Barack Obama
In the past hundred years, the U.S. presidency has turned more and more to the left – not in policy, but in handedness. Barrack Obama is the latest to join a long list of left – handed presidents from the 20th century: James Garfield, Herbert Hoover, Henry Truman, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton were all southpaws.
What makes lefties so electable? Some experts think left-handed people have a greater aptitude for language skills, which may help them craft the rhetoric necessary for political office. And as for the bout of recent left-handed presidents, some think it’s because teachers only recently stopped working to convert lefties to rightist at an early age.
Bill Gates
Claiming the nation’s richest man among their number is a source of considerable pride for America’s society of southpaws. In fact, the Microsoft titan and philanthropist(巨头兼慈善家) is one of a surprising number of U.S. business moguls to be left-handed, including Henry Ford, John D. Rockefeller and former IBM head Lou Gerstner. But the club seems to be a guys-only fraternity — research suggests that while left-handed men tend to earn more than their right-handed colleagues, there is no similar advantage for women. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research floated the idea that left-handed men favor "divergent" thinking, a form of creativity in which the brain moves "from conventional knowledge into unexplored association." Maybe that’s what it takes to develop a net worth estimated at $ 57 billion.
Oprah Winfrey
The talk-show queen doesn’t need much more to set her apart from the rest — what with her estimated $ 2.7 billion fortune and a magic ability to sell books just by glancing at them — but she also has the distinction of being a member of the left-handed club. Since men are more likely to be left-handed than women, that makes Oprah doubly impressive. She’s in good company: Other show-business ladies of the left – handed persuasion include Whoopi Goldberg, Julia Roberts and Angelina Jolie
Marie Curie
Not only was atomic scientist Marie Curie left-handed, but she was the matriarch of a whole family of accomplished, southpaw scientists. Curie, who discovered the principles of radioactivity and won two Nobel Prizes, was married to fellow lefty Pierre Curie, who was instrumental in helping Marie’s atomic research and shared one of her Nobel awards. Historians believe their daughter, Irene, was also left-handed. Irene went on to win a Nobel Prize of her own with her husband — who, you guessed it, was also left-handed.
1．The underlined word “southpaws” in the last sentence of Paragraph 1 means_________.
A．people coming from the south B．powerful presidents
C．people who use their left hand D．forceful speakers
2．What makes it so easy for lefties to be elected as presidents according to the passage?
A．Their great gift for foreign language.
B．Their great language skills to make speeches.
C．The need of left – hinders in the political office.
D．Teachers stopping to force them to use their right hand.
3．It can be implied that Bill Gates, Henry Ford, John D. Rockefeller and Lou Gerstner_________.
A．have creative thinking B．have formed a special club.
C．earn more money than their wives D．are wealthy philanthropists
4．The underlined sentence in Paragraph 4 “She is in good company” means “_________”.
A．she works in a very good company B．she has many good friends
C．she has got on well with others D．she is among many female lefties
科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
President Barack Obama set out his plans for the nation on January 27. At the top of his to-do list: his jobs for Americans, health care and education.
“Although we have our difficulties, our union is strong. We do not give up. We do not stop,” President Barack Obama told American in his State of the Union speech on January 27. Guests and government officials filled the hall of the House of Representatives (众议院).
Obama looked back on his first year in office and explained his plan for the future. He dealt with important matters, including health care, the nation’ s high unemployment, national security (安全) and education. Many times during the 70-minute speech, people in the hall clapped (拍手) their hands happily.
The U.S. law system requires the President to report regularly to government officials. Presidents see the speech as an opportunity to set their goals and encourage the nation.
The President devoted much of his speech to the plight of unemployed (失业的) Americans. “Jobs must be our Number 1 focus (焦点) in 2010,” he said. “People are out of work. They are hurting.” Obama also stressed the value of education. “The best way for people to lead a better life is a first-class education.” he told the nation.
Following the President’s speech, the other party always gets the chance to speak. Bob McDonnell, the new governor of Virginia, spoke for Republicans (共和党人). He agreed with many of Obama’s goals, but pointed out policy difference. He tried to persuade both parties to work together. The President had made the same point earlier in the evening. He promised to hold monthly meetings with members of both parties. “Let’s show the American people,” he said, “that we can do it together.”
It can be inferred (推断) from the passage that Obama’s speech on January 27 __________.
was made to explain his plan for the future
was welcomed by the government officials present
was given to ask for foreign help
was actually boring
The underlined word “plight” in para. 5 probably means __________.
A. education B. safety
C. goal D. sadness
Which of the following things does Obama consider the most important in 2010?
