第一篇：高考英語閱讀理解練習(19)(含解析)

2014高考英語閱讀理解練習（19）及答案（解析）

(2010·杭州質檢二，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 weather-speak 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 conversation-starters.In other words, English weather-speak is a form of “cleaning talk”—the human equivalent of what is known as “social cleaning” among our primate(靈長類的)cousins, where they spend hours cleaning each other's fur, even when they are perfectly clean, as a means of social connection.英國人談話為什么以談天氣開始，本文作者在對比了兩個具有代表性的說法之后提出了自己的見解——作為一種社會聯系的手段。

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。推理判斷題。由第2,3,4,5段內容可推斷出B項正確。

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。主旨大意題。總覽文章可知答案。文章第1段引出話題，從第2段開始就其原因展開探討。

10．In Bill Bryson's opinion, the English “addiction” to their weather is ________.A.understandable B.convincing C.respectable D.unreasonable 答案：D。推理判斷題。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。推理判斷題。由倒數第3段的“Jeremy Paxman...argues that the English weather is truly fascinating”和倒數第2段第2句but in uncertainty可推知答案。

12．According to the author, English weather-speak 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(養育)，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(自傳)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.【要點綜述】 本篇為說明文，談到馬克·吐溫的小說是否對奴隸制和偏見進行了反抗，以及它受到不同人士的批評情況。

65．B 推理判斷題。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，馬克·吐溫把對奴隸制和偏見的攻擊融在故事中，隱晦地表達。而早期小說是直接攻擊方式(dealt directly with slavery)，因此B項說他的小說對種族主義制度的攻擊非常不明顯是恰當的。A項文章沒有提及；C項與題干無關，答非所問；D項文章沒有提及。

66．D 推理判斷題。根據關鍵詞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項中的target readers錯誤，文章沒有說到；B項不符合文意；C項中的impolite language范圍過廣，文章只是說到批評者對nigger一詞的出現感到不滿。

67．C 細節理解題。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項中的in detail文章沒有提及；B項中的The slave's voice與文章的the character of Jim不一致；D項文章沒有提及。

68．C 推理判斷題。由第六段可知，舉這個例子是為了說明奴隸的社會地位是由生活環境決定的，而不是人的自然本性。

69．D 詞義猜測題。由畫線詞所在句的前面一句可知：沒有理由認為馬克·吐溫把這些表演當作表現現實，后句緊接著解釋：馬克·吐溫對奴隸制和偏見的不斷攻擊說明了他敏銳的意識，而這些是shows所沒有表達出來的，可見they應該就是指代shows。

70．A 作者意圖題。末段首先提出一個疑問，然后通過論據否定了這個觀點，最后總結了一下自己的觀點：And Twain…may have done more to anger the nation over racial injustice …than any other novelist in the past century，可見作者要反駁的是末段首句所表達的疑問，只有A項符合，其他各項只是對具體例子的說明。

(2011·海淀第二學期期末，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。推理判斷題。由第3段中間的“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。推理判斷題。

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。詞義猜測題。答案在于文章最后兩句，由尾句中的but saying “I” reminds us...可知代詞this指代的是上句的“I want some fun”而不是“My Child wants some fun”。

第二篇：英語閱讀理解練習

2012年普通高等學校招生全國統一考試英語

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(蜂蠟)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(契約)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(傾向).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讓

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年普通高等學校招生全國統一考試（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（節選）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（疑案小說）

“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（災禍）.?

People’s choice of colors is also influenced by their bodies' reactions（反應）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篇應該是社會生活類的文章。

60A 根據題干找到出處了，第一段的中心就是The answer depends largely on cultural values as well as personal experiences.61C 推理題飯店的理由是血壓上升，食欲大增，而購物網站只能是C了。常識告訴我們，紅色不能使人身體放松。

62C 細節題，直接能找到答案，只要細心99%的人就能找到。

63D 主旨題。正常境況是這樣：第一句設問句，只能說是引語，第二句對問題的回答才是主題句，所以主題句應該是The answer depends largely on cultural values as well as personal experiences.其實不然。根據五段式分析，第一句話即第一自然段提出問題，但是沒有回答。第二段、第三段和第四段分別是回答，第五自然段是建議部分。

2012年普通高等學校招生全國統一考試（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(內化)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(腔調)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、三段可知是兩種植物，并不是昆蟲、蛇，更不是野生動物愛好者。

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。文章開始第一句。

2012年普通高等學校招生全國統一考試（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（自動回收程序已啟動）.”

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年普通高等學校招生全國統一考試（江蘇卷）

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：英語閱讀理解練習

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(鳥羽)which acts as signal for drawing the female’s attention to a suitable nesting-place.Unlike the blue tit, the redstart(紅尾鴝)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(顯露)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(謬誤)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(戰壕), cold and wet, showed no increased tendency to catch colds.In the Second World War prisoners at the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp(奧斯維辛集中營), 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(癥狀).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(優先)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(合乎道義的)or unethical, selfless or selfish, inspiring or degrading.Persuaders may enlighten our mind or prey on our vulnerability（弱點）.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(美國憲法).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(菠蘿).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(營養)it was all good news too.This nice tasting pineapple contained four times more vitamin C(維生素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高考英語閱讀理解強化練習(43)

2013高考英語閱讀理解強化練習（43）

拓展閱讀：

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(動機), part preparation, “The training I do that enables me to be a good sprinter(短跑運動員)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：這是一篇有關殘疾運動員個人勵志的文章，故事性較強，對學生個人成長有一定的鞭策作用。

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：細節理解題。根據第二段中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(不喜歡)?”、“apart from(除了?..之外)”就可得出正確答案。

2.C。

解析：細節理解題。結合第四段中Even greater success followed at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics.Tanni won gold in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 metres relay,? 可以推出正確答案。

3.C

解析：細節理解題。誤選A選項的學生只單純看到了前面的“I train 50 weeks of the year that?”，他們沒有聯系前兩句“The training I do that enables me?”，由于斷章取義而導致丟分。

4.A

解析：解答本題只要用代入淘汰法就行，很顯然She works as a coach.是最后才發生的事情，故a小點只能排最后。

5.D

解析：該題為主旨概括題，讀懂整篇文章就不難得出正確答案。

第五篇：2012年職稱英語綜合類閱讀理解新增文章(含練習解析及譯文)

2012年職稱英語綜合類新增文章—閱讀理解

1.第一篇：Telling Tales about People講述關于人們的故事

2.第八篇：The Changing Middle Class變化中的中產階級

3.第十篇：A Letter from Alan艾倫的來信

4.第十一篇：The Development of Ballet芭蕾舞的發展

5.第十六篇：The Sahara 撒哈拉沙漠

6.*第十七篇：Eiffel Is an Eyeful（2011年教材中為C級文章）引人注目的埃菲爾鐵塔

7.*第十八篇：Goal of American Education（2011年教材中為C級文章）美國教育的目標

8.*第十九篇：The Family家庭

9.*第二十篇：Tales of the Terrible Past講述可怕的過去

10.*第二十一篇：Spacing in Animals（2011年教材中為C級文章）動物的空間距離

11.*第二十二篇：Some Things We Know about Language（2011年教材中為C級文章）我們知道的關于語言的一些事情

12.*第二十三篇：The Only Way Is Up（2011年教材中為C級文章）只好向上

13.*第二十四篇：Clone Farm（2011年教材中為C級文章）克隆農場

14.*第二十五篇：Income（2011年教材中為C級文章）收入

15.*第二十六篇：Seeing the World Centuries Ago看許久以前的世界

16.*第二十七篇：Importance of Services（2011年教材中為C級文章）服務業的重要性

17.*第二十八篇：The National Park Service（2011年教材中為C級文章）國家公園的服務機構

18.*第二十九篇：Find Yourself Packing It On? Blame Friends（2011年教材中為C級文章）發現自己變胖了？這得責怪朋友們

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.詞匯:

facility /f?‘sil?ti/ n.場所，設施 protest /pr?u‘test/ v.抗議

motorway / ?m?ut?wei / n.高速公路

注釋:

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.對我來說，帕森場是非常特別的，因為它是一個美麗的天然場地并且當地人可以在此放松休息。這片小樹林里有許多獨特的樹木并且這里的小溪受到了漁夫和野鳥觀察 者的歡迎。

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.公路上將總是有很多車輛，卻沒有地方停車，并且來參觀我們這兒可愛的老式建筑物的觀光者將會離開這里。

3.As well as this，we will lose a very special place and our town will be much less pleasant.不但

如此，我們將失去一個非常特別的地方并且我們的城鎮將會失去很多快樂。

練習:

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

答案與題解:

