Poet William Stafford once said that we are defined more by the detours (绕行路) in life than by the narrow road toward goals.I like this image.But it was quite by accident that I discovered the deep meaning of his words.
For years we made the long drive from our home in Seattle to my parents’ home in Boise in nine hours.We traveled the way most people do:the fastest,shortest,easiest road,especially when I was alone with four noisy,restless kids who hate confinement (限制) and have strong opinions about everything.
Road trips felt risky,so I would drive fast,stopping only when I had to.We would stick to the freeways and arrive tired.
But then Banner,our lamb was born.He was rejected by his mama days before our planned trip to Boise.I had two choices:leave Banner with my husband,or take him with me.My husband made the decision for me.
That is how I found myself on the road with four kids,a baby lamb and nothing but my everlasting optimism to see me through.We took the country roads out of necessity.We had to stop every hour,let Banner shake out his legs and feed him.The kids chased him and one another.They’d get back in the car breathless and energized,smelling fresh from the cold air.
We explored side roads,catching grasshoppers in waisthigh grass.Even if we simply looked out of the car windows at baby pigs following their mother,or fish leaping out of the water,it was better than the best ride down the freeway.Here was life.And new horizons (见识).
We eventually arrived at my parents’ doorstep astonishingly fresh and full of stories.
I grew brave with the trip back home and creative with my disciplining technique.On an empty section of road,everyone started quarreling.I stopped the car,ordered all kids out and told them to meet me up ahead.I parked my car half a mile away and read my book in sweet silence.
Some road trips are by necessity fast and straight.But that trip with Banner opened our eyes to a world available to anyone adventurous enough to wander around and made me realize that a detour may uncover the best part of a journey-and the best part of yourself.
【小题1】Why did the author use to take freeways to her parents’home?
A.It was less tiring. |
B.It would be faster and safer. |
C.Her kids would feel less confined. |
D.She felt better with other drivers nearby. |
A.relax in the fresh air |
B.take a deep breath |
C.take care of the lamb |
D.let the kids play with Banner |
A.Freeways are where beauty hides. |
B.Getting close to nature adds to the joy of life. |
C.Enjoying the beauty of nature benefits one’s health. |
D.One should follow side roads to watch wild animals. |
A.To give herself some time to read. |
B.To order some food for them. |
C.To play a game with them. |
D.To let them cool down. |
A.Charm of the Detour |
B.The Road to Bravery |
C.Creativity out of Necessity |
D.Road Trip and Country Life |
科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
One year our family decided to have a special celebration of Mother’s Day, as a token of appreciations for all the sacrifices that Mother had made for us. After breakfast we had arranged, as a surprise, to hire a car and take her for a beautiful drive in the country. Mother was rarely able to have a treat like that, because she was busy in the house nearly all the time.
But on the very morning of the day, we changed the plan a little, because it occurred to Father that it would be even better to take Mother fishing. As the car was hired and paid for, we might as well use it to drive up into the hills where the streams are. As Father said, if you just go driving without object, you have a sense of aimlessness, but if you are going to fish there is a definite purpose that heightens the enjoyment.
So we all felt it would be nicer for Mother to have a definite purpose . Father had just got a fishing rod the day before, which he said mother could use if she wanted to. Only Mother said she would much rather watch him fish than try to fish herself.
So we got her to make up a sandwich lunch in case we got hungry, though we were to come home again to a big festive dinner.
Well, when the car came to the door, it turned out that there was not as much space in it as we had supposed. It was plain that we couldn’t all get in.
Father said that he could just stay home and put in the time working in the garden. He said that there was a lot of rough dirty work that he could do, like digging a trench for the garbage, which would save hiring a man, and so he said that he’d stay home; he said that we were not to let the fact that he had not had a real holiday for three years stand in our way. He wanted us to go right ahead and not to mind him.
But of course we all felt that it would never do to let Father stay home, especially as we knew he would make trouble if he did. The two girls, Anne and Mary, would have stayed and helped the maid get dinner, only it seemed such a pity,for the two girls were eager to show their new hats on a lovely day like this. But they said that Mother had only to say the word and they’d gladly stay home and work. Will and I would have dropped out, but unfortunately we wouldn’t have been any use in preparing the dinner.
