Sitting across from his teacher, Edgar Martinez repeated the word he couldn't quite pronounce: "situation".The teacher, LisaMojsin, hired to help Martinez reduce his accent, said the word slowly; "Sit-chew-a-shun." "I wish he had taught me this 20 years ago." said Martinez, 37, who comes from Mexico and lives in Los Angeles.In private tutoring classes throughout the nation, immigrants are focused on sounding more American.
Accent reduction classes have been around for years, but experts say."As our workforce becomes more and more global, these classes are becoming more and more popular." Private tutors said they answer calls almost daily from students, when just a few years ago the phones rang only occasionally.Author Amy Gillett said that sales of her book and CD set, "Speak English Like an American", have increased three times in the last few years.Judy Ravin, President of the Accent Reduction Institute, said she has hundreds of students who follow her program, "Lose Your Accent in 28 Days".
Though there is a general tolerance for diversity, experts said, reality has made some immigrants who sound different feel unwelcome.If someone speaks with an accent associated with an Asian language, they may work as engineers or computer scientists.If someone speaks with certain Spanish accents, people may think they are recent immigrants working in landscaping or the hospitality industry (招待性行业).A French accent gives images of romance.An Australian accent brings to mind adventure and fun.
Accent reduction students said they are aware of how they sound and whether their accents limit their job opportunities or spoil their social lives.Jennie Lo, aged 43, said her accent has been an embarrassment.Sometimes people couldn't even understand her when she said her name.While in college in Oklahoma, Lo said she didn't make many friends, tearing that no one could make out her words.Lo is now taking accent reduction classes and hopes to apply for a manager position at work."I just want to feel good about myself," she said."If I really work hard, if I practice every day, I can't be perfect.But I can be better."
1.In the whole passage, the first paragraph serves as a(n) _____.
A.introduction B.comment
C.explanation D.background
2.What does the author want to express in the second paragraph?
A.The effect that popular accent reduction classes have.
B.The fact that accent reduction classes become popular.
C.The steps how accent reduction classes become popular.
D.The reasons why accent reduction classes become popular.
3.If someone speaks with certain Asian accents, people may think _____.
A.they are romantic B.they are hospitality workers
C.they are computer scientists D.they love adventure and fun
4.What is Jennie Lo's attitude towards her taking accent reduction classes?
A.Confident. B.Helpless.
C.Proud. D.Anxious.
科目:高中英语 来源:2013届浙江省湖州市菱湖中学高三上学期期中考试英语试卷(带解析) 题型:阅读理解
Breathe, wave and smile. Along with more than 300 other seniors, I marched into the stadium on the afternoon of May 10. The audience burst into deafening cheers. The huge stadium shook with all the whistling and clapping.
It was as if a Hollywood superstar had walked on stage. And indeed, every single senior that day was a star of the moment. Each deserved it. The seniors had been preparing for four years for this once-in-a-lifetime moment—the commencement.
Seated, I waited anxiously for the opening address. As a foreign exchange student, I was not able to receive a diploma. However, I still had the wonderful feeling of being part of things. Like the other graduates, I was dressed in marron(紫褐色)cap and gown(方帽长袍).
Our principal, Mr. Glover, delivered a short, warm greeting. The US national anthem followed and then, hands on chests, a solemn Pledge of Allegiance(对美国的效忠宣誓).
Students who had excelled academically gave farewell speeches. The tears in some eyes convinced me that many had deep feelings about the occasion. It was as the class motto says, “Life brings us tears, smiles and memories. The tears dry; the smiles fade; but the memories last forever.”
Then came the core (核心) of the commencement. Hundreds of names were announced. Each graduate walked across the stage to receive his or her diploma from the principal. From the different cheers each graduate got, we had the funny sense that it was a kind of competition of who could cheer the loudest.
To be honest, the presentation of diplomas got boring. A girl sitting next to me even started yawning. But it wasn’t boring for those receiving the diploma: they would treasure the moment the principal placed the sacred brown document in their hands for the rest of their lives.
