阅读理解。
The saying “a penny for your thoughts” is an English idiom simply asking people to volunteer their opinions on an issue being discussed. In modern usage, it is often stated as an indirect way of asking what someone is thinking about.
This phrase is basically a proposal (提议), and the speaker is offering to pay to hear the listener's thoughts. It is an idiom, of course, and not meant literally (字面上地) so no real payment generally takes place.
When the saying originated, a penny was worth a lot more than it is in the 21st century.Therefore, “a penny for your thoughts” likely indicated the thoughts were more valuable to those asking the listener for them than they are by today's standards. This loss of value can be used ironically (讽刺地), however, through tone (语气) of voice; it can be used to indicate that someone's idea is bad or worth a penny in modern value.
The phrase is generally credited to a man by the name of John Heywood, who was born sometime just before the 16th century. During his life, he was a writer who penned many plays and a book in 1546, later known as The Proverbs of John Heywood. It is likely that Heywood did not actually come up with the phrase “a penny for your thoughts”. Rather, he was simply the first person to have set the phrase down in written form. The actual origins of the term are unknown, and since his book was simply a collection of common idioms and expressions, it was probably familiar to people in the mid 1500s.
Another phrase similar to “a penny for your thoughts”is offering “your two cents” after making a statement. Someone might give his or her opinion and then say, “that's my two cents,” to indicate the value of his or her idea. While, much like a penny, “two cents” is relatively low in value now, it would have been more valuable at one time and the expression is used in much the same way.
1.When someone says “a penny for your thoughts”, he or she________.
A.wants to ask you for advice
B.considers your thoughts unique
C.is curious about what's on your mind
D.will pay for what you're thinking about
2.The modern meaning of “a penny for your thoughts” ________.
A.is more closely connected to the value of the penny
B.can differ greatly according to a speaker's tone of voice
C.can confuse the listener easily
D.is more popularly accepted
3.In what way is Heywood related to the phrase “a penny for your thoughts”?
A.He came up with it while he was writing.
B.He helped to explain the origins of it.
C.He contributed to the wide use of it.
D.He was the first person to use it.
4.What do we know about the phrase “your two cents”?
A.It is usually used at the end of a statement.
B.It comes from “a penny for your thoughts”.
C.It has witnessed some changes since the 16th century.
D.It is more familiar to people than “a penny for your thoughts”.
科目:高中英语 来源:2015-2016学年江苏盐城中学高一下期中考试英语试卷(解析版) 题型:单项填空
With the situation worsening, the army threatens to_______ if a general election is not to be held as scheduled. So let's _______some serious work.
A. take over, get down to
B. take up, come up with
C. take on, come down with
D. take apart, live up to
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科目:高中英语 来源:2016届高三复习跟踪检测英语试卷(29)(解析版) 题型:阅读理解
阅读理解。
Can you imagine a world without chocolate? It's not something I'd like to do, so I was relieved to read that there's a university with a programme to safeguard the future of chocolate!
The University of Reading, in England, has just opened a new clearing house for all the world's new cocoa varieties. They must be quarantined (进行检疫) before they can be grown. Why? Cocoa production hit a record high of 4.4 million tons last year but about 30% of the precious crop is regularly lost to pests and diseases. Now we don't want that, do we?
Demand for chocolate has been increasing faster than the world supply of cocoa and researchers think that new varieties are key to solving this problem.
The University of Reading has been protecting the quality of the new crop since 1985, after it took over the task from the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew, London. And it has improved its facilities. The leader of the institution's cocoa project, Professor Paul Hadley, says, “One of the main issues concerning cocoa improvement is the supply of reliably clean, healthy, interesting cocoa material.”
The cocoa centre has a collection of 400 plant varieties and their greenhouse uses a lot of energy to keep them in tropical conditions. After up to two years in quarantine, clean and safe seeds are sent to some 20 countries, including several in West Africa. That's where 75% of the cocoa used for chocolate worldwide comes from. The crop is extremely important for the local economy: it employs about two million people.
Professor Paul Hadley says he works with a small team of skilled technicians who look after the collection. And more of us seem to count on them now.
The scientist says, “There is some concern within the industry that demand is increasing constantly, particularly in countries like China, where the standard of living is increasing and people are getting a taste for different chocolates.”
1.What is the text mainly about?
A.Safeguarding cocoa seeds.
B.Planting cocoa seeds worldwide.
C.Keeping cocoa seeds in the greenhouse.
