It all began with a stop at a red light.
Kevin Salwen was driving his 14-year-old daughter, Hannah, back from a sleepover in 2006 . While waiting at a traffic light, they saw a black Mercedes Coupe on one side and a homeless man begging for food on the other.
“Dad, if that man had a less nice car, that man there could have a meal.”Hannah protested. The light changed and they drove on, but Hannah was too young to be reasonable. She pestered (纠缠)her parents about inequity, insisting that she wanted to do something.
“What do you want to do?” her mom responded. “Sell our house?”
Warning! Never suggest a grand gesture to an idealistic teenager. Hannah seized upon the idea of selling the luxurious family home and donating half the proceeds to charity, while using the other half to buy a more modest replacement home.
Eventually, that’s what the family did. The project —crazy, impetuous (鲁莽的) and utterly inspiring — is written down in detail in a book by father and daughter scheduled to be published next month: “The Power of Half.” It’s a book that, frankly, I’d be nervous about leaving around where my own teenage kids might find it. An impressionable child reads this, and the next thing you know your whole family is out on the street.
At a time of enormous needs in Haiti and elsewhere, when so many Americans are trying to help Haitians by sending everything from text messages to shoes, the Salwens offer an example of a family that came together to make a difference — for themselves as much as the people they were trying to help. In a column a week ago, it described neurological evidence from brain scans that unselfishness lights up parts of the brain normally associated with more primary satisfaction. The Salwens’ experience confirms the selfish pleasures of selflessness.
Mr. Salwen and his wife, Joan, had always assumed that their kids would be better off in a bigger house. But after they downsized, there was much less space to retreat to, so the family members spent more time around each other. A smaller house unexpectedly turned out to be a more family-friendly house.
【小题1】The best title for the passage should be “______”.
A.The Less, the Better | B.An Expected Satisfaction |
C.Something We Can Live Without | D.Somewhat Crazy but Inspiring |
A.Unfairness. | B.Satisfaction. | C.Personal attitude. | D.Reasonable statement. |
A.Never give a quick answer to an idealistic teenager. |
B.Unless a child is realistic, never give an answer immediately. |
C.Give an answer if the child is reasonable. |
D.Don’t respond to a child's demands firmly without consideration. |
A.The Salwens regretted selling their house. |
B.The relationship between the family members of the Salwens is much closer. |
C.Small houses can bring happiness. |
D.The Salwens intend to buy another big house. |
A.Mercedes Coupe is only an ordinary car which is quite cheap. |
B.Unselfishness has nothing to do with people’s primary satisfaction. |
C.Hannah asked her parents to do something charitable and they sold their house. |
D.The writer’s children asked him to sell their house. |
【小题1】D
【小题2】A
【小题3】D
【小题4】B
【小题5】C
解析试题分析:这篇文章讲的是Kevin Salwen 受到女儿的启发,卖了自己的房子,换了小的,剩下的钱,用来帮助有需要的人,而他们自己的家庭也更加亲密了。
【小题1】D标题确定题:这篇文章讲的是Kevin Salwen 受到女儿的启发,卖了自己的房子,换了小的,剩下的钱,用来帮助有需要的人,正如文章的句子:Eventually, that’s what the family did. The project —crazy, impetuous (鲁莽的) and utterly inspiring这个做法有点疯狂但是激励人心,选 D
【小题2】A猜词题:从第二段的句子:they saw a black Mercedes Coupe on one side and a homeless man begging for food on the other.可知女儿看见的是不平等的事情,选A。
【小题3】D句意理解题:这句话的意思是:提醒:不要给一个理想主义的孩子这么大方的提议!所以是:不要不加考虑就回答一个孩子的要求,选D
【小题4】B细节题:从最后一段的句子:But after they downsized, there was much less space to retreat to, so the family members spent more time around each other. A smaller house unexpectedly turned out to be a more family-friendly house.可知Salwen 家人的关系更加亲密了,选B
【小题5】C细节题:从文章第六段的句子:Eventually, that’s what the family did. The project —crazy, impetuous (鲁莽的) and utterly inspiring可知Hannah 让父母做慈善的事情,他们卖了房子。选C。
考点:故事类阅读。
科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Luo Jingyu, 19, has four years of experience of running business. He is also a freshman in the arts department of Hubei University.
Luo Jingyu is from an ordinary family. He said, “My parents told me if I wanted something I should make an effort to get it, so I earned pocket money by doing housework when I was little.” The dream of running his own business grew in his heart. He said, “I want to be a successful person, like Alibaba’s Ma Yun.”
