Part I Reading Comprehension (30%)
Directions: There are three passages in this part. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. You should decide on the best choice and blacken the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet.
Passage 1
Questions 1 to 5 are based on the following passage:
The fourth-graders atChicagos McCormick Elementary School dont know Chinese is supposed to be hard to learn. For most, who speak Spanish at home, its becoming their third language. Theyve been heating and using Chinese words since nursery, and its natural to give a ni haowhen strangers enter the classroom.Its really fun! says Miranda Lucas, taking a break from a lesson that includes a Chinese interview with Jackie Chan. Im teaching my mom to speak Chinese.
The classroom scene at McCormick is unusual, but it may soon be a common phenomenon in American schools, where Chinese is rapidly becoming the hot new language. Government officials have long wanted more focus on useful languages like Chinese, and pressure from them -- as well as from business leaders, politicians, and parents -- has produced a quick growth in the number of programs.
Chicago city officials make their best effort to include Chinese in their public schools. Their program has grown to include 3,000 students in 20 schools, with more schools on a waiting list. Programs have also spread to places like Los Angeles, New York City, and North Carolina. Supporters see knowledge of the Chinese language and culture as an advantagein a global economy where China is growing in importance. This is an interesting way to begin to engage with the worlds next superpower, says Michael Levine, director of education at the Asia Society, which has started five new public high schools that offer Chinese. Globalization has already changed the arrangements in terms of how children today are going to think about their careers, The question is when, not whether, the schools are going to adjust.
(76) The number of students leaming Chinese is tiny compared with how many study Spanish or French. But one report shows that before-college enrollment (报名人数) nearly quadrupled between 1992 and 2002, from 6,000 to 24,000. Despite the demand, though, developing programs isnt easy. And the No. one difficulty, everyone agrees, is having enough teachers. Finding teacher is the challenge, says Scott McGinnis, an academic adviser for a language institute and a Chinese teacher for 15 years at the college level. Materials are easy comparison. Or getting schools funded.
1. The best title for this passage might be_____.
A. Next Hot Language to Study: Chinese
B. Next Hot Language to Study: Spanish
C.Next Hot Language to Study: French
D. Chicago Is the Place to Learn Chinese
2. The most difficult thing to do is finding _____.
A. enough textbooks for the Chinese programs
B. enough money for the Chinese programs
C. enough teachers for the Chinese programs
D. enough students for the Chinese programs
3. We learn from the passage that_____.
A. Scott McGinnis has been a Chinese teacher for 15 years
B. Jackie Chan is a Chinese teacher at McCormick Elementary School
C. Chicago officials ire required to learn Chinese
D. Scott McGinnis is good at giving his opinions on everything
4. According to the passage, all the following statements are true EXCEPT_____.
A. the number of students learning Chinese is small
B. Chinese programs have found their way in several major Cities in the U.S.
C. g0vernment officials dont like the pressure from business
leaders and parents to start Chinese programs
D. China is becoming more and more influential in the world
5 The word quadrupled in the last paragraph is close in meaning tomultiplied by_____.
A. three times B. four times
C. five times D. six times
