Birthdays are strange things. The more you have, the more you try and pretend they don’t matter, and the more     1    . I’m not really sure why they think so. It’s true that you are getting older, but as     2     , “Who isn’t getting older every day?” The problem may be that a birthday reminds people of all the things    3    , but have not. I certainly understand that feeling, though I think     4     that I most want to do — a kind of personal re-ordering （重新排序） of the to-do list. What makes you depressed（郁悶） on your birthday is that you realize your re-ordered to-do list is exactly the same as it was last year. That makes you feel     5     , and not been anywhere. I have not had that experience this year. I look back at where I was last year and find things have changed since then.

Can you swim? Do you like swimming? Well, how can you learn to swim? I think the best way is to go into the water and learn. I’m afraid you’ll never learn to swim just by reading books about Swimming or looking at others swimming. It’s the same with the English study. We must practice, practice and practice.
Listening and speaking are very important for beginners. We can listen to English programs on radio. You may just understand a few words. It doesn’t matter. Just be relaxed, try to catch every word.
Somebody may be a good listener, but he is afraid to speak because he’s afraid of making mistakes. You know we sometimes make mistakes when we speak Chinese. Don’t be afraid. We must be brave. If you really want to learn English well, you must try to speak with everyone as long as he knows English. When there’s nobody to talk with, you can talk to yourself in English. It’s interesting and also a good way to practice your spoken English. Remember, the more you speak, the fewer mistakes you’ll make.
Reading and writing are more important for senior（年級較高的）school students. First we must choose the books we’re interested in. A lot of reading will improve your language sense. This is very important.
It’s easier said than done. Well, let’s do more practice from now on. I’m sure you’ll learn English well in this way.
根據(jù)短文內(nèi)容，從題中所給的A、B、C、D四個(gè)選項(xiàng)中，選擇最佳答案。（10分）
【小題1】 What’s the best way to learn to swim?

Can you swim? Do you like swimming? Well, how can you learn to swim? I think the best way is to go into the water and learn. I’m afraid you’ll never learn to swim just by reading books about Swimming or looking at others swimming. It’s the same with the English study. We must practice, practice and practice.

Listening and speaking are very important for beginners. We can listen to English programs on radio. You may just understand a few words. It doesn’t matter. Just be relaxed, try to catch every word.

Somebody may be a good listener, but he is afraid to speak because he’s afraid of making mistakes. You know we sometimes make mistakes when we speak Chinese. Don’t be afraid. We must be brave. If you really want to learn English well, you must try to speak with everyone as long as he knows English. When there’s nobody to talk with, you can talk to yourself in English. It’s interesting and also a good way to practice your spoken English. Remember, the more you speak, the fewer mistakes you’ll make.

Reading and writing are more important for senior（年級較高的）school students. First we must choose the books we’re interested in. A lot of reading will improve your language sense. This is very important.

It’s easier said than done. Well, let’s do more practice from now on. I’m sure you’ll learn English well in this way.

根據(jù)短文內(nèi)容，從題中所給的A、B、C、D四個(gè)選項(xiàng)中，選擇最佳答案。（10分）

1. What’s the best way to learn to swim?

A．Reading books about swimming.

B．looking at others swimming.

C．Going into the water and learning.

D．Listening to others’ advice.

2.According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?

A．Listening is very important while speaking is not.

B．The more you speak, the more mistakes you’ll make.

C．Listening and speaking are very important for beginners.

D．You can only learn English by listening.

3.What’s more important for senior school students?

A．Speaking and writing.                    B．Writing and listening.

C．Speaking and listening.                   D．Reading and writing.

4.Wat’s the best way to learn English well according to the passage?

A．By reading.                            B．By listening to the radio.

C．By speaking.                           D．By doing more practice.

5.Which is the best title for the passage?

A．How to Learn English.                    B．Easier Said Than Done.

C．Listen First, Speak Second.                D．How to learn to Swim.

Can you swim? Do you like swimming? Yes? Well, how can you learn to swim? I think the best way is to go into the water and learn. I’m afraid you’ll never learn to swim just by reading books about swimming or looking at others swimming. It’s the same with the English study. We must practice, practice and practice.
Listening and speaking are very important for beginners. The children in English-speaking countries first listen to others. Then they try to imitate(模仿) and speak. We can listen to English programs on radio. You may just understand a few words. It doesn’t matter. Just be relaxed, try to catch every word.
Somebody may be a good listener. But he is terrified to speak. He’s afraid of making mistakes. You know we sometimes make mistakes when we speak Chinese. Don’t be afraid. We must be brave. If you really want to learn English well, you must try to speak with everyone so long as he knows English. Whether you know him or not is not important. When there’s nobody to talk with, you can talk to yourself in English. It’s interesting and also a good way to practice your spoken English. Remember, the more you speak, the fewer mistakes you’ll make.
Reading and writing are more important for senior school students. First we must choose the books we’re interested in. A lot of reading will improve your language sense(語感). This is the most important.
Keep writing English diaries. We can also write English articles. You may even post them to English magazines. Don’t be afraid of failure. Failure is the mother of success.
Easier said than done. Well, let’s do more practice from now on. I’m sure you’ll learn English better in this way.
【小題1】You can learn to swim by_______.