Unit 5 Languages Around the World单元话题阅读理解练习-2025-2026学年高一英语人教版必修第一册

Unit 5 Languages Around the World 单元话题阅读理解 Unit 5 Languages Around the World单元话题：语言 本资料共10篇专题训练，从上到下依次按照难度分为基础语篇巩固练和重难语篇提升练 基础语篇巩固练 Four New English Learning Apps You Should Try in 2025 In today’s globalized world, English is increasingly important. Here are four new and promising English learning apps. Speakly focuses on improving spoken English through real-life conversations. It uses AI to simulate (模拟) everyday situations and provides instant feedback on pronunciation, helping you correct mistakes and build confidence. Its user-friendly interface and engaging content for all levels suit all learners. Memrise combines science-based techniques with fun content to help you learn and remember new words and phrases. It features courses for all levels and covers vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Its spaced-repetition system helps you keep what you’ve learned in mind. FluentU uses real-world videos like music videos, movie trailers, news, and talks as language learning lessons. It includes interactive subtitles, flashcards, and quizzes to enhance learning. With all levels and topics, it’s great for improving listening and speaking skills. EngVid is a free online platform offering English video lessons taught by native-speaking teachers. Lessons with all levels cover grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. People can watch at your own pace with transcripts and interact with other learners in the community. These apps offer different features and focus on various aspects of English learning. Try them out to see which one works best for you. Happy learning! 1．Which app uses scientific and interesting learning methods? A．Speakly. B．FluentU. C．EngVid. D．Memrise. 2．What do the four apps have in common? A．They focus on speaking. B．They offer interactive quizzes. C．They use video lessons. D．They provide lessons for all levels. 3．Where is this article most likely from? A．A textbook. B．A report. C．A magazine. D．A document. 【答案】1．D 2．D 3．C 【导语】这是一篇应用文。文章介绍了2025年值得尝试的四款英语学习应用，分别阐述了每款应用的核心特色、学习方式及适用场景。 1．细节理解题。根据Memrise部分“Memrise combines science-based techniques with fun content to help you learn and remember new words and phrases (Memrise将基于科学的技巧与有趣的内容相结合，帮助你学习和记忆新的单词和短语)”可知，Memrise应用采用了科学且有趣的学习方法。故选D。 2．细节理解题。根据各应用介绍：Speakly部分“Its user-friendly interface and engaging content for all levels suit all learners. (其友好的界面和适合各水平的有趣内容适合所有学习者)”；Memrise部分“It features courses for all levels and covers vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. (它提供适合各水平的课程，涵盖词汇、语法和发音)”；FluentU部分“With all levels and topics, it’s great for improving listening and speaking skills. (涵盖所有水平和主题，非常适合提升听说能力)”；EngVid部分“Lessons with all levels cover grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. (适合各水平的课程涵盖语法、词汇和发音)”可知，四款应用的共同点是都提供适合所有水平的课程。故选D。 3．推理判断题。根据文章开头“In today’s globalized world, English is increasingly important. Here are four new and promising English learning apps.(在全球化的今天，英语变得越来越重要。这里有四个新的有前途的英语学习应用程序)”可知，文章以“在全球化背景下英语的重要性”为引入，推荐了四款英语学习应用，内容简洁易懂且具有推荐性质，符合杂志中生活或学习类推荐文章的特征。故选C。 While picking up a new language is challenging at any age, however, it seems to be especially difficult to master a foreign tongue as we age. When we are growing up, we are building a language system in our mind, which allows us to communicate freely. If we start a new language after youth, however, we are adding a new set of rules to our mind. That is why we find it difficult to learn a new language — we’re building a new speech system when we are not young any more. Why is it easier for kids to learn a new language? Children are relatively more active, open-minded and their language system is not fixed, meaning it is less work for them to pick up new things. The good news is that learning a language isn’t really that hard if you’re opening your mind. But it does take hard work and motivation(动力) to achieve your goals. It’s important to remember what you’re actually learning is how to communicate in a new way with other human beings. If you often share your daily experience with others in that language, what you’re learning is related to you. For example, if I’m learning Italian, I would never remember how to say “Dov’è la biblioteca?” or “Where is the library?” but I will always remember how to say “Ti piace il caffè?” or “Do you like some coffee?” In addition, TV shows, films and video games in foreign languages are all great forms of entertainment (娱乐) for learning a new language. Anything that relates you to the language and culture is great, so long as you find it enjoyable. Adding a single new word to your vocabulary can be interesting and rewarding. The road to fluency can be hard, but the view along the way is really amazing, so it’s OK if you are driving slowly. 1．What affects language learning according to the first two paragraphs? A．Money. B．Sex C．Age. D．Work. 2．What can we infer about language learning from paragraph 2? A．Adults can pick up new things quickly. B．Children can do better than adults in language learning. C．Adults find the new rules easy to remember. D．Children have a fixed language system. 3．What is helpful for learning a language according to paragraphs 4 and 5? A．Taking down its rules. B．Playing video games. C．Going to the library. D．Using it in daily life. 4．What may be the best title for the passage? A．Is It too Late to Master a Foreign Language? B．Language Learning: Chance or Challenge? C．Why do Children Learn Faster Than Adults? D．How to Build up Your Vocabulary? 【答案】1．C 2．B 3．D 4．A 【导语】这是一篇说明文。文章主要讨论了学习新语言的挑战与可能性，强调了年龄对语言学习的影响，指出儿童因语言系统未固定而更容易学习新语言，但成年人只要开放心态、努力并找到乐趣，也能成功学习新语言。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段“While picking up a new language is challenging at any age, however, it seems to be especially difficult to master a foreign tongue as we age.(虽然学习一门新语言在任何年龄都是具有挑战性的，但随着年龄的增长，掌握一门外语似乎尤其困难。)”和第二段“That is why we find it difficult to learn a new language — we’re building a new speech system when we are not young any more.(这就是为什么我们发现学习一门新语言很困难——当我们不再年轻的时候，我们正在建立一个新的语音系统。)”可知，年龄影响语言学习。故选C项。 2．推理判断题。根据第二段“Why is it easier for kids to learn a new language? Children are relatively more active, open-minded and their language system is not fixed, meaning it is less work for them to pick up new things.(为什么孩子们学习一门新语言更容易呢？孩子们相对更活跃、思想开放，他们的语言系统不是固定的，这意味着他们学习新事物的工作量更少。)”可推测出，儿童在语言学习方面比成年人做得更好。故选B项。 3．推理判断题。根据第四段“It’s important to remember what you’re actually learning is how to communicate in a new way with other human beings. If you often share your daily experience with others in that language, what you’re learning is related to you.(重要的是要记住，你实际上学习的是如何用一种新的方式与其他人交流。如果你经常用那种语言与他人分享你的日常经验，那么你所学的东西就与你有关。)”和第五段“In addition, TV shows, films and video games in foreign languages are all great forms of entertainment for learning a new language. Anything that relates you to the language and culture is great, so long as you find it enjoyable.(此外，外语电视节目、电影和电子游戏都是学习新语言的绝佳娱乐形式。任何能让你与语言和文化联系起来的东西都是很棒的，只要你觉得它有趣。)”可知，在日常生活中使用语言有助于学习语言。故选D项。 4．主旨大意题。根据第一段“Learning a new language can be a big challenge at any age; however, it seems to be especially difficult to master a foreign tongue as we age.(学习一门新语言在任何年龄都是一个巨大的挑战；然而，随着年龄的增长，掌握一门外语似乎变得尤为困难。)”及最后一段“Adding a single new word to your vocabulary can be interesting and rewarding. The road to fluency can be hard, but the view along the way is really amazing, so it’s OK if you are driving slowly.(通往流畅的道路可能很艰难，但是沿途的景色真的很美，所以如果你开得很慢也没关系。)”再结合全文可知，文章主要讨论了学习新语言的挑战与可能性，强调了年龄对语言学习的影响，指出儿童因语言系统未固定而更容易学习新语言，但成年人只要开放心态、努力并找到乐趣，也能成功学习新语言。A项“掌握一门外语是否为时已晚?”适合作为文章标题。故选A项。 