A. Health care. B. Jobs.
C. Education. D. National security.
We can infer from the last paragraph that __________.
Republicans don’ t agree with Obama’ s goals
Obama will try to cooperate with the other party
Bob McDonnell was not clear about the two parties’ policy differences
Republicans thought it difficult for the two parties to work together
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科目：高中英语 来源：2013届新疆乌鲁木齐一中高三上学期第一次月考英语试卷（带解析） 题型：阅读理解
The art of public speaking began in ancient Greece over 2,000 years ago. Now, twitter, e-mail, blogs and QQ chat offer approaches to communication— but none can replace the role of a great speech.
The spoken word can handle various important functions: persuading or inspiring, informing, paying tribute (致敬), entertaining, or simply introducing someone.
Persuading is used in dealing with or reconciling different points of view. When the leaders met in Copenhagen in December, 2009, persuasive words from activities encouraged them to take former action.
Inspirational speeches deal with emotions. They focus on topics and matters that are close to people’ s hearts. Last year, during the fighting in Iraq, generals used inspiring speeches to prepare the troops for battle.
Some speeches spread knowledge and deepen understanding. When the H1N1 flu was announced, the disease scared many people. Informtive speechs from World Health Organization (WTO) officials helped people to keep their panic under control so they could take necessary preventive measures.
Sad events are never easy to deal with but a speech that pays tribute to the loss of a loved one and gives praise for their contribution can be comforting. Madonna’s speech about Michael Jackson after his death showed the fact that he will continue to live on through his music.
It’s not only in world forums where public speaking plays an important role. It can also be helpful in the course of our own life. You may be asked to do a presentation at college or work to inform others about an area of great importance. On a more personal level, a friend may be upset and need comforting. Or you might be asked to introduce a speaker at a family gathering or to speak at a wedding, where your language will be needed to move people or make them laugh.
Great speaking ability is not something we’re born with. Even Barack Obama works hard to perfect every speech.
【小题1】The underlined word “recociling” in paragraph 3 can best be replaced by “________”
| A．considering | B．questioning | C．accepting | D．settling |
| A．persuasive speeches | B．informative speeches |
| C．inspirational speeches | D．introductive speech |
| A．is important in world forums |
| B．can help us make more friends |
| C．matters more in one’s life |
| D．is helpful in our daily life |
| A．How the speech came into being |
| B．Why the public speaking is imporatant. |
| C．How you can perfect your speech |
| D．Why Obama often makes speeches |
| A．Tips of great speeches | B．The history of the speech |
| C．Functions of the speech | D．The language of the speech |
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科目：高中英语 来源：2013届贵州省遵义四中高三第二次月考英语试卷（带解析） 题型：阅读理解
Barack Obama makes his first trip to Asia as president this week, leaving behind a host of domestic (国内的) problems with the visit that recognizes the region’s economic and diplomatic importance. “Obama”s trip includes stops in Japan, Singapore, China and South Korea, and his message will be simple, says Nicolas Lardy at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. “Well, I think his broadest aim is to convince Asians that the United States is fully committed to the region that we have an agenda that’s much broader than they saw over the past eight years of the very heavy focus on anti-terrorism.”
Obama’s first stop is Japan, where he meets with the new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama who has promised to steer a diplomatic course more independent of Washington. While Japan is seen as a getting-to-know-you stop, when Obama heads to the Singapore for the APEC meeting, he will likely face pressure on trade. “Many Asians are concerned about what US trade policy will be, and they’ve been somewhat alarmed by the fact that the president really hasn’t set out very much revision for what US trade policy is in his administration.”
But the critical leg of the trip will come in China, his third stop where Obama will have to navigate the complex relationship with the country that is the largest holder of US debt. “As you say, you know, if you owe the bank one dollar, it’s your problem, if you owe the bank, you know, 3 million dollars, it’s the bank’s problem, so it’s similar with China. I mean they have no interest in trying to use the influence with us, because eventually, they’re the one that they own all those dollars.”
Also on the table will be North Korea and Iran’s nuclear ambitions as well as cooperation on Afghanistan.
With Obama enjoying sky high popularity level in the countries he is visiting, detailed results may be beside the point, given that Obama is still in his first year in office, analysts say this trip is mostly about laying the ground work for the future.
