Learning how to cope with death has always been a central part of human existence. Even the Pixar movie Coco bases its story on the Mexican traditions of Dia de los Muertos. In this article, you will find out why and how Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead.
I once visited the Museum of Mummies in the Mexican city of Guanajuato with a Swedish friend. The mummies were displayed among fake cobwebs ( 蜘 蛛 网 ), and other cheap adornments (装饰物). Confronted with this seeming lack of respect for the dead, I explained to my shocked companion that Mexicans have a peculiarly different relationship with death to other cultures. As the Nobel Prize-winning Mexican writer Octavio Paz explained in his work:
“The Mexican ... is familiar with death, jokes about it, caresses it, sleeps with it, and celebrates it. True, there is as much fear in his attitude as in that of others, but at least death is not hidden away: he looks at it face to face, with impatience, disdain (鄙视) or irony.”
The celebration of the Day of the Dead — a week of festivities from 28 October to 2 November — is an essential part of this embracement of death that is particular to Mexican national identity. The popular belief is that the dead have divine permission to visit friends and relatives on earth and enjoy once again the pleasures of life. Therefore, Mexicans visit the graves of families and friends and adorn them with colorful flowers and offerings of food. The period is a joyous celebration of life, rather than a sober mourning of its passing.
The origins of the festival lie in the 16th-century fusion of the Aztecs’ belief in death as merely one part in the wider cycle of existence, their ritual venerations (仪式崇拜) and offerings to the goddess Mictecacihuatl (“Lady of the Dead”) for the deceased, and the Spanish conquerors’ desire to accommodate these festivities within the Catholic celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
In a country as socially and geographically diverse as Mexico, there is significant regional variation in the nature of festivities: the southern state of Chiapas is far more likely to focus its efforts on processions ( 队 伍 ) and public commemorations( 纪 念 ) of death than the valley of
Mexico, where the decoration of altars ( 供 坛 ) in homes and tombs of the deceased is more popular. Urbanization, too, plays a large role in regional variations. For the south and rural areas the period holds far greater social and cultural significance than in the north and large cities; families and communities in rural areas will often spend large parts of the year preparing for the occasion.
1.Why does the author say “Mexicans have a peculiarly different relationship with death to other cultures?”
A.Because Mexicans always show their respect for death in the form of mummies.
B.Because Mexicans do not fear death or respect it.
C.Because adornments like flowers can be seen everywhere during the Day of the Dead.
D.Mexicans face death bravely rather than hide it away.
2.Which statement is NOT true according to the origins of the Day of the Dead?
A.It was the Aztecs who determined how to celebrate the Day of the Dead.
B.The Aztecs believed death was part of the wider cycle of existence.
C.The Aztecs would give offerings to the goddess of death for their lost loved ones.
D.The Spanish conquerors wanted to fit the festivities into some of their Catholic celebrations.
3.Why do Mexicans visit the graves of families and friends and offer colorful flowers and food?
A.Because they can ask God to permit the dead to visit them in this way.
B.To celebrate the joy of new life in spring.
C.Because the dead will be permitted to visit their families and enjoy the pleasure of life again.
D.Because this is an essential part of embracement of death.
4.Which of the following explains the role that urbanization plays in the regional variations of celebrating the Day of the Dead?
A.People in the south and rural areas put more emphasis on the occasion.
B.People in the valleys usually decorate the alters in homes and the tombs of the dead.
C.People in the north and big cities spend large part of the year preparing for the celebration.
D.The southern states do not care about the decoration of alters at home.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
Learning how to cope with death has always been a central part of human existence. Even the Pixar movie Coco bases its story on the Mexican traditions of Dia de los Muertos. In this article, you will find out why and how Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead.