1.D 本題問的是:為什么Alan寫這封信? A、B、C選項在文中沒有提到，D選項的意思是讓其他人了解建筑商的計劃，因此 D是正確答案。

2.C 本題問的是:在Alan看來，為什么帕森場非常重要?第一段中提到―因為它是一個美麗的天然場地并且當地人可以在此放松休息‖。因此 C 是正確答案。

3.A 本題問的是:什么將會引起交通堵塞?第二段提到了，如果按照建筑商的計劃，那么―公 路上將總是有很多車輛，卻沒有地方來停車‖。因此選擇 A。

4.D 本題問的是:Alan說住在城鎮的人們將來可能會，本文第三段提到―每個人將會因這個計劃的實施而快速地變窮“。因此選擇 D。

5.B 本題問的是:以下哪個是Alan制作的海報? Alan在本文中一直在說抵制建筑商在帕森 場上建造房屋的計劃，因此選擇 B，對帕森場上的房屋說不。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.詞匯:

adjust / ?' d??st/v.調整 eliminate /i'limineit/ v.淘汰

pageant / 'p?d? ?nt / n.盛會 influential / influ'en??l/adj.有影響力的 注釋:

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.在那時，芭蕾舞在國王、王后以及貴族之間變得普遍，并且與音樂、詩歌以及舞蹈一起參與到盛會的表演。

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世紀女舞者縮短了她們的裙子，改穿平底鞋，并且通過男舞者的幫助開始做一些跳躍和轉圈動作。3.The five basic feet positions from which all ballet steps begin were finalized.由此正式確定了 腳的5個基本位置，這 5個外開的位置成為發展芭蕾舞技術的基礎。練習:

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 答案與題解:

1.C 本題問的是:這篇文章主要講述的是，A、B、D 選項都是文章的一部分，而本文主要講的就是芭蕾舞的發展，因此 C 是正確答案。2.D 本題問的是:對于早期芭蕾舞最重要的影響是，本文第三段提到―在 17 世紀，專業的芭蕾舞蹈團應運而生‖―法國國王路易十四建立了皇家舞蹈學院‖，因此 D 是正確答案。

3.B 本題問的是:從這篇文章你可以總結出芭蕾，A、C、D 選項在文中沒有提到，結合本文最后一段可以看出 B 選項是正確的，芭蕾將隨著新的人物和新的想法而改變。

4.D 本題問的是:本文的信息是通過何種方式介紹的。本文從芭蕾舞的起源開始一直介紹到 芭蕾舞的現況，因此選擇 D，按照時間前后的順序。

5.D 本題問的是:單詞 pageant 的漢語意思是什么，正確答案是 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.詞匯:

Humidity /hju'mId ?t l/ n.濕度 irrigate / ' lrlgelt/ v.灌溉

stretch / stret?/ v.伸展 camel /'k m ?l/ n.駱駝

date palms n.椰棗樹

注釋:

1.Underground water resources，or oases，sufficient to support irrigated agriculture are found in dry stream beds and depressions.在干河床和洼地處可找到充足的地下水資源或者綠洲來支持灌溉農業。

2.Irrigation ditches run off a creek to water fields.灌溉溝渠通過一條小溪到達水田中。

3.Donkeys and goats graze on green grass.青草上放養著驢和山羊。

練習:

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

答案與題解:

1.A 本題問的是:這篇文章主要講了什么?根據文段，本文主要介紹了撒哈拉沙漠的地理概 況，城鎮的農業，以及城鎮之間的日常來往。B 選項范圍過寬。C 選項不全面，文章不止介紹了比爾馬的情況。D 選項文中沒有具體介紹。所以 A 是對的。

2.A 本題問的是:在撒哈拉的絕大多數地區，降雨情況如何?根據第一段的最后一句話，撒哈拉的絕大多數地區每年降雨量低于 5 英寸。所以 A 正確。

3.A 本題問的是:撒哈拉沙漠可以被描述成什么? A 的意思是，一個具有強烈對比的地方。B 的意思是杳無人煙的地方。C 的意思是冬天很冷的地區。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 正確。

4.C 本題問的是:句子―大約和美國大小相當的地區‖指明的是什么地方的大小?根據第一段的第二句話可知，本句的主語是撒哈拉沙漠。因此 C 正確。

5.B 本題問的是:文中―caravan‖的意思是什么? A 的意思是旅行馬戲團。C 是火車。D 是又小又快的帆船。根據文中的介紹，穿過沙漠的駝隊由上百只駱駝組成，來到綠洲城鎮收集 鹽，因此 B 選項―一群人一起穿過條件惡劣的國家‖是正確的。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.詞匯：

Eiffel /'aifel/ Tower(法國巴黎的)埃菲爾鐵塔

eyeful /'aiful/ n.引人注目的景象

scribble /'skribl/ v.亂涂，亂畫

graffiti /grs'fizti：/ n?涂寫,涂畫

iron work 鐵制品；鐵工

agelessness /'eid3lisnis/ n.永恒，永不過日寸

rust /rASt/ v.生銹（rust away 銹爛掉）

frenetic /frs'netik/ a辦極度激動的

tinker /'tiqko/ n.白鐵匠，能做各種小修小補的人 aerodynamics /leorsudai'naemiks/ n?空氣動力學

注釋：

Eiffel Is an Eyefiil:引人注目的埃菲爾鐵塔。由于Eiffel和Eyeful讀音相似，使用Eyeful而 不是其他的詞是有其修辭效果的。埃菲爾鐵塔是古斯塔夫?埃菲爾（Gustave Eiffel，1832— 1923，法國工程師)為1889年的巴黎博覽會設計的。該塔在塞納河南岸，高300公尺（984 英尺）。埃菲爾鐵塔的法文是第二段最后一句中的―la Tour Eiffel“。some:意為―approximately;about，（大約，將近）。如它 40 people attended the rally.大約 有40個人參加了集會。

the world comes to scribble:世界各地的人們來此涂鴉。

graffiti:在此用作graffito的動詞形式，意思是―涂鴉，在墻或其他表面上創作的畫或銘刻‖。transforming the most French of monuments into symbol of a world on the move.使最有法蘭西 色彩的紀念碑成為動感世界的象征。the most + adj.+ of + n.意為―在……中最為…… 的‖ 如：Beethoven is the greatest of musicians.貝多芬是最偉大的音樂家。on the move:在 運動中。in miniature:小型的，小規模的，縮影的

would rather waste time marking their presence than admiring the view.寧愿花時間留下到此一游的痕跡,而不去觀賞風景。would rather…than:寧愿……而不……： He would rather stay at home watching DVD than going to the cinema.他寧愿待在家里看 DVD,而不愿到電影院去看電影。

在原句 Why is la Tour Eiffel still so popular?的 Why 與 la Tour Eiffel still so popular?之間插 AT nearly 114 years after it was completed, and decades after it ceased to be the world's tallest structure.graces:在此作動詞，意為―to give beauty, elegance, or charm to‖（使……優美，優雅或具有魅 力）o Hugues Richard:法國自行車運動員，多次打破自行車運動的世界紀錄，于2002年4月8日 以19分鐘零4秒的成績騎自行車登上埃菲爾鐵塔的第二層，第六次打破自行車運動的世 界紀錄。

―It‘s iron lady,it inspires us.‖：―這是鐵娘子，能讓人產生靈感。‖It指埃菲爾鐵塔。But to what?這是一個省略句,接著上段Hugues Richard的話發問，完整的句子可以是:But what does it inspire people to? the Chrysler Building:是美國紐約帝國大廈（the Empire State Building)建成之前，世界第一 高樓，共77層，設計師是William Van Alen。

a blank canvas for visitors to make of it what they will:—張空白的畫布，任游客自由遐想

To the technically minded:對于那些善于從技術角度考慮問題的人來說，從技術的角度來 說。”The tower will outlast all of us,and by a long way.‖：―這座塔將在我們所有的人離去后長 久存在。‖outlast：意為― to last longer than‖（比……持久）。out-：前綴，意思是―比…… 更…‖。如：Women are said to outlive men.據說女人比男人長壽。by a long way ：副詞，意思是―大大地‖。練習：

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.答案與題解：

1.B第一段提供了答案。見注釋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的句型來表達。所以，A是正確選項。句型解 釋見注釋7。

3.C第四段i訴我們,Hugues Richard蹬車上塔，打破世界紀錄。C不是正確選項，因為他 cycling up to the tower's second floor,而不是 climbing up the tower.4.B A不是正確選項，因為Gustave Eiffel沒有也不可能使用該塔向全世界發射電視信號。第五段的最后一句提供了答案。