【小题1】From the second paragraph, we can infer that .
| A．Japan has not been the closest friend of America |
| B．Japan and Singapore will give America some pressure on trade |
| C．Japan is concerned about what US trade policy will be |
| D．Japan decides not to rely on America too much |
| A．China will sell all its shares in US national debt. |
| B．It will hurt China if the value of the dollar falls. |
| C．China will not be the largest debt holder of US. |
| D．China is US’ s overseas bank where US can borrow money. |
| A．by examples | B．by cause and effect |
| C．by comparison | D．by order in time |
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科目：高中英语 来源：2013届河南省沁阳市高三一模考前训练英语试卷（二）（带解析） 题型：阅读理解
President Barack Obama has complained about the loss of privacy that comes with being leader of the United States, regretting the loss of simple pleasures such as a long walk or a trip to the car wash or supermarket.
"I just miss – I miss being unknown," he said. "I miss Saturday morning, rolling out of bed, not shaving, getting into my car with my girls, driving to the supermarket, squeezing the fruit, getting my car washed, taking walks. I can't take a walk."
His dream, he said, was to "go through Central Park and watch folks passing by ... spend the day watching people – I miss that".
Faced with criticism for playing more golf than most previous occupants of the White House, he explained that the sport was simply the best way of getting relaxed.
"It's the only excuse I have to get outside for four hours," he told Hearst magazines.
Though he said he enjoyed his life in the White House, he felt disillusioned（醒悟的，幻想破灭的） with the some of the ways of Washington, which he has failed to change, such as the "kabuki dance（日本歌舞）" among political parties before serious policy discussions begin. His comments may be seen as excuse by critics who have accused him of appearing too detached（漠然）, and being slow to engage in important issues such as Libya and the near shutdown of the US government last week.
Since arriving at the White House in January 2009, Mr Obama has already racked up（打）60 rounds of golf in office, more than George W Bush did in his eight years.
In terms of ability, Golf Digest magazine has ranked Mr Obama eighth out of the 18 presidents who played the game since it became established in the early 20th century.
【小题1】What do the second paragraph and the third paragraph mainly tell us? .
| A．Obama wishes to enjoy simple pleasures. |
| B．Obama likes going shopping with his girls. |
| C．Obama likes to take a walk. |
| D．Obama likes to watch folks passing by. |
| A．avoid criticism |
| B．show his ability |
| C．get relaxed |
| D．show his advantage over the former presidents |
| A．Playing golf. | B．Getting relaxed. |
| C．Changing some ways of Washington. | D．Watching people |
| A．Obama complains about lack of privacy as president |
| B．Obama can’t live a normal life |
| C．Obama is often criticized |
| D．Obama likes to play golf |
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科目：高中英语 来源：2015届辽宁省东北育才双语学校高一下学期期中考试英语试卷（解析版） 题型：阅读理解
It happened to me recently that I was telling someone how much I had enjoyed reading Barack Obama’s DreamsfromMyFather and how it had changed my views of the current US president.The person I was talking to agreed with me that it was，in his words，“a wonderfully written book”. However，he then proceeded to talk about Mr Obama in a way that suggested he had no idea of his background at all.I sensed that I was talking to a book liar.
And it seems that he is not the only one.Clearly two thirds of people have lied about reading a book which they haven’t.In the World Book Day survey，DreamsfromMyFather is at number 9.The survey lists top ten books，and various authors，which people have lied about reading.As I’m not one to lie too often，I’ll admit here and now that I haven’t read the entire ten books.But I am pleased to say that I have read the book at number one，GeorgeOrwell’s 1984.I think it’s absolutely outstanding.
Asked why they lied，the most common reason was to impress someone they were speaking to.This could be difficult if the conversation became more indepth!
The World Book Day survey also has some other interesting information in it.It shows that many people lie about having read classical works by Jane Austen，the Bronte sisters，Charles Dickens and so on.But when asked which authors they actually enjoy，they named J．K.Rowling，Jilly Cooper，and Stephen King (ah，the big sellers，in other words)．Fortyone percent of people asked admitted they turned to the back of the book to read the end before finishing the story.
So which books have you lied about reading—if any—and which is your favourite?
1.The main reason why people lie about reading is to________.
A．make fun of the listener
B．impress the listener
C．please the listener
D．interest the listener
2. The underlined word“proceeded” in the passage probably means “________”.
A．wanted B．happened
C．continued D．stopped
3.What does the World Book Day survey show?
A．Nearly half of the people surveyed didn’t read through a whole classical book.
B．People don’t like DreamsfromMyFather and GeorgeOrwell ’s 1984.
C．Few people lie about having read classical works by Jane Austen.
D．People usually enjoy reading books by Charles Dickens.
4. What is the best title for the passage?
A．Are You a Book Liar? B．Readers Are All Liars
C．World Book Day D．Dreams from My Father
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