What’s language for？Some people seem to think it’s for practicing grammar rules（规则） and learning lists of words --the longer the lists, the better. That’s wrong. Language is for the exchange of ideas and information. It’s meaningless if you can’t use it freely. Many students I have met know hundreds of grammar rules, but they can’t speak correctly or fluently(流利地). They are afraid of making mistakes. One shouldn’t be afraid of making mistakes when speaking a foreign language. Native（本土的） speakers make mistakes and break rules, too. Bernard Saw once wrote, “Foreigners often speak English too correctly.” But the mistakes that native speakers make are different from those that Chinese students make. They’re English mistakes in the English language. And if enough native speakers break a rule, it is no longer a rule. What used to be wrong becomes right. So Chinese students should pay attention to grammar, but they shouldn’t overdo(做过头)it. They should put communication(交际)first.
【小题1】 Language is used to __________ .

Can you swim? Do you like swimming? Well, how can you learn to swim? I think the best way is to go into the water and learn. I’m afraid you’ll never learn to swim just by reading books about Swimming or looking at others swimming. It’s the same with the English study. We must practice, practice and practice.

Listening and speaking are very important for beginners. We can listen to English programs on radio. You may just understand a few words. It doesn’t matter. Just be relaxed, try to catch every word.

Somebody may be a good listener, but he is afraid to speak because he’s afraid of making mistakes. You know we sometimes make mistakes when we speak Chinese. Don’t be afraid. We must be brave. If you really want to learn English well, you must try to speak with everyone as long as he knows English. When there’s nobody to talk with, you can talk to yourself in English. It’s interesting and also a good way to practice your spoken English. Remember, the more you speak, the fewer mistakes you’ll make.

Reading and writing are more important for senior（年级较高的）school students. First we must choose the books we’re interested in. A lot of reading will improve your language sense. This is very important.

It’s easier said than done. Well, let’s do more practice from now on. I’m sure you’ll learn English well in this way.

根据短文内容，从题中所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选择最佳答案。（10分）

1. What’s the best way to learn to swim?

A．Reading books about swimming.

B．looking at others swimming.

C．Going into the water and learning.

D．Listening to others’ advice.

2.According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?

A．Listening is very important while speaking is not.

B．The more you speak, the more mistakes you’ll make.

C．Listening and speaking are very important for beginners.

D．You can only learn English by listening.

3.What’s more important for senior school students?

A．Speaking and writing.                    B．Writing and listening.

C．Speaking and listening.                   D．Reading and writing.

4.Wat’s the best way to learn English well according to the passage?

A．By reading.                            B．By listening to the radio.

C．By speaking.                           D．By doing more practice.

5.Which is the best title for the passage?

A．How to Learn English.                    B．Easier Said Than Done.

C．Listen First, Speak Second.                D．How to learn to Swim.

Swimming and English Learning
Can you swim? Do you like swimming? Yes? Well, how can you learn to swim? I think the best way is to go into the water and learn. I’m afraid you’ll never learn to swim just by reading books about swimming or looking at others swimming. It’s the same with the English study. We must practice, practice and practice.
Listening and speaking are very important for beginners. The children in English-speaking countries first listen to others. Then they try to imitate and speak. We can listen to English programs on radio. You may just understand a few words. It doesn’t matter. Just be relaxed, try to catch every word.
Somebody may be a good listener. But he dare not speak. He’s afraid of making mistakes. You know we sometimes make mistakes when we speak Chinese. Don’t be afraid. We must be brave（勇敢）. If you really want to learn English well, you must try to speak with everyone so long as he knows English. Whether you know him or not is not important when there’s nobody to talk with, you can talk to yourself in English. It’s interesting and also a good way to practice your spoken English. Remember, the more you speak, the fewer mistakes you’ll make.
Reading and writing are more important for senior school students. First we must choose the books we’re interested in. A lot of reading will improve your language sense. This is the most important.
Keep writing English diaries. We can also write English articles. You may even post them to English magazines. Don’t be afraid of failure. Failure is the mother of success.
Easier said than done. Well, let’s do more practice from now on. I’m sure you’ll learn English well in this way.
(   ) 6. You can learn to swim by_______.
A. reading books about it  B. looking at others swimming
C. having lessons on it    D. going into the river and learning
(   ) 7. We should learn English by _______.
A. listening and speaking       B. reading and writing
C. A and B                  D. swimming
(   ) 8. What will you do with mistakes when you speak?
A. Don’t make mistakes.          B. Study hard
C. Try not to speak English        D. Don’t be afraid.
(   )9. What’s more important for senior school students?
A. listening    B. speaking    C. reading and writing   D. learning
(   ) 10. We can listen to English ______, according to the passage.
A. by train     B. on the radio   C. every minute   D. now and then

Can you swim? Do you like swimming? Yes? Well, how can you learn to swim? I think the best way is to go into the water and learn. I’m afraid you’ll never learn to swim just by reading books about swimming or looking at others swimming. It’s the same with the English study. We must practice, practice and practice.
Listening and speaking are very important for beginners. The children in English-speaking countries first listen to others. Then they try to imitate and speak. We can listen to English programs on radio. You may just understand a few words. It doesn’t matter. Just be relaxed, try to catch every word. Somebody may be a good listener. But he dare not speak. He’s afraid of making mistakes. You know we sometimes make mistakes when we speak Chinese. Don’t be afraid. We must be brave. If you really want to learn English well, you must try to speak with everyone as long as he knows English. Whether you know him or not is not important, when there’s nobody to talk with, you can talk to yourself in English. It’s interesting and also a good way to practice your spoken English. Remember, the more you speak, the fewer mistakes you’ll make.
Reading and writing are more important for senior school students. First we must choose the books we’re interested in. A lot of reading will improve your language sense. This is the most important.
Keep writing English diaries. We can also write English articles. You may even post them to English magazines. Don’t be afraid of failure. Failure is the mother of success.
Easier said than done. Well, let’s do more practice from now on. I’m sure you’ll learn English well in this way.
【小题1】You can learn to swim by_______.