Bright red post boxes, the Queen and queuing—what do they all have in common? They are all important parts of British life. At least I thought so.
However, the ability to queue for long periods of time, once believed to be a traditional characteristic of the British, is no longer tolerated by people in the UK, according to a survey done for British bank Barclays.
Once upon a time, queuing was seen as normal. During World WarⅡ, everyone had to queue up to receive their daily supply of foods. In fact, if you didn't stand up and wait in line with all the others, it was seen as uncivilized.
The famous English double-decker buses, with only one entrance, might also help explain why queuing was seen as a part of British life. Almost always, there is queue to get on.
But perhaps the British are tired of being pushed past by the Spanish, the Italians or the French as they queue up to get a table at a restaurant. The people of these other European countries have more than one entrance to their buses, which explains their more relaxed attitude to the queue.
Two minutes is now the longest time most British people are prepared to stand and wait. But could it be that the Internet, which allows us to carry out tasks quickly, is the main reason why British people are no longer prepared to queue?
"Used to buying without delay, customers are even giving up purchases rather than wait their turn," says Stuart Neal of Barclaycard. "Shoppers are also less likely to queue for long if the item they are buying is of low value."
Perhaps I will have to replace "queuing" with "impatience" in my list of things I relate to the British.
1. What can we learn about the tradition of queuing in Britain?
A. It was considered a symbol of a civilized behavior.
B. It was a long time tradition as old as the Queen.
C. It was a product of the slow pace of life.
D. It has made the Britain different from other Europeans.
2. According to the passage, the British gradually stopped queuing because ______.
A. they prefer shopping online
B. the Internet has changed their way of life
C. what they are buying is of low value
D. they follow the example of foreigners
3. It can be learned from the text that ______.
A. the British used to buy without delay
B. the British have to queue to receive food
C. the British get impatient with queuing for long
D. the British prefer to take double-decker buses
4.The author's main purpose of writing the passage is _______.
A. to tell us the influence of the Internet on the British ways of life
B. to compare the cultural difference between Britain and other countries
C. to report his research on the British ways of life
D. to talk about the changes in the attitude to queuing in Britain
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
Bright red post boxes, the Queen and queuing—what do they all have in common? They are all important parts of British life. At least I thought so.
However, the ability to queue for long periods of time, once believed to be a traditional characteristic of the British, is no longer tolerated by people in the UK, according to a survey done for British bank Barclays.
Once upon a time, queuing was seen as normal. During World WarⅡ, everyone had to queue up to receive their daily supply of foods. In fact, if you didn't stand up and wait in line with all the others, it was seen as uncivilized.
The famous English double-decker buses, with only one entrance, might also help explain why queuing was seen as a part of British life. Almost always, there is queue to get on.
But perhaps the British are tired of being pushed past by the Spanish, the Italians or the French as they queue up to get a table at a restaurant. The people of these other European countries have more than one entrance to their buses, which explains their more relaxed attitude to the queue.
Two minutes is now the longest time most British people are prepared to stand and wait. But could it be that the Internet, which allows us to carry out tasks quickly, is the main reason why British people are no longer prepared to queue?
"Used to buying without delay, customers are even giving up purchases rather than wait their turn," says Stuart Neal of Barclaycard. "Shoppers are also less likely to queue for long if the item they are buying is of low value."
Perhaps I will have to replace "queuing" with "impatience" in my list of things I relate to the British.
1. What can we learn about the tradition of queuing in Britain?
A. It was considered a symbol of a civilized behavior.
B. It was a long time tradition as old as the Queen.
C. It was a product of the slow pace of life.
D. It has made the Britain different from other Europeans.
2. According to the passage, the British gradually stopped queuing because ______.
A. they prefer shopping online
B. the Internet has changed their way of life
C. what they are buying is of low value
D. they follow the example of foreigners
3. It can be learned from the text that ______.
A. the British used to buy without delay
B. the British have to queue to receive food
C. the British get impatient with queuing for long
D. the British prefer to take double-decker buses
4.The author's main purpose of writing the passage is _______.
A. to tell us the influence of the Internet on the British ways of life
B. to compare the cultural difference between Britain and other countries
C. to report his research on the British ways of life
D. to talk about the changes in the attitude to queuing in Britain
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
What will the speakers probably do next?
A.Order some boxes. B.Go home and rest C.Continue working.
高二英语短对话简单题查看答案及解析
What will the speakers probably do next?