【小题1】The author’s family decided to celebrate Mother’s Day specially to _______.
A.show love for their mother |
B.show gratitude to their mother |
C.show respect for their mother |
D.to make up for a previous appointment |
A.Father proposed to go fishing out |
B.we thought that driving out is boring |
C.we failed to hire a car to go out |
D.the car was not big enough |
A.The car was too old to drive on mountain roads. |
B.The car was larger than we expected. |
C.The car was too small to accommodate us all. |
D.The car was too plain looking. |
A.Because his sisters didn’t join in. |
B.Because he needed to have dinner. |
C.Because he couldn’t cook the dinner. |
D.Because he hadn’t had a real holiday for three years. |
A.Everything comes to him who waits. |
B.Changes always go beyond plans. |
C.Better late than never. |
D.Once on shore, one prays no more. |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Most people know that Marie Curie was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize, and the first person to win it twice. However, few people know that she was also the mother of a Nobel Prize winner.
Born in September, 1897, Irene Curie was the first of the Curies’ two daughters. Along with nine other children whose parents were also famous scholars, Irene studied in their own school, and her mother was one of the teachers. She finished her high school education at the College of Sevigne in Paris.
Irene entered the University of Paris in 1914 to prepare for a degree in mathematics and physics. When World War I began, Irene went to help her mother, who was using X-ray facilities(设备) to help save the lives of wounded soldiers. Irene continued the work by developing X-ray facilities in military hospitals in France and Belgium. Her services were recognized in the form of a Military Medal by the French government.
In 1918, Irene became her mother’s assistant at the Curie Institute. In December 1924, Frederic Joliot joined the Institute, and Irene taught him the techniques required for his work. They soon fell in love and were married in 1926. Their daughter Helene was born in 1927 and their son Pierre five years later.
Like her mother, Irene combined family and career. Like her mother, Irene was awarded a Nobel Prize, along with her husband, in 1935. Unfortunately, also like her mother, she developed leukemia because of her work with radioactivity(辐射能). Irene Joliot-Curie died from leukemia on March 17, 1956.
【小题1】Why was Irene Curie awarded a Military Medal?
A.Because she received a degree in mathematics. |
B.Because she contributed to saving the wounded. |
C.Because she won the Nobel Prize with Frederic. |
D.Because she worked as a helper to her mother. |
A.At the Curie Institute. | B.At the University of Paris. |
C.At a military hospital. | D.At the College of Sevigne. |
A.In 1932. | B.In 1927. | C.In 1897. | D.In 1926. |
A.Irene worked with radioactivity. |
B.Irene combined family and career. |
C.Irene won the Nobel Prize once. |
D.Irene died from leukemia. |
A.Marie Curie | B.Irene Curie |
C.Marie Curie’s husband | D.Irene Curie’s husband |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
One year, my school report made my parents angry. On Christmas Eve, all the presents were stolen, along with our TV. My parents told me that there were no presents because Santa was very angry with my behavior over the past year. The next year on Christmas Eve I slept downstairs with a plastic sword waiting for Santa to make sure that he didn't steal the new TV. The next morning, when I woke up, I saw Santa standing there. As soon as I saw that there were no presents, I grabbed my plastic sword and ran at him, shouting angrily: "THIEF! THIEF!"
Jack
When I was young, we always had a specific room for the Christmas tree. My mom never really liked the location, so one year she moved the tree into another room. I was convinced that Santa would not know where the tree was and would get lost in our house. I was worried that he would be mad and put me on the "bad" list and would not give me any gifts because he couldn't find the tree. I came up with the idea to make signs leading from the fireplace to the tree. They said things like: "Tree this way" or "Santa, put the gifts over here." When my big brother saw them he began to laugh his head off.
Lucy
Does everyone remember going to the mall and sitting on Santa’s lap to have his picture taken at Christmas time?
Well, I used to think that if I did that, Santa would get mad because he would have to go all around the world and give every kid the chance to have his picture taken with him. Of course his lap would hurt and he would be very fired. I thought he might keep a copy of the picture and that would be how he decided who would be on his naughty list.
My mom couldn't get me onto Santa's lap until she made him promise I wouldn't end up on his naughty list.