At just 19 years old, Akiša Peters teaches at the Sisseton Wahpeton Tribal College. He specializes in a language that is thousands of years old, the Dakota language, spoken by the Dakota people. “The Dakota language is the most important aspect of Dakota culture. Without it, our Dakota culture would no longer exist.” Peters claimed. “I was lucky to grow up around many first-language Dakota speakers. But now the elderly continually passed away and at the end of their lives, they just wanted to know their families would continue to have the language. One of the problems our people have is finding ways to get at-length and ongoing exposure (接触) to the language.” Aside from instructing at the college level, Peters uses social media to share videos that combine humor, culture, and basic-level conversation to help teach Dakota. In his free time, he visits Dakota elders. He also started an online group of youth to converse and share the knowledge of the language in a safe and supportive space. Akiša Peters wants to tell the youth that if they want to learn their own language, sit with their elders and learn from them. Endless vocabulary sheets could discourage them from learning. Standards created by non-speakers could also do that. “Within the next decade, I believe my colleagues, other Dakota-learning relatives and I will have children and start a new generation of Dakota. I also hope my brothers and sisters will take the path we laid out for them and continue to learn and speak Dakota. On my reservation there are numerous young people working on the comeback of the language. I’m hopeful because I’m definitely not alone.” Akiša Peters told Teenvogue. 1．Why does Akiša Peters teach the Dakota language? A．To enrich his experience. B．To record its written form. C．To prevent it dying out. D．To make it known globally. 2．What can we say about Akiša Peters according to Paragraph 3? A．Learned. B．Creative. C．Humorous. D．Cooperative. 3．What does Akiša Peters expect the young people to do? A．Deal with vocabulary sheets. B．Keep to the given standards. C．Communicate with their elders. D．Learn from their teachers. 4．Which section of a website is the text probably taken from? A．Research. B．Business. C．Fashion. D．Culture. 【答案】1．C 2．B 3．C 4．D 【导语】这是一篇说明文。主要介绍了19岁的Akiša Peters教授达科他语，通过多种方式努力保护这一语言，并对年轻人学习该语言提出期望。 1．细节理解题。根据第二段“The Dakota language is the most important aspect of Dakota culture. Without it, our Dakota culture would no longer exist. (达科他语是达科他文化中最重要的方面。没有它，我们的达科他文化将不复存在)”以及“But now the elderly continually passed away and at the end of their lives, they just wanted to know their families would continue to have the language. (但是现在不断有老人去世，在他们生命的尽头，他们只是想知道他们的家人会继续使用这种语言)”可知，Akíša Peters教授达科他语是为了防止它消亡。故选C项。 2．推理判断题。根据第三段“Aside from instructing at the college level, Peters uses social media to share videos that combine humor, culture, and basic-level conversation to help teach Dakota. In his free time, he visits Dakota elders. He also started an online group of youth to converse and share the knowledge of the language in a safe and supportive space. (除了在大学授课外，彼得斯还利用社交媒体分享结合幽默、文化和基础对话的视频来帮助教授达科他语。在空闲时间，他拜访达科他的长辈。他还成立了一个年轻人在线小组，在一个安全和支持的空间里交流和分享语言知识)”可推知，Akíša Peters富有创造力。故选B项。 3．细节理解题。根据第四段“Akiša Peters wants to tell the youth that if they want to learn their own language, sit with their elders and learn from them. (Akíša Peters想告诉年轻人，如果他们想学习自己的语言，就和长辈们坐在一起向他们学习)”可知，Akíša Peters希望年轻人与长辈交流。故选C项。 4．推理判断题。第一段介绍Akiša Peters教授达科他语，该语言是达科他人传承数千年的文化载体。第二段引用Peters的话，强调达科他语言是达科他文化最重要的方面，并说明达科他语传承面临的困境。第三段讲述Peters通过大学教学、社交媒体、线上青年团体等多种方式推广达科他语。第四段表达Peters对达科他语传承的期望。文章整体围绕达科他语言与文化的传承展开，属于文化范畴，因此可能来自网站的文化版块。故选D项。 The fear that language is in decline (衰退) is like the story of the boy who cried wolf, with one key difference: the wolf never appears. For a very long time, people have worried that language standards are falling, yet this feared breakdown in communication has never actually happened. Language has always been and will remain a useful tool for communication. Those who warn about the decline of language often do not know its history. Their worries are usually not about a real decline, but are simply statements of personal preference for the way of speaking they are used to. The idea that language will get worse to the point where we can only communicate with simple sounds is unfounded. The clearest evidence for this is that people have been making the same warnings for hundreds of years. Many famous writers throughout history have moaned about falling standards. Yet, the very same periods produced some of the greatest works in English literature. And anxiety about standards is not unique to English. Speakers of every language in the world have, at some point, sighed for its future. The truth is that English, like all other languages, keeps changing. The feeling of decline is a false idea created by the speed of this change within our own short lifetimes. Because change often happens between generations, older speakers see the rules they grew up with being replaced by new ones. This can cause cognitive discomfort, which then turns into negative comments. We naturally look for intellectual reasons to explain our personal preferences. If we could live for centuries, we would see the bigger picture. Language change is not simply a sign of carelessness. It happens at all levels, from vocabulary to grammar. Over centuries, a language can be changed so much that it becomes unrecognizable. However, like a complex (复杂的) natural system, language often maintains a balance. Simplification in one area can lead to greater complexity in another. What stays the same is the main expressive power of the language. You can always say what needs to be said. 1．As for language decline, the author is ______. A．disapproving B．supportive C．confused D．indifferent 2．What does the phrase “moaned about” underlined in Paragraph 3 most probably mean? A．Expressed dissatisfaction with. B．Showed curiosity about. C．Carefully thought about. D．Paid no attention to. 3．It is implied in this passage that we should ______. A．accept personal differences in language B．stop worrying about language decline C．avoid using simplified language D．protect language from decline 4．What does the author mainly do in this passage? A．Address a problem. B．Make a comparison. C．Argue against a view. D．Present facts and information. 【答案】1．A 2．A 3．B 4．C 【导语】本文是一篇议论文。主要反驳“语言衰退”这一观点。 1．推理判断题。根据第一段“The fear that language is in decline (衰退) is like the story of the boy who cried wolf, with one key difference: the wolf never appears. For a very long time, people have worried that language standards are falling, yet this feared breakdown in communication has never actually happened.(对语言衰落的恐惧就像那个喊狼来了的男孩的故事，但有一个关键的区别：狼从来没有出现过。很长一段时间以来，人们一直担心语言水平正在下降，然而这种令人担忧的沟通障碍从未真正发生过)”可知，作者认为语言衰退从未真正发生过，所以对“语言衰退论”持反对态度。故选A项。 2．词句猜测题。根据下文“Yet, the very same periods produced some of the greatest works in English literature. And anxiety about standards is not unique to English. Speakers of every language in the world have, at some point, sighed for its future.(然而，就在同一时期，英国文学中出现了一些最伟大的作品。对标准的焦虑并不是英语独有的。世界上每一种语言的使用者都在某个时刻为其未来叹息)”可知，许多人都有对标准下降的焦虑，也就是不满意之意，推知moaned about应是“不满”之意，和A项意思相近。故选A项。 3．推理判断题。根据倒数第二段“The truth is that English, like all other languages, keeps changing. The feeling of decline is a false idea created by the speed of this change within our own short lifetimes.(事实上，英语和所有其他语言一样，都在不断变化。衰落的感觉是一种错误的想法，是在我们短暂的一生中这种变化的速度所造成的)”以及最后一段“If we could live for centuries, we would see the bigger picture. Language change is not simply a sign of carelessness. It happens at all levels, from vocabulary to grammar. Over centuries, a language can be changed so much that it becomes unrecognizable. However, like a complex (复杂的) natural system, language often maintains a balance. Simplification in one area can lead to greater complexity in another. What stays the same is the main expressive power of the language. You can always say what needs to be said.(如果我们能活上几个世纪，我们就能看到更大的图景。语言的改变不仅仅是粗心大意的表现。它发生在各个层面，从词汇到语法。经过数个世纪的演变，一种语言可能会发生很大的变化，以至于变得无法辨认。然而，就像一个复杂的自然系统一样，语言往往保持着一种平衡。一个领域的简化可能导致另一个领域的更大复杂性。保持不变的是语言的主要表现力。该说什么就说什么)”可知，这篇文章暗示我们应该停止担心语言的衰退。故选B项。 4．推理判断题。根据第一段“The fear that language is in decline (衰退) is like the story of the boy who cried wolf, with one key difference: the wolf never appears. For a very long time, people have worried that language standards are falling, yet this feared breakdown in communication has never actually happened.(对语言衰落的恐惧就像那个喊狼来了的男孩的故事，但有一个关键的区别：狼从来没有出现过。很长一段时间以来，人们一直担心语言水平正在下降，然而这种令人担忧的沟通障碍从未真正发生过)”以及纵观全文可知，全文围绕批驳“语言正在衰退”这一错误观点展开，是在反驳一个观点。