1、1a:Learning a foreign languageLearning a foreign language was one of the most difficult yet mostrewardingexperiences of my life.Although at times learning a language was rustrating, it was well worth the effort. My experience with learning a foreign language began in junior middle school, when I too
2、k my first English class. I had a kind and patient teacher who often praised all of the students. Because of this positive method, I eagerly answered all the questions I could, never worrying much about making mistakes. I was at the top of my class for two years. When I went to senior middle school,
3、 I was eager to continue studying English; however, my experience in senior middle school was very different from before. While my ormer teacher had been patient with all of the students, my new teacher quickly punished those who gave incorrect answers. Whenever we answered incorrectly, she pointed
4、a long stick at us and, shaking it up and down, shouted, “No! No! No!“ It didnt take me long to lose my eagerness to answer questions. Not only did I lose my joy in answering questions, but I also lost my desire to say anything at all in English. However, that state didnt last long. When I went to c
5、ollege, I learned that all students were required to take an English course. Unlikemy senior middle school teacher, my college English teachers were patient and kind, and none of them carried long, pointed sticks! The situation was far from perfect, though. As our classes were very large, I was only
6、 able to answer a couple of questions in each class period. Also, after a few weeks of classes, I noticed there were many students who spoke much better than I did. I began to feel intimidated. So, once again, although for different reasons, I was afraid to speak. It seemed my English was going to s
7、tay at the same level forever. That was the situation until a couple of years later when I was offered an opportunityto study English through an onlinecourse. The communication medium was a computer, a phone line, and a modem. I soon got accessto the necessary equipment, learned how to use the techn
8、ology from a friend and participated in the virtual classroom to days a week. Online learning is not easier than regular classroom study; it requires a lot of time, commitment and discipline to keep up with the flow of the course. I worked hard to meet the minimum standards set by the course and to
9、complete assignments on time. I practiced all the time. I carried a little dictionary with me everywhere I went, as well as a notebook in which I listed any new words I heard. I made many, sometimesembarrassing, mistakes. Once in a while I cried out of frustration, and sometimes I felt like giving u
10、p. But I didnt feel intimidated by students who spoke faster than I did because I took all the time I needed to think out my ideas and wrote a reply before posting it on the screen. Then, one day I realized I could understand just about everything I came across, and most importantly, I could “say“ a
11、nything I wanted to in English. Although I was still making many mistakes and was continually learning new ways to say things, I had finally reaped the benefits of all of my hard work.Learning a foreign language has been a most trying experience for me, but one that I wouldnt trade for anything. Not
12、 only did learning another language teach me the value of hard work, but it also gave me insights into another culture, and my mind was opened to new ways of seeing things. The most wonderful result of having learned a foreign language was that I could communicate with many more people than before.
13、Talking with people is one of my favoriteactivities, so being able to speak a new language lets me meet new people, participate in conversations, and form new, unforgettable friendships. Now that I speak a foreign language, instead of staring into space when English is being spoken, I can participat
14、e and make friends. I am able to reach out to others and bridge the gap between my language and culture and theirs.1b:Keys to successful online leaeningWhile regular schools still exist, the virtual classroom plays an important role in todays learning community. Job opportunities for students are ex
15、panding rapidly and more people of all ages are becoming aware of online learning that allows them to study at home.Online students, however, require unique qualities to be successful. The following list discusses some ideal qualities of successful online students. . Be open-minded about sharing lif
16、e, work, and learning experiences as part of online learning.Many people find that the online method requires them to use their experiences and that online learning offers them a place to communicate with each other. This forum for communication removes the visual barriers that hinder some students
17、from expressing themselves. In addition, students are given time to reflect on the information before replying. In this way, students can help to keep the online environment open and friendly. . Be able to communicate through writing. In the virtual classroom nearly all communication is written, so