5.C第六段的大意是：對不同的人，埃菲爾鐵塔有不同的象征意義。見注釋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.詞匯:

nuclear /'nju:kh/ adj.原子核的，中心的 harsh /ha:?/ n.嚴酷的

emergency /I'm?:d??nsI/ n.緊急狀況 agranan / ?'gre?rl?n/ adj.土地的，耕地的 注釋:

1.lt must be prepared to fend for itself.它必須能夠照料自己。

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;他們一般住在退休社

區和養老機構。

3.In harsh conditions，mobility allows the family to hunt for food.:在惡劣的條件下，流動性能讓一個家庭吃飽飯。

練習:

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

答案與題解:

1.A 本題問的是:這篇文章的題目還可以是什么? A 的意思是是什么構成了一個家。B 的意 思是因紐特人的生活。C 的意思是生活得很艱難。D 的意思是核心家庭的失敗之處。根據文意，本文主要介紹了與家庭相關的信息。B 不是主要內容。C 未提到。D 未提到。因此A 是正確的答案。

2.A 本題問的是:核心家庭的定義是什么?根據第一段的第三句話: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 是正確的答案。

3.A 本題問的是:這篇文章最有可能出自哪里? A 的意思是人類學課本。B 的意思是生物課本。C的意思是數學課本。D 的意思是地理課本。本文主要介紹了家庭，因此最有可能是

人類學課本。所以 A 是正確的答案。

4.C 本題問的是:第一段的信息主要以何種方式陳述的?根據第一段的陳述方式，并沒有列 出數據或者講故事，而是通過描述共性而闡述出核心家庭的概念。因此 C 是正確的答案。

5.B 本題問的是:mobility 的詞意。Mobility 是 mobile 的名詞形式。根據文中第二段，核心家庭能夠生存下去最重要的是能夠有流動性，而錢、組織或是技能都不是能夠使一個家庭吃飽飯的必要條件。因此 B 是正確的答案。*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.詞匯:

interpret /in't?:prit/ v.解釋，翻譯 desperation /desp?'rei??n/ n.絕望的境地

recount /ri'kaunt / v.敘述 capture /'k?pt?? / v.俘獲

slavery /'sleiv?ri / n.奴隸制度

注釋:

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.然而通過用一種生動有趣的方式來描

寫過去，小說家可以將早期時代重現，并引起讀者的重視。

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，是一個游手好閑，身份自由的美國黑人。他偷偷登上了一艘開往非洲販賣奴隸的船只。

練習:

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 答案與題解:

1.D 本題問的是:這篇文章主要講什么? A的意思是美國奴隸制的原因。B的意思是20世紀的黑人作家。C的意思是莫里森和約翰遜寫書的原因。D的意思是關于奴隸制的兩本小說。本文主要介紹了莫里森和約翰遜各自關于奴隸制的小說的主要內容，因此D是正確的答案。

2.C 本題問的是:―寵兒‖的設置背景是什么?根據第二段的第二句話:a fornier slave called Sethe，lives in Ohio in the years following the Civil War可知其背景是在內戰之后的俄亥俄州。因此C是正確的答案。

3.B 本題問的是:作者的感覺是什么?A的意思是每個人都應該讀莫里森和約翰遜的小說。B的意思是這些作品非常值得寫但又很有挑戰性。C的意思是黑人作家應當忽略種族問題。D的意思是如果我們沒有學習過去，那么這些過去會重現。A，C，D原文沒有體現，因此B是正確的答案。

4.D 本題問的是:作者強調兩部作品的共同之處是什么?根據第三段的第一句話:yet no less violent可知兩部作品都有對暴力的描寫。因此D是正確的答案。

5.A 本題問的是:appalling的意思是什么?根據第三段對運送非洲人去美國的描述可知，此狀況必然是不好的，糟糕的。A的意思是糟糕的。B的意思是令人驚訝的。C的意思是有罪的。D的意思是不現實的。因此根據文意，A是正確的答案。

*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.詞匯:

venerable / 'ven?r?bl/ adj.莊嚴的，值得尊敬的 enliven /in'laiv?n/ v.使生動

account /?'kaunt/ n.記述 voyage /'v?iid? / n.航行

exotic /ig'z?tik/ v.異國的，外來的 注釋:

1.Almost from the earliest annals of recorded time individuals have found ready audiences for their accounts of journeys to strange and exotic locales.幾乎從最早有時間記載開始，人們就發現，他們對去一個陌生地方旅行的記錄是不乏讀者的。

2.…Marco's book impelled Europeans to begin their great voyages of exploration.……馬可的書促使歐洲人開始了他們偉大的航海探索之旅。

3.…he journeyed through all the countries where Islam held sway.……他去了所有伊斯蘭教掌權的國家旅行。

練習:

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

答案與題解：

1.C 本題問的是:這篇文章主要講了什么? A的意思是為什么人們覺得旅行寫作令人激動。

B 的意思是三位早期旅行作家的文學風格。C的意思是三位早期旅行作家去過的地方以及 他們的寫作內容。D的意思是如何寫一部旅行作品。根據本文內容，C選項最符合題意。因此C是正確的答案。

2.C 本題問的是:Ibn Battutah到過哪里旅行?根據最后一段的第一句話:he journeyed through all the countries where Islam held sway，可知，他去過了所有穆斯林的國家。因此C是正確的答案。

3.B 本題問的是:三位作家的作品都很受歡迎，原因是什么? A 的意思是他們列出了好的地 方。B的意思是他們寫出了陌生的外面的地方。C的意思是他們說明了去一些地方的最好路線。D的意思是他們的所有故事都是一手資料。根據第一段的最后一句話可知，旅行作品吸引讀者的地方在于它描述了一個陌生的地方，因此B是正確的答案。

4.A 本題問的是:這篇文章的整體布局是依照什么?本文主要依照時間順序介紹了公元前后 的三位作家，按時間先后用序，因此A是正確的答案。

5.D 本題問的是:在這篇文章中attest是什么意思? attest出現在第三段的最后一句話，為的

是表達馬可所說的無法被證實是否都屬實。A的意思是考察。B的意思是畫一張地圖。C的意思是說謊。D的意思是證實。因此D是正確的答案。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

詞匯：

vanish / 'v rnf / v.消失 suicide /'sjvisaid/ n.自殺

case / keis / n.案件 detective / d‘ tekt iv/ n.偵探

nanny /'n ni/ n.保姆

注釋：

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，警察重新調查案件，希望新的 DNA技術幫助揭開這個謀殺之謎。

2.Another version of events says that ―Lucky‖ left the blood-soaked car on the coast and took a ferry to France.另一個版本是說―幸運的‖把被血染了的車子扔在了海岸上，乘上了一艘開往法國的船。

3.DNA testing has solved many murder cases，but who knows if it can close the book on this one.DNA 鑒定破了很多謀殺案件，但是不知它能否把這個案件做個了結。

練習：

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

答案與題解：

1.C 本題問的是：公眾對這件謀殺的調查依舊很感興趣的原因是什么?根據第一段第二句 話：To this day the British public are still interested in the murder case because.Lucan has never been found.可知 C 是正確的答案。

2.C 本題問的是：Lucan 被認為是殺了保姆的兇手是因為什么? A 的意思是保姆正在照看孩子。B 的意思是她是 Lucan 的一個朋友。C 的意思是一片漆黑中 Lucan 以為她是自己的太太。D 的意思是Lucan 認為保姆偷了他的車。根據原文意思，可知 C 是正確的答案。

3.D本題問的是：Aspinall 認為 Lucan 是怎樣自殺的?根據第三段的最后一句話：他覺得

Lucan 伯爵在英吉利海峽弄沉了自己坐的船，已經自殺了。因此 D 是正確的答案。

4.B本題問的是：Lucan 可能已經被殺了，原因是什么?根據第四段的最后一句話：他們擔心 自己也會被卷入到謀殺案件中，因此殺了 Lucan。最符合此意的選項為 B，意思為他們覺得 如果 Lucan 被捕，他有可能跟警察提起這些人。

5.C 本題問的是：前偵探 MacLaughlin 聲稱Barry Haplin是什么?根據本文最后一段：

MacLaughlin確信，Lucan 逃到了印度的果阿，在那里他換了個身份假裝 Barry Haplin 這個 人。C的意思是 Barry Haplin 是 Lucan 伯爵假裝的。因此C是正確的答案。*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.詞匯: frugal /'fru:g?l/ adj.節約的，儉樸的，花錢少 的，物質 的，廉價的 fuss /f?s / n.慌亂，小題大做，抱怨爭吵 V.忙

donation /d?v‘neif? n/ n.捐贈，捐款，捐贈的 亂，(為小事)煩惱抱怨

注釋:

1.It mayseem like an ordinary end to a humble life，but there was something quite exceptional about this woman.這位老婦人看似平凡的一生卻有著非同尋常的意義。

2.She led a simple，frugal existence，never spending on anything but her most basic needs.她一生過著簡單、節儉的生活，除了生活必需品外她從不在其他事情上花錢。

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.當她退休的時候，她決定用錢給那些條件有限的孩 子提供上大學的機會。

練習:

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

答案與題解:

1.C 本題的問題是:這個女人震撼和鼓舞世界的原因是什么?從文章的第一段最后一句看出 這個女人有不同于尋常人的地方，第二段第一句直接給出了她不同尋常有著卓越意義的原因，即捐款 150000 美元。故此題答案為 C。A、B 項不切題。D 選項未提及。

2.B本題的問題是:她能夠攢下如此多的錢的原因是什么?從文中第二段最后一句話與第三 段第一句話可以得出結論，她從年輕的時候便開始有積蓄的習慣并且除了生活必需品外幾

乎沒有開銷，故本題答案為 B。A 項不切題，C，D 項未提及。

3.C本題的問題是:她把錢捐出來的原因是什么?由第四段中間她的回答可知，她是想讓孩 子們擺脫苦難的生活，不用生活得如此艱辛。故此題答案為 C。

4.C 本題的問題是:她的慷慨行為公之于世后有什么樣的影響?由第四段最后兩句可得出答

案，原文只提及一個名為 Ted Turner 的人捐款十億美元，所以 A 選項不正確，B 選項不切題，D 選項未提及，故本題正確答案為 C。

5.A本題的問題是：McCarty 因什么而聞名?總覽全文可知A為正確答案C，D 選項不切題，B 選項未提及。+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.詞匯：

impersonal /im'p?:s?n?l/ adj.客觀的；非個人的；沒有人情味的；[語] 非人稱的 n.[語]非人稱動詞；不具人格的事物

antique / n'ti:k/ adj.古老的，年代久遠的 n.古董，古玩

startle /'stɑ:tl/ vt.vi.使嚇一跳，使驚奇 n.驚愕，驚恐

arid / ' rid/ adj.干旱的，枯萎的。毫無生氣的 magnetic /m g'netik/ adj.有吸引力的，磁極的 注釋：

1.The road crew were playing a game with dollar notes.Folding them into small planes to see whose would for the furthest.巡回樂團道具管理組的成員在用美元玩兒游戲，把紙幣折成紙飛機的形狀然后看誰飛得最遠。

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.我還是覺得那種被直視的感覺很美妙，那種感覺是我既不是陌生人而且對她來說并不陌生。

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.房間的燈光也讓我感覺和特別，燈光來自天花板上的油燈，使一切都籠罩在巨大的陰影之下。

練習：

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

答案與題解：

1.B 本題的問題是：為什么作者想要離開賓館？由本文第一段第一句可以得出答案。在賓館是十分無聊的，最后一句也寫出作者不顧天氣不好而想要出去走走，A，C選項錯誤，D選項未提及。

2.D 本題的問題是：是什么吸引作者到那個商店？由第二段中間―there was an appealing glow inside.‖ 可以得出答案。A，C選項不切題。D選項未提及。

3.A 本題的問題是：作者發現在小店前面存放的物品是怎樣的？從第三段對于物品的詳細描述可以得出答案。― 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 本題的問題是：那個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.‖有一種似曾相識的感覺。

5.C 本體的問題是：作者不喜歡后屋的原因？從文中的第六段和第七段可以得出結論，他認為沒有什么他真正喜歡的東西。―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.詞匯:

discipline /'disiplin/ n.紀律，學科，訓練，懲罰 punishment / 'p?ni?m?nt/ n.懲罰，嚴厲對待，虐待 注釋: 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.在傳統學校中，學生們都依照一種非常傳統的教學方式學習，包含拉丁語、希臘語與文學課，還有意大利文學與歷史。

2.The technical schools were more modem than the classical schools and they offered courses in modern languages，mathematics，science，and accounting.技術學校比傳統學校要現代得多，他們提供的課程有現代語言、數學、自然科學，以及會計學。練習:

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 答案與題解： 1.C 本題的問題是：Maria想去個怎樣的學校？由文中第三段可明確得出結論。―Maria, however, wanted to attend a technical school.‖ A, B, D項均有明顯錯誤。

2.C 本題的問題是：在當時的意大利大多數女孩的選擇是什么？由文中的第一段可知―Most girls from middle?–class families chose to stay home after primary school ,‖所以本題的正確答案為C。

3.B 本題為推理題，問題是：從全文可以得出什么樣的結論？A選項未提及。C選項錯誤，原文只說大多數女孩子都選擇呆在家里，并未說她們都不喜歡讀書。D選項錯誤，原文只說就算是上學的話大多數女孩子都選擇傳統學校，而并非只有女孩子可以去。所以正確答案為B。

4.B 本題問的是：Maria的父親對女性的態度是什么？由文中第三段倒數第二句―Most people—including Maria‘s father —believed in the girls would never be able to understand these subjects.‖可以得出答案，父親和大多數人一樣都持傳統觀念。

5.D 本題的問題是：當時的意大利高中教師是怎樣的？從文中最后一段可以得出結論―Teachers were very demanding, discipline in the classroom was strict, and punishment was severe for those who failed to achieve or were disobedient,‖故正確答案為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.詞匯：

reggae /'regei/ n.瑞格舞（西印度群島的舞曲）bribery /'braib?ri/ n.行賄，賄賂 apartheid / ? 'P a:theit / n.種族隔離 注釋：

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.她用嘻哈和說唱的風格寫歌，歌曲的內容是 坦桑尼亞的各種問題，特別是艾滋和女性權利的缺失。

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.他倡導在非洲要和平與協作，同時也包括婦女權利、熱愛家庭和保護環境。練習：

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 答案與題解：

1.B 本題的問題是：非洲流行音樂的不同之處是什么？由第一段倒數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項錯誤，C項未提及。2.D 本題的問題是：對于非洲以外的人來說，非洲流行音樂給他們的感覺是什么？從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.‖故正確選項為D。

3.A 本題的問題是：全文所提到的音樂家的共同的特點是什么？總覽全文可以得出結論。全文通篇在講有關社會和政治等嚴肅主題的音樂，故正確答案為A。B,C,D都有明顯的錯誤。4.C 本題的問題是：Eric Wainaina的成長細節。由第二段可以得出答案。―…and later he moved to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music.‖ 其余選項均有錯誤。5.A 本題的問題是：Witness Mwaijaga 寫有關女人的問題的原因是什么？答案在第三段第二句―Her own experiences have helped her understand the suffering of many African women.‖明顯可見是她有切身經歷。所以正確答案為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.詞匯：

industrialization / in‘d?stri?lai‘zei??n/ n.工業

possibility /p?s?'bil?ti/ n.可能性，可能發生的事物 effective /i'fektiv/ adj.有效的，起作用的，實際的 注釋：

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.傳統的農業經濟中，家庭成員數目多是十分有利的。孩子多意味著田里的勞動力多且有人給父母養老。2.A high birth rate almost always goes together with lack of education and low status for women.高的生育率往往與婦女缺乏教育與社會地位低下相關。

3.These trends show that an effective program to reduce population growth does not have to depend on better economic conditions.這些趨勢表明有效的控制人口的方案并不依賴于良好的經濟狀況。練習：

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 答案與題解：

1.A 本題的問題是：在傳統的農業經濟中，大的家庭的影響是什么？從文中第二段第二句和第三句話可以得出明確的答案。―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.‖所以答案為A，是優勢。

2.B 本題的問題是：當國家工業化后，人口和出生率的狀況是什么？從第二段意大利的例子可以明確得出答案。―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.‖由此可見出生率降低。

3.C 本題的問題是：本文舉出意大利的例子要說明什么？從第二段意大利的前后對比的情況可以看出正確答案為C。

4.B 本題的問題是：文中提到沙特阿拉伯的例子說明了什么？由第三段開頭可知―However, the economy is not the only important factor that influences birth rate.‖下面將要介紹其他的因素，之后以沙特阿拉伯為例。故正確答案為B。經濟以外影響出生率的因素。

5.D本題的問題是：墨西哥、泰國、印度尼西亞的政府采取了怎樣的措施？從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.‖可以得出結論。另一方面從第四段開頭也可以得出結論。―The most important of these is the condition of women.‖之后舉出這幾個國家的例子，從而也可以得出結論。

