精英家教网 > 高中英语 > 题目详情
Like every language, American English is full of special expressions, phrases that come from the day-to-day life to the people and develop in their own way. Our expression today is “to face the music”.
When someone says, “Well, I guess I’ll have to face the music.” It does not mean he’s planning to go to the concert. It is something far less pleasant, like being called in by your boss to explain why you did this and did that, any why you didn’t do this or that. Sour music indeed, but it has to be faced. At some time or another, every one of us has had to face the music, especially as children. We can all remember father’s angry voice, “I want to talk to you.” and only because we did not obey him. What an unpleasant business it was!
The phrase “to face the music” is familiar to every American, young and old. It is at least 100 years old. And where did this expression come from? The first explanation comes from the American novelist, James Fenimore Cooper. He said, in 1851, that the expression was first used by actors while waiting in the wings to go on the stage. When they got their cue to go on, they often said, “Well, it’s time to face the music.” And that is exactly what they did- facing the orchestra which was just below them. And an actor might be frightened or nervous as he moved on to the stage in front of the audience that might be friendly or perhaps hostile, especially if he forgot his lines. But he had to go out. If he did not, there would be no play. So the expression “to face the music” came to mean “having to go through something, no matter how unpleasant the experience might be, because you knew you had no choice.”
Other explanations about the expression go back to the army. When the men faced inspection by their leader, the soldiers would be worried about hw well they looked. Was their equipment clean, whinny enough to pass inspection? Still the men had to go out, and face the music of the band, as well as the inspection. What else could they do?
Another army explanation is more closely related to the idea of facing the results and accepting the responsibility for something that should not have been done. As, for example, when a man is forced out of the army because he did something terrible, he is dishonored. The band does not play. Only the drums tap a sad, slow beat. The soldier is forced to leave, facing such music as it is and facing the back of his horse.
小题1:According to the passage, how many ways does the phrase “to face the music” come from?
A.One.B.Two.C.Three.D.Four.
小题2:What’s the meaning of “to face the music?”
A.To face something far less pleasant.B.To face the stage.
C.To face the back of one’s horse.D.To face one’s leader.
小题3:The underlined word “hostile” in Paragraph 3 means “      ”.
A.unfriendlyB.dislikeC.unimportantD.unnecessary
小题1:C小题1:A小题1:A

小题1:C:通过短文三四五段可以知道这个短语的解释主要来自三个方面。
小题2:A:When someone says, ……It is something far less pleasant, like being……通过这句话可以看出正确答案为A.
小题3:A:or为并列连词,表示选择关系,前面是friendly,后面是unfriendly最恰当,意思是观众可能友好或者不友好。
练习册系列答案
相关习题

科目:高中英语 来源:不详 题型:阅读理解

Whether I’m looking for a good chat with some old Mends or a quiet place to meet a colleague, the pub will be the place I always choose.
I could, of course, go to a bar. But a pub, I always find, is far more comfortable and has a more relaxed atmosphere.
Many people in the UK also have a favorite pub at the end of the road where they live or nearby to where they work. I can almost always guarantee that I’ll bump into someone I know at my “local”, as we British call our nearest pub.
In fact, many people from the UK say that the pub is a cornerstone (基础) of British life. Coming together over a drink, usually of beer, is generally con­sidered the best way to catch up with friends. For those who are a little reserved (内向的), as the British sometimes are, it’s the best way to open up and get chatting.
However, this habit is slowly changing among some British people. According to a survey completed in August by UK trade magazine The Publican, eating, rather than drinking, has become the main source of income for our 52,000 pubs.
The gastropub (美食酒吧), with its greater emphasis on food, is primarily responsible. All over the country, this more expensive type of pub has been springing up, providing a place for more formal meetings with business partners. Wine is often drunk instead of the traditional beer.
But not everyone’s happy. Many people hate the fact that some local pubs are closing because new gastropubs are proving more profitable. “Beer sales are sinking and many pubs are struggling to survive,” Rob Haward, of the British Beer and Pub Association, told UK newspaper The Daily Mail.
For my part, I’m going to do all I can to keep the local British pub alive. It will be the first place I visit when I go back home.
小题1:.  The article is mainly about         .
A.the British pub losing popularity B.the author’s love of pubs
C.how the British socialize D.the local British pub
小题2:. Many British people say that the pub is a cornerstone of British life because         .
A.it is nearby and convenient
B.it is a great place for meeting friends
C.it is far more comfortable than a bar to have a drink
D.it is easy to bump into people they know in a pub ,
小题3:. From the text, we can conclude that gastropubs         .
A.will replace the local pubs
B.attach more importance to drinks
C.are somewhere between a restaurant and a bar
D.attract beer lovers as well as wine lovers
小题4:.  Which of the following is TRUE according to the article?
A.The author is in favor of gastropubs.
B.Wine is thought to show one’s class and taste.
C.British people do not go to pubs as often as be­fore.
D.Local pubs are being seriously affected by gastropubs.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英语 来源:不详 题型:阅读理解

