第一篇：高考英语阅读理解练习(19)(含解析)
2014高考英语阅读理解练习（19）及答案（解析）
(2010·杭州质检二，C)Any discussion of English conversation, like any English conversation, must begin with The Weather.And in this spirit of observing traditional rule, I shall quote Dr Johnson's famous comment that “When two English meet, their first talk is of the weather”，and point out that this observation is as accurate now as it was over two hundred years ago.This, however, is the point at which most people either stop, or try, and fail, to come up with a convincing explanation for the English “addiction” to the weather.They fail because their premise(前提)is mistaken: they assume that our conversations about the weather are conversations about the weather.In other words，they assume that we talk about the weather because we have a keen interest in the subject.Most of them then try to figure out what it is about the English weather that is so fascinating.Bill Bryson，for example, concludes that the English weather is not at all fascinating, and that our“addiction” to it is therefore very difficult to explain: “To an outsider，the most striking thing about the English weather is that there is not very much of it.All those phenomena that elsewhere give nature an edge of excitement, unpredictability and danger—tornados, monsoons, hailstorms—are almost wholly unknown in the British Isles.”
Jeremy Paxman takes offence at Bryson's comments and argues that the English weather is truly fascinating：
Bryson misses the point.The interest is less in the phenomena themselves, but in uncertainty...one of the few things you can say about England with absolute certainty is that it has a lot of weather.It may not include tropical cyclones but life at the edge of an ocean and the edge of a continent means you can never be entirely sure what you're going to get.My research has convinced me that both Bryson and Paxman are missing the point, which is that our conversations about the weather are not really about the weather at all：English weatherspeak is a form of code, developed to help us overcome our natural reserve(含蓄)and actually talk to each other.Everyone knows, for example, that “Nice day, isn't it？”，“Oh, isn't it cold？”； and other variations on the theme are not requests for weather data: they are greetings or conversationstarters.In other words, English weatherspeak is a form of “cleaning talk”—the human equivalent of what is known as “social cleaning” among our primate(灵长类的)cousins, where they spend hours cleaning each other's fur, even when they are perfectly clean, as a means of social connection.英国人谈话为什么以谈天气开始，本文作者在对比了两个具有代表性的说法之后提出了自己的见解——作为一种社会联系的手段。
8．According to the author，most people's explanations for the English love for weather talk are ________.A.scientific C.fascinating
B.incorrect D.accurate 答案：B。推理判断题。由第2,3,4,5段内容可推断出B项正确。
9．As is stated in the passsage，most people try to find out ________.A.why the English weather is so unique B.whether the English enjoy their weather C.why the English are so interested in the topic of weather D.whether the English really talk about weather when they do so 答案：C。主旨大意题。总览文章可知答案。文章第1段引出话题，从第2段开始就其原因展开探讨。
10．In Bill Bryson's opinion, the English “addiction” to their weather is ________.A.understandable B.convincing C.respectable D.unreasonable 答案：D。推理判断题。由第3段首句的“it is therefore very difficult to explain”可推知答案。
11．Disapproving of Bill Bryson's opinion，Jeremy Paxman argues that ________.A.the English talk about their weather because it is unpredictable B.the English don't talk about weather as often as the outsiders think C.the English weather can be as exciting as anywhere else's D.the English weather talk is merely a form of small talk 答案：A。推理判断题。由倒数第3段的“Jeremy Paxman...argues that the English weather is truly fascinating”和倒数第2段第2句but in uncertainty可推知答案。
12．According to the author, English weatherspeak is similar to primates' social cleaning in that they are both ________.－slavery.Jim's search through the slave states for the family from whom he has been forcibly parted is heroic.As J．Chadwick has pointed out, the character of Jim was a first in American fiction—a recognition that the slave had two personalities, “the voice of survival within a white slave culture and the voice of the individual：Jim, the father and the man.”
There is much more.Twain's mystery novel Pudd'nhead Wilson stood as a challenge to the racial beliefs of even many of the liberals of his day.Written at a time when the accepted wisdom held Negroes to be inferior(低等的)to whites，especially in intelligence，Twain's tale centered in part around two babies switched at birth.A slave gave birth to her master's baby and，for fear that the child should be sold South, switched him for the master's baby by his wife.The slave's light－skinned child was taken to be white and grew up with both the attitudes and the education of the slave－holding class.The master's wife's baby was taken for black and grew up with the attitudes and intonations of the slave.The point was difficult to miss：nurture(养育)，not nature，was the key to social status.The features of the black man that provided the stuff of prejudice—manner of speech，for example—were, to Twain, indicative of nothing other than the conditioning that slavery forced on its victims.Twain's racial tone was not perfect.One is left uneasy，for example，by the lengthy passage in his autobiography(自传)about how much he loved what were called “nigger shows” in his youth—mostly with white men performing in black－face—and his delight in getting his mother to laugh at them.Yet there is no reason to think Twain saw the shows as representing reality.His frequent attacks on slavery and prejudice suggest his keen awareness that they did not.Was Twain a racist？Asking the question in the 21st century is as wise as asking the same of Lincoln.If we read the words and attitudes of the past through the “wisdom” of the considered moral judgments of the present，we will find nothing but error.Lincoln，who believed the black man the inferior of the white, fought and won a war to free him.And Twain, raised in a slave state, briefly a soldier，and inventor of Jim，may have done more to anger the nation over racial injustice and awaken its
C．Twain's works had been banned on unreasonable grounds.D．Twain's works should be read from a historical point of view.【要点综述】 本篇为说明文，谈到马克·吐温的小说是否对奴隶制和偏见进行了反抗，以及它受到不同人士的批评情况。
65．B 推理判断题。由第二段的“Twain planted his attacks on slavery and prejudice into tales that were on the surface about something else entirely.”可知，马克·吐温把对奴隶制和偏见的攻击融在故事中，隐晦地表达。而早期小说是直接攻击方式(dealt directly with slavery)，因此B项说他的小说对种族主义制度的攻击非常不明显是恰当的。A项文章没有提及；C项与题干无关，答非所问；D项文章没有提及。
66．D 推理判断题。根据关键词Adventures of Huckleberry Finn定位到第三段。由“More recently the book has been attacked because of …many occurences of the word nigger.”可知答案。A项中的target readers错误，文章没有说到；B项不符合文意；C项中的impolite language范围过广，文章只是说到批评者对nigger一词的出现感到不满。
67．C 细节理解题。由第四段的末句“…the character of Jim was a first in American fiction—a recognition that the slave had two personalities…”可知答案。A项中的in detail文章没有提及；B项中的The slave's voice与文章的the character of Jim不一致；D项文章没有提及。
68．C 推理判断题。由第六段可知，举这个例子是为了说明奴隶的社会地位是由生活环境决定的，而不是人的自然本性。
69．D 词义猜测题。由画线词所在句的前面一句可知：没有理由认为马克·吐温把这些表演当作表现现实，后句紧接着解释：马克·吐温对奴隶制和偏见的不断攻击说明了他敏锐的意识，而这些是shows所没有表达出来的，可见they应该就是指代shows。
70．A 作者意图题。末段首先提出一个疑问，然后通过论据否定了这个观点，最后总结了一下自己的观点：And Twain…may have done more to anger the nation over racial injustice …than any other novelist in the past century，可见作者要反驳的是末段首句所表达的疑问，只有A项符合，其他各项只是对具体例子的说明。
(2011·海淀第二学期期末，D)
The Child Ego State The Child ego state is a set of behaviors, thoughts and feelings which are replayed
A.blame ourselves B.avoid stress C.keep up with everything D.accept challenges 答案：B。推理判断题。由第3段中间的“We may well use that person...Then on hearing the new permissions to relax and take some time out...”可推知答案。
15．According to the passage，the Child ego state ________.A.exists in one's childhood B.shows one's wisdom C.limits one's thoughts D.influences one's actions 答案：D。推理判断题。
16．The underlined word“this” in the last paragraph refers to ________.A.“I want some fun” C.the Child ego state
B.“My Child wants some fun” D.structural analysis 答案：A。词义猜测题。答案在于文章最后两句，由尾句中的but saying “I” reminds us...可知代词this指代的是上句的“I want some fun”而不是“My Child wants some fun”。
第二篇：英语阅读理解练习
2012年普通高等学校招生全国统一考试英语
A
Honey(蜂蜜)from the African forest is not only a kind of natural sugar, it is also delicious.Most people, and many animals, like eating it.However, the only way for them to get that honey is to find a wild bees' nest(巢)and take the honey from it.Often, these nests are high up in trees, and it is difficult to find them.In parts of Africa, though, people and animals unexpected helper一a little bird called a honey guide.blue honey guide does not actually like honey, but it does like the wax(蜂蜡)in the beehives(蜂)finally arrive at the nest, the follower reaches in to get at the delicious honey as the bird patiently waits and watches.Some of the honey, and the wax, always falls to the ground, and this is when the honey guide takes its share.Scientists do not know why the honey guide likes eating the wax, but it is very determined in its efforts to get it.The birds seem to be able to smell wax from a long distance away.They will quickly arrive whenever a beekeeper is taking honey from his beehives, and will even enter churches when beeswax candles are being lit.56.Why is it difficult to find a wild bees' nest? A.It's small in size.B.It's hidden in trees.C.It's covered with wax.D.It's hard to recognize.57.What do the words “the follower” in Paragraph 2 refer to? A.A bee.B.A bird.C.A honey seeker.D.A beekeeper.58.The honey guide is special in the way_· A.it gets its food B.it goes to church C.it sings in the forest
D.it reaches into bees' nests
59.What can be the best title for the text?
A.Wild Bees
C.Beekeeping in Africa
B.Wax and Honey
D.Honey-Lover's Helper
C Last night I was driving from Harrisburg to Lewisburg，distance of about eighty miles.It was late.Several times I got stuck behind a slow-moving tuck on a narrow road with a solid white line on my left, and I became increasingly impatient.At one point along an open road, I came to a crossing with a traffic light.I was alone on the road by now, but as I drove near the light, it turned red and I made a stop.I looked left, right and behind me.Nothing.Not a car, no suggestion of car lamps, but there I sat, waiting for the light to change, the only human being for at least a mile in any direction.I started wondering why 1 refused to run the light I was not afraid of being caught, because there was clearly no policeman wound.and there certainly would have been no danger in going through it..Much later that night, the question of why I'd stopped for that light came back to me.I think I stopped because it's part of a contract(契约)we all have with each other.It's not only the law, but it is an agreement we have, and we taut each other to honor it: we don't go through red lights.Trust is our first inclination(倾向).Doubting others does not seem to be natural to us.The whole construction of our society depends on mutual(相互)trust, not distrust We do what we say we'll do;we show up when we say we'll show up;and we pay when we say we'll pay.We trust each other in these matters, and we're angry or disappointed with the person or organization that breaks the trust we have in them.I was so proud of myself for stopping for the red light that night.63.Why did the author get impatient while driving? A.He was lonely on the road.B.He was slowed down by a truck.C.He got tired of driving too long.D.He came across too many traffic lights.64.What was the author's immediate action when the traffic light turned red? A.Stopping still.B.Driving through让
C.Looking around for other cars.D.Checking out for traffic police.65.The event made the author strongly believe that A.traffic rules may be unnecessary B.doubting others is human nature C.patience is important to drivers D.a society needs mutual trust 66.Why was the author proud of himself? A He kept his promise.B.He held back his anger.C.He followed his inclination.D.He made a right decision.2012年普通高等学校招生全国统一考试（安徽卷）
E
Welcome to your future life!You get up in the morning and look into the mirror.Your face is firm and young-looking.In 2035, medical technology is better than ever.Many people your age could live to be 150,so at 40, you’re not old at all.And your parents just had an anti-aging(抗衰老的)treatment.Now, all three of look the same age!You say to your shirt , ”Turn red.” It changes from blue to red.In 2035, “smart clothes” contain particles(粒子)much smaller than the cells in your body.The particles can be programmed to change clothes’ color or pattern.You walk into the kitchen.You pick up the milk ,but a voice says ,” You shouldn’t drink that!” Your fridge has read the chip(芯片)that contains information about the milk , and it Knows the milk is old.In 2035, every article of food in the grocery store has such a chip.It’s time to go to work.In 2035, cars drive themselves.Just tell your “smart car” where to go.On the way , you can call a friend using your jacket sleeve.Such “smart technology” is all around you.So will all these things come true? “For new technology to succeed,” says scientist Andrew Zolli ,”it has to be so much better that it replaces what we have already.” The Internet is one example what will be the next?
72.We can learn from the text that in the future__________.A.people will never get old B.everyone will look the same C.red will be the most popular color D.clothes will be able to change their pattern 73.What can be inferred from Paragraph 4? A.Milk will be harmful to health.B.More drinks will be available for sale.C.Food in the grocery store will carry electronic information.D.Milk in the grocery store will stay fresh much longer.74.Which of the following is mentioned in the text?
A.Nothing can replace the Internet.B.Fridges will Know what people need.C.Jacked sleeves can be used as a guide.D.Cars will be able to drive automatically.75.What is the text mainly about?
A.Food and clothing in 2035.B.Future technology in everyday life.C.Medical treatments of the future.D.The reason for the success of new technology.A Mini Book Excerpts（节选）Biography When Salinger learned that a car park was to be built on the land,the middle-aged writer was shocked and quickly bought the netghboring area to protect it„ The townspeople never forgot the rescue and came to help their most famous neighbor.J.D.Sulinger：A Life by Kenneth Slawenski（Random House,$27）
Mystery（疑案小说）
“You’re a smart boy.Benny’s death was no accident, and you’re the only who saw it happen.Do you think the murderer should get away with it ? ”The boy was starting stubbornly at his lap again.A thought suddenly occerred to Annika,“Did you „You recognized the man in the car,didn’t you?”
The boy hesitated, twisting his fingers,“Maybe,”he said quitely.Red Wolf by Liza Marklund（Atria Books, $25.99）
Short Stories She wants to say to him what she has learmed,none of it in class.Some women are borm stupid,and some women are too smart for their own good.Some women are born to give ,and some women only know how to take.Some women learn who they want to be from their mothers,some who they don’t want to be.Some mothers suffer so their daughters won’t.Some mothers love so their daughters won’t.You Are Free by Danzy Senna（Riverhead Books,$15）
Humor Do your kids like to have fun? Come to Fun Times!Do you like to watch your kids having fun? Bring them to Fun Times!Fun Times!’s “amusement cycling”is the most fun you can have,legally,in the United States right now.Why spend thousands of dollars flying to Disney World when you can speng less than half to that within a day’s drive lf most cities? Happy And Other Bad Thoughts by Larry Doyle（Ecco,$14.99）
56.If the readers want to know about the lite of Salinger , they should buy the book published by.A.Ecco B.Atria Books C.Riverhead Books D.Random House
57.The book Hbppy And Other Bad Thoughts is intended for.A.young children B.Disney World workers C.middle school teachers D.parents with young children
58.Which book describes women with characters of their own? A.Happy And Other Bad Thoughts B.J.D.Salinger:A Life C.You Are Free D.Red Wolf
59.After finishing the book Red Wolf, the readers would learn that.A.the boy helped arrest the murderer B.Benny died of an accident C.the murderer got away with the crime D.Ammika carried out the crime B Why is pink or purple a color for girls and blue or brown for boys? ? The answer depends largely on cultural values as well as personal experiences.To the Egyptians, green was a color that represented the hope and joy of spring, while for Muslims, it means heaven.Red is a symbol of good luck in many cultures.In China, children are given money in a red envelope to bring good fortune in the New Year.For many nations, blue is a symbol of protection and religious beliefs.Greek people often wear a blue necklace hoping to protect themselves against evils（灾祸）.?
People’s choice of colors is also influenced by their bodies' reactions（反应）toward them.Green is said to be the most restful color.It has the ability to reduce pain and relax people both mentally and physically.People who work in green environment have been found to have fewer stomach aches.? Red can cause a person’s blood pressure to rise and increase people’s appetites（食欲）.Many decorators will include different shades of red in the restaurant.Similarly, many commercial websites will have a red “Buy Now” button because red is a color that easily catches a person’s eye.Blue is another calming color.Unlike red, blue can cause people to lose appetite.So if you want to eat less, some suggest that eating from blue plates can help.?
The next time you are deciding on what to wear or what color to decorate your room, think about the color carefully.? 60.Muslims regard green as a symbol of heaven mainly because of their.A.cultural values B.commercial purposes C.personal experiences D.physical reactions to the color 61.Why will many commercial websites have a red “Buy Now” button? A.To relax people physically.B.To increase people’s appetites.C.To encourage people to make a purchase.D.To cause a person’s blood pressure to rise.62.What color might help lose weight according to the text?