重磅閱讀

+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.詞匯：

livid ['livid] adj.鉛色的；青灰色的；非常生氣的 awkward ['?:kw?d] adj.笨拙的；尷尬的；棘手的； grip/ɡrip / n.緊握；支配 vt.緊握；夾緊 注釋：

1.When we stepped outside, the sky beyond the mountains to our east was already livid with colour.我們走到外面，東面籠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.我們平穩前進了30分鐘。巖石的狀況很不好。當我們試圖把自己拉上去，它就會滑向我們，像一個打開的抽屜。我的手巨劍出汗變得冰冷。

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 然后我感到了一陣重擊，緊緊向后拉扯，像是有人使勁兒地用手夾住我的肩膀然后把我轉向面對他的方向。一塊石頭砸在了我背包的蓋子上。練習：

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.答案與題解：

1.C 本題的問題是：為什么說他們離開小屋的時間晚了？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.‖可知巖石的狀況已經不是很好了，故此題的正確答案為 C。

2.A 本題的問題是：登山者討厭斜坡的第一個原因是什么？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 本題的問題是：―Cailloux‖這個詞的意思是什么？由第三段后半部分與第四段開頭可知 這個單詞是石頭滑落的意思。―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 本題的問題是：在第四段男孩話語中諷刺的是什么？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.‘‖可知正確答案為 D。

5.A 本題的問題是：Toby安全的標志是什么？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 講述關于人們的故事

最普遍的非小說類文學作品類型之一就是一些描述人們生活的故事，并且很多人喜歡閱讀這 類作品。這些故事大致分為三類：自傳、回憶錄和傳記o 自傳是作者記錄自己故事的文章。通常自傳會、以作者最早期的回憶開始并以對現在情況的總 結作為結束。自傳的作者也許不會完全客觀地介紹自己。然而，他們給讀者提供了一個途徑來了 解自己比較好的行事風格和為何成就這樣的&己。就像本杰明?富蘭克林和海倫?凱勒一樣，各 種各樣的人們已經寫了自傳。其他的作者就像詹姆斯?喬伊斯一樣僅僅寫了關于自己生活的虛構 小說。這些不是自傳，但是它們和自傳非常相近。嚴格意義上來講，回憶錄是既注重作者本身的生活經歷，也注重其所處的時代所發生的事件 的自傳性的描述。回憶錄作者通常把這些事件作為他們生活的背景。他們詳細地描述這些事件并 論述這些事件的重要性。雖然近些年，回憶錄這個詞似乎開始變得可以和自傳互換，但是目前回 憶錄也許還沒有因外界評論而有所改變。

傳記事實上是記錄（作者以外).其他人的生活。在很多方面，傳記也許是這三種非小說類文 學作品中最難寫的了。自傳作者知悉他們所寫的事件因為他們就生活在其中。但是傳記作者不得 不盡量從很多不同的渠道來收集信息。然后他們不得不決定包含哪種事實。他們的目標是用比較 全面的圖片來介紹一個人物，并不是過于蘿極也不是過于批判。一個公正并詳盡的傳記也許要花 費許多年來研究并進行書寫。

第八篇 變化中的中產階級

美國把自己看成是一個中產階級的國家。然而，中產階級既不是一個真實的稱號，也不會帶 來特別待遇。它更是一個觀念，一個也許在第二次世界大戰之后會變得更加正確的觀念。那時，美國經濟不斷增長，越來越多的人擁有了自己的家庭，工人們和雇傭自己的公司簽訂了可靠的合 同，并且幾乎所有想受到高等教育的人能夠接受教育。成功的人士享受這種上升的社會流動性。他們也許之前很窮，但是他們能夠變得富有。成功人士同樣發現他們有更好的地理流動性。換句 話說，他們發現自己正移居并生活在各種各樣的地方。這些中產階級都持有幾種相同的價值觀和原則。認為賺取足夠金錢就可以決定自己經濟命運 的想法，是其中一種比較強烈的價值觀。另外，中產階級的道德觀包括個人的責任感、家庭的重 要性、對他人的使命感以及相信自我以外的事物。

但是在20世紀90年代，這些中產階級的人們發現了成功的代價。1994年，《美國新聞與世 界報道》的一篇調查稱，75%的美國人認為中產階級家庭無法收支相抵。現在夫妻雙方以及他們 的一些孩子都在工作；遙遠的上下班路程變成了常態，兒童看護給家庭帶來了很大壓力，并且公 立學校已經不如以前那樣好了。中產階級的成員不再通過薪水來支付他們的生活所需，而是通過 使用信用卡來維持生活。對于中產階級的理解正在發生變化。第十篇 艾倫的來信

我聽說了一個要在叫Parson公園上建造三百所房子的計劃。沒有幾個人知道這個打算將我們 的城鎮擴大的計劃。對我來說，Parson公園是非常特別的，因為它是一個美麗的天然公園，當地 人可以在此放松休息。這片小樹林里有許多獨特的樹木并且這里的小溪受到了漁夫和野鳥觀察者 的歡迎。這里很安靜因為附近只有幾所房子和幾條公路。我認為失去這片公園會很糟糕，因為在 這附近我們沒有其他與其相似的公園了。我反對這項計劃也是因為它將會引起交通問題。住在新房子的人們將如何去工作呢？高速公 路和地鐵站在城鎮的另一端。因此，這些人每次出行的時候將不得不驅車穿越城鎮中心。公路上 將總是有很多車輛，沒有地方停車，并且來參觀我們這兒可愛的老式建筑物的觀光者將會離開這 里。商店和旅館將賠錢。如果這個城鎮真的需要更多的房子，那片在地鐵站附近的空地是一個更 合適的地方o 毫無疑fe，通過出售這些房子建筑商們會賺很多錢。但是，在我看來，每個人將會因這個計 劃的實施而快速地變窮。不但如此，我們將失去一個非常特別的地方，并且我們的城鎮將會失去 很多快樂。

我將在周一早上到當地政府辦公室抗議這項計劃，并且我希望你們這些讀者將會和我一起去 那里。我們必須讓他們停止這項計劃，否則就來不及了。

第十一篇 芭蕾舞的發展

芭蕾舞是一種歷史悠久的舞蹈形式。事實上芭蕾舞延續至今說明了其隨著時代的變化而有所調整。

在文藝復興時期，芭蕾舞開始于皇家宮廷。在那時，芭蕾舞在國王、王后以及貴族之間變得普遍，并且與音樂、詩歌以及舞蹈一起參與盛會的表演。當這些娛樂形式從意大利宮廷流傳到法 國宮廷的時候，宮女們開始參與進來。雖然她們的長裙子阻礙了很多的動作，但是她們能夠表演 復雜的步伐。直到17世紀女舞者縮短了她們的裙子，改穿平底鞋，并且開始做一些男舞者表演的跳躍和轉圈動作。

而且也是在17世紀，專業的芭蕾舞舞蹈團應運而生。法國國王路易十四建立了皇家舞蹈學 院，而他本身就是一個芭蕾舞愛好者。由此正式確定了腳的5個基本位置，這5個外開的位置成為發展色蕾舞技術的基礎。18世紀末，發生了另一個重要的改變。芭蕾舞幵始通過自己的表演來 講述故事。它再也不僅僅是幕間表演的插舞〗精致的假發和服裝被淘汰。在19世紀初，舞者學會了用腳尖站立使其看起來像是在漂浮。

正如我們所知，現如今古典芭蕾主要受到了俄羅斯舞蹈的影響。在19世紀中葉，當歐洲其他 國家對于芭蕾舞的興趣有所減少時，俄羅斯人始終保持著對芭蕾舞的興趣。在20世紀初，最有影 響力的人物之一便是謝爾蓋?基列夫。他的舞蹈公司俄羅斯芭蕾舞團，為芭蕾帶來了新的動力與 活力。他的主要助手之一，喬治?巴蘭欽，在1948年建立了紐約市芭蕾舞舞蹈團并影響了新一代的舞者。

第十六篇 撒哈拉沙漠

撒哈拉這個名字起源于阿拉伯譜單詞―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350萬平方英里，大概相當于美國的大小。它橫跨大西洋與紅海間的大陸。日間氣溫可高達華氏130度。濕度有時會在13% ~ 19% ,但也可低達2.5% ,為世界最低濕度。撒哈拉沙漠的絕大多數地區每年的降雨量低于&英寸，但多年來大面積地區根本沒下過雨。位于哈拉沙漠中心的是北非的內陸國尼日爾。這里的沙丘可高達100英尺，長至幾英里。在這里，被沙漠覆蓋的地區沒有水和城鎮，其面積大于德國。然而有一個叫做比爾馬的鎮子坐落 于環繞的沙漠中間。忽然間可看見好多個清澈的水潭。令人驚奇的是，那里還有椰棗林。在干河 床和洼地處可找到充足的地下水資源或者綠洲來支持灌溉農業。灌溉溝渠通過一條小溪到達水田 中。在這些田地里種植著玉米、木薯、茶葉、花生、辣椒、橘子樹、酸橙樹和柚子樹。青草上放 養著驢和山羊。在尼日爾的撒哈拉地區，你仍然可以看到500只被系起來的駱駝排成一條寬松的隊伍，組成 一個長達1英里的駝隊，朝這樣的綠洲城鎮走去。在那里，駝隊會收集從潮濕的盆地中開采出來 用于維持生命的鹽，然后運回到位于400英里開外的、沙漠邊緣的居住地。這種穿過廣闊沙漠的 往返行程需要一個月的時間。

