Newborns begin to develop language skills long before they begin speaking. And, compared to adults, they develop these skills more quickly. People have a hard time learning new languages as they grow older, but babies have the ability to learn any language easily.

For a long time, scientists have tried to explain how such young children can learn the complicated grammatical rules and sounds of a language. Now, researchers are getting a better idea of what’s happening in the brains of the tiniest language learners. This new information might help kids with learning problems as well as adults who want to learn new languages. It might even help scientists who are trying to design computers that can communicate like people do.

Most babies go “ma ma” by 6 months of age, and most children speak in full sentences by age 3. For many years, scientists have wondered how the brains of young children figure out how to communicate using language. With help from new technologies, scientists are now finding that babies begin life with the ability to learn any language. They get into contact with other people, listen to what they say and watch their movements very closely. That is why they quickly master the languages they hear most often.

Studies show that, up to about 6 months of age, babies can recognize all the sounds that make up all the languages in the world. Starting at around 6 months old a baby’s brain focuses on the most common sounds it hears. Then, children begin responding only to the sounds of the language they hear the most.

In a similar way older babies start recognizing the patterns that make up the rules of their native language. For example, English children who are about 18 months old start to figure out that words ending in “-ing” or “-ed” are usually verbs, and that verbs are action words.

1.The new research in the second paragraph can be helpful in _____.

A. finding successful language learners

B. teaching kids with learning problems

C. designing human-shaped computers

D. improving babies’ language ability

2. The researchers found out that babies learn a language mainly by _____.

A. repeating the words of other people

B. remembering the full sentences they hear

C. hearing and closely watching others speak

D. figuring out the meaning of different sounds

3.The purpose of the text is to _____.

A. discuss B. educate

C. inform D. Entertain

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---I’m planning to go to Kingdom of Cambodia this summer vacation. I think the trip will be exciting.

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University Room Regulations

Approved and Prohibited Items

The following items are approved for use in residential (住宿的) rooms: electric blankets, hair dryers, personal computers, radios, televisions and DVD players. Items that are not allowed in student rooms include: candles, ceiling fans, fireworks, waterbeds, sun lamps and wireless routers. Please note that any prohibited items will be taken away by the Office of Residence Life.

Access to Residential Rooms

Students are provided with a combination (組合密碼) for their room door locks upon check-in. Do not share your room door lock combination with anyone. The Office of Residence Life may change the door lock combination at any time at the expense of the resident if it is found that the student has shared the combination with others. The fee is $25 to change a room combination.

Cooking Policy

Students living in buildings that have kitchens are only permitted to cook in the kitchen. Students must clean up after cooking. This is not the responsibility of housekeeping staff. Kitchens that are not kept clean may be closed for use. With the exception of using a small microwave oven (微波爐) to heat food, students are not permitted to cook in their rooms.

Pet Policy

No pets except fish are permitted in student rooms. Students who are found with pets, whether visiting or owned by the student, are subject to an initial fine of $100 and a continuing fine of $50 a day per pet. Students receive written notice when the fine goes into effect. If, one week from the date of written notice, the pet is not removed, the student is referred to the Student Court.

Quiet Hours

Residential buildings must maintain an atmosphere that supports the academic mission of the University. Minimum quiet hours in all campus residences are 11:00 pm to 8:00 am Sunday through Thursday. Quiet hours on Friday and Saturday nights are 1:00 am to 8:00 am. Students who violate quiet hours are subject to a fine of $25.

1.Which of the following items are allowed in student rooms?

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B. Wireless routers and radios.

C. Hair dryers and candles.

D. TVs and electric blankets.

2.What do we know about the cooking policy?

A. A microwave oven can be used.

B. Cooking in student rooms is permitted.

C. A housekeeper is to clean up the kitchen.

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語法填空

閱讀下面材料，在空白處填入適當?shù)膬?nèi)容（不多于3個單詞）或括號內(nèi)單詞的正確形式。

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B. The man was very sorry for what he had done to Henry.

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假如你是校自行車俱樂部負責人，請你根據(jù)下列提示，用英語準備一份口頭通知。

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②每月一次的戶外活動，安排在雙休日；

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注意事項：器材自備；活動免費；

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Boys and Girls,

Welcome to the Cycling Club.

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