The Happiest Cities On Earth
If you’re looking for a cheery destination for your next vacation, consider these four spots and get ready to take notes on how to really live the good life.
Singapore
With one of the highest population densities（密度）in the world and residents known for being workaholics, it’s hard to imagine the city-state of Singapore having one of the happiest populations on earth. And yet in a recent survey, 95% of them said they were either very happy or quite happy.
They give their city high marks for cleanliness and safety—subways are pristine (洁净的) and unfailingly arrive on time, and police are seen as helpful and good at their jobs. What’s more, they feel they can count on their neighbours—all 5.1 million of them.
Arhus, Denmark
The residents of Arhus cheerfully part with 68% of their income in taxes, knowing that in return they will be guaranteed free healthcare, free daycare, and a top-notch (第一流的) education for their children.
An energetic city of 300,000 with a lively cultural scene and a diverse number of religions represented, the sense of equality (the range in incomes is narrow), as well as easy access to the nearby sea and surrounding countryside, make Arhus seem more like a small town.
San Luis Obispo, CA
According to a 2008 Gallup-Healthways study, people who live in San Luis Obispo are more likely than residents of other U.S. cities to smile and experience joy and are less likely to experience pain or depression. About 64,000 of the 260,000 people in the greater metropolitan area (都市区), located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, volunteer at over 11,000 non-profit organizations.
Few journeys to work are longer than 10 minutes (one reason its members rank in the upper third for job satisfaction), so “it’s easy to be involved,” resident Pierre Rademaker said. Business signs are unobtrusive (不显眼的) by law, fewer than 11% of residents smoke—the lower rate in the U.S.—there are lots of bike lanes, and the city’s plaza draws crowds of people for free concerts on summer Fridays. What’s not to love?
Monterrey, Mexico
The people of Monterrey don’t enjoy high household incomes or access to good healthcare. Instead, there’s a profound sense of gratitude for the new political freedom enjoyed since the oppressive Institutional Revolutionary Party lost power in 2000—the first time in nearly a century—as well as an emphasis on social life over work.
Another reason Monterrey residents may be so happy is their faith in God and family, and their ability to tough it out through bad times.
“We laugh at sickness, poverty and even death,” says Basanez, a political scientist who lives in Monterrey. “We even have a holiday to celebrate death. November 2, the Day of the Dead, is one of the biggest holidays of the year.”
【小题1】According to the passage, what do the residents in the four cities have in common?
| A．All the residents can make great fortunes by working hard. |
| B．The residents there are mostly educators. |
| C．All the residents enjoy enough material wealth. |
| D．The majority of the residents are satisfied with their current life. |
| A．the people of Singapore expect their neighbours to come to their help when necessary |
| B．the people of Monterrey even observe one’s death on a special day of a year |
| C．the residents of Arhus happily pay 68% of their income for their children’s education fee |
| D．the people who live in San Luis Obispo have job satisfaction because they can enjoy good working conditions |
| A．The people of Monterrey didn’t enjoy political freedom until 2000. |
| B．The residents in Singapore feel happy because of its low population density. |
| C．The people of San Luis Obispo can enjoy free concerts in summer. |
| D．Arhus is handy to the seaside and countryside. |
| A．The residents of Arhus have no racial discrimination. |
| B．Arhus is considered as a family sharing everything with each other. |
| C．There is no wide gap between the rich and the poor in Arhus. |
| D．The residents of Arhus can depend on their neighbours to help. |
【小题1】D
【小题2】A
【小题3】B
【小题4】C
解析试题分析：本文介绍了世界上最适合旅游的，当地人满意度最高的四个地方，并且详细描述了这四个地方的特色。
【小题1】D推理题。根据文章中对这4各地方的描述可知这些地方都有很多的特色之处，而且当地的人对于本地教育，环境等都很满意。根据the city’s plaza draws crowds of people for free concerts on summer Fridays. What’s not to love?和in a recent survey, 95% of them said they were either very happy or quite happy.故D正确。
【小题2】 A推理题。根据文章第2段最后一句What’s more, they feel they can count on their neighbours—all 5.1 million of them.可知他们都很信赖他们的邻居，认为邻居在必要的时候能够来帮助他们。故A正确。
【小题3】B细节题。根据文章第二段第一句With one of the highest population densities（密度）in the world and residents known for being workaholics可知新加坡是世界上人口密度做大的国家之一。故B项的说法是错误的。
【小题4】C推理题。根据横线后面的括号(the range in incomes is narrow)可知划线部分是指收入之间的差距是很小的。故C正确。
考点：考察信息筛选类短文阅读
科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
While many people agree that The Sound of Music（音乐之声）is one of the best films of all time, some are at a loss（困惑） to explain why. Well, I’ll tell you why it’s one of the best movies ever. The Sound of Music simply has everything one could want in a movie.
