You’ve probably heard such reports. The number of college students majoring in the humanities (人文学科) is decreasing quickly. The news has caused a flood of high-minded essays criticizing the development as a symbol of American decline.
The bright side is this: The destruction of the humanities is, finally, coming to an end. No more will literature, as part of an academic curriculum, put out the light of literature. No longer will the reading of, say, “King Lear” or D.H. Lawrence’s “Women in Love” result in the annoying stuff of multiple-choice quizzes, exam essays and homework assignments.
The discouraging fact is that for every college professor who made Shakespeare or Lawrence come alive for the lucky few, there were countless others who made the reading of literary masterpieces seem like two hours in the dentist’s chair.
The remarkably insignificant fact that, a half-century ago, 14% of the undergraduate population majored in the humanities (mostly in literature, but also in art, philosophy, history, classics and religion) as opposed to 7% today has given rise to serious reflections on the nature and purpose of an education in the liberal arts.
Such reflections always come to the same conclusion: We are told that the lack of a formal education, mostly in literature, leads to numerous harmful personal conditions, such as the inability to think critically, to write clearly, to be curious about other people and places, to engage with great literature after graduation, to recognize truth, beauty and goodness.
Literature changed my life long before I began to study it in college. Books took me far from myself into experiences that had nothing to do with my life, yet spoke to my life. But once in the college classroom, this precious, alternate life inside me got thrown back into that dimension of my existence that bored me. Homer, Chekhov and Yeats were reduced to right and wrong answers, clear-cut themes and clever interpretations. If there is anything to worry about, it should be the disappearance of what used to be an important part of every high-school education: the literature survey course, where books were not academically taught but thoroughly introduced-an experience unaffected by stupid commentary and useless testing.
The literary classics are places of quiet, useless stillness in a world that despises (鄙视) any activity that is not profitable or productive. Literature is too sacred to be taught. It needs only to be read.
Soon, if all goes well and literature at last disappears from the undergraduate curriculum-my fingers are crossed-increasing numbers of people will be able to say that reading the literary masterworks of the past outside the college classroom, simply in the course of living, was, in fact, their college classroom.
1.The sharp drop in the number of majors in the humanities ________.
A.has given rise to quite a shock in the intellectual world
B.promises the remarkable destruction of the humanities
C.shows more people read literature outside the classroom
D.has caused the author to reflect on the nature of literary creation
2.The author mentions “two hours in the dentist’s chair” in Paragraph 3 to indicate that ________.
A.the average literature class in college is two hours long
B.reading literary works is made unbearable by professors
C.it actually does not take long to read the classics of literature
D.college students don’t spend much time on literary masterworks
3.According to the author, the problem of literature teaching lies in the fact that ________.
A.It is a relatively recent phenomenon in education
B.literature teaching is not profitable or productive
C.people are interested in something more practical
D.it is turned into a soulless competition for grades
4.Which of the following opinions may the author hold?
A.The disappearance of literature should be strongly applauded.
B.Literature teaching can improve our critical thinking ability.
C.Reading literature doesn’t require specialized knowledge and skills.
D.Literature should be taught through analyzing different writing styles.
5.What is the author’s purpose in writing the passage?
A.To urge college students to read more literary classics.
B.To introduce the present situation of literature teaching.
C.To voice his opinion on the shrinkage of literature teaching.
D.To show his serious concern for college literature teaching.
6.The overall tone of the passage is ________.
A.skeptical B.sympathetic C.aggressive D.straightforward
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
You’ve probably heard such reports. The number of college students majoring in the humanities (人文学科) is decreasing quickly. The news has caused a flood of high-minded essays criticizing the development as a symbol of American decline.
The bright side is this: The destruction of the humanities by the humanities is, finally, coming to an end. No more will literature, as part of an academic curriculum, put out the light of literature. No longer will the reading of, say, “King Lear” or D.H. Lawrence’s “Women in Love” result in the annoying stuff of multiple-choice quizzes, exam essays and homework assignments.
