12) George is organized, easy-going, hard-working and intelligent. _____, I can't speak too highly of him.

A. In other words B. In a word

C. On the other hand D. As a result

13) Our bodies are strengthened by taking exercise. ___, our minds are developed by learning.

A. Probably B. Likely C. Similarly D. Generally

14) - Did you listen to the lecture?

- Yes, but to tell you the truth, I have never heard a more____ one.

A. disappointing B. disappointed C. exciting D excited

15) -Excuse me, are you going to buy ____ book?

-Well, I need it for ____ class but it's too expensive.

　A. the; a B. a; the C. a; \ D. \; the

三、精读拓展

THE ROAD TO MODERN ENGLISH

At the end of the 16th century, about five to seven million people spoke English. Nearly all of them lived in England. In the next century, people from England started moving to other parts of the world, so English began to be spoken in many other countries. Today, more people speak English as their first, second or foreign language than ever before. China may have the largest number of English speakers.

Native English speakers can understand each other even if they don't speak the same kind of English. However, they may not be able to understand everything. For example, a British person may say to her friends, "would you please come up to my flat for a visit?" One of her American friends may then ask her, "Come up where?" Her Canadian friend might explain, "She means we should come up to her apartment."

So why has English change over time? All languages change when cultures communicate with one another. The English spoken between about AD 450 and 1150 was very different from the English spoken today. Actually, it was based more on German than present day English. Then from about 1150 to 1500 English changed even more. It became less like German, and more like French because those who ruled England at that time spoke French. It became closer to the language you are learning now. In the 1600's, Shakespeare made use of a wider vocabulary than ever before. One big change in English usage happened when Noah Webster wrote the American Dictionary of the English Language, giving American English its own identity. Later, when some British people went to Australia, English began to be spoken there. Now Australian English has its own identity.