First of all, it has a real romance--one where you can watch the characters slowly fall in love.
Secondly, it has humor, clever and sarcastic（讽刺性的） humor. When Schraeder said, “ Bye, Maria, I’m sure you’ll make a fine nun（修女）.” You just want to slap（掴） her across the face after hearing that.
Thirdly, it’s got adventure. The Nazis are the worst “bad guys” in any movie, so it’s great to see Maria, the Captain and the kids outwit（智取） them.
Fourthly, it’s got great music. The songs of the film are popular all over the world.
Fifthly, it’s got great scenery. The plot（情节） and dialogue are also amazing. I find new things to admire each time I watch.
Finally, is there a greater scene in any movie than the nuns showing the stolen Nazi car parts? In short, the film doesn’t just succeed because it cheers people up with a beautiful love story or songs. It also succeeds because it’s a wonderfully-constructed, wonderfully-written, and wonderfully-acted movie.
【小题1】What’s the purpose of the passage?
| A．To tell people what makes a good movie. |
| B．To tell people how to enjoy the humor in The Sound of Music. |
| C．To explain why The Sound of Music is one of the best movies. |
| D．To advise people to watch The Sound of Music |
| A．in the author’s opinion, The Sound of Music succeeds mainly because of its songs |
| B．the author can find something new to enjoy every time he watches the movie |
| C．Maria just wants to slap Schraeder after hearing what she says to her. |
| D．The Sound of Music is a movie about how Maria outwits the Nazis with the nuns |
| A．plot | B．music | C．acting | D．clothing |
| A．特征 | B．性格 | C．人物 | D．汉字 |
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科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
Planning a visit to the UK? Here we help with ways to cut your costs.
AVOID BIG EVENTS Big sporting events, concerts and exhibitions can increase the cost of accommodation and make it harder to find a room. A standard double room at the Thistle Brighton on the final Friday of the Brighton Comedy Festival (19 Oct.) cost £169.15 at Booking.com. A week later, the same room cost £118.15.
If you can be flexible and want to know dates to avoid—or you’re looking for a big event to pass your time—check out sites such as Whatsonwhen.com, which allow you to search for events in the UK by city, date and category.
STAYAWAY FROM THE STATION If traveling to your destination by train, you may want to find a good base close to the station, but you could end up paying more for the sake of convenience at the start of your holiday.
Don’t be too choosy about the part of town you stay in. Booking two months in advance, the cheapest room at Travelodge’s Central Euston hotel in London for Saturday 22 September was £95.95. A room just a tube journey away at its Covent Garden hotel was £75.75. And at Farringdon, a double room cost just £62.95.
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF Really central hotels in cities such as London, Edinburgh and Cardiff can cost a fortune, especially at weekends and during big events. As an alternative consider checking into a self-catering flat with its own kitchen. Often these flats are hidden away on the top floors of city centre buildings. A great example is the historic O’Neill Flat on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, available for £420 for five days in late September, with room for four adults.
GET ON A BIKE London’s ‘Boris bikes’ have attracted the most attention, but other cities also have similar programmes that let you rent a bicycle and explore at your own pace, saving you on public transport or car parking costs.
