The most positive(乐观的) person I have ever seen is may dad! He is so positive that I do not  46  hearing a single word from him which is related(相关的) to hopelessness!
Unlike most mums and dads, my dad never says things that make me feel   47 . He is always there to give me encouragement and help.   48  I do wrong things, he always tells me what’s right in a positive way. For example, if I am in   49  , he often tells me to open the books he bought me. Then he asks me to read the   50  that can help me with the problems I’m facing. After that, we have a    51  together.
Even though I’m not always a good kid, my dad   52  shouts or gets angry with me. I know that he’s   53  a day—a day when I grow up and understand things in my life.
I can see the reason that he is so positive is because he believes in 54 . And he believes that whatever  55 , it is under control. So we have nothing to worry about. Be positive!

Do you know that a fast reader can get the ideas better than a slow reader can? Of course, you save time by reading fast, but this is not the main reason for fast reading. The main reason is that you understand better what you are reading when you read fast.
As your eyes move along the line of point, they make fixations (固定) or pauses (暂停). It is important that you see several words at a fixation. It is also important that your eyes leave a group. The numbers of letters or words that you see at a fixation are called your eye span (视跨). Pay more attention to improving your rate of reading. With practice you can learn to read faster than you usually read.
The way in which you read always depends on (取决于) what you are reading and for what purpose. You should know the different ways of reading so that you can apply whatever method is necessary. Here are four ways of reading:
(1) Skimming is an important kind of reading. This method can be used when you wish to review something that you have forgotten. You can skim to get the main points.
(2) Rapid (快速) first reading and then rereading certain parts carefully is important. You may use this type of reading to study a science lesson or a history lesson.
(3) You need to do careful reading and rereading sometimes. This type of reading is necessary for making an intensive (细致的) study of your school subjects, solving math problems or reading directions.
(4) Rapid reading is used when reading stories for enjoyment. You may also do rapid reading when reviewing materials that you already know well.
【小题1】The main reason for reading fast is that you can ________.

Scientists are placing robotic dogs in the homes of lonely old people to test whether they can improve the quality of life for humans. Alan Beck, an expert(专家) in human-animal relationship, and Nancy Edwards, a professor of nursing, are leading the animal-assisted study on the effect of robotic dogs on old people’s depression (沮丧) , physical activity, and life satisfaction.

         In the study, the robot, called AIBO, is placed for six weeks in the houses of some old people who live alone. Before placing AIBO in the home, scientists will collect baseline data(数据) for six weeks. These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activity before and after AIBO. Then, the scientists will review the data to test if it has produced any changes in the life of its owner.

         “I talk to him all the time, and he responds to my voice,” says a seventy-year-old lady. “When I’m watching TV, he’ll stay in my arms until he wants down. He has his own mind.”

The AIBOs respond to certain orders. The scientists say they have some advantages over live dogs, especially for old people. Often the elderly are disabled and cannot care for an animal by walking it or playing with it. A robotic dog removes exercise and feeding concerns.

       “At the beginning, it was believed that no one would relate(与……相关) to the robotic dog, because it was metal and not furry.” Beck says. “Hopefully, down the road, these robotic pets could become a more-valuable health helper. They will record their masters’ blood pressure, oxygen levels or heart rhythms(心律). AIBOs may even one day have games that can help stimulate(刺激) older people’s minds.”

1.The purpose of Beck and Edwards’ study is to _____________.

A. understand human-animal relationship

B. make lonely old people’s life better

C. find the causes of old people’s loneliness

D. improve the animal-assisted research

2. In the research, the old people are asked to _____________.

A. note the activities of AIBOs

B. keep AIBOs at home for 12 weeks

C. record their feelings and activity

D. study the collected information

3.What does the underlined word “removes” mean?

A. moves again                   B. is movable         C. doesn’t need                      D. need

4.What is the better point of AIBO than live dogs?

A. It is easier to keep at home.

B. It can help the disabled people.

C. It responds to all the human orders.

D. It can watch TV with its owner.

5.The writer seems to suggest that the future robotic dogs may__________.

A. cure certain diseases                                                B. keep old people active

C. change people’s ideas                                                        D. look more like real dogs

Learning a foreign language is difficult for many learners. The following tips may help you learn a foreign language quickly.

Reading aloud

When you start learning a foreign language, you should read aloud. Reading aloud instead of reading lowly only to yourself helps you in remembering. It helps with pronunciation, too.

Building your vocabulary

You’ll have to make a few word lists, you have to memorize and review them regularly. You may review the word lists at least once a day for two weeks.

Learning grammar

Learning the grammar of a foreign language is a dry and boring task. But it can speed your language learning. Don’t jump to learn tenses(时态), it’s better to be done after you’ve learned some of the language. The most important thing is that you shouldn’t worry about the mistakes you’ll make when you start. If you do like this, you’ll learn the language better.

Watching TV and movies

This is a wonderful way to learn a foreign language quickly. You can watch TV shows in the language you are learning. They’ll help you a great deal with the vocabulary as well as catching what others say and also your pronunciation.

根据短文内容，选择正确答案，（5分）

1. Reading aloud while learning a foreign language helps in ____________.

       A. talking to people                     B. understanding words   

C. learning grammar quickly                 D. pronouncing words correctly  

2.Which of the following is important in building one’s vocabulary of a foreign language?

       A. Writing the words again and again.        B. Listening to tapes in the language.

       C. Reviewing words from time to time     D. Reading more articles in the language.

3. When learning the grammar of a foreign language, you should _____________.

       A. learn tenses first                        B. try not to make mistakes 

C. make at least one word list              D. learn from the mistakes you make     

4.The underlined phrase “ a great deal” means “___________”.

       A. much           B. little             C. a few           D. never

5.Which is the best title for the passage?

       A. Traditional ways of learning English    

B. Some advice on learning a foreign language   

C. The important of learning a foreign language

D. How to deal with difficulties in learning a language