Your House Will Take Care of You In Old Age
Have you ever thought what your life would be like in old age? Everyone talks about the “aging” society with large numbers of elderly people needing home care. Now German researchers have set up a “smart” house, programmed to help the elderly live at home with dignity. Scientists at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute say the house combines existing technology with future-oriented technology.
For example, the “smart” bathroom has a touch screen mirror that can remind people to take their medicine, wash their hands or brush their teeth. The hardware behind Fraunhofer’s electronic bathroom is not new, and the software runs on a regular personal computer.
When the medicine cabinet is opened, a display in the middle of the mirror tells the person how many pills to take. The mirror is linked to a care provider, who can remotely check whether a patient at home is actually taking medicine and brushing his or her teeth. As many elderly people have arthritic(关节炎的) conditions that make it difficult to operate water taps, the mirror also has displays that turn the water tap on or off or control the water temperature.
The bathroom is only the start. Kitchens, bedrooms and all other parts of the “intelligent” home will become “user-friendly” to meet all kinds of individual needs. Sensors in doors, toilets, taps, light switches and carpets detect every activity and record them electronically. Doctors or care staff can see from the computer records what personal hygiene tasks have been completed, how often the elderly person visits the bathroom or uses the toilet. In case of an emergency, the computer automatically alerts the chosen contact person or calls the care center.
小题1: The ‘smart” bathroom has a touch screen mirror ________.
A.that can help the elderly brush their teethB.which is linked to a nursing house
C.behind which is a medicine cabinetD.that can remind people to do many things
小题2: The underlined word “them” in the last paragraph refers to ________.
A.every activityB.doors, toilets, taps, light switches and carpetsC.individual needsD.sensors
小题3:The house mentioned in the passage can be described as _________.
A.smart but expensiveB.intelligent and convenient
C.smart and environmentally-friendlyD.fashionable and energy-saving
小题4: How is the passage mainly developed?
A.By inferringB.By listing examples.C.By comparing.D.By introducing a practical method.
小题5:The author of the text mainly _________.
A.calls on people to care for the oldB.encourages the old to live with dignity
C.introduces a new houseD.promotes a new house

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英语 来源:不详 题型:阅读理解

In many cultures white is often associated with something positive. A white-collar job, for instance, is the kind of job many people look for, working with your brain and not your hands.

White has a clean and pure image. That is why doctors, dentists, and nurses usually wear white uniforms. Babies are dressed in white at baptisms(洗礼)and brides wear white wedding gowns at weddings. White in these cases is the symbol of innocence or purity.
Sometimes white is used in expressions that are not good. “Whitewash” is one such expression. At first, “whitewash” meant to paint over something with white paint to make it look better. However, it means something different today: to hide or to cover up mistakes or failures.
A “white elephant” is another example of white used in a negative way. In ancient Thailand, a white elephant was regarded as a sacred animal, but it was very expensive to keep. The kings of those days presented a white elephant to the people they wanted to ruin. Once they received this holy, royal animal as a gift, they were not allowed to sell or kill it. Today, a “white elephant” means something that is big, useless, and unwanted. In America, when people want to get rid of their furniture or clothes, they often have a “white elephant sale”.
小题1:The text is mainly about________.
A.the meanings of white in English culture
B.the history of some English idioms
C.some interesting customs in English culture
D.some useful English words and expressions
小题2:Which expression has an historical background ?
A.White-wash.B.White-collar.
C.White elephant.D.White elephant sale.
小题3:In which statement does “white” have a negative meaning?
A.A boy is dressed in white at baptisms.
B.A bride wears a white wedding gown.
C.A man whitewashes his crime.
D.A girl finds a white collar job.
小题4:From the text we can learn that _______.
A.a white-elephant sale is useful to the poor
B.the white color is important in our daily life
C.a white-collar job used to be easy to get
D.expressions with white have different meanings
小题5:The author develops the text mainly by ______.
A.analyzing its cause and effect
B.providing typical examples
C.comparing different ideas
D.following the time order