故选C项。 For most English learners, “a grammar book” means a reference book which can be used when they are in doubt about an English sentence. The book will tell them whether a specific form is possible or not. But many possible English sentences are not covered in that book. The book will, to some degree, artificially simplify the language. Why? Native speakers learn most of their grammar system naturally, without hard training, when they acquire the language as children. They know what can and can’t be done with grammar. They don’t study the rules. It is not the case that the rule exists first, and the language must fit it. The truth is that “native speaker language” exists first, and the grammar book then attempts to describe it. With this in mind, any grammar structure native speakers frequently produce can be called “correct grammar”. Though it seems simple, why don’t we have grammar books that teach us all this “native-speaker grammar”? For a start, it would be an enormous book and it would take a life-time to study it. So the majority of grammar books present a simplified set of standard rules. The rules create a model that can be studied in a given time-form. Students of English can never hope to learn everything about the entire language, but they can study a simplified system. This means sometimes they think certain sentences are not possible, when in fact they are quite natural English. In other words, the rules in traditional grammar books do give English learners lists of dos and don’ts, but many of these rules are regularly ignored by native speakers. So, use grammar books in a suitable way. Taking the grammar book as the full authority is a bit like saying that penguins should get up in the air just because “birds fly”. 1．In what situation might people use an English grammar book? A．Covering more sentences in the book. B．Simplifying their written sentences. C．Referring to the history of a sentence. D．Checking a correct form of a sentence. 2．What can be inferred from Paragraph 2? A．Any speaker can learn grammar easily. B．Grammar books present native speaker language. C．Grammar rules fit the language perfectly. D．Children acquire language through grammar books. 3．Why does the author use penguins as an example in the last paragraph? A．To show grammar rules’ limitation. B．To explain penguins’ inability to fly. C．To prove uselessness of grammar books. D．To explain native speakers’ language use. 4．Who is the passage mainly intended for? A．English grammar book lovers. B．English learners. C．English native speakers. D．English professionals. 【答案】1．D 2．B 3．A 4．B 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了语法书的编纂方法以及给英语学习者使用语法书的建议。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段“For most English learners, “a grammar book” means a reference book which can be used when they are in doubt about an English sentence. The book will tell them whether a specific form is possible or not.  (对大多数英语学习者来说，“语法书”指的是一本参考书，当他们对某个英语句子存疑时可以查阅。这类书会告知他们特定的表达形式是否可行。)”可知，人们会在核对句子的正确形式时使用英语语法书。故选D项。 2．推理判断题。根据第二段“The truth is that “native speaker language” exists first, and the grammar book then attempts to describe it.(事实是，“母语者的语言”先存在，然后语法书试图对其进行描述。)”可知，语法书呈现的是母语者的语言。故选B项。 3．推理判断题。根据最后一段“Taking the grammar book as the full authority is a bit like saying that penguins should get up in the air just because “birds fly”.(把语法书当作绝对权威，有点像说企鹅应该飞起来，只因为“鸟类会飞”。)”可知，作者用企鹅的例子是为了说明语法规则有局限性 —— 不能将其视为绝对标准，就像不能用“鸟类会飞”的普遍规则要求不会飞的企鹅。故选A项。 4．推理判断题。根据文章第一段“For most English learners, “a grammar book” means a reference book which can be used when they are in doubt about an English sentence. The book will tell them whether a specific form is possible or not. But many possible English sentences are not covered in that book. The book will, to some degree, artificially simplify the language. Why?(对大多数英语学习者来说，“语法书”指的是一本参考书，当他们对某个英语句子存疑时可以查阅。这类书会告知他们特定的表达形式是否可行，但书中并未涵盖所有符合语法的英语句子，而且在某种程度上会对语言进行人为简化。这是为什么呢？)”以及后文可知，文章开篇以“对大多数英语学习者来说，语法书是什么”引出话题，随后分析语法书的本质、局限性，最后建议“合理使用语法书”，全程围绕英语学习者的需求和认知展开。因此，文章主要面向英语学习者。故选B项。 Hi, it’s Jean here. Welcome to my programme. Today, we’ll talk about some expressions using the word “colour”. Our first expression is “off colour”. If someone is feeling or looking unwell, we might say they’re off colour. This means they don’t look as healthy as usual. For example, if Alice isn’t looking well, we can say she’s feeling a bit off colour. Another expression you might hear is when someone is said to “show their true colours”. Let’s see how it is used in the conversation. Jane: Were you at the concert last night? Sue: I sure was. Did you hear Nick singing? He was brilliant! Jane: I know. He’s always come across as being so shy. It was great to see him looking so confident and finally showing his true colours. Here, Jane is suggesting that while Nick always appeared to be shy and quiet, he’s really quite brave and very talented, which a lot of people would never have guessed. OK, the third one. Have you ever heard the term “flying colours”? “To pass with flying colours” means “to do very well or to pass really easily”. So the next time you do well in a test, you can say: “I passed with flying colours!” Last one for today is “colourless”. If something is said to be “colourless”, it has no real depth, with nothing you value as meaningful or important. For example, we might describe a boring movie by saying the film is a bit colourless really. The opposite of this would be “to add colour to something”. This means making something seem more of what it really is or interesting. For example, Joey is good at telling jokes; he always adds a bit of colour and makes everything sound more exciting than it really is! So much for today. This is Jean. Until next time! 1．Who is Jean? A．A hostess. B．A programmer. C．An engineer. D．An applicant. 2．What would you say if you want to ask for a sick leave? A．“I live a colourless life.” B．“I feel a bit off colour.” C．“I show my true colours.” D．“I add a bit of colour.” 3．What do you mean by saying “I passed the exam with flying colours”? A．The exam was important to me. B．The exam was beyond me. C．I took part in the exam. D．I got an exceptional mark. 【答案】1．A 2．B 3．D 【导语】本文是一篇应用文。文章主要介绍了由colour一词构成的多个短语及它们的应用场景。 1．推理判断题。根据第一段中“Hi, it’s Jean here. Welcome to my programme.(嗨，我是Jean。欢迎收听我的节目。)”及第七段中“So much for today. This is Jean. Until next time！(今天的节目就到这里。我是Jean，下次再见！)”可知，Jean是一位节目主持人。故选A。 2．推理判断题。根据第二段中“If someone is feeling or looking unwell, we might say they’re off colour. This means they don’t look as healthy as usual.(如果有人感觉不舒服或者看起来气色不好，我们可能会说他们“off colour”。这意味着他们看起来不像平时那么健康。)”可知，当需要请病假时，应使用“off colour”这一短语。故选B。 3．推理判断题。根据第五段中“ ‘To pass with flying colours’ means ‘to do very well or to pass really easily’.(‘To pass with flying colours’意思是‘做得非常好或者轻松通过’。)”可知，这一短语意为“以优异成绩通过考试”。故选D。 Last summer, I went to France for a holiday. I was so excited but also a little nervous because my French was not good. One hot afternoon, after exploring the city, I felt really tired. I wanted to tell my French friend, Claire, “I am a little tired.” I carefully said the words I’d learned: “Je suis un pue fatigue.” But Claire burst out laughing. My face felt hot. What had I done wrong? Claire explained, “In French, there are words that sound similar but have very different meanings. ‘peu’ means ‘a little,’ but if you pronounce it differently, it can sound like ‘pue’, which means ‘stinks’ — like something smells bad. So, instead of saying you needed a rest, it sounded like you were saying you smelled bad and were tired” This awkward (尴尬的) moment was a real eye-opener for me. It made me realize just how daunting pronunciation can be in a foreign language. Even small differences in pronunciation can completely change the meaning of what you’re trying to say. The same is true in English, for example, “ship” (a large boat) and “sheep” (a woolly animal) sound very similar, but they mean totally different things. Now, I pay extra attention to how words sound and what they mean. And if I mix them up again? I’ll just laugh along. After all, laughing is part of learning — even if it’s a bit stinky sometimes. 