18、it is critical that students feel comfortable expressing themselves in writing. Some students have limited writing abilities, which need to be improved before or as part of the online experience. This usually requires extra commitment by these students. Whether working alone or in a group, students
19、share ideas, perspectives and discussions on the subject being studied, and read about those of their classmates. In this way, students gain great insights from their peers, learning from each other as well as the instructor. Be willing to “speak up“ if problems arise. Remember that instructors cann
20、ot see their students in an online course. This means students must be absolutely explicit with their comments and requests. If they experience technical difficulties, or problems in understanding something about the course, they MUST speak up; otherwise there is no way anyone can know something is
21、wrong. If one person does not understand something, possibly several others have the same problem. If another student is able to help, he or she probably will. While explaining something to others, students reinforce their own knowledge about the subject. . Take the program seriously.Online learning
22、 is not easier than study in regular classrooms. In fact, many students say it requires much more time and effort. Requirements for online courses are no less than those of any other quality program. Successful online students, however, see online learning as a convenient way to receive their educat
23、ionnot an easier way. Many online students sit at computers for hours at a time during evenings and on weekends in order to complete their assignments. When other people are finished with their work and studies and having fun, youll most likelyfind online students doing their course work. Online stu
24、dents need to commit to hours a week to each course. . Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of online learning. Online courses require students to make decisions based on facts as well as experience. It is absolutely necessary for students to assimilate information and make the right
25、 decisions based on critical thinking. In a positive online environment, students feel valued by the instructor and by their classmates and feel good about their own work. . Be able to think ideas through before replying. Providing meaningful and quality input into the virtual classroom is an essent
26、ial part of online learning. Time is given to allow for careful development of answers. Testing and challenging of ideas is encouraged. Online students will not always be right, so they need to be prepared to accept a challenge. Keep up with the progress of the course. Online learning is normally se
27、quential and requires commitment on the students part. Keeping up with the class and completing all the work on time is vital. Once students get behind, it is almost impossible to catch up. Students need to want to be there and need to want the experience. The instructor may have to communicate with
28、 students personally to offer help and remind them of the need to keep up. Just as many excellent instructors may not be effective online facilitators, not all students have the necessary qualities to perform well online. People who have the qualities discussed above usually make very successful onl
29、ine students. If you have these qualities, learning online may be one of the best discoveries you will ever make.2a：Deep concernThe radio clickedon. Rock music blasted forth. Like a shot, the music woke Sandy. She looked at the clock; it was : A.M. Sandy sang along with the words as she lay listenin
30、g to her favorite radio station.“Sandy,“ shouted her father. “Sandy, turn that music off!“ Steve Finch burst into her room. “Why do you have to listen to such horrible stuff? Its the same thing over and over. Im not sure it is really music, though it does have rhythm.“I like that music, Dad; its my
31、favorite. Listen for a minute; Im sure youll like it.“ Sandy reached for the radio to turn it up louder.“No, no, dont do that. I cant stand it. Turn that radio down so your mother and I cant hear it. Im sure that music is hurting your ears as well as your brain.“Sandy walked into the bathroom and tu
32、rned on the shower. Then shegrabbed the soap and washed thoroughly, including her hair. After her shower, Sandy brushed her hair, put on her old, green T-shirt and some jeans. Then she put on her makeup and went to the kitchen. As usual, she didnt know what to have for breakfast, so she grabbed a gl
33、ass of milk and ate a piece of toast while standing by the sink. Just then, her mother, Jane, entered the kitchen.“Sandy, why dont you sit down and eat your breakfast? It isnt healthy to eat standing up.“I know, Mom, but I dont have time to sit down and eat.“Did you finish your homework, dear?“Yes.“
34、Did you brush your teeth?“Mom, I havent finished eating breakfast yet. pIll brush my teeth when Im done.“Sandy, why are you wearing that old T-shirt? pIts disgusting.“Mom, please stop.“Stop what, dear?“Stop bugging me.“Sandy, are you wearing eyeliner?“Yes, Mom, Ive been wearing eyeliner for months.