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英语 来源:不详 题型:阅读理解

A man was selling medicine at a fair(集市).At first he sold bottles of a cure(药剂)for colds(感冒)for just a dollar a bottle.
Many people wanted to buy it and the man's young assistant moved quickly through the crowd collecting money and handing out bottles of the cure.
Then,when he had a big crowd, the man held up a very small bottle.
“And now,ladies and gentlemen,he shouted,“Here is the medicine you have been waiting for.The cure for old age.Drink just one bottle of this and you will live forever.?
“And,ladies and gentlemen,the man continued,“I'm not going to charge(向……要价……)you a hundred dollars a bottle for this wonderful medicine.I'm not going to charge you fifty dollars a bottle.I'm not going to charge you twenty-five dollars a bottle.Now,ladies and gentlemen,I'm going to charge you just ten dollars a bottle. Think,my friends,for ten dollars you can live forever.?
Most of the people in the crowd did not believe this.
One person shouted,“If it can make you live forever,why don't you drink it??
Then an other person cried,“Yes, you look as if you're at least sixty years old.?
“Thank you,sir,thank you,the man answered,“I'm so glad you said that. My real age is three hundred and twenty-nine.?
The crowd laughed at this but there were still some people who wanted to believe the man .One of them spoke to the man's assistant as she passed by ,“Is that true??he asked.“Is he three hundred and twenty-nine??
“Don't ask me,?the assistant said,“I've only worked for him for a hundred and fifty years.?
小题1: What did the man sell at first at the fair?
A.a cure for colds
B.bottles
C.a cure for old age
D.a medicine that made people live forever
小题2:How much did the man charge for the cure for old age?
A.one dollar a bottleB.twenty-five dollars a bottle
C.ten dollars a bottleD.fifty dollars a bottle
小题3: What does the word “assistant” mean in this passage?
A.仆人B.朋友C.同伴D.助手
小题4:What does this passage really mean?
A.The cure for old age is very useful and not so expensive.
B.The man is not honest,and so is his assistant.
C.The cheaper the medicine is,the more people will buy.
D.The two men are very honest,and they would like to help people live forever.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英语 来源:不详 题型:阅读理解

After the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at retaliatory(报复的) action against China for its “significantly undervalued” currency, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner urged the IMF to pressure China to adopt “more flexible, more market-directed exchange-rate management”. This is a coded message to China: You’re keeping on purpose your currency cheap, and the U.S. economy is paying the price. So cut it out --- or else. The normally dull IMF meeting became the latest battleground for the U.S. to be against a fast developing China.
Our new conventional wisdom is that China’s policy leads to make trade deficits (逆差) greater and the loss of American jobs. Dozens of candidates have run ads attacking a competitor for allowing China to take advantage of us. In the election-year view, China grew 10% annually for the past decade while maintaining low inflation(通涨) only by taking advantage of its artificially low currency. The idea that the U.S. is not responsible for its own economy is a black-is-white view. It argues that China and its currency are causing the lion’s share of harm.
This is an argument born of fear. It covers a fact that the economies of China and the U.S. have become beneficial to each other. Those trillions in reserves that China accumulates: Where do they go? Back to the U.S. in the form of lending money to the federal government. Those made-in-China goods that account for the trade deficit: Whom do they benefit? China, yes, but also American consumers and companies. Without China, American companies could not have maintained their profitability in recent years. Take two brand names, Caterpillar and Nike. Both have their products made in China, but both also view China as a fast-growing market for their products.
George Soros warned recently that a currency war could put the world into disorder more damaging than anything caused by the financial crisis of the 1930s. He’s right. Whether we like it or not, we live in a global system. The zero-sum attitude toward China and its currency is a relic, the remaining of an earlier time when nations defined economic life.
China is far from perfect and seeks its own advantage, but holding it accountable for our domestic problems is beyond outdated. It reflects a dangerous refusal to deal with the world as it is. Retaliating against China over currency will not regain high-end jobs in the U.S., which needs more our own demand. It will not renew construction or retool the American labor force. It will not rebuild rotting bridges or create a next-generation energy network.
小题1:Which of the following argument can be supported by the writer?
A.China is the winner in the Sino-US trade.
B.China’s rapid development over the past ten years is based on its low inflation.
C.The world’s economy will benefit from China’s policy changes on its currency.
D.The US will get hurt if it tries hard on damaging China’s economy.
小题2:This passage is in a tone that is ____________.
A.in favor of China
B.in the shoes of US
C.blaming China’s low currency policy
D.helping IMF solve the world’s economic problem
小题3:The writer makes his point of view clear through the passage by using _____________.
A.reasonable analysis
B.leaders’ quotations
C.figure examples
D.moving stories
小题4:China’s currency policy ________.
A.will help increase the demand in the US
B.is unable to equip the American labor force with new working skills
C.could guide the world economy for the next decade
D.is to be controlled by the international currency groups

