The story of chocolate begins with the discovery of America in 1492. Columbus was the first European to come into contact with cacao. Columbus was struck by how much value the Indians placed on them as he did not know the beans were used by currency. It is unlikely that Columbus brought any of these beans back to Spain and it was not until about 25 years later that Cortez grasped the commercial possibilities when he found the Aztecs using the beans to make the royal drink “chocolatl”.
The Spanish, in general, were not fond of the bitter drink so Cortez and his followers made it more palatable by adding sugar and later cinnamon(肉桂) and vanilla(香草) were added. Spanish monks( 僧侣) let the secret out back home and, although the Spanish hid it from their neighbors for a hundred years, finally chocolate’s popularity grew until it was their fashionable drink at the French court(宫廷) and the wise choice of customers at London meeting houses.
The cacao tree is strictly a tropical plant only in hot, rainy climates. Thus, its cultivation (培育 ) is limited to countries not more than 20 degrees north or south of the equator ( 赤 道 ). The cacao tree is very delicate and sensitive. It needs protection from the wind and requires a fair amount of shade under most conditions. This is true especially in its first two or three years of growth. A newly planted young cacao tree is often sheltered by a different type of trees. It is normal to plant food crops for shade such as bananas, or coconuts. Rubber trees( 橡胶树) and forest trees are also used for shade. Once established, however, cacao trees can grow in full sunlight, provided there are fertile soil conditions and intensive farming. With cutting and careful cultivation, the trees of strains will begin bearing fruit in the fifth year. With extreme care, some strains can be stimulated to produce good crops in the third and fourth year.
The process of turning cacao into chocolate hasn’t changed much since the late 1800s, when the Swiss learned to make fine unsweetened chocolate. Mixed with cocoa butter and other ingredients and then “purified”, the finished result is shaped, cooled, packaged by machine, distributed, sold and of course, eaten!
1.Why didn’t Columbus bring beans back to Spain at once when he found cacao?
A.Because he couldn’t afford to buy the cacao bean.
B.Because he didn’t know how to turn cacao bean into chocolate.
C.Because he was not aware of the commercial value of cacao bean then.
D.Because Spaniards then didn’t favour the chocolate that the Aztecs originally drank.
2.The underlined word “palatable” in paragraph 2 probably means _______.
A.affordable B.agreeable
C.patent D.portable
3.Which of the following is correct about cacao tree?
A.Cacao trees require hot, rainy climates and adequate sunlight.
B.Cacao trees need a lot of looking after to be used commercially.
C.Cacao trees won’t produce fruit until the fifth year.
D.Cacao trees can grow well in all continents.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
The story of chocolate begins with the discovery of America in 1492. Columbus was the first European to come into contact with cacao. Columbus was struck by how much value the Indians placed on them as he did not know the beans were used by currency. It is unlikely that Columbus brought any of these beans back to Spain and it was not until about 25 years later that Cortez grasped the commercial possibilities when he found the Aztecs using the beans to make the royal drink “chocolatl”.
The Spanish, in general, were not fond of the bitter drink so Cortez and his followers made it more palatable by adding sugar and later cinnamon(肉桂) and vanilla(香草) were added. Spanish monks( 僧侣) let the secret out back home and, although the Spanish hid it from their neighbors for a hundred years, finally chocolate’s popularity grew until it was their fashionable drink at the French court(宫廷) and the wise choice of customers at London meeting houses.
The cacao tree is strictly a tropical plant only in hot, rainy climates. Thus, its cultivation (培育 ) is limited to countries not more than 20 degrees north or south of the equator ( 赤 道 ). The cacao tree is very delicate and sensitive. It needs protection from the wind and requires a fair amount of shade under most conditions. This is true especially in its first two or three years of growth. A newly planted young cacao tree is often sheltered by a different type of trees. It is normal to plant food crops for shade such as bananas, or coconuts. Rubber trees( 橡胶树) and forest trees are also used for shade. Once established, however, cacao trees can grow in full sunlight, provided there are fertile soil conditions and intensive farming. With cutting and careful cultivation, the trees of strains will begin bearing fruit in the fifth year. With extreme care, some strains can be stimulated to produce good crops in the third and fourth year.
The process of turning cacao into chocolate hasn’t changed much since the late 1800s, when the Swiss learned to make fine unsweetened chocolate. Mixed with cocoa butter and other ingredients and then “purified”, the finished result is shaped, cooled, packaged by machine, distributed, sold and of course, eaten!
1.Why didn’t Columbus bring beans back to Spain at once when he found cacao?
A.Because he couldn’t afford to buy the cacao bean.
B.Because he didn’t know how to turn cacao bean into chocolate.
C.Because he was not aware of the commercial value of cacao bean then.
