Jane Scott is fourteen and the year before last she began to study in a middle school. She likes dancing and singing and spends a lot of time on them. But she hates math and does not work hard at it. She thinks it difficult to learn. She falls behind her classmates and once failed the math exam. She decides to drop it. Her father is angry with her when he knows about it.
It was Sunday. Mr Scott gave a call to his sister, who teaches math in another school. He hoped she would come and tell his daughter how to learn math. The woman came quickly and said. “You’re a clever girl, Jane. I’m sure you’ll soon do well in math if you work hard at it.”
“I’m afraid I can’t, Aunt,” said Jane, “Girls can’t be good at math.”
“I don’t think so,” said the woman. “I was good at it when was a girl. You must do more exercises and practice a math problem again and again until you master it. Remember: Practice makes perfect. Well, it’s a math problem. Think about it and practice it again, and you’ll work it out.”
“OK,” said the girl, “Let me try.”
About an hour later, Jane took the exercise book to her aunt and said, “I’ve done the problem ten times.”
“Well done!” her aunt said happily, “What result did you get?”
“Ten answers.”
【小题1】Jane has difficulty in learning ______.

Jane Scott is fourteen and the year before last she began to study in a middle school. She likes dancing and singing and spends a lot of time on them. But she hates math and does not work hard at it. She thinks it difficult to learn. She falls behind her classmates and once failed the math exam. She decides to drop it. Her father is angry with her when he knows about it.

It was Sunday. Mr Scott gave a call to his sister, who teaches math in another school. He hoped she would come and tell his daughter how to learn math. The woman came quickly and said. “You’re a clever girl, Jane. I’m sure you’ll soon do well in math if you work hard at it.”

“I’m afraid I can’t, Aunt,” said Jane, “Girls can’t be good at math.”

“I don’t think so,” said the woman. “I was good at it when was a girl. You must do more exercises and practice a math problem again and again until you master it. Remember: Practice makes perfect. Well, it’s a math problem. Think about it and practice it again, and you’ll work it out.”

“OK,” said the girl, “Let me try.”

About an hour later, Jane took the exercise book to her aunt and said, “I’ve done the problem ten times.”

“Well done!” her aunt said happily, “What result did you get?”

“Ten answers.”

1.Jane has difficulty in learning ______.

2.Jane Why does Jane fall behind classmates in math?

3. Mr Scott wanted her sister to help with her because______.

4.The woman told her _______.

5.Which of the following is true?

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(模仿) 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 is terrified to 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 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(语感). 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 better in this way.

1.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 water and learning

2.We should learn English by _______.

A. listening and speaking   B. reading and writing      C. swimming               D. A and B

3.What will you do with mistakes when you speak?

A. Don’t make mistakes.                                                   B. Study hard.

C. Don’t be afraid.                                                              D. Try not to speak English.

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

A. Listening.                B. Reading and writing.               C. Speaking.                D. Learning.

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

A. It’s easier to do than to say.

B. Failure is the mother of success.

C. Practice makes perfect.

D. All things are difficult before they are easy.