A.Red B.Green.C.Blue.D.Purple.63.Which of the following would be the most proper title for the text? A.Colors and Human Beings B.The Cultural Meaning of Color
C.Colors and Personal Experiences D.The Meaning and Function of Color
B篇应该是社会生活类的文章。
60A 根据题干找到出处了，第一段的中心就是The answer depends largely on cultural values as well as personal experiences.61C 推理题饭店的理由是血压上升，食欲大增，而购物网站只能是C了。常识告诉我们，红色不能使人身体放松。
62C 细节题，直接能找到答案，只要细心99%的人就能找到。
63D 主旨题。正常境况是这样：第一句设问句，只能说是引语，第二句对问题的回答才是主题句，所以主题句应该是The answer depends largely on cultural values as well as personal experiences.其实不然。根据五段式分析，第一句话即第一自然段提出问题，但是没有回答。第二段、第三段和第四段分别是回答，第五自然段是建议部分。
2012年普通高等学校招生全国统一考试（天津卷）
D You are given many opportunities in life to choose to be a victim or creator.When you choose to be a victim, the world is a cold and difficult place.“They” did things to you which caused all of your pain and suffering.“They” are wrong and bad, and life is terrible as long as “they” are around.Or you may blame yourself for all your problems, thus internalizing(内化)your victimization.The truth is, your life is likely to stay that way as long as you feel a need to blame yourself or others.Those who choose to be creators look at life quite differently.They know there are individuals who might like to control their lives, but they don’t let this get in the way.They know they have their weaknesses, yet they don’t blame themselves when they fail.Whatever happens, they have choice in the matter.They believe their dance with each sacred(神圣的)moment of life is a gift and that storms are a natural part of life which can bring the rain needed for emotional and spiritual growth.Victims and creators live in the same physical world and deal with many of the same physical realities, yet their experience of life is worlds apart.Victims relish(沉溺)in anger, guilt, and other emotions that cause others---and even themselves---to feel like victims, too.Creators consciously choose love, inspiration, and other qualities which inspire not only themselves, but all around them.Both victims and creators always have choice to determine the direction of their lives.In reality, all of us play the victim or the creator at various points in our lives.One person, on losing a job or a special relationship, may feel as if it is the end of the world and sink into terrible suffering for months, years, or even a lifetime.Another with the same experience may choose to first experience the grief, then accept the loss and soon move on to be a powerful creative force in his life.In every moment and every circumstance, you can choose to have fuller, richer life by setting a clear intention to transform the victim within, and by inviting into your life the powerful creator that you are.51.What does the word “they” in Paragraph 1 probably refer to? A.People and things around you.B.Opportunities and problems.C.Creators and their choices.D.Victims and their sufferings.52.According to Paragraph 2, creators __________.A.seem willing to experience failures in life B.possess the ability to predict future life C.handle ups and downs of life wisely D.have potential to create something new 53.What can we learn from Paragraph 3? A.Creators and victims face quite different things in life.B.Creators and victims are masters of their lives.C.Victims can influence more people than creators.D.Compared with victims, creators are more emotional.54.The examples mentioned in Paragraph 4 show that _______________.A.strong attachment to sufferings in life pulls people into victims.B.people need family support to deal with challengers in life.C.it takes creators quite a long time to get rid of their pains.D.one’s experiences determine his attitude toward life.55.What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage? A.To define victims and creators.B.To evaluate victims against creators.C.To explain the relationship between victims and creators.D.To suggest the transformation from victims to creators.A
“Have a nice day” may be a pleasant gesture or a meaningless expression.When my friend Maxie says “Have a nice day” with a smile, I know she sincerely cares about what happens to me.I feel loved and secure since another person cares about me and wishes me well.“Have a nice day.Next!” The version of the expression is spoken by a salesgirl at supermarket who is rushing me and my groceries out the door.The words came out in the same tone(腔调)with a fixed procedure.They are spoken at me, not to me.Obviously, the concern for my day and everyone else’s is the management’s attempt to increase business.The expression is one of those behaviors that help people get along with each other.Sometimes it indicates the end of a meeting.As soon as you hear it, you know the meeting at an end.Sometimes the expression saves us when we don’t know what to say.“Oh, you just had a tooth out? I’m terribly sorry, but have a nice day”
The expression can be pleasant.If a stranger says “Have a nice day” to you, you may find it heart-warming because someone you don’t know has tried to be nice to you.Although the use of the expression is insincere, meaningless social custom at times, there is nothing wrong with the sentence except that it is a little uninteresting.The salesgirl, the waitress, the teacher, and the countless others who speak it without thinking may not really care about my day.But in a strange and comfortable way, it’s nice to know they care enough to pretend they care when they really don’t care all that much.While the expression may not often be sincere, it is always spoken The point is that people say it all the time when they like.26.How does the author understand Maxie’s words? A.Maxie shows her anxiety to the author.B.Maxie really wishes the author a good day.C.Maxie encourages the author to stay happy.D.Maxie really worries about the author’s security.27.What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2 mean? A.The salesgirl is rude.B.The salesgirl is bored.C.The salesgirl cares about me.D.The salesgirl says the words as a routine.28.By saying“Have a nice day“, a stranger may _____.A.try to be polite to you B.express respect to you C.give his blessing to you D.share his pleasure with you 29.According to the last paragraph, people say“Have a nice day”_______.A.sincerely B.as thanks C.as a habit D.encouragingly 30.What is the best title of the passage? A.Have a Nice Day—a Social Custom B.Have a Nice Day—a Pleasant Gesture C.Have a Nice Day—a Heart-warming Greeting D.Have a Nice Day—a Polite Ending of a Conversation BDACA C
I was blind, but I was ashamed of it if it was known.I refused to use a white stick and hated asking for help.After all, I was a teenage girl, and I couldn’t bear people to look at me and think I was not like them.I must have been a terrible danger on the roads, Coming across me wandering through the traffic, motorists probably would have to step rapidly on their brakes.Apart from that, there were all sorts of disasters that used to occur on the way to and from work.One evening, I got off the bus about halfway home where I had to change buses, and as usual I ran into something,“I’m awfully sorry,”I said and stepped forward only to run into it again.When it happened a third time, I realized I had been apologizing to a lamppost.This was just one of the stupid things that constantly happened to me.So I carried on and found the bus stop, which was a request stop, where the bus wouldn’t stop unless passengers wanted to get on or off.No one else was there and I had to try to guess if the bus had arrived.Generally in this situation, because I hated showing I was blind by asking for help, I tried to guess at the sound.Sometimes I would stop a big lorry and stand there feeling stupid as it drew away.In the end, I usually managed to swallow my pride and ask someone at the stop for help.But on this particular evening no one joined me at the stop;It seemed that everyone had suddenly decided not to travel by bus.Of course I heard plenty of buses pass, or I thought I did.But because I had given up stopping them for fear of making a fool of myself, I let them all go by.I stood there alone for half an hour without stopping one.Then I gave up.I decided to walk on to the next stop.36.The girl refused to ask for help because she thought_________.A.she might be recognized B.asking for help looked silly C.she was normal and independent D.being fond blind was embarrassing 37.After the girl got off the bus that evening, she_________.A.began to run B.hit a person as usual C.hit a lamppost by accident D.was caught by something 38.At the request stop that evening, the girl___________.A.stopped a big lorry B.stopped the wrong bus C.made no attempt to stop the bus D.was not noticed by other people 39.What was the problem with guessing at the sound to stop a bus? A.Other vehicles also stopped there.B.It was unreliable for making judgments.C.More lorries than buses responded to the girl.D.It took too much time for the girl to catch the bus.40.Finally the girl decided to walk to the next stop, hoping __________.A.to find people there B.to find more buses there C.to find the bus by herself there D.to find people more helpful there DCCBA
B.Still seeking a destination for your weekend break? There are some places which are probably a mere walk away from your college.King's Art Centre
A day at the Centre could mean a visit to an exhibition of the work of one of the most interesting contemporary artists on show anywhere.This weekend tees the opening of an exhibition of four local artists.You could attend a class teaching you how to 'learn from the masters' or get more creative with paint----free of charge.The Centre also runs two life drawing classes for which there is a small fee.The Botanic Garden
The Garden has over 8,000 plant species;it holds the research and teaching collection of living plants for Cambridge University.The multi-branched Torch Aloe here is impressive.The African plant produces red flowers above blue-green leaves, and is not one to miss.Get to the display house to see Dionaea muscipula, a plant more commonly known as the Venus Flytrap that feeds on insects and other small animals.The Garden is also a place for wildlife-enthusiasts.Look for grass snakes in the lake.A snake called 'Hissing Sid' is regularly seen lying in the heat of the warm sun.Byron's Pool
Many stories surround Lord Byron's time as a student of Cambridge University, Arriving in 1805, he wrote a letter complaining that it was a place of ”mess and drunkenness“.However, it seems as though Byron did manage to pass the time pleasantly enough.I'm not just talking about the pet bear he kept in his roans.He spent a great deal of time walking in the village.It is also said that on occasion Byron swam naked by moonlight in the lake, which is now known as Byron's Pool.A couple of miles past Grantchester in the south Cambridgeshire countryside, the pool is surrounded by beautiful circular paths around the fields.The cries of invisible birds make the trip a lovely experience and on the way home you can drop into the village for afternoon tea.If you don't trust me, then perhaps you’ll take it from Virginia Woolf-----over a century after Byron, she reportedly took a trip to swim in the same pool.61.As mentioned in the passage, there is a small charge for_____.A.attending the masters' class
B.working with local artists
C.learning life drawing
D.seeing an exhibition 62.”Torch Aloe“ and ”Venus Flytrap" are_____.A.common insects
B.impressive plants
C.rarely-seen snakes
D.wildlife-enthusiasts 63.We can infer from the passage that Byron seemed_____.A.to fear pet bears
B.to like walking
C.to be a heavy drinker
D.to finish university in 1805 64.In the passage Byron's Pool is described as a lake_____..A.surrounded by fields
B.owned by Lord Byron
C.located in Grantchester
D.discovered by Virginia Woolf 65.What is the passage mainly about?
A.Some places for weekend break B.A way to become creative in art.C.The colourful life in the countryside.D.Unknown stories of Cambridge University.61.C.King’s Art Centre下最后一句.62.B。The Botanic Garden下第二、三段可知是两种植物，并不是昆虫、蛇，更不是野生动物爱好者。
63.B。Byron’s Pool下第一段最后一句。64.A。Byron’s Pool下第二段第二句 65.A。文章开始第一句。
2012年普通高等学校招生全国统一考试（江西卷）
A
Mark and his brother Jason both were looking at the shining new computer enviously.Jason was determined not to go against their father’s wishes but Mark was more adventurous than his brother.He loved experimenting and his aim was to become a scientist like his father.“Dad will be really mad if he finds out you’ve been playing with his new computer.” Jason said, “He told us not to touch it.”
“He won’t find out.” Mark said, “I’ll just have a quick look and shut it down.”
Mark had been scolded before for touching his father’s equipment.But his curiosity was difficult to control and this new computer really puzzled him.“It was a strange-looking machine –one his dad had brought home from the laboratory where he worked.“It’s an experimental model,” his father had explained, “so don’t touch it under any circumstances.” But his warning only served to make Mark more curious.Without any further thought, Mark turned on the power switch.The computer burst into life and seconds later, the screen turned into colors, shifting and changing and then two big white words appeared in the center of the screen: “SPACE TRANSPORTER.”
“Yes!” Mark cried excitedly, “It’s a computer game.I knew it!Dad’s only been pretending to work.He’s really been playing games instead.” A new message appeared on the screen:
“ENTER NAMES
VOYAGER 1: „
VOYAGER 2: „”
Mark’s fingers flew across the keyboard as he typed in both of their names.“INPUT ACCEPTED.START TRANSPORT PROGRAM.AUTO-RETRIEVE INITIATED（自动回收程序已启动）.”
The screen turned even brighter and a noise suddenly rose in volume.“I think we’d better shut it off, Mark,” Jason yelled, reaching for the power switch.He was really frightened.But his hand never reached the switch.A single beam of dazzling white light burst out of the computer screen, wrapping the boys in its glow(光芒), until they themselves seemed to be glowing.Then it died down just as suddenly as it had burst into life.And the boys were no longer there.On the screen, the letters changed.“TRANSPORT SUCCESSFUL.DESTINATION: MARS.RETRIEVE DATE: 2025.” 56．Why did Mark touch the computer against his father’s warning? A．He wanted to take a voyage.B．He wanted to practice his skill C．He was so much attracted by it.D．He was eager to do an experiment.57．Where did the boy’s father most likely work? A．In an electronic factory.B．In a computer company.C．In a scientific research center.D．In an information processing center.58．Mark thought “SPACE TRANSPORTER” on the screen was the name of.A．a computer game B．a company website
C．a software producer D．an astronomy program 59．Why did Jason want to shut off the computer? A．He was afraid of being scolded.B．He didn’t like the loud noise and light.C．He didn’t want to play games any more.D．He was afraid something dangerous might happen.60．What happened to the boys at the end of the story? A．They were blown into the air.B．They were sent to another planet.C．They were hidden in the strong light.D．They were carried away to another country
2012年普通高等学校招生全国统一考试（江苏卷）
56.According to the survey, people left alone on a desert island would most want their _____.A.Mp3 player B.dog C.spouse/partner D.celebrity 57.Which of the following is true about George Clooney?
A.He has been trained in wilderness survival.B.He may not be able to help you survive.C.He does not think Roseane is beautiful.D.He is the choice of most South African women.58.The survey results are analyzed in terms of the respondents’ _______ A.sex, age and nationality B.race, nationality and sex C.marriage, age and race D.age, sex and marriage CBA
第三篇：英语阅读理解练习
21.I’ve lived in New York and Chicago, but don’t like ____ of them very much.A.either
B.any
C.each
D.another
22.It was ______ cold winter night and the moon was shining brightly across ____ night sky.A.不填；a
B.a;the
C.the;a
D.the;不填 23.— How far can you run without stopping? — ________.I’ve never tried.A.Don’t mention it
B.That’s all right C.I have no idea
D.Go ahead
24.I didn’t think I’d like the movie, but actually it _____ pretty good.A.has been
B.was
C.had been
D.would be 25.The room is empty except for a bookshelf _____ in one corner.A.standing
B.to stand
C.stands
D.stood 26.Mark needs to learn Chinese _______ his company is opening a branch in Beijing.A.unless
B.until
C.although
D.since 27.— Oh no!We’re too late.The train _______.— That’s Ok.We’ll catch the next train to London.A.was leaving
B.had left
C.has left
D.has been leaving
28._________I have to give a speech, I get extremely nervous before I start.A.Whatever
B.Whenever
C.Whoever
D.However
29.I stopped the car ____ a short break as I was feeling tired.A.take
B.taking
C.to take
D.taken 30.It’s good to know _____ the dogs will be well cared for while we’re away.A.what
B.whose
C.which
D.that 31.There is no simple answer, _____ is often the case in science.A.as
B.that
C.when
D.where
32.— This is a really lively party.There’s a great atmosphere, isn’t there? — ________ The hosts know how to host a party.A.Don't worry
B.Yes, indeed
C.No, there’s isn’t D.It all depends 33.________ at the cafeteria before, Tina didn’t want to eat there again.A.Having eaten
B.To eat
C.Eat
D.Eating
34.The Smiths are praised _______ the way they bring up their children.A.from
B.by
C.at
D.for 35.Finally he reached a lonely island _________ was completely cut off from the outside world.A.when
B.where
C.which
D.whom
A The blue tits(山雀)have been inspecting the nest-box again this year.The male is the house-hunter but the female will make the final choice.He lands at the hole and turns his head to expose his white cheeks as a signal to attract the female from where she has been feeding.Among many birds that nest in holes, the male has a light-coloured patch on its plumage(鸟羽)which acts as signal for drawing the female’s attention to a suitable nesting-place.Unlike the blue tit, the redstart(红尾鸲)may be only the male that strikingly coloured and the female is not beautiful.A few years ago I was lucky enough to spot a pair of redstarts in action in a Walsh wood.The male was leading an interested female to holes that he had previously(先前)checked out.He sat at the entrance of each hole and put his head on to show off his white forehead, or his head in to reveal(显露)his tail.If the female failed to react to his visual signals, the male sometimes sang for extra effect, while gliding towards her on spread wings and tail.Once the female accepts by following the male through the hole the displays stop, you must be at the right place at the right time to watch them.1.How do the blue tits choose their nest? A.They choose their nest together.B.The male chooses their nest.C.The house-hunter chooses their nest.D.The female chooses their nest.2.The writer was lucky to see ________.A.how the male made his tricks B.how an interested female played with the male happily C.what the male displayed and won the female D.that the male tried his best but failed to attract the female 3.You can spot a pair of redstarts in a Walsh wood ________.A.at any time B.regularly
C.in April
D.occasionally 4.The writer is probably ________.A.a bird expert
B.a bird-hunter
D.a scientist C.a bird raiser
B The common cold is the world’s most widespread illness, which is plagues(疫病)that flesh receives.The most widespread fallacy(谬误)of all is that colds caused by cold.They are not.They are caused by viruses(病毒)passing on from person to person.You catch a cold by coming into contact, directly or indirectly, with someone who already has one.If cold causes colds, it would be reasonable to expect the Eskimos to suffer from them forever.But they do not.And in isolated arctic regions explorers have reported being free from colds until coming into contact again with infected people from the outside world by way of packages and mail dropped from airplanes.During the First World War soldiers who spent long periods in the trenches(战壕), cold and wet, showed no increased tendency to catch colds.In the Second World War prisoners at the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp(奥斯维辛集中营), naked and starving, were astonished to find that they seldom had colds.At the Common Cold Research Unit in England, volunteers took part in Experiments in which they gave themselves to the discomforts of being cold and wet for long stretches of time.After taking hot baths, they put on bathing suits, allowed themselves to be with cold water, and then stood about dripping wet in drafty room.Some wore wet socks all day while others exercised in the rain until close to exhaustion.Not one of the volunteers came down with a cold unless a cold virus was actually dropped in his nose.If, then, cold and wet have nothing to do with catching colds, why are they more frequent in the winter？Despite the most pains-taking research, no one has yet found the answer.One explanation offered by scientists is that people tend to stay together indoors more in cold weather than at other times, and this makes it easier for cold viruses to be passed on.No one has yet found a cure for the cold.There are drugs and pain suppressors(止痛片)such as aspirin, but all they do is relieve the symptoms(症状).1.The writer offered _______ examples to support his argument.A.4 B.5
C.6
D.3 2.Which of the following does not agree with the chosen passage? A.The Eskimos do not suffer from colds all the time.B.Colds are not caused by cold.C.People suffer from colds just because they like to stay indoors.D.A person may catch a cold by touching someone who already has one.3.Arctic explorers may catch colds when _______.A.they are working in the isolated arctic region B.they are writing reports in terribly cold weather C.they are free from work in the isolated arctic regions D.they are coming into touch again with the outside world 4.Volunteers taking part in the experiments in the Common Cold Research Unit _______.A.suffered a lot
B.never caught colds D.became very strong C.often caught colds
5.The passage mainly discusses _______.A.the experiments on the common cold
B.the fallacy about the common cold C.the reason and the way people catch colds D.the continued spread of common colds
C I came to live here where I am now between Wounded Knee Greek and Grass Greek.Others came too, and we made these little grey houses of logs that you see, and they are square, It is a bad way to live, for there can be no power in a square.You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles, and everything tries to be round.In the old days when we were a strong and happy people, all our power came to us from the respectful circle of the nation, and so long as the circle was unbroken, the people were getting rich.The flowering tree was the living center of the circle, and the circle of the four quarters nursed it.The east gave peace and light, the south gave warmth, the west gave rain, and the north with its cold and strong wind gave strength and continuous power.This knowledge came to us from the outer world with our brief.Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle.The sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars.Birds make their nests in circle, for theirs are the same as ours.The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle.The moon does the same, and both are round.Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were.The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.Our places were like the nests of birds, and these were always set in a circle, the nation’s circle, a nest of many nests, where the Great Spirit meant for us to nurse our children.But the Wasichus(Indian word for “white people”)have put us in these square boxes.Our power is gone and we are dying, for the power is not in us any more.You can look at our boys and see how it is with us.Where we were living by the power of the circle in the way we should, boys were men at twelve or thirteen years of age.But now it takes them very much longer to be bull-grown.1.According to the passage, the Indians _______.A.don’t have modern instruments in their homes B.refused to move from round places C.lived in round places, but were forced to live in square houses D.lived in round places, but then decided to move into square houses 2.Two things being compared in the passage are _______.A.the Indians’ past and present living conditions B.the Indians’ past and modern beliefs
C.the Indians’ old and new power
D.people and nature 3.In the second paragraph “the four quarters” refers to _______.A.the four rooms of the Indian’s house B.the four kinds of natural power C.the four seasons
D.the four directions 4.According to the author, once the Indians moved into square houses, _______.A.they had to move to other houses
B.boys took more time to grow into men C.they forgot the old way of life
D.everyone was not happy
D What does it mean to say that we live in a world of persuasion? It means that we live among competing interests.Your roommate’s need to study for an exam may take priority(优先)over pizza.Your instructor may have good reasons not to change your grade.And the object of your romantic/interest may have other choices.In such a world, persuasion is the art of getting others to give fair and favorable consideration to our points of view.When we persuade, we want to influence how others believe and behave.We may not always prevail — other points of view may be more persuasive, depending on the listener, the situation, and the merit of the case.But when we practice the art of persuasion, we try to ensure that our position receives the attention it deserves.Some people, however, object to the very idea of persuasion.They may regard it as an unwelcome interruption into their lives.Just the opposite, we believe that persuasion is unavoidable — to live is to persuade.Persuasion may be ethical(合乎道义的)or unethical, selfless or selfish, inspiring or degrading.Persuaders may enlighten our mind or prey on our vulnerability（弱点）.Ethical persuasion, however, calls on sound reasoning and is sensitive to the feelings and needs of listeners.Such persuasion can help us apply the wisdom of the past to the decisions we now must make.Therefore, the most basic part of education is learning to resist the one kind of persuasion and to encourage and practice the other.Beyond its personal importance to us, persuasion is necessary to society.The right to persuade and be persuaded is the bedrock of the American political system, guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution(美国宪法).1.According to the passage, persuasion means ________.A.changing others’ points of view B.exercising power over other people C.getting other people to consider your point of view D.getting people to agree with you and do what you want 2.The underlined word in the second paragraph “prevail” means________.A.win B.fail
C.speak
D.listen 3.The passage states that some people object to persuasion because they think it is ________.A.a danger to society
C.unwelcome behavior
B.difficult to do well D.never successful 4.The passage mainly discusses ________.A.how people persuade B.why people persuade C.that persuasion is both good and bad D.that persuasion is important and it is all around us
E Most people, when they travel to space, would like to stay in orbit for a few days of more.And this stands to reason, if you’re paying $20,000 for your trip to orbit!Strain order for tourism to reach its full potential there’s going to be a need for orbital accommodation--or space hotels.What would a space hotel actually be like tovisit? Hotels in orbit will offer the services you expect from a hotel--private rooms, meals, bars.But they’ll also offer two unique experiences: impressive views--of Earth and space--and the endless entertainment ofliving in zero gravity--including sports and other activities that make use of this.The hotels themselves will vary greatly---from being quite simple in the early days to huge luxury structure at a later date.It’s actually surprising that as later as 1997, very few designs for space hotels were published.This is mainly because those who might be expected to design them haven’t expected launch costs to come down far enough to make them possible.Lots of people who’ve been to space have described vividly what it’s like to live in zero gravity.There are obviously all sort of possibilities for dancing, gymnastics, and zero-G sports.Luckily, you don’t need to sleep much living in zero gravity, so you’ll have plenty of time for relaxing by hanging out in a bar with a window looking down at the turning Earth below.Of course all good things have come to an end.Unfortunately, And so after a few days you’ll find yourself heading back enough you’ll be much more expert at exercising in zero gravity than you were when you arrived.You’ll be thinking how soon you can save up enough to get back up again---or maybe you should change jobs to get to work in an orbiting hotel.1.When traveling in space, most people would like to stay in orbit for a few days because
_______.A.It is expensive to travel in space
B.they would find the possible life in other star systems
C.they could enjoy the luxury of space hotels
D.they want to realise the full potential of tourism 2.Which of the following is a unique experience that space hotels will offer?
