国外学生英语阅读理解系列Volume2.docVIP

Volume 2, Number 1, February 10, 1997 Homophones: After reading only two pages, Laura knew that her new book was going to be almost too exciting for her to stand. The story was about four cows who decided to leave their herd and move on down the road. There was no turning back. They didnt know what would happen but they were off to see the world. Perhaps they would even cross a stormy sea. Laura had never heard of such a thing. “Im sure theyre going to be eaten by wolves or something!” she thought. She threw back the covers on her bed and made herself comfortable. This was her favorite place to be as her mind traveled through a world created by a book. This is where she could be safe as she rode along with those crazy cows.1. How many pages had Laura already read?2. What is a group of cows called?3. What word in the story is the past tense of “hear”?4. What word in the story means “belonging to them”?5. What word in the story is a synonym of “ocean”?6. What word in the story is a synonym of “tossed”?7. What word in the story means “to be aware of”?8. What word in the story is a contraction of “they are”?9. What word in the story is an antonym of “old”?Volume 2, Number 2, February 26, 1997 Noodle Dog was used to being the baby of the family. His owners had no other _1_, and they had no children. His owners, Mr. and Mrs. Crustworm, treated Noodle Dog as if he were their _2_. So Noodle Dog was not _3_ when Mr. Crustworm brought a new kitten home one day. What was this creature anyway? Why was someone else sharing the _4_ and attention that Noodle Dog had once had all to _5_? But as the _6_ and weeks went by, Noodle Dog and his feline sister, Scratcher, became _7_ friends. Noodle Dog grew to love the little cat, and the feeling was mutual. As it turned out, Noodle Dog felt _8_ loved than ever.1. _ 2. _ 3. _ 4._5. _ 6. _ 7. _ 8. _Volume 2, Number 3, March 3, 1997 Do You Believe in Ghosts? Do you believe in ghosts? I guess I do. Ive talked to many people who believe in them. They say theyve seen or heard them. Perhaps the only way to truly believe something is to _1_ it, and Ive never met a ghost. On the other hand, Ive never been to Pluto or even seen it in a _2_. Yet I believe it _3_. Sometimes we rely on other peoples experiences to influence how we view the world. Of course, even if you believe in ghosts, its possible to be _4_ about what they really are. The easy answer is that theyre the _5_ of those who have died. Maybe though, theyre just a trace, sort of a recording, of what used to be. Some would argue that ghosts do exist, but only in the imaginations of the living. I think the latter _6_ is too easy, and makes light of some events that really _7_. In any event, the idea of ghosts is interesting. Depending on your _8_, it can be a cause of hope, fear, excitement, or just plain amusement. What do you think?1. _ 2. _ 3. _ 4._5. _ 6. _ 7. _ 8. _Volume 2, Number 4, March 10, 1997 Amandas Dream Role Amanda looked out over the stage and smiled. She saw the _1_ of her new television show. It was a situation comedy about a beautiful teenager named, you guessed it, _2_. It was her beauty, brains, and sense of humor that had landed her the _3_ role. Thousands of girls had auditioned for the part, but Amanda had shined above them all. The shows producers had decided that she was the most _4_. This was certainly a _5_ come true. Amanda would be _6_ and become very rich. Even as she waited to go on stage, she was thinking of all the things she would do with her _7_. She wouldnt let it go to her head. Shed be sure to give millions to her favorite charities. She heard a loud buzzer sounding. This was the _8_ that the show was about to begin. The noise became louder and quite unpleasant. The stage faded from view and was replaced by Amandas bedroom. It really was a dream, a dream that would have to wait for another day to come true.1. _2. _3. _4._5. _6. _7. _8. _Volume 2, Number 5, March 17, 1997 A Story Starter: Daryl really enjoyed going to school. However, he wished it would start a few hours later each day. He really liked to sleep as late as possible. He set his alarm for 7:30, which barely gave him enough time to get ready for the bus. Daryls sisters and parents were careful to avoid waking him up a minute earlier. When that happened, he was most unpleasant. Besides, the family agreed that Daryl was most pleasant when he was sleeping. One morning, after it had snowed all night, the radio and television stations announced that school would be delayed by two hours. The telephone woke Daryl at 6:00 a.m.! It was Roderick calling to inform him that he could sleep for two extra hours. Daryl was so angry about being awakened, he couldnt go back to sleep at all. “Roderick is a good friend, and I dont want to offend him,” he told his sister, Katey, “but how do I tell him not to ever wake me again? He actually thinks he did me a favor! Hes sensitive and its easy to hurt his feelings.” Katey was willing to help. “Im impressed by how well you controlled your temper when you talked to Roderick on the phone. Just say, Dont wake me up to tell me I can keep sleeping, you idiot!” “Oh, Im sure that wont offend him,” their sister Nikole commented.Write an ending to this story that will solve Daryls problem. Think about the kind of person each character is, and make their words and actions believable.Volume 2, Number 6, March 24, 1997Monster Boy When I was very young, I had a friend named Monster Boy. He was