I once visited the Museum of Mummies in the Mexican city of Guanajuato with a Swedish friend. The mummies were displayed among fake cobwebs ( 蜘 蛛 网 ), and other cheap adornments (装饰物). Confronted with this seeming lack of respect for the dead, I explained to my shocked companion that Mexicans have a peculiarly different relationship with death to other cultures. As the Nobel Prize-winning Mexican writer Octavio Paz explained in his work:
“The Mexican ... is familiar with death, jokes about it, caresses it, sleeps with it, and celebrates it. True, there is as much fear in his attitude as in that of others, but at least death is not hidden away: he looks at it face to face, with impatience, disdain (鄙视) or irony.”
The celebration of the Day of the Dead — a week of festivities from 28 October to 2 November — is an essential part of this embracement of death that is particular to Mexican national identity. The popular belief is that the dead have divine permission to visit friends and relatives on earth and enjoy once again the pleasures of life. Therefore, Mexicans visit the graves of families and friends and adorn them with colorful flowers and offerings of food. The period is a joyous celebration of life, rather than a sober mourning of its passing.
The origins of the festival lie in the 16th-century fusion of the Aztecs’ belief in death as merely one part in the wider cycle of existence, their ritual venerations (仪式崇拜) and offerings to the goddess Mictecacihuatl (“Lady of the Dead”) for the deceased, and the Spanish conquerors’ desire to accommodate these festivities within the Catholic celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
In a country as socially and geographically diverse as Mexico, there is significant regional variation in the nature of festivities: the southern state of Chiapas is far more likely to focus its efforts on processions ( 队 伍 ) and public commemorations( 纪 念 ) of death than the valley of
Mexico, where the decoration of altars ( 供 坛 ) in homes and tombs of the deceased is more popular. Urbanization, too, plays a large role in regional variations. For the south and rural areas the period holds far greater social and cultural significance than in the north and large cities; families and communities in rural areas will often spend large parts of the year preparing for the occasion.
1.Why does the author say “Mexicans have a peculiarly different relationship with death to other cultures?”
A.Because Mexicans always show their respect for death in the form of mummies.
B.Because Mexicans do not fear death or respect it.
C.Because adornments like flowers can be seen everywhere during the Day of the Dead.
D.Mexicans face death bravely rather than hide it away.
2.Which statement is NOT true according to the origins of the Day of the Dead?
A.It was the Aztecs who determined how to celebrate the Day of the Dead.
B.The Aztecs believed death was part of the wider cycle of existence.
C.The Aztecs would give offerings to the goddess of death for their lost loved ones.
D.The Spanish conquerors wanted to fit the festivities into some of their Catholic celebrations.
3.Why do Mexicans visit the graves of families and friends and offer colorful flowers and food?
A.Because they can ask God to permit the dead to visit them in this way.
B.To celebrate the joy of new life in spring.
C.Because the dead will be permitted to visit their families and enjoy the pleasure of life again.
D.Because this is an essential part of embracement of death.
4.Which of the following explains the role that urbanization plays in the regional variations of celebrating the Day of the Dead?
A.People in the south and rural areas put more emphasis on the occasion.
B.People in the valleys usually decorate the alters in homes and the tombs of the dead.
C.People in the north and big cities spend large part of the year preparing for the celebration.
D.The southern states do not care about the decoration of alters at home.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Music has always been associated with exercising. Most of us listen to our favorite music while jogging in the park or while working out in the gym, but we never think of it as more than just an accompaniment to our exercisc routine. But recent scientific research has thrown light on the fact that using the “right” music while exercising can do you a whole lot of good: from creating a feeling of positivity to calming any anxious feelings.
Research on the effects of music during exercise has been done for years. In 1911，an American researcher, Leonard Ayres, found that cyclists pedaled faster while listening to music than they did in silence.
This happens because listening to music can drown out our brain’s cries of fatigue. As our body realizes we’re tired and wants to stop exercising, it sends signals to the brain to stop for a break. Listening to music competes for our brain’s attention, and can help us to overcome those signals of fatigue, though this is mostly beneficial for low-and moderate-intensity exercise. During high-intensity exercise, music isn’t as powerful as pulling our brain’s attention away from the pain of the workout.