A new page in the book of that person’s life had turned. They were glimpsing(开始领悟) their futures: futures of challenge, hardship, perhaps loneliness too, which would take all of their courage.
【小题1】What’s the article mainly about?
A.An American graduation ceremony. |
B.The opening ceremony of a sports meeting. |
C.A presentation of college diplomas. |
D.A US college’s farewell party. |
A.Hollywood superstars went to attend the ceremony. |
B.Every single senior became a superstar at the ceremony. |
C.When each graduate got his or her diploma, there were cheers. |
D.All graduates would treasure the diploma for the rest of their lives. |
A.b-c-a-d-e | B.b-d-c-e-a | C.e-d-b-a-c | D.e-d-c-b-a |
A.foreign exchange students could get a diploma |
B.a diploma guarantees a bright future |
C.the ceremony symbolizes the beginning of a new stage in life |
D.everyone felt excited at the presentation of the diploma |
A.felt lost about the future |
B.was actually one of the graduates |
C.received her diploma on May 10 |
D.felt it boring to be at the presentation ceremony |
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科目:高中英语 来源:2011年吉林省长春外国语学校高一上学期期末考试英语试卷 题型:阅读理解
One day while walking along the bank of a river, a rabbit couple(夫妇) saw a wounded(受伤的) ant lying unconsciously(没有直觉地) on the grass. The rabbit couple gently put the ant on the leaf(叶子) of a nearby plant. She soon recovered and saw the rabbit couple sitting beside her.
The ant remembered that she had found herself under the foot of a cat by chance and fainted(晕倒). She asked how she reached the leaf top. The rabbit couple told her what had happened. The ant thanked them and said she would help them when they needed help.
The rabbit couple went further up the river to enjoy the bright sun. They had been there many times and would spend many hours playing and relaxing in the sun.
One fine day, the couple were again on their way to the river while the ant was playing on the leaf of a tree. She saw the rabbit couple walking towards the river. A few hours later she saw the rabbit couple sleeping peacefully on the soft grass by the river. Suddenly she saw a lion moving towards the grass where the rabbit couple were sleeping. The loin saw the rabbit sleeping, and started walking quietly to attack them.
Realizing the hazard getting close to the rabbits, the ant jumped from the leaf to the lion’s shoulder and bit(咬) the lion’s back. The lion cried out in pain, waking the rabbit couple. The rabbits ran away quickly and the ant jumped off the lion’s back into the grass.
A white pigeon(鸽子) who watched this event cheered at the courage(勇气) of the ant and told the whole story to the rabbits. The rabbit couple were moved and thanked the ant. They became best friends.
【小题1】From the first three paragraphs, we can learn that _____.
A.the rabbit couple put the ant on the leaf of a plant to hide her |
B.the ant was wounded after fighting with a cat |
C.the rabbit couple and the ant knew each other very well before |
D.the rabbit couple often went to the river |
A.The ant was hurt by the lion. |
B.The ant was small but clever. |
C.The white pigeon was as brave as the ant. |
D.The lion wanted to play a joke on the rabbit couple. |
A.d,c,e,a,b | B.d,e,c,b,a | C.e,c,b,a,d | D.c,d,e,b,a |
A.reality | B.warning | C.experience | D.danger |
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科目:高中英语 来源:2013届陕西省西安市高陵县第三中学高三第一次月考英语卷卷(带解析) 题型:填空题
根据短文内容,从下框的A~F选项中选出能概括每一段主题的最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该选项涂黑。选项中有一项为多余选项。(注意:E涂AB;F涂AC;G涂AD.)
A. Stay busy. B. Wear what fits you. C. You can possibly be attractive. D. Great posture makes you attractive. E. Helping others makes you attractive. F. Attention to others makes you attractive. |
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科目:高中英语 来源:2012-2013学年陕西省西安市高三第一次月考英语卷卷(解析版) 题型:信息匹配
根据短文内容,从下框的A~F选项中选出能概括每一段主题的最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该选项涂黑。选项中有一项为多余选项。(注意:E涂AB;F涂AC;G涂AD.)