Lydia
【小题1】Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A.Belief in Santa |
B.The Excitement on Christmas |
C.Christmas Gifts |
D.Christmas Celebration |
A.his parents were too careless |
B.his parents thought he had watched too much TV |
C.Santa Claus was not satisfied with Jack’s behavior |
D.Santa gave the TV to another child as a present |
A.Santa would not know where the tree was. |
B.Santa would be angry and would not give her any gifts. |
C.Her big brother might laugh at her. |
D.Santa might think she was a "bad" child. |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
(2013·高考陕西卷,D)About 30 years ago,I left Cuba for the United States with my son.After getting settled finally in Brunswick,New Jersey,I enrolled(注册) my son in kindergarten.Several weeks later,my son’s teacher asked me to meet him at his office.
In the teacher’s office,and exchange of greetings was followed by his questions:“Is your son mentally retarded(弱智的)?Does he suffer from any kind of mental disability?”
Was he talking about my wonderful Scola? NO,no,it can’t be.What a helpless,lonely moment!I told him that Scola was a quiet,sweet little boy,instead.I asked him why he was asking me all these questions.
My son could not follow the teacher’s directions,he told me,and thus,Scola was disrupting the class,Didn’t he know my son did not speak English yet?
He was angry;“Why hasn’t your son been taught to speak English? Don’t you speak English at home?”
No,I didn’t speak English at home,I replied.I was sure my son would learn English in a couple of months,and I didn’t want him to forget his native language.Well,wrong answer!What kind of person would not speak in English to her son at home and at all times? “Are you one of those people who come to this country to save dollars and send them back to their country,never wanting to be a part of this society?”
Needless to say,I tried to tell him I was not one of “those people”.Then he told me the meeting was over,and I left.
As I had expected,my son learned to speak English fluently before the school year was over.He went on to graduate from college and got a job,earning close to six figures.He travels widely and leads a welladjusted,contented life.And he has benefited from being bilingual(双语的)。
Speaking more than one language allows people to communicate with others;it teaches people about other cultures and other places—something very basic and obviously lacking in the“educator”I met in New Jersey.
【小题1】The teacher asked the author to his office________.
A.to discuss Scola’s inclass performance |
B.to get Scola enrolled in kindergarten |
C.to find a language partner for Scola |
D.to work out a study plan for Scola |
A.Breaking | B.Following |
C.Attending | D.Disturbing |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
(2013·高考重庆卷,A)The morning had been a disaster.My tooth was aching,and I’d been in an argument with a friend.Her words still hurt:“The trouble with you is that you won’t put yourself in my place.Can’t you see things from my point of view?”I shook my head stubbornly-and felt the ache in my tooth.I’d thought I could hold out till my dentist came back from holiday,but the pain was really unbearable.I started calling the dentists in the phone book,but no one could see me immediately.Finally,at about lunchtime,I got lucky.
“If you come by right now,”the receptionist said,“the dentist will fit you in.”
I took my purse and keys and rushed to my car.But suddenly I began to doubt about the dentist.What kind of dentist would be so eager to treat someone at such short notice?Why wasn’t he as busy as the others?
In the dentist’s office,I sat down and looked around.I saw nothing but the bare walls and I became even more worried.The assistant noticed my nervousness and placed her warm hand over my icecold one.
When I told her my fears,she laughed and said,“Don’t worry.The dentist is very good.”
“How long do I have to wait for him?”I asked impatiently.
“Come on,he is coming.Just lie down and relax.And enjoy the artwork,”the assistant said.
“The artwork?”I was puzzled.
The chair went back.Suddenly I smiled.There was a beautiful picture,right where I could enjoy it:on the ceiling.How considerate the dentist was!At that moment,I began to understand what my friend meant by her words.
What a relief!
【小题1】Which of the following best describes the author’s feeling that morning?