1．Why was the author nervous about his holiday in France? A．He was poor at French. B．He never went abroad. C．He had no friends there. D．He was in short of money. 2．What awkward moment did the author meet? A．He got a wrong person. B．He made a pronunciation mistake. C．He was tricked by the locals. D．He spelt a word incorrectly. 3．What does the underlined word “daunting” in paragraph 4 most probably mean? A．Easy. B．Natural. C．Difficult. D．Clear. 4．How did the author’s experience in France affect him? A．He smelled bad and was tired. B．He hated learning foreign languages. C．He no longer considered Claire as a friend. D．He became open to mistakes in language learning. 【答案】1．A 2．B 3．C 4．D 【导语】本文是一篇记叙文。文章主要讲述了作者在法国度假时，因法语发音错误而引发的尴尬经历及从中获得的启示。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段中“I was so excited but also a little nervous because my French was not good.(我很兴奋，但也有点紧张，因为我的法语不好。)”可知，作者因为法语不好而感到紧张。故选A。 2．细节理解题。根据第三段中“Claire explained, “In French, there are words that sound similar but have very different meanings. ‘peu’ means ‘a little,’ but if you pronounce it differently, it can sound like ‘pue’, which means ‘stinks’ — like something smells bad.(Claire解释说：“在法语中，有些词发音相似，但意思却大不相同。‘peu’的意思是‘一点点’，但如果你发音不同，听起来就像‘pue’，意思是‘发臭’——就像什么东西闻起来很臭。)”可知，作者遇到的尴尬时刻是发音错误。故选B。 3．词句猜测题。根据第四段中“This awkward (尴尬的) moment was a real eye-open er for me. It made me realize just how daunting pronunciation can be in a foreign language. Even small differences in pronunciation can completely change the meaning of what you’re trying to say.(这个尴尬的时刻让我大开眼界。它让我意识到在外语中发音是多么daunting。即使发音上的微小差异也会完全改变你想说的意思。)”可知，发音可能是困难的。因此，daunting最可能的意思是“困难的”。故选C。 4．推理判断题。根据最后一段中“Now, I pay extra attention to how words sound and what they mean. And if I mix them up again? I’ll just laugh along. After all, laughing is part of learning — even if it’s a bit stinky sometimes.(现在，我特别注意单词的发音和意思。如果我再把它们混在一起呢？我会一起笑的。毕竟，笑是学习的一部分——即使有时有点臭。)”可知，作者在法国的经历使他变得对语言学习中的错误持开放态度。故选D。 You may be surprised to learn that English gets 30 to 45 per cent of its words from French. The reason dates back to the year 1066, when Norman troops invaded (入侵)what is now Britain. The Normans were from northern France and spoke French. During the Norman occupation (占领期), French became the language of England’s rulers and wealthy class. This lasted for more than 300 years. Other people in England continued to speak English during this period. Over time, the two languages combined and shared words. Some researchers believe that about 10,000 French words eventually entered the English language. However, although English took many French words, their meanings have not always stayed the same. Sometimes the differences in meanings can be very important, and lead to funny or strange situations if the words are used in the wrong way. Take, for example, the French word “college”. In English, college can often be used in place of the word “university”, or sometimes as a school within a university. However, in French, college actually means “middle school”, or the level of schooling for students in grades five or six through eight. There are many other similar words in the two languages with completely different meanings. In English, the word “chat” is a verb which means “to talk casually”, but in French, the word “chat” is the word for an animal: a cat. If an English speaker says someone is jolly, that means they are cheerful or friendly. But in French, “jolie” means someone is good-looking or pleasant to look at. In any case, both are nice things to say to someone. 1．What language did the upper class speak in Britain of Norman times? A．English. B．French. C．Both English and French. D．Some unknown language. 2．What does a Frenchman mean if he says he likes a chat? A．He prefers to chat in French. B．He wants to have a talk. C．He hates to speak English. D．He likes a kind of pet. 3．What is the French word “jolie” used to do? A．Describe people’s looks. B．Replace “jolly” in English. C．Refer to people’s happiness. D．Prove the change in French. 4．What is the text mainly about? A．French words in English. B．Difficulty in grasping English. C．Comparison between two languages. D．Development of English. 【答案】1．B 2．D 3．A 4．A 【导语】这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍英语中有30%到45%的词汇源自法语的历史原因，以及部分英法同源词在现代语义上的差异。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段中“During the Norman occupation, French became the language of England’s rulers and wealthy class.(在诺曼征服时期，法语成为英国统治者和富裕阶层的语言)”可知，诺曼时期英国上层阶级使用的语言是法语。故选B。 2．细节理解题。根据第四段中“In English, the word “chat” is a verb which means “to talk casually”, but in French, the word “chat” is the word for an animal: a cat.(在英语中，“chat”是动词，意为“随意交谈”；但在法语中，“chat”指一种动物：猫)”可知，法国人说“喜欢 chat”，实际是指喜欢猫这种宠物。故选D。 3．细节理解题。根据第五段中“But in French, “jolie” means someone is good-looking or pleasant to look at.(但在法语中，“jolie”指某人相貌好看或看起来令人愉悦)”可知，法语“jolie”用于描述人的外貌。故选A。 4．主旨大意题。第一段中“You may be surprised to learn that English gets 30 to 45 per cent of its words from French. The reason dates back to the year 1066, when Norman troops invaded (入侵)what is now Britain. (你可能会惊讶地发现，英语中30%到45%的单词来自法语。原因可以追溯到1066年，当时诺曼军队入侵了现在的英国)”点明英语大量词汇源自法语的历史背景，随后重点通过“college”“chat”“jolie”三个例子，说明英法同源词的语义差异。核心围绕“英语中的法语词汇及语义变化”展开。故选A。 重难语篇提升练 The Digital Age is a period characterized by the rapid advancement of digital technologies, which have drastically reshaped various aspects of human life, particularly communication. It has speeded up the accessibility of communication, resulting in a new language landscape. Digital communication has given rise to an explosion of new vocabulary, as digital communication platforms continuously evolve. Many new terms have emerged to describe digital experiences, interactions, and phenomena, such as “selfie,” “hashtag,” and “meme.” These words have become integral to everyday language and reflect the changing ways in which individuals communicate and share their identities online. Digital communication has significantly changed the way individuals express themselves. One key change is the shift toward informality and briefness in communication. Abbreviations (缩写) such as “LOL,” “OMG” (Oh My God), and “IDK” (I Don’t Know) have become common in everyday conversation, especially in digital spaces where quick exchanges are essential. One of the most groundbreaking innovations in digital communication is the development of AI-powered machine translation tools, such as Google Translate and Deepl. These tools have dramatically increased the accessibility of content across different languages, enabling users to communicate with others who speak different languages in real time. However, the widespread use of machine translation also presents several challenges. While AI translation tools have made significant advancements, issues related to accuracy and cultural difference remain. For instance, machine translation may struggle with slang (俚语) or context dependent meanings that are integral to certain languages. This can lead to mistranslations or misunderstandings. In addition to the technical challenges, there is also the issue of language diversity. Machine translation tools primarily focus on widely spoken languages, leaving less commonly spoken languages underrepresented. As technology continues to shape communication, it is essential to promote digital inclusivity, ensuring that all languages, cultures, and communities are represented and supported in the digital landscape. This will require a shared effort to bridge the digital divide, protect language heritage, and make the digital world accessible to everyone, regardless of the language they speak. 1．What is the primary function of new digital vocabulary like “selfie”? A．To simplify online communication. B．To replace traditional words and phrases. C．To label new digital actions and concepts. D．To standardize daily languages across platforms. 2．Why do AI translators still fall short according to the author? A．They struggle with born-digital materials. B．They miss implied cultural meaning. C．They have a delay in real-time conversation. D．They ignore users’ emotions completely. 3．