When Luo was a junior student, he had the idea of selling lanterns(灯笼)when he saw many people flying Chinese lanterns in a square. Luo bought some lanterns from a store, but the sales were not as good as he had expected. Then he found another way to do business. He bought lanterns on the Internet at a very low price. Finally he easily made 5,000 yuan in two days.
With a happy beginning, Luo planned to open a dress shop. “My parents didn’t support me opening a dress shop, so I had to borrow 120,000 yuan for it.” Although he did market research before starting, the business wasn’t very good because his taste in fashion wasn’t accepted by customers. The shop eventually closed down after half a year.
After experiencing a big loss, he decided to do something he was familiar with --- selling painting tools. As a fine arts student, he knew the market. He convinced his friends to invest one million yuan in his shop. With a good business mind and a lot of effort, the sales of the shop reached six million yuan in a year.
Even though Luo is rich, he uses a cheap cell phone and does not wear luxury(奢华的) clothes. He has a simple lifestyle. “It isn’t easy to make money, so money should be used on something worthwhile,” he said.
【小题1】We can learn from the second paragraph that Luo’s parents _______.
A.asked him for money to pay the rent |
B.gave him some money to do business |
C.advise him to pay more attention to his studies |
D.suggested that he work hard to get something |
A.abcd | B.abdc | C.bacd | D.cbad |
A.He had to prepare for his exam. |
B.The dresses he bought weren’t of high quality. |
C.Customers didn’t accept his taste in fashion. |
D.He didn’t have enough money to buy beautiful dresses. |
A.Luo learnt to make lanterns from his father. |
B.Luo’s friends advised him to sell painting tools. |
C.The loss at the dress shop taught Luo a lesson. |
D.Luo borrowed money from the bank to open shops. |
A.Talented but lazy. |
B.Rich but mean. |
C.Optimistic and generous. |
D.Hard-working and plain-living. |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
The American newspaper publisher Arthur Sulzberger Sr died at the age of 86.Mr Sulzberger led The New York Times for more than three decades,before passing the business to his son.He took over the paper in 1963 when it was in financial trouble,and transformed it into the heart of a multibillion dollar media empire.
His family announced he had died at his home in Southampton,New York State,after a long illness.His son,Arthur Sulzberger Jr,said in a statement that his father,whom he referred to by his childhood nickname of Punch,was “one of our industry’s most admired executives”.“Punch,the old Marine captain who never backed down from a fight,was an absolutely fierce defender of the freedom of the press,” he said.
The New York Times was bought by Mr Sulzberger Sr’s grandfather Adolph Ochs in 1896.During Mr Sulzberger’s tenure,The New York Times won 31 Pulitzer prizes.
Born in New York City,5 February 1926,Sr served in Marine Corps during World War Ⅱ and Korean War,joined The New York Times in 1951 after graduating from Columbia College,took over as publisher in 1963 after his brotherinlaw died suddenly,stepped down in 1997 and passed stewardship to his son,Arthur Sulzberger Jr.
He oversaw a huge circulation boost at the paper,and increased its parent company’s annual revenues (年收入) from $100m in 1963 to $1.7bn by the time he stepped down in 1997.He also led the paper through highlevel clashes with the political establishment.In 1971,The Times published a series of stories saying that politicians had systematically lied over the US involvement in Vietnam.The source was thousands of leaked government documents known as the Pentagon Papers.The Nixon administration demanded that the paper stop publishing the stories on grounds of national security.But the paper refused,and then won the subsequent court case by arguing that the First Amendment of the US Constitution (宪法) guaranteed free speech.The case is seen as a landmark in the history of free speech in the US.Mr Sulzberger said he read more than 7,000 pages of the Pentagon Papers before personally deciding to publish them.
His family still holds a controlling stake (控股权) in The New York Times.He was a strong believer in family ownership of newspapers.He once joked:“My conclusion is simple.Nepotism works.”
【小题1】When did Arthur Sulzberger Sr die?
