To us, it seems so natural to put up an umbrella to keep the water off when it rains. But actually the umbrella was not invented as protection against the rain. Its first use was as a shade against the sun!
Nobody knows who first invented it, but the umbrella was used in very ancient times. Probably the first to use it were the Chinese in the 11th century BC.
We know that the umbrella was used in ancient Egypt and Babylon as a sunshade. And there was a strange thing connected with its use: it became a symbol of honor. In the Far East in ancient times, the umbrella was allowed to be used only by royal people or by those in high class.
In Europe, the Greeks were the first to use the umbrella as a sunshade. And the umbrella was commonly used in ancient Greece. But it is believed that the first persons in Europe to use the umbrella as protection against the rain were the ancient Romans.
During the Middle Ages, the use of the umbrella practically disappeared. Then it appeared again in Italy in the late sixteenth century. And again it was considered as a symbol of power. By 1680, the umbrella appeared in France and later in England. By the eighteenth century, the umbrella was used against the rain in all parts of Europe.
Umbrellas have not changed much in style during all this time, though they have become much lighter in weight. It wasn’t until the twentieth century that women’s umbrellas began to be made in different kinds of colors.
1.The underlined word “it” in Paragraph 5 refers to ________.
A.Italy B.the 16th century C.the umbrella D.the use of the umbrella
2.The umbrella was first widely used against the rain ________ around Europe.
A.in the Middle Ages B.by 1680 C.by the 18th century D.in the 20th century
3.Which of the following statements is true about the umbrella?
A.Some researchers exactly know who the inventor of the umbrella was.
B.The umbrella was first invented to be used as protection against the sun instead of rain.
C.The umbrella changed much in style and became lighter in weight in the 18th century.
D.In Europe, the Greeks were the first to use the umbrella as a kind of modern fashion.
4.This passage mainly talks about ________.
A.the history and use of the umbrella B.why the umbrella was so popular in Europe
C.the process of making an umbrella D.when and how the umbrella was invented
科目:初中英语 来源:2019年浙江省杭州市滨江区中考一模英语试卷 题型:阅读单选
Coffee is a necessary part of Italian culture and since arriving here over six months ago, I have definitely drunk a lot of it!
Of course, coffee is also very popular in the UK, but coffee culture in Italy is a completely different story. In Italy, when you order a coffee in a cafe or a bar, you are presented with a tiny, bitter espresso(蒸馏咖啡). This is “normal coffee” for Italians and they are not so interested in the huge coffees that we drink in the UK. In addition, while takeaway coffee is extremely popular among Englishmen, it is not very common at all in Italy, especially in non?touristy areas. Generally, Italians prefer to drink their tiny coffees while standing at the bar and, for many, this short break is an important part of their day.
Typically, breakfast at a bar in Italy includes a coffee and a pastry(油酥糕点). I have been spoiled for choice with lovely cafes in the Italian town I'm living in. These cafes sell a series of mouth?watering pastries—either plain or filled with cream, chocolate, jam or Nutella—as well as delicious coffee. Cappuccinos are very popular at breakfast time and, for me, a creamy cappuccino and a pastry is the perfect way to start the day. I think it's a nice way to head to bar to buy a coffee and a pastry for breakfast before working and it's relaxing to take more time to enjoy such breakfast at the weekend.
Finally, I have found that coffee in Italy is so much cheaper than coffee in the UK. Of course, this means that in Italy, it is possible to go out for coffee regularly without breaking the bank.
1.Which of the following do Italians like better?
A.Takeaway coffees.
B.Huge coffees.
C.Creamy coffees.
D.Tiny, bitter coffees.
2.What does the word “they” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A.Italians. B.Britons.
C.Coffees. D.Cafes.
3.What does the writer usually do when in Italy?
A.Sell tiny coffees to Italians.
B.Travel in touristy areas.
C.Enjoy a coffee with a pastry.
D.Break the bank regularly.
4.Why can the writer often go out for coffee without breaking the bank in Italy?
A.Because coffee is a part of Italian culture.
B.Because there are so many cafes or bars.
C.Because Italian pastries are very delicious.
D.Because Italian coffee is very cheap.
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科目:初中英语 来源:2019年河北省保定市中考一模英语试卷 题型:材料作文
某英文报正在举办主题为“我最喜欢的一首歌”的征文活动,请你根据以下要点提示,以“My favorite song”为题,写一篇英语短文参加此次征文活动。
要点提示:
1. the name of your favorite song
2. the reason you like it
3. the reason you advise others to listen to it
写作要求:
1.词数80词左右;
2.必须包括写作要点,可适当拓展细节,以使行文连贯;
3.不得出现真实人名和校名,否则不得分。
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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科目:初中英语 来源:人教新目标英语七年级下册测试Unit 4 Don’t eat in class Section A(Grammar Focus-3c) 题型:语法填空
阅读下面的短文,在空白处填入一个适当的词或填入括号中所给单词的正确形式。
We often have classes in the lab(实验室). There are many 1.(rule)in the lab. Don't eat or drink in the lab. Don't 2.(bring)food or drinks to the lab. There 3.(be)three reasons. First, the bowls and cups are very easy to break and the food or drinks will be out. They will make the lab dirty. 4.(two), there are many dangerous things in the lab. It isn't good 5. us if we eat them. If you put the food 6. drinks into your mouth in the lab, you may 7.(eat)some of dangerous things. Of course, it is always a good idea 8.(wash)your hands each time before you leave the lab. Third, food can attract(吸引)some mice(老鼠)and flies(苍蝇). So, if you want 9.(drink)or eat something, do it 10. the lab.
