Up in the air—a history of ballooningThe firs...

Up in the air—a history of ballooning

The first kind of air transportation was the balloon. People traveled by balloon one hundred years before there were planes or jet aircraft. Those early days of ballooning were exciting, but they were also risky. 1. However, the danger did not stop the balloonists.

The first real balloon flight was in France in 1783. Two French brothers made a balloon. 2.Hot air is lighter than cold air, so it goes up. The hot air balloon went up 1,000 feet in the sky.

3.They built a fire under the balloon to make the air hot. This made the balloon stay up in the air for a few hours. But their balloon was tied to the ground. So it could not go anywhere.

Soon balloonists tried longer flights. In 1785, an American and a Frenchman flew over the English Channel. They left England on a cold, clear January day. Halfway across, their balloon began to drop toward the water. They threw out some equipment and food to make the balloon lighter. The balloon continued to fall, so they threw out almost everything in the basket -even some of their clothes. 4.

During the nineteenth century, ballooning became a popular sport and balloons were also used by scientists to study the air and by armies in war time. After the airplane was invented, however, interest in balloons decreased dramatically. But some people today still like to go up in balloons. 5.What’s more, they have a wonderful view of the world below.

A.They filled a very large paper bag with hot air.

B.High up in the balloon basket, they find quiet.

C.Sometimes the balloons fell suddenly and sometimes they burned.

D.Back then, few people understood how they were able to fly so far.

E.Finally, after about three hours, they landed in France, cold but safe.

F.Balloon races and displays remain popular all over the world to this very day.

G.Later that same year, two other Frenchmen ascended in a basket under a balloon.

高三英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析

阅读下面材料，在空白处填人适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。将答案填写在答题卡的相应位置。

The History of Air Conditioners

The first practical cooling system for use in industry　　 1.　　 (invent) in 1902 by Willis Carrier in New York, the USA. He continued to improve　 2.　　 （he) invention and, in 1928, developed the first air conditioner for home use. In 1939, an American car company introduced the first air conditioner for cars,　　 3.　　 (make) driving more comfortable.

After World War II many American　 4.　 　 (company) began making air conditioners and, beginning in 1950, many homes in the USA were equipped 5.　 　 central air conditioning. Central air conditioning uses a single unit6.　　 （heat) or cool a whole house. With this, people could escape the heat of summer and the cold of winter no matter 　　 7. they were in the house.

In the 1970s, electricity 8.　　 （become) more expensive, so people developed　　 9.(good) air conditioners to save money. Later, the cooling gas in air conditioners was found to pollute the environment, so engineers have been working to produce air conditioners more friendly to the environment　 10.　　 the 1980s.

高三英语语法填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

For the first time in modern history, less than half of the U.S. adult population now reads literature, according to a recent survey. Reading at Risk: A survey of Literary Reading in America presents a detailed review of the decline of reading’s role in the nation’s culture.

Reading at Risk is a survey of national fashion in adult literary reading. The data source for Reading at Risk is as reliable and objective (客观的) as any such survey can be. The key results of the survey are presented in the “Summary”, but the report can be further explained as: literary reading in America is not only declining rapidly among all groups, but the rate of decline has been speeded up, especially among the young. Reading at Risk merely shows a great cultural change that most Americans have already noted － our society’s great turn to electronic media for entertainment and information.

Reading a book requires a degree of active attention and devotion. Indeed, reading itself is a progressive skill that depends on years of education and practice. On the contrary, most electronic media such as television, recordings, and radio make fewer demands on their audiences, and indeed often require no more than passive participation. While oral culture has a rich reality and electronic media offer the considerable advantages of variety, print culture affords irreplaceable forms of focused attention and thought that make various communications and views possible. The decline in reading, therefore, equals a larger retreat (减少) from participation in public and cultural life.

What is to be done? There is surely no single solution to the present problem, just as there is no single cause. The important thing now is to understand that America can no longer take active and devoted reading for granted.

Reading is not a timeless, common ability. As more Americans lose that ability, our nation becomes less informed, active, and independent minded. These are not qualities that a free, inventive, or productive society can afford to lose.

1.The main purpose of the survey is to __________.

A. focus on the role of electronic media and reading

B. show that American young people read less and less

C. give a report of the national fashion of literary reading

D. review that less than half of the population now reads literature

2.According to the passage, reading __________.

A. requires less attention and devotion

B. demands no more than passive participation

C. limits various communications and views

D. means active participation in public and cultural life

3.The underlined phrase “cultural change” in Paragraph 2 refers to the change __________.

A. from oral culture to electronic media

B. from print culture to electronic media

C. from electronic media to oral culture

D. from electronic media to print culture

4.The author of the passage __________.

A. misunderstands oral culture

B. doubts the results of the survey

C. encourages the Americans to read more

D. agrees to the solution to the present problem in reading

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Where is the history section?

A.In the front of the store. B.Up the stairs. C.Down the hallway.

