Learning a foreign language can be a difficult task for most people. The degree of difficulty, howe

 Learning a foreign language can be a difficult task for most people. The degree of difficulty, however, differs from one person to another. Like studying any other subject, we have to spend much effort and time. Besides, an individual’s learning ability can be determined by the following factors.
  My husband says I am a quick learner, but I easily forget new information, especially dates and figures. But my husband spends more time learning a new subject but seldom forgets what he has learned. Some people can learn new information fast, while others have to work a little bit harder at it. Others retain new knowledge longer, like my husband, while others easily forget what they just learned. How fast and well you learn new things are determined by your genes and your environment. My mother is a fast learner, while my husband has slow learning parents. The way we learn also differs. I like to write down what I’ve just learned. I also find that drawing diagrams and relationships work better for me. Compared with my husband, I hate memorizing data. I remember things better when I can visually picture them in my mind.
  Foreign language resources are not so common here in our area. I’ve seen a few dictionaries in some bookstores but haven’t seen any CD or DVD about it. I don’t even think the stores here sell electronic dictionaries! I have to go to a big city just to buy one. However, you may easily get all of these materials. Make a list of all the resources you have access to in your neighborhood. In this way, when you attend a language school, you’ll know just where to find dictionaries to help you in your course.
  In my opinion, this is the most important factor in learning a foreign language: your drive to learn. Different people are driven by different motivations. I want to learn a new language because I find it challenging. Others may need to learn it because of having a new job or working in foreign countries. The point is to determine whether you truly need or just want to learn a foreign language.
9. What does the underlined word “retain” in Paragraph 2 mean?
A. Remember          B. Acquire     C. Spread             D. Improve
10. Compared with the author, her husband ________.
A. likes to draw diagrams                B. hates memorizing data          
C. learns new things slowly          D. easily forgets new information
11. What does the author think affects learning a foreign language most？