A.The gravitational pull
B.The special views.C.The relaxation in a bar.D.The space walk.3.Which of the following is not discussed in the passage?
A.When was the space traveling made possible?
B.What are the unique experiences that space hotels will offer?
C.Why were there not many published designs for space hotels?
D.How can the travelers enjoy themselves in space hotels? 4.This passage is mainly about ________.A.traveling in space
B.the ways of living in space hotels
C.zero gravity and space hotels
D.the description of space hotels
F More than 10 years ago, it was difficult to buy a tasty pineapple(菠萝).The fruits that made it to the UK were green on the outside and, more often than not, hard with an unpleasant taste within.Then in 1966, the Del Monte Gold pineapple produced in Hawaii first hit our shelves.The new type of pineapple looked more yellowy-gold than green.It was slightly softer on the outside and had a lot of juice inside.But the most important thing about this new type of pineapple was that it was twice as sweet as the hit-and-miss pineapples we had known.In no time, the Del Monte Gold took the market by storm, rapidly becoming the world’s best-selling pineapple variety, and delivering natural levels of sweetness in the mouth, up until then only found in tinned pineapple.In nutrition(营养)it was all good news too.This nice tasting pineapple contained four times more vitamin C(维生素C)than the old green variety.Nutritionists said that it was not only full of vitamins, but also good against some diseases.People were understandably eager to be able to buy this wonderful fruit.The new type of pineapple was selling fast, and the Del Monte Gold pineapple rapidly became a fixture in the shopping basket of the healthy eater.Seeing the growing market for its winning pineapple, Del Monte tried to keep market to itself.But other fruit companies developed similar pineapples.Del Monte turned to law for help, but failed.Those companies argued successfully that Del Monte’s attempts to keep the golden pineapple for itself were just a way to knock them out the market.1.We learn from the text that the new type at pineapple is __________.A.green outside and sweet inside
B.good-looking outside and soft inside
C.yellowy-gold outside and hard inside
D.a little soft outside and sweet inside 2.Why was the new type of pineapple selling well?
A.It was rich in nutrition and tasted nice.B.It was less sweet and good for health.C.It was developed by Del Monte.D.It was used as medicine.3.The underlined word “fixture” in Paragraph 3 probably refers to something _________.A.that people enjoy eating
B.that is always present
C.that is difficult to get
D.that people use as a gift 4.We learn from the last paragraph that Del Monte _________.A.slowed other companies to develop pineapples
B.succeeded in keeping the pineapple for itself
C.tried hard to control the pineapple market
D.planned to help the other companies
第四篇：2013高考英语阅读理解强化练习(43)
2013高考英语阅读理解强化练习（43）
拓展阅读：
After the Summer Olympics are over, when all the athletics have gone home and the television audience has switched off, another group of athletics and fans will arrive at the host city, and another competition will begin.These are the Paralympics, the games for athletes with a disability.But in Beijing in 2008, for the first time, one of the greatest paralympics will not be taking part.She is a British athlete by the name of Tanni Grey-Thormpson.Born with spine bifida(脊椎裂)which left her paralysed from the waist down.Tanni used a wheelchair from the age of 7.At first, she was not keen on sport, apart from horse-riding, which gave her a sense of freedom.But in her teens, she started taking sports more seriously.She tried swimming, basketball and tennis.Eventually she found athletics, and never looked back.Indeed, Tanni’s athletic career took off.In 1984, when she was 15, she pulled off a surprise victory in the 100 metres at the Junior National Wheelchair Games.In 1998, Tanni went to her first Paralympic Games in Seoul.She won bronze in the 400 metres.Even greater success followed at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics.Tanni won gold in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 metres relay, setting two world records in the process.In the same year she achieved the first of her six London Wheelchair Marathon victories.Tanni’s enduring success had been part motivation(动机), part preparation, “The training I do that enables me to be a good sprinter(短跑运动员)enables me to be good at a marathon too.I train 50 weeks of the year and that keeps me prepared for whatever distance I want to see….I am still competing at a very high lever, but as I get older things get harder and I want to retire before I fall apart.”
Indeed Tanni retired finally after the Visa Paralympic World Cup in 2007.Her wish is to coach young athletes for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.In spite of ups and downs, she never take her fate lying down.In her splendid life, she has won an amazing eleven gold medals, four silvers and one bronze in series of Paralympics－a top level athletic career covering two decades.She has won the London Wheelchair Marathon six times, more than any other competitor, and she has set over thirty world records.What advice does she have for young athletes? “Work hard at your studies, and then train, train and train again.”
分析：这是一篇有关残疾运动员个人励志的文章，故事性较强，对学生个人成长有一定的鞭策作用。
1.Which of the following sports did Tanni like before thirteen?
A.Basketball B.Swimming.C.Tennis.D.Horse-riding.2.When did Tanni win her first Olympic gold medal?
A.In 1984.B.In 1988.C.In 1992.D.In 2007.3.The underlined word “that” in the 5th paragraph refers to _______.A.fifty weeks’ training B.being a good sprinter
C.training almost every day D.part motivation and part preparation
4.What’s the right order of the events related to Tanni?
a.She works as a coach.b.She took up athletics.c.She won four gold medals in Barcelona.d.She competed in her first Paralympic Games.e.She achieved a victory in her first London Wheelchair Marathon.A.b, d, c, e a B.a, d, b, c ,e C.A,d,c,e,b D.b.d.a.e.c
5.What can we learn from Tanni’s success?
A.Union is strength.B.Never too late to learn.C.Well begun is half done.D.No pains, no gains.1.D。
解析：细节理解题。根据第二段中At first, she was not keen on sport, apart from horse-riding, which gave her a sense of freedom.一句中“be(not)keen on(不喜欢)„”、“apart from(除了„..之外)”就可得出正确答案。
2.C。
解析：细节理解题。结合第四段中Even greater success followed at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics.Tanni won gold in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 metres relay,„ 可以推出正确答案。
3.C
解析：细节理解题。误选A选项的学生只单纯看到了前面的“I train 50 weeks of the year that„”，他们没有联系前两句“The training I do that enables me„”，由于断章取义而导致丢分。
4.A
解析：解答本题只要用代入淘汰法就行，很显然She works as a coach.是最后才发生的事情，故a小点只能排最后。
5.D
解析：该题为主旨概括题，读懂整篇文章就不难得出正确答案。
第五篇：2012年职称英语综合类阅读理解新增文章(含练习解析及译文)
2012年职称英语综合类新增文章—阅读理解
1.第一篇：Telling Tales about People讲述关于人们的故事
2.第八篇：The Changing Middle Class变化中的中产阶级
3.第十篇：A Letter from Alan艾伦的来信
4.第十一篇：The Development of Ballet芭蕾舞的发展
5.第十六篇：The Sahara 撒哈拉沙漠
6.*第十七篇：Eiffel Is an Eyeful（2011年教材中为C级文章）引人注目的埃菲尔铁塔
7.*第十八篇：Goal of American Education（2011年教材中为C级文章）美国教育的目标
8.*第十九篇：The Family家庭
9.*第二十篇：Tales of the Terrible Past讲述可怕的过去
10.*第二十一篇：Spacing in Animals（2011年教材中为C级文章）动物的空间距离
11.*第二十二篇：Some Things We Know about Language（2011年教材中为C级文章）我们知道的关于语言的一些事情
12.*第二十三篇：The Only Way Is Up（2011年教材中为C级文章）只好向上
13.*第二十四篇：Clone Farm（2011年教材中为C级文章）克隆农场
14.*第二十五篇：Income（2011年教材中为C级文章）收入
15.*第二十六篇：Seeing the World Centuries Ago看许久以前的世界
16.*第二十七篇：Importance of Services（2011年教材中为C级文章）服务业的重要性
17.*第二十八篇：The National Park Service（2011年教材中为C级文章）国家公园的服务机构
18.*第二十九篇：Find Yourself Packing It On? Blame Friends（2011年教材中为C级文章）发现自己变胖了？这得责怪朋友们
19.*第三十篇：“Lucky” Lord Lucanthe small wood has many unusual trees and the stream is popular with fishermen and bird-watchers.It's very quiet because there are few houses or roads nearby.I think that losing this area will be terrible because we have no other similar facilities in the neighbourhood.I am also against this plan because it will cause traffic problems.How will the people from the new houses travel to work? The motorway and the railway station are on the other side of town.Therefore，these people will have to drive through the town centre every time they go anywhere.The roads will always be full of traffic，there will be nowhere to park and the tourists who come to see our lovely old buildings will leave.Shops and hotels will lose business.If the town really needs more homes，the empty ground beside the railway station is a more suitable place.No doubt the builders will make a lot of money by selling these houses.But，in my opinion，the average person will quickly be made poorer by this plan.As well as this，we will lose a very
special place and our town will be much less pleasant.I am going to the local government offices on Monday morning to protest about this plan and I hope that your readers will join me there.We must make them stop this plan before it is too late.词汇:
facility /f?‘sil?ti/ n.场所，设施 protest /pr?u‘test/ v.抗议
motorway / ‗m?ut?wei / n.高速公路
注释:
1.For me，Parson's Place is special because it is a beautiful natural area where local people can
relax—the small wood has many unusual trees and the stream is popular with fishermen and bird-watchers.对我来说，帕森场是非常特别的，因为它是一个美丽的天然场地并且当地人可以在此放松休息。这片小树林里有许多独特的树木并且这里的小溪受到了渔夫和野鸟观察 者的欢迎。
2.The roads will always be full of traffic，there will be nowhere to park and the tourists who come to see our lovely old buildings will leave.公路上将总是有很多车辆，却没有地方停车，并且来参观我们这儿可爱的老式建筑物的观光者将会离开这里。
3.As well as this，we will lose a very special place and our town will be much less pleasant.不但
如此，我们将失去一个非常特别的地方并且我们的城镇将会失去很多快乐。
练习:
1.Why has Alan written this letter?
A)To persuade the government to build new houses.B)To protest about a new motorway near the town.C)To encourage more people in the town to use Parson's Place.D)To inform other people about the builders' plans.2.Why is Parson's Place particularly important，in Alan's opinion?
A)Because it is near the football ground.B)Because lots of people live near it.C)Because it is a place near the town where people can enjoy nature.D)Because local people can get there easily by car from the town.3.What will cause traffic jams?
A)A building on Parson's Place.B)Building near the railway station.C)Tourists in the narrow streets.D)People going to the shops and hotels.4.Alan says that ordinary people who live in the town will probably soon _____.A)open new shops and hotels
B)choose to live near the station
C)be able to buy new homes
D)have less money
5.Which of these posters has Alan made?