第十七篇 引人注目的埃菲爾鐵塔

世箅各地的人們都來到大約300米高，接近埃菲爾鐵塔頂端的地方涂鴉。日本人、巴西人、美國人都在冰冷的鐵上涂上自己的名字、喜好和政治觀點，使這最具有法蘭西色彩的紀念碑成為 動感世界的象征。

從塔上可以看到巴黎市的遠景，但奇怪的是觀光者們寧愿花時間留下到此一游的痕跡，而不 去觀賞風景。但這些涂鴉者也引起了一個問題：為什么在建成114年后，埃菲爾鐵塔仍然這么受 歡迎?盡管它在幾十年前減已經不是世界上最高的建筑物了。

這個問題的答案就像那構成90層的鐵塔的工程一樣復雜。一部分的理由是，毫無疑問，鐵塔 是永不過時的。周期性的維護使得它永遠不會被腐蝕掉。埃菲爾鐵塔定期油漆，覆蓋那些涂鴉, 但是它仍將繼續存在下去。

―埃菲爾是巴黎的象征，而巴黎又代表了法國。所以，埃菲爾十分具有象征性。‖ Hugues Richard說道。這位31歲的法國人保持著在19分零4秒的時間內騎自行車經過747級臺階登上鐵 塔二層的紀錄。―這是鐵娘子，能讓人產生靈感，‖他說。但是它能使人們產生怎樣的靈感呢？畢竟，鐵塔并沒有任何&的。1930年紐約的克萊斯勒大 廈取代它成為世界上最高的建筑。但是電視和廣播信號仍然從塔頂發送出來，而古斯塔夫?埃菲 爾，這個狂熱的建造者利用它的高度進行氣象學、空氣動力學和無線電通訊的研究。他在12月27 日逝世，終年91歲。本質上來說，鐵塔佇立在那兒本身就是一個靈感——它就像一張空白的畫布，任游客自由遐 想。對于那些善于從技術角度考慮伺題的人來說，它是一個工程上的勝利;而對于戀人們來說，它則象征著浪漫。

―這座塔將在我們所有的人離去后長久存在。‖埃菲爾鐵塔管理公司的伊莎貝爾說。

第十八篇 美國教育的目標

教育是美國人的生活中很重要的一部分，花銷也大。其規模宏大，種類多樣。

與其他大多數國家相比，美國教育的不同在于美國教育是為每一個人設置的~”不只是為享 有特權的優等生。學校是要滿足每個孩子的需要，不論其能力如何，同時也要滿足社會本身的需 求。這意味著公立學校提供的教育不只限于學術方面的課程。很多人來到美國之后會吃驚地發現，高中除了提供傳統課程，例如：數學、歷史和語言之外，他們還提供一些課程如打字、縫紉、無 線電修理、.計算機課程或駕駛訓練課程。學生選擇課程是根據個人喜好、目標以及能力水平。美 國教育的潛在目標是將每一個孩子的能力最充分地發揮出來，培養每一個孩子的公民和社區覺悟感。

成千上萬的移民者涌入這個國家，他們的出身背景不同。傳統上,學校在建立民族團結以及 使移民者美國化兩方面起著重大作用。在社區中，尤其在小城鎮，學校仍然起著重要作用。大家對美國的教學方法彳以乎也很陌生。因為這種教學方法不僅不正式，而且不把重點放在學習具體知識上。相反，美國人教孩子獨立思考，教他們自己去開發自己的智慧以及創造能力。學 生花很多時間學習怎樣使用參考資料、圖書館、數據以及計算機。美國人認為只要孩子具有好的 推理能力，好的研究方法，他們就能在以后找到自己所需的具體知識。他們還認為懂得怎樣解決 問題比積累事實更重要。

在這個變化萬千的時代里，全世界細心的父母都在思考一個尖銳而深刻的問題：―怎樣為孩 子的明天做準備呢？孩子的明天既不能預料也不能理解。‖上述的教學方法正是美國對這一問題 的回答。

第十九篇 家庭

在全世界，甚至在同一個社會中，家庭結構有著不同的形式。家庭的構成形式隨著不斷變化 的社會和經濟影響而改變。直到最近，北美洲最普遍的家庭形式為核心家庭，由一對夫婦和他們 未婚的孩子構成。核心家庭是一個獨立的單位。它必須能夠照料自己。家庭成員緊密依賴著彼此。在緊急情況下，外界提供給家庭的幫助微乎其微。核心家庭中，只有當條件允許的時候，才會照 料家中年長的親屬。在北美洲，老人很少和家人一起生活，他們?般住在退休社區和養老機構。

在工業社會，例如北美洲，核心家庭之間有很多相似點。在居住在惡劣環境中的因紐特人的 社會中，家庭間也有很多相似點。核心家庭結構良好地適應于流動性的生活。在惡劣的條件下，流動性能讓一個家庭吃飽飯。對北美洲人來說，找工作和提高社會地位同樣需要流動性。

核心家庭并不總是北美洲人的標準。在農業社會時期，小型的核心家庭經常是大家庭的一部 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。在現在的北美洲，單親家庭的數目大幅度增加。由核心家庭構成的單親家庭的數目是美國由于離婚、分居或者未婚 導致的單親家庭的兩倍。不僅在北美洲，在世界范圍內，家庭結構都會隨著不斷變化的條件而改變。

第二十篇 講述可怕的過去

分析和詮釋歷史并不是小說家的工作。然而通過用一種生動有趣的方式來描寫過去，小說家 可以重現早斯時代，并引起讀者的重視。在敘述歷史的作家中，有一些黑人作家試圖從不同的角度審視奴隸制。

諾貝爾獎獲得者托妮?莫里森在她的作品《寵兒》中專門闡述了奴隸制問題。小說的主人公叫塞絲，她以前是個奴隸，內戰之后住在俄亥俄，但是她無法讓自己從可怕的記憶中解脫出來。通過一系列的倒序和痛苦的回憶，讀者了解到賽絲為什么以及怎樣逃出她賴以生存的種植園，她 那同樣試圖逃出來的丈夫的命運，以及最后發生在叫做寵兒的孩子身上的事情。莫里森對奴隸受 折磨和遭謀殺的場景描寫得很生動，充分地表達出奴隸們的絕望以及奴隸主的殘酷。

查爾斯?約翰遜的小說《中途》從另一個不同的角度來描寫奴隸制，但同樣充滿著暴力。他 的主人公叫做盧瑟福?卡爾霍恩，是一個游手好閑、身份自由的美國黑人。他偷偷登上了一艘開 往非洲販賣奴隸的船只。被發現后，他開始為之工作，并親眼目睹了非洲人被抓起來，然后被運 送到美國這種可怕的狀況。當非洲人最終抵抗并占有了船只后，他發現了自己的中間性——并且 被迫與他自己的身份和價值觀念妥協。

不論是《寵兒》還是《中途》讀起來都不輕松，但是它們都是非裔美國作家努力為現代觀眾 重現重要歷史的典范之作。

第二十六篇 看許久以前的世界

如果你喜歡讀類似亞瑟?弗洛梅爾或尤金?弗多這些令人熟知的作家寫的旅行圖書，那么你 就不會驚訝于旅行寫作那悠長、令人肅然起敬的歷史。幾乎從最早有記載的時期開始，人們就發 現，他們對去一個陌生地方旅行的記錄是不乏讀者的。

公元前后的希臘地理學家、歷史學家斯特雷波，就是最早的旅行作家之一。雖然斯特雷波因 從黑海的東部出發，西至意大利1南至埃塞俄比亞而聞名，他也借鑒了其他作者的記錄來使他的 作品內容更豐富生動。他的多卷著作《地理》是唯一一部記錄當時世界上城市、人、風俗、地理 特征的作品。

