Pronouncing a language is a skill. Every normal person is expert in the skill of pronouncing his own language; but few people are even moderately proficient at pronouncing foreign languages. Now there are many reasons for this, some obvious, some perhaps not so obvious. But I suggest that the fundamental reason why people in general do not speak foreign languages very much better than they do is that they fail to grasp the true nature of the problem of learning to pronounce, and consequently never set about tackling it in the right way. Far too many people fail to realize that pronouncing a foreign language is a skill—one that needs careful training of a special kind, and one that cannot be acquired by just leaving it to take care of itself. I think even teachers of language, while recognizing the importance of good accent, tend to neglect, in their practical teaching, the branch of study concerned with speaking the language. So the first point I want to make is that English pronunciation must be taught; the teacher should be prepared to devote some of the lesson time to this, and by his whole attitude to the subject should get the student feel that there is a matter worthy of receiving his close attention. So, there should be occasions when other aspects of English, such as grammar or spelling, are allowed for the moment to take second place.
Apart from this question of the time given to pronunciation, there are two other requirements for the teacher: the first, knowledge; the second, technique.
It is important that the teacher should be in possession of the necessary information. This can generally be obtained from books. It is possible to get from books some idea of the mechanics of speech, and of what we call general phonetic theory. It is also possible in this way to get a clear mental picture of the relationship between the sounds of different languages, between the speech habits of English people and those, say, of your students. Unless the teacher has such a picture, any comments he may make on his students pronunciation are unlikely to be of much use, and lesson time spent on pronunciation may well be time wasted.
1.What does the writer actually say about pronouncing foreign languages? A.Only a few people are really proficient. B.No one is really an expert in the skill. C.There aren’t many people who are even fairly good. D.There are even some people who are moderately proficient.
2.The writer argues that going about the problem of pronunciation in the wrong ways ___. A.an obvious cause of not grasping the problem correctly B.a fundamental consequence of not speaking well C.a consequence of not grasping the problem correctly D.not an obvious cause of speaking poorly
3.The best way of learning to speak a foreign language, he suggests, is by ___. A.picking it up naturally as a child B.learning from a native speaker C.not concentrating on pronunciation much D.undertaking systematic work
4.The value the student puts on correct speech habits depends upon ___. A.how closely he attends to the matter B.whether it is English that is being taught C.his teacher’s approach to pronunciation D.the importance normally given to grammar and spelling
5.How might the teacher find himself wasting lesson time? A.By spending lesson time on pronunciation. B.By making ill-informed comments upon pronunciation. C.By not using books on phonetics in the classroom. D.By not giving students a clear mental picture of the different between sounds.
第55篇答案：CCDCB
第56篇：(Unit 14,Passage 4)
Work is a very important part of life in the United States. When the early Protestant immigrants came to this country, they brought the idea that work was the way to God and heaven. This attitude, the Protestant work ethic, still influences America today. Work is not only important for economic benefits, the salary, but also for social and psychological needs, the feeling of doing something for the good of the society. Americans spend most of their lives working, being productive. For most Americans, their work defines them; they are what they do. What happens, then when a person can no longer work?
Most Americans stop working at age sixty-five or seventy and retire. Because work is such an important part of life in this culture, retirement can be very difficult. Retirees often feel that they are useless and unproductive. Of course, some people are happy to retire; but leaving one’s job, whatever it is a difficult change, even for those who look forward to retiring. Many retirees do not know how to use their time or they feel lost without jobs.
Retirement can also bring financial problems. Many people rely on Social Security checks every month. During their working years, employees contribute a certain percentage of their salaries to the government. When people retire, they receive this money as income. These checks do not provide enough money to live on, however, because prices are increasing very rapidly. Senior citizens, those over sixty-five, have to have savings in the bank or other retirement plans to make ends meet. The rate of inflation is forcing prices higher each year; Social Security checks alone cannot cover Medicare (health care) and welfare (general assistance) but many senior citizens have to change their lifestyles after retirement. They have to spend carefully to be sure that they can afford to but food, fuel, and other necessities.
Of course, many senior citizens are happy with retirement. They have time to spend with their families or to enjoy their hobbies. Some continue to work part time; others do volunteer work. Some, like those in the Retired Business Executives Association, even help young people to get started in new business. Many retired citizens also belong to “Golden Age” groups. These organizations plan trips and social events. There are many opportunities for retirees.
Americans society is only beginning to be concerned about the special physical and emotional needs of its senior citizens. The government is taking steps to ease the problem of limited income. They are building new housing, offering discounts in stores and museums and on buses, and providing other services, such as free courses, food service, and help with housework.
Retired citizens are a rapidly growing percentage of the population. This part of the population is very important and we must respond to their needs. After all, every citizen will be a senior citizen some day.
1.The early immigrants considered work ___. A.too hard B.important C.pleasant D.dull
2.Why do Americans like working? Because working ___. A.doesn’t only mean money but it is also psychological B.can make life more comfortable C.can prove people to be independent D.gives people funny
3.We can safely put forward that retirees who ___. A.have no financial problems still want to earn more money B.have financial problems still feel lost C.have no financial problems still feel lost D.have no financial problems feels it’s hard to make ends meet
4.According to the passage the government ___. A.hadn’t paid attention to the retirees’ problems B.has already solved a lot of retirees’ problems C.has just begun to pay attention to the retirees’ problems D.won’t pay attention to the retirees’ problems
5.Which of the following is not steps taken for the benefit of senior citizens by the government? A.New housing has been built. B.The old are offered discounts in stores. C.Senior citizens are provided free courses, food service. D.None.
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