A)SAVE OUR SPORTS GROUND
B)SAY NO TO HOUSES ON PARSON' S PLACE
C)WE NEED HOMES NOT HOTELS
D)USE THE TRAIN NOT THE ROAD
答案与题解:
1.D 本题问的是:为什么Alan写这封信? A、B、C选项在文中没有提到，D选项的意思是让其他人了解建筑商的计划，因此 D是正确答案。
2.C 本题问的是:在Alan看来，为什么帕森场非常重要?第一段中提到―因为它是一个美丽的天然场地并且当地人可以在此放松休息‖。因此 C 是正确答案。
3.A 本题问的是:什么将会引起交通堵塞?第二段提到了，如果按照建筑商的计划，那么―公 路上将总是有很多车辆，却没有地方来停车‖。因此选择 A。
4.D 本题问的是:Alan说住在城镇的人们将来可能会，本文第三段提到―每个人将会因这个计划的实施而快速地变穷“。因此选择 D。
5.B 本题问的是:以下哪个是Alan制作的海报? Alan在本文中一直在说抵制建筑商在帕森 场上建造房屋的计划，因此选择 B，对帕森场上的房屋说不。第十一篇
The Development of Ballet
Ballet is a dance form that has a long history.The fact that it survives to this day shows that it has adjusted as times have changed.Ballet began in the royal courts during the Renaissance.At that time it became common for kings and queens，as well as other nobility，to participate in pageants that included music，poetry，and dance.As these entertainments moved from the Italian courts to the French ones，court ladies began participating in them.Though their long dresses prevented much movement，they were able to perform elaborate walking patterns.It was not until the 1600s that women dancers shortened their skirts，changed to flat shoes，and began doing some of the leaps and turns performed by men.It was also in the 1600s that professional ballet began.King Louis XIV of France，himself a devoted dancer，founded the Royal Academy of Dance.The five basic feet positions from which all ballet steps begin were finalized.In the late 1700s another important change occurred.Ballet began to tell a story on its own.It was no longer simply dance to be performed between acts of plays.Elaborate wigs and costumes were eliminated.By the early 1800s dancers learned to rise on their toes to make it appear that they were floating.Classical ballet as we know it today was influenced primarily by Russian dancing.The Russians remained interested in ballet when it declined in other European countries in the mid-1800s.One of the most influential figures of the early 20th century was Sergei Diaghilev.His dance company，the Ballets Russes，brought a new energy and excitement to ballet.One of his chief assistants，George Balanchine，went on to found the New York City Ballet in 1948 and to influence new generations of dancers.词汇:
adjust / ?' d??st/v.调整 eliminate /i'limineit/ v.淘汰
pageant / 'pæd? ?nt / n.盛会 influential / influ'en??l/adj.有影响力的 注释:
1.At that time it became common for kings and queens，as well as other nobility，to participate in pageants that included music，poetry，and dance.在那时，芭蕾舞在国王、王后以及贵族之间变得普遍，并且与音乐、诗歌以及舞蹈一起参与到盛会的表演。
2.It was not until the 1600s that women dancers shortened their skirts，changed to flat shoes，and began doing some of the leaps and turns performed by men.直到17世纪女舞者缩短了她们的裙子，改穿平底鞋，并且通过男舞者的帮助开始做一些跳跃和转圈动作。3.The five basic feet positions from which all ballet steps begin were finalized.由此正式确定了 脚的5个基本位置，这 5个外开的位置成为发展芭蕾舞技术的基础。练习:
1.This passage deals mainly with _____.A)famous names in ballet B)French versus Russian ballet C)the way ballet developed D)why ballet is no longer popular 2.An important influence in early ballet was_____.A)Balanchine B)Marie Antoinette C)Diaghilev D)Louis XIV 3.You can conclude from this passage that ballet_____.A)is a dying art B)will continue to change as new people and ideas influence it C)is only currently performed in Russia and the United States D)is often performed by dancers with little training 4.The information in this passage is presented_____.A)through the story of one dancer B)by describing various positions and steps C)by listing reasons why ballet has succeeded D)in chronological order 5.The word pageants means_____.A)dances B)instructors C)kings D)elaborate shows 答案与题解:
1.C 本题问的是:这篇文章主要讲述的是，A、B、D 选项都是文章的一部分，而本文主要讲的就是芭蕾舞的发展，因此 C 是正确答案。2.D 本题问的是:对于早期芭蕾舞最重要的影响是，本文第三段提到―在 17 世纪，专业的芭蕾舞蹈团应运而生‖―法国国王路易十四建立了皇家舞蹈学院‖，因此 D 是正确答案。
3.B 本题问的是:从这篇文章你可以总结出芭蕾，A、C、D 选项在文中没有提到，结合本文最后一段可以看出 B 选项是正确的，芭蕾将随着新的人物和新的想法而改变。
4.D 本题问的是:本文的信息是通过何种方式介绍的。本文从芭蕾舞的起源开始一直介绍到 芭蕾舞的现况，因此选择 D，按照时间前后的顺序。
5.D 本题问的是:单词 pageant 的汉语意思是什么，正确答案是 D，盛大的表演。第十六篇
The Sahara
The name Sahara derives from the Arabic word for ”desert“ or ”steppe“.At 3.5 million square miles，an area roughly the size of the United States，the Sahara Desert in northern Africa is the largest desert in the world.lt spans the continent from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea.Daytime temperatures can reach as high as 130°F.The humidity sometimes gets into the teens.But it can also be as low as 2.5 percent，the lowest in the world.Most of the Sahara receives less than five inches of rain per year，while large areas sometimes have no rainfall at all for years.At the heart of the Sahara is the landlocked north African country of Niger.Here the sand
dunes can be 100 feet tall and several miles long.Here sand plains stretch over an area larger than Germany where there is neither water nor towns.Yet sitting in the midst of the surrounding desert is the town of Bilma.Suddenly there are pools of cIear water.Surprisingly，there are groves of date palms.Underground water resources，or oases，sufficient to support irrigated agriculture are found in dry stream beds and depressions.Irrigation ditches run off a creek to water fields.Corn，cassava，tea，peanuts，hot peppers，and orange，lime，and grapefruit trees grow in these fields.Donkeys and goats graze on green grass.The Sahara of Niger is still a region where you can see a camel caravan of 500 camels tied together in loose lines as long as a mile，traveling toward such oasis towns.There a caravan will collect life-sustaining salt，which is mined from watery basins，and transport it up to 400 miles back to settlements on the edges of the desert.The round trip across the vast sands takes one month.词汇:
Humidity /hju'mId ?t l/ n.湿度 irrigate / ' lrlgelt/ v.灌溉
stretch / stret?/ v.伸展 camel /'k m ?l/ n.骆驼
date palms n.椰枣树
注释:
1.Underground water resources，or oases，sufficient to support irrigated agriculture are found in dry stream beds and depressions.在干河床和洼地处可找到充足的地下水资源或者绿洲来支持灌溉农业。
2.Irrigation ditches run off a creek to water fields.灌溉沟渠通过一条小溪到达水田中。
3.Donkeys and goats graze on green grass.青草上放养着驴和山羊。
练习:
1.This passage is mostly about _______.A)life in the Sahara
B)the deserts of Africa
C)Bilma
D)how camels travel in the desert
2.Rainfall in most of the Sahara is_______.A)less than five inches per year
B)less than ten inches per year
C)less than twenty inches per year
D)zero
3.The Sahara can be described as_______.A)a place of contrasts
B)a place where no one Iives
C)an area where the winters are cold
D)an area that appeals to many tourists
4.The phrase ”an area roughly the size of the United States“ gives an indication of the size of_______.A)northern Africa
B)Niger
C)the Sahara
D)all of Africa
5.In this passage caravan means _______.A)traveling circus
B)group traveling together through difficult country
C)railroad train
D)a small，fast sailing ship
答案与题解:
1.A 本题问的是:这篇文章主要讲了什么?根据文段，本文主要介绍了撒哈拉沙漠的地理概 况，城镇的农业，以及城镇之间的日常来往。B 选项范围过宽。C 选项不全面，文章不止介绍了比尔马的情况。D 选项文中没有具体介绍。所以 A 是对的。
2.A 本题问的是:在撒哈拉的绝大多数地区，降雨情况如何?根据第一段的最后一句话，撒哈拉的绝大多数地区每年降雨量低于 5 英寸。所以 A 正确。
3.A 本题问的是:撒哈拉沙漠可以被描述成什么? A 的意思是，一个具有强烈对比的地方。B 的意思是杳无人烟的地方。C 的意思是冬天很冷的地区。D 的意思是吸引很多游客的地方。B，C，D 均不符合文意，因此 A 正确。
4.C 本题问的是:句子―大约和美国大小相当的地区‖指明的是什么地方的大小?根据第一段的第二句话可知，本句的主语是撒哈拉沙漠。因此 C 正确。
5.B 本题问的是:文中―caravan‖的意思是什么? A 的意思是旅行马戏团。C 是火车。D 是又小又快的帆船。根据文中的介绍，穿过沙漠的驼队由上百只骆驼组成，来到绿洲城镇收集 盐，因此 B 选项―一群人一起穿过条件恶劣的国家‖是正确的。第十七篇 Eiffel Is An Eyeful1 Some2 300 meters up, near the Eiffel Tower's wind-whipped summit the world comes to scribble3.Japanese,Brazilians, Americans — they graffiti4 their names,loves and politics on the cold iron — transforming the most French of monuments into symbol of a world on the move5.With Paris laid out in miniature6 below，it seems strange that visitors would rather waste time marking their presence than admiring the view7.But the graffiti also raises a question ： Why, nearly 114 years after it was completed,and decades after it ceased to be the world, s tallest structure,is la Tour Eiffel still so popular8? The reasons are as complex as the iron work that graces9 a structure some 90 stories high.But part of the answer is, no doubt, its agelessness.Regularly maintained, it should never rust away.Graffiti is regularly painted over,but the tower lives on.”Eiffel represents Paris and Paris is France.It is very symbolic‖，says Hugues Richard10,a 31-year-old Frenchman who holds the record for cycling up to the tower's second floor 一 747 steps in 19 minutes and 4 seconds, without touching the floor with his feet.“It's iron lady，It inspires us11 ‖，he says.But to what12? After all,the tower doesn' t have a purpose.It ceased to be the world‘ s tallest in 1930 when the Chrysler Building13 went up in New York.Yes，television and radio signals are beamed from the top,and Gustave Eiffel,a frenetic builder who died on December 27，aged 91 ,used its height for conducting research into weather, aerodynamics and radio communication.But in essence the tower inspires simply by being there _ a blank canvas for visitors to make of it what they will14.To the technically minded15, it's an engineering triumph.For lovers, it's romantic.”The tower will outlast all of us,and by a long way16‖，says Isabelle Esnous, whose company manages Eiffel Tower.词汇：
Eiffel /'aifel/ Tower(法国巴黎的)埃菲尔铁塔
eyeful /'aiful/ n.引人注目的景象
scribble /'skribl/ v.乱涂，乱画
graffiti /grs'fizti：/ n•涂写,涂画
iron work 铁制品；铁工
agelessness /'eid3lisnis/ n.永恒，永不过日寸
rust /rASt/ v.生锈（rust away 锈烂掉）
frenetic /frs'netik/ a办极度激动的
tinker /'tiqko/ n.白铁匠，能做各种小修小补的人 aerodynamics /leorsudai'naemiks/ n•空气动力学
注释：
Eiffel Is an Eyefiil:引人注目的埃菲尔铁塔。由于Eiffel和Eyeful读音相似，使用Eyeful而 不是其他的词是有其修辞效果的。埃菲尔铁塔是古斯塔夫•埃菲尔（Gustave Eiffel，1832— 1923，法国工程师)为1889年的巴黎博览会设计的。该塔在塞纳河南岸，高300公尺（984 英尺）。埃菲尔铁塔的法文是第二段最后一句中的―la Tour Eiffel“。some:意为―approximately;about，（大约，将近）。如它 40 people attended the rally.大约 有40个人参加了集会。
the world comes to scribble:世界各地的人们来此涂鸦。
graffiti:在此用作graffito的动词形式，意思是―涂鸦，在墙或其他表面上创作的画或铭刻‖。transforming the most French of monuments into symbol of a world on the move.使最有法兰西 色彩的纪念碑成为动感世界的象征。the most + adj.+ of + n.意为―在……中最为…… 的‖ 如：Beethoven is the greatest of musicians.贝多芬是最伟大的音乐家。on the move:在 运动中。in miniature:小型的，小规模的，缩影的
would rather waste time marking their presence than admiring the view.宁愿花时间留下到此一游的痕迹,而不去观赏风景。would rather…than:宁愿……而不……： He would rather stay at home watching DVD than going to the cinema.他宁愿待在家里看 DVD,而不愿到电影院去看电影。
在原句 Why is la Tour Eiffel still so popular?的 Why 与 la Tour Eiffel still so popular?之间插 AT nearly 114 years after it was completed, and decades after it ceased to be the world's tallest structure.graces:在此作动词，意为―to give beauty, elegance, or charm to‖（使……优美，优雅或具有魅 力）o Hugues Richard:法国自行车运动员，多次打破自行车运动的世界纪录，于2002年4月8日 以19分钟零4秒的成绩骑自行车登上埃菲尔铁塔的第二层，第六次打破自行车运动的世 界纪录。
―It‘s iron lady,it inspires us.‖：―这是铁娘子，能让人产生灵感。‖It指埃菲尔铁塔。But to what?这是一个省略句,接着上段Hugues Richard的话发问，完整的句子可以是:But what does it inspire people to? the Chrysler Building:是美国纽约帝国大厦（the Empire State Building)建成之前，世界第一 高楼，共77层，设计师是William Van Alen。
a blank canvas for visitors to make of it what they will:—张空白的画布，任游客自由遐想
To the technically minded:对于那些善于从技术角度考虑问题的人来说，从技术的角度来 说。”The tower will outlast all of us,and by a long way.‖：―这座塔将在我们所有的人离去后长 久存在。‖outlast：意为― to last longer than‖（比……持久）。out-：前缀，意思是―比…… 更…‖。如：Women are said to outlive men.据说女人比男人长寿。by a long way ：副词，意思是―大大地‖。练习：
1.Why does the author think the Eiffel Tower is transformed into symbol of a world on the move? A)Tourists from all over the world come to the Eiffel Tower by car or by plane.B)Tourists of all nationalities come to scribble on the cold iron of the tower.C)The Eiffel Tower is the tallest building in the world.D)The Eiffel Tower represents all the towers in the world.2.What seems strange to the author? A)Visitors prefer wasting time scribbling to enjoying the view.B)Visitors spends much time watching other people scribbling.C)Only Japanese,Brazilians and Americans like to mark their presence.D)Scribbling spread from country to country.3.Which statement is NOT true of Hugues Richard? A)He is a cyclist.B)He is a record holder.C)He climbed 747 steps up the tower in 19 minutes and 4 seconds.D)He cycled up to the tower's second floor.4.What did the builder use the Eiffel Tower for? A)Sending radio and television signals all over the world.B)Conducting research in various fields.C)Giving people inspiration.D)Demonstrating French culture.5.Which of the following is nearest in meaning to ―（The Eiffel Tower is like)a blank canvas for visitors to make of it what they will ______？
A)Visitors can do whatever they want on the tower.B)Visitors can paint on the tower whatever they want.C)Visitors can imagine freely what the tower represents.D)Visitors can draw on a blank canvas provided by the Tower management company.答案与题解：
1.B第一段提供了答案。见注释3、4、5。
2.A 第二段第一句中的句型 would rather do something than doing something else,也可以用 prefer doing something to doing something else的句型来表达。所以，A是正确选项。句型解 释见注释7。
3.C第四段i诉我们,Hugues Richard蹬车上塔，打破世界纪录。C不是正确选项，因为他 cycling up to the tower's second floor,而不是 climbing up the tower.4.B A不是正确选项，因为Gustave Eiffel没有也不可能使用该塔向全世界发射电视信号。第五段的最后一句提供了答案。
5.C第六段的大意是：对不同的人，埃菲尔铁塔有不同的象征意义。见注释14。*第十九篇
The Family
The structure of a family takes different forms around the world and even in the same society.The family's form changes as it adapts to changing social and economic influences.Until recently, the most common form in North America was the nuclear family，consisting of a married couple with their minor children.The nuclear family is an independent unit.It must be prepared to fend for itself.Individual family members strongly depend on one another.There is little help from outside the family in emergencies.Elderly relatives of a nuclear family are cared for only if it is possible for the family to do so.In North America，the elderly often do not live with the family;they live in retirement communities and nursing homes.There are many parallels between the nuclear family in industrial societies，such as North
America，and of families in societies such as that of the Inuits，who live in harsh environments.The nuclear family structure is well adapted to a life of mobility.In harsh conditions，mobility allows the family to hunt for food.For North Americans，the hunt for jobs and improved social status also requires mobility.The nuclear family was not always the North American standard.In a more agrarian time，the small nuclear family was usually part of a larger extended family.This might have included grandparents，mother and father，brothers and sisters，uncles，aunts，and cousins.In North America today，there is a dramatic rise in the number of single-parent households.Twice as many households in the United States are headed by divorced，separated，or never-married individuals as are comprised of nuclear families.The structure of the family，not just in North America, but throughout the world，continues to change as it adapts to changing conditions.词汇:
nuclear /'nju:kh/ adj.原子核的，中心的 harsh /ha:?/ n.严酷的
emergency /I'm?:d??nsI/ n.紧急状况 agranan / ?'gre?rl?n/ adj.土地的，耕地的 注释:
1.lt must be prepared to fend for itself.它必须能够照料自己。
2.In North America，the elderly often do not live with the family;they live in retirement communities and nursing homes.在北美洲，老人很少和家人一起生活;他们一般住在退休社
区和养老机构。
3.In harsh conditions，mobility allows the family to hunt for food.:在恶劣的条件下，流动性能让一个家庭吃饱饭。
练习:
1.Another good title for this passage would be_____.A)What Makes a Family?