What’s the purpose of the last paragraph? A．To criticize machine translation tools. B．To call for diversifying digital languages. C．To argue for preserving digital new words. D．To promote digital words in less developed area. 4．What is the text mainly about? A．The evolution of digital languages. B．The informality of digital communication. C．The explosion of new digital vocabulary. D．The influence of digital communication. 【答案】1．C 2．B 3．B 4．D 【导语】本文是一篇说明文。主要介绍数字时代中数字通信对语言领域的多方面影响，包括新词汇产生、表达方式变化及机器翻译问题等。 1．细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Many new terms have emerged to describe digital experiences, interactions, and phenomena, such as “selfie,” “hashtag,” and “meme.” (许多新术语已经出现，用以描述数字体验、互动和现象，例如“自拍”“话题标签”和“表情包”)”可知，“自拍”这类数字新词汇的主要作用是为新的数字行为和概念贴上标签。故选C项。 2．细节理解题。根据第四段中的“While AI translation tools have made significant advancements, issues related to accuracy and cultural difference remain. For instance, machine translation may struggle with slang or context dependent meanings that are integral to certain languages.(尽管人工智能翻译工具取得了重大进步，但与准确性和文化差异相关的问题仍然存在。例如，机器翻译可能难以处理某些语言中不可或缺的俚语或依赖语境的含义)”可知，作者认为人工智能翻译器仍有不足是因为它们无法准确传递隐含的文化含义。故选B项。 3．推理判断题。根据第五段中的“In addition to the technical challenges, there is also the issue of language diversity. Machine translation tools primarily focus on widely spoken languages, leaving less commonly spoken languages underrepresented. As technology continues to shape communication, it is essential to promote digital inclusivity, ensuring that all languages, cultures, and communities are represented and supported in the digital landscape. This will require a shared effort to bridge the digital divide, protect language heritage, and make the digital world accessible to everyone, regardless of the language they speak.(除技术挑战外，语言多样性问题同样存在。机器翻译工具主要侧重于使用广泛的语言，导致使用频率较低的语言缺乏足够的代表性。 随着技术持续影响沟通方式，推动数字包容性至关重要。这需要确保所有语言、文化和群体在数字领域都能得到体现与支持。要实现这一点，需要各方共同努力，弥合数字鸿沟、保护语言遗产，并让数字世界向所有人开放，无论其使用何种语言)”可知，该段旨在呼吁实现数字语言的多样化。故选B项。 4．主旨大意题。通读全文，第一段点明数字时代数字通信重塑人类生活，尤其影响语言领域；后续段落分别从数字新词汇产生、表达更随意简洁、人工智能翻译的影响与挑战、语言多样性问题等方面展开，均围绕数字通信的影响展开，因此文章主要内容是数字通信的影响，故选D项。 A few days ago, I watched a video of myself talking in perfect Chinese. However, I’ve been studying the language for only a few years, and I’m far from fluent. But there I was, pronouncing each character just as a native speaker would. The truth is that I created the video using software from an artificial-intelligence start-up called HeyGen. The technology, which only needs a selfie and a script to create videos of real people “saying” almost anything, is a testament (证明) to the advancements in AI language tools. This got me thinking about the declining interest in language learning with fewer students signing up for foreign language courses and the decrease of English proficiency (精通) among young people in some places. AI translation, integrated into social media and messaging platforms, seems to be everywhere. Even language-learning apps are using AI-generated content in their marketing. However, language translation is an art rather than a science. Something important will be lost in exchange for that convenience. As Anne, a Chinese translator said, “Building a bridge between widely different languages, such as Chinese and English, is sometimes as difficult as a doctor building a bridge in a patient’s heart.” Language learning promotes cultural understanding, the essential goal of learning a language that AI cannot simply copy. Learning a different way to speak, read, and write helps people discover new ways to see a different world. No machine can replace such a profoundly human experience. Deborah Cohn, a language professor, emphasizes that language learning is actually about understanding and connecting with different cultures. Instead of abandoning language courses in favor of AI, some educators call for emphasizing the intercultural aspects of language learning. In a nutshell, while AI language tools offer convenience, they lack the depth and cultural insight that comes from human language learning. The challenge and beauty of learning a language are in understanding the cultural tapestry (织锦) that weaves through words, something AI has yet to achieve. 1．Why does the author mention himself speaking perfect Chinese in paragraph 1? A．To promote the language software. B．To show off his Chinese language skills. C．To prove learning a language is a wasted effort. D．To encourage critical thinking about AI language tools. 2．What can we learn about language translation from this passage? A．AI translation deserves more technical support. B．Human translations are important in language-learning apps’ marketing. C．Language translation can’t simply depend on technology. D．Language translation is less complex than doing a heart surgery. 3．What is the key target of learning a language according to the passage? A．Better digital literacy. B．Improved translation skills. C．Deeper cultural confidence. D．Effective intercultural interaction. 4．What does the author imply in the last paragraph? A．AI language tools offer convenience. B．AI enhances language learning in terms of culture. C．AI is far from perfect in helping language understanding. D．AI has achieved success in the development of language learning tools. 【答案】1．D 2．C 3．D 4．C 【导语】这是一篇议论文。文章以作者用AI生成完美中文视频为例，指出AI语言工具虽便利却失关键，强调语言学习核心是文化理解，AI难替代。 1．推理判断题。根据第一段“The truth is that I created the video using software from an artificial-intelligence start-up called HeyGen. The technology, which only needs a selfie and a script to create videos of real people “saying” almost anything, is a testament (证明) to the advancements in AI language tools.(事实是，这段视频是我用一家名为HeyGen的人工智能初创公司开发的软件制作的。该技术只需一张自拍照和一份脚本，就能生成真人“说出”几乎任何内容的视频，堪称人工智能语言工具取得进步的有力证明)”以及第二段“This got me thinking about the declining interest in language learning with fewer students signing up for foreign language courses and the decrease of English proficiency (精通) among young people in some places. (这让我开始思考一个问题：人们对语言学习的兴趣正在下降 —— 选学外语课程的学生越来越少，在一些地区，年轻人的英语水平也在下滑)”可推知，作者提及自己“说完美中文”的视频，并非为推广软件或炫耀技能，而是以该AI工具的案例为切入点，引发对“AI语言工具与语言学习”的思考，鼓励读者批判性看待这一技术。故选D项。 2．细节理解题。根据第二段“However, language translation is an art rather than a science. Something important will be lost in exchange for that convenience. As Anne, a Chinese translator said, “Building a bridge between widely different languages, such as Chinese and English, is sometimes as difficult as a doctor building a bridge in a patient’s heart.” (然而，语言翻译是一门艺术，而非一门科学。为了换取那份便捷，一些重要的东西难免会丢失。正如中国翻译家安妮所言：“在汉语与英语这类差异巨大的语言之间搭建桥梁，有时就像医生为病人做心脏搭桥手术一样困难。”)”可知，语言翻译需要深层的理解与情感传递，不能单纯依赖技术。故选C项。 3．细节理解题。根据第三段“Language learning promotes cultural understanding, the essential goal of learning a language that AI cannot simply copy. Learning a different way to speak, read, and write helps people discover new ways to see a different world. No machine can replace such a profoundly human experience. Deborah Cohn, a language professor, emphasizes that language learning is actually about understanding and connecting with different cultures.(语言学习能促进文化理解，而这正是语言学习的核心目标，人工智能无法轻易复制。学习一种不同的听说读写方式，能帮助人们找到看待别样世界的新视角。没有任何机器能替代这种极具人文深度的体验。语言教授黛博拉・科恩强调，语言学习本质上是为了理解不同文化，并与之建立联结)”可知，学习语言的关键目标是实现跨文化的理解与互动。故选D项。 4．推理判断题。根据最后一段“In a nutshell, while AI language tools offer convenience, they lack the depth and cultural insight that comes from human language learning. The challenge and beauty of learning a language are in understanding the cultural tapestry (织锦) that weaves through words, something AI has yet to achieve. (简而言之，尽管AI语言工具提供了便利，但它们缺乏人类语言学习所带来的深度和文化洞察力。学习语言的挑战与魅力在于理解交织在文字中的文化织锦，而这正是AI尚未实现的)”可推知，作者暗示AI在理解语言背后的文化内涵上存在不足，远未达到完美。故选C项。 