On April twenty-second, some American children stayed out of school but they were not punished. They were with their parents. As Faith Lapidus tells us, it was Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.
The Ms. Foundation for Women started the program seventeen years ago, in 1993. At first it was just called Take Our Daughters to Work. Gloria Steinem and other foundation leaders pointed to studies showing that self-image suffers as girls become teenagers. They can lose trust in their abilities and intelligence, especially in areas like science, math and technology. So the Ms. Foundation planned a day for parents in New York City to show girls all the possibilities for them in the professional world. But there was so much interest, the organizers decided to make it national.
At first, girls mostly followed their mom or dad around at work to learn about their jobs. Later, employers and schools began to offer organized activities. But from the beginning there were protests(反对) from parents and others about the exception of boys. So in 2003 the day was renamed Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work.
2007 was the last year that the Ms. Foundation for Women headed the program. Now, the event is run by a twelve-person group called the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation.
The event is connected with Mattel, the company that makes Barbie dolls.
Carolyn McKecuen is president of the foundation. She says a total of about thirty-three million children and adults are involved in the program. About one-third of the adults work at large companies or nonprofit organizations. Another third are in small businesses. The rest work in education.
Carolyn McKecuen says the numbers from this year's event are not final yet. But early reports suggest that participation was up at least ten percent from last year. And she says the foundation is hoping to find support to expand the program internationally. She says there are lots of requests from other countries for information about how to set up similar programs.
It was called Take Our Daughters to Work at first because ______.
A. girls are considered to be clever than boys
B. girls are considered to be more foolish than boys
C. girls aren’t confident in some areas as they becomes older
D. girls don’t want to learn some science subjects
Why was the day renamed as Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day later?
A. Because some parents were against only girls’ having the chance.
B. Because some parents wouldn’t like to take their daughters to work.
C. Because some employers were against parents’ taking their children to work.
D. Because some schools didn’t want to give any students’ time to leave school.
How many years did the Ms. Foundation for Women head the program?
A. 17 B. 18 C. 14 D. 10
From this passage we can learn ______.
A. April twenty-second is a day for some American children to stay out of school for punishment
B. the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is a national in America
C. Mattel is the president of the foundation whose company makes Barbie dolls
D. Lots of other countries want to set up similar programs for parents and children
The last paragraph shows that ______.
A. the program becomes more and more welcome
B. the program will come an end without international support
C. the program has been copied by many other countries
D. Carolyn McKecuen wants more and more children to take part in the program
科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Directions:Read the following passage.Fill in the numbered blanks by using the information from the passage.Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
New Year traditions all around the world
“Happy New Year!” Everyone will greet each other with these words as they meet each other over the next couple of weeks. But it wasn’t always January 1 that marked the New Year.
At least 4,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians marked the changing of the year. In Egypt, the year started when the Nile River flooded, enriching farmers’ fields. This happened at the end of September.
The Babylonians held a festival in the spring, on March 23, to kick off the next farming cycle. The Babylonian celebration lasted for 11 days.
The date January 1 was picked by the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar as the change of the year when he established his own calendar in 46 BC. The month of January originates from the Roman god, Janus. He is pictured with two heads. One head looks forward and the other back. They represent a break between the old and new. The new calendar was in time with the sun and it has been used until the present day.
In Vietnam, the New Year holiday happens in February. They buy fresh flowers and a peach blossom to put in their house, following the Vietnamese custom.
Thailand has its specific New Year’s date; it’s different from the normal calendar. The Thai New Year is celebrated on April 13. On this day, Thai people play with water, throwing it on each other. It is intended to bring good luck during the New Year ahead.
In China, the more favorable New Year is usually celebrated in February according to lunar calendar (阴历). On New Year’s Eve, all family members sit together at table, enjoying lots of auspicious foods such as dumplings, chicken to bring good luck.
New Year traditions all around the world
Countries | _____ | Origins or activities | Meanings or reasons |
_____ | the end of September | the Nile River flood | _____ |
Babylon | _____ | _____ | kick off the next farming cycle |
_____ | January 1 | roman god, Janus | _____ |
Thailand | _____ | throwing water on each other | bring good luck |
_____ | February | buying fresh flowers and a peach blossom | follow the custom |
China | February | _____ | bring good luck |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
MONTREAL--He may be the world’s richest man, but that didn’t prevent Bill Gates from falling for an April Fool’s day joke by two Quebec radio comics (喜剧演员) pretending to be Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
Montreal French-language station CKMF--FM said last Wednesday that staffers (工作人员) Marcantoine Audet and Sebastien Trudel had a 10-minute telephone chat with Microsoft Corp boss Gates on April 1.
