Most people think that the older you get, the harder it is to learn a new language. That is, they believe that children learn more easily and efficiently than adults. Thus, at some point in our lives, maybe around age 12 or 13, we lose the ability to learn languages well. Is this idea a fact or myth(懸念)？
Is it true that children learn a foreign language more efficiently than adults? On the contrary, research studies suggest that the opposite may be true. One report, on 2,000 Danish children studying Swedish, concluded that the teenagers learned more, in less time, than the younger children. Another report, on Americans learning Russian, showed a direct improvement of ability over the age range tested; that is, the ability to learn increased as the age increased, from childhood to adulthood.
There are several possible explanations for these findings. For one thing, adults know more about the world and therefore are able to understand meanings more easily than children. Moreover, adults can use logical(邏輯的) thinking to help themselves see patterns in the language. Finally, adults have more self-discipline (self-control) than children.
All in all, it seems that the common idea that children are better language learners than adults may not be a fact, but a myth.
【小題1】The main idea of the passage is that         .

A．teenagers are more difficult to teach

B．Danish teenagers can learn Swedish faster than younger children

C．a(chǎn)dults are more logical than children

D．the ability to learn languages increases with age

【小題2】 If most people’s idea of learning languages is true, people may lose ability to learn languages well         .

A．a(chǎn)t an early age	B．when they reach their twenties
C．a(chǎn)t an old age	D．a(chǎn)fter they become young men

【小題3】According to the passage, teenagers can learn a foreign language __________ than younger children.

A．harder

B．more efficiently

C．more slowly

D．more carefully

【小題4】The reason why adults understand meanings more easily than children is that         .

A．a(chǎn)dults have more self-discipline

B．a(chǎn)dults like to play more than children

C．a(chǎn)dults have more knowledge than children

D．a(chǎn)dults accept new things more easily than children

【小題5】The explanation for older student’s better achievement not mentioned in the above passage is that       .

A．a(chǎn)dults know more about the world.	B．a(chǎn)dults can use logical thinking
C．a(chǎn)dults have more self-discipline.	D．a(chǎn)dults can read better.

The United States is full of cars. There are still many families without cars, but some families have two or more. However, cars are used for more than pleasure. They are a necessary part of life.

    Cars are used for business. They are driven to offices and factories by workers who have no other way to get to their jobs. When salesmen are sent to different parts of the city, they have to drive in order to carry their products. Farmers have to drive into the city in order to get supplies.

    Sometimes small children must be driven to school. In some cities school buses are used only when children live more than a mile away from the school. When the children are too young to walk too far, their mothers take turns driving them to school. One mother drives on Mondays taking her own children and the neighbors' as well. Another mother drives on Tuesdays, another on Wednesday, and so on. This is called forming a car pool. Men also form car pools, with three or four men taking turns driving to the place where they all work.

    More car pools should be formed in order to put fewer cars on the road and use less gas. Too many cars are being driven. Something will have to be done about the use of cars.

1.The United States is filled with cars, but       .

A. not every family has a car

B. few families have two cars or even more

C. every American has a car

D. every family has a car

2.Which statement is true according to the third paragraph?

A. Small children are driven to school.   

B. All children go to school by bus in some cities.

C. Mothers drive their children who can't walk to school. 

D. School buses pick up all children.

3.Mothers form car pools in order that             .

A. they can drive to school

B. they can take turns driving their children to school

C. they reach school quickly

D. they can drive their children to school in time

4.The traffic in and around cities is a great problem because        .

A. too many cars are being driven        B. there are too many car pools

C. people put fewer cars on the roads     D. there is less gas

 

For better eyesight, doctors advise limiting the hours of screen time and encourage having enough eye resting time.
However, another study shows that sitting in front of computer or TV screens for long hours is not the only reason for myopia（近視）. An Australian research team studied young children in Sydney and Singapore to find the reasons for myopia.
The research team found that the prevalence（流行）of myopia among children in Sydney was lower than children in Singapore, even though they spent more time in front of computer and TV screens. The major finding is that children in Sydney spend longer hours on outdoor activities than those in Singapore.
Indoor and outdoor sports activities both make the eyes focus on more distant objects, which prevents the eyes from changing shape. But outdoor activities may better help avoid myopia than indoor sports activities.
Jane Gwiazda, who does research in sight problems, says: “Natural light is good for eye growth. And extra vitamin D from the sun might contribute to eye growth.”
Many doctors suggest that every child get its first eye test done when he/she is about two and half years old, and even if his/her sight seems perfect.
It is necessary for myopic children to wear glasses to prevent headaches, trouble reading or injuries. It is also important that schools invite doctors to test their students’ eyes.
If that is not possible, school teachers should at least encourage parents and children to have regular eye examinations and wear glasses. And parents should remember not only to limit the total screen time for their children, but also to encourage them to spend time outdoors.
【小題1】What’s the aim of the study by the Australian research team ?

A．To find the reasons for myopia.

B．To find the ways to treat myopia.

C．To prove the bad effects of myopia.

D．To prove the prevalence of myopia.

【小題2】Why are there fewer children with myopia in Sydney than in Singapore ?

A．Because Sydney children watch less TV.

B．Because Sydney children have more eye resting time.

C．Because Sydney children use computers less.

D．Because Sydney children do more outdoor sports.

【小題3】What conclusion can we draw from the passage ?

A．Sydney children don’t study hard.

B．Singapore children do few exercises.

C．Outdoor activities do more good to eyes.

D．Room light does harm to children’s eyes.