大概同時期的另兩位優秀的旅行作家是意大利人馬可?波羅和摩洛哥人伊本?白圖泰。馬 可?波羅在公元1275年同他的父親和叔叔去了中國，在那里待了十六七年，在這期間他也去了一 些其他國家。回到意大利后,他向一位作家口述了他旅行的回憶以及從別人那里聽到的故事，最 終《馬可?波羅游記》問世，迅速紅了起來。雖然很難證實他所說的是否都屬實，但馬可的書促 使歐洲人開始了他們偉大的航海探索之旅。

伊本?白圖泰在1325年出發去麥加朝圣，從此開始了他的旅行。在他的有生之年，他去了所 有的穆斯林國家旅行。他的書《伊本?白圖泰游記》記載了沙漠旅行、宮廷陰謀，甚至包括他游 歷過的地方受黑死病的影響。據估計，在差不多30年里，伊本?白圖泰的旅行行程有7萬5千多 英里。

第三十篇 ―幸運的‖魯肯伯爵一是死是活

1974年11月8日，英國貴族魯肯伯爵失蹤。此前一天，他孩子們的保姆被殘忍地殺害，他的 妻子也遭到了襲擊。直到現在，英國民眾對這個謀殺案仍然很感興趣，因為魯肯伯爵一直沒有被 找到。30多年后的今天，警察重新調查案希望新的DNA技術幫助揭開這個謀殺之謎。

魯肯伯爵被朋友稱為―幸運的‖，人們猜測是他想要殺了他不再與之一起住的妻子。有人說 魯肯踏進他的老房子，在一片漆黑中錯殺了保姆。與他不和的妻子聽到聲音走下樓，也遭到了攻 擊，但是她設法逃了出去。7個月后，陪審團斷定是魯肯殺了保姆。

接下來發生了什么誰也不清楚，但是眾多斷言被總結為三點：他自殺了，他逃跑了或者他可 能已經被殺了。在謀殺發生的第二天晚上，―幸運的‖借了一輛車然后幵走了。魯肯的朋友皮諾 爾在一個采訪中表示，他覺得魯肯伯爵在英吉利海峽中弄沉了自己坐的船，已經自殺了。另一個版本是說―幸運的‖把被血染了的車子扔在了海岸上，乘上了一艘開往法國的船。某 些人在那發現了他，把他送往另一個國家使他安全。但是，過了一段時間，救他的人開始擔心自 己也會被卷入到謀殺案件中，所以他們殺了魯肯。一個更有意思的看法是前偵探鄧肯?麥克勞克林在他的書《幸運者之死》中談到的。他確信 魯肯逃到了印度的果阿，在那里他換了個身份，假裝這個人。魯肯在果阿一直生活著，直到1996 年他去世。最終這個斷言被證實是錯誤的。1996年去世的是真正的哈普林，他曾經是一個學校老 師，后來做了嬉皮士。那么關于―幸運的‖結果哪個是真的？ DNA鑒定破了很多謀殺案件，但是 不知它能否把這個案件做個了結。第三十三篇 老婦人Oseola McCarty ^ 1999年9月一個周日下午較晚的時候，一位上了年紀的名為McCahy的清潔工在她生活了大 半輩子的小木屋中去世了。這位老婦人看似平凡的一生卻有著非同尋常的意義。

1995年夏McCarty把她一生的大部分積蓄共計15萬美元全部捐給了她家鄉的南密西西比大 學，用于幫助大學中的黑人完成學業。她年輕的時候就養成了積蓄的習慣，那時候她從學校放學 就去做清潔工作和熨燙衣服賺錢，并將錢存起來。

她一生過著簡單、節儉的生活，除了生活必需品外她從不在其他事情上花錢。她退休的時候，決定資助那些條件有限的孩子上大學。她曾經想成為一名護士，但她不得不 離開學校照顧生病的親戚。當問及她為什么會把一生的積蓄都捐贈出來時，她回答：―我將錢捐贈 出來，只是為了不讓孩子們工作得那么辛苦，像我一樣。‖捐贈的消息一經傳出，就有600多名捐 贈者向獎學金基金捐款。其中一人是媒體管理人員，Fed Turner,號稱捐贈了 10億美元。她從未想過她的捐贈會產生什么樣的影響，但消息一經傳出，她就收到了來自美國各個地方 的邀請，去向人們介紹她的事。無論她去哪，都有人去跟她說話或去摸摸她。她見到過普通大眾，也見過名流顯赫，如克林頓總統。在她死于癌癥的前幾年，她獲得了 300多個獎項，被聯合國授 予過獎項，也獲得過總統市民模范稱號。從未受過正式教育的她，被南密西西比大學和哈佛大學 分別授予了榮譽博士學位。她的慷慨行為激勵鼓舞了很多人，同肘也證明了世間確實存在真正的無私。第三十四篇 逃亡

在賓館里閑待一個下午是很無聊的。巡回樂團道具管理組的成員在用美元玩兒游戲，把紙 幣折成紙飛機的形狀然后看誰飛得最遠。因為沒有什么事情可以做，我加入了他們并且贏了五 局，之后我找了個機會帶著我贏的錢退出了游戲。盡管天色看起來不是很好，我還是決定出去 走一走。

我向前走到了街道另一邊的一個小店里。與其他的小店不同，它沒有吸引眼球的名字和主要 經營的項目，取而代之的是普通的霓虹燈，里面則是吸引人的強光。奇怪的是并沒有什么影子映 射在窗戶上。我并沒有因為這個而停住腳步，我走了進去。我屏住呼吸，不知道看哪里也不知道從哪里開始看。一面墻上掛著三個手工縫制的美國壁毯，十分美麗，可能是新做的。我穿過易拉罐和散落的小玩意兒還有古董家具，在我面前的一面墻上 掛著一個嶄新的1957年的Straocaster吉他。一張五十美元的卡插在琴弦上。我的手撫摸著放唱片 的架子，讀著標題。這里還有很多的…… ―我可以幫助你嗎？‖她嚇了我一跳。我沒有看見在柜臺后面的女人。她看我的方式如此居 高臨下，這一時讓我很緊張像是被一種磁場或是電場緊緊包裹住。很難避開那個眼神。但是盡 管很不舒服，我還是覺得那種被直視的感覺很美妙，那種感覺對我來說不陌生，對她來說也不陌生。

除了愉悅以外她的神情還流露出慈愛和憐憫。我猜不出她的年齡。盡管她的眼神充滿了友善，她使我想起了我的祖母。我能感覺到她是一個不喜歡與人爭吵的人。最后我開口說話，―我真的只 是看看‖，私下里卻在好奇有多少東西能夠塞進汽車。

她轉身離開到后面的屋子，示意我應該跟隨其后，但這并非是第一個房間，房間的燈光也讓 我感覺很特別，燈光來自天花板上的油饤，使一切都籠罩在巨大的陰影之下。這里沒有罕見的電 吉他，沒有古老的項鏈，沒有鮮花裝飾的手繪盒子。很明顯它是陳舊的用來存放垃圾和那些平淡 無奇的舊文獻的。我發現了一些舊書，那些金字巳經退去使題目很難辨認。―它們看起來很有趣。‖我遲疑地 說。―要想了解上面所寫你必須有相似的經歷―她清楚地說。她察覺到我的臉上充滿了疑惑可是卻沒有再說什么。

她伸出手拿了一本小書然后遞給了我。―這是目前我能夠給你的最好的書‖，她笑著說道，―如果你要用它‖。我打開書發現全部是一片空白，但依然給了她向我要的幾美元，當我察覺到美元依然是紙飛機的形狀時不免有些尷尬。我把書放到包里，謝過她并離開了。第三十五篇 選擇她自己的路

當她12歲的時候，瑪利亞做出了她人生道路的第一個重要決定。她決定繼續讀書。對 于大多數來自中產階級家庭的女孩子來說，小學畢業就都選擇待在家里，盡管有一些參加了 教會辦的女子精修學校。在那她們學習一些音樂、藝術、針線活，以及如何禮貌交談。這些 并不是瑪利亞所感興趣的或者可以說也不是她媽媽感興趣的。此時，她對待學習更加認真。她不停地讀書，他走到哪里就把書帶到哪里。有一次她甚至把數學書帶到了劇院里，設法在黑暗中學習。

瑪利亞道她想要繼續正規學習。她想要到公立高中去學習，很少有女孩子這樣做。在當時 的薏大利，有兩種形式的髙中，一種是―傳統‖學校，另一種是―技術類‖學校。在傳統學校 中，學生們都依照一種非常傳統的教學方式學習，包含拉丁語、希臘語及文學課，還有意大利的 文學與歷史。極少數能繼續學習的女孩們也大多選擇這類學校。但是瑪利亞打算去技術類學校。技術類學校比傳統學校要現代得多，他們提供的課程有現代 語言、數學、自然科學，以及會計學。包括瑪利亞父親在內的大部分人都認為，女孩子是不可能 弄明白這些科目的。另外，他們也認為女孩子不適合學習這些。瑪利亞并不在乎適合與否。數學和自然科學是她最感興趣的學科。但是在她報名之前她必須 爭得她父親的同意。最后在她母親的幫助下她成功了，盡管過去很多年她的家庭關系依然很緊張。她的父親一直地反對她的計劃，而她的母親卻幫助她。