A.Cheerful. | B.Nervous. |
C.Satisfied. | D.Upset. |
A.The dentist’s agreeing to treat her at very short notice. |
B.The dentist’s being as busy as the other dentists. |
C.The surroundings of the dentist’s office. |
D.The laughing assistant of the dentist. |
A.Because the dentist came at last. |
B.Because she saw a picture on the ceiling. |
C.Because she could relax in the chair. |
D.Because the assistant kept comforting her. |
A.Strike while the iron is hot. |
B.Have a good word for one’s friend. |
C.Put oneself in other’s shoes. |
D.A friend in need is a friend indeed. |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
My wife passed away seven and a half years ago, and I went through a huge depression (消沉), the worst time in my life. I even wanted to end my life. I continued to work as a small-town doctor at my medical clinic in Kilauea, Hawaii. My kids had gone to live on the mainland, and I was alone. On a family trip, we turned on the TV and saw the second plane crash into the World Trade Center. I said to my kids, “I’m going to Afghanistan.” International Medical Corps sent me to set up 20 clinics in some provinces where people had no health care. Eventually, the clinics were serving 27,000 patients a month. I had such a sense of accomplishment, a sense of purpose. My depression went completely away.
I go wherever disasters strike: Indonesia after the tsunami, Pakistan after the earthquake. I was just in Kenya. After their presidential election, at least a thousand people were killed and hundreds of thousands were forced out. We set up mobile clinics in an area with 19,000 refugees (难民). Measles broke out, one of the biggest killers of kids in refugee camps, and it spread like wildfire. Water and medical equipment were also problems.
When my wife passed away, I thought my life was done. But really, it was just getting started. At the end of her life, my wife fell into a coma (昏迷). I held her head in my hands and told her of all the places we would visit, the exciting adventures we would have. I think about this moment many times during my “adventures”. I did not know then how prophetic (先知的) those words would be. She is with me still.
【小题1】The first country where the author provided people with medical care is _____
A.Indonesia | B.Pakistan | C.Kenya | D.Afghanistan |
A.a kind of fire | B.a kind of polluted water | C.a kind of medicine | D.a kind of disease |
A.experienced a lot of exciting adventures |
B.loved each other very much |
C.lived on the mainland |
D.would travel to many places together |
A.is a famous doctor | B.got over his wife’s death |
C.is always in depression | D.experienced many disasters |
A.Sad. | B.Exciting. | C.Inspiring. | D.Disastrous. |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
“It is a dreadful thing to be poor a fortnight before Christmas, ” said Clorinda, with the mournful sigh of seventeen years.
Aunt Emmy smiled. Aunt Emmy was sixty, and spent the hours she didn’t spend in a bed, on a sofa or in a wheel chair; but Aunt Emmy was never heard to sigh.
“The gifts which money can purchase are not the only ones we can give,” said Aunt Emmy gently, “nor the best, either.”
“Oh, I know it's nicer to give something of your own work,” agreed Clorinda, “but materials for fancy work cost too. That kind of gift is just as much out of the question for me as any other.”
“That was not what I meant,” said Aunt Emmy.
“What did you mean, then?” asked Clorinda, looking puzzled.
Aunt Emmy smiled.
“Suppose you think out my meaning for yourself,” she said. “That would be better than if I explained it. Besides, I don't think I could explain it. Take the beautiful line of a beautiful poem to help you in your thinking out: 'The gift without the giver is bare.”
“I'd put it the other way and say, 'The giver without the gift is bare,” said Clorinda. “That is my predicament(窘境)exactly. Well, I hope by next Christmas I'll not be quite bankrupt. I'm going into Mr. Callender's store down at Murraybridge in February. He has offered me the place, you know.”
“Won't your aunt miss you terribly?” said Aunt Emmy gravely. “I think she would rather have your companionship than a part of your salary, Clorinda,” said Aunt Emmy. “But of course you must decide for yourself, dear.”
“Well, I must say bye-bye and run home.” Clorinda lived just across the road from Aunt Emmy in a tiny white house behind some huge willows. But Aunt Mary lived there too--the only relative Clorinda had, for Aunt Emmy wasn't really her aunt at all. Clorinda had always lived with Aunt Mary ever since she could remember.
Clorinda puzzled over Aunt Emmy's meaning for days. Then all at once it came to her. On Christmas Day, Clorinda went over to Aunt Emmy's.Aunt Emmy was lying on the sofa before the fire, and Clorinda sat down beside her.
“I've come to tell you all about it,” she said. “Aunt Emmy, I thought for days over your meaning ... And then one evening it just came to me. At first I didn't think I could give some of them, and then I thought how selfish I was. I would have been willing to pay any amount of money for gifts if I had had it, but I wasn't willing to pay what I had. I got over that, though, Aunt Emmy. Now I'm going to tell you what I did give.”
