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If you want to help children develop language and speech skills, UCLA researchers say, listening to what they have to say is just as important as talking to them.
The effect of a conversation between a child and an adult is about six times as great as the effect of adult speech input(输入)alone, the researchers found. “Adults speaking to children helps language develop, but what matters much more is the interaction, ”said the study’s lead author, Frederick Zimmerman, an associate professor in the School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles. The researchers also found that TV viewing didn’t have much of an effect—positively or negatively—as long as it wasn’t displacing conversations between an adult and a child.
The UCLA study included 275 families with children between 2 months and 48 months old. They represented a variety of incomes and education. The researchers found that, in an average day, children heard about 13, 000 spoken words from adults and participated in about 400 adult-child conversations a day.
Assessed separately, factors positively associated with language development included each additional 100 conversations a day and each 1, 000 words increase in the number of words spoken by adults and heard by children. When looked at alone, TV was negatively associated with language development. But, when these three factors were analyzed together, the only one that stood out was conversation between adults and children.
“The more a child speaks and interacts with an adult, the better idea a parent has about where the child is”, Zimmerman said. “Although it’s mostly done unconsciously, parents will provide feedback and correct mistakes. They’ll also tailor their speech to the child. Parents can give the children words by talking to them about what they’re doing, such as, ‘I’m putting on your pajamas now’. But give your child the opportunity to talk, hopefully without the rest of the noise in the environment, ”she added. “If parents can carve out some conversation time—maybe at bath time or at dinner time—that’s a wonderful thing. ”
1. The researchers also found that TV viewing .
A. could have a positive effect on a child’s language development
B. had a little effect on a child’s language development
C. affected a child’s language development more negatively than positively
D. affected a child’s language development both negatively and positively
2.Frederick Zimmerman would probably agree that .
A. parents should let their children talk most of the time
B. children should watch TV programs selectively
C. the conversation between parents and children should be two-way
D. it’s no good for parents to correct their children’s mistakes when they are speaking
3. We can conclude from the last paragraph that .
A. parents should let a child repeat what he or she says
B. bath time or dinner time is the best chance for parents to talk to a child
C. parent-child conversation can be carried out at any proper time
D. parents should leave a child talking alone
4. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Talk with kids, not at them
B. Let your children voice their own opinions
C. How to develop a child’s language ability
D. The importance of early child language development
5.The underlined word “tailor” in the last paragraph can be best replaced by .
A. control B. improve
C. pass D. adjust
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You have to keep on learning if you want to keep ______ with the development of modern science and technology.
A. peace B. touch C. pace D. connect
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If we are to help students develop reading skills in a foreign language, it is important to understand what is involved in the reading process itself. If we have a clear idea of how “good readers” read, either in their own or a foreign language, this will enable us to decide whether particular reading techniques are likely to help learners or not.
In considering the reading process, it is important to distinguish between two quite separate activities: reading for meaning (or “silent reading”) and reading aloud. Reading for meaning is the activity we normally engage in when we read books, newspapers, road signs, etc.; it is what you are doing as you read this text. It involves looking at sentences and understanding the message they convey, in other words “making sense” of a written text. It doesn’t normally involve saying the words we read, not even silently inside our heads.
Reading aloud is a completely different activity; its purpose is not just to understand a text but to convey the information to someone else. It is not an activity we engage in very often outside the classroom; common examples are reading out parts of a newspaper article to a friend, or reading a notice to other people who can’t see it. Obviously, reading aloud involves looking at a text, understanding it and also saying it. Because our attention is divided between reading and speaking, it is a much more difficult activity than reading silently; we often stumble and make mistakes when reading aloud in our own language, and reading aloud in a foreign language is even more difficult.
When we read for meaning, we do not need to read every letter or every word, nor even every word in each sentence. This is because, if the text makes sense, we can guess much of what it says as we read it.
1.The passage is mainly about ____________.