Not only can we manage to exercise longer and harder when we listen to music, but it can actually help us to use our energy more efficiently. A 2015 study showed that cyclists who listened to music required 7% less oxygen to do the same work as those who cycled in silence. So in the same way that exercising makes us happier, it’s not surprising that music adds significantly to our work-out success.
What have you noticed about how music affects you? Next time when you take exercise, select the right music to accompany you. You will find yourself in a more different mood than ever.
1.Why do some people listen to music while exercising?
A. They attach importance to enjoying music.
B. They know music helps do exercise.
C. They find music is an interesting accompaniment.
D. They don’t give too much consideration to it.
2.How will you do when you want to stop exercising?
A. To try to listen to the music you like.
B. To stop for a rest immediately.
C. To tell yourself never to do like that.
D. To send a signal to your brain.
3.It can be inferred from the fourth paragraph that .
A. listening to music can help produce more energy
B. the cyclists love listening to music more than others
C. people should take listening to music seriously while exercising
D. significant music can benefit high-intensity exercise
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
We are confident that the step the Chinese government has taken to cope with the current crisis is ______ of great significance.
A. what B. those C. that D. one
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
We are confident that the step the Chinese government has taken to cope with the current crisis is ______ of great significance.
A. what B. those C. that D. one
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Some warned that the step the US government has taken to cope with the current crisis is ________ much risk.
| A．one of | B．the one of | C．the one | D．that one |
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
It has been one of the deadliest climbing seasons on Everest, with at least 10 deaths. And at least some seem to have been _________.
The problem hasn’t beenavalanches(雪崩）, blizzards or high winds. Experienced climbers and industry leaders _________ too many people on the mountain, in general, and too many inexperienced climbers, in particular.
Fly-by-night adventure companies are taking up untrained climbers who pose a risk to everyone on the mountain. And the Nepalese government, _________ for every climbing dollar it can get, has issued more permits than Everest can safely _________, some experienced mountaineers say.
Add to that Everest’s unmatched _________ to a growing body of thrill-seekers the world over. And the fact that Nepal, one of Asians poorest nations and the site of most Everest climbs, has a long record of bad regulations and mismanagement.
To reach the peak, climbers _________ every pound of equipment they can and take with them just enough cans of compressed oxygen to make it to the top and back down. It is hard to think straight at that altitude（海拔）.
According to the climbers, some of the deaths this year were caused by people getting held up in the long lines on the last 1,000 feet or so of the climb, unable to get up and down fast enough to _________ their oxygen supply. Others were simply not fit enough to be on the mountain _________.
Nepal has no _________ rules about who can climb Everest, and experienced climbers say that is a direct reason for _________. “You have to reach certain standards to do the Ironman,” said Alan Arnett, a remarkable Everest climber. “But you don’t have to _________ to climb the highest mountain in the world? What’s wrong with this picture?”
The last time 10 or more people died on Everest was in 2015, during an avalanche. By some measures, the Everest machine has only gotten more out of _________. Last year, experienced climbers, insurance companies and news organizations _________ a far-reaching scheme by guides, helicopter companies and hospitals to trick millions of dollars from insurance companies byevacuating(疏散) climbers with _________ signs of altitude sickness.
Despite all the problems, this year the Nepali government issued a record number of permits, 381, as part of a bigger _________ to commercialize the mountain. Climbers say the permit numbers have been going up steadily each year and that this year the traffic jams were heavier than ever.
1.A.recognizable B.sustainable C.avoidable D.feasible
2.A.burden B.blame C.border D.balance
3.A.hungry B.critical C.jealousy D.hesitant
4.A.favor B.extend C.grant D.handle
5.A.appeal B.adjustment C.adaption D.agreement
6.A.catch sight of B.make use of C.get rid of D.take hold of
7.A.remove B.refill C.recycle D.release
8.A.for the first time B.at long last C.from time to time D.in the first place
9.A.strict B.social C.scientific D.creative
10.A.discomfort B.decay C.disadvantage D.disaster
11.A.manage B.qualify C.promise D.schedule
12.A.contact B.touch C.control D.power
13.A.activated B.exposed C.introduced D.dismissed
14.A.inferior B.minor C.superior D.major
15.A.push B.prospect C.pattern D.patent
高三英语完形填空困难题查看答案及解析
They don’t quite know how to cope with all the dam trouble they’ve got down in Hampden, Maine. And according to town manager Leslie Stanley, it doesn’t look as if things will improve any in the immediate future. “We’ve got a real annoying problem on our hands,” he says.