a raggedy old stuffed bear that I had had since he wasnt raggedy or old. I loved that brown bear and never let him out of my sight. That worried my parents, cause I was twenty years old. Just kidding, I was two. One day my parents decided it would be nice to replace Monster Boy with a new stuffed bear. My mother tossed Monster Boy into the waste basket as my father proudly handed me the replacement. Much to my parents surprise, I wasnt pleased. I cried up a storm! My mother retrieved my old friend, sewed him up and restored his rightful place as my one and only bear. The expensive new bear went back to the store. Their mistake of course, was in not realizing that I loved that old bear. You cant replace someone you love. Now that Im an adult, I still believe that. However, now my attitude has changed somewhat. I dont love my car, computer, camera, or any of my other toys. I refuse to love anything thats incapable of loving me back. But I do sometimes wonder where Monster Boy is today.Writing Connection: Have you ever had a toy that you were very fond of? Recall any experience you had with that toy that you can write about. Include words or phrases that let those who read or hear your story know how you felt about the toy and the events in your story.Volume 2, Number 7, April 9, 1997 Im sitting here, trying to _1_ what to write about. _2_ is coming to my brain. I could make up a story about anything I desire, but there doesnt seem to be anything I desire to write about. I could write about a hobby, a person, an idea, anything at all. Why cant I come up with a good _3_? Its usually fun to write. The author is in complete control. He can hit any key on the computer or form any letter with his pen. He can do whatever he pleases. So why _4_ I think of anything to write about? Do you ever have that _5_? Do you ever need to write something but you just cant seem to get _6_? I hope Im not the only one this happens to. Im going to really try hard to _7_ a piece of writing that kids can read. They can answer questions or fill in _8_ words. Wait a minute! I just wrote something. I see it right here on the computer screen. Life is full of surprises!1. _2. _3. _4._5. _6. _7. _8. _Volume 2, Number 8, April 14, 1997 “Im not arguing with you, Anne,”Mr. Jamer stated, “You may not use nail polish until youre eighteen years old!” “That isnt fair! All my friends paint their nails,” Anne responded. “Dennis is your friend. Does he color his nails?” “As a matter of fact, he does.” Mr. Jamers face turned white and then red. “Then I dont want youassociating with Dennis anymore! Why would a boy do such a thing? There must be something wrong with him!” “Daddy, Im ten years old. Im old enough to choose my own friends! Besides, theres nothing wrong with Dennis. Hes just trying to be a little different.” “Well, hes certainly succeeding. And just think, if all your female friends wear nail polish, and you dont, youll be different too.” Anne thought about that for a moment. “Im not so sure that I want to be different.”1. Mr. Jamer wants his daughter to wait _ years before polishing her nails.2. Are most of Annes friends boys or girls? How do you know? 3. What do you think Mr. Jamer would say to Dennis if he were his father?4. Who do you think is right, Mr. Jamer or Anne? Why?5. If you were Anne, what would you say to try to change your fathers mind?Volume 2, Number 9, April 21, 1997 A Story Starter: Silently, in the cold dark _1_ of space, silently it drifted toward Earth. Now it was no longer moving aimlessly. The planets _2_ had reached out and taken hold of the round metallic object. Inside, the being was unaware of its impending arrival. Millions of years were like a moment to the creature, frozen in a deathlike sleep. Far below, the Earth turned as always. Its _3_ were also _4_. Few _5_, and no one iddentified the bright fiery streak that plunged towards the surface on the dark side of the planet. No creature of this _6_, anticipated the _7_ that were to come.1. a. bottle b. kettle c. vacuum d. fire2. a. warmth b. gravity c. light d. fist3. a. walked b. heat c. oceans d. inhabitants4. a. awake b. unhappy c. unaware d. curious5. a. noticed b. copied c. listened d. heard6. a. story b. chapter c. world d. paper7. a. scary b. happened c. event d. eventsVolume 2, Number 10, April 28, 1997 Mammals Would you like to _1_ what my favorite class of vertebrate is? I hope so, because Im going to tell you anyway! My favorite class of vertebrate is the _2_. Mammals are very interesting. They are warm-blooded, which means that they maintain a near constant body _3_. They are the only class of vertebrate, or any kind of _4_ for that matter, whose females produce milk to _5_ their young. Mammal babies develop inside the mother and are _6_ live. All mammals grow hair or fur on their bodies. Yes, mammals are my favorite vertebrates. Some of my best friends are _7_. Now that I _8_ about it, some of my favorite relatives are mammals too.1. _ 2. _ 3. _ 4._5. _ 6. _ 7. _ 8. _Volume 2, Number 11, May 5, 1997 Forms of Matter Most substances take three different _1_, depending on their temperatures. Those forms are solid, liquid, and gas. Water is a good example. Interestingly, we have different _2_ for water when it takes different forms. When water is a _3_, we call it ice. When its temperature is great enough to be a _4_, we usually call it water. As it becomes a gas we call it steam, and then the gas is usually referred to as water vapor. Many substances tend