阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C和D项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
It is one of the most annoying words in the English language and it seems there is no escaping it. The word “huh?” is in worldwide use, a study found.
Researchers discovered that languages spoken in countries from Ghana and Laos to Iceland and Italy all include “huh?”, or something that sounds very like it. They said that while the study may sound silly, the word is an absolutely necessary part of speech. Without it and similar words, it would be impossible to show that we haven’t heard or understood what had been said and this would lead to constant misunderstandings.
But while other words used in the same context, such as “sorry” or “what”, vary widely across languages, “huh?” remains unchanged.
The Dutch researchers carefully studied ten languages from around the world, including Siwu, which is spoken in Ghana, and an Australian Aboriginal language, as well as Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Mandarin Chinese.
They analysed tapes of recorded conversations for words that sounded like “huh?” and were used to request that whatever had just been said be repeated. All contained a version of “huh?”. The word was also found in another 21 languages. While there were subtle differences in each country, all sounded basically the same.
This is surprising because normally unrelated languages will use very different words to describe the same thing. For instance, the Japanese for “dog” is “inu”, while the French is “chien”. It is thought that languages around the world have developed their own version of “huh?” because the sound is quick and simple to form, as well as being easily understood.
The researchers, said that it might seem unimportant to carry out scientific research into a word like “huh?” but in fact this little word is an essential tool in human communication. They also have an answer for those who claim that “huh?” isn’t a word. They say that it qualifies because of the small differences in its pronunciation in different languages. It also can be considered a word because it’s something we learn to say, rather than a grunt or cry that we are born knowing how to make.
1.According to researchers, the word “huh?” is very important in speech because of ________.
A. its stable meaning in language development
B. its important function in communication
C. its simple and easy sound and spelling
D. its popularity in every language
2.What is the natural response if you hear the lady you’re speaking to say “huh?”?
A. You should ask her to repeat what she says before that.
B. You should apologize to her for speaking in a low voice.
C. You should invite her to share her different views politely.
D. You should try to repeat what you’ve just said in a clearer way.
3.The main method used in the research of “huh?” was ________.
A. interviewing language experts in universities
B. talking with people from ten different countries
C. analyzing the recorded conversations in different languages
D. comparing different words with the same meaning in different languages
4.According to researchers, “huh?” should be considered a word rather than a sound because ________.
A. it is listed in most dictionaries
B. it is something humans learn to say
C. there is a clear and consistent spelling of the word
D. there is a big difference in the way it pronounces in different languages
5.What is the purpose of the passage?
A. To inform readers about research on the worldwide used word “huh?”.
B. To argue that “huh?” is the most important word in every language.
C. To entertain readers by relating similar idioms in different languages.
D. To instruct readers of the differences of “huh?” in different languages.
阅读理解。
Ever wonder how this season’s celebrations affect the environment? Guest blogger Krista Fairles takes an amusing look at this very topic:
The holidays are a wonderful, cheerful time when most people wait for Santa to bring them presents. But I’m not like most people. I spend my time wondering just what the environmental impacts of Santa Claus and his reindeer are, and more importantly, how I can calculate those impacts.
Lately I’ve been particularly curious as to whether Santa’s old sled is a clean green flying machine, or if he should be replacing his 8 reindeer with an environmentally-friendly car.
I should mention that, surprisingly, I was unable to find statistics specific to Santa’s magical flying reindeer, so these calculations use numbers from various sources and may not represent actual pollution caused by Santa and his animals. In other words, don’t complain to the government about the damage Santa is causing the environment based on this article.
Santa’s yearly trip around the globe is 44,000km long, twice the average of a North American driver. If we assume that the magic provides the altitude for this trip, then reindeer power only needs to push Santa’s sled forward. To complete the trip in 12 hours, I estimate they must travel at a speed of about 3100km/h. To travel at this speed, for this length of time, the reindeer need to eat an incredible 980 million calories each!!
So the next question is: how much food is in 980 million calories? Well, if they’re eating corn, they’d need to eat 16,500 lbs each — or 1.6 acres of food. Growing 12.8 acres of corn has its own implications for the environment that we’ll leave for another calculation.
We now need to consider that during the global trip the reindeer are “letting out” some of that corn in the form of methane (甲烷，沼气). A resting cow produces 110 kg of methane per year, so flying reindeer would each let out about 4.8 tons. With methane causing 20 times the global warming damage of CO2, and the altitude increasing that damage by 1000% that another 20 times, we can put Santa’s round-trip emissions at 15,488 tons. This is much more than the 100 tons an environmentally-friendly car would release on the same trip!
Bad Santa.
1. Which aspect does the writer NOT include in her analyses about reindeer’s influence on environment?
A. Distance covered. B. Calories consumed.
C. Tons of waste let out. D. Money spent on food.
2.According to Paragraph 6, how many acres of corn would Santa need to feed 10 reindeer?
A. 1.6. B. 16.
C. 12.8. D. 128.
3.Which of the following statements would the writer most probably agree with?
A. Christmas celebrations are really a waste of money.
B. Vegetarians are more likely to survive than meat-eaters.
C. Raising animals has a negative influence on environment.
D. The car industry does less harm to environment than farming.
4.Which of the following words best describes the language style of the passage?
A. Humourous and concerned. B. Cheerful and friendly.
C. Academic and formal. D. Serious and boring.
5.Which of the following is the best title for this passage?
A. Is Santa driving clean and green?
B. Santa, watch where you’re going!
C. Santa Claus is coming to town!
D. Let’s reduce waste on Christmas celebrations!
I saw my seven-year-old son, Paul.
I saw my seven-year-old son, Paul.