Among the smaller cities with their own programmes are Newcastle (casual members pay around £1.50 for two hours) and Cardiff (free for up to 30 minutes, or £5 per day). (358 words)
【小题1】The Brighton Comedy Festival is mentioned mainly to show big events may __________.
| A．help travelers pass time |
| B．attract lots of travelers to the UK |
| C．allow travelers to make flexible plans |
| D．cause travelers to pay more for accommodation |
| A．a hotel away from the train station |
| B．the tube line to Covent Garden |
| C．an ideal holiday destination |
| D．the name of a travel agency |
| A．half an hour | B．one hour | C．one hour and a half | D．two hours |
| A．to tell visitors how to book in advance |
| B．to supply visitors with hotel information |
| C．to show visitors the importance of self-help |
| D．to offer visitors some money-saving tips |
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科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
One of China’s most popular folk arts is paper cutting（剪纸）. Archaeological(考古学的) finds trace the tradition back to the 6th century; it is supposed that the beginnings of paper cutting were even a few centuries earlier. Paper cuttings are used for religious(宗教的) purposes, for decoration (装饰)and as patterns(图案).
Today, paper cuttings are mainly used as decoration. They ornament walls, windows, doors, columns mirrors, lamps and lanterns in homes. They are also used for decoration on presents, and are given as presents themselves. They are of special importance at festivals. At the Spring Festival for example, entrances are decorated with paper cuttings which are supposed to bring good luck.
Paper cuttings are not produced by machine, but by hand. There are two kinds of paper cuttings; scissor (剪刀) cuttings and knife cuttings. Scissor cuttings are fashioned with scissors. Several pieces of paper--- up to eight pieces---are fastened together. The motif(图形) is then cut with sharp, pointed scissors.
Knife cuttings are fashioned by putting several layers (层) of paper on a relatively soft foundation consisting of a mixture of tallow (动物脂) and ashes. Following a pattern, the artist cuts the motif into the paper with a sharp knife which he usually holds vertically(垂直地). The advantage of knife cuttings is that considerably more paper cuttings can be made in one operation than scissor cuttings.
In the countryside, paper cuttings are usually made only by women and girls. This used to be one of the skills that every girl was to master and that were often used to judge brides(新娘). Professional paper cutting artists are, on the other hand, almost always men who have guaranteed (保证) incomes and work together in workshops.
【小题1】Paper cuttings can be used for ______________.
| A．decoration | B．decoration on presents | C． presents | D．all of the above |
| A．to be added to and make something beautiful | B．to be used as |
| C．to be cut in | D．to be made on |
| A．The ways of paper cutting | B．The reasons for paper cutting |
| C．The purposes of paper cutting | D．Paper cutting |
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科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
Writing about poetry is very similar to writing about a story or research you have conducted .The first thing you have to do to write an essay about a poem is to read the poem Very carefully and read it more than once．
Each poem says something，so try to figure out what the poem is saying to You .What ’s the theme of the poem ?What’s the attitude of the speaker of the poem ?How does the poem use words and sounds to communicate its message ?When you answer these questions，it can help you come up with a thesis(论题)for your essay·
It，s necessary to have a thesis statement written before you start writing your essay，especially when you’re writing about a poem． Your thesis should make an argument about the poem you're dealing with． You might want to argue that the poem is presenting a specific message，or that the words in the poem work together to create a certain tone. You may even want to argue that the poet wrote this particular poem because of a specific moment in history or a specific event in his or her life．The possibilities are infinite . As long as you can use evidence from the poem and from your research about the poem or poet ,your thesis is correct．
Before you even start writing， read the poem again once you have your thesis· At this point，you’U be able to read the poem with new eyes since you know what you’ll be writing about．Go through the poem with a fine-toothed comb and pick out everything that supports your thesis．When you find quotes you want to use，write them down In an outline of the main points of your essay．This will help keep you organized．When you write a quote down, be sure to cite(引用)it correctly．Depending on the text of your essay, you may or may not want to include the poet’s name in your quote． Once you have everything ready to go，You are all set to write your essay．
【小题1】The passage mainly talks about________
| A．the function of poems | B．how to look for quotes |
| C．how to write about poetry | D．the benefit of writing about poetry |
| A．writing an essay | B．understanding a poem |
| C．understanding key words | D．collecting enough evidence |
| A．unnecessary | B．unclear | C．meaningless | D．endless |
| A．Read the poem again and try to find important quotes? |
| B．Write about the poem immediately without referring to it again． |
| C．Put aside the poem and search the Internet for supporting evidence? |
| D．Cite quotes from the poem including the poet’s name and page numbers? |
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科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
Few Americans remain in one position or one place for a lifetime. We move from town to city to suburb, from high school to college in a different state, from a job in one region to a better job elsewhere, from the home where we raise our children to the home where we plan to live in retirement. With each move we are forever making new friends, who become part of our new life at that time.
