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As one of the most important languages in the world, Latin had humble beginnings. It originated along the Tiber River in Italy and only a handful of people spoke the language. Over time, Latin became more well-known as Romans gained political power. Many famous literary texts and scientific classifications were written in Latin. Even though knowing Latin indicated a person was educated, according to Britannica, in the 20th century far fewer people learned Latin, leading it to be classified as a “dead” language.
There are around 7,000 living languages in the world, but, according to Britannica, “more than half are at risk of dying out by the end of the 21st century.” Civilizations evolve over time and so do languages. More often than not, a language dies because everyone who speaks the language dies. For example, Marie Smith Jones, perhaps the last native speaker of the Alaskan Eyak language, died at the age of 89 in 2008, and so did the language. Now, fewer and fewer people speak Latin, which raises public’s awareness about its protection.
Actually, there are many other reasons as to why Latin should be protected or taught. “It is a window into a fascinating ancient civilization, and studying an ancient civilization teaches us to respect different points of view and unfamiliar cultural practices,” says Kathleen Coleman, James Loeb Professor of Harvard University.
Since it isn’t used in ordinary conversations, there are a lot of difficulties that arise from teaching Latin. “Teaching a ‘dead’ language is different from teaching other languages,” explains Coleman, “because there are no native speakers to show us how it sounds or answer questions about the meaning of words or explain idioms. Though it’s hard, fortunately, we still can find the answers to our questions from the broken evidence available in written texts.”
1.What can we learn about Latin from Paragraph 1?
A.Most people didn’t learn Latin in the 20th century.
B.Only educated people learned Latin in the past.
C.Latin was not favored by scientists and writers.
D.Latin was well-known since its birth.
2.The author mentions Marie Smith Jones in Paragraph 2 to show ________.
A.how a language dies
B.what a dead language is
C.how a language is protected
D.who is the last Alaskan Eyak speaker
3.Why should people learn Latin according to Coleman?
A.To show unfamiliar practices. B.To respect others’ opinions.
C.To protect a “dead” language. D.To learn about an ancient society.
4.What will the author probably discuss in the following paragraph?
A.The learning methods. B.The development of Latin.
C.The learning materials. D.The difficulties in learning Latin.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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One of the most important things in the world is friendship． In order to have friends， you have to be a friend． But how can you be a good friend at school？
Listen ﹣ Listen when they are talking． Don't say anything unless they ask you a question． Sometimes it's not necessary for you to have anything to say； they just need someone to talk to about their feelings．
Help them ﹣ If your friend is ever in need of something， be there to help them． You should try to put them first， but make sure you don't do everything they want you to do． Try to take an extra pencil or pen with you to classes in case they forget one． Have a little extra money in your pocket in case they forget something they need．
Be there for them ﹣ Be there for your friends to help make them feel better in hard times． Marilyn Monroe， a famous U．S． actor， once said， "I often make mistakes． Sometimes I am out of control， but if you can't stay with me at my worst， you are sure not to deserve to be with me at my best．" Always remember this! If you don't want to stay with your friends when they're in hard times， then you don't deserve to be with them when they're having a good time!
Make plans ﹣ Try to make plans with your friends． Go shopping， go for ice cream， have a party， go to a movie and so on． Take time to know each other even better by doing something you both enjoy． By planning things together， you both can have a good time． And you'll remember these things when you're all old!
