Etymology, the study of words and word roots, may sound like the kind of thing done by boring librarians in small, dusty rooms. Yet etymologists actually have a uniquely interesting job． They are in many ways just like archaeologists （考古学家） digging up the physical history of people and events. The special aspect of etymology is that it digs up history, so to speak, through the words and phrases that are left behind.
The English language, in particular, is a great field to explore history through words As a language, English has an extraordinary number of words. This is partly due to its ability to adapt foreign words so readily. For example, "English" words such as kindergarten(from German), croissant(from French), and cheetah(from Hindi) have become part of the language with little or no change from their original sounds and spellings. So English-language etymologists have a vast world of words to explore.
Another enjoyable thing about etymology for most word experts is solving word mysteries. No, etymologists do not go around solving murders, like the great detective Sherlock Holmes. What these word experts solve are mysterious origins of some of our most common words.
One of the biggest questions English language experts have pursued is how English came to have the phrase OK. Though it is one of the most commonly used expressions, its exact beginning is a puzzle even to this day. Even its spelling is not entirely consistent-unless you spell it Okay, it is hard even to call it a word.
Etymologists have been able to narrow OK’s origin down to a likely, although not certain, source. It became widely used around the time of Martin Van Buren's run for president in 1840. His nickname was Old Kinderhook. What troubles word experts about this explanation is that the phrase appeared in some newspapers before Van Buren became well known. It is likely that Van Buren could be called its primary source. Etymologists will doubtlessly keep searching for the initial source. However, it is clear that OK’s popularity and reputation have topped those of the American president to whom it has been most clearly linked.
1.The author mentions the words like "croissant" in Paragraph 2 to indicate?
A. words have changed a lot in the two languages
B. what English-language etymologists are exploring now
C. English has absorbed many words from other foreign languages
D. the English vocabulary is difficult to the non-English-speaking people
2.The underlined word "pursued" in Paragraph 4 means ?
A. looked upon B. dug up
C. put in D. set down
3.We can learn from the passage that etymologists
A. discover the possible origin of words
B. help detectives to solve mysterious murders
C. write interesting stories for some newspapers
D. explore the English language as well as the recent events
4.What is the main purpose of the passage ?
A. To present the history of English words
B. To explain the procedure of an etymologist's job
C. To introduce the pleasure of the study of words and word roots．
D. To teach readers how to distinguish English and non-English words
科目：高中英语 来源：2015-2016学年辽宁葫芦岛一中高一下学期期初考英语试卷（解析版） 题型：阅读理解
“Success begins with belief and ends with doubt.”—Larina Kase
I remember reading through a book and the author was writing about being a reverse paranoid. In that particular section he mentions how he has a belief that the world he’s living in is out to give him everything he absolutely wants and desires.
There are times when I think to myself，“Wow，the world is out to get me and make me miserable.” Then I thought，why can’t I believe that the world is out to make me a better conversationalist. Then I started adapting to the belief of the reverse paranoia.
When I started talking to people，I truly believed that I was the most interesting person in the room. I believed that everything I said added value to the conversation. I believed that people stayed behind and chatted with me because they found me charismatic.
As a matter of fact, for about five months I wrote down on my bathroom mirror the following affirmation：“People love me and respect me. It is a privilege to talk to me. People find me interesting and charming and always want to get to know me better！”
I would say the affirmation after I brushed my teeth. And I would continue to say it until I felt completely great about myself. There were days that I just wouldn’t feel like saying it，because it would feel like a lie to me. But that’s the trouble，like the quote says，success ends when there’s doubt. And that’s why I continued until I had no doubt in my mind.
Then strange things happened，I noticed that people did find me more interesting，and that I gained more confidence in talking with people. I was more assertive(坚定自信的) at work. I was able to control politics and gossip at work to minimal levels，and became a much better manager，and developed better customer relations to the point that sales were up by 20% compared to the year before，on my best month sales were up by 39%，and this was a year that a recession was happening.
1.The main purpose of the author is to________.
A．explain how to be a reverse paranoid
B．share his personal experience in success
C．tell us the importance of positive thinking
D．advise us how to improve our communication skills
2.Before the author started adapting to the belief of the reverse paranoia，he used to ________.
A．believe the world would give him anything he desired
B．have a negative attitude towards life
C．have a strong belief in the world
D．live a miserable life
3.Sometimes the author didn’t feel like saying his affirmation because________.
