A

　　Pronouncing words of a language is a skill. Every normal person is expert in the skill of pronouncing their own language; but few people are ever skilled at pronouncing foreign languages. Now there are many reasons for this, some obvious, some perhaps not so obvious. But I suggest that the reason why people in general do not speak foreign languages much better than they do their own language is that they fail to grasp the true nature of the problem of learning to pronounce, and never set about solving it in the right way. Far too many people fail to realize that pronouncing a foreign language is a skill-one that needs careful training of a special kind, and one that cannot be gained by just leaving it to take care of itself. I think even teachers of language, while recognizing the importance of a good accent, tend to neglect(忽略), in their practical teaching, the branch of study which has something to do with speaking the language. So the first point I want to make is that English pronunciation must be taught. The teacher should be prepared to devote some of the lesson time to this, and by his whole attitude(态度)to the subject should get the student to feel that here is a matter worthy of receiving close attention, thus when other aspects(方面)of English, such as grammar or spelling, are allowed for the moment, to take second place, there is something else.

　　Except for the question of time given to pronunciation, there are two other requirements for the teacher: the first, knowledge; the second, technique.

　　1. Why don't people speak a foreign language better than they speak they native language?

　　A. Because they can't grasp the nature of the problem of learning to pronounce.

　　B. Because they think pronouncing a foreign language is a impossible.

　　C. Because they never solve the problem in any way.

　　D. Because they pay more attention to pronunciation than anything else.

　　2. What is the passage mainly about?

　　A. Grammar should be paid no attention to.

　　B. Pronunciation is the most important aspect in learning a foreign language.

　　C. Spelling should not be taught in class.

　　D. Knowledge and technique are unnecessary in learning a foreign language.

　　B

　　When in 1789, George Washington became the first president of the United States, there was no permanent(永久的)capital in which to house the government. During the Revolutionary War several different cities had served as the national capital. In addition, members of congress(国会)could not agree as to where this permanent capital should be located. Some officials wanted it in the north, others wanted it in the south. Each of the states hoped that the capital might lie within its own state lines. At last it was decided that the capital should occupy a section(区域)by itself, separate from any of the states. The place chosen was situated on the Potoma River. The land belonged originally to the state of Maryland, but Maryland agreed to the national government's decision. The section was named Washington. Work was begun on the new capital in 1791. In the year 1899, Congress occupied the new capital building and, at the same time, the White House was opened as the home of all future presidents.

　　3. Why was it decided that the capital should be separated from any of the states?

　　A. Because each of the states wanted the capital to be within its own state.

　　B. Because the District of Columbia was in the center of America.

　　C. Because Maryland insisted that the capital lie in its own state.

　　D. Because the District of Columbia was on the borders of several states.

　　[答案与解析]

　　1. A。第一段第四句即本题答案出处。2. B。本篇短文主要讲述了语音在学习一门外语中的重要作用。由第一段最后一句和最后一段可知,A、C和D三个选项是错误的。3. A。由于国会意见不统一,有的想把首都建在北方,有的想把首都建在南方,每个州都想把首都建在自己的领地内。最后只好采取这样一个折衷的办法,首都划定一块自己的区域,它不属于任何一个州。

　　(文/文玉荣；英语辅导报高三版2003-2004学年第3期；版权归英语辅导报社所有，独家网络合作伙伴新浪教育，未经许可，不得以任何形式进行转载。)