1.While your friend is talking to you about his or her feelings， you should ．
A. give him or her some advice
B. calm him or her down
C. just listen unless asked
D. share your feelings as well
2.When we provide help for our friends， we should ．
A. put them before ourselves
B. try to do everything for them
C. change their bad habits first
D. ignore their faults
3.What can we learn from Marilyn Monroe's words？
A. Life without a friend is death．
B. A friend is easier lost than found．
C. A man is known by his friends．
D. A friend in need is a friend indeed．
4.What is probably the best title for the test？
A. How to find a good friend．
B. How to be a good friend．
C. How to help friends in trouble．
D. How to make more friends．
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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The Zhoukoudian Beijing Man Site is one of the most important world heritage sites in China．Since the discovery, which changed China’s knowledge of its history, was made in the 1920s, Zhoukoudian has become an important place for archaeologists from all over the world．At the site in the south-west suburb of Beijing, there is, for example, the earliest evidence of the use of fire by humans．It has also been proved that people lived there continuously between 500,000 and 10,000 years ago．
Today, however, Zhoukoudian is in serious danger．Parts of the cave have been badly affected by rain and exposure to the air．Some areas are almost completely covered in weeds, causing serious damage．Pollution from nearby cement factories has also contributed to the problem．
The site is extremely expensive to maintain and it will cost between three and five million yuan to repair it．At the moment, visitors are not allowed to visit the caves．
Zhoukoudian is on the World Cultural Heritage List, organized by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization．The list is constantly checked．Any site which is seriously damaged or which is not properly protected is an endangered heritage, and UNESCO is very quick to do something about situations like this．They have recommended that the site be closed and repaired．If nothing is done to repair it, it could be removed from the list．
This is a very serious matter and the Chinese Academy of Sciences is trying to raise public awareness about it．They have suggested that the general public be encouraged to help with the problem．A professor at the Academy has proposed that a fund be established to raise money．
Dr Zhu Ming of the Academy said, “ We have requested that the government get involved, but we also need assistance from ordinary people．They can help by contributing to the cost of repairing the caves．They are a precious part of our cultural heritage—it is of vital importance that we do something．If not, it will be a catastrophe．”
1.Why is Zhoukoudian of great importance in China?
A．Because the site tells some information about how man lived in the old times．
B．Because it has brought in lots of money as a place of interest．
C．Because it is the only place in China on the World Cultural Heritage List．
D．Because it changed our knowledge of China’s history of the 1920’s．
2.What is the second paragraph about?
A．Zhoukoudian’s discovery B．Zhoukoudian’s future
C．Zhoukoudian’s in danger D．Zhoukoudian’s protection
3.The following has caused the damage of the site except________________．
A．Weeds B．Rain C．Fire D．Cement factories
4.The passage suggests that to repair Zhoukoudian, Chinese Academy of Sciences is seeking help from_________．
A．Archaeologists from all over the world
B．Government and the public
C．Experts from UNESCO
D．Visitors
5.Which of the following can replace the underlined word “catastrophe”?
A．case B．worry C．wonder D．disaster
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
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One thinks of princes and presidents as some of the most powerful people in the world; however, governments, elected or otherwise, sometimes have had to struggle with the financial powerhouses called tycoons. The word tycoon is relatively new to the English language. It is Chinese in origin but was given as a title to some Japanese generals. The term was brought to the United States, in the late nineteenth century, where it eventually was used to refer to magnates who acquired immense fortunes from sugar and cattle, coal and oil, rubber and steel, and railroads. Some people called these tycoons “capitals of industry” and praised them for their contributions to U.S. wealth and international reputation. Others criticized them as cruel “robber barons”, who would stop at nothing in pursuit of personal wealth.
The early tycoons built successful businesses, often taking over smaller companies to eliminate competition. A single company that came to control an entire market was called a monopoly. Monopolies made a few families very wealthy, but they also placed a heavy financial burden on consumers and the economy at large.
As the country expanded and railroads linked the East Coast to the West Coast, local monopolies turned into national corporations called trusts. A trust is a group of companies that join together under the control of a board of trustees. Railroad trusts are an excellent example. Railroads were privately owned and operated and often monopolized various routes, setting rates as high as they desired. The financial burden this placed on passengers and businesses increased when railroads formed trusts. Farmers, for example, had no choice but to pay, as railroads were the only means they could use to get their grain to buyers. Exorbitant (过高的) goods rates put some farmers out of business.
There were even accusations that the trusts controlled government itself by buying votes and manipulating elected officials. In 1890 Congress passed the Sherman Antitrust. Act, legislation aimed at breaking the power of such trusts. The Sherman Antitrust Act focused on two main issues. First of all, it made illegal any effort to interfere with the normal conduct of interstate trade. It also made it illegal to monopolize any part of business that operates across state lines.
Over the next 60 years or so, Congress passed other antitrust laws in an effort to encourage competition and restrict the power of larger corporations.
1. The Sherman Antitrust Act_______________.
A. affected only the companies doing business within state lines
B. sought to eliminate monopolies in favor of competition in the market-place
C. promoted trade with a large number of nations
D. provides a financial advantage to the buyer
2.One might infer from this passage that lower prices _________.
A. are more likely to exist in a competitive market economy
B. usually can be found only in an economy based on monopolies
C. matter only to people who are poor and living below the poverty level
D. are regulated by the government
3.It seems likely that many Americans____________.