For many of us summer is a special time for forming new friendships. Today millions of Americans vacation abroad, and they go not only to see new sights but also with the hope of meeting new people. No one really expects a vacation trip to produce a close friend, but the beginning of a friendship is possible.
The word “friend ” can be applied to a wide range of relationships ---- to someone one has known for a few weeks in a new place, to a fellow worker, to a childhood playmate, to a man or woman, to a trusted confidant.
【小题1】Many Americans move from place to place for the following reasons except______.
| A．going to college | B．getting a better job |
| C．finding a place to live in retirement | D．saving money |
| A．enjoy the sunlight | B．feel strange | C．travel to other countries | D．get a new job |
| A．hope to meet new people |
| B．expect to find some close friends |
| C．want to begin lasting friendships with new people |
| D．Both A and B |
| A．a fellow worker | B．a football teammate | C．a boy or a girl | D．all of the above |
| A．For many of us summer is a special time for forming new friendships. |
| B．Today millions of Americans vacation abroad. |
| C．No one really expects a vacation trip to produce a close friendship. |
| D．But surely the beginning of friendship is possible. |
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科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
Why do Chinese people love hot pot so much? As the winter months begin to settle in, I find myself wondering what it is about this traditional meal, which has existed for more than 1，000 years, that makes it a Chinese food favorite．But it seems that the answer lies beyond the dish itself．
Hot pot isn't just designed to keep you warm during the cold months; it's also a social experience．It's a "theater” cuisine that turns a meal into an event．There is a lot of fun for everyone to have in adding ingredients to the hot pot．
Hot pot is eaten over two to three hours．For this reason, it is often, considered an evening's entertainment, and time to spend with friends and family．However, many westerners would be put off by the idea of other people sticking chopsticks in their food．When we come to eat at the table in the UK, we tend to have our own individual portions （份额）, although the experience is still a social one．
A similar experience to the hot pot one can be found in Korean barbecue restaurants, which let you cook your own meat．This allows people to have their meat done however they want．
For most Westerners, the idea of going to a restaurant to cook their own food is bizarre （古怪的）．But having given hot pot a go, I find it's now one of my favorite meals in Beijing．The steam from the pot left my clothes smelling of food when I got home, but perhaps this is also part of the experience．When the chilly （刺骨的） wind is blowing outside, just grab （抓） some chopsticks, some good friends, and dig in．For me it's like throwing a dinner party where my taste buds （味蕾） and my appetite are equally satisfied in the warm company of friends．
【小题1】According to the author, hot pot is popular in China because ________．
| A．it is a fun social experience |
| B．it has been developing for over 1,000 years |
| C．it involves many unique ingredients |
| D．it keeps people warm in winter and it is creative |
| A．prefer a Korean barbecue to Chinese hot pot |
| B．find it interesting to cook their own food in restaurants |
| C．don't like sharing food with others |
| D．don't mind the smell of food staying on their clothes after dinner |
| A．excited | B．disappointed | C．puzzled | D．discouraged |
| A．Appreciative | B．Longing | C．Humorous． | D．Serious． |
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科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
Have you ever considered all the English expressions that include words about clothes? Let’s see if I can name a few proverbs “off the cuff” since I haven’t prepared for it.
