第二部分:阅读选择阅读下面短文,请从短文后所给各题的4个选项(A、B、C、D)中选出1个最佳选项。 The Special Ability of Human Beings
Every day we experience one of the wonders of the world around us without even realizing it. It is not the amazing complexity of television, nor the impressive technology of transport. The universal wonder we share and experience is our ability to make noise without mouths, and so transmit ideas and thoughts to each other's minds. This ability comes so naturally that we tend to forget what a miracle (奇迹) it is.
Obviously, the ability to talk is something that marks humans off from animal. Of course, some animals have powers just as amazing. Birds can fly thousands miles by observing positions of the stars in the sky in relation to the time of day and year. In Nature's talent show, humans are a species of animal that have developed their own special act. If we reduce it to basic terms, it's an ability for communicating information to others, by varying sounds we make as we breathe out.
Not that we don' t have other powers of communication. Our facial expressions convey our emotions, such as anger, or joy, or disappointment. The way we hold our heads can indicate to others whether we are happy or sad. This is so-called "body language". Bristling (直立的) fur is an unmistakable warning of attack among many animals. Similarly, the bowed head or drooping tail shows a readiness to take second place in any animal gathering.
Such a means of communication is a basic mechanism that animals, including human beings, instinctively acquire and display. Is the ability to speak just another sort of instinct? If so ,how did human beings acquire this amazing skill? Biologist can readily indicate that particular area of our brain where speech mechanisms function, but this doesn't tell us how that part of our bodies originated in our biological history. 第七部分:短文写作1. 假如你是北京外国语大学英语系的主任,想邀请哈佛大学的Michael Hutchison教授来校为英语专业的研究生做一次有关美国文学的讲座,请用英语给他写一封120词左右的邀请函。
[范文]
Dear Professor Michael Hutchison,
I'm Li Ming. dean of EngLish department of Beijing Foreign Studies University.
We are very glad to hear that you are attending an international conference in Beijing. We are writing this letter to inquire the possibility of inviting you to deliver a lecture on American literature for our postgraduate students on the evening of June 16.
We have long noticed that you have done a lot of substantial and creative work in this field. Two of your books have become textbooks for our students for several years. So all of us believe your lecture will benefit our students and teaching staff alike.
If you can manage to come, please tell us the number of your flight and we will meet you at the airport. If you can't make it, please also let us know. We are looking forward to your coming.
Yours sincerely,
Li Ming