If English means endless new words, difficult grammar and sometimes strange pronunciation, you are wrong. Haven’t you noticed that you have become smarter since you started to learn a language?
According to a new study by a British university, learning a second language can lead to an increase in your brain power. Researchers found that learning other languages changes grey matter. This is the area of the brain which processes information. It is similar to the way that exercise builds muscles.?
The study also found the effect is greater, the younger people learn a second language.?
A team led by Dr Andrea Mechelli, from University College London, took a group of Britons who only spoke English. They were compared with a group of “early bilinguals” who had learnt a second language before the age of five, as well as a number of later learners.
Scans showed that grey matter density(密度)in the brain was greater in bilinguals than in people without a second language. But the longer a person waited before mastering a new language, the smaller the difference.
“Our findings suggest that the structure of the brain is changed by the experience of learning a second language,” said the scientists.?
It means that the change itself increases the ability to learn.?
Professor Dylan Vaughan Jones of the University of Wales, has researched the link between bilingualism and maths skills. “Having two languages gives you two windows on the world and makes the brain more flexible,”he said. “You are actually going beyond language and have a better understanding of different ideas.”
The findings were matched in a study of native Italian speakers who had learned English as a second language between the ages of two and 34. Reading, writing, and comprehension were all tested. The results showed that the younger they started to learn, the better. “Studying a language means you get an entrance to another world,” explained the scientists.?
【小题1】.. The main subject talked about in this passage is_______.?

A．science on learning a second language?
B．man's ability of learning a second language?
C．language can help brain power?	D．language learning and maths study?

Reporters collect information and write news stories. These stories appear in newspapers and magazines. Some reporters appear on television and radio. To get information, reporters should look at documents, observe the scene and interview people.

To get the latest news, radio and television reporters often reporter “live” from the scene.

Some reporters work long hours. They might work strange schedules. At morning newspapers, reporters might work from late afternoon until midnight. At evening or afternoon papers, they may work from early morning until afternoon. Radio and television reporters work during the day or in the evening. Magazine reporters generally work during the day. Reporters may have to change their work hours to follow a story.

If someone wants to be a reporter, a bachelor’s degree(学士学位) in journalism(新闻工作) is preferred. Some employers like graduates with other majors(专业). Working at school newspapers or broadcasting stations is good experience. Internship(实习生身份) with news organizations also help when looking for a job as a reporter.

Reporters must write clearly and effectively. They need word processing(文字处理)，computer graphics(图片), and desktop publishing skills. Speaking a second language is necessary for some jobs.

1.The underlined word “scene”in the first paragraph probably means _______.

A. spot    B.office    C. stage       D. company

2.If one wants to be a reporter, he must  _______.

A. be doctor                                     B. have enough experience

C. study in a newspaper company before    D. be good at writing

3.Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A. Magazine reporters usually work during the day.

B. Only the person majoring in journalism can be a reporter.

C. We can get the latest news from the live report.

D. Sometimes reporters have to change work hours in order to follow a story.

4.What is the best title for this passage?

A. Who is a reporter?    B. How does a reporter report?

C. What is a reporter?   D. When does a reporter work?

C
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第三部分阅读理解（共15小题；每小题2分，共30分）
(A)
It is easier to start to learn a new language than to become good at it. I’ve started to learn many new languages, such as French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Afrikaans (南非荷兰语), and so on. I can’t speak them yet, but I’ve started picking up a few words and phrases that help me when I’m visiting. Most importantly, I’ve had fun doing this.
I’ve started to learn Italian, but I haven’t learned any Italian grammar, and when I visit Italy I’m not able to speak Italian correctly. My aim is just to communicate at a very basic level when I visit a country, to make an effort, and to show appreciation of the language and culture. I’m not trying to talk about politics or explain my views on life. I pick key or useful words and phrases that I want to learn. For example, as a visitor to another country, the key words in a foreign language are the words which will be of the most use to you and which you will use most often. These key words and phrases will vary from visitor to visitor, depending on the purpose of their trip.
It is worth remembering that it is easier to start a task than to finish it, and the same goes for learning a new language. The better you are at it, the slower your rate of progress will be, as you have to learn grammar, words and so on. If you are only trying to learn a few foreign words and phrases, you will make faster progress, have more fun, and won’t have to spend too much time on any given language.
61. From the second paragraph, we can infer that ______.
A. the writer is good at Italian, although it is rather difficult
B. the writer doesn’t like learning Italian because it is no fun
C. discussing politics or explaining one’s view requires an advanced language level
D. it is great fun to communicate with the local people in another country
62. Which of the following does the writer prefer to learn?
A. Sentence structure.        B. Important words and phrases.
C. Complicated sentences.        D. Grammar.
63. You can make faster progress ______.
A. if your language level is advanced  B. if you only try to learn some basic words
C. once you speak the language well 
D. once you have mastered several other languages
64. Which of the following would be the best title of this passage?
A. Starting Learning a New Language Is Easier than Becoming Good at It
B. How to Visit a Foreign Country
C. The Importance of Learning a Foreign Language
D. Why You Should Learn Several Foreign Languages