News report 1：
A recent survey shows UK parents believe Chinese is the most useful non-European
language for children to learn.
Fifty-one percent of the parents surveyed thought it would increase their children's chances of a
successful career;fifty-six percent felt it would open their children's minds to an "exciting and
dynamic”culture.
According to Mark Herbert from the British Council,with the global economy becoming more closely connected,language skills are increasingly important to work and life.In this situation,if the UK wants to remain competitive in the world, more and more British young people need to learn Chinese,because it can help them successfully work abroad.He also points out that learning Chinese is an interesting process that brings a valuable understanding of Chinese culture.
答案：1. A 2.D 3.C
News report 2：
New words like"cheeseball"are to be included in the latest edition of the Oxford English
Dictionary (OED).
"Cheeseball"is used to refer to someone orsomething without taste,style,or originality.
There are around 1,200 new words or meanings added by the OED.They represent the terms
which are judged significant and likely to stand the test of time,according to Oxford University Press.The OED has also updated around 1,000 other words or expressions.
In addition to a number of food-related terms, social media expressions have also appeared in the OED.“YOLO,"which means “you only live once,"has been included in the latest edition.
According to the chief editor of the OED,the latest update “confirms the OED as one of the largest and longest-running language research projects in the world."
答案：1.C 2. A 3.D
Conversation 1:
(H=Host D=Dr.Adams)
H: Good evening,everyone.Let's welcome today's guest,Dr.Charles Adams,a world-known linguist and researcher:
D:It's a pleasure to be here.
H:Dr.Adams,what do you think are the secrets of learning a foreign language?
D:Well,one important key is to establish a regular study program,like studying a few minutes every morning around breakfast time.
H:That sounds really easy to do.But does that actually work?
D:Of course you can'tlearn a foreign language with a few minutes here and there,but following a regular and focused course of study can help you master a language.
H:So what are other basic keys you suggest?
D: Well,people need to plan their study by setting goals that can be achieved from the beginning. And small steps are the key. For example,learning five new words a day and practicing using them actively is far better than learning 30 words and forgetting them the next day.
H: That's quite true.Practice makes perfect.
D: Yes.Besides,people often have different ways of learning and you have to find the way that best suits you.
H:Can you say more about that?
D: Sure.Some people learn better when they see models of the patterns they are expected to learn. Others learn better by reading out loud because they have to hear it or speak it in order to know it. Everyone should find out their learning style and make full use of it while learning.
H: OK. These are quite helpful suggestions, anything else?
D: Well...
答案：1. A 2.A 3.B
Conversation 2:
Tim: Are you looking forward to your trip to Australia, Amy?
Amy: Yes!I'm really excited!
Tim: How long is the trip?
Amy: Two months.I'm staying with an Australian family.
Tim: That's wonderful.Is this your first time to go there?
Amy: Yes,so I'm a little nervous.I want to make some friends there,but I'm quite shy about talking to new people,you know.
Tim: h,don't worry.Australians are very easygoing. It's easy to make friends there.
Amy: I hope so!Do you have any advice?
Tim: Yes.If you get invited to a barbecue,go!
Amy: I love barbecues!But why barbecue?
Tim: Well,barbecue is a huge part of Australian culture.
Amy: Really?What do people do?
Tim: Usually a group of friends drive to a beach or park and spend most of the day there cooking, hanging out and even surfing.
Amy: That sounds like fun!
Tim: efinitely!There's usually a lot of food like steak and seafood …But what truly matters is the meeting,greeting and partying with your mates.
Amy: Wow.…I can't wait to experience it.But …what do you mean by“mates”?
Tim: Ah,that's how Australians say“friends" . You'll hear it a lot once you're in Australia.
答案：1. B 2. C 3.A 4.B
Passage 1:
Nearly 60 years after first sending letters to each other,a Canadian woman has finally met her
Australian pen pal in person.
Dolores Baily from Canada and Lyn Carpenter from Australia became pen pals when they were both 10 years old.Despite their distance,the two said they shared much in common,including hobbies and music tastes.They were both mad Beatles fans;and their friendship definitely helped them get through their teenage years.
There was a long period when they were so busy with their own lives that the two friends almost
lost touch with each other.But then,one day,Baily found an old letter from Carpenter,and realized
that she missed her …so decided to get back in touch.
Over the years,emails and text messages may have become the most common methods of
communication,but the two friends never stopped sending physical letters to each other.
During the visit,the two friends said that it was only the beginning of a new chapter for their
relationship.They also made plans for Carpenter to visit Baily in Canada next year.
答案：1. D 2. B 3.D
Passage 2:
Today,1,000 people attended the opening of a new China Cultural Center in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. The center is one of 20 established by Chinese embassies around the world. These centers have the goal of building friendships between China and other countries.At the opening ceremony,guests enjoyed a traditional lion dance and a free concert given by world-class Chinese musicians.
The director of the center said that the center will be a place for New Zealanders and Chinese people
to develop lasting friendships and understanding. People will be able to enjoy Chinese festivals,
and hear talks from visiting Chinese writers and artists.The center also plans to give basic Chinese
language lessons,and hold workshops for New Zealanders who want to learn more about Chinese
history and culture.
“I am really excited about it,”said one New Zealand school teacher.“I often take school groups
to China.Now with the activities at the China Cultural Center,New Zealand children can learn much more about China and how to make the most of their visits.”
答案：1. B 2. D 3.C