A．it didn’t work as he had expected
B．he had become enthusiastic about conversations
C．he had felt great about himself
D．it didn’t sound true to himself
4.We can infer from the last paragraph that the author________.
A．didn’t believe what had happened at work
B．didn’t get along with others at work
C．had his performance at work affected by the recession
D．made great progress due to his affirmation
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科目：高中英语 来源：2016届四川雅安市高三9月月考英语试卷（解析版） 题型：七选五
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项，选项中有两项为多余选项。
Four Ways to Be a Great Roommate
Having a roommate can be one of the best experiences in college or, easily, one of the worst。 1. Follow these tips to avoid the common mistakes that turn good roommate relationships sour.
◇Talk things out.
Communication is key. If something happens, sit down with your roommate and have a face-to-face conversation. I've seen roommate relationships fall apart because something happens and ,instead of talking to each other, the two start complaining about their roommates behind their backs 2.
◇Don't expect to be best friends.
Some roommates become the best of friends, and some don't. Don't put pressure on yourself or your roommate, especially when you first meet. 3. And if your roommate doesn't end up being your best friend, don't worry.
◇Ask before you take.
This applies to food, clothes and anything else. If you want to keep a relationship going, show your roommate that you have respect for what is his or hers by asking first. 4.
◇Clean up after yourself.
This should do without saying. Don't be lazy. Or, at least, don't bury your roommate in your clothes and garbage. Most people I've come across in college are messy. 5. But being considerate with where you put your stuff will help you avoid conflict.
A. So you need to think twice before you help your roommates out.
B. This creates nothing but awkward. situations and unhappiness.
C. Even if you both agree to share everything, you should still ask.
D. You don't have all the time to clean your room and keep it organized.
E. It all starts with you to have a good relationship with your roommate.
F. Sometime you get stuck with someone who has tons of negative energy.
G. Remember, you're trying to make a new friend, not to scare your roommate away.
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科目：高中英语 来源：2016届黑龙江哈尔滨第六中学高三第二次月考英语试卷（解析版） 题型：书面表达
书面表达
假设你是李华，星期天你要和你的同班同学李明一起去敬老院参加义务劳动，你去找他，但他没有在家 ，你给他留言说明要求，内容如下：
(1)9：30在学校门口集合;
(2)带劳动工具(洗衣粉、理发工具、除草工具等);
(3)自带午饭，骑自行车前往。
注意：
(1)词数100左右;
(2)可以适当增加细节，以使行文 连贯。
Dear Li Ming，
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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科目：高中英语 来源：2016届甘肃平凉市高三一模英语试卷（解析版） 题型：书面表达
书面表达
假定你是李华， 暑假你参加了英国游学活动，住在房东Tricia家中， 回国后给房东写一封信表示感谢， 要点如下：
1、安全抵家
2、回顾英国游学体会
3、感谢房东的帮助
4、附寄两张合影
5、表达愿望
注意：1、词数100左右。
2、可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
3、结束语已为你写好。
Dear Tricia,
____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Looking forward to your reply.
Yours
LiHua
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科目：高中英语 来源：2016届甘肃天水第一中学高三上学期期末英语试卷（解析版） 题型：阅读理解
When Luca first heard of the Island of Inventions, he was still very young. But its wonders sounded so incredible that they were forever burned in his memory. From that moment, he never stopped searching for clues which might lead him to the island. He read hundreds of adventure books, histories, volumes of physics and chemistry, even music.
Over time, he pieced together his idea of what the Island of Inventions was like. It was a secret place, where all the great wise men of the world would meet to learn and invent together. Access to the island was totally restricted. To join, you had to have created some great invention for humanity. Only then could you receive the special invitation — which came with directions to the island.
So Luca spent his youth studying and inventing. Every new idea he got, he made it into an invention, and if there were something he didn't understand, he’d seek others to help him. Soon he met other young inventors and he told them about the Island of Inventions. They too dreamed of one day receiving an invitation letter.
As years passed, the disappointment of not receiving their invitation made Luca and his friends work harder and co-operate more. They would meet in Luca's house, share their ideas and build new machines. Their inventions became known throughout the world, and improved the lives of millions.
But still, no invitation came.