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $ Unit 5 Languages Around the World 单元话题阅读理解 Unit 5 Languages Around the World单元话题：语言 本资料共10篇专题训练，从上到下依次按照难度分为基础语篇巩固练和重难语篇提升练 基础语篇巩固练 Four New English Learning Apps You Should Try in 2025 In today’s globalized world, English is increasingly important. Here are four new and promising English learning apps. Speakly focuses on improving spoken English through real-life conversations. It uses AI to simulate (模拟) everyday situations and provides instant feedback on pronunciation, helping you correct mistakes and build confidence. Its user-friendly interface and engaging content for all levels suit all learners. Memrise combines science-based techniques with fun content to help you learn and remember new words and phrases. It features courses for all levels and covers vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Its spaced-repetition system helps you keep what you’ve learned in mind. FluentU uses real-world videos like music videos, movie trailers, news, and talks as language learning lessons. It includes interactive subtitles, flashcards, and quizzes to enhance learning. With all levels and topics, it’s great for improving listening and speaking skills. EngVid is a free online platform offering English video lessons taught by native-speaking teachers. Lessons with all levels cover grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. People can watch at your own pace with transcripts and interact with other learners in the community. These apps offer different features and focus on various aspects of English learning. Try them out to see which one works best for you. Happy learning! 1．Which app uses scientific and interesting learning methods? A．Speakly. B．FluentU. C．EngVid. D．Memrise. 2．What do the four apps have in common? A．They focus on speaking. B．They offer interactive quizzes. C．They use video lessons. D．They provide lessons for all levels. 3．Where is this article most likely from? A．A textbook. B．A report. C．A magazine. D．A document. While picking up a new language is challenging at any age, however, it seems to be especially difficult to master a foreign tongue as we age. When we are growing up, we are building a language system in our mind, which allows us to communicate freely. If we start a new language after youth, however, we are adding a new set of rules to our mind. That is why we find it difficult to learn a new language — we’re building a new speech system when we are not young any more. Why is it easier for kids to learn a new language? Children are relatively more active, open-minded and their language system is not fixed, meaning it is less work for them to pick up new things. The good news is that learning a language isn’t really that hard if you’re opening your mind. But it does take hard work and motivation(动力) to achieve your goals. It’s important to remember what you’re actually learning is how to communicate in a new way with other human beings. If you often share your daily experience with others in that language, what you’re learning is related to you. For example, if I’m learning Italian, I would never remember how to say “Dov’è la biblioteca?” or “Where is the library?” but I will always remember how to say “Ti piace il caffè?” or “Do you like some coffee?” In addition, TV shows, films and video games in foreign languages are all great forms of entertainment (娱乐) for learning a new language. Anything that relates you to the language and culture is great, so long as you find it enjoyable. Adding a single new word to your vocabulary can be interesting and rewarding. The road to fluency can be hard, but the view along the way is really amazing, so it’s OK if you are driving slowly. 1．What affects language learning according to the first two paragraphs? A．Money. B．Sex C．Age. D．Work. 2．What can we infer about language learning from paragraph 2? A．Adults can pick up new things quickly. B．Children can do better than adults in language learning. C．Adults find the new rules easy to remember. D．Children have a fixed language system. 3．What is helpful for learning a language according to paragraphs 4 and 5? A．Taking down its rules. B．Playing video games. C．Going to the library. D．Using it in daily life. 4．What may be the best title for the passage? A．Is It too Late to Master a Foreign Language? B．Language Learning: Chance or Challenge? C．Why do Children Learn Faster Than Adults? D．How to Build up Your Vocabulary? At just 19 years old, Akiša Peters teaches at the Sisseton Wahpeton Tribal College. He specializes in a language that is thousands of years old, the Dakota language, spoken by the Dakota people. “The Dakota language is the most important aspect of Dakota culture. Without it, our Dakota culture would no longer exist.” Peters claimed. “I was lucky to grow up around many first-language Dakota speakers. But now the elderly continually passed away and at the end of their lives, they just wanted to know their families would continue to have the language. One of the problems our people have is finding ways to get at-length and ongoing exposure (接触) to the language.” Aside from instructing at the college level, Peters uses social media to share videos that combine humor, culture, and basic-level conversation to help teach Dakota. In his free time, he visits Dakota elders. He also started an online group of youth to converse and share the knowledge of the language in a safe and supportive space. Akiša Peters wants to tell the youth that if they want to learn their own language, sit with their elders and learn from them. Endless vocabulary sheets could discourage them from learning. Standards created by non-speakers could also do that. “Within the next decade, I believe my colleagues, other Dakota-learning relatives and I will have children and start a new generation of Dakota. I also hope my brothers and sisters will take the path we laid out for them and continue to learn and speak Dakota. On my reservation there are numerous young people working on the comeback of the language. I’m hopeful because I’m definitely not alone.” Akiša Peters told Teenvogue. 1．Why does Akiša Peters teach the Dakota language? A．To enrich his experience. B．To record its written form. C．To prevent it dying out. D．To make it known globally. 2．What can we say about Akiša Peters according to Paragraph 3? A．Learned. B．Creative. C．Humorous. D．Cooperative. 3．What does Akiša Peters expect the young people to do? A．Deal with vocabulary sheets. B．Keep to the given standards. C．Communicate with their elders. D．Learn from their teachers. 4．Which section of a website is the text probably taken from? A．Research. B．Business. C．Fashion. D．Culture. The fear that language is in decline (衰退) is like the story of the boy who cried wolf, with one key difference: the wolf never appears. For a very long time, people have worried that language standards are falling, yet this feared breakdown in communication has never actually happened. Language has always been and will remain a useful tool for communication. Those who warn about the decline of language often do not know its history. Their worries are usually not about a real decline, but are simply statements of personal preference for the way of speaking they are used to. The idea that language will get worse to the point where we can only communicate with simple sounds is unfounded. The clearest evidence for this is that people have been making the same warnings for hundreds of years. Many famous writers throughout history have moaned about falling standards. Yet, the very same periods produced some of the greatest works in English literature. And anxiety about standards is not unique to English. Speakers of every language in the world have, at some point, sighed for its future. The truth is that English, like all other languages, keeps changing. The feeling of decline is a false idea created by the speed of this change within our own short lifetimes. Because change often happens between generations, older speakers see the rules they grew up with being replaced by new ones. This can cause cognitive discomfort, which then turns into negative comments. We naturally look for intellectual reasons to explain our personal preferences. If we could live for centuries, we would see the bigger picture. Language change is not simply a sign of carelessness. It happens at all levels, from vocabulary to grammar. Over centuries, a language can be changed so much that it becomes unrecognizable. However, like a complex (复杂的) natural system, language often maintains a balance. Simplification in one area can lead to greater complexity in another. What stays the same is the main expressive power of the language. You can always say what needs to be said. 1．