You and your friends are settling into your seats. The new Spider-Man movie is about to start and you’ve got the snacks: soda and popcorn. Food is part of what makes the movies fun.
Just as the lights go out, you catch a slight smell of … tuna fish? You turn your head, searching for the source. Then you spot him: A couple rows back, some guy is enjoying a tuna fish sandwich. How’d he get that in here? You wonder. Then you remember how much you paid for your snacks.
What invites the unwelcome outside food is probably the price. Why pay $ 5 for a bag of M&Ms when you can get them for a dollar at the corner store?
Earlier this year, a Michigan man decided to fight for his right to snack. Joshua Thompson is suing his local theater after it banned outside food. He argues the ban breaks a Michigan law that prevents businesses from charging extremely high prices. However, most legal experts believe Thompson has little chance of winning his case, though he does have a point: 85 cents out of a dollar of treats a movie theater sells is pure profit.
The truth is that movie theaters are more in the snack business than the movie business. A huge part of the ticket income goes to the Hollywood studio. This makes sense, since the studios have to pay the costs of movie production and advertising. But that often doesn’t leave much cash for the theater, which also has its own running costs. If customers stopped buying food, owners would have to raise ticket prices even higher.
Of course, there’s another reason to think twice before bringing food into the movies: It’s against the rules. Breaking those rules can have unpleasant consequences too. Some theaters will kick you out if they catch you. Even without the threat of punishment, we should follow rules all the time------out of respect.
Here’s a good idea: Eat before the movie.
1.What is the topic of the text?
A. Movie Theaters’ Ban on Outside Food.
B. A Michigan Man’s Fight for His Right.
C. The Pleasure of Enjoying Snacks.
D. Bad Manners in Movie Theaters.
2.What do we know about Joshua Thompson?
A. He broke a Michigan law.
B. He was forbidden to have snacks at the theaters.
C. He thinks cinema tickets are too expensive.
D. He is likely to lose the case.
3.In Paragraph 5, the author mainly explains _________.
A. how movie studios work with movie theaters
B. why snack sales are important to movie theaters
C. why Hollywood studios must pay high costs
D. how movie theaters reduce their operating costs
4. How does the author feel about bringing outside food into the cinema?
A. It is great fun. B. It is convenient.
C. It is unacceptable. D. It is lawful.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
English is the most widely used language in the history of our planet. One in every seven human beings can speak it. More than half of the world’s books and three quarters of international mail are in English. Of all languages, English has the largest vocabulary — perhaps as many as two million words.
However, let’s face it: English is a crazy language. There is no egg in an eggplant, neither pine nor apple in a pineapple and no ham in a hamburger. Sweetmeats are candy, while sweetbreads, which aren’t sweet, are meat.
We take English for granted. But when we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, public bathrooms have no baths in them.
And why is it that a writer writes, but fingers don’t fing, grocers don’t groce, and hammers don’t ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, shouldn’t the plural of booth be beeth? One goose, two geese — so one moose, two meese?
How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? How can overlook and oversee be opposites, while quite a lot and quite a few are alike? How can the weather be hot as hell one day and cold as hell the next?
English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of human beings. That’s why, when stars are out, they are visible; but when the lights are out, they are invisible. And why, when I wind up my watch, I start it; but when I wind up this essay, I end it.
1.According to the passage __________.
A. pineapples are the apples on the pine tree
B. there should be an egg in an eggplant
C. sweetmeats and sweetbreads are different things
D. boxing rings should be round
2. The underlined words “wind up” in the last paragraph maybe means “__________”.
A. blow B. finish C. get hurt D. roll up
3.Through the many paradoxes in the English language, the writer wants to show that human beings are ____________.
A. lazy B. crazy C. clever D. dull
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival
Where: Becket, Massachusetts
When: Jun.15---Aug.24
Each summer, this influential dance center presents a number of classes and performances by more than 50 companies from around the world. Highlights in this season include the Dance Theater of Harlem’s production of Alvin Ailey’s “The Lark Ascending”, which opens the festival.
Many events are free. Ticketed performances start at $22. Jacobspillow.org.
Moab Music Festival
Where: Moab, Utah
When: Aug.29---Sept.9
This area is better known for mountain biking than for music . But since 1992, it has hosted a private festival that brings classical, jazz, Latin and other types of music to the land. This year there will be 16 concerts, including three “Grotto Concerts”, where guests take a 45-minute boat ride down the Colorado River to performances.
Events start at $25. Moabmusicfest.org.