A. reading skills B. silent reading
C. reading processes D. reading aloud
2.The underlined word “stumble” in Paragraph 3 means ____________.
A. step over something and fall
B. repeat something or pause for too long
C. walk with heavy movements
D. speak in a fluent and confident way
3. We can infer from the passage that the author will continue to ____________.
A. discuss in detail how to read aloud
B. introduce some more reading activities
C. tell how good readers read in their own language
D. explain why we needn’t say the words when reading for meaning
4.We can conclude that ____________.
A. reading silently is easier than reading aloud
B. to understand a sentence, you have to read all the words in it
C. silent reading involves looking at a text and saying the words silently to yourself
D. there’s no difference between reading in one’s own language and in a foreign one
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Meet the “Tutor Kings and Queens”
“If you want to be a top tutor, it definitely helps if you are young and attractive. Students look at your appearance，” said Kelly Mok, 26, a “tutor queen” at King's Glory, one of Hong Kong's largest tutorial establishments.
Richard Eng from Beacon College, a former secondary school teacher, is often credited with being the first of Hong Kong's “star tutors”. “In school all the teachers look the same, there's no excitement，” he said.
The celebrity tutor phenomenon is a result of the huge growth in outofschool tutoring in Asia. It is fuelled by highly pressured examination systems and ambitious parents wanting their children to secure places at top universities and highstatus secondary schools.
In societies where success is_equated_with good exam results, parental anxiety converts into a “steady stream of revenue(收入)” for tutoring establishments, according to a study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB)．
The tutoring industry, or “shadow education” as the ADB calls it, has become very widespread in Asia, fed by the growth in universities and the rising proportion of school leavers aiming for university. Hong Kong University's professor Mark Bray, one of the authors of the ADB study, said a staggering 72% of finalyear school students in Hong Kong now go to private tutors.
It's not just Hong Kong. Tutoring has “spread and intensified(强化) in Asia and become more commercialized，” said Professor Bray. In South Korea, 90% of primary school children attend such classes. In China, New Oriental Education and Technology has grown to become one of the largest tutoring schools in Asia with around 2.4 million students this year. In South Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India, tutorial schools use star tutors to attract even more students.
1.According to Kelly Mok, tutors ________.
A．have a lot in common with school teachers
B．benefit much from their appearances
C．become more and more popular in the world
D．have much more pressure than in the past
2.Who is probably a “tutor king” in Hong Kong?
A．Kelly Mok. B．Richard Eng.
C．Mark Bray. D．Not mentioned.
3.What Professor Bray says in this passage means that ________.
A．the number of school leavers is increasing
B．tutoring may improve achievement for individual students
C．star tutors have attracted 2.4 million students
D．more and more students in Asia go to private tutors
4.The underlined part in Paragraph 4 is similar in meaning to ________.
A．is equal to B．leads to
C．results in D．is different from
5.Where is this passage probably taken from?
A．An English newspaper. B．A travel guide.
C．A fashion magazine. D．A physics book.
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How to be a safe and smart searcher
Several keywords will help to find better results. 1. If you want to find out about seagulls (海鸥), for example, search for “bird seagull” and not just “seagull”， because seagull might also be the name of anything else, from a hotel to a documentary film.
Exact references can help you find what you're looking for. If you are looking for an exact phrase or sentence, e．g. “seagulls are very clever”， type it between inverted commas (“”) and only exact matches will be shown. 2.
Avoid common words like “a” or “the” in a search. These aren't always helpful and are usually unnecessary.
Remove unwanted results by adding a minus symbol (). For example, “Seagullhotelfilm” would leave out all references to hotels and films.
Check your spelling. Make sure that you spell every word in the search box correctly. 3. That's because sometimes there are mistyped words existing.
Have a filter (筛选程序). It's a good idea to filter your online searchers, especially when you are searching for pictures. Ask an adult to help you add a filtering system. There are lots of filtering software options (可选择的事物) available.
