People often ask which is the most difficult language to learn, and it is not easy to answer because there are many factors to take into consideration. Firstly, in a first language the differences are unimportant as people learn their mother tongue naturally, so the question of how hard a language is to learn is only relevant when learning a second language. A native speaker of Spanish, for example, will find Portuguese much easier to learn than a native speaker of Chinese, for example, because Portuguese is very similar to Spanish, while Chinese is very different, so first language can affect learning a second language. The greater the differences between the second language and our first, the harder it will be for most people to learn. Many people answer that Chinese is the hardest language to learn, possibly influenced by the thought of learning the Chinese writing system, and the pronunciation of Chinese does appear to be very difficult for many foreign learners. However, for Japanese speakers, who already use Chinese characters in their own language, learning writing will be less difficult than for speakers of languages using the Roman alphabet. Different cultures and individuals will find different languages more difficult. In the case of Hungarian for British learners, it is not a question of the writing system, which uses a similar alphabet, but the grammatical complexity, though native speakers may find it easier, struggling with languages that the British find relatively hard. No language is easy to learn well, though languages which are related to our first language are easier. Learning a completely different writing system is a huge challenge, but that does not necessarily make a language more difficult than another. In the end, it is impossible to say that one language that is the most difficult language in the world. 【小题1】Who might find Portuguese an easier language to learn? A．The Chinese. B．Russians. C．Spanish people. D．The Japanese. 【小题2】Why do Japanese speakers find the Chinese less difficult to learn? A．They use Chinese characters. B．Japan is the neighbor of China. C．Chinese is their second language. D．Many Japanese are learning Chinese. 【小题3】Which is the most difficult of Hungarian for British learners? A．Writing. B．Pronunciation. C．Grammar. D．Alphabet. 【小题4】What might be the author’s opinion? A. Chinese is the hardest language. B. Native language is always easy to learn. C. No languages are difficult to learn well.

We will offer you a 20 percent discount if you are among the first fifteen customers of the day（） A. 如果你是当天15位中首次来购物的顾客，我们就能给你打2折。B. 如果你是今天首次来本店购物的第15位顾客，我们能让利20%。C. 如果你是今日首批来订货的第15位客户，我们将给你80%回扣。D. 如果你是当天来本店购物的前15位顾客，我们将会给你打8折。

The price of rice on world markets has doubled and in the past two months alone has gone up 50 percent. The rising costs have triggered warnings of social chaos in the Philippines. Rising fuel and fertilizer costs, and natural disasters are the main reasons for the price increase. Cambodia and Vietnam have cut their rice exports, actions that analysts say threaten to push prices up even further in the coming months.U.S. and the World Food Program officials say they are searching for ways to cut transportation and other non-food costs. They say one way is to develop means of purchasing and processing food in the countries that receive the aid, rather than have to transport it from faraway places. The World Food Program recently launched an extraordinary emergency appeal for donor nations to increase their donations. Gaddi Vasquez, the U.S. ambassador to U.N. food and agriculture agencies told reporters the United States, the largest single donor to the World Food Program, has not yet decided if it will increase donations in the wake of rising food prices.1.What problem may be caused in the Philippines with the high price of rice?A) Social turmoil. B) Natural disasters.C) Increase of fuel costs.D) Shortage of fertilizer.2.How did Vietnam try to solve the rice problem?A) By cutting fertilizer costs.B) By reducing rice exports.C) By increasing rice imports.D) By encouraging rice planting.3.What was the reaction of the World Food Program towards rising food prices?A) It provided various ways of processing food.B) It imposed limits on rice imports and exports.C) It stopped transporting rice from faraway places.D) It asked donor nations to increase their donations.