Cheyenne Frontier Days
Where: Cheyenne, Wyoming
When: July19---28
There is something for everyone at this 117-year-old festival, from an “Indian village” and Old West museum to country concerts. But the competition is still the main attraction, with cowboys and cowgirls competing for major money in the world’s largest outdoor stage.
Competition tickets start at $18, and concert tickets at $23. Cfdrodeo.com.
The Glimmerglass Festival
Where: Cooperstown, New York
When: July6---Aug.24
Each summer, opera lovers from around the country (and the world) travel to upstate New York to watch productions that include stars like Nathan Gunn and Ginger Costa-Jackson. This year’s performances include Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” and Verdi’s “King for a Day”, in honor of the 200th birthdays of both composers.
Tickets start at $26. Glimmerglass.org.
1.If you want to enjoy a “Grotto Concert”, which date suits you best?
A. September 4. B. July 19.
C. August 24. D. June 15.
2.If you go to Cheyenne to watch a competition and enjoy a concert, how much will you pay at least?
A. $18. B. $41. C. $360 D. $22.
3.If you are a big fan of Wagner, you’re advised to go to ____________.
A. Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival
B. Moab Music Festival
C. Cheyenne Frontier Days
D. The Glimmerglass Festival
4.Which part of a website is the text probably chosen from?
A. Education. B. Literature.
C. Business. D. Art.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The world is filled with smart, talented, educated and gifted people. We meet them every day. A few days ago, my car was not running well. I pulled it into a garage and the young mechanic had it fixed in just a few minutes. He knew what was wrong by simply listening to the engine. I was amazed. The sad truth is: Great talent is not enough.
I am constantly shocked at how little talented people earn. I heard the other day that less than 5 percent of Americans earn more than $100, 000 a year. A business consultant who specializes in the medical trade was telling me how many doctors and dentists struggle financially. It was this business consultant who gave me the phrase, “They are one skill away from great wealth.”
There is an old saying that goes, “Job means just over broke (破产)' ”. And unfortunately, I would say that the saying applies to millions of people. Because school does not think financial intelligence is intelligence, most workers “live within their means”. They work and they pay the bills. Instead I recommend to young people to seek work for what they will learn, more than what they will earn.
When I ask the classes I teach, “How many of you can cook a better hamburger than McDonald’s?” almost all the students raise their hands. I then ask, “So if most of you can cook a better hamburger, how come McDonald’s makes more money than you?” The answer is obvious: McDonald’s is excellent at business systems. The reason so many talented people are poor is because they focus on bui1ding a better hamburger and know little or nothing about business systems. The world is filled with talented poor people. They focus on perfecting their skills at building a better hamburger rather than the skills of selling and delivering the hamburger.
1.The author mentions the mechanic in the first paragraph to show that __________.
A. he has a sharp sense of hearing
B. he is ready to help others
C. he is just one of the talented people
D. he knows little about car repairing
2.The underlined part in the third paragraph can be best replaced by__________.
A. spend more than they can afford
B. live within what they earn
C. live in their own circle
D. do in their own way
3.Why do talented people earn so little according to the author?
A. They don't work hard enough.
B. They have no specialized skills.
C. They don't make full use of their talents.
D. They lack financial intelligence.
4.The main purpose of the author is to tell us___________.
A. why so many talented people are poor
B. what schools should teach students
C. how young people can find a satisfactory job
D. how McDonald's makes much money
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Mountain biking is a great way to explore the outdoors, stay in shape, or just have fun. 1._________ Even though it’s dangerous, if you ride with caution, it can be enjoyed by the entire family.
Mountain biking can best be characterized into three different styles --- downhill, free riding, and cross country. Even though the different styles are similar in some ways, they still require different skills. 2._________
You can find groups that have mountain bike rides and competitions. You can look on the Internet or even in a local paper and see exactly what’s available in your area. 3.________ Like all other sports, it takes time and practice. Those just beginning will have to get past the bumps and bruises from falling off the bike.
The bike you select is more of a personal choice, and a big determining factor on the type of riding you will be doing. Bikes come in all styles, shapes, and prices, which will make selecting one for yourself very difficult indeed. 4.__________ A great mountain biker will become one with his or her own bike. When buying, make sure you check for comfort, how it fits, even how it is geared.
5.__________ Anytime you are riding, you should wear a helmet, along with knee and elbow pads. If you are following a group or riding in the woods you should strongly consider a pair of goggles as well. Safety should be your top priority and never taken lightly anytime you are mountain biking.