4. Some search engines personalize the results, so check out the option of using a search engine that doesn't do this and you will get different results.
Make sure the reliability. Reliability is very important when you are searching on the Internet. Always ask yourself, “Is this reliable？” Don't make the mistake of believing everything you see. Some websites are unreliable and some information is false. 5.
A．Make sure that you're using the safest search settings.
B．The smallest typing mistakes can bring unwanted results.
C．Check your information on other websites before accepting it.
D．Use more than one keyword when you are doing a search.
E．Experiment with different search engines until you find the one that's best for you.
F．This is useful when you want to find something you've already seen but lost.
G．But finding the right information among thousands of links can be a real challenge.
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If you want your life to stand for peace and kindness, it’s helpful to do kind, peaceful things. One of my 16ways to do this is by developing my own 17 actions. These little acts of kindness are 18 to be of service and reminders of how good it feels to be 19 and helpful.
We live in a rural area of the San Francisco Bay Area. Most of what we see is beauty and 20 .One of the exceptions to the beauty is the 21 that some people throw out of their windows as they are 22 on the rural roads. One of the few drawbacks to 23 the mountainous area is that public services, such as litter collection, are less 24 than those are closer to the city.
A helping action that I practice 25 with my two children is picking up litter in our surrounding area. We' ve become so 26 to doing this that my daughters will often say to me in exciting 27 , "There' s some litter, Daddy, stop the 28 !" And if we have time, we will often pull over and pick it up. It may seem 29 , but we actually enjoy it. We pick up litter in parks, on sidewalks, practically 30 . Once I even saw a complete stranger picking up litter close to 31 we live. He smiled at me and said, "I saw you doing it, and it seemed like a good 32."
Picking up litter is only one of an 33 supply of possible helping actions. You might like holding a door open for people, 34 lonely elderly people in nursing homes, or removing snow off someone else' s driveway. Perhaps you might 35 something that seems effortless yet helpful. It' s fun, personally rewarding, and setting a good example. Everyone wins.
1. A．favorite B．familiar C．difficult D．different
2. A．taking B．placing C．passing D．helping
3. A．customs B．ceremonies C．opportunities D．occasions
4. A．cruel B．kind C．proud D．brave
5. A．science B．weather C．universe D．nature
6. A．list B．guidebook C．litter D．check
7. A．driving B．directing C．floating D．flying
8. A．search for B．live in C．look at D．march into
9. A．acceptable B．available C．horrible D．honorable
10. A．regularly B．completely C．calmly D．roughly
11. A．opposed B．reduced C．devoted D．accustomed
12. A．lungs B．voices C．sounds D．noises
13. A．horse B．carriage C．bike D．car
14. A．strange B．sensitive C．imaginable D．necessary
15. A．nowhere B．anywhere C．somewhere D．everywhere
16. A．why B．when C．which D．where
17. A．idea B．plan C．excuse D．feel
18. A．empty B．endless C．immediate D．attractive
19. A．describing B．developing C．visiting D．valuing
20. A．ask for B．look into C．carry out D．think of
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After studying Mandarin (普通话）at a University in London, I decided to further develop my language skills in Beijing. My choice of _______ was The Hutong School.
The Hutong School not only _______ language classes but also helps with accommodation, visa, and anything you could _______ need help with. They also organize _______ events, which is nice when living somewhere you don’t actually _______ anyone.
After a 10-hour flight, I _______ early in the morning. I _______ up my suitcase, made my way to the exit and met the Hutong School representative. He took me to my _______, which was located in Dongzhimen, a really nice and _______ location, only 2 stops to Tiananmen Square. However, the apartment was not quite as “nice” as ________ on the website. And I just had two ________: a German guy who would be there for four months learning ________, and a Spanish guy who works for The Hutong School.
After ________ in, the representative took me to ________ with the local police, which you need to do as a “resident”. Then, he took me to The Hutong School to ________ a level assessment, arrange my ________ and take me to meet my teachers.