B)The Life of the Inuits.C)Living with Hardship.D)The Failure of theNuclear Family.2.A nuclear family is defined as_____.A)a married couple with their minor children
B)a single father with，minor children
C)parents，grandparents，and children
D)parents，children，and aunts and uncles
3.The information in this passage would most likely be found in_____.A)an anthropology textbook
B)a biology textbook
C)a mathematics textbook
D)a geography textbook
4.The information in the first paragraph is presented mainly through _____.A)listing statistics
B)telling a story
C)pointing out similarities
D)pointing out differences
5.The word mobility means_____.A)money
B)readiness to move
C)organization
D)skill
答案与题解:
1.A 本题问的是:这篇文章的题目还可以是什么? A 的意思是是什么构成了一个家。B 的意 思是因纽特人的生活。C 的意思是生活得很艰难。D 的意思是核心家庭的失败之处。根据文意，本文主要介绍了与家庭相关的信息。B 不是主要内容。C 未提到。D 未提到。因此A 是正确的答案。
2.A 本题问的是:核心家庭的定义是什么?根据第一段的第三句话:Until recently，the most common form in North America was the nuclear family，consisting of a married couple with
their minor children.可知 A 是正确的答案。
3.A 本题问的是:这篇文章最有可能出自哪里? A 的意思是人类学课本。B 的意思是生物课本。C的意思是数学课本。D 的意思是地理课本。本文主要介绍了家庭，因此最有可能是
人类学课本。所以 A 是正确的答案。
4.C 本题问的是:第一段的信息主要以何种方式陈述的?根据第一段的陈述方式，并没有列 出数据或者讲故事，而是通过描述共性而阐述出核心家庭的概念。因此 C 是正确的答案。
5.B 本题问的是:mobility 的词意。Mobility 是 mobile 的名词形式。根据文中第二段，核心家庭能够生存下去最重要的是能够有流动性，而钱、组织或是技能都不是能够使一个家庭吃饱饭的必要条件。因此 B 是正确的答案。*第二十篇
Tales of the Terrible Past
It is not the job of fiction writers to analyze and interpret history.Yet by writing about the past in a vivid and compelling manner，storytellers can bring earlier eras to life and force readers to consider them seriously.Among those taking on the task of recounting history are some black writers who attempt to examine slavery from different points of view.Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison deals specifically with the legacy of slavery in her book Beloved.The main character in this novel，a former slave called Sethe，lives in Ohio in the years following the Civil War，but she cannot free herself from her horrific memories.Through a series of flashbacks and bitter reminiscences，the reader learns how and why Sethe escaped from the plantation she had lived on;the fate of her husband，who also tried to escape;and finally，what happened to the child called Beloved.Morrison's scenes of torture and murder are vivid and strongly convey the desperation of the slaves and the cruelty of their owners.Charles Johnson's Middle Passage approaches slavery from a different，yet no less violent，vantage point.His main character，Rutherfprd Calhoun，is a ne'er-do-well free black American who stows away on a slave ship bound for Africa to collect its “cargo”.Put to work after he is discovered，Calhoun witnesses firsthand the appalling conditions in which the captured Africans are transported.When they finally rebel and take over the ship，he finds himself in the middle--and is forced to come to terms with who he is and what his values are.Neither Beloved nor Middle Passage is an easy read，but both exemplify African American writers' attempts to bring significant historical situations alive for a modem audience.词汇:
interpret /in't?:prit/ v.解释，翻译 desperation /desp?'rei??n/ n.绝望的境地
recount /ri'kaunt / v.叙述 capture /'kæpt?? / v.俘获
slavery /'sleiv?ri / n.奴隶制度
注释:
1.Yet by writing about the past in a vivid and compelling manner，storytellers can bring earlier eras to life and force readers to consider them seriously.然而通过用一种生动有趣的方式来描
写过去，小说家可以将早期时代重现，并引起读者的重视。
2.His main character.Rutherford Calhoun.is a ne'er-do-well free black American who stows away on a slave ship bound for Africa to collect its “cargo”.他的主人公叫做 Rutherford Calhoun，是一个游手好闲，身份自由的美国黑人。他偷偷登上了一艘开往非洲贩卖奴隶的船只。
练习:
1.This passage is mostly about__________.A)the causes of slavery in America B)black writers in the late 20th century
C)why Morrison and Johnson wrote the books they did D)two novels that deal with slavery 2.Beloved is set__________.A)on a slave ship
B)on a plantation before the Civil War C)in Ohio after the Civil War D)in an African town
3.The writer seems to feel that__________.A)eveyone should read Morrison's and Johnson's novels B)the books are worthwhile but challenging C)black writers should ignore racial issues
D)we will repeat the past if we don‘t learn about it
4.The writer emphasizes that the two books are similar in their__________.A)use of flashbacks B)treatment of women C)criticism of whites D)portrayal of violence
5.The word appalling means__________.A)terrible B)surprising C)guilty D)unrealistic 答案与题解:
1.D 本题问的是:这篇文章主要讲什么? A的意思是美国奴隶制的原因。B的意思是20世纪的黑人作家。C的意思是莫里森和约翰逊写书的原因。D的意思是关于奴隶制的两本小说。本文主要介绍了莫里森和约翰逊各自关于奴隶制的小说的主要内容，因此D是正确的答案。
2.C 本题问的是:―宠儿‖的设置背景是什么?根据第二段的第二句话:a fornier slave called Sethe，lives in Ohio in the years following the Civil War可知其背景是在内战之后的俄亥俄州。因此C是正确的答案。
3.B 本题问的是:作者的感觉是什么?A的意思是每个人都应该读莫里森和约翰逊的小说。B的意思是这些作品非常值得写但又很有挑战性。C的意思是黑人作家应当忽略种族问题。D的意思是如果我们没有学习过去，那么这些过去会重现。A，C，D原文没有体现，因此B是正确的答案。
4.D 本题问的是:作者强调两部作品的共同之处是什么?根据第三段的第一句话:yet no less violent可知两部作品都有对暴力的描写。因此D是正确的答案。
5.A 本题问的是:appalling的意思是什么?根据第三段对运送非洲人去美国的描述可知，此状况必然是不好的，糟糕的。A的意思是糟糕的。B的意思是令人惊讶的。C的意思是有罪的。D的意思是不现实的。因此根据文意，A是正确的答案。
*第二十六篇
Seeing the World Centuries Ago
If you enjoy looking through travel books by such familiar authors as Arthur Frommer or Eugene Fodor，it will not surprise you to lean that travel writing has a long and venerable history.Almost from the earliest annals of recorded time individuals have found ready audiences for their accounts of journeys to strange and exotic locales.1
One of the earliest travel writers，a Greek geographer and historian named Strabo，lived around the time of Christ.Though Strabo is known to have traveled from east of the Black Sea west to Italy and as far south as Ethiopia，he also used details gleaned from other writers to extend and enliven his accounts.His multivolumed work Geography provides the only surviving account of the cities，peoples，customs，and geographical peculiarities of the whole known world of his time.Two other classic travel writers，the ltalian Marco Polo and the Moroccan Ibn Battutah，lived in roughly the same time period.Marco Polo traveled to China with his father and uncle in about A.D.1275 and remained there 16 or 17 years，visiting several other countries during his travels.When Marco returned to ltaly he dictated his memoirs，including stories he had heard from others，to a scribe，with the resulting book II milione being an instant success.Though difficult to attest to the accuracy of all he says，Marco's book impelled Europeans to begin their great voyages of exploration.2
lbn Battutah's interest in travel began on his required Muslim joumey to Mecca in 1325，and during his lifetime he journeyed through all the countries where Islam held sway.3 His travel book
the Rihlah is a personalized account of desert journeys，court intrigues，and even the effect of the Back Death in the various lands he visited.In almost 30 years of traveling it is estimated that Ibn
Battutah covered more than 75，000 miles.词汇:
venerable / 'ven?r?bl/ adj.庄严的，值得尊敬的 enliven /in'laiv?n/ v.使生动
account /?'kaunt/ n.记述 voyage /'v?iid? / n.航行
exotic /ig'z?tik/ v.异国的，外来的 注释:
1.Almost from the earliest annals of recorded time individuals have found ready audiences for their accounts of journeys to strange and exotic locales.几乎从最早有时间记载开始，人们就发现，他们对去一个陌生地方旅行的记录是不乏读者的。
2.…Marco's book impelled Europeans to begin their great voyages of exploration.……马可的书促使欧洲人开始了他们伟大的航海探索之旅。
3.…he journeyed through all the countries where Islam held sway.……他去了所有伊斯兰教掌权的国家旅行。
练习:
1.This passage is mostly about__________.A)why people find travel writing exciting
B)the literary style of three early travel writers
C)where three early travel writers went and wrote about
D)how to write a travel book
2.Ibn Battutah traveled__________.A)to China
B)to Ethiopia
C)throughout the Muslim word
D)for 16 or 17 years
3.The books bf the three writers were popular because__________.A)they listed good places to stay
B)they told of strange and exotic locales
C)they explained the best routes to get to places
D)all of their stories were firsthand accounts
4.The overall organization of this passage is through__________.A)chronological order
B)spatial description
C)travel writers‘ personal narratives
D)persuasive details
5.In this passage attest means to__________.A)give an examination to
B)draw a map of
C)tell lies to
D)give proof of
答案与题解：
1.C 本题问的是:这篇文章主要讲了什么? A的意思是为什么人们觉得旅行写作令人激动。
B 的意思是三位早期旅行作家的文学风格。C的意思是三位早期旅行作家去过的地方以及 他们的写作内容。D的意思是如何写一部旅行作品。根据本文内容，C选项最符合题意。因此C是正确的答案。
2.C 本题问的是:Ibn Battutah到过哪里旅行?根据最后一段的第一句话:he journeyed through all the countries where Islam held sway，可知，他去过了所有穆斯林的国家。因此C是正确的答案。
3.B 本题问的是:三位作家的作品都很受欢迎，原因是什么? A 的意思是他们列出了好的地 方。B的意思是他们写出了陌生的外面的地方。C的意思是他们说明了去一些地方的最好路线。D的意思是他们的所有故事都是一手资料。根据第一段的最后一句话可知，旅行作品吸引读者的地方在于它描述了一个陌生的地方，因此B是正确的答案。
4.A 本题问的是:这篇文章的整体布局是依照什么?本文主要依照时间顺序介绍了公元前后 的三位作家，按时间先后用序，因此A是正确的答案。
5.D 本题问的是:在这篇文章中attest是什么意思? attest出现在第三段的最后一句话，为的
是表达马可所说的无法被证实是否都属实。A的意思是考察。B的意思是画一张地图。C的意思是说谎。D的意思是证实。因此D是正确的答案。第三十篇
―Lucky‖ Lord Lucan-----Alive or Dead
On 8th November 1974 Lord Lucan，a British aristocrat，vanished.The day before，his children's nanny had been brutally murdered and his wife had been attacked too.To this day the British public are still interested in the murder case because Lucan has never been found.Now，over 30 years later，the police have reopened，the case，hoping that new DNA techniques will he1p solve this murder mystery.1
People suspected that―Lucky‖，as he was called by friends，wanted to kill his wife he no longer lived with.They say that Lucan entered his old house and in the dark，killed the nanny by mistake.His estranged wife heard noises，came downstairs and was also attacked，but managed to escape.Seven months after the murder，a jury conc1uded that Lucan had ki1led the nanny.What happened next is unc1ear，but there are several theories which fall into one of three categories：he may have killed himself，he could have escaped or he might have been killed.It appears that the night after the murder，―Lucky‖borrowed a car and drove it，Lucan's friend Aspinall said in an interview that he thought Lucan had committed suicide by sinking his boat in the English Channel.Another version of events says that ―Lucky‖ left the blood-soaked car on the coast and took a ferry to France.2 He was met there by someone who drove him to safety in another country.However，after a time，his rescuers became worried that they would become involved in the murder too and so Lucan was killed.A further fascinating theory was made in the book Dead Lucky by Duncan MacLaughlin，a former detective.He believes that Lucan travelled to Goa，India，where he assumed the identity of a Mr Barry Haplin.Lucan then lived in Goa till his death in 1996.In the end the c1aim turned out be a case of mistaken identity.The man who died in 1996 was real1y Haplin，an ex-schoolteacher turned hippy.So what is the truth about Lucky? DNA testing has solved many murder cases，but who knows if it can cIose the book on this one.3
词汇：
vanish / 'v rnf / v.消失 suicide /'sjvisaid/ n.自杀
case / keis / n.案件 detective / d‘ tekt iv/ n.侦探
nanny /'n ni/ n.保姆
注释：
1.Now，over 30 years later，the police have reopened the case，hoping that new DNA techniques will help solve this murder mystery.30 多年后的今天，警察重新调查案件，希望新的 DNA技术帮助揭开这个谋杀之谜。
2.Another version of events says that ―Lucky‖ left the blood-soaked car on the coast and took a ferry to France.另一个版本是说―幸运的‖把被血染了的车子扔在了海岸上，乘上了一艘开往法国的船。
3.DNA testing has solved many murder cases，but who knows if it can close the book on this one.DNA 鉴定破了很多谋杀案件，但是不知它能否把这个案件做个了结。
练习：
1.The public are still interested in the investigation because______.A)of the terrible murder
B)of the use of new DNA techniques
C)Lord Lucan has never been found
D)Loard Lucan was famous
2.It is thought that Lucan killed the nanny because______.A)she was looking after the children
B)she was a friend of Lucan's
C)it was dark and he thought she was Lady Lucan
D)Loard Lucan thought the nanny stole his car
3.Aspinall thought Lucan killed himself by______.A)jumping into water
B)jumping out of his house
C)sailing his boat
D)sinking his boat
4.Lucan could have been killed because people ______.A)didn't want the police to catch him
B)thought he might talk to the police about them if he was caught
C)were unhappy with him
D)thought he was rich
5.Ex-detective MacLaughlin claimed that Mr Barry Haplin ______.A)was an old schoolteacher
B)died in Goa，India
C)was really Lord Lucan in disguise
D)was a merchant
答案与题解：
1.C 本题问的是：公众对这件谋杀的调查依旧很感兴趣的原因是什么?根据第一段第二句 话：To this day the British public are still interested in the murder case because.Lucan has never been found.可知 C 是正确的答案。
2.C 本题问的是：Lucan 被认为是杀了保姆的凶手是因为什么? A 的意思是保姆正在照看孩子。B 的意思是她是 Lucan 的一个朋友。C 的意思是一片漆黑中 Lucan 以为她是自己的太太。D 的意思是Lucan 认为保姆偷了他的车。根据原文意思，可知 C 是正确的答案。
3.D本题问的是：Aspinall 认为 Lucan 是怎样自杀的?根据第三段的最后一句话：他觉得
Lucan 伯爵在英吉利海峡弄沉了自己坐的船，已经自杀了。因此 D 是正确的答案。
4.B本题问的是：Lucan 可能已经被杀了，原因是什么?根据第四段的最后一句话：他们担心 自己也会被卷入到谋杀案件中，因此杀了 Lucan。最符合此意的选项为 B，意思为他们觉得 如果 Lucan 被捕，他有可能跟警察提起这些人。
5.C 本题问的是：前侦探 MacLaughlin 声称Barry Haplin是什么?根据本文最后一段：
MacLaughlin确信，Lucan 逃到了印度的果阿，在那里他换了个身份假装 Barry Haplin 这个 人。C的意思是 Barry Haplin 是 Lucan 伯爵假装的。因此C是正确的答案。*第三十三篇
Oseola McCarty
LATE ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON in September 1999，Oseola McCarty，an elderly cleaning lady passed away in the little wooden frame house where she had lived and worked most of her life.It may seem like an ordinary end to a humble life，but there was something quite exceptional about this woman.1
In the summer of 1995，McCarty gave $ 150，000，most of the money she had saved throughout her life，to the University of Southern Mississippi in her hometown.The money was to help other African Americans through university.She had started her savings habit as a young child when she would return from school to clean and iron for money which she would then save.She led a simple，frugal existence，never spending on anything but her most basic needs.2 Her bank also advised her on investing her hard-earned savings.When she retired，she decided that she wanted to use the money to give children of limited
Means the opportunity to go to university.3 She had wanted to become a nurse，but had to leave school to look after ill relatives and work.When asked why she had given her life savings away，she replied，―I‘m giving it away so that children won't have to work so hard，like I did.‖ After news of her donation hit the media，over 600 donations were made to the scholarship fund.One was given by media executive，Ted Turner，who reputedly gave a billion dollars.She didn't want any fuss made over her gift，but the news got out and she was invited all over the United States to talk to people.Wherever she went，people would come up to her to say a few words or to just touch her.She met the ordinary and the famous，President Clinton included.In the last few years of her life，before she died of cancer，McCarty was given over 300 awards：she was honoured by the United Nations and received the Presidential Citizen' s Medal.Despite having no real education，she found herself with two honorary doctorates：one from the University of Southern Mississippi and the other from Harvard University.Her generosity was clearly an inspiration to many and proof that true selflessness does exist.词汇: frugal /'fru:g?l/ adj.节约的，俭朴的，花钱少 的，物质 的，廉价的 fuss /f?s / n.慌乱，小题大做，抱怨争吵 V.忙
donation /d?v‘neif? n/ n.捐赠，捐款，捐赠的 乱，(为小事)烦恼抱怨
注释:
1.It mayseem like an ordinary end to a humble life，but there was something quite exceptional about this woman.这位老妇人看似平凡的一生却有着非同寻常的意义。
2.She led a simple，frugal existence，never spending on anything but her most basic needs.她一生过着简单、节俭的生活，除了生活必需品外她从不在其他事情上花钱。
3.When she retired，she decided that she wanted to use the money to give children of limited means the opportunity to go to university.当她退休的时候，她决定用钱给那些条件有限的孩 子提供上大学的机会。
练习:
1.This woman shocked and inspired the world because _______.A)she had managed to save so much money
B)she gave her money to African Americans
C)she gave her life savings to help others through university
D)she only spent money on cheap things
2.She managed to save so much mOI1y because_______.A)she had ironed and washed clothes all her life
B)she had worked hard，saved hard and invested carefully
C)she had opened a good向 bank account
D)she knew how to make money
3.She gave her money away because_______.A)she wanted to help-the university B)she wanted others to have the chance to become nurses
C)she wanted others to have the opportunity to escape a hard life
D)she want to be remembered after her death
4.When her generosity was made_______.A)people donated billions
B)hundreds of students got scholarships
C)hundreds of people put money into the fund
D)she was sent to university
5.McCarty became famous because _______.A)of her generosity
B)of her exceptional skills
C)she had saved $ 150，000
D)she travelled all over America
答案与题解:
1.C 本题的问题是:这个女人震撼和鼓舞世界的原因是什么?从文章的第一段最后一句看出 这个女人有不同于寻常人的地方，第二段第一句直接给出了她不同寻常有着卓越意义的原因，即捐款 150000 美元。故此题答案为 C。A、B 项不切题。D 选项未提及。
2.B本题的问题是:她能够攒下如此多的钱的原因是什么?从文中第二段最后一句话与第三 段第一句话可以得出结论，她从年轻的时候便开始有积蓄的习惯并且除了生活必需品外几
乎没有开销，故本题答案为 B。A 项不切题，C，D 项未提及。
3.C本题的问题是:她把钱捐出来的原因是什么?由第四段中间她的回答可知，她是想让孩 子们摆脱苦难的生活，不用生活得如此艰辛。故此题答案为 C。
4.C 本题的问题是:她的慷慨行为公之于世后有什么样的影响?由第四段最后两句可得出答
案，原文只提及一个名为 Ted Turner 的人捐款十亿美元，所以 A 选项不正确，B 选项不切题，D 选项未提及，故本题正确答案为 C。
5.A本题的问题是：McCarty 因什么而闻名?总览全文可知A为正确答案C，D 选项不切题，B 选项未提及。+第三十四篇
To Have and Have Not
It had been boring hanging about the hotel all afternoon.The road crew were playing a game with dollar notes.Folding them into small planes to see whose would fly the furthest.1 Having nothing better to do，I joined in and won five，and then took the opportunity to escape with my profit.Despite the evil-looking clouds，I had to get out for a while.I headed for a shop on the other side of the street.Unlike the others，it didn't have a sign shouting its name and business，and instead of the usual impersonal modern lighting，there was an appealing glow inside.Strangely nothing was displayed in the window.Not put off by this，I went inside.It took my breath away.I didn't know where to look, where to start.On one wall there hung three hand-stitched American quilts that were in such wonderful condition they might have been newly-made.I came across tin toys and antique furniture, and on the wall in front of me, a 1957 Stratocaster guitar , also in excellent condition.A card pushed between the strings said $50.I ran my hand along a long shelf of records, reading their titles.And there was more...―Can I help you？‖ She startled me.I hadn't even seen the woman behind the counter come in.The way she looked at me, so directly and with such power.It was a look of such intensity that for a moment I felt as if I were wrapped in some kind of magnetic or electrical field.I found it hard to take and almost turned away.But though it was uncomfortable.I was fascinated by the experience of her looking straight into me, and by the feeling that I was neither a stranger, nor strange, to her.Besides amusement her expression showed sympathy.It was impossible to tell her age；she reminded me faintly of my grandmother because, although her eyes were friendly, I could see that she was not a woman to fall out with.I spoke at last.'I was just looking really,' I said, though secretly wondering how much of the stuff I could cram into the bus.The woman turned away and went at once towards a back room, indicating that I should follow her.But it in no way lived up to the first room.The light made me feel peculiar, too.It came from an oil lamp that was hung from the centre of the ceiling and created huge shadows over everything.There were no rare electric guitars, no old necklaces, no hand-painted boxes with delicate flowers.It was also obvious that it must have taken years, decades, to collect so much rubbish, so many old documents arid papers.I noticed some old books, whose gold lettering had faded, making their titles impossible to read.'They look interesting,' I said, with some hesitation.'To be able to understand that kind of writing you must first have had a similar experience,' she said clearly.She noted the confused look on my face, but didn't add anything.She reached up for a small book which she handed to me.'This is the best book I can give you at the moment,' she laughed.―If you use it.‖ I opened the book to find it full.or rather empty, with blank white pages, but paid her the few dollars she asked for it, becoming embarrassed when I realised the notes were still folded into little paper planes.I put the book in my pocket, thanked her and left.词汇：
impersonal /im'p?:s?n?l/ adj.客观的；非个人的；没有人情味的；[语] 非人称的 n.[语]非人称动词；不具人格的事物
antique / n'ti:k/ adj.古老的，年代久远的 n.古董，古玩
startle /'stɑ:tl/ vt.vi.使吓一跳，使惊奇 n.惊愕，惊恐
arid / ' rid/ adj.干旱的，枯萎的。毫无生气的 magnetic /m g'netik/ adj.有吸引力的，磁极的 注释：
1.The road crew were playing a game with dollar notes.Folding them into small planes to see whose would for the furthest.巡回乐团道具管理组的成员在用美元玩儿游戏，把纸币折成纸飞机的形状然后看谁飞得最远。
2.I was fascinated by the experience of her looking straight into me, and by the feeling that I was neither a stranger , nor strange, to her.我还是觉得那种被直视的感觉很美妙，那种感觉是我既不是陌生人而且对她来说并不陌生。
3.The light made me feel peculiar, too.It came from an oil lamp that was hung the centre of the ceiling and created huge shadows over everything.房间的灯光也让我感觉和特别，灯光来自天花板上的油灯，使一切都笼罩在巨大的阴影之下。
练习：
1.Why did the writer want to leave the hotel?