The broadcast was aired on their nightly show last Tuesday and repeated last Wednesday.
“We were happy. We had been calling Microsoft persistently (坚持不懈地) for four weeks,” Trudel said.
Trudel said he and his colleague had already fooled Canadian pop singer Celine Dion and Formula One (一级方程赛车) driver Jacques Villeneuve on their show.
“This time, we wanted to give ourselves a challenge with somebody more difficult to reach,” Ttudel said.
He said he was surprised that Gates’s assistants did not check to see if it was really the prime minister’s office on the line.
Trudel said they imitated (模仿) Chretien’s heavily accented English, talking about the economy, asking about Microsoft’s Windows operating system and inviting the multibillionaire to visit a well-known Montreal strip joint (运动服合资企业).
The radio host said that Gates was not amused by the fake interview.
“He did not seem angry but he did not find it so funny,” the comic said.
Bill Gates was fooled mainly because ______.
A. his assistants were not careful enough
B. the Canadian Prime Minister helped the two comics
C. the two comics imitated the Canadian Prime Minister so well
D. it was April Fool’s Day
We can conclude from the passage that the two comics ______.
A. liked to fool famous people on their show
B. thought that Gates was not a great challenge to them
C. had a good knowledge of Bill Gates and his Windows operating system
D. were not quite satisfied with their tricks
Which of the following would be the best title of the passage?
A. Gates ‘April Fooled’ B. Two Comics and Their Tricks
C. Two comics and Their Show D. A Fake Interview
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科目:高中英语 来源:浙江省嘉兴一中2009-2010学年度高二第二学期4月月考 题型:阅读理解
D
Live Earth Announces 2010 Global Event!
This is the web version of the October 15, 2009 Live Earth email to members. Click here to join and receive bi-weekly updates from Live Earth.
Live Earth is pleased to announce the largest worldwide water initiative(倡议)in history to help fight the global water crisis. The Dow Live Earth Run for Water—to take place on April 18, 2010—will consist of a series of 6 km run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk every day to get water) taking place over the course of 24 hours in countries around the world, featuring concerts and water education activities, raising awareness and funds to help solve the water crisis. Jessica Biel, Alexandra Cousteau, Pete Wentz, Angelique Kidjo and Jenny Fletcher will lend their names and their time in support of this global event.
Water shortage is a major issue affecting countries, communities and families all over the world. One in eight people doesn’t have access to safe, clean drinking water. Communities in Africa, Latin America and Asia suffer 1.8 million deaths every year from diarrheal(腹泻)diseases and the death of 5,000 children each day due to inadequate water infrastructure(基础设施). In these areas, women and children are forced to walk 6 km (3.7 miles) each day to get water that is likely unsuitable for drinking. However, the water crisis is not only limited to developing nations. Adding to these existing issues, the effects of climate change are increasingly impacting both supply and quality of available fresh water throughout the world.
In 60% of European cities with populations greater than 100,000, groundwater is being used faster than it can be replenished(补充). By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population could be living under water-stressed conditions.
You can help solve the water crisis by participating in the April 18th event. Run/walk registration is now officially open! Sign up now at http://liveearth.org/run.
Thanks and be sure to visit liveearth.org for the latest on The Dow Live Earth Run for Water, conservation tips, and more!
Follow Live Earth on:
52. Which of the following activities will the Dow Live Earth organize on April 18, 2010?
A. Receiving the latest news from Live Earth.
B. Putting on musical performances.
C. Calling on pop stars to walk 6 km to get water.
D. Lending names and time to support the event.
53. According to the passage, which of the statements is true?
A. You can turn to http://liveearth.org for water protection tips.
B. Jessica Biel can’t take part in the event even if she signs up.
C. The information on Live Earth is updated every month.
D. Every year 1.8 million people in the world die from the disease related to dirty water.
54. We can learn from the passage that __________.
A. by 2010, two-thirds of the world’s population will be short of water
B. we can solve the water crisis by taking part in the April 18th event
C. seven-eighths of the people in Asia can have access to safe, clean drinking water
D. there are different channels for people to get access to Live Earth
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科目:高中英语 来源:2010-2011山西省山大附中高二5月份月考英语试卷 题型:阅读理解
Rescuers have found the bodies of over 130 people killed in two ferry disasters in Bangladesh.The accidents happened during a storm that hit the country on April 21st.Hundreds more are missing or feared to be dead.