to _5_ in one form over a great temperature range. We call oxygen a gas, but scientists can _6_ it to a point where it becomes a liquid used in rockets. Have you ever seen dry ice? Its the “gas” carbon dioxide, at a temperature _7_ enough to make it a solid. We certainly think of _8_ as solid, but _9_ them enough and they become liquids. The lava that _10_ from a volcano is an example of liquid rock. What form must a particular substance take? Better check with athermometer to be sure.1. _ 2. _ 3. _ 4._ 5. _6. _ 7. _ 8. _ 9._ 10._ Volume 2, Number 12, May 12, 1997 Story Starter: (With a Little Alliteration) Tremor Troll traveled tearfully through the traffic on his trusty tricycle. Should he share his scary secret with seven silly sisters? Maybe he might merely mention it to Mother. Did he dare divulge details to Dad? Still striving to successfully steer, he sailed swiftly southward. Hurtfully hitting holes, he held his handlebars handily. Suddenly he saw the street he sought. Happily he was home. Would he decide to discuss his dilemma? Could he continue keeping it concealed? Trembling, Tremor trotted to the top of the stairs. Stoically, he stood staring and started to stammer his statement.Make up six questions about the story starter.1. Why _?2. How _?3. Where _?4. Who _?5. When _?6. What _?Can you finish this story?Volume 2, Number 13, May 19, 1997 Lake George RV Park One of our favorite places to camp is Lake George RV Park. OK, some people might not consider it camping in the “roughing it” sense. But its a great place to spend a few days or weeks if you want a carefree, fun vacation. There are many activities offered for young and old. There are tennis and basketball courts, three swimming pools, a baseball diamond, paddle boats, video games, free bingo for prizes, and more things than I can even remember! Theres entertainment for the whole family, including live entertainment at a beautiful playhouse and movies in two theaters. The sites are large and feature full hookups including cable TV. Of course it would be roughing it without cable TV! The park provides a free shuttle service to Lake George and the nearby factory outlets. The vehicles are partially opened buses that look like trolleys. The bottom line is, if you want a nice blend of camping and resort vacationing, youll find it at Lake George RV Park.What questions could you ask the author that would provide useful information that wasnt given in the article?Volume 2, Number 14, May 27, 1997 The Deadly Life Saver When a family climbs into a vehicle to go on a trip or even a short ride, its important that every one is as safe as possible. We know that terrible accidents can occur. Thats why devices like seat belts and air bags have been invented and put into cars, vans, and trucks. Unfortunately, devices that are meant to save lives can be a threat to life. The air bag is such a device. Air bags were designed to inflate rapidly in an accident. They were designed to stop an average adult male who didnt bother to fasten his seat belt from smashing into or through the front of a car. Therefore, they inflate at approximately 200 miles per hour. An air bag is not a soft cushion. It delivers a blow that can seriously injure or kill a child or small adult. Air bags can be beneficial, but you must know and account for the dangers. Children should not sit in the front passenger seat of a vehicle that has a passenger side air bag. Its especially dangerous to put an infant who must use a rear facing car seat in the front of such a vehicle. Children are always safer in the back seat. The center rear seat is best. And of course, all passengers should use their seat belts. Take your example from race car drivers. They know how to increase their chances of surviving a crash. The day will come when vehicles are equipped with “smart” air bags that automatically adjust their force to the size and weight of a passenger. But for now, each of us has to be smart about these imperfect “life savers”.True or False?If the article supports the statement, answer True.If the article does not support the statement, answer False.1. Air bags can prevent accidents.2. Air bags kill more people than they save.3. Adult males do not need to use a seat belt.4. An air bag might save an adults life.5. An air bag might kill an adult.6. Children are safer in the back seat than in the front.7. Race car drivers use air bags instead of seat belts.8. Air bags will become safer in future vehicles.Volume 2, Number 15, June 2, 1997 When Are You Old Enough? When are you old enough to smoke cigarettes? The law says eighteen. As far as Im concerned, no one is ever old enough to smoke. In fact, smoking is a rather immature thing to do. How can doing something that weakens your body and reduces your life expectancy be associated with adulthood? Most adults do not smoke. About three out of four adults prefer to breathe clean air. Researchers have also found that most new smokers are not adults, theyre kids. So if youre thinking of smoking to make yourself seem grown-up, forget it. Youll just look like someone whos trying to look grown- up, and thats UNCOOL! When are you old enough to smoke? A better question is: When are you old enough to know better?1. Does the author believe that children should smoke?2. In the authors opinion, when are you old enough to smoke?3. About what fraction of adults smoke?4. Do you agree with the authors position? Why or why not?Volume 2, Number 16, June 9, 1997 The emblem of