Asia is home to more than half of the world's population and three of the four most crowded countries are in Asia. China, India, and Indonesia alone have more than 2.5 billion people.
Until recently, most Asian nations fell behind the western countries in many fields. Government reform(改革), however, has led to important progress in each of these Asian countries. Across the area, education systems have been improved and economies（经济） have been growing. Most Asian countries now have a system of compulsory(义务的) education. Many countries have recently allowed private universities to be built, which was not allowed before. There are more chances for students to go to university now.
However, in Asia, there are still not enough chances for students to get higher education and many people prefer to go abroad for further study. As a result, India, China, South Korea, Japan and other Asian countries send thousands of students to study in the United States and Europe each year.
Part of the people in Asian countries can speak English, and English has become the most important language for business across the area. The percentage(百分比) is the largest in Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, SriLanka and South Korea. Many people in China, India and Malaysia can also speak English. Some countries have made English part of the primary and secondary education program. In some countries, children begin to study English even at the age of 4 or 5.
【小题1】The population of Asia is about__________         .

A．2.5 billion	B．half of the world's population
C．1.3 billion	D．6 billion

【小题2】Most Asian countries __________ the western countries in many fields.

A．are better than	B．are more powerful than
C．get greater progress than.	D．are not as good as

【小题3】In the past, __________ was not allowed in many Asian countries.

A．speaking English	B．moving to other countries
C．building private universities	D．building middle schools

【小题4】Why do so many students in Asia go to study in the USA and Europe?

A．Because they are rich.

B．Because there are not enough chances for students to get higher education in Asia.

C．Because they don't want to work hard.

D．Because they can speak English very well.

【小题5】Which of the following is NOT true?

A．There're more than 2.5 billion people in China, India and Indonesia.

B．The economies in Asian countries are becoming worse.

C．Education in Asia has had great changes.

D．In some Asian countries, English has become very important for business

Idioms are phrases and sentences that do not mean exactly what they say. Even if you know the meaning of each word you see or hear, you may not understand the idiom because you don't understand the culture behind it.
For example, if an American boy asks his mother what's for dinner tomorrow, she may say “I'll play it by ear”, that means she doesn't have plans for dinner and she will decide later. "Play by ear" used to mean playing music using the sheet music, but now people often use it when they're not talking about music.
There're many idioms in English. If you learn to use them, your English will be more vivid and colorful. English idioms are more common in spoken English. They can be difficult to remember sometimes. Next time when you hear somebody saying to you, "Give me a hand", you don't necessarily stretch out your hand to him/her, but you do need to be helpful. And when the situation is out of hand, you usually can do very little to manage all that. What about a green hand? It's not about the color of your hand! You're a green hand when you are very new at your work and don't have much experience. If you and your partner always work together hand in glove, you two definitely work together very well.
Can you guess the meanings of some common English idioms to do with parts of your body?
【小题1】What is an idiom ?
【小题2】What does “ Can you give me a hand “ mean ?
【小题3】Are English idioms more common in written English or spoken English ?

Assistant: Can I help you?

Jane:1.______________________________.

Assistant: May I know who it is for? Maybe I can give you some help.

Jane: For myself. You know, I have a two-month holiday. I want to be in KFC as a part-time worker.

Assistant: I see.2.______________________________?

Jane: Um…I prefer light blue.

Assistant: There’re many styles of suits. 3.______________________________?

Jane: It’s soft and smooth. I really like it. Can I try it on now?

Assistant: Of course. It’s suitable for you to wear uniforms at work.

Jane: Thanks so much.4.______________________________?

Assistant: It is made of cotton. It’s cheap and nice.

Jane: Great! I think I will take it.

 

International students in Christine Rhodes’ English class in Australia share their impressions (印象) of places they have visited in Australia.
Canberra, the nicest city in Australia
I went for a short holiday to Canberra. My uncle lives there. It’s the nicest city in Australia, a little bit similar to Cairns. There’re lots of big rivers and trees around the city.
Siggi Siebold from Germany
The small city of Mount Isa
I went to Mount Isa six months ago. It’s a long way from Brisbane — about 2,000 km. It’s a small city, with a population of 21,000, but it has all the basic facilities such as a base hospital, six schools and supermarkets. Here the weather is hot and gets very little rain. There’re two big lakes to keep rainwater for people in the city to drink.
Indra Ekanayake
Lake Moondarra and a mine (矿)
In Mount Isa, there’s a dam (水坝) called Lake Moondarra. At weekends you can go there with your friends, and it is beautiful. On the lake, there is water skiing. Also, people can go fishing there.
There’s a big mine in Mount Isa. Many people go to work in the mine and earn a lot of money. Mount Isa isn’t a beautiful green place, but many people love it.
Ida Robb from Indonesia
【小题1】Siggi Siebold is from 　　　.

A．Australia

B．Germany

C．England

D．Indonesia

【小题2】What does the underlined word “facilities” probably mean in Chinese?

A．设施

B．土地

C．交通

D．名胜

【小题3】Lake Moondarra is a 　　　.

A．city

B．mountain

C．mine

D．dam

【小题4】Which of the following is NOT mentioned by Ida Robb?

A．People can go fishing on Lake Moondarra.

B．There are 21,000 people in Mount Isa.

C．There’s a big mine in Mount Isa.

D．Many people like Mount Isa though it isn’t a beautiful green place.

【小题5】Which of the following is TRUE?

A．Siggi Siebold stayed in Canberra for six months.

B．Mount Isa is a famous village in Australia.

C．People in Mount Isa drink rainwater.

D．People can’t go water skiing on the lake.