A. Order some boxes. B. Go home and rest. C. Continue working.
高二英语短对话中等难度题查看答案及解析
Winter begins in the north on December 22nd. People and animals have been doing what they always do to prepare for the colder months. Squirrels (松鼠), for example, have been busy gathering nuts from trees. Well, scientists have been busy gathering information about what the squirrels do with the food they collect.
They examined differences between red squirrels and gray squirrels in the American state of Indiana. The scientists wanted to know how these differences could affect the growth of black walnut (黑胡桃) trees. The black walnut is the nut of choice for both kinds of squirrels. The black walnut tree is also a central part of some hardwood forests.
Rob Swihart of Purdue University did the study with Jake Goheen, a former Purdue student now at the University of New Mexico. The two researchers estimate that several times as many walnuts grow when gathered by gray squirrels as compared to red squirrels. Gray squirrels and red squirrels do not store nuts and seeds in the same way. Gray squirrels bury nuts one at a time in a number of places. But they seldom remember where they buried every nut. So some nuts remain in the ground. Conditions are right for them to develop and grow the following spring. Red squirrels, however, store large groups of nuts above ground. Professor Swihart calls “death traps for seeds”.
Gray squirrels are native to Indiana. But Professor Swihart says their numbers began to decrease as more forests were cut for agriculture. Red squirrels began to spread through the state during the past century.
The researchers say red squirrels are native to forests that stay green all year, unlike walnut trees. They say the cleaning of forest land for agriculture has helped red squirrels invade Indiana. Jake Goheen calls them a sign of an environmental problem more than a cause.
1.The study done by Rob Swihart and Jake Goheen is to ________.
A. find out the living conditions for squirrels
B. learn squirrels’ influence on black walnut trees
C. do something to get rid of squirrels
D. save the forests in the American state of Indiana
2.The difference between gray squirrels and red squirrels mainly lies in ________.
A. the way they gather the walnut
B. the time they have winter sleep
C. the place they have winter sleep
D. the place they store the walnuts
3.When Professor Swihart says “death traps for seeds”, he actually means that ________.
A. red squirrels eat more nuts than gray squirrels
B. gray squirrels and red squirrels will have severe fights
C. nuts above the ground will not develop into plants
D. seeds can be traps for other animals in the forest
4.According to the passage, which of the following is true?
A. The black walnut is equally attractive to both gray and red squirrels.
B. Gray squirrels do more harm to the forest than red squirrels.
C. Red squirrels and gray squirrels have helped the spread of walnut trees.
D. The cleaning of forest land benefits red squirrels directly.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
What color do you like best? Do you like yellow, orange and red? If you do, you must be an optimist, a leader, or an active person who enjoys life, people and excitement. Do you prefer grey and blue? Then you are probably quiet, shy and you would rather follow than lead. If you love green, you are likely to be strong-minded and determined. You wish to succeed and want other people to see you are successful. At least this is what psychologists (心理学家)tell us. They have been seriously studying the meaning of color preference, and the effects that colors have on human beings. They tell us that we don’t choose our favorite color as we grow up. If you happen to love brown, you do so as soon as you open your eyes, or at least as soon as you could see clearly.
Black is depressing while light and bright colors make people not only happier but more active. A yellow room makes us feel more cheerful and more comfortable than a dark green one does, and a red dress adds warmth and cheer to sad winter days. It is a fact that factory workers work better, harder and have fewer accidents when their machines are painted orange rather than black or dark grey.
Remember, then, that if you feel low, you can always brighten your day or your life with a few colorful things. Also remember that you will know your friends (and your enemies) better when you find out what colors they like and dislike. And don’t forget that anyone can guess a lot about you when you choose a piece of handkerchief.
67. 1.According to the passage, men’s 110-meter hurdles Olympic champion and world record holder Liu Xiang is most likely to love the color ______.
A.black | B.grey | C.green | D.brown |
68. 2.Why are machines painted orange in some factories, according to the passage?
A.Because workers tend to prefer orange to other colors. |
B.Because other colors are forbidden in factories. |
C.Because less accidents happen due to the introduction of orange machines. |
D.Because orange machines are easier to clean. |
69. 3.Which of the following statements is Not true according to the passage?
A.It’s possible to cheer you up by enjoying some colorful pictures. |
B.You can know your friends better through the color they like or dislike. |
C.Some people are born with their colorful preference. |
D.One’s color preference is always changeable. |
70. 4.The underlined word ‘depressing’ in Paragraph 2 probably means ‘______’.
A.discouraging | B.happy |
C.surprising | D.brave |
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
听下面一段较长对话,回答以下小题。
1.What color do the speakers decide to paint their living room?