The annoyance began in late May. About three miles outside of town a group of beavers (河狸) built a dam near the mouth of a culvert (涵洞) that carries a stream under Canaan Road. Some 50 feet of roadway and several hundred feet of land on each side of the culvert were flooded. Stanley sent a road crew out to level the dam. The beavers rebuilt it. The crew tore it apart again. In fact, they tore it apart for ten mornings－and for ten straight nights the beavers rebuilt it.
On the eleventh day, the foreman tossed (扔) the problem back to the town manager. He, in turn, tossed it on to the local game warden (狩猎监督官). The warden, absorbed in beaver knowledge, moved quietly and carefully out one night and placed a petrol-soaked bag over the dam. (Any beaver expert will tell you the creatures just can’t tolerate petrol smell.)
In the morning the bag was found artistically woven (编织) into the dam.
The warden set out three steel traps that night. In the morning one was empty. The other two had been stolen by the beavers and used to strengthen the dam. The warden, cursing the state law against hunting beavers with firearms, got his traps back and set them out again and again. And every night the beavers stole them.
Town manager Stanley enlisted additional troops. He telephoned his police chief. Those beavers were breaking a state law against blocking up a natural watercourse. “Why aren’t you out there to uphold the law?” Stanley asked. “You’re the police chief. So remove them. Arrest them. Do something.”
Three mornings later, the police chief proudly announced the end of the dam. At 2:00 A.M., he said, he and a licensed dynamiter (炸药使用者) had blown it to small pieces. Stanley said he’d believe it when he saw it.
They drove out to the culvert and found a new dam already half-built. They also found the highway choked with mud and remains thrown up by the dynamite.
Stanley said maybe they should call in the Army Corps of Engineers. But the police chief’s faith in explosives was unshaken. He launched an all-out campaign，but the beavers always managed to have the holes plugged by the time the fire department appeared on the scene for its morning mop-up.
In time, the beavers tired of this nonsense and moved their dam “inside” the culvert－where it couldn’t be blown up without destroying the road too.
Stanley and his general staff held a council of war and agreed that fresh strategy was called for. Then they came up with an inspired idea. If we remove every branch of the dam by hand, we’ll force the beavers to go in search of new building material to replace what we’ve taken. Then we can place box traps along their runways and seized them.
The plan was completely approved. Moreover it worked. On July 30, town manager Stanley was able to announce that the beaver group had been trapped and removed to a remote wilderness area. And there was great joy in Hampden－until the middle of October, that is, when a group of young beavers was spotted swimming in the same waters from which its elders had recently been taken away.
But to make a long story short, the strategy that worked with the older beavers worked with the young ones too.
1.What was the annoying problem for the authorities in Hampden, Maine?
A. They failed to destroy the dam repeatedly built by the beavers.
B. They didn’t know who to send to deal with the dam trouble.
C. The beavers were building dams in every corner of the town.
D. The political situation in the town was becoming much worse.
2.What did the local game warden do?
A. He made steel traps to strengthen the dam.
B. He set out to hunt the beavers with firearms.
C. He learned a lot about the construction of the dam.
D. He used petrol-soaked bags to drive the beavers away.
3.Which is the correct order of the following events?
① The land on both sides of the culvert was flooded.
② The local leaders worked out a strategy.
③ The game warden set out steel traps.
④ The beavers rebuilt their dam inside the culvert.
⑤ The police chief used explosives to destroy the dam.