The school is, well, ________ of what one would expect or is implied by the ________ not actually located in the Hutongs, but located on the 15th floor of a skyscraper. Obviously it was less charming but it did ________ for great views.
There, I had a 2-hour private class every day and my teachers were just lovely. Being in China and constantly being completely ________ in Chinese improved my Mandarin so much.
1.A. agency B. office C. institute D. class
2.A. serves B. designs C. operates D. offers
3.A. possibly B. frequently C. naturally D. hardly
4.A. cultural B. academic C. social D. financial
5.A. meet B. know C. like D. recognize
6.A. stopped B. arrived C. rested D. waited
7.A. put B. caught C. lifted D. picked
8.A. office B. school C. apartment D. station
9.A. quiet B. plain C. cheap D. central
10.A. presented B. explored C. sought D. painted
11.A. teachers B. roommates C. customers D. classmates
12.A. Chinese B. Germany C. English D. Spanish
13.A. bringing B. joining C. settling D. taking
14.A. register B. associate C. negotiate D. connect
15.A. study B. pay C. adapt D. get
16.A. party B. schedule C. tour D. report
17.A. on the whole B. by the way C. as a result D. on the contrary
18.A. name B. representative C. nature D. teacher
19.A. take B. look C. make D. long
20.A. lost B. involved C. stuck D. interested
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The most intensive period of speech and language development for humans is during the first three years of life, a period when the brain is developing and maturing. These skills appear to develop best in a world that is rich with sounds, sights, and consistent（一致的，协调的，相容的）exposure（揭发）to the speech and language of others.
There is increasing evidence suggesting that there are "critical periods" for speech and language development in infants and young children. This means that the developing brain is best able to absorb a language, any language, during this period. The beginning signs of communication occur during the first few days of life when an infant learns that a cry will bring food, comfort, and companionship. As they grow, infants begin to sort out the speech sounds (phonemes) or building blocks that compose the words of their language. Research has shown that by six months of age, most children recognize the basic sounds of their native language
As the speech mechanism (jaw, lips, and tongue) and voice mature, an infant is able to make controlled sound. By six months of age, an infant usually babbles or produces repetitive syllables such as "ba, ba, ba" or "da, da, da." By the end of their first year, most children have mastered the ability to say a few simple words. Children are most likely unaware of the meaning of their first words, but soon learn the power of those words as others respond to them.
By eighteen months of age, most children can say eight to ten words. By age two, most are putting words together in crude sentences such as "more milk." During this period, children rapidly learn that words symbolize or represent objects, actions, and thoughts. At this age they also engage in representational or pretend play. At ages three, four, and five, a child's vocabulary rapidly increases, and he or she begins to master the rules of language.
1．According to the passage, which of the statements is NOT true
A．The developing brain is best able to absorb any language.
B．The beginning signs of communication occur during the first few days of life.
C．By six months of age, all children recognize the basic sounds of their native language.
D．By 2, children rapidly learn that words symbolize or represent objects, actions, and thoughts.
2．We can infer from the passage that____
A．by six months of age, an infant must babble or produce repetitive syllables
B．by their first year, most children are most likely aware of the meaning of their first words
C．by 2, children rapidly learn that words symbolize or represent objects, actions, and thoughts
D．the brain development is critical to develop children’s speech and language ability
3．That there are “critical periods” for speech and language development in infants and young children means ______
A．that children are so young that it is easy for them to study
B．that the developing brain is best able to absorb a language, any language
C．that the children are eager to learn the language
D．that we must take care of children
4 In Paragraph 3, the underlined word “mechanism” can be replaced by ______.
A．organs B．skills C．abilities D．habits
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(2013·高考安徽卷)If you want to learn a new language，the very first thing to think about is why.Do you need it for a____ reason，such as your job or your studies？____ perhaps you’re interested in the ____，films or music of a different country and you know how much it will help to have a ____ of the language.