D.Finding the new market for cocoa.
2.The institution's cocoa project is to ________.
A.have cocoa skin removed
B.offer more jobs to people
C.ensure the quality of cocoa
D.supply cocoa to two million people
3.What does the last paragraph tell us?
A.The taste of chocolates is changing.
B.Demand for cocoa is increasing continually.
C.People are concerned about cocoa varieties.
D.Chinese have a long history of eating chocolates.
4.What's the purpose of the text?
A.To educate. B.To advertise.
C.To warn. D.To inform.
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科目:高中英语 来源:2016届高三复习跟踪检测英语试卷(23)(解析版) 题型:完形填空
完形填空。
Don't let Aurora's small stature (身高) fool you — her spirit is strong. She is one of 140 chickens __________ from a farm. When we saved her, she was tiny and sick and it seemed __________ that she would survive. Having never got the right __________, many of the chickens were sick and some __________ died.
At a young age, Aurora and her sisters and brothers were __________ by their mom. Luckily, another mother __________ their care. Aurora seemed the last to ___________ food and attention. She grew at a much slower __________ than her brothers and sisters. Everything seemed __________ her.
At the young age of seven months, Aurora had lost two moms and was ___________ to find a place with the other chickens.
Aurora ___________ found comfort from an old chicken named Margaret, staying under her wings during the cold nights, __________ Margaret was so old that a few months later she died. Aurora, in her own way, thinks of Margaret. Every evening, you will find her in the __________ spot where she kept Margaret company. ___________ when the other chickens try to __________ her away, Aurora comes back.
As Aurora grew, we became ____________ at her love to simply live. Nothing ___________ her.
So remember, when life seems so ___________ that you can't take it, think of Aurora. She has lost two moms, watched her sisters and brothers die, and ____________ from serious illnesses. Yet she enjoys the small, sweet __________ life has offered — safety, food, warmth and good friendships.
1.A.raised B.purchased C.rescued D.collected
2.A.hopeful B.proper C.possible D.unlikely
3.A.touch B.care C.gift D.partner
4.A.sadly B.angrily C.coldly D.calmly
5.A.punished B.refused C.abandoned D.scolded
6.A.took on B.put forward C.looked after D.brought about
7.A.get B.eat C.draw D.offer
8.A.cost B.rate C.standard D.value
9.A.for B.around C.about D.against
10.A.arranging B.choosing C.struggling D.affording
11.A.lately B.eventually C.constantly D.frequently
12.A.unless B.so C.because D.but
13.A.same B.relevant C.similar D.normal
14.A.Still B.Thus C.Even D.Yet
15.A.clear B.put C.turn D.push
16.A.nervous B.amazed C.excited D.disappointed
17.A.helped B.attracted C.impressed D.stopped
18.A.tough B.different C.smooth D.boring
19.A.waked B.made C.recovered D.learned
20.A.chances B.pleasures C.dreams D.services
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科目:高中英语 来源:2016届高三复习跟踪检测英语试卷(21)(解析版) 题型:阅读理解
阅读理解。
Many experts say that Billy Wilder changed the history of American movies. He is often called the best movie maker Hollywood has ever had.
He was known for making movies that offered sharp social comment. Wilder was one of the first directors to do this. Between the middle 1930s and the 1980s, Billy Wilder made almost fifty movies. During that time he received more than twenty nominations (提名) from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He won six of the Oscar awards. His movies have been seen by people around the world.
In 1944, Billy Wilder made the film Double Indemnity. Some critics said this movie established him as one of the greatest Hollywood directors. Wilder directed The Lost Weekend in 1945. Ray Milland plays the part of an alcoholic writer in the movie. It shows that alcohol rules his life, yet he does not admit it. He hides alcohol in his home and says he is not drinking.
In 1950, Wilder made Sunset Boulevard. This movie told of an aging actress in silent movies. She plans to return to movies though facing many problems. In 1954, Billy Wilder became an independent producer. The next year, Wilder's first movie as an independent filmmaker was a huge success. It was Seven Year Itch. In this movie, a married mailman wants to cheat on his wife with some of his friends. In 1959, Wilder made a funny movie that was very popular. It was Some Like It Hot. It tells about two jazz musicians being chased by criminals. They decide to wear women's clothes and join a band in which all the musicians were women.
Wilder died in March, 2002. He was ninety?five. A current Hollywood producer said: “Billy Wilder made movies that people will never forget.”
