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Schools are under constant pressure to make budget cuts, and music programs are often first on the chopping block. However, a recent study from the University of British Columbia in Canada has shown that students who took music lessons in high school performed better in subjects such as English, science, and math.
The researchers collected data from over 100,000 students at public high schools across the province of British Columbia. Some of them took music lessons during high school while others never attended them. Checking the test scores of students who took music classes with those of their peers, the study found that the musicians got higher grades in a range of different school subjects.
Research like this has been done before, but as for the number of respondents, this study is much larger, and it took into account other factors that may have affected the results. For example, perhaps students who took music classes were encouraged to do so because they already had good grades. This UBC study rules out a number of other factors that could explain why music students performed better academically, and the researchers still find a clear effect of music lessons on academic performance.
Not only did music students perform better than non-musicians, but students who played an instrument did even better than those who sang. “Learning to play a musical instrument and playing in an ensemble(乐团) is very rewarding,” says Martin Guhn, one of the researchers, “A student can learn to read music notes, achieve eye-hand-mind coordination, develop keen listening skills and establish interpersonal relationships.”
What this study doesn't tell us, though, is why music makes these students perform better academically, but the research paper mentions a few possible explanations. Music practice is linked with neurological(神经系统的) changes that improves certain brain functions, affecting memory and planning skills. Besides, there is a possible motivational factor. Students who take music lessons see a tangible result from practice—they get better—and they might apply that to their other work. And the non-competitive team aspect of making music together could strengthen students' social development, which would also help them in other alias.
1.How did the researchers find the result of the research?
A.By conducting tests. B.By analyzing causes.
C.By making comparisons. D.By building models.
2.How is the recent study different from previous ones?
A.It covered more school subjects.
B.It allowed for students who sang.
C.It was carried out nationwide.
D.It produced a more convincing result.
3.Why did the author mention Martin Guhn's words in Paragraph 4?
A.To speak highly of music students.
B.To explain why music helps students perform better.
C.To present the benefits of playing instruments.
D.To encourage students to join an ensemble.
4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A.Music practice can make an overall improvement in students’ brain.
B.Progress made in music may motivate students to work harder in math.
C.Singing can't make any difference in improving students' memory.
D.Playing in an orchestra could make students less competitive in other fields.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
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Teenagers are under a lot of pressure to be thin. They resort to starving, vomiting and eating only diet foods to try and be thin. Television is a big influence on them. They watch shows like Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place and feel they need to look as thin as the actresses on these shows. Society is brainwashing young people into believing that being thin is important and necessary.
Diet commercials are constantly appearing on our television screens telling us that once we lose weight, we will be happy. While you’re standing at the grocery store you are surrounded by magazines claiming to have the newest and best diet. Each month another new diet appears claiming to be the diet to end all diets. If diets really worked, then why are there so many of them? The reason a new diet pops up each month, is that last’s month’s diets did not work. The truth of the matter is that DIETS DON’T WORK.
The diet and fashion industries are not totally to blame for society’s obsession with thinness. We are the ones keeping them in business. We buy into the idea that we can attain the “ideal” body image. We allow ourselves to believe the lies being thrown at us constantly. We are throwing away our hard earned money trying to live up to the standards that society has set for us. It’s unfortunate, but in today’s society, people have forgotten that it’s what’s inside a person that counts, not what’s on the outside. We need to start loving and accepting each other for who we are, not what we look like.
Once again, I would like to stress the fact that diets don’t work. Eating three healthy meals a day, a few snacks and doing moderate exercise, will allow your body to go to its natural set point. Next time you decide that you are going to start another diet because you feel you are too fat, stop, sign up for a self-esteem class instead. That would be money well spent.
1.What are Beverly Hills 90210 and Meltrose Place ?
A．Fashion shows. B．Two famous place in America.
C．Popular TV shows. D．Two TV channels.
2.According to the author, which of the following statements is NOT true ?
A．Our society is flooded with diet commercials.
B．The latest diet is necessarily better than all the previous ones.
C．People in North America become crazy over Dieting.
D．All diets are useless in fact
3.Why are there so many diets popping up according to the second paragraph?
A．Because teenagers are under a lot of pressure to be thin.
B．Because there are more and more fat teenagers.
C．Because the diets have no effect.
D．Because teenagers are fascinated by the newest and best diet.
4.We can infer from this passage that __________ .
A．if your diet doesn’t work, the only thing you can do is to accept your body image .
B．attending a self-esteem class will help you keep fit.
C．we shouldn’t pay attention to the size of our body.
D．what’s inside a person is much more important than his/her appearance.
5.What’s the function of the last paragraph in the whole text ?
A．persuasion B．summarization C．argumentation D．description
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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At a time when industries are under greater pressure to reduce costs and increase efficiencies, more production facilities are turning to digital sensing technology to provide the real-time insights they need for improved performance. What if one digital sensor could measure multiple signals?