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英语 来源:不详 题型:阅读理解

The Winter Palace was built between 1754 and 1762 for Empress Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter the Great. Unfortunately, Elizabeth died before the palace was completed and only Catherine the Great and her successors were able to enjoy the great interior (内部) of Elizabeth’s home. Many parts of the palace’s impressive interior have been remodeled since then, particularly after 1837, when a huge fire destroyed most of the building. Today the Winter Palace, together with four more buildings arranged side by side along the river embankment, houses the extensive collections of the Hermitage. The Hermitage Museum is the largest art gallery in Russia and is among the largest and most respected art museums in the world.
The museum was founded in 1764 when Catherine the Great bought a collection of 255 paintings from the German city of Berlin. Today, the Hermitage boasts over 2.7 million exhibits and displays, a diverse range of art and artifacts (手工艺品) from all over the world and throughout history (from Ancient Egypt to the early 20th century Europe). The Hermitage’s collections include works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian, a collection of Rembrandts and Rubens, many French Impressionist works by Renoir, Cezanne, Monet and Pissarro, and several works by Rodin. The collection is really worth a stop for all those interested in art and history. The experts say that if you were to spend a minute looking at each exhibit on show in the Hermitage, you would need 11 years before you’d seen them all. However, we suggest you choose a guided tour instead!
Location: Dvortsovaia Naberezhnaia, 32-38.
Open: 10:30 am to 5:30 pm, Sunday till 5 pm.
Closed: Mondays. Ticket-office closes 1 hour before closing time.
小题1: According to the passage, the Winter Palace was built for ______.
A.Catherine the Great.B.Empress Elizabeth
C.Peter the Great.D.Empress Elizabeth’s successors
小题2: What’s the main reason why many parts of the palace’s impressive interior were remodeled?
A.Catherine the Great and her successors didn’t like the design.
B.Empress Elizabeth wanted to remodel the palace.
C.A huge fire destroyed most of the building in 1837.
D.The building became old itself.
小题3: According to the passage, which of the following is CORRECT?
A.The Winter Palace was built between 1753 and 1761.
B.The Hermitage’s collections don’t include works by Monet.
C.The Hermitage Museum is the largest art gallery in Russia.
D.The Hermitage Museum was founded in 1764 when Empress Elizabeth bought a collection of 255 paintings from Berlin.
小题4:If you want to visit the museum, when can you go?
A.At 10:30 am on Monday.B.At 10:00 am on Tuesday.
C.At 11:00 am on Sunday.D.None of the above.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英语 来源:不详 题型:阅读理解