They didn’t lose heart. They continued learning and inventing every day, trying to come up with more and better ideas. Fresh young talent joined their group, as more inventors dreamed of getting to the island.
One day many years later, Luca, already very old, was speaking with a brilliant young man named Roberts, who had written to him, asking him to join the group. Luca started telling the man of the wonderful Island of Inventions, and of how he was sure that some day they would receive an invitation. Surprised, the young inventor interrupted: “You mean this place isn’t the Island of Inventions? Isn't the letter you sent me the real invitation?”
It was only then that Luca realised that his dream had become true in his very own house. No island could exist which would be better than where he was now. No place of invention would be better than what he and his friends had created. Luca felt happy to know that he had always been on the island, and that his life of invention and study had been a truly happy one.
1.Why did Luca and his colleagues probably never receive an invitation to the island?
A. Their ideas were not considered worthy enough.
B. They were too concerned with acquiring fame.
C. The organization had already broken up.
D. The island was not a real place.
2.What did Luca learn at the end of the story?
A. The island of inventions did not exist.
B. He had wasted most of his life.
C. He had unknowingly built his own dreamland.
D. He finally would receive his invitation.
3.Which of the following best describes Luca?
A. Aggressive. B. Trusting.
C. Creative. D. Easy-going.
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科目：高中英语 来源：2015-2016学年甘肃兰州一中高二上学期期末英语试卷（解析版） 题型：语法填空
语篇语法填空
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的适当形式。
People often have trouble 1. （get）used to a new culture. They are usually curious 2. they first arrive in a foreign country. However, if they stay for 3. long time, they may start to feel different 4. (stage) of culture shock. They can feel lonely or sad because they can’t deal with the local people. How 5. (quick) people get used to culture differences may depend 6. the way they learn. That’s a problem if they can’t speak the language. On 7. other hand, some can study the situation and make good guesses about the culture. When they finally begin 8. (understand) some of the language and make some new friends, they will gradually enjoy 9. and feel 10. (comfort).
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科目：高中英语 来源：2015年江苏南京盐城两市高三一模考试英语试卷（解析版） 题型：单项填空
The scientist does not study nature ________ it is useful to do so. He studies it because he takes pleasure in it.
A． until B． though
C． because D． Unless
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科目：高中英语 来源：2016年北京市海淀区高三上学期期末考试英语试卷（解析版） 题型：七选五
根据短文内容，从短文后的七个选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Lost in the Post
How would you feel if the letter you penned carefully and posted to your favorite star ended up in the recycling bin? That's where unopened fan mail sent to singer Taylor Swift was found in Nashville．___1.___
Swift’s management said it was an accident，but dealing with piles of letters is a burden for most public figures．According to the BBC reporter Jon Kelly，at the height of his fame，Johnny Depp was said to receive up to 10，000 letters a week．___2.___
The dawn of the digital age in which public figures with a Twitter account can be messaged directly has made the process easier．The White House says it deals with 20，000 messages addressed to President Barack Obama each day．
Some celebrities don’t want letters．In 2008，Beatles drummer Ringo Starr said that he would throw them out because he was too busy．___3.___ Robert Pattinson，star of the Twilight films，claims that he reads tonnes and tonnes of letters from fans，which takes up almost all his free time．
Many artists，however，outsource(外包) the task of opening，reading and replying．Sylvia “Spanky” Taylor，58，has run a service in California that does just that since 1987．___4.___ Most letters are simply declarations of affection and admiration，she says．A few ask for money．A small number contain threats which require her to contact the celebrity’s security team and law enforcement．
The biggest problem for Taylor is working out how to deal with the correspondence(通信)．Presents such as soft toys are sent to local hospitals，and most of the letters just get shredded and recycled．
___5.___ For some，this is enough，according to Lynn Zubernis，an expert at West Chester University．She says that the relationship between fan and celebrity may exist only in the mind of the former but it comes from a deeply-rooted human need for community．
A． Others do attempt to get through it themselves．
B． In fact，there is no alternative to deal with the problem．
C． How could he have enough time to skim through these letters one by one?
D． Typically，correspondence is acknowledged by a photo with a printed “signature”．
E． Accordingly，the correspondence problem has been difficult for the computer to automate．
F． She and her staff deal with up to 20，000 items of mail a month on behalf of 26 celebrities．
G． This incident has caused a wide public concern about how the public figures deal with the letters or mails from the fans．
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