Yokogawa's DPharp（差压传送器）digital technology has the unique ability to measure two pressure parameters （参数），delivering reliable and accurate measurement of plant operations. The unique aspect of this digital technology is that it measures two parameters in one sensor module, providing additional insight into a plant's operations. It is the only sensor in the world that does this.
DPharp transmitters（发射器）use silicon（硅）resonant（谐振的）sensor technology to measure both differential（差别） and still pressure. The sensor consists of two H-shaped crystal silicon resonators that shake at a certain frequency and, when pressure is applied, the frequency of one resonator increases while the other decreases. By monitoring these frequencies digitally, both differential and still pressure can be measured at the same time. The frequency output is directly read by the central processing unit of the transmitter.
DPharp can be used in any processing plant across any industry—oil and gas to food and drinks. DPharp's unique digital sensing technology allows engineering firms and plant engineers to create designs that will equate to an average reduction of 40 percent. Where they would typically use five measuring devices, they are using three by using the multi-sensing technology. That is a significant cost reduction in the number of devices installed and the added benefit is that, as there are less devices, the engineering and design is less complex, which means less materials and less equipment to maintain. Furthermore, there are fewer transmitter spares required, which reduces costs. Tony Farah, Product Manager, said that more organisations are seeing the significant benefits of smart devices like DPharp.
1.What is special about DPharp digital technology?
A.It provides the real-time insights.
B.It brings significant changes in engineering.
C.It measures two parameters in one sensor.
D.It provides accurate measurement.
2.What is the frequency output read by?
A.Two H-shaped crystal silicon resonators.
B.The central processing unit of the transmitter.
C.Monitoring devices.
D.The operator of the plant.
3.What is the plants' attitude to DPharp?
A.Cautious. B.Ambiguous.
C.Favorable. D.Disapproving.
4.What is the text mainly about?
A.How DPharp is bringing value across production plants.
B.How sensor works in a different way.
C.Why DPharp is efficient and reliable.
D.Where DPharp can be used.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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Nowadays many people are under great pressure from study,work and life.Some begin to become sad,hopeless and finally suffer from depression,which can make a person feel sad or upset.The American Academy of Family Physicians has made a research into this illness.1.
Reach out and stay connected
When you're depressed,reach out to close family members and friends can be tough.However,social support is absolutely essential to depression recovery.2.
Do things that make you feel good
Though you can't force yourself to have fun or experience pleasure,you can push yourself to do things you don't like.3.Even if your depression doesn't become better immediately,you'll gradually feel more optimistic and energetic as you make time for fun activities.
4.
Get as much exercise as possible to get the most benefit,taking exercise at least 30 minutes per day,six times a week.Research shows that regular exercise can be as effective as medical treatment to relieve depression symptoms.It also helps with your recovery.
5.Even if you're receiving professional help,these tips can be part of your treatment plan,speeding your recovery and preventing depression from returning.
A.Eat more mood-boosting food.
B.Keep these self-help tips in mind.
C.Take physical exercise every day.
D.Therefore,we'd better turn to others for help.
E.Here are some suggestions for dealing with depression.
F.Staying connected to other people will make you in good mood.
G.You might be surprised that you will feel better once you join in.
高三英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析
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读写任务
阅读下面的短文，然后按照要求写一篇150词左右的英语短文。
Nowadays, the pressures on schools and teachers are often passed on to students and parents. Students are tested more and assigned more homework. In the past 25 years, homework assignments have risen by 51% according to a 2008 study at the University of Michigan. That is an average of 12 extra hours of homework per week!
Excessive homework often leaves no time for students to have fun or do something for themselves. Many parents spend at least three hours every night going through their children's work.
However, the governments' efforts to cut the homework burden of primary and middle school students have drawn mixed reactions. Ironically, though teachers have been widely criticized for piling on homework, it is parents who sometimes ask for more work for their children! When teachers don't give homework, some parents will go to the school and complain. They want teachers to assign homework every day as a means of making sure teachers do their job and the children have work to do.
【写作内容】
你们班级打算就“Homework”这一主题召开一次班会。并发给每人一份上面的英语短文，你和同学都积极响应，并打算就这一主题发表各自的看法。请你准备写一份发言稿，内容要点包括：
1．以约30词概括短文的要点；
2．然后以约120词谈谈你的看法和认识，内容包括：
(1)你认为过多的家庭作业对中学生来说有必要吗？为什么？
(2)你如何看待作业负担的问题。
【写作要求】
1．在作文中可以使用自己的亲身经历或虚构的故事，也可以参照阅读材料的内容,但不得直接引用原文中的句子。
2．作文中不得出现真实姓名和学校名称。
高三英语书面表达简单题查看答案及解析
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Facing increasing pressure to raise students’ scores on standardized tests,schools a
re urging kids to work harder by offering them obvious encouragements.Happy Meals are at the low end of the scale.With the help of businesses, schools are also giving away cars,iPods,seats to basketball games,and—in a growing number of cases—cold,hard cash.The appeal of such programs is obvious,but the consequences of tying grades to goods are still uncertain.It’s been a common tradition in middle-class families to reward top grades with cash as a way to teach that success in school leads to success in life.But for many disadvantaged minority children,the long-term benefits of getting an education are not so clear,according to experts.No one knows for sure how well cash and other big-ticket rewards work in education in the long run.But there are plenty of concerns that this kind of practice could have negative effects on kids.Virginia Shiller,a clinical psychologist,says that it’s worth experimenting with cash encouragements but that tying them to success on a test is not a worthwhile goal.“I’d rather see rewards based on effort and responsibility—things that will lead to success in life,” she says.