| English expressions with “pants” |
| People wear pants to cover the lower part of their bodies. We sometimes say that people who are restless or nervous have “ants in their pants.” They might also “fly by the seat of their pants” -- they use their natural sense to do something instead of their learned knowledge. Sometimes, people may “get caught with their pants down” -- they are found doing something they should not be doing. And, in every family, one person takes control. Sometimes a wife tells her husband what to do. Then we say “she wears the pants in the family.” |
| When people want to say something about money |
| Pants usually have pockets to hold things. Money that is likely to be spent quickly can “burn a hole in your pocket.” Sometimes you need a belt to hold up your pants. If you have less money than usual, you may have to “tighten your belt” -- you may have to live on less money and spend your money carefully. But once you have succeeded in budgeting your money, you will have that skill “under your belt.” I always praise people who can save their money and not spend too much. I really “take my hat off to them.” Yet, when it comes to my own money, I spend it “at the drop of a hat” — immediately, without waiting. And sadly, you cannot “pull money out of a hat” —you cannot get money by inventing or imagining it. |
| English expressions with “shoes” |
| Boots are a heavy or strong kind of shoes. People who are “too big for their boots” think they are more important than they really are. I dislike such people. I really do. You can bet your boots on that! Yet, truly important people are hard to replace. Rarely can you “fill their shoes” -- or replace them with someone equally effective. |
| English expressions with “shirt” |
| My father is an important person. He runs a big company. He wears a suit and tie and a shirt with sleeves that cover his arms. Some people who do not know him well think he is too firm and severe. They think he is a real “stuffed shirt.” But I know that my father “wears his heart on his sleeve” —he shows his feelings openly. And, he knows how to “keep his shirt on”—he stays calm and never gets angry or too excited. |
| A．Which words can be used to describe my father. |
| B．Why English expressions include words about clothes. |
| C．What people mean when they use some proverbs. |
| D．How to say English correctly and properly. |
| A．tighten one’s belt | B．take one’s hat off to them |
| C．burn a hole in one’s pocket | D．get caught with their pants down |
| A．he “wears his heart on his sleeve ”. | B．he “bet his boots on that ”. |
| C．he is “too big for their boots”. | D．he “ fill their shoes”. |
| A．“Amazing! How can you keep your shirt on at that time!” |
| B．“You really fill your shoes” |
| C．“Awesome ! You wear your heart on your sleeve!” |
| D．“Cool! You are truly a stuffed shirt”. |
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科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
London is the capital of Britain. It is located in the southeast plain of England. The Thames River goes through this city.
The British have lived there for about 3,000 years. The Roman Empire intruded into (侵入)Britannia Island in 54 BC. The Romans built the first wooden bridge over the Thames River.
London is a world-famous cultural city. There are many famous cultural sites. It is one of the world's great tourist destinations. About eight million people visit London every year.
The largest museum is the British Museum, which was built in the 18th century. There are many ancient cultural relics of Britain and of other countries in the museum. The London Tower stands on the southeast of Tower Mountain. It was once a palace, and it is now an exhibition center. Westminster Hall is located on the west bank of the Thames River and was built in 750 AD. It is the largest Gothic building of the world and was a palace in the past, too.
The Clock Tower, which is about 97 meters high, is located northeast of the parliament. The famous “Big Ben” weighs about 21 tons and its big pendulum（钟摆）is about 305 kilograms. Hyde Park is one of the great parks in the world and it is in the west district of London. There is a free forum(论坛) there and some people give speeches there every week. They can say almost anything, but they can't attack the Queen or support violent revolution.
【小题1】Which of the following statements is WRONG?
| A．London lies in the southeast plain of England. |
| B．The British first lived in London thousands of years ago. |
| C．People can enjoy a walk along the Thames River in London. |
| D．The Roman Empire intruded into Britannia Island over 2,100 years ago. |
| A．London receives millions of visitors every month |
| B．only in the British Museum can you see ancient cultural relics of Britain |
| C．the famous "Big Ben" in the Clock Tower is about 97 meters high |
| D．not everything can be talked about in the forum at Hyde Park |
| A．traveling | B．kids | C．museums | D．Holidays |
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