Part 3 Reading Comprehension (40 points)Task 1 Read the following passage. Choose the best answer.The anti-plastic partnershipPlastic pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems of our times. It is said that about 8 million pieces of plastic are thrown into our oceans every day: endangering marine animals, spoiling beautiful beaches and, worst of all, ending up in the food chain.Thankfully, awareness of this issue is spreading, and many people are determined to do something about it. Many countries have now introduced a “bag tax”, meaning that shoppers have to pay to use a plastic bag. Local businesses (such as cafes) have been asked to stop using plastic cutlery and putting plastic straws in drinks. Many people have started to use everyday items made out of other materials instead of plastic. For example, bamboo toothbrushes are becoming popular. And finally, community groups in towns and cities all over the world are getting together and finding out how they can beat the problem of plastic pollution.One such group is the “Anti-Plastic Partnership” in Appleton, Wisconsin in the USA. The group meets once a week to make cloth shopping bags and to discuss ways in which they can put an end to plastic pollution. The group's founder, Ella Muster says, “Plastic pollution isn't going to go away. It's time for communities to take action, working together for this important cause.”The group meets every weekend, and currently has around 50 members. Ella says, “The local community has been very supportive of what we're trying to do. Our ultimate goal is to make Appleton a plastic-free city.”(1) (单选题)1. According to the writer, what is the most serious problem connected with plastic pollution?A.It’s dangerous for animals which live in the sea.B.Plastic gets into the food we eat. C.It destroys beautiful beaches. D.It causes global warming. (2) (单选题)2. What is a “bag tax”? It _________________.A.means you have to pay more tax if you have a bigger bagB.means you have to pay if you don’t use a plastic bagC.means you have to pay if you use a plastic bagD.is a small fee which every working person pays once a year(3) (单选题)3. What kind of toothbrushes are becoming more popular? A.Bamboo ones. B.Recycled plastic ones. C.Electric ones.D.New plastic ones. (4) (单选题)4. In Ella’s opinion, what needs to be done about plastic pollution? People should ________________________________________.A.wait for local governments to actB.write to local businessesC.start to take action within their communitiesD.give up, as the problem won’t go away by itself(5) (单选题)5. What is the Anti-Plastic Partnership’s goal? They want to ________________________.A.make sure that more people know about plastic pollutionB.become well-known around the worldC.start a business selling recycled bagsD.make their town plastic free

The man had better ________ enough evidence to prove his innocence.A. provide B. providing C. to provide D. provided

二、判断题(每每题4分,共3道小题,总分值12分)-|||-1.Computers are deffinitely getting much smarter an fuzzier In the future.-|||-4分)-|||-√正确 x错误-|||-2.The majority of the hard -core`ultras`are middle class,with a large-|||-proportion of good workin and high salary.(4分)-|||-正确 x错误-|||-⑦-|||-3.Pechacek thought that the rate which students are recelving some-|||-information is far higher than what is recommended. (4分)

In the _______of your “Going Amish” presentation, you say that you had friends over and realized what was going on. （开端）

9.STANDARD: Her standards are very high.A.A the bits at the back under her shoesB.B the marks she gets in schoolC.C the money she asks forD.D the levels she reaches in everything

A．The woman will invite the man to a home-cooked meal.B．The man will pick. the woman up at her home.C．They will pay their own expenses respectively.D．The woman may take the initiative in inviting the man.

Read the following passage. Choose the best answer. Introducing the intelligent bicycleIn recent years, autonomous cars have received much media attention. However, intelligent bicycles are now a reality and are set to become more and more popular in urban areas. It’s easy to understand the reason behind the intelligent bicycle’s rise in popularity. The stresses and dangers of urban cycling have long been recognized. Urban cyclists have to be incredibly focused and aware of their surroundings when riding through busy cities, and the intelligent bicycle helps to relieve some of the pressure from their minds, by detecting threats and providing a kind of warning system in heavy traffic. The intelligent bicycle is able to warn its rider when a fast-moving, deadly object is nearby in order to prevent a fatal accident.How does it do this? The saddle and handlebars of the intelligent bicycle vibrate whenever danger is near: this helps cyclists order to be more aware of their surroundings and of any danger.Bicycle lights are becoming smarter too. Once they just flashed, now they can sense when you are at a junction, a roundabout or heading toward an approaching car. When they sense the situation needs extra light, they shine more brightly, keeping the rider safe.The intelligent bicycle also comes with a camera system that uses image processing to detect multiple vehicles at the same time. If intelligent bicycles continue to evolve in this way, accidents could become a thing of the past.(1) (单选题)What is the purpose of this article? A.To point out the dangers of intelligent bicycles. B.To provide advice for drivers about sharing the road with cyclists. C.To discuss the benefits and features of intelligent bikes. D.To talk about different models of intelligent bikes. (2) (单选题)The writer believes that intelligent bikes are popular because ________. A.they are much cheaper than driverless cars B.there are many different models available C.they have very comfortable saddles D.cycling can be very stressful and dangerous (3) (单选题)How does the intelligent bicycle help its rider?A.It goes uphill easily. B.It uses satellite navigation so its rider won’t get lost. C.It warns its rider if danger is nearby. D.The rider can relax as the bike cycles itself. (4) (单选题)What can intelligent bicycle lights do?A.Keep themselves clean. B.Flash different colors. C.Switch off when not in use. D.Shine more brightly when needed. (5) (单选题)How does the writer view the future of the intelligent bike? A.There will be fewer accidents.B.Intelligent bikes will not be as popular as driverless cars. C.They will become less expensive with time.D.They will be good for reducing air pollution.A. is; isB. are; isC. are; are