Even if rewards don’t lead to individual achievement on a test,they could have a meaningful effect in the school.Charles McVean, a businessman and philanthropist（慈善家）,started a tutoring program，which pays higher-achieving students $10 an hour to tutor struggling classmates and divides them into teams.During the course of the year,students bond and compete.The team posting the highest math scores wins the top cash prize of $100. McVean calls the combination of peer（同龄人）tutoring,competition,and cash encouragements a recipe for “nothing less than magic”.[
For its part,the Seminole County Public Schools system in Florida plans to continue its report card encouragement program through the rest of the school year.The local McDonald’s restaurants help the poor district by paying the $1,600 cost of printing the report card.Regina Klaers,the district spokeswoman,says most parents don’t seem bothered by the Happy Meals rewards.“There are many ways we try to urge students to do well,and sometimes it’s through the stomach,and sometimes it’s the probability of students winning a car,” she says,“One size doesn’t fit all.”
1.According to the text,it is a common practice for schools to________.
A. offer free meals to students with high scores
B. educate students to form a business sense
C. cooperate with business to improve teaching
D. tie students’ grades to material rewards
2.According to the text,the long-term results of giving students cash as rewards in education are_____.
A. negative B. optimistic
C. uncertain D. disappointing
3.The tutoring program run by Charles McVean_______.
A. hires some excellent teachers to teach the struggling students
B. has a meaningful effect in inspiring students’ enthusiasm on study
C. is a program combining tutoring,competition and future job offers
D. rewards the student with the highest scores with cash prize of $100
4.We can learn that in Seminole County_____.
A. there are various ways to inspire students to study hard
B. many parents are not satisfied with the Happy Meals rewards
C. the local McDonald’s restaurants provide the rewards for poor students
D. people are searching for a good-for-all method to urge students to do well
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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Here are apps that can help you make a schedule and a budget, take better notes, organize a big project, and stay safe. Check out these apps to get a head-start on being on top of your life!
Flashcards Deluxe
Price: $3.99
Platform: iOS and Android
Flashcards can be a very effective way to study, and Flashcards Deluxe makes creating them very easy. You can input information right into the app, make cards with up to five sides, and even add pictures and sounds to cards. The app can be set to automatically tum of cards that you get correct so you can focus more on the ones you got wrong.
Circle of 6U
Price: free
Platform: Android, iOS
When you're on a college campus, walking home late at night can be frightening. So, make sure to download Circle of 6 U, which helps you feel more secure. Not only does it help you find your location, but it makes communicating with your trusted friends easier. Once you build a network of trusted contacts in the app, it lets you send a pre-edited group message, with your location to all of them in two taps.
CampusBooks
Price: free
Platform: iOS, Android
The CampusBooks app helps you get the lowest price when you're buying or renting textbooks, and helps you get the highest price when you're ready to sell! If you need a book right away, you'll be shown the closest stores and libraries that have your book in stock.
Dragon Dictation
Price: free
Platform: iOS
Dictating homework and emails to the Dragon Dictation app can save you time! You can send your dictation to a text, email, or paste it into any application. The included editor will suggest words, and the app will improve its accuracy over time as it gets to know your voice. It also works in many languages other than English.
1.Which app can you choose for safety concern?
A.Flashcards Deluxe. B.Circle of 6U.
C.CampusBooks. D.Dragon Dictation.
2.What can Dragon Dictation do?
A.It can add pictures to your email. B.It can save your money on books.
C.It can correct your spelling mistakes. D.It can recognize many languages.
3.Who is the text mainly intended for?
A.Students. B.Librarians.
C.Businessmen. D.Programmers.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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Required to accomplish it within the given time, we are working under _______ pressure at the moment.
A．steady
B．secure
C．extreme
D．precise
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
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Her health ____ under the pressure of work and she decided to live a balanced life from then on.
A. broke out B. broke in C. broke away D. broke down
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
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My mother’s health ______ under the pressure of a big project and she had to see the doctor.
A.broke up B.broke away C.broke out D.broke down
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
re urging kids to work harder by offering them obvious encouragements.Happy Meals are at the low end of the scale.With the help of businesses, schools are also giving away cars,iPods,seats to basketball games,and—in a growing number of cases—cold,hard cash.The appeal of such programs is obvious,but the consequences of tying grades to goods are still uncertain.It’s been a common tradition in middle-class families to reward top grades with cash as a way to teach that success in school leads to success in life.But for many disadvantaged minority children,the long-term benefits of getting an education are not so clear,according to experts.