“First, there was old Aunt Kitty. You know she was my nurse when I was a baby. She is always glad when I go to see her, but I've never gone except when I couldn't help it. She is very deaf, and rather dull and stupid, you know. Well, I gave her a whole day. I took my knitting yesterday, and sat with her the whole time and just talked and talked. She was so pleased and proud; she told me when I came away that she hadn't had such a nice time for years. ”
“Then there was ... Florence. You know, Aunt Emmy, we were always intimate friends until last year. Then Florence once told Rose Watson something I had told her in confidence. I found it out and I was so hurt. I couldn't forgive Florence, and I told her plainly I could never be a real friend to her again. Florence felt badly, because she really did love me, and she asked me to forgive her, but it seemed as if I couldn't. Well, Aunt Emmy, that was my Christmas gift to her ... my forgiveness.”
“I gave Aunt Mary her gift this morning. I told her I wasn't going to Murraybridge, that I just meant to stay home with her. She was so glad--and I'm glad, too, now that I've decided so.”
“Your gifts have been real gifts, Clorinda,” said Aunt Emmy. “Something of you--the best of you--went into each of them.”
“I didn't forget you, Aunt Emmy,” she said, as she unpinned the paper.
There was a rosebush. Aunt Emmy loved flowers. She put her finger under one of the roses and kissed it.
“It's as sweet as yourself, dear child,” she said tenderly. “And it will be a joy to me all through the lonely winter days. You've found out the best meaning of Christmas giving, haven't you, dear?”
“Yes, thanks to you, Aunt Emmy,” said Clorinda softly.
【小题1】Clorinda felt anxious before Christmas because___________.
A.She had to leave Aunt Mary |
B.She didn’t know what kind of Christmas gifts she should buy |
C.She had not enough money to buy Christmas gifts |
D.She had no time to make a proper decision |
A.A gift is valued by the mind of the giver. |
B.Forgiveness is a gift for the giver and the receiver. |
C.You cannot buy love or respect with expensive gifts. |
D.Think twice before you give gifts to somebody |
A.Passion | B.Sympathy | C.Kindness | D.Company |
A.respectfully | B.confidently | C.secretly | D.willingly |
A.cute and joyful | B.kind-hearted and emotional |
C.optimistic and wise | D.gentle and timid (羞怯的) |
A.A Special Christmas | B.Clorinda’s Gifts |
C.Aunt Emmy | D.Clorinda’s Choice |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Robert is a boss who hires me as a helper. He has lost his home and now has to live back at home, with his mother, at 46.
We had a job in Fort Bending. Robert bought me breakfast there. As we were leaving ,a man walked to us asking if he could get some work from Roberts' company. Robert explained there was no work for the man and the man started to walk away. As I looked from the leaving man back to Robert, l saw Robert getting Out some money and went after the man to give it to him. I asked Robert, "Why did you do that?" Robert said "He really had bad luck-what does a few dollars mater?"
After a very long, hard day, we stopped at a Quick Trip for a soda. I got through the check out ahead of Robert and went back out to the work truck. Beside the truck was a woman in a car. She had 3 kids and asked me if I could help-she had been evicted-had now where to go with her children-they were living in the car. I told her I was also hurting in these times-sorry I could not. Robert came out. opened the work truck and we got in I told him about the lady I didn't even finish the story when Robert was out. his door- around the truck and giving the women money to help her and her kids out. When Robert returned I asked, "Why did you do that, she didn't even ask you". He said “I have an ex-wife(前妻)and a kid-if they need help and I am not able, someone will help them"
【小题1】Why did the man walk to the writer and Robert?
A.To ask for a lift in Robert's truck. |
B.To look for a job in Robert's company |
C.To beg for some money to buy a ticket. |
D.To expect Robert to buy him breakfast. |
A.driven away | B.picked up | C.looked down | D.turned down |
A.Kind. | B.Proud. | C.Rich. | D.Cruel, |
A.he expected to get married to the woman |
B.she made him think of his ex-wife and kid |
C.she asked him whether he could give a hand |
D.he felt sorry for being unable to support his family |
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