高三英语短对话中等难度题查看答案及解析

— Have our travel plans been decided?

— No, still ______.

A. out of order        B. up in the air            C. in the case            D. in the way

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

We don’t dismiss the possibility　　 more cases of this kind will come up in the future in carrying out the plan.

A. where　 B. whether　 C. why 　 D. that

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Lakshmi grew up in India in the first half of the twentieth century, seeing many people around her who did not get enough food, were often sick and died young.

In the 1960s, was asked to help manage a program to improve nutrition in her country. At that time, most advice on nutrition came from North American and European countries. Nutritionists suggested foods that were common and worked well for people who lived in these nations.

For example, they told poor Indian women to eat more meal and eggs and drink more orange juice. But Lakshmi knew this advice was useless in a country like India. People there didn’t eat such foods. They weren’t easy to find. And for the poor, such foods were too expensive.

Lakshmi knew that for the program to work, it had to fit Indian culture. So she decided to adjust the nutrition program. She first found out what healthy middle-class people in India ate. She took note of the nutrients (营养物）available in those foods. Then she looked for cheap, easy-to-find foods that would provide the same nutrients.

She created a balanced diet of locally grown fruits, vegetables, and grains. These foods were cheap and could be cooked with simple equipment. Her ideas were thought unusual in the 1960s. For example, she insisted that a diet without meal could provide all major nutrients. Now we know she was right. But it took her continuous efforts to get others to finally accept her diet about 50 years ago. Because of Lakshmi’s program, Indian children almost doubled their food intake. And many children who would have been hungry and ill grew healthy and strong.

1.Why did Lakshmi think European nutritionists’ advice was useless?

A. It worked well for European people.

B. It suggested too many foods for Indians.

C. It was not practical in India at that time.

D. It included foods that didn’t exist in India.

2.Lakshmi studied healthy middle-class people’s diet in order to 　　　　 .

A. know about their eating habits　　 B. learn about Indian culture

C. find out nutrients in their food　　 D. write a report on food nutrients

3.Lakshmi’s balanced diet was considered unusual because people thought 　　　　 .

A. those foods were too cheap　　 B. it should include some meat

C. it provided all major nutrients　　 D. it enabled kids to grow healthy

4.What can we infer about Lakshmi?

A. She came from a rich family.

B. She disliked middle-class people.

C. She worked with European nutritionists.

D. She was a determined scientist.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

I grew up in California but have spent about four years living in various parts of the UK. The first thing I noticed was that my West-Midlands host family did not sound like the queen. I’ve since learnt that accents change almost every five miles. As far as America goes. I can tell the West Coast from the East or the South, but I can’t tell you a state, much less a county (郡).

The next thing I couldn’t imagine was the quiet, stare-ahead norm of public transportation- if you talk to somebody on the Tube, you’re probably a serial killer or a lost tourist.

I’ve had to deal with the Tube from Heathrow to Victoria with heavy bags more times and Victoria Station is not exactly tourist friendly. Each time I’ve had someone walk up and ask to help with my bags. Not once have they been English. In America, at least from what I’ve experienced, people will start a chat if they see you’re travelling by yourself, and I always immediately have someone taller offer to put my things in an overhead bin (行李箱).

Opening hours-especially Sunday trading laws have also taken so much to get used to. In America, 24/7 fast food, grocery stores. petrol stations, etc. are the norm. In my first year in the UK,I forgot it was Easter Sunday, and went into town at 2：00 pm. Imagine my surprise when 1 found the city center was deserted, and there wasn’t a single car at Tesco. Approaching the building, I saw a large sign announcing opening times. I had to make do with plain bread until 9：00 am Monday, when I’d be able to pay for groceries again.

Speaking of groceries, it took so many people telling me I was crazy to convince me to eat eggs here- they’re not refrigerated, and they’ll often have bits of feather or chicken waste on the outside. 1 am now aware that they ‘re safe, but coming from a childhood of perfectly clean, white, large AAA eggs, I was convinced I’d die a terrible salmonella (沙门氏菌) death.

1.What’s the author’s impression of the transportation of the UK?

A.It’s very dangerous to use public transportations.

B.It’s easy for a tourist 10 get lost on public transportations.

C.British people willingly offer help on public transportations.

D.British people don’t talk to each other on public transportations.

2.What happened on Easter Sunday in the author’s first year in the UK?

A.He left the city center. B.He failed to buy any food.

C.A supermarket closed down. D.A restaurant opened in a tall building.

3.What is a good suggestion to a foreigner in the UK?

A.Try to speak like the queen.

B.Avoid eating unhealthy eggs.

C.Store some plain bread in the fridge.

D.Pay attention to the opening hours of the shops.

4.What’s the best title for the text?