A. ①③②⑤④ B. ①③⑤④② C. ②①④③⑤ D. ②①⑤③④
4. The underline word “uphold” in Paragraph 6 probably means ________.
A. revise B. resist C. violate D. maintain
5. What can we learn about beavers from the passage?
A. The beavers seem to be stubborn about building dams.
B. The beavers are allowed to be killed when causing trouble.
C. The beavers can’t adapt themselves to living in wilderness.
D. The beavers finally returned to the culvert with their young.
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
A lot of language learning，________ has been discovered，is happening in the first year of life，so parents should talk much to their children during that period.(2012·安徽，29)
A．as B．it C．which D．this
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Welcome to Reading Museum’s Hands – on Learning service
Reading Museum has been offering learning opportunities to schools for over 100 years, and with your support we hope to continue this tradition for the next 100 years.
SESSIONS AT READING MUSEUM
Victorian Schoolroom
The session takes place in a superb reconstruction of a schoolroom in a late nineteenth century Board School. The children will experience a range of Victorian style lessons and use slate boards and dip pens. The session leader plays the role of a Victorian teacher but will come out of the role during the session the reassure the children. We supply costume for all children.
Victorian Toys
Our Victorian nanny delivers this interesting session. The nanny will help children to explore the differences between rich and poor children’s toys from the past. During the session the children have the opportunity to make a toy to take home.
Victorian Christmas
In a specially decorated room the children will find out how the Victorians introduced many of our Christmas customs. They will make a simple card or present to take home and take part in a mini pantomime.
HOW TO BOOK AN EDUCATIONAL VISIT
For up to date prices and session details, please visit our website www.readingmuseum.org.uk/schools/sessions/
For all session bookings please phone us on 01189373400. We ask that you book at least 4 weeks in advance. Please be ready to tell us when you wish to come, the session(s) you wish to book and the year group of pupils.
Our sessions take place between 10:00 and 12:00 or 12:30 and 14:30.
The maximum group size is 35 pupils. We recommend that you bring 5 adults for each group.
1.Who will give the Victorian style lessons?
A. The children. B. The session leader.
C. The Victorian nanny. D. The visitors.
2.You can take home the things made by yourself from ________.
A. Victorian Schoolroom & Victorian Christmas
B. Victorian Schoolroom & Victorian Toys
C. Victorian Toys & Victorian Christmas
D. All of the above
3.If you want to book an educational visit, you need to ________..
A. go there in person
B. call at 01189373400
C. book two weeks in advance
D. visit www.readingmuseum.org.uk/schools/sessions/
4.Which of the following is true?
A. Reading Museum has provided learning services for 200 years.
B. At least 5 adults are required to accompany each group.
C. The minimum group size is 35 pupils.
D. All the sessions last for 2 hours.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Four benefits of learning a new language Has learning a new language been sitting on your to-do list for ages？There's no better time than now to think of finally crossing it off．1.
1． Easier travels
The fabled（传说中的）language barrier is real - as soon as you travel outside tourist areas，understanding others and making yourself understood can be quite the challenge．2. In this way you can experience all the riches a foreign country offers．
2． Better work relations
Being able to speak to your clients （委托人） in their preferred language can be of great help for your business relationships．3. Indeed， speaking an extra language could earn your salary up to 20 percent．
3． Improved brain function
Learning a new language can develop your thinking abilities and help your mind work better． Studies have even shown that language learning reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease．
4． Increased focus
Language learning shapes your brain into a well-oiled multi-tasking machine． As you build a new mental word list， you'll notice an improvement in your ability to do several things at once and to quickly switch between tasks．4.
So， start by determining what you want to do -taking a trip， moving to another country or looking for a better job， for instance．5. Be open-minded， listen to others and most of all， practice， practice， and practice some more!
A．Just involve yourself in the language．
B．This makes it possible for you to find a good reason．
C．Your overall focus will be sharper and your brain will work better．
D．You should be familiar with the language spoken where you're traveling．
E．Learning a new language is a good way to improve your ability in this field．
F．Here are some benefits of language learning that will convince you to take the leap！
G．It will improve not only your professional reputation but your chances of scoring a raise．
高三英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析