The two ferries sank in different rivers near the capital city of Dhakfi as strong winds and rain hit the South Asian country.The government has since banned all ferries and other boats from traveling at night during the April-May stormy season. One of the ferries,MV Mitali,was carrying far more people than it was supposed to.About 400 passengers fitted into a space made for just 300,police said.The second ferry carried about 100 passengers.
“The number of deaths is certain to rise.”said an official in charge of the rescue work.“No one really knows how many people were on board the ferry or how many of them survived.” Ferries in Bangladesh don’t always keep passenger lists,making it difficult to determine the exact number of people on board.Besides the ferry accidents,at least 40 people were killed and 400 injured by lightning strikes.falling houses and trees and the sinking of small boats.Storms are common this time of year in Bangladesh,as are boating accidents.Ferry disasters take away hundreds of lives every year in a nation of 130 million people.Officials blame these river accidents on a lack of safety measures, too many passengers in boats and not enough checks on weather conditions. Ferries are a common means of transport in Bangladesh.It is a country covered by about 230 rivers.Some 20,000 ferries use the nation’s Waterways every year.And many of them are dangerously overcrowded.Since 1977, more than 3,000 people have died in some 260 boating accidents.
【小题1】The two ferry disasters occurred_______.
A.at noon | B.in the morning | C.at night. | D.In the afternoon. |
A.500 | B.100 | C.400 | D.300 |
A.strong winds. | B.bad weather conditions. |
C.the blockages of waterways. | D.the lack of safety measures. |
A.They happened during a storm. | B.They sank on April 21. |
C.The exact number of deaths could be easily determined. | |
D.They sank somewhere near Dhaka. |
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科目:高中英语 来源:2013-2014学年高考二轮复习训练:专题6 形容词与副词英语试卷(解析版) 题型:阅读理解
About a year ago,if you had asked who Dinara Safina was,the answer would have been,“She is Marat Safin’s younger sister.” She was overshadowed by her wonder brother.But now she has made a name for herself:the world No.1 player in women’s tennis.
The 22?year?old Russian overtook Serena Williams of the US for top ranking on April 20.“Before,every place I go,I am Marat’s sister.Nothing else,”she told New York Times.“I always wanted to be myself,and now finally the results come,and people can know me as Dinara Safina.”
Safina has made it to two great event finals,in the 2008 French and in the 2009 Australian Open,and won a silver medal in the Beijing Olympic Games.
Clearly,family isn’t the only connection Safina and her brother share.Their DNA burns with competitive fire.Safin has held the distinction for years of being a hottempered player on court.When he lost his temper,he would smash a racket (球拍).Safina is as emotionally explosive as her brother.A headline in the newspaper The Australian once described her as “mad as a snake”.The Sydney Morning Herald,during the Australian Open,summed up Safina’s volatile (不稳定的) emotional state with the headline—Safina goes from basket case to top of the world.
It’s not rare for a family to have two top tennis players.Safina’s father owns a tennis academy and her mother worked as a coach.“I had no choice but to become a tennis player,but I don’t mind being a tennis player,” Safina said.
From this talented family she is also given one of her best weapons on court,her size.She is 1.82 meters tall and weighs 70kg.But it is hard work that led her to her recent success.
“I hope to prove to everyone over the coming months that I deserve the honor of being world No.1,”she said.
1.What is the passage mainly about?
A.How Safina came first in women’s tennis.
B.How the parents taught Safina to play tennis.
C.How her brother helped Safina play tennis.
D.How Safina beat her brother in playing tennis.
2.Which one of the following doesn’t contribute to Safina’s success?
A.Her hard work and strong competitiveness.
B.Her emotional explosion and volatile emotional state.
C.The fact that she is 1.82 meters tall and weighs 70kg.
D.The fact that her parents are both good tennis players.
3. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A.Serena Williams was topped by Safina on ranking list on April 20.
B.Dinara Safina was always very confident and eager to succeed.
C.Safina was eager to become a tennis player when she was a child.
D.Marat Safin won the two finals,in the 2008 French and in the 2009 Australian Open.
4. What can we infer from the headline “Safina goes from basket case to top of the world”?
A.Safina wanted to top the world in tennis when she was a baby in a basket.
B.After she won the Australian Open,Dinara Safina cried.
C.Too nervous at first,Safina finally gained confidence and won.
D.Safina learnt from the basket case and finally came top of the world.
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