A)To enjoy the good weather.B)To have a change of scene.C)To spend all his winnings.D)To get away from the crew.2.What attracted the writer to the shop?
A)The lack of a sign or name.B)The fact that it was nearby.C)The empty window display.D)The light coming from inside.3.The writer found the stock in the front of the shop__________.A)of top quality
B)of good value
C)difficult to get at
D)badly displayed
4.What was unusual about the way the woman looked at him?
A)It made him feel self-conscious.B)She was happy to stare at him.C)She seemed to know him well.D)It made him want to look away.5.The writer disliked the back room because__________.A)there was hardly anything in it
B)she had ordered him to go there
C)he saw nothing he really liked
D)it was too dark to look around
答案与题解：
1.B 本题的问题是：为什么作者想要离开宾馆？由本文第一段第一句可以得出答案。在宾馆是十分无聊的，最后一句也写出作者不顾天气不好而想要出去走走，A，C选项错误，D选项未提及。
2.D 本题的问题是：是什么吸引作者到那个商店？由第二段中间―there was an appealing glow inside.‖ 可以得出答案。A，C选项不切题。D选项未提及。
3.A 本题的问题是：作者发现在小店前面存放的物品是怎样的？从第三段对于物品的详细描述可以得出答案。― On one wall there hung three hand-stitched American quilts that were in such wonderful condition they might have been newly-made.I came across tin toys and antique furniture, and on the wall in front of me, a 1957 Stratocaster guitar , also in excellent condition.‖
4.C 本题的问题是：那个女人看他的方式有什么不同？由第四段最后一句―I was fascinated by the experience of her looking straight into me, and by the feeling that I was neither a stranger, nor strange, to her.‖有一种似曾相识的感觉。
5.C 本体的问题是：作者不喜欢后屋的原因？从文中的第六段和第七段可以得出结论，他认为没有什么他真正喜欢的东西。―It was also obvious that it must have taken years, decades, to collect so much rubbish, so many old documents arid papers.‖―I noticed some old books, whose gold lettering had faded, making their titles impossible to read.'They look interesting,' I said, with some hesitation.‖ +第三十五篇
Going Her Own Way
When she was twelve, Maria made her first important decision about the course of her life.She decided that she wanted to continue her education, Most girls from middle-class families chose to stay home after primary school，though some attended private Catholic “finishing” schools.There they learned a little about music，art，needlework，and how to make polite conversation.This was not the sort of education that interested Maria —or her mother.By this time，she had begun to take her studies more seriously.She read constantly and brought her books everywhere.One time she even brought her math book to the theater and tried to study in the dark.Maria knew that she wanted to go on learning in a serious way.That meant attending the public high school，something that very few girls did.In Italy at the time，there were two types of high schools: the “classical” schools and the “technical” schools.In the classical schools，the students followed a very traditional program of studies，with courses in Latin and Greek language and literature，and Italian literature and history1.The few girls who continued studying after primary school usually chose these schools.Maria，however，wanted to attend a technical school.The technical schools were more modem than the classical schools and they offered courses in modern languages，mathematics，science，and accounting2.Most people — including Maria's father — believed that girls would never be able to understand these subjects.Furthermore，they did not think it was proper for girls to study them.Maria did not care if it was proper or not.Math and science were the subjects that interested her most.But before she could sign up for the technical school，she had to win her father' sapproval.She finally did，with her mother's help，though for many years after，there was tension in the family.Maria's father continued to oppose her plans，while her mother helped her.In 1883，at age thirteen，Maria entered the “Regia Scuola Tecnica Michelangelo Buonarroti” in Rome.Her experience at this school is difficult for us to imagine.Though the courses included modern subjects，the teaching methods were very traditional.Learning consisted of memorizing long lists of facts and repeating them back to the teacher.Students were not supposed to ask questions or think for themselves in any way.Teachers were very demanding，discipline in the classroom was strict，and punishment was severe for those who failed to achieve or were disobedient.词汇:
discipline /'disiplin/ n.纪律，学科，训练，惩罚 punishment / 'p?ni?m?nt/ n.惩罚，严厉对待，虐待 注释: 1.In the classical schools，the students followed a very traditional program of studies，with courses in Latin and Greek language and literature，and Italian literature and history.在传统学校中，学生们都依照一种非常传统的教学方式学习，包含拉丁语、希腊语与文学课，还有意大利文学与历史。
2.The technical schools were more modem than the classical schools and they offered courses in modern languages，mathematics，science，and accounting.技术学校比传统学校要现代得多，他们提供的课程有现代语言、数学、自然科学，以及会计学。练习:
1.Maria wanted to attend________.A）private ―finishing‖ school B）school with Latin and Greek C）technical high school D）school for art and music 2.In those days, most Italian girls________.A)went to classical schools B)went to ―finishing‖ schools C)did not go to high school D)went to technical schools 3.You can infer from this passage that________.A)girls usually attended private primary schools B)only boys usually attended technical schools C)girls did not like going to school D)only girls attended classical schools 4.Maria‘s father probably________.A)had very modern views about women B)had very traditional views about women C)had no opinion about women D)thought women could not learn Latin 5.High school teachers in Italy In those days were________.A)very modern B)very intelligent C)quite scientific D)quite strict 答案与题解： 1.C 本题的问题是：Maria想去个怎样的学校？由文中第三段可明确得出结论。―Maria, however, wanted to attend a technical school.‖ A, B, D项均有明显错误。
2.C 本题的问题是：在当时的意大利大多数女孩的选择是什么？由文中的第一段可知―Most girls from middle¬–class families chose to stay home after primary school ,‖所以本题的正确答案为C。
3.B 本题为推理题，问题是：从全文可以得出什么样的结论？A选项未提及。C选项错误，原文只说大多数女孩子都选择呆在家里，并未说她们都不喜欢读书。D选项错误，原文只说就算是上学的话大多数女孩子都选择传统学校，而并非只有女孩子可以去。所以正确答案为B。
4.B 本题问的是：Maria的父亲对女性的态度是什么？由文中第三段倒数第二句―Most people—including Maria‘s father —believed in the girls would never be able to understand these subjects.‖可以得出答案，父亲和大多数人一样都持传统观念。
5.D 本题的问题是：当时的意大利高中教师是怎样的？从文中最后一段可以得出结论―Teachers were very demanding, discipline in the classroom was strict, and punishment was severe for those who failed to achieve or were disobedient,‖故正确答案为D。第三十七篇
Pop Music in Africa
Young musicians in African countries are creating a new kind of pop music.The tunes and the rhythms of their music combine African traditions with various forms of music popular today, such as hip-hop, rap, rock, jazz, or reggae.The result is music that may sound familiar to listeners anywhere in the world, but at the same time is distinctly African.It is different also in another way: Many of the songs are very serious and they deal with important social or political issues in Africa today.Eric Wainaina is one of these African musicians.He grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, in a family of musicians.As a teenager, he listened to pop music from the United States, and later he moved to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music.Now he has produced a CD in Kenya.Eric's most popular song, “Land of ‗A Little Something‘‖ is about Kenya's problem of bribery, or paying others for illegal favors.He wants people to listen to his songs and think about how to make Kenya a better place to live.Another musician who writes serious songs is Witness Mwaijaga from Tanzania.Her own experiences have helped her understand the suffering of many African women.At the age of fifteen she lost her home, but she was luckier than other homeless young people.She could make a living by writing songs and singing on the street.By the time she was eighteen years old, she had become a star.Her songs are written in rap or hip-hop style about the problems that she sees in Tanzania, especially AIDS and the lack of rights for women1.Baaba Maal, from Senegal, also feels that pop music must go beyond entertainment.He says that in Senegal, storytellers have always been important people.In the past, they were the ones who kept the history of their people alive.Baaba believes that songwriters now have a similar responsibility.They must write about the world around them and help people understand how it could be better.The words of his songs are important, in fact.They speak of peace and cooperation among Africans, as well as the rights of women, love for one' s family, and saving the environment2.One of South Africa's most popular musicians is Brenda Fassie.She is sometimes compared to Madonna, the American pop star, because she likes to shock people in her shows.But she also likes to make people think.She became famous in the 1980s for her simple pop songs against apartheid.Now that apartheid has ended, her songs are about other issues in South African culture and life.To sing about these, she uses local African languages and a new pop style called kwaito.In recent years, people outside of Africa have also begun to listen to these young musicians.Through music, the younger generation of Africans are connecting with the rest of the world and, at the same time, influencing the rest of the world.词汇：
reggae /'regei/ n.瑞格舞（西印度群岛的舞曲）bribery /'braib?ri/ n.行贿，贿赂 apartheid / ? 'P a:theit / n.种族隔离 注释：
1.Her songs are written in rap or hip-hop style about the problems that she sees in Tanzania, especially AIDS and the lack of rights for women.她用嘻哈和说唱的风格写歌，歌曲的内容是 坦桑尼亚的各种问题，特别是艾滋和女性权利的缺失。
2.They speak of peace and cooperation among Africans, as well as the rights of women, love for one's family, and saving the environment.他倡导在非洲要和平与协作，同时也包括妇女权利、热爱家庭和保护环境。练习：
1.This passage is about how African pop music is_______.A)usually about love and romance B)more serious than most pop music C)popular with young people in Africa D)mostly written just for entertainment 2.For people outside of Africa, African pop music is _______.A)the same as other pop music B)not usually very interesting C)entirely strange to them D)both familiar and different 3.The musicians mentioned in this passage all_______.A)write about serious problems B)studied in the United States C)lost their homes at a young age D)write songs in a new pop style 4.Eric Wainaina_______.A)prefers to sing in English B)listened to traditional music C)studied music in Boston D)performs only in the United States 5.Witness Mwaijaga writes about the problem of women partly because_______.A)she was had a difficult life herself B)there are many problems in Tanzania C)she has had an easy life herself D)there are no other women singers 答案与题解：
1.B 本题的问题是：非洲流行音乐的不同之处是什么？由第一段倒数第一句可以得出答案。―It is different also in another way : Many of the songs are very serious and they deal with important social or political issues in Africa today.‖ A,D项错误，C项未提及。2.D 本题的问题是：对于非洲以外的人来说，非洲流行音乐给他们的感觉是什么？从第一段可以得出答案。―The result is music that may sound familiar to listeners anywhere in the world , but at the same time is distinctly Afican.‖故正确选项为D。
3.A 本题的问题是：全文所提到的音乐家的共同的特点是什么？总览全文可以得出结论。全文通篇在讲有关社会和政治等严肃主题的音乐，故正确答案为A。B,C,D都有明显的错误。4.C 本题的问题是：Eric Wainaina的成长细节。由第二段可以得出答案。―…and later he moved to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music.‖ 其余选项均有错误。5.A 本题的问题是：Witness Mwaijaga 写有关女人的问题的原因是什么？答案在第三段第二句―Her own experiences have helped her understand the suffering of many African women.‖明显可见是她有切身经历。所以正确答案为A。+第三十八篇
Why So Many Children?
In many of the developing countries in Africa and Asia , the population is growing fast.The reason for this is simple : Women in these countries have a high birth rate — from 3.0 to 7.0 children per woman.The majority of these women are poor , without the food or resources to care for their families ? The answer may be that they often have no choice.There are several reasons for this.One reason is economic.In a traditional agricultural economy , large families are helpful.Having more children means having more workers in the fields and someone to take care of the parents in old age1.In an industrial economy, the situation is different.Many children , do not help a family;instead, they are an expense.Thus, industrialization has generally brought down the birth rate.This was the case in Italy, which was industrialized quite recently and rapidly.In the early part of the twentieth century, Italy was a poor, largely agricultural country with a high birth rate.After World WarⅡ, Italy's economy was rapidly modernized and industrialized.By the end of the century, the birth rate had dropped to 1.3 children per woman, the world's lowest.However, the economy is not the only important factor that influences birth rate.Saudi Arabia, for example, does not have an agriculture-based economy, and it has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.Nevertheless, it also has a very high birth rate(7.0).Mexico and Indonesia, on the other hand, are poor countries, with largely agricultural economies, but they have recently reduced their population growth.Clearly, other factors are involved.The most important of these is the condition of women.A high birth rate almost always goes together with lack of education and low status for women.2 This would explain the high birth rate of Saudi Arabia.There, the traditional culture gives women little education or independence and few possibilities outside the home.On the other hand, the improved condition of women in Mexico, Thailand, and Indonesia explains the decline in birth rates in these countries.Their governments have taken measures to provide more education and opportunities for women.Another key factor in the birth rate is birth control.Women may want to limit their families but have no way to do so.In countries where governments have made birth control easily available and inexpensive, birth rates have gone down.This is the case in Singapore, Sri Lanka, and India, as well as in Indonesia, Thailand, Mexico, and Brazil.In these countries, women have also been provided with health care and help in planning their families.These trends show that an effective program to reduce population growth does not have to depend on better economic conditions.3 It can be effective if it aims to help women and meet their needs.Only then, in fact, does it have any real chance of success.词汇：
industrialization / in‘d?stri?lai‘zei??n/ n.工业
possibility /p?s?'bil?ti/ n.可能性，可能发生的事物 effective /i'fektiv/ adj.有效的，起作用的，实际的 注释：
1.In a traditional agricultural economy, large families are helpful.Having more children means having more workers in the fields and someone to take care of the parents in old age.传统的农业经济中，家庭成员数目多是十分有利的。孩子多意味着田里的劳动力多且有人给父母养老。2.A high birth rate almost always goes together with lack of education and low status for women.高的生育率往往与妇女缺乏教育与社会地位低下相关。
3.These trends show that an effective program to reduce population growth does not have to depend on better economic conditions.这些趋势表明有效的控制人口的方案并不依赖于良好的经济状况。练习：
1.In a traditional agricultural economy, a large family_______.A.can be an advantage B.may limit income C.isn‘t necessary D.is expensive 2.When countries become industrialized, _______.A.families often become larger B.the birth rate generally goes down C.women usually decide not have a family D.the population generally grows rapidly 3.According to this passage, Italy today is an example of an _______.A.agricultural country with a high birth rate B.agricultural country with a low birth rate C.industrialized country with a low birth rate D.industrialized country with a high birth rate 4.Saudi Arabia is mentioned in the passage because it shows that _______.A.the most important factor influencing birth rate is the economy B.factors other than the economy influence birth rate C.women who have a high income usually have few children D.the birth rate depends on per capita income 5.In Mexico, Thailand, and Indonesia, the government _______.A.is not concerned about the status of women B.has tried to industrialize the country rapidly C.does not allow women to work outside the home D.has tried to improve the condition of women 答案与题解：
1.A 本题的问题是：在传统的农业经济中，大的家庭的影响是什么？从文中第二段第二句和第三句话可以得出明确的答案。―In a traditional agricultural economy, large families are helpful.Having more children means having more workers in the fields and someone to take care of the parents in old age.‖所以答案为A，是优势。
2.B 本题的问题是：当国家工业化后，人口和出生率的状况是什么？从第二段意大利的例子可以明确得出答案。―In the early part of the twentieth century, Italy was a poor, largely agricultural country with a high birth rate.After World War Ⅱ, Italy's economy was rapidly modernized and industrialized.‖由此可见出生率降低。
3.C 本题的问题是：本文举出意大利的例子要说明什么？从第二段意大利的前后对比的情况可以看出正确答案为C。
4.B 本题的问题是：文中提到沙特阿拉伯的例子说明了什么？由第三段开头可知―However, the economy is not the only important factor that influences birth rate.‖下面将要介绍其他的因素，之后以沙特阿拉伯为例。故正确答案为B。经济以外影响出生率的因素。
5.D本题的问题是：墨西哥、泰国、印度尼西亚的政府采取了怎样的措施？从文中第四段后半部分―On the other hand, the improved condition of women in Mexico, Thailand, and Indonesia explains the decline in birth rates in these countries.Their governments have taken measures to provide more education and opportunities for women.‖可以得出结论。另一方面从第四段开头也可以得出结论。―The most important of these is the condition of women.‖之后举出这几个国家的例子，从而也可以得出结论。
重磅阅读
+第四十七篇
Narrow Escape
We had left the hut too late that morning.When we stepped outside, the sky beyond the mountains to our east was already livid with colour.1 It meant the day would be a hot one, and the warmth would loosen rocks that were gripped by ice.As soon as we stepped out on to the face, it became obvious this was going to be an awkward route.The main problem was talus, the debris that collects on mountainsides.Talus is despised by mountaineers for two reasons.First, because it can easily be pushed off on to you by people climbing above.And second, because it makes every step you take insecure.For about 30 minutes we moved steadily up the face.The rock was in poor condition, shattered horizontally and mazed with cracks.When I tried to haul myself up on a block of it, it would pull out towards me, like a drawer opening.My hands became progressively wetter and colder2.Then came a shout.”Cailloux!Cailloux!“ I heard yelled from above, in a female voice.The words echoed down towards us.I looked up to see where they had come from.There were just two rocks at first, leaping and bounding down the face towards us, once cannoning off each other in mid-air.And then the air above suddenly seemed alive with falling rocks, humming through the air and filling it with noise.Crack, went each one as it leapt off the rock face, then hum-hum-hum as it moved through the air, then crack again.The pause between the cracks lengthened each time, as the rocks gained momentum and jumped further and further.I continued to gaze up at the rocks as they fell and skipped towards me.A boy who had been a few years above me at school had taught me never to look up during a rock fall.”Why? Because a rock in your face is far less pleasant than a rock on your helmet,“ he told us.”Face in, always face in.“ I heard Toby, my partner on the mountain that day, shouting at me.I looked across.He was safe beneath an overhanging canopy of rock.I could not understand him.Then I felt a thump, and was tugged backwards and round, as though somebody had clamped a heavy hand on my shoulder and turned me to face them.A rock had hit the lid of my rucksack.I looked up again.A rock was heading down straight towards me.Instinctively, I leant backwards and arched my back out from the rock to try to protect my chest.What about my fingers, though, I thought: they'll be crushed flat if it hits them, and I'll never get down.Then I heard a crack directly in front of me, and a tug at my trousers, and a yell from Toby.”Are you all right? That went straight through you.“The rock had pitched in front of me, and passed through the hoop of my body, between my legs, missing me but snatching at my clothing as it went.Toby and I had spent the evening talking through the events of the morning: what if the big final stone hadn't leapt sideways, what if I'd been knocked off, would you have held me, would I have pulled you off? A more experienced mountaineer would probably have thought nothing of it.I knew I would not forget it.词汇：
livid ['livid] adj.铅色的；青灰色的；非常生气的 awkward ['?:kw?d] adj.笨拙的；尴尬的；棘手的； grip/ɡrip / n.紧握；支配 vt.紧握；夹紧 注释：
1.When we stepped outside, the sky beyond the mountains to our east was already livid with colour.我们走到外面，东面笼罩在山上的天空是青灰色的。
2.For about 30 minutes we moved steadily up the face.The rock was in poor condition, shattered horizontally and mazed with cracks.When I tried to haul myself up on a block of it, it would pull out towards me, like a drawer opening.My hands became progressively wetter and colder.我们平稳前进了30分钟。岩石的状况很不好。当我们试图把自己拉上去，它就会滑向我们，像一个打开的抽屉。我的手巨剑出汗变得冰冷。
3.Then I felt a thump, and was tugged backwards and round, as though somebody had clamped a heavy hand on my shoulder and turned me to face them.A rock had hit the lid of my rucksack 然后我感到了一阵重击，紧紧向后拉扯，像是有人使劲儿地用手夹住我的肩膀然后把我转向面对他的方向。一块石头砸在了我背包的盖子上。练习：
1.Why was it ―too late‖ by the time they left the hut in the morning? A)It would be uncomfortable climbing in hot weather.B)The livid colour of the sky would hurt their eyes.C)Rocks loosened by melting ice could be dangerous.D)They wouldn't be able to walk on the melting ice.2.The first reason given to explain why mountaineers hate talus is_______.A)that climbers above you might cause it to fall on you B)that it allows people climbing above you to push off C)that it makes people climbing above you feel insecure D)that it can cause other people to push you off the mountain 3.What is likely to be the meaning of ”Cailloux“? A)Rocks are flying through the air.B)Rocks are falling.C)There are loose rocks on the ground ahead.D)There are rocks everywhere.4.What is sarcastic in the words of the boy in paragraph four? A)He didn't keep his ''face in”.B)Not every climber wears a helmet.C)It is very difficult not to look up during a rockfall.D)Being hit by a rock isn't “pleasant” at all.5.In what sense was Toby “safe”?