The discouraging fact is that for every college professor who made Shakespeare or Lawrence come alive for the lucky few, there were countless others who made the reading of literary masterpieces seem like two hours in the dentist’s chair.
The remarkably insignificant fact that, a half-century ago, 14% of the undergraduate population majored in the humanities (mostly in literature, but also in art, philosophy, history, classics and religion) as opposed to 7% today has given rise to serious reflections on the nature and purpose of an education in the liberal arts.
Such reflections always come to the same conclusion: We are told that the lack of a formal education, mostly in literature, leads to numerous harmful personal conditions, such as the inability to think critically, to write clearly, to be curious about other people and places, to engage with great literature after graduation, to recognize truth, beauty and goodness.
These serious anxieties are grand, admirably virtuous and virtuously admirable. They are also a mere fantasy.
The college teaching of literature is a relatively recent phenomenon. Literature did not even become part of the university curriculum until the end of the 19th century. Before that, what came to be called the humanities consisted of learning Greek and Latin, while the Bible was studied in church as the necessary other half of a full education. No one ever thought of teaching novels, stories, poems or plays in a formal course of study. They were part of the leisure of everyday life.
It was only after World War II that the study of literature as a type of wisdom, relevant to actual, contemporary life, put down widespread institutional roots. Soldiers returning home in 1945 longed to make sense of their lives after what they had witnessed and survived. The abundant economy afforded them the opportunity and the time to do so. Majoring in English hit its peak, yet it was this very popularity of literature in the university that spelled its doom, as the academicization of literary art was accelerated.
Literature changed my life long before I began to study it in college. Books took me far from myself into experiences that had nothing to do with my life, yet spoke to my life. But once in the college classroom, this precious, alternate life inside me got thrown back into that dimension of my existence that bored me. Homer, Chekhov and Yeats were reduced to right and wrong answers, clear-cut themes and clever interpretations. If there is anything to worry about, it should be the disappearance of what used to be an important part of every high-school education: the literature survey course, where books were not academically taught but thoroughly introduced—an experience unaffected by stupid commentary and useless testing.
The literary classics are places of quiet, useless stillness in a world that despises (鄙视) any activity that is not profitable or productive. Literature is too sacred to be taught. It needs only to be read.
Soon, if all goes well and literature at last disappears from the undergraduate curriculum—my fingers are crossed—increasing numbers of people will be able to say that reading the literary masterworks of the past outside the college classroom, simply in the course of living, was, in fact, their college classroom.
1.The author mentions “two hours in the dentist’s chair” in Paragraph 3 to indicate that _______.
A. the average literature class in college is two hours long
B. reading literary works is made unbearable by professors
C. it actually does not take long to read the classics of literature
D. college students don’t spend much time on literary masterworks
2.The sharp drop in the number of majors in the humanities _______.
A. has given rise to quite a shock in the intellectual world
B. promises the remarkable destruction of the humanities
C. shows more people read literature outside the classroom
D. has caused the author to reflect on the nature of literary creation
3.Which of the following opinions may the author hold?
A. The disappearance of literature should be strongly applauded.
B. Literature teaching can improve our critical thinking ability.
C. Reading literature doesn’t require specialized knowledge and skills.
D. Literature should be taught through analyzing different writing styles.
4.What is the author’s purpose in writing the passage?
A. To urge college students to read more literary classics.
B. To introduce the present situation of literature teaching.
C. To voice his opinion on the shrinkage of literature teaching.
D. To show his serious concern for college literature teaching.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
You’ve probably heard such reports. The number of college students majoring in the humanities (人文学科) is decreasing quickly. The news has caused a flood of high-minded essays criticizing the development as a symbol of American decline.
The bright side is this: The destruction of the humanities is, finally, coming to an end. No more will literature, as part of an academic curriculum, put out the light of literature. No longer will the reading of, say, “King Lear” or D.H. Lawrence’s “Women in Love” result in the annoying stuff of multiple-choice quizzes, exam essays and homework assignments.