A. believed that the trusts had little influence over government
B. expected the wealthy magnates to share money with the poor
C. did little to build up American business
D. were worried that trusts might manipulate the government
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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University is generally regarded as one of the most important times in a person’s life, yet the function of this institution continues to arouse debate. Many believe that arts subjects are too easy, that practical skills are more useful and that a chosen subject for study should be clearly linked to a career. However, this view is far too simplistic. Arts subjects are very difficult. They can prepare students for any number of careers as well as allowing the student to take time to make a decision. The function of the modern university is to cater to different types of student.
Arts subjects are not easy. For example, a degree in Literature is not an easy option. No question in a Literature class has a single, simple answer. Debate is conducted in a spirit of openness, texts are very closely analyzed and skills in close reading are developed. Literature is about language, our primary means of communication. Arts subjects require the same concentrated study as any other subject.
Arts subjects can prepare students for any number of careers. A degree in an arts subject teaches skills in well organized debates and defence of a position through the provision of evidence. These are applicable to many types of career. Law, for example. The point is that an undergraduate degree in any Arts subject trains the student in analysis and structure. Therefore, Arts graduates can pursue any number of careers.
Arts subjects allow the student to take time to choose a career. Love of the subject for its own sake may well be the initial motivation for the Arts undergraduate but because the subject they have chosen is not so clearly linked to a career they have time to reflect, making a decision only when they are absolutely certain. Students who pursue Arts subjects therefore have the leisure to make a carefully considered choice.
In conclusion, it is clear that Arts subjects are not a waste of time. They are flexible when it comes to relating them to a career and they allow the student to discover an appropriate career path. Many industries now acknowledge that a degree in Literature can be just as valuable as any other subject, especially when it is evident that Arts graduates tend to think more creatively. Not all undergraduates have clearly defined goals and not all subjects can be simply matched to a career. Acknowledging this difference should be the main function of a modern university
1. What does the author mainly argue in this article?
A. Universities should be aware of diversity B. Universities should focus on practical courses.
C. Arts courses should be promoted. D. Arts subjects are inappropriate for work.
2.What does the author imply about universities’ attitude to students?
A. They need to be more understanding of students’ needs.
B. They need to keep out arts students.
C. They need to link courses to careers.
D. They need to offer more arts courses.
3.The author suggests that technical subjects ____________.
A. are more important than arts subjects. B. are more useful to the modern world.
C. have equal value to arts subjects. D. are not as important as arts subjects.
4.From the article, we know skills acquired by arts undergraduates include___________.
A. Perception and investigation B. Technique and motivation
C. Appreciation and dedication D. Analysis and structure
5.According to the author, the students choose arts courses initially because ___________.
A. they are unsure about a career B. they are interested in the subject
C. they hate technical subjects D. they are creative people
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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Bananas are one of the world’s most important food crops. They are also one of the most valuable exports. Bananas do not grow from seeds. Instead, they grow from existing plants. Bananas are threatened by disease because all the plants on a farm are copies of each other. They all share the same genetic weaknesses. For example, the Cavendish banana is most popular in North American and European markets. However, some kinds of fungus organisms easily infect the Cavendish. Black Sigatoka disease affects the leaves of Cavendish banana plants. The disease is controlled on large farms by putting chemicals on the plants’ leaves. Farmers put anti-fungal chemicals on their crops up to once a week.
Another fungal disease is more serious. Panama disease attacks the roots of the banana plants. There is no chemical treatment for this disease. Infected plants must be destroyed. Panama disease has affected crops in Southeast Asia, Australia and South Africa. There is concern that it may spread to bananas grown in the Americas. This could threaten an important export product for Central and South America.
The International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain supports research on bananas. The group has headquarters in France and other offices in the major banana-growing areas of the world. The group says that more research must be done to develop improved kinds of bananas. The group says that fungal diseases mainly affect only one kind of banana. In fact, there are five hundred different kinds of bananas. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has said that the Cavendish banana represents only 10% of world production.
The U. N. agency says farmers should grow different kinds of bananas. This protects against diseases that affect only one kind. Experts warn that disease may cause the Cavendish banana to disappear. This happened earlier to another popular banana because of its genetic weakness against disease.
1.What does this passage mainly tell us?
A. Bananas are the world’s most important food crops.
B. The risk to a popular banana shows need to grow other kinds.
C. There are five hundred different kinds of bananas.
D. How to grow bananas in different countries.
2.Bananas are threatened by disease because .
