43. We can learn from Ms. Yates’ speech that she _____________. A. kept track of her students’ progress B. gave her students advice on their careers
C. attended her students’ college graduationsD. went to her students’ wedding ceremonies
44. What was Ms.Yates’ belief in teaching teenagers?
A. Teachers’ knowledge is the key to students’ achievements. B. Pressure on students from teachers should be reduced. C. Hard-pushed students are more likely to succeed. D. Students’ respect is the best reward for teachers. 45. Which of the following can best describe Ms. Yates? A. Reliable and devoted. Tough and generous. C. Proud but patient. Strict but caring.
C
The practice of students endlessly copying letters and sentences from a blackboard is a thing of the past. With the coming of new technologies like computers and smartphone, writing by hand has become something of nostalgic (怀旧的)skill. However, while today’s educators
B.
D.
are using more and more technology in their teaching, many believe basic handwriting skills are still necessary for students to be successful---both in school and in life.
Virginia Berninger, professor of educational psychology at the University of Washington, says it’s important to continue teaching handwriting and help children acquire the skill of writing by hand.
Berninger and her colleagues conducted a study that looked at the ability of students to complete various writing tasks---both on a computer and by hand. The study, published in 2009, found that when writing with a pen and paper, participants wrote longer essays and more complete sentences and had a faster word production rate.
In a more recent study, Berninger looked at what role spelling plays in a student’s writing skills and found that how well children spell is tied to know well they can write. “Spelling makes some of the thinking parts of the brain active which helps us access our vocabulary, word meaning and concepts. It is allowing our written language to connect with ideas.” Berninger said.
Spelling helps students translate ideas into words in their mind first and then to transcribe(转换) “those words in the mind written symbols on paper or keyboard and screen,” the study said. Seeing the words in the “mind’s eye” helps children not only to turn their ideas into words, says Berninger, but also to spot(发现) spelling mistakes when they write the
words down and to correct then over time.
“In our computer age, some people believe that we don’t have to teach spelling because we have spell checks,” she said. “But until a child has a functional spelling ability of about a fifth grade level, they won’t have the knowledge to choose the correct spelling among the options given by the computer.”
46. What makes writing by hand a thing of the past? A. The absence of blackboard in classroom. use of new technologies in teaching.
C. The lack of practice in handwriting. D. The popular use of smartphones.
47. Berninger’s study published in 2009 ___________.
A. focused on the difference between writing by hand and on a computer.
B. indicated that students prefer to write with a pen and paper. C. found that good essays are made up of long sentences. D. discussed the importance of writing speed.
48. Which of the following best shows the role of spelling? A. Spelling improves one’s memory of words. B. Spelling ability is closely related to writing ability. C. Spelling benefits the translation from words into ideas.
B. The
D. Spelling slows down finding exact words to express ideas. 49. What does “mind’s eye” in paragraph 5 mean? A. Window. Imagination.
50. What conclusion could be drawn from the passage? A. Computers can help people with their choice of words. B. Spell checks can take the place of spelling teaching. C. Handwriting still has a place in today’s classrooms. D. Functional spelling ability develops fast in the fifth grade.
D
You are given many opportunities in life to choose to be a victim or creator. When you choose to be a victim, the world is a cold and difficult place. “They” did things to you which caused all of your pain and suffering. “They” are wrong and bad, and life is terrible as long as “they” are around. Or you may blame yourself for all your problems, thus internalizing(内化)your victimization. The truth is, your life is likely to stay that way as long as you feel a need to blame yourself or others.
Those who choose to be creators look at life quite differently. They know there are individuals who might like to control their lives, but they don’t let this get in the way. They know they have their weaknesses, yet they don’t blame themselves when they fail. Whatever happens, they
B. Soul C. Picture. D.
have choice in the matter. They believe their dance with each sacred(神圣的)moment of life is a gift and that storms are a natural part of life which can bring the rain needed for emotional and spiritual growth.
Victims and creators live in the same physical world and deal with many of the same physical realities, yet their experience of life is worlds apart. Victims relish (沉溺)in anger, guilt, and other emotions that cause others---and even themselves---to feel like victims, too. Creators consciously choose love, inspiration, and other qualities which inspire not only themselves, but all around them. Both victims and creators always have choice to determine the direction of their lives.
In reality, all of us play the victim or the creator at various points in our lives. One person, on losing a job or a special relationship, may feel as if it is the end of the world and sink into terrible suffering for months, years, or even a lifetime. Another with the same experience may choose to first experience the grief, then accept the loss and soon move on to be a powerful creative force in his life.
In every moment and every circumstance, you can choose to have fuller, richer life by setting a clear intention to transform the victim within, and by inviting into your life the powerful creator that you are.
51. What does the word “they” in Paragraph 1 probably refer to? A. People and things around you.
B. Opportunities and