The discouraging fact is that for every college professor who made Shakespeare or Lawrence come alive for the lucky few, there were countless others who made the reading of literary masterpieces seem like two hours in the dentist’s chair.
The remarkably insignificant fact that, a half-century ago, 14% of the undergraduate population majored in the humanities (mostly in literature, but also in art, philosophy, history, classics and religion) as opposed to 7% today has given rise to serious reflections on the nature and purpose of an education in the liberal arts.
Such reflections always come to the same conclusion: We are told that the lack of a formal education, mostly in literature, leads to numerous harmful personal conditions, such as the inability to think critically, to write clearly, to be curious about other people and places, to engage with great literature after graduation, to recognize truth, beauty and goodness.
Literature changed my life long before I began to study it in college. Books took me far from myself into experiences that had nothing to do with my life, yet spoke to my life. But once in the college classroom, this precious, alternate life inside me got thrown back into that dimension of my existence that bored me. Homer, Chekhov and Yeats were reduced to right and wrong answers, clear-cut themes and clever interpretations. If there is anything to worry about, it should be the disappearance of what used to be an important part of every high-school education: the literature survey course, where books were not academically taught but thoroughly introduced-an experience unaffected by stupid commentary and useless testing.
The literary classics are places of quiet, useless stillness in a world that despises (鄙视) any activity that is not profitable or productive. Literature is too sacred to be taught. It needs only to be read.
Soon, if all goes well and literature at last disappears from the undergraduate curriculum-my fingers are crossed-increasing numbers of people will be able to say that reading the literary masterworks of the past outside the college classroom, simply in the course of living, was, in fact, their college classroom.
1.The sharp drop in the number of majors in the humanities ________.
A.has given rise to quite a shock in the intellectual world
B.promises the remarkable destruction of the humanities
C.shows more people read literature outside the classroom
D.has caused the author to reflect on the nature of literary creation
2.The author mentions “two hours in the dentist’s chair” in Paragraph 3 to indicate that ________.
A.the average literature class in college is two hours long
B.reading literary works is made unbearable by professors
C.it actually does not take long to read the classics of literature
D.college students don’t spend much time on literary masterworks
3.According to the author, the problem of literature teaching lies in the fact that ________.
A.It is a relatively recent phenomenon in education
B.literature teaching is not profitable or productive
C.people are interested in something more practical
D.it is turned into a soulless competition for grades
4.Which of the following opinions may the author hold?
A.The disappearance of literature should be strongly applauded.
B.Literature teaching can improve our critical thinking ability.
C.Reading literature doesn’t require specialized knowledge and skills.
D.Literature should be taught through analyzing different writing styles.
5.What is the author’s purpose in writing the passage?
A.To urge college students to read more literary classics.
B.To introduce the present situation of literature teaching.
C.To voice his opinion on the shrinkage of literature teaching.
D.To show his serious concern for college literature teaching.
6.The overall tone of the passage is ________.
A.skeptical B.sympathetic C.aggressive D.straightforward
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
You probably know who Marie Curie was, but you may not have heard of Rachel Carson. Of the outstanding ladies listed below, who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?
Jane Addams (1860-1935)
Anyone who has ever been helped by a social worker has Jane Addams to thank. Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She encouraged a sense of community(社区) by creating shelters and promoting education and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American women to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Rachel Carson (1907-1964)
If it weren’t for Rachel Carson, the environmental movement might not exit today. Her popular 1962 book Silent Spring raised awareness of the dangers f pollution and the harmful effects of chemicals on humans and on the world’s lakes and oceans.
Sandra Day O’Connor(1930-present)
When Sandra Day O’Connor finished third in her class at Standford Law School in 1952, she could not find work at a law firm because she was a woman. She became an Arizona State Senator(参议员) and in 1981, the first woman to join the US Supreme Court（高等法院）. O’Connor gave the deciding vote in many important cases during her 24 years on the top court.