As for language decline, the author is ______. A．disapproving B．supportive C．confused D．indifferent 2．What does the phrase “moaned about” underlined in Paragraph 3 most probably mean? A．Expressed dissatisfaction with. B．Showed curiosity about. C．Carefully thought about. D．Paid no attention to. 3．It is implied in this passage that we should ______. A．accept personal differences in language B．stop worrying about language decline C．avoid using simplified language D．protect language from decline 4．What does the author mainly do in this passage? A．Address a problem. B．Make a comparison. C．Argue against a view. D．Present facts and information. For most English learners, “a grammar book” means a reference book which can be used when they are in doubt about an English sentence. The book will tell them whether a specific form is possible or not. But many possible English sentences are not covered in that book. The book will, to some degree, artificially simplify the language. Why? Native speakers learn most of their grammar system naturally, without hard training, when they acquire the language as children. They know what can and can’t be done with grammar. They don’t study the rules. It is not the case that the rule exists first, and the language must fit it. The truth is that “native speaker language” exists first, and the grammar book then attempts to describe it. With this in mind, any grammar structure native speakers frequently produce can be called “correct grammar”. Though it seems simple, why don’t we have grammar books that teach us all this “native-speaker grammar”? For a start, it would be an enormous book and it would take a life-time to study it. So the majority of grammar books present a simplified set of standard rules. The rules create a model that can be studied in a given time-form. Students of English can never hope to learn everything about the entire language, but they can study a simplified system. This means sometimes they think certain sentences are not possible, when in fact they are quite natural English. In other words, the rules in traditional grammar books do give English learners lists of dos and don’ts, but many of these rules are regularly ignored by native speakers. So, use grammar books in a suitable way. Taking the grammar book as the full authority is a bit like saying that penguins should get up in the air just because “birds fly”. 1．In what situation might people use an English grammar book? A．Covering more sentences in the book. B．Simplifying their written sentences. C．Referring to the history of a sentence. D．Checking a correct form of a sentence. 2．What can be inferred from Paragraph 2? A．Any speaker can learn grammar easily. B．Grammar books present native speaker language. C．Grammar rules fit the language perfectly. D．Children acquire language through grammar books. 3．Why does the author use penguins as an example in the last paragraph? A．To show grammar rules’ limitation. B．To explain penguins’ inability to fly. C．To prove uselessness of grammar books. D．To explain native speakers’ language use. 4．Who is the passage mainly intended for? A．English grammar book lovers. B．English learners. C．English native speakers. D．English professionals. Hi, it’s Jean here. Welcome to my programme. Today, we’ll talk about some expressions using the word “colour”. Our first expression is “off colour”. If someone is feeling or looking unwell, we might say they’re off colour. This means they don’t look as healthy as usual. For example, if Alice isn’t looking well, we can say she’s feeling a bit off colour. Another expression you might hear is when someone is said to “show their true colours”. Let’s see how it is used in the conversation. Jane: Were you at the concert last night? Sue: I sure was. Did you hear Nick singing? He was brilliant! Jane: I know. He’s always come across as being so shy. It was great to see him looking so confident and finally showing his true colours. Here, Jane is suggesting that while Nick always appeared to be shy and quiet, he’s really quite brave and very talented, which a lot of people would never have guessed. OK, the third one. Have you ever heard the term “flying colours”? “To pass with flying colours” means “to do very well or to pass really easily”. So the next time you do well in a test, you can say: “I passed with flying colours!” Last one for today is “colourless”. If something is said to be “colourless”, it has no real depth, with nothing you value as meaningful or important. For example, we might describe a boring movie by saying the film is a bit colourless really. The opposite of this would be “to add colour to something”. This means making something seem more of what it really is or interesting. For example, Joey is good at telling jokes; he always adds a bit of colour and makes everything sound more exciting than it really is! So much for today. This is Jean. Until next time! 1．Who is Jean? A．A hostess. B．A programmer. C．An engineer. D．An applicant. 2．What would you say if you want to ask for a sick leave? A．“I live a colourless life.” B．“I feel a bit off colour.” C．“I show my true colours.” D．“I add a bit of colour.” 3．What do you mean by saying “I passed the exam with flying colours”? A．The exam was important to me. B．The exam was beyond me. C．I took part in the exam. D．I got an exceptional mark. Last summer, I went to France for a holiday. I was so excited but also a little nervous because my French was not good. One hot afternoon, after exploring the city, I felt really tired. I wanted to tell my French friend, Claire, “I am a little tired.” I carefully said the words I’d learned: “Je suis un pue fatigue.” But Claire burst out laughing. My face felt hot. What had I done wrong? Claire explained, “In French, there are words that sound similar but have very different meanings. ‘peu’ means ‘a little,’ but if you pronounce it differently, it can sound like ‘pue’, which means ‘stinks’ — like something smells bad. So, instead of saying you needed a rest, it sounded like you were saying you smelled bad and were tired” This awkward (尴尬的) moment was a real eye-opener for me. It made me realize just how daunting pronunciation can be in a foreign language. Even small differences in pronunciation can completely change the meaning of what you’re trying to say. The same is true in English, for example, “ship” (a large boat) and “sheep” (a woolly animal) sound very similar, but they mean totally different things. Now, I pay extra attention to how words sound and what they mean. And if I mix them up again? I’ll just laugh along. After all, laughing is part of learning — even if it’s a bit stinky sometimes. 1．Why was the author nervous about his holiday in France? A．He was poor at French. B．He never went abroad. C．He had no friends there. D．He was in short of money. 2．What awkward moment did the author meet? A．He got a wrong person. B．He made a pronunciation mistake. C．He was tricked by the locals. D．He spelt a word incorrectly. 3．What does the underlined word “daunting” in paragraph 4 most probably mean? A．Easy. B．Natural. C．Difficult. D．Clear. 4．How did the author’s experience in France affect him? A．He smelled bad and was tired. B．He hated learning foreign languages. C．He no longer considered Claire as a friend. D．