studies and growing-up.
     They must respect and love their parents. When they leave home every morning, they must kiss their
parents and say good-bye to them. When they reach home after school, they must say hello to their parents
and kiss them again.
     They must learn how to treat friends and guests. When their friends or guests come, they must greet them
and treat them with boiled water or coffee. When they leave, they must clean and put the cups of glasses in
order.
     They must learn how to conduct financial transactions (理財(cái)) and love clothes. Their parents give them
some pocket money every week. They must plan to use money. They have all bills and give them to their
parents on the weekend. If they didn't use money well, they would be given less money next week.. After
school, they don't wear school uniform to cook or take a walk with a dog. They wear slack suit (便裝).
     Keep the house clean. From Monday to Friday after they get up, they put their beds in order. On weekend,
they not only put their beds in order but also clean the whole houses and wash cars.

1. What does this passage tell us?

A. How Australian students study in the schools.
B. What Australian students like.
C. How Australian students conduct financial transactions.
D. What Australian students do at home.

2. What is the first thing an Australian student does after he or she gets up every morning? less time
in studying.

A. Making the alarm clock ring.
B. Cooking breakfast.
C. Preparing lunch box..
D. Putting his or her bed in order.

3. What is the main point of the last paragraph?

A. Australian students must wash cars.
B. Australian students must do housework.
C. Australian students must keep the houses clean.
D. Australian students like work.

4. Which of the statements is true according to the passage?

A. In fact, the parents in Australia like their children very much.
B. Few parents in Australia like their children.
C. Australian students like work very much.
D. Australian students spend

     What do you call someone who speaks three languages? Trilingual. What do you call someone who
speaks two languages? Bilingual. What do you call someone who speaks one language? An American.
     To people in many countries, being bilingual or even trilingual is a way of life. But since the mother
tongue of most Americans is English-a language widely spoken around the world-they often don't feel the
need to learn a foreign language. Moreover, people who live in the heartland of America have little contact
with other linguistic groups, making foreign language skills irrelevant.
     Actually, though, this"land of immigrants" has always had people of many different nationalities and
languages. The 1990 census indicates that almost 14% of Americans speak a non-English at home. Yet
only 3% reported that they spoke English "not well" or "not at all". That means that slightly more than one
out of 10 Americans could be considered bilingual. Besides that, many high school and college students and
even some elementary school students are required to take a foreign language as a part of their curriculum.
In addition to old standbys like Spanish, German and French, more and more students are opting (選擇)for
Eastern European and Asian languages. Of course, not all students keep up their foreign language abilities.
As the old saying goes, "If you don't use it, you lose it," But still, a growing number of Americans are coming
to appreciate the benefits of bein  multilingual.

1. What can we learn from this passage?

A. Many Americans don't speak English at home.
B. All Americans speak English very well.
C. Most Americans can only speak one language.
D. In America most students only study one language.

2. Why do most Americans consider foreign languages are not important?

A. Because they think foreign languages are hard to learn.
B. Because English, their mother tongue, is a language widely spoken around the world.
C. Because they don't like foreign languages at all.
D. Because they have poor abilities to learn foreign languages.

3. What does the underlined word "multilingual"mean?

A. Bilingual.
B. Trilingual.
C. Language skill.
D. Speaking many languages.

4. What is happening to Americans now according to this passage?

A. More and more Americans are coming to appreciate the benefits of being multilingual.
B. Most Americans are studying foreign languages.
C. Most students in America are studying foreign languages.
D. Many elementary, high school and college students are required to learn five languages.

      Speaking in public is most people's least favorite thing. The reason is that we're all afraid of making
fools of ourselves. The more important the speech is, the more frightened we become.
     But stop biting your finger-nails. Public speaking is easy. It's just plain talking, and you talk all the time.
Public speaking is not a "gift" like musical talent or being able to draw. Anybody who can talk can speak in
public. Here are some tips:
     Keep it simple. Your audience is going to learn one or two from your main ideas by heart. If you can't
express, then your speech is not focused well enough. And if you don't have a clear idea of what you want
to say, then your audience will have no interest in your speech. Get organized. No matter how long or short
your speech is, you'd better get your materials in order: how you're going to start, what major points you
want to make and how you're going to close. You may often write the last sentence first. When you know
what your aim is, you can choose any ways to get there. A strong close is powerful. The last thing you say
is what your audience will most likely remember.
     Keep it short. The standard length of a vaudeville (雜耍) act was 12 minutes. If all those troupers (演員)
want to sing and dance, they may make the audience bored. So make your speech short.

1. Why does the author say "Public speaking is easy."?

A. Because he considers that public speaking is just to say something in plain speech.
B. Because he considers that when someone speaks in public, he doesn't bite his finger-nails.
C. Because he considers that people do public speaking all the time.
D. Because he considers that people are not afraid of public speaking.

2. What does the author teach us here?

A. Not to make fools of ourselves.
B. How to make a speech.
C. To talk all the time.
D. How to have a clear idea when you speak.

3. In the author's opinion, how can you make your audience have interest in your speech?

A. You must make your audience learn your main ideas by heart.
B. You must say what your audience will most likely remember.
C. You must have a clear idea of what you want to say.
D. You must write the last sentence of your materials first.

4. Which of the statements is true according to the passage?

A. The more important the speech is, the easier it is.
B. Anybody who can talk is not frightened of public speaking.
C. The standard length of a speech is 12 minutes.
D. Public speaking is easy. Have a go, and you will make it.