A)The overhanging rock would protect him from falling rocks.B)He felt a hand on his shoulder.C)His rucksack was protected.D)He had hidden under a canopy.答案与题解：
1.C 本题的问题是：为什么说他们离开小屋的时间晚了？由第一段可以知道答案―It meant the day would be a hot one, and the warmth would loosen rocks that were gripped by ice.‖可知岩石的状况已经不是很好了，故此题的正确答案为 C。
2.A 本题的问题是：登山者讨厌斜坡的第一个原因是什么？由原文第二段可以直接得出答 案。―First, because it can easily be pushed off on to you by people climbing above.‖
3.B 本题的问题是：―Cailloux‖这个词的意思是什么？由第三段后半部分与第四段开头可知 这个单词是石头滑落的意思。―it would pull towards me, like a drawer opening‖―There were just two rocks at first, leaping and bounding down the face towards us, once cannoning off each other in mid-air.‖
4.D 本题的问题是：在第四段男孩话语中讽刺的是什么？由第四段―‗Why? Because a rock in your face is far less pleasant than a rock on your helmet，‘he told us.‗Face in, always face in.‘‖可知正确答案为 D。
5.A 本题的问题是：Toby安全的标志是什么？由文中第五段―I looked across, he was safe beneath an overhanging canopy of rock.“可以得出答案。
第一篇 讲述关于人们的故事
最普遍的非小说类文学作品类型之一就是一些描述人们生活的故事，并且很多人喜欢阅读这 类作品。这些故事大致分为三类：自传、回忆录和传记o 自传是作者记录自己故事的文章。通常自传会、以作者最早期的回忆开始并以对现在情况的总 结作为结束。自传的作者也许不会完全客观地介绍自己。然而，他们给读者提供了一个途径来了 解自己比较好的行事风格和为何成就这样的&己。就像本杰明•富兰克林和海伦•凯勒一样，各 种各样的人们已经写了自传。其他的作者就像詹姆斯•乔伊斯一样仅仅写了关于自己生活的虚构 小说。这些不是自传，但是它们和自传非常相近。严格意义上来讲，回忆录是既注重作者本身的生活经历，也注重其所处的时代所发生的事件 的自传性的描述。回忆录作者通常把这些事件作为他们生活的背景。他们详细地描述这些事件并 论述这些事件的重要性。虽然近些年，回忆录这个词似乎开始变得可以和自传互换，但是目前回 忆录也许还没有因外界评论而有所改变。
传记事实上是记录（作者以外).其他人的生活。在很多方面，传记也许是这三种非小说类文 学作品中最难写的了。自传作者知悉他们所写的事件因为他们就生活在其中。但是传记作者不得 不尽量从很多不同的渠道来收集信息。然后他们不得不决定包含哪种事实。他们的目标是用比较 全面的图片来介绍一个人物，并不是过于萝极也不是过于批判。一个公正并详尽的传记也许要花 费许多年来研究并进行书写。
第八篇 变化中的中产阶级
美国把自己看成是一个中产阶级的国家。然而，中产阶级既不是一个真实的称号，也不会带 来特别待遇。它更是一个观念，一个也许在第二次世界大战之后会变得更加正确的观念。那时，美国经济不断增长，越来越多的人拥有了自己的家庭，工人们和雇佣自己的公司签订了可靠的合 同，并且几乎所有想受到高等教育的人能够接受教育。成功的人士享受这种上升的社会流动性。他们也许之前很穷，但是他们能够变得富有。成功人士同样发现他们有更好的地理流动性。换句 话说，他们发现自己正移居并生活在各种各样的地方。这些中产阶级都持有几种相同的价值观和原则。认为赚取足够金钱就可以决定自己经济命运 的想法，是其中一种比较强烈的价值观。另外，中产阶级的道德观包括个人的责任感、家庭的重 要性、对他人的使命感以及相信自我以外的事物。
但是在20世纪90年代，这些中产阶级的人们发现了成功的代价。1994年，《美国新闻与世 界报道》的一篇调查称，75%的美国人认为中产阶级家庭无法收支相抵。现在夫妻双方以及他们 的一些孩子都在工作；遥远的上下班路程变成了常态，儿童看护给家庭带来了很大压力，并且公 立学校已经不如以前那样好了。中产阶级的成员不再通过薪水来支付他们的生活所需，而是通过 使用信用卡来维持生活。对于中产阶级的理解正在发生变化。第十篇 艾伦的来信
我听说了一个要在叫Parson公园上建造三百所房子的计划。没有几个人知道这个打算将我们 的城镇扩大的计划。对我来说，Parson公园是非常特别的，因为它是一个美丽的天然公园，当地 人可以在此放松休息。这片小树林里有许多独特的树木并且这里的小溪受到了渔夫和野鸟观察者 的欢迎。这里很安静因为附近只有几所房子和几条公路。我认为失去这片公园会很糟糕，因为在 这附近我们没有其他与其相似的公园了。我反对这项计划也是因为它将会引起交通问题。住在新房子的人们将如何去工作呢？高速公 路和地铁站在城镇的另一端。因此，这些人每次出行的时候将不得不驱车穿越城镇中心。公路上 将总是有很多车辆，没有地方停车，并且来参观我们这儿可爱的老式建筑物的观光者将会离开这 里。商店和旅馆将赔钱。如果这个城镇真的需要更多的房子，那片在地铁站附近的空地是一个更 合适的地方o 毫无疑fe，通过出售这些房子建筑商们会赚很多钱。但是，在我看来，每个人将会因这个计 划的实施而快速地变穷。不但如此，我们将失去一个非常特别的地方，并且我们的城镇将会失去 很多快乐。
我将在周一早上到当地政府办公室抗议这项计划，并且我希望你们这些读者将会和我一起去 那里。我们必须让他们停止这项计划，否则就来不及了。
第十一篇 芭蕾舞的发展
芭蕾舞是一种历史悠久的舞蹈形式。事实上芭蕾舞延续至今说明了其随着时代的变化而有所调整。
在文艺复兴时期，芭蕾舞开始于皇家宫廷。在那时，芭蕾舞在国王、王后以及贵族之间变得普遍，并且与音乐、诗歌以及舞蹈一起参与盛会的表演。当这些娱乐形式从意大利宫廷流传到法 国宫廷的时候，宫女们开始参与进来。虽然她们的长裙子阻碍了很多的动作，但是她们能够表演 复杂的步伐。直到17世纪女舞者缩短了她们的裙子，改穿平底鞋，并且开始做一些男舞者表演的跳跃和转圈动作。
而且也是在17世纪，专业的芭蕾舞舞蹈团应运而生。法国国王路易十四建立了皇家舞蹈学 院，而他本身就是一个芭蕾舞爱好者。由此正式确定了脚的5个基本位置，这5个外开的位置成为发展色蕾舞技术的基础。18世纪末，发生了另一个重要的改变。芭蕾舞幵始通过自己的表演来 讲述故事。它再也不仅仅是幕间表演的插舞〗精致的假发和服装被淘汰。在19世纪初，舞者学会了用脚尖站立使其看起来像是在漂浮。
正如我们所知，现如今古典芭蕾主要受到了俄罗斯舞蹈的影响。在19世纪中叶，当欧洲其他 国家对于芭蕾舞的兴趣有所减少时，俄罗斯人始终保持着对芭蕾舞的兴趣。在20世纪初，最有影 响力的人物之一便是谢尔盖•基列夫。他的舞蹈公司俄罗斯芭蕾舞团，为芭蕾带来了新的动力与 活力。他的主要助手之一，乔治•巴兰钦，在1948年建立了纽约市芭蕾舞舞蹈团并影响了新一代的舞者。
第十六篇 撒哈拉沙漠
撒哈拉这个名字起源于阿拉伯谱单词―沙漠‖或―干草原‖。位于北非的撒哈拉沙漠是世界 上最大的沙漠，占地350万平方英里，大概相当于美国的大小。它横跨大西洋与红海间的大陆。日间气温可高达华氏130度。湿度有时会在13% ~ 19% ,但也可低达2.5% ,为世界最低湿度。撒哈拉沙漠的绝大多数地区每年的降雨量低于&英寸，但多年来大面积地区根本没下过雨。位于哈拉沙漠中心的是北非的内陆国尼日尔。这里的沙丘可高达100英尺，长至几英里。在这里，被沙漠覆盖的地区没有水和城镇，其面积大于德国。然而有一个叫做比尔马的镇子坐落 于环绕的沙漠中间。忽然间可看见好多个清澈的水潭。令人惊奇的是，那里还有椰枣林。在干河 床和洼地处可找到充足的地下水资源或者绿洲来支持灌溉农业。灌溉沟渠通过一条小溪到达水田 中。在这些田地里种植着玉米、木薯、茶叶、花生、辣椒、橘子树、酸橙树和柚子树。青草上放 养着驴和山羊。在尼日尔的撒哈拉地区，你仍然可以看到500只被系起来的骆驼排成一条宽松的队伍，组成 一个长达1英里的驼队，朝这样的绿洲城镇走去。在那里，驼队会收集从潮湿的盆地中开采出来 用于维持生命的盐，然后运回到位于400英里开外的、沙漠边缘的居住地。这种穿过广阔沙漠的 往返行程需要一个月的时间。
第十七篇 引人注目的埃菲尔铁塔
世箅各地的人们都来到大约300米高，接近埃菲尔铁塔顶端的地方涂鸦。日本人、巴西人、美国人都在冰冷的铁上涂上自己的名字、喜好和政治观点，使这最具有法兰西色彩的纪念碑成为 动感世界的象征。
从塔上可以看到巴黎市的远景，但奇怪的是观光者们宁愿花时间留下到此一游的痕迹，而不 去观赏风景。但这些涂鸦者也引起了一个问题：为什么在建成114年后，埃菲尔铁塔仍然这么受 欢迎?尽管它在几十年前减已经不是世界上最高的建筑物了。
这个问题的答案就像那构成90层的铁塔的工程一样复杂。一部分的理由是，毫无疑问，铁塔 是永不过时的。周期性的维护使得它永远不会被腐蚀掉。埃菲尔铁塔定期油漆，覆盖那些涂鸦, 但是它仍将继续存在下去。
―埃菲尔是巴黎的象征，而巴黎又代表了法国。所以，埃菲尔十分具有象征性。‖ Hugues Richard说道。这位31岁的法国人保持着在19分零4秒的时间内骑自行车经过747级台阶登上铁 塔二层的纪录。―这是铁娘子，能让人产生灵感，‖他说。但是它能使人们产生怎样的灵感呢？毕竟，铁塔并没有任何&的。1930年纽约的克莱斯勒大 厦取代它成为世界上最高的建筑。但是电视和广播信号仍然从塔顶发送出来，而古斯塔夫•埃菲 尔，这个狂热的建造者利用它的高度进行气象学、空气动力学和无线电通讯的研究。他在12月27 日逝世，终年91岁。本质上来说，铁塔伫立在那儿本身就是一个灵感——它就像一张空白的画布，任游客自由遐 想。对于那些善于从技术角度考虑伺题的人来说，它是一个工程上的胜利;而对于恋人们来说，它则象征着浪漫。
―这座塔将在我们所有的人离去后长久存在。‖埃菲尔铁塔管理公司的伊莎贝尔说。
第十八篇 美国教育的目标
教育是美国人的生活中很重要的一部分，花销也大。其规模宏大，种类多样。
与其他大多数国家相比，美国教育的不同在于美国教育是为每一个人设置的~”不只是为享 有特权的优等生。学校是要满足每个孩子的需要，不论其能力如何，同时也要满足社会本身的需 求。这意味着公立学校提供的教育不只限于学术方面的课程。很多人来到美国之后会吃惊地发现，高中除了提供传统课程，例如：数学、历史和语言之外，他们还提供一些课程如打字、缝纫、无 线电修理、.计算机课程或驾驶训练课程。学生选择课程是根据个人喜好、目标以及能力水平。美 国教育的潜在目标是将每一个孩子的能力最充分地发挥出来，培养每一个孩子的公民和社区觉悟感。
成千上万的移民者涌入这个国家，他们的出身背景不同。传统上,学校在建立民族团结以及 使移民者美国化两方面起着重大作用。在社区中，尤其在小城镇，学校仍然起着重要作用。大家对美国的教学方法彳以乎也很陌生。因为这种教学方法不仅不正式，而且不把重点放在学习具体知识上。相反，美国人教孩子独立思考，教他们自己去开发自己的智慧以及创造能力。学 生花很多时间学习怎样使用参考资料、图书馆、数据以及计算机。美国人认为只要孩子具有好的 推理能力，好的研究方法，他们就能在以后找到自己所需的具体知识。他们还认为懂得怎样解决 问题比积累事实更重要。
在这个变化万千的时代里，全世界细心的父母都在思考一个尖锐而深刻的问题：―怎样为孩 子的明天做准备呢？孩子的明天既不能预料也不能理解。‖上述的教学方法正是美国对这一问题 的回答。
第十九篇 家庭
在全世界，甚至在同一个社会中，家庭结构有着不同的形式。家庭的构成形式随着不断变化 的社会和经济影响而改变。直到最近，北美洲最普遍的家庭形式为核心家庭，由一对夫妇和他们 未婚的孩子构成。核心家庭是一个独立的单位。它必须能够照料自己。家庭成员紧密依赖着彼此。在紧急情况下，外界提供给家庭的帮助微乎其微。核心家庭中，只有当条件允许的时候，才会照 料家中年长的亲属。在北美洲，老人很少和家人一起生活，他们‗般住在退休社区和养老机构。
在工业社会，例如北美洲，核心家庭之间有很多相似点。在居住在恶劣环境中的因纽特人的 社会中，家庭间也有很多相似点。核心家庭结构良好地适应于流动性的生活。在恶劣的条件下，流动性能让一个家庭吃饱饭。对北美洲人来说，找工作和提高社会地位同样需要流动性。
核心家庭并不总是北美洲人的标准。在农业社会时期，小型的核心家庭经常是大家庭的一部 分。其中可能包括了祖父母、父母、兄弟姐妹、叔伯、阿姨以及表兄弟姐妹。在现在的北美洲，单亲家庭的数目大幅度增加。由核心家庭构成的单亲家庭的数目是美国由于离婚、分居或者未婚 导致的单亲家庭的两倍。不仅在北美洲，在世界范围内，家庭结构都会随着不断变化的条件而改变。
第二十篇 讲述可怕的过去
分析和诠释历史并不是小说家的工作。然而通过用一种生动有趣的方式来描写过去，小说家 可以重现早斯时代，并引起读者的重视。在叙述历史的作家中，有一些黑人作家试图从不同的角度审视奴隶制。
诺贝尔奖获得者托妮•莫里森在她的作品《宠儿》中专门阐述了奴隶制问题。小说的主人公叫塞丝，她以前是个奴隶，内战之后住在俄亥俄，但是她无法让自己从可怕的记忆中解脱出来。通过一系列的倒序和痛苦的回忆，读者了解到赛丝为什么以及怎样逃出她赖以生存的种植园，她 那同样试图逃出来的丈夫的命运，以及最后发生在叫做宠儿的孩子身上的事情。莫里森对奴隶受 折磨和遭谋杀的场景描写得很生动，充分地表达出奴隶们的绝望以及奴隶主的残酷。
查尔斯•约翰逊的小说《中途》从另一个不同的角度来描写奴隶制，但同样充满着暴力。他 的主人公叫做卢瑟福•卡尔霍恩，是一个游手好闲、身份自由的美国黑人。他偷偷登上了一艘开 往非洲贩卖奴隶的船只。被发现后，他开始为之工作，并亲眼目睹了非洲人被抓起来，然后被运 送到美国这种可怕的状况。当非洲人最终抵抗并占有了船只后，他发现了自己的中间性——并且 被迫与他自己的身份和价值观念妥协。
不论是《宠儿》还是《中途》读起来都不轻松，但是它们都是非裔美国作家努力为现代观众 重现重要历史的典范之作。
第二十六篇 看许久以前的世界
如果你喜欢读类似亚瑟•弗洛梅尔或尤金•弗多这些令人熟知的作家写的旅行图书，那么你 就不会惊讶于旅行写作那悠长、令人肃然起敬的历史。几乎从最早有记载的时期开始，人们就发 现，他们对去一个陌生地方旅行的记录是不乏读者的。