1.The text is mainly about ________.
A.the background of American movies
B.the development of American movies
C.Wilder's attitude to American movies
D.Wilder's achievements in American movies
2.What was Wilder famous for according to Para. 2?
A.His unique style of making movies.
B.Sharp remarks on society in his movies.
C.More than twenty awards he received.
D.Almost fifty movies he produced himself.
3.Which of the following made Wilder among the greatest Hollywood directors?
A.Double Indemnity. B.Sunset Boulevard.
C.The Lost Weekend. D.Some Like It Hot.
4.The text is developed mainly by ________.
A.following time order B.making comparisons
C.analyzing exact data D.giving instructions
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科目:高中英语 来源:2016届高三复习跟踪检测英语试卷(18)(解析版) 题型:短文改错
短文改错
About a month ago, I was walking alone on the beach in the evening. I have already finished my homework, and I wanted to relax. Suddenly, I saw two children stand on the beach. They seem to have found something made of metal, which was big and reddish?brown. When I took a look at it, I knew immediate that it was an old bomb! I told them to move away the bomb. Fortunately, I had a mobile phone around with me, so I called the police and told them that had been found. About 15 minutes late, the police arrived. I was praised for it but then I went home. The next day, I heard that the police had blown the bomb up. It had been on the sand for over 60 years!
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科目:高中英语 来源:2016届高三复习跟踪检测英语试卷(16)(解析版) 题型:阅读理解
阅读理解。
Chinese female scientist Tu Youyou won the 2015 Nobel Prize in medicine on October 5 for her discoveries concerning a novel treatment against malaria (疟疾). This is the first Nobel Prize given to a Chinese scientist for work carried out within China.
Tu shared the prize with Irish?born William Campbell and Satoshi Omura of Japan, who were honored for their revolutionary anti?roundworm treatment. 84?year?old Tu is awarded this prize for her contribution to cutting the death rate of malaria, reducing patients' suffering and promoting mankind's health. Although she received several medical awards in the past, the 2015 Nobel Prize is definitely the most privilege reward that recognizes Tu's dedication and perseverance in discovering artemisinin (青蒿素), the key drug that battles malaria?friendly parasites (寄生虫).
However, her route to the honor has been anything but traditional. She won the Nobel Prize for medicine, but she doesn't have a medical degree or a PhD. In China, she is even being called the “three?noes” winner: no medical degree, no doctorate, and she's never worked overseas. No wonder her success has stirred China's national pride and helped promote confidence of native Chinese scientists.
The fact that Tu has none of these three backgrounds reminds us that science should be more accessible to all. One shall be able to become a scientist no matter what kind of background he or she comes from, as long as one dives into scientific research. There have been discussions on people who really love science but are never able to achieve much during their whole life. Their contributions can never be ignored. They work so hard to prove the wrong way so that the future researchers will be closer to the right one.
As the first Chinese mainland Nobel Prize Winner of natural science award, Tu's record?breaking winning also serves as a reminder to those who are too eager for instant success. Science is never about instant success. Tu spent decades on scientific research before its value is officially acknowledged. There is no way to measure how much one devotes to science and compare it with how much reward he or she may get.
1.We can know from the text that ________.
A.Tu worked at home and abroad to conduct her research
B.Tu got the Nobel Prize for her anti?roundworm treatment
C.the Nobel Prize is the first award to recognize her work
D.her discovery of artemisinin has helped to cut malaria death rate
2.The author seems to agree that a person who is more likely to become a scientist is the one with________.
A.a sense of national pride
B.relevant academic knowledge
C.a desire to achieve success
D.enthusiasm for scientific research
3.In writing the passage, the author intends to________.
A.inform readers of the news and make comments
B.discourage the pursuit of instant success in science
C.remind readers of the principles of scientific research
D.praise the award winner and encourage scientific research
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科目:高中英语 来源:2016届高三复习跟踪检测英语试卷(9)(解析版) 题型:阅读理解
阅读理解。
The term “smog” was first used in London during the early 1900's to describe the combination of smoke and fog. What we typically call “smog” today is a mixture of pollutants but is primarily made up of ground?level ozone (臭氧).
Ozone can be beneficial or harmful depending on where it stays. The ozone staying high above the Earth protects human health and the environment, but ground?level ozone is responsible for the choking, coughing, and painful eyes associated with smog. The ozone in smog also prevents plants growth and can cause widespread damage to crops and forest.