【小題4】Which of the following statements is TRUE ?

A．Children should have eye tests as soon as they reach school age.

B．Doing outdoor activities with no glasses is good for myopia children.

C．Focusing on distant objects can help the eyes keep their original shape.

D．Children should limit their time in the sun in order to protect their eyes.

Psychiatrists(精神病專家)，who work with older parents say that maturity can be an asset(資產(chǎn)) in child raising----older parents are more thoughtful, use less physical discipline and spend more time with children. But raising kids takes money and energy, many older parents find themselves balancing their limited financial resources, declining energy and failing health against the growing demands of an active child. Dying and leaving young children is probably the older parents’ biggest and often unspoken fear. Having late-life children, says an economics professor, often means parents, particularly fathers, “end up retiring much later.” For many, retirement becomes an unobtainable dream.

Henry Metcalf, a 54-year-old journalist, knows it takes money to raise kids. But he’s  also worried that his energy will give out first. Sure, he can still ride bikes with his athletic fifth grader, but he’s learned that, young at heart doesn’t mean young. Lately he’s been taking afternoon naps to keep up his energy.” My body is aging,” says Metcalf, “You can’t get away from that.”

Often, older parents hear the ticking of another kind of biological clock. Therapists who work with middle-aged and older parents say fears about aging are nothing to laugh at. “They worry they’ll be mistaken for grandparents, or that they’ll need help getting up out of those little chairs in nursery school.” Says Joann Galst, a New York psychologist .But at the core of those little fears there is often a much bigger one. “that they will not be alive long enough to support and protect their child, ” she says .

Many late-life parents, though, say their children came at just the right time. After marrying late and undergoing years of fertility(受孕) treatment, Marilyn Nolen and her husband, Randy, had twins. “We both wanted children,” says Marilyn, who was 55 when she gave birth. The twins have given the couple what they desired for years, “a sense of family.”

Kids of older dads are often smarter, happier and more sociable because their fathers are more involved in their lives. “The dads are older, more mature,” says Dr. Silber, “and more ready to focus on parenting.”

Why do psychiatrists regard maturity as an asset in child raising?

A Older parents can better balance their resources against children’s demands.

B Older parents are usually more experienced in bringing up their children.

C Older parents are often better prepared financially.

D Older parents can take better care of their children.

What does the author mean by saying “For many, retirement becomes an unobtainable dream”

A They have to go on working beyond their retirement age.

B They can’t get full pension unless they work some extra years.

C They can’t obtain the retirement benefits they have dreamed of.

D They are unwilling to retire when they reach their retirement age

The author gives the examples of Henry Metcalf to show that______.

A many people are young in spirit despite their advanced age

B taking afternoon naps is a good way to maintain energy

C older parents tend to be concerned about their aging bodies

D older parents should exercise more to keep up with their athletic children

What’s the biggest fear of older parents according to New York psychologist Joann Galst?

A Being laughed at by other people           B Slowing down of their pace of life

C Being mistaken for grandparents           D Approaching of death

What do we learn about Marilyn and Randy Nolen?

A They thought they were an example of successful fertility treatment

B Not until they had the twins did they feel had formed a family

C They believe that children born of older parents would be smarter.

D Not until they reached middle age did they think of having children.

閱讀理解（時(shí)間：20分鐘）

A

Many years ago my student asked me the question, "Mrs. Kindred, why do you teach?" Without taking time to reflect, I answered, "Because someday I might say something that might make a difference in someone's life." Even though I was sincere, that wasn't a very good answer and my student didn't let it slide.

"Let me get this straight," he said, "You went to college for four years so you could come here every day because you have the hope that someday you might say something that will influence someone?" He shook his head as if I were crazy and walked away looking confused. I'm one of those people who look back and wish they had said something smart or witty, or swift.

Even though that particular student might no longer wonder why I teach, there are days when I wonder. On those days, I remind myself of the real reasons I teach:

It's in my blood. My mother was my most influential teacher, and she was a 6th grade reading teacher until her death in 1990. She instilled(逐漸灌輸) in me a love of reading and the knowledge that education opens doors.

Teaching is a way to make a difference. If you throw a stone in a pond the ripples go on and on until they reach the shore. You can't have ripples without a "stone." Good teachers throw stones that make a positive difference, and that's what I strive to do.

I genuinely love teenagers.

I want to share with others what I know and what I have learned through the years. Life is full of ups and downs, and if I can help students avoid some potholes on the road of life, I want to do so. If they'll allow me to celebrate their victories with them, I want to do too.

Teaching isn't for everyone, but I know I made the right career choice.

41. Why did the student continue to ask the question about the writer’s being a teacher?

  A. Because he thought her answer was unbelievable.

  B. Because the writer was insincere.

  C. Because the student was naughty.

  D. Because the answer was difficult to understand.

42. What do you think of the writer?

  A. Stupid.                       B. Honest.                    C. Conservative.                   D. Polite.

43. According to the text, which of the following is NOT true?

  A. The writer’s mother has the greatest influence on her.

  B. The writer’s answer made the student confused.

  C. In the writer’s opinion, some people in the world are unfit to teach.

  D. The writer annoyed the student who asked the question.

44. We can infer from the text that _________.

  A. the writer was also a good teacher in school

  B. the writer often plays with her students beside a pond

  C. the writer devotes herself to teaching and her students

  D. the writer often accompanies the students on their way home

45. What’s the main idea of the text?

  A. A student’s silly question.                                 B. A good teacher who likes students.

  C. A confused student.                                          D. The reason why I teach.