D.Because Spaniards then didn’t favour the chocolate that the Aztecs originally drank.
2.The underlined word “palatable” in paragraph 2 probably means _______.
A.affordable B.agreeable
C.patent D.portable
3.Which of the following is correct about cacao tree?
A.Cacao trees require hot, rainy climates and adequate sunlight.
B.Cacao trees need a lot of looking after to be used commercially.
C.Cacao trees won’t produce fruit until the fifth year.
D.Cacao trees can grow well in all continents.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The story begins with fishing.
Once a boy and his father went fishing before bass (a kind of special fish) season opened. They were fishing early in the evening, catching other fish with worms. Then the boy tied on a small silver lure (鱼饵) and put it into the lake. Suddenly he felt that something very big pulling on the lure. His father watched with admiration as the boy skillfully brought the fish beside the bank. Finally he lifted the tired fish from the water. It was the largest one he had ever seen, but it was a bass(the special fish).
The boy and his father looked at the big fish. The father lit a match and looked at his watch. It was 10 pm – two hours before the bass season opened. He looked at the fish, then at the boy. “You’ll have to put it back, son,” he said.
“Dad!” cried the boy, “There will be other fish,” said his father. “Not as big as this one,” cried the boy. He looked around the lake. No other fishermen or boats were in sight in the moonlight. He looked again at his father.
Even though no one had seen them, nor could anyone ever know what time he had caught the fish, the boy could tell from his father’s voice that the decision couldn’t be changed. He threw the huge bass into the black water. The big fish disappeared. The boy thought that he would never again see such a big fish.
That was 34 years ago. Today the boy is a successful architect in New York City. He often takes his own son and daughters to fish at the same place.
And he was right. He has never again caught such a large fish as the one he got that night long ago. But he does see that same fish … again and again … every time he has an ethical decision to make. For, as his father had taught him, ethics (伦理道德)are simple matters of right and wrong. It is only the practice of ethics that is difficult.
1. What happened when the big fish turned out to be a bass?
A. The boy threw the bass back into the water willingly.
B. The boy and his father discussed what to do with the big fish.
C. The father lit a match in order to check the time.
D. They worried other fishermen may discover what they had done.
2.From the text we know that the father _____.
A. disliked the huge fish B. was firm and stubborn
C. didn’t love his son D. always disagreed with his son
3.The successful architect went fishing with his children at the same place because _____.
A. they might catch a big fish there
B. he was taught a moral lesson there
C. it was a most popular fishing spot
D. their children enjoyed fishing there
4.What does the story imply?
A. An ethical decision is always easy to make.
B. It is easy to say something, but difficult to do.
C. It’s hard to tell right from wrong sometimes
D. Fishing can help one to make right decisions
5.What kind of the person the father is?
A. kind B. honest C. optimistic D. satisfied
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
At the beginning of this century, medical scientists made an interesting discovery: we are built not just of flesh(肌肉) and blood but also of time. They were 21 to show that we all have a ‘body clock’ 22 us, which controls the 23 and fall of our body energies, 24 us different from one day to the next.
The 25 of a ‘body clock’ should not be too 26 since the lives of most living things are controlled 27 the 24-hour night-and-day cycle(循环). We feel 28 and fall asleep at night and become 29 and energetic during the day. If the 24-hour cycle is 30 most people experience unpleasant 31 . For example, people who are not 32 to working at night can find that 33 of sleep causes them to 34 badly at work.
35 the daily cycle of sleeping and 36 , we also have other cycles which 37 longer than one day. Most of us would 38 that we feel good on some days and not so good on 39 ; sometimes our ideas seem to flow and at other times, they 40 do not exist.
1.
A. anxious B. careful C. able D. proud
2.
A. around B. inside C. between D. on
3.
A. rise B. supply C. use D. movement
4.
A. showing B. treating C. changing D. making
5.
A. idea B. opinion C. story D. invention
6.
A. difficult B. exciting C. interesting D. surprising
7.
A. from B. over C. by D. during
8.
A. dull B. dreamy C. tired D. peaceful
9.
A. regular B. excited C. clear D. lively
10.
A. shortened B. disturbed C. reset D. troubled
11.
A. moments B. senses C. feelings D. effects
12.
A. used B. allowed C. expected D. prevented
13.
A. miss B. none C. need D. lack
14.
A. show B. perform C. manage D. control
15.
A. With B. Except C. As well as D. Rather than
16.
A. waking B. moving C. living D. working
17.
A. repeat B. remain C. happen D. last
18.
A. believe B. agree C. realize D. allow
19.
A. others B. the other C. all other D. other
20.
