The most intensive period of speech and language development for humans is during the first three years of life, a period when the brain is developing and maturing. These skills appear to develop best in a world that is rich with sounds, sights, and consistent（一致的，协调的，相容的）exposure（揭发）to the speech and language of others.

There is increasing evidence suggesting that there are "critical periods" for speech and language development in infants and young children. This means that the developing brain is best able to absorb a language, any language, during this period. The beginning signs of communication occur during the first few days of life when an infant learns that a cry will bring food, comfort, and companionship.  As they grow, infants begin to sort out the speech sounds (phonemes) or building blocks that compose the words of their language. Research has shown that by six months of age, most children recognize the basic sounds of their native language

 As the speech mechanism (jaw, lips, and tongue) and voice mature, an infant is able to make controlled sound. By six months of age, an infant usually babbles or produces repetitive syllables such as "ba, ba, ba" or "da, da, da." By the end of their first year, most children have mastered the ability to say a few simple words. Children are most likely unaware of the meaning of their first words, but soon learn the power of those words as others respond to them.

By eighteen months of age, most children can say eight to ten words. By age two, most are putting words together in crude sentences such as "more milk." During this period, children rapidly learn that words symbolize or represent objects, actions, and thoughts. At this age they also engage in representational or pretend play. At ages three, four, and five, a child's vocabulary rapidly increases, and he or she begins to master the rules of language.

1．According to the passage, which of the statements is NOT true

    A．The developing brain is best able to absorb any language.

    B．The beginning signs of communication occur during the first few days of life.

    C．By six months of age, all children recognize the basic sounds of their native language.

    D．By 2, children rapidly learn that words symbolize or represent objects, actions, and thoughts.

2．We can infer from the passage that____

    A．by six months of age, an infant must babble or produce repetitive syllables

    B．by their first year, most children are most likely aware of the meaning of their first words

    C．by 2, children rapidly learn that words symbolize or represent objects, actions, and thoughts

    D．the brain development is critical to develop children’s speech and language ability

3．That there are “critical periods” for speech and language development in infants and young children means ______

    A．that children are so young that it is easy for them to study

    B．that the developing brain is best able to absorb a language, any language

    C．that the children are eager to learn the language

D．that we must take care of children

4 In Paragraph 3, the underlined word “mechanism” can be replaced by ______.

    A．organs          B．skills            C．abilities          D．habits

Once when I was six years old I saw an amazing picture in a book called True Stories from Nature about the primeval（原始的）forest. It was a picture of a boa constrictor(大蟒蛇) in the act of swallowing an animal. In the book it said：“Boa constrictors swallow their prey whole without chewing（嚼）it. After that they are not able to move and they sleep through the six months that they need for digestion（消化）.”
I thought deeply then over the adventures of the jungle. And after some work with a colored pencil I succeeded in making my first drawing. My Drawing Number One. I showed my work to the grown-ups and asked them whether the drawing frightened them. But they answered：“Frighten? Why should anyone be frightened by a hat？”
My drawing was not a picture of a hat. It was a picture of a boa constrictor digesting an elephant. But since the grown-ups were not able to understand it, I made another drawing. I drew the inside of the boa constrictor so that the grown-ups could see it clearly. They always need to have things explained. That's my Drawing Number Two.
The grown-ups' response this time was to advise me to lay aside my drawings of ba constrictors whether from the inside or the outside and devote myself instead to geography, history, arithmetic and grammar. That is why at the age of six I gave up what might have been a great painter. I had been disheartened by the failure of my Drawing Number One and my Drawing Number Two. Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them.
So then I chose another profession（职业） and learned to pilot airplanes. I have flown a little over all parts of the world; and it is true that geography has been very useful to me. At a glance I can distinguish China from Arizona. If one gets lost in the night, such knowledge is valuable.
In the course of this life I have had lots of chances to meet with a great many people. And that hasn't much improved my opinion of them. Whenever I met one of them who seemed to me at all clear-sighted, I tried showing him my Drawing Number One which I have always kept. I would try to find out if this was a person of true understanding. But whoever it was, he or she would always say: That is a hat. Then I would never talk to that person about boa constrictors or primeval forests or stars. I would bring myself down to his level. I would talk to him about bridge and golf and politics and neckties. And the grown-up would be greatly pleased to have met such an intelligent man.
【小题1】The writer drew his first picture in order to ________.

The most intensive period of speech and language development for humans is during the first three years of life, a period when the brain is developing and maturing. These skills appear to develop best in a world that is rich with sounds, sights, and consistent（一致的，协调的，相容的）exposure（揭发）to the speech and language of others.

There is increasing evidence suggesting that there are "critical periods" for speech and language development in infants and young children. This means that the developing brain is best able to absorb a language, any language, during this period. The beginning signs of communication occur during the first few days of life when an infant learns that a cry will bring food, comfort, and companionship.  As they grow, infants begin to sort out the speech sounds (phonemes) or building blocks that compose the words of their language. Research has shown that by six months of age, most children recognize the basic sounds of their native language

 As the speech mechanism (jaw, lips, and tongue) and voice mature, an infant is able to make controlled sound. By six months of age, an infant usually babbles or produces repetitive syllables such as "ba, ba, ba" or "da, da, da." By the end of their first year, most children have mastered the ability to say a few simple words. Children are most likely unaware of the meaning of their first words, but soon learn the power of those words as others respond to them.