A.In 1997. | B.In 2012. |
C.In 1963. | D.In 1971. |
A.Arthur Sulzberger Jr |
B.Adolph Ochs |
C.Arthur Sutzberger Sr’s father |
D.Arthur Sulzberger Sr |
A.Arthur Sulzberger Sr took over The New York Times from his brotherinlaw. |
B.Arthur Sulzberger Jr’s grandfather bought The New York Times. |
C.Arthur Sulzberger Sr resigned when The New York Times was in financial trouble. |
D.Arthur Sulzberger Jr took over The New York Times after graduating from Columbia College. |
A.failed the case in the end |
B.lost the controlling stake in The New York Times |
C.gave in to the government |
D.succeeded in guarding free speech of the paper |
A.Friendship. | B.Politics. |
C.Family ownership | D.Freedom of speech. |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Uncle Li and Uncle Wang are good friends. They live next to each other and their farms are both at the foot of the mountain. So they can help each other. But neither of them likes to use his head. They're both poor though they work hard. Most villagers have built new houses, but they still live in the low and broken houses. They never find out why.
Once Uncle Li went to town to buy some medicine for his wife. In the town he heard the apples in a city were expensive. He told Uncle Wang about it as soon as he went back. They decided to carry some apples to the city. They borrowed some money from their friends and bought nearly 1,000 kilograms of apples in the villages and carried them to the city on a tractor(拖拉机). Bad luck! A lot of apples had already been carried there when they arrived. A few days later they had to sell them at a low price (价格)。They felt unhappy and returned to their village.
"I can't understand why we sustained (蒙受) losses in business while others always profit (盈利)" Uncle Li asked one day. "The tractor was too small " Uncle Wang said without thinking. "We'll carry more apples on a truck next time!" "I agree!" said Uncle Li.
How foolish they were !
【小题1】Uncle Li and Uncle Wang live in the low and broken houses because __________.
A.they hope to save money |
B.they're both poor |
C.their farms are at the foot of the mountain |
D.they're not far from their farms |
A.make a journey | B.visit some places of interest |
C.meet their friends | D.make a profit |
A.theirs weren't as good as the others' |
B.theirs were much less than the others' |
C.a lot of apples had been already carried to the city |
D.they forgot to carry them on a truck |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
I decided to have dinner in the hotel, for I arrived late one night on a business trip. As I was finishing my meal, an elderly couple came in to dine. They were holding hands and had lovely smiles on their faces. They sat three tables from me. I was amazed at the love they showed for each other. It seemed to strike home all the more, because it was shortly after ending a 20-year marriage and I still had pain in my heart.
My waiter was also their waiter. As I paid my bill, I inquired as to what their bill was. He informed me, and I gave him $40 to pay their bill. He asked if I knew them and I told him "No, I just wanted to repay them for the love that they were showing to each other," and then I departed.
The next day I entered the restaurant to dine before my departure. After I had been seated, the waiter who served me the night before told me that the strangest thing happened after I left the restaurant.
When the elderly couple went to pay for their meal, they were informed that it had been paid. When they inquired who had done this, the hostess told them they had no idea who I was, just retelling what I said.
The couple were amazed. They looked around, asked for the bill of two young couples who were seated together, paid their bill and departed, saying "Love begets(产生) Love" to the amazement of the hostess and waiter.
I smiled and said "That's nice," and proceeded to order my meal.
About 45 minutes later, I finished my meal and was about to head out, but my waiter was nowhere to be found. I waited and waited and finally walked over to the hostess stand and explained that I needed to pay for my meal and hurry to the airport. She smiled and explained that I would not have to pay for my meal, because both the waiter and she felt compelled to pay my bill due to the joy that was brought to the faces of the elderly couple and the amazement of the young couples.
When I told her that they didn't have to do that, she said with a smile "Love begets Love."
【小题1】The writer’s purpose of writing the passage is to .
A.suggest love never dies |
B.share an interesting experience |
C.encourage us to help people in need |
D.prove a show of love really makes a difference |
A.Because they were always ready to help poor people. |
B.Because they were happy to pass the love they gained. |
C.Because they invited the young people to the meal. |
D.Because they didn’t want to take the advantage of the writer’s generosity. |
A.The love between the elderly couple deeply touched the writer who was single. |
B.The young couples paid the bill of other customers in the restaurant. |
C.The waiter left on purpose and made the writer stay alone to test him. |
D.The writer did all this to prove his belief in love. |
A.A good beginning makes a good ending. |
B.Where there is love, there is life. |
C.Love me, love my dog. |
D.As a man sows, so shall he reap (收获). |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Mom’s birthday present? It may be a difficult thing for some people, but for me, it is an easy thing. Mom loved flowers, so every year I sent her flowers. Actually she had a bed of irises (鸢尾花) in the backyard of her small, Indiana farm. They were beautiful. “Take some,” she said, “Dig some up and plant them on the side of your own house.”