Rosa Parks (1913-2005)
On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks would not give up her seat to a white passenger. Her simple act landed Parks in prison, But it also set off the Montgomery bus boycott. (抵制行动) It lasted for more than a year, and kicked off the civil-rights movements.“the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” said Parks.
1.What is Jane Addams famous for in history?
A. Her social work B. Her teaching skills
C. Her efforts to win a prize D. Her background
2.What was the reason for O’Connor’s being refused by the law firm?
A. Her lack of the training in law. B. Her little work experience in court
C. An unfair treatment to the women D. the poor financial conditions
3.Who made a great contribution to the civil rights movement in the US?
A. Jane Addams B. Rachel Carson
C. Sandra Day O’Connor D. Rosa Parks
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
You probably know who Marie Curie was, but you may not have heard of Rachel Carson. Of the outstanding ladies listed below, who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?
Jane Addams(1860～1935)
Anyone who has ever been helped by a social worker has Jane Addams to thank. Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She encouraged a sense of community(社区)by creating shelters and promoting education and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Rachel Carson(1907～1964)
If it weren’t for Rachel Carson, the environmental movement might not exist today. Her popular 1962 book Silent Spring raised awareness of the dangers of pollution and the harmful effects of chemicals on humans and on the world’s lakes and oceans.
Sandra Day O’Connor(1930～present)
When Sandra Day O’Connor finished third in her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could not find work at a law firm because she was a woman. She became an Arizona state senator(参议员) and, in 1981, the first woman to join the U. S. Supreme Court. O’Connor gave the deciding vote in many important cases during her 24 years on the top court.
Rosa Parks(1913～2005)
On December 1,1955，in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks would not give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. Her simple act landed Parks in prison. But it also set off the Montgomery bus boycott. It lasted for more than a year, and kicked off the civil—rights movement. “The only tired I was, was tired of giving in,” said Parks.
1.What is Jane Addams noted for in history?
A. Her social work. B. Her teaching skills.
C. Her efforts to win a prize. D. Her community background.
2.What was the reason for 0’Connor’s being rejected by the law firm?
A. Her lack of proper training in law. B. Her little work experience in court.
C. The discrimination against women. D. The poor financial conditions.
3.Who made a great contribution to the civil—rights movement in the U. S.?
A. Jane Addams. B. Rachel Carson. C. Sandra Day O’Connor. D. Rosa Parks.
4.What can we infer about the women mentioned in the text?
A. They are highly educated. B. They are truly creative.
C. They are pioneers. D. They are Peace—lovers.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
When you go to St. Petersburg, the number of attractions can seem large. If you are short of time, or just want to make sure to hit the highlights, these are the top must-see sights in St．Petersburg．
●The Hermitage Museum
The Hermitage Museum is one of the most important sights to see for any visitor to St．Petersburg．There are lots of different paintings by the old masters in the Hermitage．Prepare to come face-to-face with classic Western artists．
●Kizhi Island
Kizhi Island is an open-air museum of wooden architecture from the Karelia Region of Russia．These impressive structures are made entirely without nails - the wood fits together with joints and grooves（沟槽）．
●Peterhof
Peterhof is as beautiful as it is fun．You’ll be charged for admission, but go to Petethof when the fountains are working—during the day in the summer．They are shut off in winter evenings．
●The Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
Love it or hate it, the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood in St．Petersburg is an enthralling must-see sight．The beautiful look may make y our eyes brighten, and the painting inside the church will make you say “Wow!”