By eighteen months of age, most children can say eight to ten words. By age two, most are putting words together in crude sentences such as "more milk." During this period, children rapidly learn that words symbolize or represent objects, actions, and thoughts. At this age they also engage in representational or pretend play. At ages three, four, and five, a child's vocabulary rapidly increases, and he or she begins to master the rules of language.

1．According to the passage, which of the statements is NOT true

    A．The developing brain is best able to absorb any language.

    B．The beginning signs of communication occur during the first few days of life.

    C．By six months of age, all children recognize the basic sounds of their native language.

    D．By 2, children rapidly learn that words symbolize or represent objects, actions, and thoughts.

2．We can infer from the passage that____

    A．by six months of age, an infant must babble or produce repetitive syllables

    B．by their first year, most children are most likely aware of the meaning of their first words

    C．by 2, children rapidly learn that words symbolize or represent objects, actions, and thoughts

    D．the brain development is critical to develop children’s speech and language ability

3．That there are “critical periods” for speech and language development in infants and young children means ______

    A．that children are so young that it is easy for them to study

    B．that the developing brain is best able to absorb a language, any language

    C．that the children are eager to learn the language

D．that we must take care of children

4 In Paragraph 3, the underlined word “mechanism” can be replaced by ______.

    A．organs          B．skills            C．abilities          D．habits

（四川省棠湖中学2010届高三考前适应训练C篇）

The most intensive period of speech and language development for humans is during the first three years of life, a period when the brain is developing and maturing. These skills appear to develop best in a world that is rich with sounds, sights, and consistent（一致的，协调的，相容的）exposure（揭发）to the speech and language of others.

There is increasing evidence suggesting that there are "critical periods" for speech and language development in infants and young children. This means that the developing brain is best able to absorb a language, any language, during this period. The beginning signs of communication occur during the first few days of life when an infant learns that a cry will bring food, comfort, and companionship.  As they grow, infants begin to sort out the speech sounds (phonemes) or building blocks that compose the words of their language. Research has shown that by six months of age, most children recognize the basic sounds of their native language

 As the speech mechanism (jaw, lips, and tongue) and voice mature, an infant is able to make controlled sound. By six months of age, an infant usually babbles or produces repetitive syllables such as "ba, ba, ba" or "da, da, da." By the end of their first year, most children have mastered the ability to say a few simple words. Children are most likely unaware of the meaning of their first words, but soon learn the power of those words as others respond to them.

By eighteen months of age, most children can say eight to ten words. By age two, most are putting words together in crude sentences such as "more milk." During this period, children rapidly learn that words symbolize or represent objects, actions, and thoughts. At this age they also engage in representational or pretend play. At ages three, four, and five, a child's vocabulary rapidly increases, and he or she begins to master the rules of language.

49．According to the passage, which of the statements is NOT true?

    A．The developing brain is best able to absorb any language.

    B．The beginning signs of communication occur during the first few days of life.

    C．By six months of age, all children recognize the basic sounds of their native language.

    D．By 2, children rapidly learn that words symbolize or represent objects, actions, and thoughts.

50．We can infer from the passage that______

    A．by six months of age, an infant must babble or produce repetitive syllables

    B．by their first year, most children are most likely aware of the meaning of their first words

    C．by 2, children rapidly learn that words symbolize or represent objects, actions, and thoughts

    D．the brain development is critical to develop children’s speech and language ability

51．That there are “critical periods” for speech and language development in infants and young children means ______.

    A．that children are so young that it is easy for them to study

    B．that the developing brain is best able to absorb a language, any language

    C．that the children are eager to learn the language

    D．that we must take care of children

52．In Paragraph 3, the underlined word “mechanism” can be replaced by ______   

A．organs          B．skills            C．abilities          D．habits

根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项是多余选项。

Why is setting goals important?___56__ Instead of just letting life happen to you, goals allow you to make your life happen.

   Successful people imagine how their life should be and set lots of goals. ___57___ It’s like having a map to show you where you want to go. Think of in this way. There are two drivers. One has a destination in mind which can be found in a map. She can drive straight there without any wasted time or wrong turns. The other driver has no goal or destination or map. She starts off at the same time from the same place as the first driver. But she drives aimlessly around. Never getting anywhere, just using up gas. Which driver do you want to be?

   __58__ They decide what they want in life and then get there by making plans and setting goals. Unsuccessful people just let life happen by accident. Goals aren’t difficult to set, and they aren’t difficult to reach. __59___ You are the one who must decide what to achieve and in what direction to aim your life.

___60____ Written goals can ba reviewed regularly, and have more power. Like a contract with yourself, they are harder to neglect or forget. Also when you write your goals in a particular way you are able to make yourself continuously aware of situationa that will bring you nearer to your goal.

A.  Research tells us that when we write a goal down we are more likely to achieve it.

B.  Winners in life set goals and follow through.

C.  It’s up to you to find out what your goals really are.

D. It’s difficult for a driver to reach his destination without a map.

E.  Because goals can help you do, be and experience everything you want in life.

F.  By setting goals you are taking control of your life.

G.  Because everybody should have a goal in his mind.