阅读理解。
An epidemic (流行病) of the use of street-culture language broke out in some English exams, according
to examiners.
A report said there were "a surprising number of small mistakes" in standard (标准) English. It asked
teachers that they should prevent pupils from using "street language and text style", adding, "Most answers
require formal expression of language."
"Many concerns were expressed by examiners about basic errors, often appearing in the work of clearly
able students," the report continued.
It added that the use of street and text language "appeared with surprisingly regularity in the work of
students who clearly desired a higher grade".
"Most answers require formal expression but even when an informal style is appropriate--students should
know the examination context and, in particular, should not use street language and text style." it said.
There is rising concern about pupils' writing skills, especially among boys. National test results for 11-year-
old boys' writing standards had fallen this year. Only 55 percent reached the level expected of an 1l-year-old
by the time they left primary school, the results showed.
Many educationalists are now arguing that teachers should also think of ways of improving writing
standards.
The report said spelling was "in general inconsistent (不一致)" and "variety of vocabulary and of sentence
structure is often limited". It went on, "Punctuation (标点符号) errors continue to be widespread."
However, it added, "Some examiners felt that this year they had met an improvement in the whole structure
of students' writing."
1. What does the passage mainly talk about? [ ]
A. The street-culture language is being examined in English exams.
B. Street language is appearing in the standard English exams.
C. The English say no to the street-culture language in daily life.
D. What the street-culture language is in England.
2. The underlined word "appropriate" (in Paragraph 5) means " _____".[ ]
A. comfortable
B. possible
C. acceptable
D. valuable
3. What problems concerned examiners? [ ]
A. Small mistakes in spelling and punctuation.
B. Limited vocabulary of boy pupils.
C. Teachers teaching writing skills.
D. Poor sentence structure, and errors in spelling and standard English.
4. How does the author feel in writing this passage? [ ]
A. worried but positive
B. worried and negative
C. concerned and sad
D. warm and excited
5. According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE? [ ]
A. In English exams, most answers require informal expression of language.
B. When an informal style is correct, the students are allowed to use it.
C. Boys' writing skills are worse than those of girls in England.
D. There is no improvement in the whole structure of students' writing.
