B 跨学科 数学
Chinese, Japanese and Korean all have simpler number words. They express mathematical concepts(概念) more clearly than English. The language difference has drawn lots of attention. Several recent studies have connected the weaker mathematical abilities of English-speaking children with English number words.
Chinese, for example, has just ten basic number words. English, however, has more than two dozen(十二个). The trouble starts at 11. English has a word (eleven) for that number. Chinese, Japanese and Korean have words that can be translated as ten-one. That makes it easier for these children to understand the place value(位值). And the students can easily see the number system comes from units of 10.
English number words over 10 don't make the place value clear. Words for numbers 13 to 19 change the order of the ones and tens. Children often confuse 17 with 71. As a result, children working with English number words have a harder time doing difficult calculations(计算). They make more mistakes.
It also feels more natural for Chinese speakers than for English speakers to use the make-a-ten method. When adding two numbers, Chinese students often break down the numbers into parts and regroup them into tens and ones. For example, "$9+5$" becomes "$9+1+4$". This method greatly helps students work out Maths problems. Many teachers in America are teaching their students the make-a-ten method. However, they are still having trouble because of the unclear and difficult English number words.
Now, you should feel lucky that you are learning Maths in China. Thanks to your mother tongue, all the Maths problems have become clearer and less difficult.
(
B
)29. Several recent studies have found a connection between English number words and
.
A. the weaker mathematical abilities of young learners of English
B. the weaker mathematical abilities of English-speaking children
C. the stronger mathematical abilities of young learners of English
D. the stronger mathematical abilities of English-speaking children
(
D
)30. How many basic number words are there in English?
A. Ten.
B. Eleven.
C. More than a dozen.
D. More than two dozen.
(
D
)31.(创新考法·跨学科融合)If you use the make-a-ten method, what will "$8+7$" become?
A. $6+2+7$
B. $7+1+7$
C. $8+1+6$
D. $8+2+5$
6
(
A
)32. What is the passage mainly about?
A. Why some Asian languages can make Maths learning easier.
B. Why some Asian languages are easier than English.
C. How Asian children do basic calculations within ten.
D. How children's mathematical abilities are judged in different countries.
