Learners of English, especially self-taught learners may have trouble in understanding speeches by native speakers. The following ways might help improve their listening ability.
First of all, do things step by step. It is not good to listen to something beyond your level. Better choose a suitable course and start with the first book. Go on to the second book only after you are sure you understand the first one.
Secondly, stick to (坚持) one course of study. Don't change books often. Never let your attention be attracted (吸引) by another course just because it seems to be more "fashionable".
Thirdly, listen to the English news program over the radio from time to time. Better go through the news stories in the Chinese-language newspaper first. That will make it easy for you to understand the English news on the radio.
Fourthly, if you have time, listen to some interesting stories in some special English programs, such as V. O. A. or other listening materials of the same level as that of your textbook.
Mr Smith was the manager of a hotel in Springfield. One weekend all of the hotels in the city were full because there was a large meeting. Late in the evening three men came into the hotel and asked for rooms. Mr Smith explained that because of the meeting, there were no rooms ready for use. The men were very unhappy because they had no place to stay in.
Mr Smith wanted to help them. He remembered that Room 414, a very small room, was empty. He asked them if they would share a room. The three men agreed. Mr Smith told them that the room would cost $30: $10 for each. Each of them gave Mr Smith $10, and they went up to the room.
Mr Smith soon began to feel sorry. "Thirty dollars is too much for that small room," he thought. He called one of his men over and said, "Here is $ 5. Bring it to the man in Room 414. I've asked too much money for their room. "
The worker took the money from his manager. While he was on his way to Room 414, he started to think, "How can I divide (分) $5? Well, I'll give each of them only $1 and I keep $2. The men will be happy to get anything back. I'll make a little money and Mr Smith will never know. " So he returned $1 to each man.
You see, there come a problem, each man had at first paid $10. After the worker returned them $1 each, each man had paid 9. There were three men, $9 x 3 =" $27. " The worker kept $2 —$27+$2="29." Where is the missing dollar?
We spent a day in the country, picking wild flowers. With the car full of flowers we were going home. On our way back my wife noticed a cupboard outside a furniture shop (家具店). It was tall and narrow. "Buy it," my wife said at once. "We'll carry it home on the roof rack. I've always wanted one like that. "
What could I do? Ten minutes later I was ￡20 poorer; and the cupboard was tied on the roof rack (车顶行李架). It was six feet long and eighteen inches square, quite heavy too.
In the gathering darkness I drove slowly. Other drivers seemed unusually polite that evening. The police even stopped traffic to let us through. Carrying furniture was a good idea.
After a time my wife said, "There's a long line of cars behind. Why don't they overtake, I wonder?" In fact a police car did overtake. The two officers inside looked at us seriously as they passed. But then, with great kindness, they led us through the rush hour traffic. The police car stopped at our village church. One of the officers came to me.
"Right, sir," he said. "Do you need any more help?"
I was a bit puzzled. "Thanks, officer," I said. "You have been very kind. I was just on the road. " He was staring at our car, first at the flowers, then at the cupboard. "Well, well," he said, laughing. "It's a cupboard you've got there! We thought it was something else. "
My wife began to laugh. The truth hit me like a stone between the eyes. I smiled at the officer. "Yes, it's a cupboard, but thanks again." I drove home as fast as I could.
Going to a friend's house is very exciting. You may spend time with a friend and get to see where he lives, so remember to be polite.
When to arrive:
The first thing to remember is that when a friend invites you over, you need to arrive on time. If your friend tells you to come "around 3:00", that means you can turn up a little bit after 3:00. Usually it is a good idea to arrive at the right time, but not ahead of time.
What to bring:
Often it is also nice to bring something to your friend's house. This could be a box of chocolates for you two to share, or maybe a movie that you can watch together. You can also bring some flowers. A little gift is a nice way to show your friend that you are excited to be at his house.