公元前后的希腊地理学家、历史学家斯特雷波，就是最早的旅行作家之一。虽然斯特雷波因 从黑海的东部出发，西至意大利1南至埃塞俄比亚而闻名，他也借鉴了其他作者的记录来使他的 作品内容更丰富生动。他的多卷著作《地理》是唯一一部记录当时世界上城市、人、风俗、地理 特征的作品。
大概同时期的另两位优秀的旅行作家是意大利人马可•波罗和摩洛哥人伊本•白图泰。马 可•波罗在公元1275年同他的父亲和叔叔去了中国，在那里待了十六七年，在这期间他也去了一 些其他国家。回到意大利后,他向一位作家口述了他旅行的回忆以及从别人那里听到的故事，最 终《马可•波罗游记》问世，迅速红了起来。虽然很难证实他所说的是否都属实，但马可的书促 使欧洲人开始了他们伟大的航海探索之旅。
伊本•白图泰在1325年出发去麦加朝圣，从此开始了他的旅行。在他的有生之年，他去了所 有的穆斯林国家旅行。他的书《伊本•白图泰游记》记载了沙漠旅行、宫廷阴谋，甚至包括他游 历过的地方受黑死病的影响。据估计，在差不多30年里，伊本•白图泰的旅行行程有7万5千多 英里。
第三十篇 ―幸运的‖鲁肯伯爵一是死是活
1974年11月8日，英国贵族鲁肯伯爵失踪。此前一天，他孩子们的保姆被残忍地杀害，他的 妻子也遭到了袭击。直到现在，英国民众对这个谋杀案仍然很感兴趣，因为鲁肯伯爵一直没有被 找到。30多年后的今天，警察重新调查案希望新的DNA技术帮助揭开这个谋杀之谜。
鲁肯伯爵被朋友称为―幸运的‖，人们猜测是他想要杀了他不再与之一起住的妻子。有人说 鲁肯踏进他的老房子，在一片漆黑中错杀了保姆。与他不和的妻子听到声音走下楼，也遭到了攻 击，但是她设法逃了出去。7个月后，陪审团断定是鲁肯杀了保姆。
接下来发生了什么谁也不清楚，但是众多断言被总结为三点：他自杀了，他逃跑了或者他可 能已经被杀了。在谋杀发生的第二天晚上，―幸运的‖借了一辆车然后幵走了。鲁肯的朋友皮诺 尔在一个采访中表示，他觉得鲁肯伯爵在英吉利海峡中弄沉了自己坐的船，已经自杀了。另一个版本是说―幸运的‖把被血染了的车子扔在了海岸上，乘上了一艘开往法国的船。某 些人在那发现了他，把他送往另一个国家使他安全。但是，过了一段时间，救他的人开始担心自 己也会被卷入到谋杀案件中，所以他们杀了鲁肯。一个更有意思的看法是前侦探邓肯•麦克劳克林在他的书《幸运者之死》中谈到的。他确信 鲁肯逃到了印度的果阿，在那里他换了个身份，假装这个人。鲁肯在果阿一直生活着，直到1996 年他去世。最终这个断言被证实是错误的。1996年去世的是真正的哈普林，他曾经是一个学校老 师，后来做了嬉皮士。那么关于―幸运的‖结果哪个是真的？ DNA鉴定破了很多谋杀案件，但是 不知它能否把这个案件做个了结。第三十三篇 老妇人Oseola McCarty ^ 1999年9月一个周日下午较晚的时候，一位上了年纪的名为McCahy的清洁工在她生活了大 半辈子的小木屋中去世了。这位老妇人看似平凡的一生却有着非同寻常的意义。
1995年夏McCarty把她一生的大部分积蓄共计15万美元全部捐给了她家乡的南密西西比大 学，用于帮助大学中的黑人完成学业。她年轻的时候就养成了积蓄的习惯，那时候她从学校放学 就去做清洁工作和熨烫衣服赚钱，并将钱存起来。
她一生过着简单、节俭的生活，除了生活必需品外她从不在其他事情上花钱。她退休的时候，决定资助那些条件有限的孩子上大学。她曾经想成为一名护士，但她不得不 离开学校照顾生病的亲戚。当问及她为什么会把一生的积蓄都捐赠出来时，她回答：―我将钱捐赠 出来，只是为了不让孩子们工作得那么辛苦，像我一样。‖捐赠的消息一经传出，就有600多名捐 赠者向奖学金基金捐款。其中一人是媒体管理人员，Fed Turner,号称捐赠了 10亿美元。她从未想过她的捐赠会产生什么样的影响，但消息一经传出，她就收到了来自美国各个地方 的邀请，去向人们介绍她的事。无论她去哪，都有人去跟她说话或去摸摸她。她见到过普通大众，也见过名流显赫，如克林顿总统。在她死于癌症的前几年，她获得了 300多个奖项，被联合国授 予过奖项，也获得过总统市民模范称号。从未受过正式教育的她，被南密西西比大学和哈佛大学 分别授予了荣誉博士学位。她的慷慨行为激励鼓舞了很多人，同肘也证明了世间确实存在真正的无私。第三十四篇 逃亡
在宾馆里闲待一个下午是很无聊的。巡回乐团道具管理组的成员在用美元玩儿游戏，把纸 币折成纸飞机的形状然后看谁飞得最远。因为没有什么事情可以做，我加入了他们并且贏了五 局，之后我找了个机会带着我贏的钱退出了游戏。尽管天色看起来不是很好，我还是决定出去 走一走。
我向前走到了街道另一边的一个小店里。与其他的小店不同，它没有吸引眼球的名字和主要 经营的项目，取而代之的是普通的霓虹灯，里面则是吸引人的强光。奇怪的是并没有什么影子映 射在窗户上。我并没有因为这个而停住脚步，我走了进去。我屏住呼吸，不知道看哪里也不知道从哪里开始看。一面墙上挂着三个手工缝制的美国壁毯，十分美丽，可能是新做的。我穿过易拉罐和散落的小玩意儿还有古董家具，在我面前的一面墙上 挂着一个崭新的1957年的Straocaster吉他。一张五十美元的卡插在琴弦上。我的手抚摸着放唱片 的架子，读着标题。这里还有很多的…… ―我可以帮助你吗？‖她吓了我一跳。我没有看见在柜台后面的女人。她看我的方式如此居 高临下，这一时让我很紧张像是被一种磁场或是电场紧紧包裹住。很难避开那个眼神。但是尽 管很不舒服，我还是觉得那种被直视的感觉很美妙，那种感觉对我来说不陌生，对她来说也不陌生。
除了愉悦以外她的神情还流露出慈爱和怜悯。我猜不出她的年龄。尽管她的眼神充满了友善，她使我想起了我的祖母。我能感觉到她是一个不喜欢与人争吵的人。最后我开口说话，―我真的只 是看看‖，私下里却在好奇有多少东西能够塞进汽车。
她转身离开到后面的屋子，示意我应该跟随其后，但这并非是第一个房间，房间的灯光也让 我感觉很特别，灯光来自天花板上的油饤，使一切都笼罩在巨大的阴影之下。这里没有罕见的电 吉他，没有古老的项链，没有鲜花装饰的手绘盒子。很明显它是陈旧的用来存放垃圾和那些平淡 无奇的旧文献的。我发现了一些旧书，那些金字巳经退去使题目很难辨认。―它们看起来很有趣。‖我迟疑地 说。―要想了解上面所写你必须有相似的经历―她清楚地说。她察觉到我的脸上充满了疑惑可是却没有再说什么。
她伸出手拿了一本小书然后递给了我。―这是目前我能够给你的最好的书‖，她笑着说道，―如果你要用它‖。我打开书发现全部是一片空白，但依然给了她向我要的几美元，当我察觉到美元依然是纸飞机的形状时不免有些尴尬。我把书放到包里，谢过她并离开了。第三十五篇 选择她自己的路
当她12岁的时候，玛利亚做出了她人生道路的第一个重要决定。她决定继续读书。对 于大多数来自中产阶级家庭的女孩子来说，小学毕业就都选择待在家里，尽管有一些参加了 教会办的女子精修学校。在那她们学习一些音乐、艺术、针线活，以及如何礼貌交谈。这些 并不是玛利亚所感兴趣的或者可以说也不是她妈妈感兴趣的。此时，她对待学习更加认真。她不停地读书，他走到哪里就把书带到哪里。有一次她甚至把数学书带到了剧院里，设法在黑暗中学习。
玛利亚道她想要继续正规学习。她想要到公立高中去学习，很少有女孩子这样做。在当时 的薏大利，有两种形式的髙中，一种是―传统‖学校，另一种是―技术类‖学校。在传统学校 中，学生们都依照一种非常传统的教学方式学习，包含拉丁语、希腊语及文学课，还有意大利的 文学与历史。极少数能继续学习的女孩们也大多选择这类学校。但是玛利亚打算去技术类学校。技术类学校比传统学校要现代得多，他们提供的课程有现代 语言、数学、自然科学，以及会计学。包括玛利亚父亲在内的大部分人都认为，女孩子是不可能 弄明白这些科目的。另外，他们也认为女孩子不适合学习这些。玛利亚并不在乎适合与否。数学和自然科学是她最感兴趣的学科。但是在她报名之前她必须 争得她父亲的同意。最后在她母亲的帮助下她成功了，尽管过去很多年她的家庭关系依然很紧张。她的父亲一直地反对她的计划，而她的母亲却帮助她。
1883 年，玛利亚 13 岁的时候考取了罗马的“Regia Scuola Tecnica Michelangelo Buonarroti‖ 学 校。她在这个学校的经历对我们来说难以想象。尽管课程包括现代学科，而教学方式却是十分传 统的。学习包括记忆长长的词条和事件，然后向老师复述。学生们不会以任何的方式被提问或是 自己思考。老师非常苛刻，课堂纪律十分严格，未达标准或者不守纪律的学生会被给予严厉的惩罚。第三十七篇 非洲的流行音乐
非洲国家的年轻音乐家们创造了一种流行音乐的新形式。音调与旋律不仅有传统的非洲因素 也有当下十分流行的各种形式，比如嘻哈、说唱打击乐、摇滚、爵士或者是瑞格舞。这样就使这 种音乐让世界各地的听者都觉得很熟悉，而它又是典型的非洲音乐。这种音乐在另一方面也有所 不同：很多音乐有着严肃的主题，与当今非洲重要的社会问题和政治问题相关。Eric Wainaina是这些非洲音乐家的其中之一。他成长于肯尼亚内罗毕的一个音乐世家。少年 时期他就昕美国的流行音乐，之后就读于波士顿Berklee College学习音乐。现在他在肯尼亚发了 一张CD。他最红的歌曲是”Land of ‗ A Little Something' ‖，这首歌是有关肯尼亚行贿受贿问题的。他希望人们听他的歌曲然后思考如何让肯尼亚变成更好的居住地。
另一个写有关严肃主题音乐的音乐家是来自坦桑尼亚的Witness Mwaijaga。她的个人经历让 她能够切身体会非洲妇女所受的苦难。她15岁的时候失去了家，但是比起和她一样无家可归 的年轻人来说她很幸运。她可以靠写歌和在街头卖唱维持生计。在她18岁的时候，她成为一个明星。她用嘻哈和说唱的风格写歌，歌曲的内容是坦桑尼亚的各种问题，特别是艾滋病和女 性权利的缺失。
来自塞内加尔的BaabaMaal也认为流行音乐不仅仅是为了娱乐。他在塞内加尔说过，故事的 讲述者往往是重要的人物。在^：去，他们是人民历史的书写者。他认为写歌者也拥有同样的责任。他们必须写他们周围的世界，帮助人民明白如何使它变得更好。事实上，歌词的内容十分重要。他倡导在非洲要和平与协作，同时也包括妇女权利、热爱家庭和保护环境。
南美最流行的音乐家之一是Brenda Fassie。她可以与美国流行巨星麦当娜媲美，因为她的舞 台表现力震撼人心。但是她也喜欢让人深思。20世纪80年代她因为一首有关反对种族隔离的单 曲而一炮走红。现在种族隔离巳经终止了，她的歌曲有关于南美政治和文化的其他方面。她使用 传统的非洲语言与一种新的流行形式库威多来歌唱。
近些年，非洲以外的人们都开始听这些年轻音乐家的歌曲。通过音乐，年青一代的音乐家使 非洲与世界其他的地方相连接，同时也影响着世界的其他地方。第三十八篇 为什么有这么多的孩子
非洲和亚洲的很多发展中国家，人P增长迅速。原因很简单：这些国家的女人生育率很 高——每个女人平均有三个到七个孩子。这些女人大部分都很穷，没有足够的食物和资源来照顾 家庭。为什么她们要有这么多孩子呢？为什么她们不限制家庭的大小呢？答案是大多数时候她们 没办法选择。这有很多原因。
其中之一是经济原因。传统的农业经济中，家庭成员数目多是十分有利的。孩子多意味着田 里的劳动力多且有人给父母养老。在工业经济国家中情况就不同了。多数孩子不帮助家里，而是 增加家庭开销。因此，工业化极大降低了生育率。这是意大利的一个例子，意大利最近几年工业 化发展十分迅速。在20世纪前叶，意大利是个贫穷的农业国家，有着很高的生育率。第二次世界 大战之后，意大利的现代化和工业化十分迅速。世纪之末其生育率降到世界最低，平均每个女人1.3个孩子。然而经°济并不是唯一重要的影响出生率的因素。以沙特阿拉伯为例，那里并没有以农业为基 础的经济，而且是人均收入最高的国家之一。然而还是有很高的生育率（7.0)。而像墨西哥和印 度尼西亚，主要是农业经济的穷国，但他们的人口还在不断地下降。很明显有其他的因素。最重要的就是妇女的状况。高的生育率往往与妇女缺乏教育与社会地 位低下相关。这就能解释沙特阿拉伯的出生率为什么如此之髙。传统的文化使妇女缺乏教育或者 不能独立，并且在外生存的技能很少。相反，墨西哥、泰国、印度尼西亚的生育率就低。他们的
政府给妇女提供更多的教育和机会。
另一个重要的因素是计划生育。女人们也许想限制家庭的大小，但是她们没有办法。一些倡 导计划生育的政府为她们提供有效而且不贵的方式，生育率下降。比如新加坡、斯里兰卡、印度 和印度尼西亚、泰国、墨西哥、巴西。在这些国家妇女被提供健康和计划生育的帮助。这些趋势表明有效的控制人口的方案并不依赖于良好的经济状况。如果是致力于帮助妇女适 应她们的需求那么就是有效的。事实上只有这样，才能有机会取得成功。
第四十七篇 九死一生
那天早上我们离开露营的小屋已经很晚了。我们走到外面，东面笼罩在山上的天空是青灰色 的。这意味着将会是很热的一天，温暖会使被冰紧裹的石头慢慢地松开。
正当我们走在表面的时候，很明显它变成了一段很难走的路。主要的何题是斜坡J在山坡上 有很多的碎石。斜坡被登山者反感的原因有两个。首先，爬在上面的人很容易摔下去。其次，它使你走的每一步都很危险。
我们平稳前进了30分钟。岩石的状况很不好。当我们试图把自己拉上去，它就会滑向我们，像一个打开的抽屉。我的手逐渐出汗变得冰冷。突然有一声大喊―Cailloux!Cailloux!‖我听到来 自上面的一个女人的呼喊。声音成回声向下传向我们。我抬起头寻找它来的方向。最开始只有两块石头，弹跳着移向我们，在半空中撞击。而此时上方的空气也好像随着掉 落的石头有了生命，巨大的噪声充斥在空气中。撞击声在石头表面，嗡嗡声游荡在空气中，之 后又有了撞击声。每次撞击声之间都有；段时间的空隙，石头越跳越远。我一直盯着石头，感 觉马上它就要到我这里来一样。在学校一个比我高几年级的男孩告诉过我，当石头掉下来时千 万不要抬头。―为什么‖？ ―因为石头砸在你的头盔上要远远好过砸在你的脸上。‖他告诉我们。低头，永远低头。-我听见那天和我一起登山的同伴Toby在喊我。我看了过去，他在一个延伸出的石头下面，已 经安全了。我不能理解他。然后我感到了一阵重击，紧紧向后拉扯，像是有人使劲儿地用手夹住 我的肩膀然后把我转向面对他的方向。一块石头砸在了我背包的盖子上。我再次抬起头。一块石头垂直地向我硒下来。本能地，我向后倾斜，拱起我的背保护我的 胸部。我的手指怎么办，我想，如果被砸上肯定会被砸扁，再也不能恢复。我听到了在我正前面 的一声巨响，有人使劲儿拉我的裤子。Toby大喊：―你还好吧，石头径直向你砸过来X。‖石头在 我双腿间擦身而过，虽然没有碰到我，但是刮到了我的衣服。
Toby和我用整晚的时间回味早上发生的一切：假如那块大石头没有从旁边滑过，如果我被撞到，你会扶住我吗，我会把你也刮倒吗？对于一个有丰富登山经验的人来说这也许没有什么，但 我知道我永远不会忘记这件事。
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