●The Bronze Horseman Statue
The so-called Bronze Horseman is a part of Russian culture and a symbol of St．Petersburg．Made famous by Alexander Pushkin, this statue of Peter the Great sitting on his horse can truly show Peter the Great’s influence on the Russian idea of greatness．
1.If you are interested in paintings, you’d better go to ．
A．Peterhof and Kizhi Island
B．the Hernatage Museum and Peterhof
C．Kizhi Island and the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
D．the hermitage Museum and the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
2.We can learn from the passage that ．
A．visitors can visit Peterhof for free
B．the buildings of Kizhi Island are made of wood
C．the fountains in Peterhof can be seen all year round
D．the largest collection of Russian arts is in the Hermitage Museum
3.The main purpose of the passage is to ．
A．show the wonderful history of Russia
B．persuade artists to study St．Petersburg
C．recommend the famous buildings in Russia
D．introduce the must-see sights in St．Petersburg
4.The underlined phrase （in Para 1） “hit the highlights” means ．
A．to save more time B．to learn more knowledge
C．to go to the high buildings D．to visit the most interesting sights
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
When you go to St．Petersburg, the number of attractions can seem large．If you are short of time, or just want to make sure to hit the highlights, these are the top must-see sights in St. Petersburg.
1.The Hermitage Museum
The Hermitage Museum is one of the most important sights to see for any visitor to St. Petersburg. There are lots of different paintings by the old masters in the Hermitage. Prepare to come face-to-face with classic Western artists.
2. Kizhi Island
Kizhi Island is an open-air museum of wooden architecture from the Karelia Region of Russia. These impressive structures are made entirely without nails - the wood fits together with joints and grooves(沟槽).
3. Peterhof
Peterhof is as beautiful as it is fun. You’ll be charged for admission, but go to Petethof when the fountaions are working—during the day in the summer. They are shut off in winter evenings.
4. The Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
Love it or hate it, the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood in St. Petersburg is an enthralling must-see sight. The beautiful look may make y our eyes brighten, and the painting sinside the church will make you say “Wow!”
5. The Bronze Horseman Statue
The so-called Bronze Horseman is a part of Russian culture and a symbol of St. Petersburg. Made famous by Alexander Pushkin, this statue of Peter the Great sitting on his horse can truly show Peter the Great’s influence on the Russian idce of greatness.
1.If you are interested in paintings, you’d better go to________.
A．Peterhof and Kizhi Island
B．the Hcrmitagee Museum and Peterhof
C．Kizhi lsland and the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
D．the hermitage Museum and the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
2.We can learn from the passage that________.
A．visitors can visit Peterhof for free
B．the buildings of Kizhi Island are made of wood
C．the fountains in Peterhof can be seen all year round
D．the largest collection of Russian arts is in the Hermitage Museum
3.The main purpose of the passage is to________.
A．show the wonderful history of Russia
B．persuade artists to study St. Petersburg
C．recommend the famous buildings in Russia
D．introduce the must-see sights in St. Petersburg
4.The underlined phrase (in Para 1) “hit the highlights” means________.
A．to save more time B．to learn more knowledge
C．to go to the high buildings D．to visit the most interesting sights
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
When you go to St. Petersburg, the number of attractions can seem large. If you are short of time, or just want to make sure to hit the highlights, these are the top must-see sights in St, Petersburg.
● The Hermitage Museum
The Hermitage Museum is one of the most important sights to see for any visitor to St. Petersburg. There are lots of different paintings by the old masters in the Hermitage. Prepare to come face-to-face with classic Western artists.
● Kizhi Island
Kizhi Island is an open-air museum of wooden architecture from the Karelia Region of Russia. These impressive structures are made entirely without nails - the wood fits together with joints and grooves (沟槽）.
● Peterhof
Peterhof is as beautiful as it is fun. You’ll be charged for admission, but go to Petethof when the fountains are working-during the day in the summer. They are shut off in winter evenings,
● The Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
Love it or hale it, the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood in St. Petersburg is an enthralling must-see sight. The beautiful look may make y our eyes brighten, and the painting inside the church will make you say “Wow!”
● The Bronze Horseman Statue
The so-called Bronze Horseman is a part of Russian culture and a symbol of St, Petersburg. Made famous by Alexander Pushkin, this statue of Peter the Great sitting on his horse can truly show Peter the Great’s influence on the Russian idea of greatness.
