It seems more and more Americans want schools to teach foreign languages to children younger than five years old. The most popular way to teach these young children another language is called immersion(沉浸式语言教学法).
Children in immersion programs hear only the new language in the classroom. The children play games, sing songs and talk to one another in the new language. Some experts(专家)say immersion programs are the most effective(有效的)way for young children to learn a language. But there can be a problem when children in the United States begin to learn another language at such an early age. Not many elementary schools continue to teach a foreign language. Only seven of the fifty states require(要求)schools to teach a foreign language to students between the ages of six and twelve.Language experts say it is easier for younger children to learn a language. Still, American schools generally do not begin to teach foreign languages until secondary schools. By then, students are about thirteen years old.
American schools face difficult choices about the cost of educational programs. The government has increased support for foreign language study in its education law called No Child Left Behind.
At the college, the modern Language association says more students than ever are studying foreign languages and more languages are being studied now than in the past. Spanish is the most widely(广泛地)taught in American colleges and universities.French, German, Chinese and Italian are also popular.
36. The most popular way to teach the American children another language is called ___.
A. task B. speaking C. immersion D. listening
Where is Spanish the most widely taught?
A. In American colleges and universities. B. In American secondary schools.
C. In American high schools. D. In American elementary schools.
Students in immersion programs can do the following things EXCEPT ___.
A. talking to one another in the new language B. hearing their native language
C. playing games in the new language D. hearing the new language
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. The government doesn't support this program. B. All schools will take part in the immersion program.
C. It's the best for children to learn a foreign language at an early age.
D.Not many elementary schools continue to teach a foreign language.
40.What is the passage mainly about?
A.Foreign language teaching in America.
B.Foreign language teaching ways in America.
C.Foreign language teaching in American universities.
D.Foreign language teaching in American high schools.
答案及解析：
36. C
根据文章第一段的内容，越来越多的美国人希望学校教授5岁以下的孩子外语，最受欢迎的教学方式被称为immersion(沉浸式语言教学法)。因此，选项C(immersion)是正确的。
37. A
文章最后一段提到，西班牙语在美国的学院和大学中最广泛地被教授。因此，选项A(In American colleges and universities)是正确的。
38. B
文章第二段提到，在沉浸式语言教学项目中，孩子们在课堂上只听新语言，他们用新语言玩游戏、唱歌和相互交谈。因此，选项B(hearing their native language)是孩子们在沉浸式项目中不会做的事情。
39. D
文章第三段提到，美国的小学并不继续教授外语，只有七个州要求学校教授6到12岁学生的外语。因此，选项D(Not many elementary schools continue to teach a foreign language)是正确的。
40. A
整篇文章主要讨论了美国的外语教学情况，包括教学方式、政府支持、以及在不同教育阶段的外语教学情况。因此，选项A(Foreign language teaching in America)是最能概括文章主旨的选项。