He became open to mistakes in language learning. You may be surprised to learn that English gets 30 to 45 per cent of its words from French. The reason dates back to the year 1066, when Norman troops invaded (入侵)what is now Britain. The Normans were from northern France and spoke French. During the Norman occupation (占领期), French became the language of England’s rulers and wealthy class. This lasted for more than 300 years. Other people in England continued to speak English during this period. Over time, the two languages combined and shared words. Some researchers believe that about 10,000 French words eventually entered the English language. However, although English took many French words, their meanings have not always stayed the same. Sometimes the differences in meanings can be very important, and lead to funny or strange situations if the words are used in the wrong way. Take, for example, the French word “college”. In English, college can often be used in place of the word “university”, or sometimes as a school within a university. However, in French, college actually means “middle school”, or the level of schooling for students in grades five or six through eight. There are many other similar words in the two languages with completely different meanings. In English, the word “chat” is a verb which means “to talk casually”, but in French, the word “chat” is the word for an animal: a cat. If an English speaker says someone is jolly, that means they are cheerful or friendly. But in French, “jolie” means someone is good-looking or pleasant to look at. In any case, both are nice things to say to someone. 1．What language did the upper class speak in Britain of Norman times? A．English. B．French. C．Both English and French. D．Some unknown language. 2．What does a Frenchman mean if he says he likes a chat? A．He prefers to chat in French. B．He wants to have a talk. C．He hates to speak English. D．He likes a kind of pet. 3．What is the French word “jolie” used to do? A．Describe people’s looks. B．Replace “jolly” in English. C．Refer to people’s happiness. D．Prove the change in French. 4．What is the text mainly about? A．French words in English. B．Difficulty in grasping English. C．Comparison between two languages. D．Development of English. 重难语篇提升练 The Digital Age is a period characterized by the rapid advancement of digital technologies, which have drastically reshaped various aspects of human life, particularly communication. It has speeded up the accessibility of communication, resulting in a new language landscape. Digital communication has given rise to an explosion of new vocabulary, as digital communication platforms continuously evolve. Many new terms have emerged to describe digital experiences, interactions, and phenomena, such as “selfie,” “hashtag,” and “meme.” These words have become integral to everyday language and reflect the changing ways in which individuals communicate and share their identities online. Digital communication has significantly changed the way individuals express themselves. One key change is the shift toward informality and briefness in communication. Abbreviations (缩写) such as “LOL,” “OMG” (Oh My God), and “IDK” (I Don’t Know) have become common in everyday conversation, especially in digital spaces where quick exchanges are essential. One of the most groundbreaking innovations in digital communication is the development of AI-powered machine translation tools, such as Google Translate and Deepl. These tools have dramatically increased the accessibility of content across different languages, enabling users to communicate with others who speak different languages in real time. However, the widespread use of machine translation also presents several challenges. While AI translation tools have made significant advancements, issues related to accuracy and cultural difference remain. For instance, machine translation may struggle with slang (俚语) or context dependent meanings that are integral to certain languages. This can lead to mistranslations or misunderstandings. In addition to the technical challenges, there is also the issue of language diversity. Machine translation tools primarily focus on widely spoken languages, leaving less commonly spoken languages underrepresented. As technology continues to shape communication, it is essential to promote digital inclusivity, ensuring that all languages, cultures, and communities are represented and supported in the digital landscape. This will require a shared effort to bridge the digital divide, protect language heritage, and make the digital world accessible to everyone, regardless of the language they speak. 1．What is the primary function of new digital vocabulary like “selfie”? A．To simplify online communication. B．To replace traditional words and phrases. C．To label new digital actions and concepts. D．To standardize daily languages across platforms. 2．Why do AI translators still fall short according to the author? A．They struggle with born-digital materials. B．They miss implied cultural meaning. C．They have a delay in real-time conversation. D．They ignore users’ emotions completely. 3．What’s the purpose of the last paragraph? A．To criticize machine translation tools. B．To call for diversifying digital languages. C．To argue for preserving digital new words. D．To promote digital words in less developed area. 4．What is the text mainly about? A．The evolution of digital languages. B．The informality of digital communication. C．The explosion of new digital vocabulary. D．The influence of digital communication. A few days ago, I watched a video of myself talking in perfect Chinese. However, I’ve been studying the language for only a few years, and I’m far from fluent. But there I was, pronouncing each character just as a native speaker would. The truth is that I created the video using software from an artificial-intelligence start-up called HeyGen. The technology, which only needs a selfie and a script to create videos of real people “saying” almost anything, is a testament (证明) to the advancements in AI language tools. This got me thinking about the declining interest in language learning with fewer students signing up for foreign language courses and the decrease of English proficiency (精通) among young people in some places. AI translation, integrated into social media and messaging platforms, seems to be everywhere. Even language-learning apps are using AI-generated content in their marketing. However, language translation is an art rather than a science. Something important will be lost in exchange for that convenience. As Anne, a Chinese translator said, “Building a bridge between widely different languages, such as Chinese and English, is sometimes as difficult as a doctor building a bridge in a patient’s heart.” Language learning promotes cultural understanding, the essential goal of learning a language that AI cannot simply copy. Learning a different way to speak, read, and write helps people discover new ways to see a different world. No machine can replace such a profoundly human experience. Deborah Cohn, a language professor, emphasizes that language learning is actually about understanding and connecting with different cultures. Instead of abandoning language courses in favor of AI, some educators call for emphasizing the intercultural aspects of language learning. In a nutshell, while AI language tools offer convenience, they lack the depth and cultural insight that comes from human language learning. The challenge and beauty of learning a language are in understanding the cultural tapestry (织锦) that weaves through words, something AI has yet to achieve. 1．Why does the author mention himself speaking perfect Chinese in paragraph 1? A．To promote the language software. B．To show off his Chinese language skills. C．To prove learning a language is a wasted effort. D．To encourage critical thinking about AI language tools. 2．What can we learn about language translation from this passage? A．AI translation deserves more technical support. B．Human translations are important in language-learning apps’ marketing. C．Language translation can’t simply depend on technology. D．Language translation is less complex than doing a heart surgery. 3．What is the key target of learning a language according to the passage? A．Better digital literacy. B．Improved translation skills. C．Deeper cultural confidence. D．Effective intercultural interaction. 4．What does the author imply in the last paragraph? A．AI language tools offer convenience. B．AI enhances language learning in terms of culture. C．AI is far from perfect in helping language understanding. D．AI has achieved success in the development of language learning tools. 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $