阅读理解

       Q：My neighbor's back garden is an overgrown jungle for a few months and I believe I've got rats under my shed as a result. I have been troubled by such a bad scene for a long time.Can I make my neighbor manage her back garden?

       A：Firstly, you will need to contact a pest control company to deal with the rat problem, which could be a danger to you and your family. The pest control company will produce a report detailing the issue and give an opinion as to whether your neighbor's overgrown garden has caused the rats to run in all directions.

      If that is the case, then you should get in contact with your neighbor in an attempt to resolve the issue. You should discuss your concerns with all your heart with your neighbor and advise her of the situation and of the findings of the pest control company.

     You do not advise whether the house is rented out or perhaps your neighbor is elderly without the ability to deal with the problem personally. If your neighbor is uncooperative, then I would advise you undertake the following action.

     Get in contact with your local authority or the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and report your concerns, particularly the pest issue immediately.You could also contact the HSE, more especially if children use the garden and are likely to come in contact with rat droppings etc, which can be dangerous to them. If the above is not successful, you should inform your lawyer and take advice. You should also document your conversations with your neighbor.

     If your house is for sale, ask your agent to prepare a report outlining the effect of the next door garden on value, but also outlining the effect on marketability and the negative impact on viewings.

Notes：

①uncooperative adj.不愿合作的，不愿配合的　②authority n．权力，职权，官方，当局　③marketability n．可销售性

阅读理解

    Many people believe that you lose the ability to learn new languages as you get older. Language experts, however, will tell you that you're never too old to learn a new language. As you get older, it can be more difficult to learn a new language, though.

    Children and adults learn new languages in different ways. For children, language is their life. They study for thousands of hours every year, because they need to learn languages to become part of their communities. Adults, on the other hand, are already part of a language community. Learning a new language means becoming part of another language community, and adults rarely get the chance to practice as much as young children do.

    Moreover, children learning a new language are expected to make mistakes. This gives them freedom when learning to be daring and confident. Adults, however, often feel pressured to be perfect when learning a new language. This can discourage many people and make it even harder to learn a new language.

    When young children learn a new language, they come to see various languages as a “normal” part of society. This mindset （思维模式） helps them embrace learning a new language without feeling like they're doing something unusual or “too hard”.

    So if you want to learn a new language, go for it! It's never too late to learn a new language. If you're older, it may take more work, but it can be done. If you're a young child, though, now is the time to step out and learn a new language!