Most people learn best using a variety of ____，but traditional classes are an ideal(理想的)start for many people.They ____ an environment where you can practice under the ___ of someone who’s good at the language.We all lead ____ lives and learning a language takes ____.You will have more success if you study regularly，so try to develop a ___.It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got long.Becoming fluent in a language will take years，but learning to get by takes____.
Many people start learning a language and soon give up.“I’m too____，”they say.Yes，children do learn languages more ____ than adults，but research has shown that you can learn a language at any ____.And learning is good for the health of your brain，too.I’ve also heard people ___ about the mistakes they make when ____.Well，relax and laugh about your mistakes ____ you’re much less likely to make them again.
Learning a new language is never ____.But with some work and devotion，you’ll make progress.And you’ll be ____ by the positive reaction of some people when you say just a few words in ____ own language.Good luck!
1.A.technical B．political
C．practical D．physical
2.A.After B．So
C．Though D．Or
3.A literature B．transport
C．agriculture D．medicine
4.A view B．knowledge
C．form D．database
5.A paintings B．regulations
C．methods D．computers
6.A.protect B．change
C．respect D．provide
7.A.control B．command
C．guidance D．pressure
8.A.busy B．happy
C．simple D．normal
9.A.courage B．time
C．energy D．place
10.A.theory B．business
C．routine D．project
11.A.some risks B．a lot less
C．some notes D．a lot more
12.A.old B．nervous
C．weak D．tired
13.A.closely B．quickly
C．privately D．quietly
14.A.age B．speed
C．distance D．school
15.A.worry B．hesitate
C．think D．quarrel
16.A.singing B．working
C．bargaining D．learning
17.A.if B．and
C．but D． before
18.A.tiresome B．hard
C．interesting D．easy
19.A.blamed B．amazed
C．interrupted D．informed
20.A.their B．his
C．our D，your
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If you want to learn a new language, the very first thing to think about is why. Do you need it for a reason, such as your job or your studies? ________ perhaps you’re interested in the ________ , films or music of a different country and you know how much it will help to have a ________ of the language.
Most people learn best using a variety of ________ , but traditional classes are an ideal（理想的）start for many people. They ________ an environment where you can practice under the ________ of someone who’s good at the language. We all lead ________ lives and learning a language takes 39 . You will have more success if you study regularly, so try to develop a________ . It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got long. Becoming fluent in a language will take years, but learning to get by takes ________ .
Many people start learning a language and soon give up. “I’m too ________ ,” they say. Yes, children do learn languages more________ than adults, but research has shown that you can learn a language at any ________. And learning is good for the health of your brain, too. I’ve also heard people ________about the mistakes they make when ________. Well, relax and laugh about your mistakes ________ you’re much less likely to make them again.
Learning a new language is never ________ . But with some work and devotion, you’ll make progress. And you’ll be ________ by the positive reaction of some people when you say just a few words in ________ own language. Good luck!
1.A. technical B. political C. practical D. physical
2.A. After B. So C. Though D. Or
3.A. literature B. transport C. agriculture D. medicine
4.A. view B. knowledge C. form D. database
5.A. paintings B. regulations C. methods D. computers
6.A. protect B. change C. respect D. provide
7.A. control B. command C. guidance D. pressure
8.A. busy B. happy C. simple D. normal
9.A. courage B. time C. energy D. place
10.A. theory B. business C. routine D. project
11.A. some risks B. a lot less C. some notes D. a lot more
12.A. old B. nervous C. weak D. tired
13.A. closely B. quickly C. privately D. quietly
14.A. age B. speed C. distance D. school
15.A. worry B. hesitate C. think D. quarrel
16.A. singing B. working C. bargaining D. learning
17.A. if B. and C. but D. before
18.A. tiresome B. hard C. interesting D. easy
19.A. blamed B. amazed C. interrupted D. informed
20.A. their B. his C. our D. Your