1883 年，瑪利亞 13 歲的時候考取了羅馬的“Regia Scuola Tecnica Michelangelo Buonarroti‖ 學 校。她在這個學校的經歷對我們來說難以想象。盡管課程包括現代學科，而教學方式卻是十分傳 統的。學習包括記憶長長的詞條和事件，然后向老師復述。學生們不會以任何的方式被提問或是 自己思考。老師非常苛刻，課堂紀律十分嚴格，未達標準或者不守紀律的學生會被給予嚴厲的懲罰。第三十七篇 非洲的流行音樂

非洲國家的年輕音樂家們創造了一種流行音樂的新形式。音調與旋律不僅有傳統的非洲因素 也有當下十分流行的各種形式，比如嘻哈、說唱打擊樂、搖滾、爵士或者是瑞格舞。這樣就使這 種音樂讓世界各地的聽者都覺得很熟悉，而它又是典型的非洲音樂。這種音樂在另一方面也有所 不同：很多音樂有著嚴肅的主題，與當今非洲重要的社會問題和政治問題相關。Eric Wainaina是這些非洲音樂家的其中之一。他成長于肯尼亞內羅畢的一個音樂世家。少年 時期他就昕美國的流行音樂，之后就讀于波士頓Berklee College學習音樂。現在他在肯尼亞發了 一張CD。他最紅的歌曲是”Land of ? A Little Something' ‖，這首歌是有關肯尼亞行賄受賄問題的。他希望人們聽他的歌曲然后思考如何讓肯尼亞變成更好的居住地。

另一個寫有關嚴肅主題音樂的音樂家是來自坦桑尼亞的Witness Mwaijaga。她的個人經歷讓 她能夠切身體會非洲婦女所受的苦難。她15歲的時候失去了家，但是比起和她一樣無家可歸 的年輕人來說她很幸運。她可以靠寫歌和在街頭賣唱維持生計。在她18歲的時候，她成為一個明星。她用嘻哈和說唱的風格寫歌，歌曲的內容是坦桑尼亞的各種問題，特別是艾滋病和女 性權利的缺失。

來自塞內加爾的BaabaMaal也認為流行音樂不僅僅是為了娛樂。他在塞內加爾說過，故事的 講述者往往是重要的人物。在^：去，他們是人民歷史的書寫者。他認為寫歌者也擁有同樣的責任。他們必須寫他們周圍的世界，幫助人民明白如何使它變得更好。事實上，歌詞的內容十分重要。他倡導在非洲要和平與協作，同時也包括婦女權利、熱愛家庭和保護環境。

南美最流行的音樂家之一是Brenda Fassie。她可以與美國流行巨星麥當娜媲美，因為她的舞 臺表現力震撼人心。但是她也喜歡讓人深思。20世紀80年代她因為一首有關反對種族隔離的單 曲而一炮走紅。現在種族隔離巳經終止了，她的歌曲有關于南美政治和文化的其他方面。她使用 傳統的非洲語言與一種新的流行形式庫威多來歌唱。

近些年，非洲以外的人們都開始聽這些年輕音樂家的歌曲。通過音樂，年青一代的音樂家使 非洲與世界其他的地方相連接，同時也影響著世界的其他地方。第三十八篇 為什么有這么多的孩子

非洲和亞洲的很多發展中國家，人P增長迅速。原因很簡單：這些國家的女人生育率很 高——每個女人平均有三個到七個孩子。這些女人大部分都很窮，沒有足夠的食物和資源來照顧 家庭。為什么她們要有這么多孩子呢？為什么她們不限制家庭的大小呢？答案是大多數時候她們 沒辦法選擇。這有很多原因。

其中之一是經濟原因。傳統的農業經濟中，家庭成員數目多是十分有利的。孩子多意味著田 里的勞動力多且有人給父母養老。在工業經濟國家中情況就不同了。多數孩子不幫助家里，而是 增加家庭開銷。因此，工業化極大降低了生育率。這是意大利的一個例子，意大利最近幾年工業 化發展十分迅速。在20世紀前葉，意大利是個貧窮的農業國家，有著很高的生育率。第二次世界 大戰之后，意大利的現代化和工業化十分迅速。世紀之末其生育率降到世界最低，平均每個女人1.3個孩子。然而經°濟并不是唯一重要的影響出生率的因素。以沙特阿拉伯為例，那里并沒有以農業為基 礎的經濟，而且是人均收入最高的國家之一。然而還是有很高的生育率（7.0)。而像墨西哥和印 度尼西亞，主要是農業經濟的窮國，但他們的人口還在不斷地下降。很明顯有其他的因素。最重要的就是婦女的狀況。高的生育率往往與婦女缺乏教育與社會地 位低下相關。這就能解釋沙特阿拉伯的出生率為什么如此之髙。傳統的文化使婦女缺乏教育或者 不能獨立，并且在外生存的技能很少。相反，墨西哥、泰國、印度尼西亞的生育率就低。他們的

政府給婦女提供更多的教育和機會。

另一個重要的因素是計劃生育。女人們也許想限制家庭的大小，但是她們沒有辦法。一些倡 導計劃生育的政府為她們提供有效而且不貴的方式，生育率下降。比如新加坡、斯里蘭卡、印度 和印度尼西亞、泰國、墨西哥、巴西。在這些國家婦女被提供健康和計劃生育的幫助。這些趨勢表明有效的控制人口的方案并不依賴于良好的經濟狀況。如果是致力于幫助婦女適 應她們的需求那么就是有效的。事實上只有這樣，才能有機會取得成功。

第四十七篇 九死一生

那天早上我們離開露營的小屋已經很晚了。我們走到外面，東面籠罩在山上的天空是青灰色 的。這意味著將會是很熱的一天，溫暖會使被冰緊裹的石頭慢慢地松開。

正當我們走在表面的時候，很明顯它變成了一段很難走的路。主要的何題是斜坡J在山坡上 有很多的碎石。斜坡被登山者反感的原因有兩個。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險。

我們平穩前進了30分鐘。巖石的狀況很不好。當我們試圖把自己拉上去，它就會滑向我們，像一個打開的抽屜。我的手逐漸出汗變得冰冷。突然有一聲大喊―Cailloux!Cailloux!‖我聽到來 自上面的一個女人的呼喊。聲音成回聲向下傳向我們。我抬起頭尋找它來的方向。最開始只有兩塊石頭，彈跳著移向我們，在半空中撞擊。而此時上方的空氣也好像隨著掉 落的石頭有了生命，巨大的噪聲充斥在空氣中。撞擊聲在石頭表面，嗡嗡聲游蕩在空氣中，之 后又有了撞擊聲。每次撞擊聲之間都有；段時間的空隙，石頭越跳越遠。我一直盯著石頭，感 覺馬上它就要到我這里來一樣。在學校一個比我高幾年級的男孩告訴過我，當石頭掉下來時千 萬不要抬頭。―為什么‖？ ―因為石頭砸在你的頭盔上要遠遠好過砸在你的臉上。‖他告訴我們。低頭，永遠低頭。-我聽見那天和我一起登山的同伴Toby在喊我。我看了過去，他在一個延伸出的石頭下面，已 經安全了。我不能理解他。然后我感到了一陣重擊，緊緊向后拉扯，像是有人使勁兒地用手夾住 我的肩膀然后把我轉向面對他的方向。一塊石頭砸在了我背包的蓋子上。我再次抬起頭。一塊石頭垂直地向我硒下來。本能地，我向后傾斜，拱起我的背保護我的 胸部。我的手指怎么辦，我想，如果被砸上肯定會被砸扁，再也不能恢復。我聽到了在我正前面 的一聲巨響，有人使勁兒拉我的褲子。Toby大喊：―你還好吧，石頭徑直向你砸過來X。‖石頭在 我雙腿間擦身而過，雖然沒有碰到我，但是刮到了我的衣服。

Toby和我用整晚的時間回味早上發生的一切：假如那塊大石頭沒有從旁邊滑過，如果我被撞到，你會扶住我嗎，我會把你也刮倒嗎？對于一個有豐富登山經驗的人來說這也許沒有什么，但 我知道我永遠不會忘記這件事。