A. they grow from seeds
B. they are one of the most valuable exports
C. the only way to prevent it is to put chemicals on their leaves
D. they have genetic weaknesses against disease
3. Panama disease .
A. doesn’t belong to fungal disease
B. affects the leaves of banana plants
C. destroys bananas more seriously than Black Sigatoka disease
D. has spread to bananas all over the world
4. We can infer from Paragraph 3 that .
A. the center of the group is in the US
B. the Cavendish banana covers only a small part of the yield of bananas
C. the key to solving the disease is to research all kinds of bananas
D. each fungal disease affects five hundred different kinds of bananas
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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Bananas are one of the world’ s most important food crops. They are also one of the most valuable exports. Bananas do not grow from seeds. Instead, they grow from existing plants. Bananas are threatened by disease because all the plants on a farm are copies of each other. They all share the same genetic weaknesses. For example, the Cavendish banana is most popular in North American and European markets. However，some kinds of fungus organisms easily infect the Cavendish. Black Sigatoka disease affects the leaves of Cavendish banana plants. The disease is controlled on large farms by putting chemicals on the plant’ s leaves. Farmers put anti-fungal chemicals on their crops up to once a week.
Another fungal disease is more serious. Panama disease attacks the roots of the banana plant. There is no chemical treatment for this disease. Infected plants must be destroyed. Panama disease has affected crops in Southeast Asia, Australia and South Africa. There is concern that it may spread to bananas grown in the Americas. This could threaten an important export product for Central and South America.
The International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain supports research on bananas. The group has headquarters in France and other offices in the major banana-growing areas of the world. The group says that more research must be done to develop improved kinds of bananas. The group says that fungal diseases mainly affect only one kind of banana. In fact, there are five hundred different kinds of bananas. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has said that the Cavendish banana represents only 10% of world production.
The U．N. agency says farmers should grow different kinds of bananas. This protects against diseases that affect only one kind. Experts warn that disease may cause the Cavendish banana to disappear. This happened earlier to another popular banana because of its genetic weakness against disease.
1.What does this passage mainly tell us?
A. Bananas are the world’ s most important food crops.
B. The risk to a popular banana shows need to grow other kinds.
C. There are five hundred different kinds of bananas.
D. How to grow bananas in different countries.
2.Bananas are threatened by disease because ________.
A. they grow from seeds
B. they are one of the most valuable exports
C. the only way to prevent it is to put chemicals on their leaves
D. they have genetic weaknesses against disease
3.Panama disease________.
A. doesn’t belong to fungal disease
B. affects the leaves of banana plants
C. destroys bananas more seriously than Black Sigatoka disease
D. has spread to bananas all over the world
4.We can infer from Paragraph 3 that ________.
A. the center of the group is in the US
B. the Cavendish banana covers only a small part of the yield of bananas
C. the key to solving the disease is to research all kinds of bananas
D. each fungal disease affects five hundred different kinds of bananas
5.According to the passage, which information is right?
A. The Cavendish banana can mainly be imported from North America and Europe.
B. Panama disease affects the leaves of Cavendish banana plants.
C. The Cavendish banana won’t die out in the future.
D. The Cavendish banana makes up only one tenth of world production.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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As the most frequently spoken language in the world, Chinese ________ in many schools in Europe.
A. is teaching B is taught C. has taught D. teaches
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
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As the most ________ spoken language in the world，Chinese is taught in many schools in Europe.
A．frequently B．properly
C．slightly D．differently
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
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Rivers are one of our most important natural resources. Many of the world’s great cities are located on rivers, and almost __1_______ country has at least one river __2_______(flow) through it that plays __3________ important part in the lives of its people.
Since the beginning of history, people _4______________ (use) rivers for transportation. The longest one in the United States is the Mississippi, and the lifeline of Egypt is the Nile. __5_____________ transportation, rivers give water to drink, water for crops, and chances for fun and recreation （消遣，娱乐活动）for the people __6________________ live along their banks.
However, large cities and industries that are located on rivers often make problems. As the cities grow __7____________ size and industries increase in number, the water in the rivers becomes __8_____________ (pollute) with chemicals and other materials. People come to kwon the __9_____________ (important) of doing more to keep their rivers clean __10_____________ they want to enjoy the benefits of this natural resource.
高三英语填空题简单题查看答案及解析