Major smog occurrences often are linked to heavy motor vehicle traffic, high temperatures, sunshine, and calm winds. Weather and geography affect the position and severity of smog. Because temperature regulates the length of time it takes for smog to form, smog can form faster and be more severe on a hot and sunny day. When warm air stays near the ground instead of rising and winds are calm, smog may stay trapped over your city for days. As traffic and other sources add more pollutants to the air, the smog gets worse. Smog is often more severe away from the pollution sources because the chemical reactions that cause smog occur in the atmosphere while the reacting chemicals are being moved by the wind.
Smog is a visible example of air pollution. You can look into the distance during the day to see how much smog there is in the air. In addition, most cities measure the concentrations of pollutants in the air and report the results to the public.
Environmental Protection Agency sets national standards for pollutants. Areas that fail to meet the standards for at least one air pollutant are called “nonattainment (不达标) areas”. New measures are being taken by local governments across the country to reduce air pollution in nonattainment areas. These include: banning charcoal barbecues and wood burning in stoves or fireplaces when pollution levels are high; developing programs to encourage carpooling and voluntary “ozone actions”; limiting traffic in overcrowded areas; expanding or improving public transportation systems; requiring employers to contribute to employee public transportation costs; assessing “smog fees” on cars according to the number of miles driven and vehicle emissions (排放) produced; and even buying and breaking up older “super?dirty” cars.
1.According to the passage, ground?level ozone can______.
A.damage the environment
B.benefit human health
C.protect crops and forest
D.limit the spread of smog
2.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Air quality is better in time of calm wind.
B.Smog is more severe near pollution sources.
C.It takes more time for smog to form in hot weather.
D.Chemical reactions occur in the moving air and cause smog.
3.Which indication shows more exact the air is poor?
A.Heavy motor vehicle traffic in big cities.
B.Widespread damage of crops and forest.
C.Clear outlines of hills in the distance.
D.High concentrations of pollutants in the air.
4.What is included in the measures being taken by the local governments?
A.Unconditional banning of wood burning.
B.Encouraging carpooling and public transportation.
C.Charging all the vehicles more “smog fees”.
D.Buying new cars to replace super?dirty old cars.
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科目:高中英语 来源:2015-2016宁夏育才校勤行校区高二下第二次6月考英语卷(解析版) 题型:完形填空
读下面短文,从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
As we know, it is important to be honest with children. But there are some things in this world that simply aren’t_________. Sometimes it makes sense for parents to_________to their children.
I still remember my three-year-old daughter’s face when we watched the_________that twenty children at Sandy Hook Elementary School had been killed. After a few minutes she_________and put her_________arms around my legs and said, “I love you, Momma.” I was still _________ whether or not to turn the TV off when she, _________, asked, “Momma, why aren’t those kids OK?” I just _________ that they were smart children, _________they did something wrong and got punished.
We’re not all_________of a little lie here and there. Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and Snow White are just a few examples of_________for parents to keep magic in the world. Magic, imagination and creativity are very essential in life, _________ for children. These stories battle against the negative aspects of the world and create _________ . In the end children will be able to_________ what is true and what was made to_________their lives. Out of five brothers and a sister I can happily report that not one of the children I grew up with was _________when we discovered who all those _________people really were.
In life, a parent is the _________of knowledge, and it is up to the parent to decide what knowledge to teach and when. There’s no_________ to tell children all about the truth. As they become_________ , they will have a better understanding of the world.
1.A. user-friendly B. kid-friendly C. reader-friendly D. teacher-friendly
2.A. agree B. talk C. lie D. react
3.A. news B. game C. discussion D. experiment
4.A. came out B. fell down C. called back D. reached up
5.A. long B. little C. thin D. strong
6.A. arguing B. researching C. considering D. questioning
7.A. in peace B. in danger C. in doubt D. in puzzlement
8.A. explained B. announced C. suggested D. apologized
9.A. so B. but C. or D. until
10.A. afraid B. tired C. guilty D. nervous
11.A. activities B. goals C. possibilities D. ways
12.A. especially B. probably C. gradually D. frequently
13.A. luck B. hope C. honor D. wealth
14.A. describe B. predict C. understand D. remember
15.A. save B. live C. start D. better
16.A. excited B. upset C. special D. curious
17.A. imaginary B. homeless C. strange D. generous
18.A. friend B. partner C. keeper D. advisor
19.A. time B. choice C. risk D. need
20.A. older B. cleverer C. braver D. busier
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