A. only B. just C. still D. yet
高二英语完型填空简单题查看答案及解析
At the beginning of this century, medical scientists made an interesting discovery; we are built not just of flesh and blood but also of time. They were ________ to show that we all have “a body clock” ________ us, which controls the ________ and fall of our body energies, ________ us different from one day to the next.
The ________ of “a body clock” should not be too ________ since the lives of most living things are controlled ________ the 24 hour night-and-day cycle. We feel ________ and fall asleep at night and become ________ and energetic during the day. If the 24 hour-cycle is ________ , most people experience unpleasant ________ . For example, people who are not ________ to working at night can find that ________ of sleep causes them to ________ badly at work.
the daily cycle of sleeping and ________ , we also have other cycles which ________ longer than one day. Most of us would ________ that we feel good on some days and not so good on ________ ; sometimes our ideas seem to flow and at other times, they ________ do not exist.
1.A．anxious B．able C．careful D．proud
2.A．inside B．around C．between D．on
3.A．movement B．supply C．use D．rise
4.A．showing B．treating C．making D．changing
5.A．invention B．opinion C．story D．idea
6.A．difficult B．exciting C．surprising D．interesting
7.A．from B．by C．over D．during
8.A．dull B．tired C．dreamy D．peaceful
9.A．regular B．excited C．lively D．clear
10.A．disturbed B．shortened C．reset D．troubled
11.A．moments B．feelings C．senses D．effects
12.A．prevented B．allowed C．expected D．used
13.A．miss B．none C．lack D．need
14.A．perform B．show C．manage D．control
15.A．With B．As well as C．Except D．Rather than
16.A．working B．moving C．living D．waking
17.A．repeat B．remain C．last D．happen
18.A．agree B．believe C．realize D．allow
19.A．other B．the other C．all other D．others
20.A．just B．only C．still D．yet
高二英语完型填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
1.As a result of Yuan Longping’s discoveries, the rice p________ rose greatly.
2.The stories about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table are l______ not history.
3.We are warned that if we continue to destroy the environment, many more animals and plants will become e____________.
4.Tom, who is my c___________, works in the same office with me.
5.A red sky at night i___________ that the following day will be fine.
6.The smooth space fight, experts say, marks a big _____________(突破) for Chinese scientists.
7.Your company enjoys a good ___________(名声) in this field. I’ve heard that you take care of your employees and offer god salaries.
8.I have the bicycle now but my sister was the ____________(最初的) owner.
9.They should be careful. The knife is very _________(锋利的).
10.A _____________(神秘的) light came from the deserted house.
高二英语单词拼写简单题查看答案及解析
The students in America usually begin high school at the age of 13 or 14. Some leave at the age of 16. But most finish the 4-year high school study. They do not get their first full-time work or begin college studies until they are 17 or 18 years old.
The high school day is about 7 hours long. Part of the day is made into classes of about 50 minutes long. The students have lunch in the middle of the day. American students study English, history, math, science, art and languages. Some also learn job skills. They can learn how to use a computer or how to mend a car. Other students may learn by working in an office, a hospital or other places one day a week.
Jean Wilton Anderson is 16 years old. She lives with her parents and two younger brothers in Bethesda, Maryland, near Washington D.C. Jean studies at Walt Whitman High School. There are about 1,500 students at the school. Most of them will go up to colleges.
Jean wakes up early every morning. She begins school at about 7:30. This is her third year of high school. Every day she takes classes to learn English, world history, physics and trigonometry（三角学）. She also has a class about different religions（宗教）.And she plays the violin in music class. School ends at about 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Yet, Jean stays 2 or more hours longer every day for sports. Jean arrives home at about 5 o’clock in the afternoon. She eats dinner. Then she starts her homework. Students in America have their way of talking. They use the word “like” all the time. Jean and her girlfriends wear blue jeans and shirts or sweaters every day. The boys at her school also wear blue jeans. But they like to wear blue jeans that are several sizes too large for them.
Like students of her age in most parts of the country, Jean begins to drive a car. She does not have her car. She must use the family’s car. Most of the students in high school have their own cars. Many of them drive their cars to school every day.
1. Which of the following is not true to the high school?
A. The school day usually lasts for 7 hours.
B. The students only have 6 subjects to learn.
C. Each class will last for 50 minutes.
D. The students can learn some skills out of the school.
2. Jean Wilton Anderson __________________.
A. has a four-people family B. lives in the city of Washington
C. has studied in the high school for 3 years D. drives her own car at the age of 16
3. Which of the following is not true?
A. Students in high schools use the word “like” very often
B. The boy students wear blue jeans as the girls.
C. Many high school students go to school in their own cars.
D. Boy students wear jeans of larger size because they grow fast
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
What does the man think of the story?
A.It is too hard to understand. B.The beginning is confusing.