But in my yard they became lacking in energy. A year passed, then two, but not one flower appeared. I cut back all their green leaves. I was tired of seeing them so lonely. Finally, I dug the irises up and threw them away.
About that time Mom died unexpectedly. My sister and I sold the farm. I never went back to see the irises. I just couldn’t bear seeing another family living in our home—Mom’s home. Autumn came, then winter. The following spring, as Mom’s birthday approached, I struggled with the question of how to remember her. I stared out the window and saw a few stubborn irises in my side yard sprouting (发芽), —tall, thin but flowerless. Because of seeing them, I decided to order flowers as I always did on Mom’s birthday, and send them to my sister. I wished so badly I could still send flowers to Mom. But that was impossible.
In the morning of Mom’s birthday, I was in my car ready to work. Something in the yard caught my eye. The irises! One had bloomed with flowers, big, showy and purple, as lovely as they ever had been on Mom’s farm. I smiled and turned my eyes upward. I could no longer send flowers to Mom. But somehow, she’d been able to send them to me.
【小题1】According to the first paragraph, Mom ________.
A.wanted to give the author some flowers |
B.didn’t like the presents from the author |
C.lived with the author on an Indiana farm |
D.got different birthday presents from the author every year |
A.all died quickly |
B.didn’t bloom at all |
C.grew as well as on Mom’s farm |
D.grew better than those on Mom’s farm |
A.She didn’t know how to grow irises. |
B.She regretted they had sold Mom’s farm. |
C.She didn’t know what to do in memory of Mom. |
D.She couldn’t bear others living in Mom’s home. |
A.decided to send flowers to her sister on Mom’s birthday |
B.dug them out because they were flowerless |
C.decided to send them to Mom after they bloom |
D.ordered flowers for the people living in Mom’s home |
A.All the irises in the author’s yard bloomed. |
B.The author went to see the irises in Mom’s yard. |
C.It was Mom who took care of these irises in the author’s yard. |
D.The author thought the blooming irises were gifts from Mom. |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Watson entered Mr. Smith's office. The boss was a hard man. He fired people who didn't do well without giving them a second chance.
"Watson," said Mr. Smith, "this past year your department hasn't earned money. We're going to drop that department. It's finished. I’m sorry, —but you'll have to go." "But, sir — if I just had a little more time. For the moment I need the job to keep my son at Riverside School."
"What's that!" said the boss. "Riverside! I didn't know you had a boy there. That's an expensive school for a man with your salary."
"I know, sir. But he likes it there so much! He's a star athlete and the best boxer in the school. The boys call him Champ there."
The boss sat perfectly still for a long time — a faraway (恍惚的) look in his eyes. Then, suddenly, he said, "We've got to close your department, Watson. But you'll take over a new job in another department. It means longer hours—maybe more pay. Now get out. You're here for life."
Watson got out, with surprise on his face. Then the boss took a letter from the top drawer of his desk. It was Herbie's last letter from Riverside School —written a few days before he died. He had read it over and over again with sick pain. The letter read:
I can’t say the boys here are any nicer to me than the others were. I guess it's the same everywhere when you're a cripple (跛脚的人). But don't worry about me, Dad. They've got a good chemistry department here. And there’s one boy here who is really great. He's a track star and boxing champ (冠军) and just tops in chemistry. The boys call him Champ. He made them stop throwing my books around. And he knocked a boy down who hit me. He is the best friend I ever had. Dad, when I grow up, 1 want to do something for Champ. Something big — that he won’ t even know about.
Your son,
Herbie
【小题1】Mr. Smith wanted to fire Watson because _____.
A.Watson would take over a new job in another department |
B.Watson had his son study in Riverside School |
C.Watson's son knocked a boy down who hit Herbie |
D.Watson's department didn't earn money that year |
A.Mr. Smith didn't know that Champ was Watson's son at first |
B.Mr. Smith was told not to fire Watson by Herbie |
C.Mr. Smith decided to give Watson another chance in no time |
D.Mr. Smith wanted to realize Champ's dream |
A.Selfish and greedy. |
B.Sympathetic and grateful. |
C.Hardworking and strict. |
D.Easy-going and optimistic. |
A.share a moving story with us |
B.make our children enjoy life |
C.provide us with tips on work |
D.help us to deal with our boss |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
There are many great movie directors of all time and the following are five of those who have largely impressed audience with their body of work.