A.How to Get Used to Life in the UK

B.What do I Find Strange about the UK

C.How Difficult It Is to Travel in the UK

D.What Can a Foreigner Expect in the UK

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

55% of deaths caused by road accidents occur in the first few minutes after a crash. Up to 85% of these deaths could be prevented if first aid were given. The first person on the scene of a road accident will almost certainly be another road user. So as a driver your knowledge of first aid could make a real difference to someone in the event of a road accident.

Assess conditions

·Remain calm. Judge the scene and seriousness of the collision.

·Determine what has happened, how many people and vehicles are involved and the exact location.

·Determine how many casualties(伤亡人数) there are, what is the severity of the injuries, whether anyone is trapped, and whether there is a danger of fire.

Make safe

·Make sure you stay safe and keep off the road. If you need to stop or warn approaching cars, signal to them from the pavement. Wear reflective clothing, use warning triangles, flashing lights and warning lights. Don’t smoke.

·If you are in a car and you come across an accident, first park safely and turn off the engine before you get out to help. Use a triangle warning danger if necessary.

·Consider the safety of others. Don’t move the vehicles, look out for dangers — leaking fuel, chemicals, broken glass or dropping loads — guide uninjured passengers to a place of safety.

Call for help

Dial 999 (or 112) for the emergency services. If there is no phone nearby, send two people in opposite directions to seek help.

Do this as soon as you can or get someone else to do it while you deal with an injured person. You will need to tell the emergency services:

·where you are

·what has happened (describe the accident)

·how many people are injured

·whether they are breathing or bleeding.

The operator will talk you through what to do while you wait for an ambulance to arrive.

Apply emergency first aid

·Remain calm. Reassure the victims.

·Do not allow smoking or offer food or drink to casualties as this could hamper urgent medical treatment.

1.The passage mainly tells us ______.

A. how to reduce road accident deaths

B. how to perform first aid in a road accident

C. how to treat the injured people on the scene

D. how to protect us from being injured in an accident

2.When a driver is applying first aid, which of the following is proper?

A. Stand in the middle of the road to stop or warn approaching cars.

B. Leave the engine working when he gets out of his car to help.

C. Call 999 for an ambulance to come and leave the scene immediately.

D. Make sure the scene is safe enough and stay away from dangerous gas leaking.

3.What does the underlined word “hamper” mean in the last paragraph?

A. Affect.                     B. Improve.                 C. Demand.                    D. Judge.

4.The passage is most likely to appear in a newspaper’s ______ section.

A. business and finance                            B. sports and entertainment

C. travel and traffic                                       D. customs and cultures

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

When a dirty and untidy orange cat showed up in the prison yard，I was one of the first to go out there and pet it．I hadn’t touched a cat or a dog in over 20 years．I spent at least 20 minutes，knelt down behind the kitchen as the cat rolled around，relaxed．What he was expressing outwardly, I was feeling inwardly．It was an amazing bit of grace to feel him under my hand and note that I was reaching a life or another creature with something as simple as my care．

Over the next few days，there were other prisoners responding to the cat．Every yard period，a group of prisoners gathered there．They stood around talking and taking turns petting the cat．These were guys you wouldn’t usually find talking to each other．Several times I saw an officer in the group，not chasing people away, but just watching and seeming to enjoy along with the prisoners．Bowls of milk and water appeared along with bread, wisely placed under the edge of the dustbin to keep the birds from getting it．

The cat was obviously homeless and in pretty bad shape．People said that the cat came to the right place．He's getting treated like a king．This was true．but as I watched I was also thinking about what the cat was doing for us．There was a lot of talk about what's wrong with prisons in America．We need more programs．We need more psychologists or treatment of various kinds．Some may even talk about making prisons more kind．But I think what we really need is a chance to practise our own kindness．Not receive it，but give it．After more than two decades here，I know kindness is not a value that's encouraged．It's often seen as a weakness．

Instead，the culture encourages keeping your head down，minding your own business，and never letting yourself be weak．

The cat did my heart good to see the effect he had on me and the men here．By simply saying，”I need some help here”，he did something important for us．He needed us．And we needed to be needed．I believe we all do．

1.Which of the following statements is true?

A．The cat was dirty because it was kept in prison．

B．The officer in the prison enjoyed petting the cat．

C．The prisoners prepared food for both the cat and birds．

D．The author realized the importance of practising kindness．

2.We can infer from the third paragraph that______

A．showing love to others can make prisoners strong

B．the American prison culture will be improved

C．the author is not content with the prison culture

D．caring for others is encouraged in American prisons

3.What is the best title for the passage?

A．Caring Makes US Human．        B．Prison Culture is Important．

C．Animals Need Care．             D．Everyone Needs to be Cared for．

4.In Paragraph 2，the author mentioned that "Several times I saw an officer in the Group, not chasing people away, but just watching and seeming to enjoy along with the prisoners." to______ ．

A．show us the officer and prisoners get along well with each other

B．show us the American prison culture does need improvement

C．show us the officer and prisoners all like cat

D．show us the American prison culture is great

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析