A. Bright orange. B. Dark brown. C. Light blue.
2.What is the man going to do at the weekend?
A. Buy the paint. B. Paint the walls. C. Repair the computer.
高二英语长对话简单题查看答案及解析
Vera Wang, the queen of red-carpet dressing, didn’t go into the fashion business at the very beginning. She knew about its unattractive side, the hard work and, especially, the risks. And there were plenty of doubts along the way.
But every time one person understands what she’s trying to express with a certain design, she’s reminded of the reason why she became involved in fashion, and why she’s still in it: her efforts pay off when she’s helped a woman look and feel her best.
Wang, 63, was honored for lifetime achievement by the Council of Fashion Designers of America on June, 2013 at its famous awards show, which is often called “the Oscars of fashion.”
There’s rarely a Hollywood event or an A-list wedding where Wang’s name doesn’t come up. Her hit designs include Chelsea Clinton’s crystal-waistband wedding dress in 2010.
Wang also has two lower-priced lines. She’s developed a fragrance business and home-goods collection. And she has a branded flower bouquet business.
Wang wasn’t always sure this would be her path. She studied art history at Sarah Lawrence College and was a figure skater competing for a spot on the 1968 U.S. Olympic team. Her family wasn’t supportive of fashion as a career path, and although they had some financial means, they didn’t back her at first. So she went to work as an editor at Vogue, and then at Ralph Lauren, before starting her company in 1990 as a bridal brand. She earned fame and respect through hard work.
Her mentor(导师) described Wang as “a unique young woman filled with a rare passion for fashion.” “In all the years since, I have watched her drive, devotion and talent shape an entire world inspired by her own life—first as a bride, then as a wife and mother, but always as a strong and beautiful woman,” Lauren said.
1.What is Vera Wang’s attitude towards the fashion business?
A. She doubts whether she has made the right decision.
B. She considers it to be nothing but risks.
C. She thinks it worthwhile although not easy to do.
D. She is always sure that it will be her lifelong career.
2.The underlined sentence suggests that .
A. Her designs are popular with famous people.
B. She is a successful actress in Hollywood.
C. She is an honored guest at an A-list wedding.
D. Her name often appears in a Hollywood event.
3.What can we learn about Vera Wang from the passage?
A. She came from a poor family.
B. She was also great at sports.
C. She showed no interest in lower priced business.
D. She became a dress designer directly after graduation.
4.Which of the following is not the reason for her success?
A. Her strong love for fashion. B. Her parents support.
C. Her hard work. D. Her talent.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Post your problems on the blog and get other bloggers’ advice!
My problem is my parents. They never stop going on about how I should keep my room tidy, keep my hair tidy and wear smart clothes. They even make me do the washing-up after dinner every night! What should I do? Helen, USA | My best friend has suddenly become an ex-friend and I don’t know why! Last week we phoned each other every day and emailed too. But at school on Monday she didn’t look at me or speak to me. I don’t know what I’ve done. Gimbya, India | |
Hi, Helen. I think you should do what your parents ask. You should respect them. It’s their house you live in and their money you spend. Emily, New Zealand | Why do you think you’re the only one with parents like that? All parents are the same. They don’t understand that fashions have changed in the last 30 years! Tom, America | I feel sorry for you, Gimbya. My best friend did the same to me and I still don’t know the reason. Could you ask another friend to speak to her for you? George, France |
Helen, why should your parents do all the housework? You should help around the house. I think it’s OK for students to wear school uniforms. Teenagers should look like teenagers. Simon, Scotland | Don’t worry about it so much! Phone your friend up as usual and she won’t be able to ignore(忽视) you. Everything will be fine. Aisha, Nigeria | |
45. Helen’s problem is about her ______.
A. classmates B. study C. parents D. room
46. ______ has the same problem as Gimbya.
A. George B. Aisha C. Helen D. Ali
47. ______ don’t agree with Helen. They think she should change her idea.
A. Tom and Emily B. Emily and Simon
C. Simon and Tom D. Aisha and George
48. An ex-friend is a person who is ______.
A. gets along well with others
B. quite helpful when you have any problem
C. ready for asking you for help all the time
D. no longer a good friend as before
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
What will the speakers do?
A. Buy the T-shirt. B. Try on the red skirt. C. Go to another shop.
高二英语短对话简单题查看答案及解析
Everyone queued up before the booking office in silence, having nothing to do but _________.
A. to wait B. waiting C. wait D. waited
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析