A. Before you buy a bike, always ask to try it out first.
B. It takes practice to succeed for a great mountain biker.
C. The style that you pick will determine the type of bike you get.
D. You may be able to find groups for the more advanced riders as well as beginners.
E. Mountain bike riding on unpaved roads can be very dangerous, as mentioned earlier.
F. To buy a bike for mountain biking, you should mainly consider how much the bike costs you.
G. Racing down the side of a mountain is a lot of fun indeed, although it can also be quite dangerous.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
完形填空
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
Some people are afraid of starting a casual conversation with a stranger because of a fear of not having anything interesting to say. Fear of rejection is also a for keeping silent. Small talk in a conversation can as a way of warming up and getting to each other. Most people, no matter successful they are at work, will find the process of________ small talk uncomfortable, even pointless. , you will have a pretty small world _______ you refuse to let others in. Starting off with a casual comment or question will make others ________ , and even just greeting them with a simple “hello” will often be enough.
Once you have made the first ________ , there is no turning back. You need to keep things ________ before you can gracefully say goodbye. Think about what you would like to ________ with a new friend and that is what you can ask the other person about. Work, family, hobbies or interests are some ________ points of discussion. To keep the ball rolling, you can show that you are really ________ in what they are saying. Once you find common ________ of interest, things will definitely ________ off from there.
Small talk can ________ out to be a pleasant experience. The conversation ________ be brief and casual without turning into a long and boring discussion. Do not let yourself ________ the conversation. Stop worrying about how big of a fool you may appear to be. You may ________ find out later on that you have the “ ________ ” of getting people to open up to you by engaging them in the small talk.
1.A. reason B. right C. result D.sign
2.A. use B. serve C. mean D. take
3.A. learn B. know C. recognize D. help
4.A. what B. whether C. how D. why
5.A. making B. giving C. leaving D. forcing
6.A. So B. Instead C. Besides D. However
7.A. unless B. until C. though D. if
8.A. upset B. comfortable C. nervous D. satisfied
9.A. try B. plan C. move D. wish
10.A. changing B. rising C. going D. improving
11.A. share B. know C. do D. show
12.A. private B. present C. general D. important
13.A. careful B. surprised C. encouraged D. interested
14.A. ideas B. experiences C. senses D. points
15.A. put B. take C. get D. set
16.A. turn B. come C. find D. figure
17.A. can B. should C. will D. may
18.A. start B. complete C. control D. consider
19.A. even B. still C. ever D. almost
20.A. right B. advantage C. habit D. talent
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
语法填空
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
One day, Nick invited his friends to supper. He was cooking some delicious food in the kitchen. Suddenly, he 1. (find) that he had run out of salt. So Nick called to his son, “Go to the village and buy some salt, 2. pay a fair price for it: neither too much nor too little.”
His son looked surprised. “I can understand why I shouldn't pay too much, Father, but if I can pay less, 3. not save a bit of money?”
“That would be a very 4. (reason) thing to do in a big city, but it could destroy 5. small village like ours,” Nick said.
Nick’s guests, 6. had heard their conversation, asked why they should not buy salt 7. (cheap) if they could. Nick replied, “The only reason why a man would sell salt at a lower price would be that he was desperate for money. And anyone who took advantage of that situation would be showing a lack of respect 8. the sweat and struggle of the man who worked very hard to produce it.”
“But such a small thing couldn't 9. (possible) destroy a village.”
“In the beginning, there was only a very small amount of unfairness in the world, but everyone added a little, always 10. (think) that it was only small and not very important, and look where we have ended up today.”
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
短文改错
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧)，并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改：在错的词下画一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；2只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
It is fine day and I will never forget this special day. I was chosen to be a member of the football team and send to take part in the school football match. I was excited, but believed I would score the most. But in the first round I hurt my leg and couldn't help but to give up. I felt very sad. My best friend Tom comes up to me and said, “You are great! You still played for a few minute even after you leg hurt. You are a true winner.” I couldn't believe my ears. For me the one scoring the most is the winner. But Tom said, “The one which tries his best is the really winner.” Deeply impressing by his words, I want to say “Thank you” to him.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
书面表达:
假定你是李华，最近你就高中生对网络使用的情况进行了调查并写一篇报道。请根据下面的要点提示对你的调查作简要介绍，发给报社。
要点提示：1.主要用途；
2.出现的问题；
注意：1、词数：100字左右；
2、可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3、文章开头已给出，不计入字数。
As we all know, the Internet is playing an important part in our daily life. Recently, I did a survey about how the students in my school make use of the Internet.
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难度: 中等查看答案及解析