C.The writer tells the story well.
高二英语短对话中等难度题查看答案及解析
Don’t mention that at the beginning of the story, or it may _____ the shocking end.
A. give out B. give away
C. give up D. give off
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Columbus returned home with the news of his discovery of “Indian” 36 Columbus called it. Then he was considered as the hero who had given a new world to Spain. Never had so great __37__ been shown to any __38__man.But there were some who were jealous of the __39__.”Who is this Columbus?” they asked, “and what has he done? Isn’t he a poor sailor from Italy？And could __40__ other seamen sail across the ocean just as he has done?”
One day Columbus was at 41and several of these fellows were __42__ too. They tried to make Columbus __43__.”You have discovered strange lands __44__ the sea,”they said.“But we don’t see why there __45__ be so much said about it. Anybody can sail across the ocean and anybody can coast along the islands __46__ ,just as you have done. It is the __47__ thing in the world.”
Columbus made no answer, but after a while he took an egg from a dish and said to the people at the table, “Who __48__ you, gentlemen, can make the egg stand __49__ ?” One by one they tried the __50__．When the egg had gone __51__ around and everyone had failed, all said that it could not be done, Then Columbus took the egg and __52__the shell of the egg’s small end a little upon the table. After that there was no trouble in making it stand __53__.“Gentlemen,”said he, “what is easy than to do this __54__ you said was impossible ? It is simplest thing in the world. Anybody can do it-----AFTER HE HAD BEEN SHOWN __55__.”
1.A. so B. when C as D. that
2. A．respect B．response C．reward D．request
3. A．great B．common C．usual D．noble
4. A．discovery B．inventor C．discover D．bravery
5. A．some B．any C．no D．every
6. A．palace B．hotel C．counter D．dinner
7. A．friendly B．present C．rude D．angry
8. A．uncomfortable B．happy C．satisfied D．disappointed
9. A．beyond B．in C．along D．on
10. A．could B．would C．should D．might
11. A．on another side B．on other side
C．on the other side D．on one side
12. A．easiest B．simplest C．content D．convenient
13. A．besides B．among C．including D．except
14. A．on end B．in end C．by end D．to end
15. A．egg B．experiment C．method D．way
16. A．entirely B．eventually C．fluently D．frequently
17. A．supported B．hit C．broke D．stuck
18. A．downward B．upward C．backward D．inward
19. A．that B．what C．how D．why
20. A．WHAT B．WHEN C．WHY D．HOW
高二英语完型填空简单题查看答案及解析
Columbus returned home with the news of his discovery of “Indian” as Columbus called it. Then he was considered as the hero who had ________a new world to Spain. Never had such great ______ been shown to any common man. But there were some who were jealous（嫉妒）of the ______.“Who is this Columbus?” they asked, “and what has he done? Isn't he a poor _______ from Italy? And could not any other seaman sail across the ocean just as he has done?”
One day Columbus was at ______ and several of these fellows were ______. They tried to make Columbus ______.“You have discovered strange lands beyond the sea,” they said, “But we don't see ______ there should be so much said about it. Anybody can coast along the______ on the other side, just as you have done. It is the ______ thing in the world.”
Columbus made no _______, but after a while he took an egg from a dish and said to the people at the table, “Who ______ you, gentlemen, can make the egg stand on ______?”One by one they tried the ______ .When the egg had gone entirely around and everyone had ______, all said that it could not be done. Then Columbus took the egg and ______the shell of the egg’s small end a little upon the table. After that there was no ______ in making it stand upward. “Gentlemen,” said he, “what is ______than to do this which you said was _____? It is the simplest thing in the world. Anybody can do it--AFTER HE HAS BEEN SHOWN ______.”
1.A. compared B. devoted C. given D. returned
2.A. respect B. mercy C. anger D. regret
3.A. discovery B. inventor C. discoverer D. bravery
4.A. teacher B. editor C. merchant D. sailor
5.A. war B. work C. sea D. dinner
6.A. friendly B. present C. rude D. angry
7.A. enjoyable B. satisfied C. uncomfortable D. disappointed
8.A. why B. what C. whether D. that
9.A. valleys B. islands C. cities D. mountains
10.A. nicest B. funniest C. coolest D. simplest
11.A. sense B. excuse C. effort D. answer
12.A. among B. besides C. including D. except
13.A. fire B. sale C. line D. end
14.A. egg B. experiment C. method D. dish
15.A. left B. failed C. finished D. managed
16.A. touched B. burned C. broke D. removed
17.A. success B. trouble C. help D. interest
18.A. quicker B. smaller C. easier D. longer
19.A. accessible B. impossible C. difficult D. natural
20.A. HOW B. WHEN C. IT D. THAT
高二英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析