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科目:初中英语 来源:2019年浙江省杭州市下城区中考一模英语试卷 题型:书信作文
第二节:书面表达
假定你是李平,收到已回国的交换生Bill的来信,请你根据来信内容给予回复。词数:80左右。
参考词汇:apply (申请)
From: Bill
Hi, Li Ping,
Everything goes well in school after I came back to America. How are you getting along these days? I guess you must be busy and under great pressure. Have you made a decision which school you plan to apply for? I can’t wait to hear from you soon.
All the best.
Bill
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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科目:初中英语 来源:2019年山东省聊城市阳谷县中考一模英语试卷 题型:语法填空
A dog entered a butcher’s shop with a note in his mouth. The note read,“ $10 of lamb chops(羊排), please”. The butcher(屠夫) was very1.( surprise). He took the money, put a bag of chops in the2.(dog) mouth, and then he closed the shop3.(quick). He followed the dog and watched him wait for a green light. Then the dog crossed the road to a bus stop. He checked the timetable and sat on the bench. When a bus arrived, the dog checked the number and got4.(介词)it.
As the bus traveled out into the countryside, the dog enjoyed the scenery. After5.(冠词) while, he stood on his back paws(爪子)and6.( push) the “stop” button.Then the butcher followed 7.(he) off.
The dog ran up to a house and dropped his bag on the ground. He went back down the path, took a big run, and 8.(throw) himself against the door. No answer. He repeated the action a few times. Then a big man opened the door9.(连词) started complaining (抱怨) about the dog and beating him.
Seeing this, the butcher ran up and shouted at the man, “What are you doing? This dog is a genius(天才)!”
The man replied, “Genius? No way! He has forgotten his key for the 10.( five) time this month!”
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科目:初中英语 来源:江苏省南京市江宁分校2018-2019学年八年级上学期期末英语试卷 题型:单词填空
根据短文内容和首字母提示,填写所缺单词,并将答案填写在答题卡相应位置上。
Readers is a popular TV show. It invites d1. people to read aloud on the stage(舞台). The show also t2. the moving stories behind those people. They can read everything, like p3., books, and letters. By reading aloud, the words on the paper come to life.
Many people are fans of the show. They begin to e4. reading aloud at home. Now, the show g5. people a special place to read across China. It is a reading pavilion(朗读亭). They are in many c6., including Shanghai, Hangzhou and Xi’an.
The pavilion is very small. O7. one person can come into it each time. There is a microphone in it and it records people’s v8.. Everyone can read for three minutes in the pavilion. They can read anything they like. The show will c9. some of the readers and invite them to read on TV.
People of all ages read in the pavilion. “Reading should be just l10. singing and talking,” said Dong Qing, the host and producer of the show. “We can express our true feelings by reading aloud.”
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科目:初中英语 来源:江苏省南京市江宁分校2018-2019学年八年级上学期期末英语试卷 题型:单选题
—_______ does a baby tiger weigh when it is born?
—It might be hard to believe. A new-born baby tiger weighs no more than 1 kilogram.
A.How old B.How much C.How many D.How long
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科目:初中英语 来源:2019年河南省平顶山市中考一模英语试卷 题型:完型填空
A stream ran down from a high mountain through many villages and forests. Then it_______a desert. “I went through endless_______. I should have no problem crossing the desert,” she thought. But as she started, she found herself slowly_______ into the sand. After many tries, she still failed. “Maybe I can't reach the ocean,” she said sadly to_______.
At that time, a deep voice came, “If a breeze(微风) can cross the desert, so_______a river. ”It was the voice of the desert.” A breeze can fly, but I can't," the stream answered. “Thar's because you can't_______what you are. Let yourself evaporate (蒸发) into the breeze, and it can take you across,” said the desert. “Give up what I am? No! No!” The stream could not_______ this idea. “The breeze can_______the vapor (蒸汽) across the desert and let it leave as rain. The rain will form a river again.” said the desert. “And whether you are a river_______vapor, your nature never changes.” Hearing that the stream went into the open arms of the breeze, it carried her to the next stage of her life.
__________we think that no way to go is actually the beginning of another journey of life.
1.A.reached B.arrived C.came D.got
2.A.problems B.difficulties C.results D.questions
3.A.appearing B.turning C.disappearing D.putting
4.A.her B.it C.us D.herself
5.A.do B.can C.does D.will
6.A.give up B.take up C.get up D.set up
7.A.receive B.accept C.agree D.answer
8.A.carry B.fetch C.take D.bring
9.A.and B.but C.so D.or
10.A.Some times B.Sometimes C.Sometime D.Some time
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