Parents are often amazed at how fast their child grows and develops. New research has determined that the ability to quantify may develop much sooner than most parents realize.

Kristy Vanmarle, professor of the University of Missouri, has determined that contrary to what previous studies have shown, infants（婴儿）are able to quantify substances（物质）—like sand or water—as early as 10 months. As long as the difference between the two substances is large enough, infants will choose the larger amount, especially when it comes to food.

With the assistance of her team researchers, Vanmarle tested the quantifying skills of babies by presenting them with two cups: one containing a small amount of food, and one containing a larger amount. Consistently, the babies chose the larger amount.

“Several studies throughout the last 15 years have shown that infants are very good at telling how many objects they see; however, infants don’t seem to count things like water or sand,” Vanmarle said. “What we’re saying is that they can quantify substances; it’s just much harder. The infants can see how much food goes into each cup and compare that in their memories. They decide which amount is larger, and they almost always select the larger one.”

“This information further refutes（驳斥）the long-held idea that babies know nothing of the world,” Vanmarle said.

“Since psychologists have begun studying infants with sensitive measures, we’ve discovered a lot of early abilities. I think for parents, it should be exciting to know that there’s somebody in there that has some fundamental and basic knowledge of the world, and that knowledge is guiding their development,” Vanmarle said.

In the future, Vanmarle says this kind of study could be linked to a child’s progress in math-related skills, although programs marketed to increase those abilities, such as “Baby Einstein,” still have mixed reviews when it comes to academic study.

1. The quantifying ability refers to the ability to     .

A. choose between different substances  B. describe the quantity of something

C. get much knowledge of the world    D. obtain math-related skills

2. What is mainly talked about in Paragraph 4?

A. The process of doing research.   B. The final choice of infants.

C. The scientific findings.         D. The observation of infants’ behavior.

3. Babies choose the larger amount of food     .

A. through their natural abilities  B. with the help of parents

C. on personal preference           D. by saying numbers

4.We can learn from the text that     .

A. some parents don’t care about their kids

B. scholars disagree on baby-training programs

C. little research has been done on infants

D. people used to think the world is known to babies

5.What’s the best title of the text?

A. Unique Quantifying Methods   B. Amazing Baby-training Ideas

C. Early Human Abilities         D. Breakthrough in Baby Studies

[1]Everyone makes mistakes. How do you react when a family member, friend, or a classmate makes a mistake? Some of us may shout out , complain, or punish. Unfortunately, these reactions to mistakes sometimes greatly hurt both sides. In fact, there is a better way to deal with a mistake.

[2]Reframe（重组） "MISTAKE": Change "MISTAKE" into "MIS-TAKE." Doesn't that have a different feeling? Therefore, a mistake is not so bad as expected. We can learn from it and it is likely to lead to success in the end.

[3]Use mistakes as an opportunity for learning. Most of us want to hide our mistakes, but we may be more willing to share our "MIS-TAKES" and let others learn from them. Either an individual or a family can benefit by openly recognizing and correcting mistakes, rather than pretending that they didn't happen. In fact, a mistake, if corrected quickly and in a creative way, can become         for learning.

[4]Think of mistakes as opportunities to prove yourself. A mistake becomes an opportunity to create a close friend or customer. For example, in business, studies show that one of the things all customers want is recovery when the organization has made a mistake. They want us to apologize sincerely. With creative thinking, we can make them satisfied with the way we deal with a mistake.

[5] We have learned to allow people around us to make mistakes. Now give them “protection” when they make a mistake. If you give people both permission and protection, you will get along well with them. Show them how they can turn a mistake into learning something about themselves so they don’t make the same mistake again.

1. What is the passage mainly about? (no more than 10 words)

2. What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 2 probably refer to? (no more than 3 words)

3.Fill in the blank in Paragraph 3 with proper words.(no more than 4 words)

4. Complete the following statement with proper words.(no more than 3 words)

If we think creatively, we are able to make people feel pleased with the way in which a mistake is           .

5. Why should you show people how to turn a mistake into learning something about themselves? (no more than 12 words)

书面表达（满分25分）

每位同学都希望自己具有良好的人际关系，成为班级中受欢迎的人。请你根据下表所提供的信息，写一篇题为“Being a Popular Student”的英语短文，参加学校网站英语论坛的讨论。

注意：1．短文必须包括所有内容要点，可适当发挥；

      2．短文标题与开头已为你写好，不计入总词数；

      3．词数：120左右

Have you got any particular plans for the coming holiday?

   Yes. _____, I’m going to visit some homes for the old in the city.

 A. If ever    B. If busy     C. if anything    D. if possible

The computer was used in teaching. As a result, not only _____, but students became more interested in the lessons.

A. saved was teachers’ energy     B. was teachers’ energy saved

C. teachers’ energy was saved     D. was saved teachers’ energy

Generally speaking, ______ according to the directions, the drug has no side effect.

 A. when taking   B. when taken    C. when to take   D. when to be taken

 ---What did you do in the town last night?

---_______ a concert, we also watched a football match at home.

A. Instead of    B. Apart from   C. In addition     D. Except

Much to our ______, John was finally persuaded to join in our travel to the South Pole.

A. delighted    B. delighting    C. delight      D. delights

 ______children whose parents had died in the earthquake ____ sent to live with families in other cities.

 A. A great number of; were     B. A great number of; was

C. The great number of; were   D. The great number of; was

Some researchers believe that there is no doubt ____ a cure for AIDS will be found.

A. which     B. what    C. that    D. whether