Chinese politeness have always been formal to follow strict rules, although sometimes Chinese people seem to be impolite according to Western standards in public places. To well understand Chinese, some concepts should not be ignored.
Mianzi
The idea of shame, usually expressed as 'face' could be loosely defined as the 'status' or 'self-respect' in Chinese and by no means alien to foreigners. It is the worst thing for a Chinese to lose face. Never insult, embarrass, shame, yell at or otherwise demean a person. Since all these actions would risk putting a Chinese in a situation that he might lose face, neither try to prove someone wrong nor shout at him in public. In order to get a successful effect without letting a Chinese lose face, any criticism should be delivered privately, carefully, or else, just opposite to what you wish.
Guanxi
Throughout much of Chinese history, the fundamental glue that has held society together is the concept of guanxi, relationships between people. It is very important for the Chinese to have good relationships. They often regard good social relations as a symbol of personal ability and influence. Someone who has no connections would be disrespected and is only half-Chinese.
Keqi
Keqi not only means considerate, polite, and well mannered, but also represents respect and modesty. It is impolite to talk too proudly about oneself or one's inner circle. The expression is most often used in the negative, as in buyao keqi, meaning "you shouldn't be so kind and polite to me," or "you're welcome."
Besides, Chinese seldom express what they think directly and they prefer a roundabout way. Neither show their emotions and feelings in public. They rarely greet people with a handshake, though it is very popular among foreigners, and say nothing of embracing or kissing when greeting or saying good-bye. Consequently, it is better not to behave too carefree in public, even though you are well-intentioned. Also, it is advisable to be fairly cautious in political discussions. Do not particularly push yourself forward, or else you are unwelcome.
To sum up, do in Rome as Rome does, but you need not worry about these cultural barriers since most Chinese are hospitable and friendly and will not mind your no accomplishment.
小题1:In most Chinese’s eyes, the fundamental glue holding society together is the idea of ____.
A.relationships between peopleB.influences upon others
C.dependence on othersD.kindness to others
小题2:The underlined word “demean” in the first paragraph means make people _____.
A.respectfulB.happyC.shamefulD.weak
小题3:Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A.It is impolite to insult, embarrass, shame or shout at a person.
B.It is polite that you should bring gifts to others when invited to dinner.
C.It is necessary to show your character of being considerate, polite, and well mannered.
D.It is important for the Chinese to have good relationships between people.
小题4: Which of the following proverbs has the same meaning as the underlined sentence “Do in Rome as Rome does.”?
A.Caution is the parent of safety.B.Many hands make light work.
C.There’s no smoke without fire.D.If you are elsewhere, live as they do there.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英语 来源:不详 题型:阅读理解

In a book called Magnificent Obsession, by Lloyd C. Douglas, a description is given of people helping others but doing it secretly. When difficult problems worried an individual, friends nearby would meet to discuss possible solutions without the individual knowing their actions. When a solution was agreed upon, one or two of the friends would carry out the plan and solve the problem secretly, to the great delight of the worried individual. The helpers would stand by privately, content with their success. No reward was given to the problem solvers, not even a sincere “thank you”, because they were never known.
This concept is popular today but in a different way. The phrase “pay it forward” is now used when one person helps another. However, the person helped may not be able to repay the person or group that helped them. So rather than return the favor to their helpers, they are supposed to help someone else in the future, which means they pay it forward. It is a sense of responsibility which makes us want to give back in equal measure to the one who has helped us. But, in this case, the responsibility turns to helping someone in the future.
Suppose your elderly grandmother pays part of your schooling. She may tell you there is no need to repay her because it is a gift from someone who loves you very much. Nothing would please her more than to have you use her money to get a good education.
You may never be able to repay her for such a gift. However, she not only gave you some money, but she provided you with an example that you should also help other people who need it.
People with serious needs are everywhere. Many are children who need better clothes, more books and even better schools. Some are elderly people who can’t afford their medicine or a doctor’s care. Consider how you can “pay it forward” rather than pay money back to your grandmother.
小题1:The helpers in the book “Magnificent Obsession” were not rewarded because ________.
A.they hadn’t solved the problems thoroughly
B.they expected to be paid back in the future.
C.they were friends of the worried individual
D.they had solved the problems secretly
小题2: The underlined word “pay it forward” means ________.                    
A.to repay someone who has helped you
B.to help someone else who needs help
C.to help someone who has helped you
D.to pay someone else who needs help
小题3:What does the writer suggest with the example of “your elderly grandmother”?
A.We should also lend a hand to other people in need of help.
B.We should work hard to get a good education.
C.We should learn to respect our grandparents.
D.We should never forget to repay people for their help.
小题4:By writing the passage, the author wishes people in the world to be ________.
A.honestB.mysteriousC. unselfishD.unforgettable

查看答案和解析>>

同步练习册答案