How to greet:
When you visit your friend's house, you may also meet his parents. You should tell them who you are and they may tell you their names. As a child, I went to visit my friend Paul. I called his parents by their first names John and Mary. But now I know it is more polite to call them Mr. or Mrs. Smith. This will show them more respect and then they may tell you to call them by their first names. Another way to show respect is to call them Madam or Sir.
It is a cool thing to visit a friend's house. Be polite to your friend and your friend's parents, and you will be invited again!
Most people have had a dog or wanted one as their companion at some time in their lives. If you are thinking of buying a dog, however, you should first decide what sort (种类、类型) of companion you need and whether the dog is likely to be happy in the surroundings(环境) you can provide. Specialists' advice is available to help you choose the most suitable (合适的) breed of dog. But in part, the decision depends on common sense. Most breeds were originally developed to perform specific tasks. Therefore, if you want a dog to protect you or your house, for example, you should choose one that has the right size and characteristics (特征/色/点). You must also be ready to devote a lot of time to training the dog when it is young and giving it the exercise it needs throughout its life. Dogs are demanding pets, while cats are connected with the house and so they are satisfied if their place is safe. A dog is connected with its master and wants him to show proof of his affection (感情).
The best time to buy a baby dog is when it is between 6 and 8 weeks old so that it can transfer(转移) its affection from its mother to its master. If baby dogs have not established (建立) a relationship (关系)with the human being until they are over eight months old, their strong relationship will always be with dogs. They are likely to be too shy when they are brought out into the world to become good pets.
Afraid to have a start, I was walking slowly into my first school in America. I had 1 a long way from India in order to join parents. They had been here for three years, and hoped America would help my future. My father decided that I would go to school here, so I found a local high school in my new town.
With 2 on one hand and fear on the other, I arrived at the classroom. Everyone's eyes were on me as I entered the classroom. Without paying attention to them, I went straight to the 3 and asked if it was the right class. With a 4 voice, he answered, "Yes. " His voice comforted me a little. He gave me a piece of 5 called "course requirements", which I would never get in India. Then he asked me to choose where I would sit. I chose the 6 closest to the door instead of the corner where all of the boys were sitting. I didn't 7 want to pick a seat. In India, the teacher 8 seats, so I never needed to worry about that. I spent the rest of the class taking notes from the picture produced by the overhead projector (投影仪).
9 it was my first day, I was confused about which hallway (走廊) to use, but I 10 to get to my classes without asking anyone. I was very confused about when I would have 11. It was noon when I went to my next class and the bell rang as I entered. I went through the normal process of asking the teacher if I was in the right class. Feeling 12, she said, "That is the lunch bell." I felt a little awkward. Without another word, I headed for the cafeteria (食堂).
At the end of the day, I was on my way to the bus stop. I realized that all the 13 was like the difficulty I had to 14 to reach my goal. I 15 my bus and sat down inside happily. I said to myself: Today isn't so bad.
On the first day of high school, some people are excited, some are nervous, and others even feel frightened. Here(be) a look at Han Jinng's feelings on her first senior high school day.
Han Jing wasn'toutgoing girl, so she was a bit anxious at first. She was very worried that no one would make friends with her. So she wanted to make a good first (impress).
That morning, she had the first maths class. Although the class was difficult (understand), the teacher was kind and humorous. He made everyone laugh a lot by(tell) a funny story. At that time, Han Jing was happy to find her teachers and classmates friendly and helpful. That afternoon, they went to the science lab to do (experiment). However, the boy next to Han Jing kept on talking to her so that she couldn't concentrate on the experiment. That was so(annoy) that she even wanted to tell him to leave her alone.
After the first day, Han Jing no longer(feel) awkward and frightened. She had more confidence in the new school life last. What a perfect day she had, and she expected the next day would be another perfect day
1）你喜欢的运动项目及原因，如有益于身心健康( physical and mental health)、增强自信等；
2）你是何时喜欢上这项运动的，现在参加该运动的情况如何;
3）询问对方的体育爱好。
注意：1）词数80左右(信的开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数);
2）可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Harry,
I am glad to receive your letter.
……
Yours sincerely
Li Hu