As a member of the New Hollywood gang, Francis Coppola is best remembered for The God Father series. His decision to cast Marlon Brando in the lead also met with fierce opposition from the studio bosses. Good sense became popular, and The God Father went on to become one of the most memorable movies ever. Critics may point out that he has become less creative after his seventies, but try as one might, no one can possibly take the place of this great director’s work.
Stanley Kubrick’s movies focus on the themes like sci-fi, horror, dark humor and war. He used symbolism in most of his movies, giving us some wonderful screen visuals, as shown in 2001: A Space Odyssey. His actors in Hollywood complained about the endless number of retakes, but they appreciated the performance he milked out of them. People argue about films like Lolita, A Clockwork Orange and Paths of Glory, but these are now seen as classics.
Steven Spielberg is a great success at the box office, and he is one of the world’s most popular filmmakers today. As the creator of classics like Schindler’s List, Jurassic Park, ET, Indiana Jones series, Jaws, Saving Private Ryan, no one can win his hold over the audience. His critics accuse him of being emotional and over the top, but the fact remains that his movies attract the audience, and set the cash registers ringing.
Woody Allen is a director who directs movies full of crime and hate. This comic genius has given us Annie Hall, Hannah and Her Sisters and Midnight in Paris, which have also become classical. His movies constantly include characters who arouse the audience’s sympathy and laughter at the same time, as they set out on a journey of self-discovery. Hollywood star power has never fazed Allen. Thankfully, awards and honors do not interest him, which results in creativity that is original.
【小题1】What do the directors mentioned in the passage have in common_______?
A.They are interested in awards for their works. |
B.They are members of the New Hollywood gang. |
C.They have created a lot of movies taken as classics. |
D.They focus their themes on negative side of the society. |
A.Francis Coppola | B.Woody Allen |
C.Stanley Kubrick | D.Steven Spielberg |
A.Midnight in Paris | B.2001: A Space Odyssey |
C.A Clockwork Orange | D.Paths of Glory |
A.was successful in amusing the audience |
B.succeeded in making a great box office |
C.became much better at creating classics |
D.had set a cash register working for himself |
A.Their contribution to the society |
B.The difference between the directors |
C.Another famous movie directors |
D.More great movies from the directors |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
He met her at a party. She was outstanding; many guys were after her, but nobody paid any attention to him. After the party, he invited her for coffee. She was surprised, so as not to appear rude, she went along.
As they sat in a nice coffee shop, he was too nervous to say anything and she felt uncomfortable. Suddenly, he asked the waiter, “Could you please give me some salt? I'd like to put it in my coffee."
They stared at him. He turned red, but when the salt came, he put it in his coffee and drank. Curious, she asked, "Why salt with coffee?" He explained, "When I was a little boy, I lived near the sea. I liked playing on the sea.I could feel it salty, like salty coffee. Now every time I drink it, I think of my childhood and my hometown. I miss it and my parents, who are still there."
She was deeply moved. A man who can admit that he's homesick must love his home and care about his family. He must be responsible. She talked too, about her faraway hometown, her childhood, her family. That was the start to their love story.
They continued to date. She found that he met all her requirements. He was tolerant, kind, warm and careful. And to think she would have missed the catch if not for the salty coffee! So they married and lived happily together. And every time she made coffee for him, she put in some salt, the way he liked it.
After 40 years, he passed away and left her a letter which said:
My dearest, please forgive my life-long lie. Remember the first time we dated? I was so nervous that I asked for salt instead of sugar. It was hard for me to ask for a change, so I just went ahead. I never thought that we would hit it off. Many times, I tried to tell you the truth, but I was afraid that it would ruin everything.
Sweetheart, I don't exactly like salty coffee. But as it mattered so much to you, I've learnt to enjoy it. Having you with me was my greatest happiness. If I could live a second time, I hope we can be together again, even if it means that I have to drink salty coffee for the rest of my life.
【小题1】Why the man asked for some salt?
A.Because he missed his hometown and his family. |
B.Because he want to catch the attention of the lady. |
C.Because he was nervous. |
D.Because he liked the taste of salty coffee. |
A.The man liked to drink a cup of salty coffee. |
B.The man was good at making a lie. |
C.The man missed his family very much. |
D.The man loved the lady very much. |
A.a life-long lie | B.salty coffee |
C.a mistake for love | D.a homesick man |
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