35、Isnt it pretty? “Sandy Finch, youre too young to wear that much makeup.“Mom, Im fifteen. Im old enough to wear makeup. Believe me, all the girls at school wear makeup. Some have tattoos and pierced ears, and noses and tongues, too. Mom, I dont have time to talk about this nowIm late. Ive got to go.
36、See you later.“Sandy kissed her mother quickly on the cheek, picked up her books, pand bolted out of the house.After Sandy had left for school, Jane Finch sat down in peace and quiet to drink her coffee. Soon her husband joined her.“Would you like some coffee, Steve?“ asked Jane.“No, thanks, honey.
37、My stomach feels upsetlike its full of knots. Its probably that awful music that wakes me up every morning. I dont think Im old-fashioned, but hearing those tuneless, offensive lyrics repeatedly makes my blood boil.“You know, honey, ifferent music appeals to different generations,“ reasoned Jane. “R
38、emember some of the music we listened to?“Steve smiled. “Youre right. Maybe eating breakfast will help me get of some of the knots in my stomach.“Did you notice how much makeup our fifteen-year-old daughter was wearing this morning? I cant believe I didnt notice. I suppose we should feel lucky becau
39、se makeup is our biggest problem with her. Ive seen other teenagers walking around town with tattoos and piercings all over their bodies.“What worries me,“ said Steve, “is that music could have a negative influence on Sandy. I dont know whats happening to our little girl. Shes changing and Im concer
40、ned about her.Makeup, terrible musicwho knows what will be next? We need to have a talk with her. The news is full of stories about teenagers in trouble whose parents hardly know anything about their problems.“Oh, I dont think her music is so terrible. But in any case, youre right. We need to have a
41、 talk with Sandy,“ said Jane. As Jane Finch drove to work, she thought about her Sandy. She knew what she wanted to say, what she had to say to Sandy. She was so glad that she and Sandy could still talk things over. She knew she had to have patience and keep the lines of communication with her daugh
42、ter open. She wanted to be there as an anchor for her, but at the same time she would give her freedom to find her own identity .2b:Is there a generation gapThe term “generation gap“ was coined in the s. One conceptof the generation gap is that parents and children have different values and beliefs.
43、As a result, many parents fear that peer opinions will become more highly valued and that they in turn will lose influence. Although the term continues to be used often, some people are beginning to ask the question, “Is there a generation gap in todays society?“One study compared four generations,
44、aged -, -, -, and and over. Several questions were asked to tap into basic beliefs and values, such as “Hard work is the key to getting ahead“ and “America is the very best place in the world to live in“. Across the generations, there was great consistency in the responses.Many studies on youth also
45、 refute the concept of a generation gap. These studies show that while young people tend to value their peers evaluations over parentson things like music, clothing and whats “cool“, they continue to look to parents for basic values and guidance in the more important areas of life, such as career an
46、d lifetime goals. Of course, general trends cant always be applied to individual cases. It is natural to feel like there is an uncomfortable “gap“ between our teens and us and that there is a need to bridge it. Perhaps, though, the problem does not lie in a difference of opinions or values, but in t
47、he way we relate to and communicate with each other. Here are some tips from an article entitled “Bridging the Generation Gap“ that might help. Show respect. An attitude of respect and trust can be contagious. Young people tend to see themselves the way their parents see them. In turn, they gain sel
48、f-confidence and respect for themselves when you show that you respect their ability to make decisions and learn from their mistakes. Listen more than you talk. Questioning can sound like interrogation. Instead, adopt an attitude of curiosity rather than control. Ask questions like “How so?“ “What d
49、o you think now?“ “Were you surprised?“ “What will you do now?“ “Whats your plan?“ “Is this something you want help with?“ If your object is only to listen, you should be careful not to be preparing your response while your teen is still talking. Youll hear better that way, and they will be encouraged to talk more. Ask whether your child wants to hear it before sharing your point of view. Only go on if they say “yes“. Then be brief.Dont lecture, and dont expect them to agree with you. If you state your case with a “