A. Stay busy. B. Wear what fits you. C. You can possibly be attractive. D. Great posture makes you attractive. E. Helping others makes you attractive. F. Attention to others makes you attractive. |
61.
It is possible to be an attractive person when you are in a job interview or in a place where you just want to gain the respect of others. It’s not about how much money you make, and it’s not about your daddy is. What it is about is some simple things in your life. It just has a lot to do with being confident in who you are.
62.
Ask questions about others when you stay with them and listen to them patiently. Talking about yourself all the time shows that you pay no attention to others. Shifting attention from yourself to others makes you attractive. It indicates that you are humble (谦逊的). If you come across as a know-it-all (even if you really do know it all), it really pushes people feel that you care, you are humble and you can be trusted.
63.
Have you ever seen a potentially very attractive person, but he has terrible posture (姿势)?It’s all ruined, isn’t it? Or perhaps you have seen someone who may be quite ugly but he has great posture and so suddenly he is really attractive? It’s true. Your posture says a lot about you – it says whether you have confidence, or simply if you really care. Talking physically, it is one of the most important physical characteristics you need.
64.
Keeping doing things shows that you have power. You’re told to stay busy to ward off (防止,避免) depression and feelings of anxiety. But did you know you should also stay busy to be really attractive? It’s true. Always have something to do. Have you ever seen someone just sitting around, doing nothing? How unattractive! Always be busy with something, Even if for some reason you have to make something up.
65.
Wear clothes that fit you. Too tight, people are distracted. Too loose, you just look sloppy (肥大而难看的). For women, wearing tight pants or shirts is not attractive. Slightly loose things are best, or other things that just fit you and your shape well but not tight. Men and women with taste and style really don’t know why some guys think their pants sagging down are somehow attractive. It just tells people you don’t really care. You are following the crowd. Wear things that fit you nicely.
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科目:高中英语 来源:2011-2012学年山东省高三10月考英语试题 题型:其他题
根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。(注意:涂在答题卡上,E涂 AB F 涂 AC G涂 AD)
_____1._________. Since that time, we've provided people like you --- teachers, doctors, salespeople, full-time parents --- with a way of having a great time, challenging themselves and reconnecting with family and friends.
The non-stop routine of everyday life – answering e-mails, sitting in staff meetings ---- can have a dulling effect on people's senses. ____2.___. Otherworld provides just such an opportunity. It is an experience participants cherish and remember for years afterwards.
Coming to Otherworld is like stepping into the pages of an adventure novel. You'll meet a host of characters, portrayed by our staff, who'll start bringing the world to life. Mysteries will begin to unfold around you. 3.___. You' ll see amazing sights and do things you never dreamed possible.
Suppose you were traveling to a foreign country. When you arrived, you might read a guidebook or visit a tourist booth to familiarize yourself with the laws and customs of the place you were visiting. _____4._____. Before the weekend, you'll receive a handbook, explaining Otherworld's customs and conventions. When you arrive at the weekend itself, there'll be a short briefing to review the handbook's contents.
Then you and your group are taken to the front door of the Inn at World's Edge. You'll see candles on each of the tables. A fire will burn in the fireplace. At many of the tables, people will sit talking, arguing, and laughing. These people are our staff volunteers. ___5.____.But now they are all costumed and playing roles as citizens of the village of World's Edge.
A. And at that moment, the adventure begins.
B. Otherworld Adventure Weekend starts in much the same way.
C. They are the same people who welcomed you and helped you unload bags.
D. Maybe some of the local people would talk to you, telling you about nearby attractions. .
E. Otherworld was founded in 1992 with an idea: to give people an extraordinary adventure.
F. Therefore, everybody needs a relaxing weekend - a good adventure to refresh themselves.
G. As you and your friends work together to solve them, you'll find yourselves F.challenged in ways that are exciting, unexpected and fun.
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