1.If you are interested in paintings, you'd better go to ______
A. Peterhof arid Kizhi Island
B. the Hernatage Museum and Peterhof
C. Kizhi Island and the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
D. the hermitage Museum and the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
2.We can learn from the passage that ______
A. visitors can visit Peterhof for free
B. the buildings of Kizhi Island are made of wood
C. the fountains in Peterhof can be seen all year round
D. the largest collection of Russian arts is in the Hermitage Museum
3.The main purpose of the passage is to ______
A. show the wonderful history of Russia
B. persuade artists to study St. Petersburg
C. recommend the famous buildings in Russia
D. introduce the must-see sights in St. Petersburg
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Like most people, you have probably lost count of the number of perfect-looking shoes you have thrown away simply because the rubber soles (橡胶鞋底) are broken. In addition to the expense, it is also harmful to our environment. Now, thanks to a revolutionary self-healing 3-D printed rubber material, broken shoe soles may be a thing of the past.
The magical polymer (聚合物) is developed by the researchers at the University of Southern California’s (USC) and the University of Connecticut (UConn) . The team, led by USC Assistant Professor Qiming Wang, created it through a process called photopolymerization, which uses light to solidify the liquid used to create 3-D printed plastic. The researchers found that adding the right amount of oxidant (氧化剂) to the liquid allowed the 3-D polymer to heal (愈合) without slowing down the hardening process.
“When we gradually increase the oxidant, the self - healing behavior becomes stronger, but the photopolymerization behavior becomes weaker,” explained Wang. “There is competition between these two behaviors.”
The team, who published the findings in the journal NPG Asia Materials on February 1st,2019, state that the repair time can be reduced by increasing the room temperature. “If you just put a broken shoe on a bench at room temperature, the rubber will heal itself in six to eight hours,” Wang said. “If you apply heat at maybe 60℃, that expedites the healing process to about two hours.”
Given the material s huge potential, it is not surprising to hear that Wang and his team have been approached by several shoe-making companies eager to be the first to use the technology, which is still in the early stages. Once perfected, the scientists also hope to apply the technique to hard plastics that can be used to create self-healing toys, electronics, vehicle parts, and, if Wang has his way, even tires.
1.How do the researchers make 3-D printed plastic self- heal?
A.By changing the amount of light used.
B.By raising the temperature at which it is used.
C.By increasing the hardening speed of the liquid.
D.By adding the proper amount of oxidant to the liquid.
2.What can be inferred from the text?
A.The creation of 3-D printed plastic doesn’t need light.
B.The surrounding temperature determines the speed of healing.
C.Many shoe making companies got the right to use the technology.
D.Throwing away broken shoe soles has been a thing of the past.
3.What does the underlined word “expedites” mean?
A.Strengthens. B.Delays. C.Accelerates. D.Worsens.
4.Which of the following can be the best title of the text?
A.Self - healing shoes may be in our future.
B.3-D printing technology makes a difference.
C.Self - healing technology will serve many fields.
D.A revolution of rubber soles has changed our life.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
If you live in America in the 21st century you'll probably have to listen to a lot of people tell you how busy they are. It's become the default response when you ask anyone how they are doing: “Busy!” “Crazy busy!”. It is, pretty obviously, a boast disguised as a complaint. And the common response is a kind of congratulation:“ That's a good problem to have, ”or“ Better than the opposite.”
Notice it isn't generally people pulling back-to-back shifts in the ICU or commuting by bus to three minimum-wage jobs who tell you how busy they are. What those people are is not busy but tired. Exhausted! Dead on their feet. It's almost always people whose busyness is purely self-imposed work and obligations they've taken on voluntarily, classes and activities they've “encouraged” their kids to participate in. They're busy because of their own ambition or drive or anxiety, because they're addicted to busyness and dread that they might have to face in its absence.
Almost everyone I know is busy. They feel anxious and guilty when they aren't either working or doing something to promote their work. It's something they have chosen. Busyness serves as a kind of existential reassurance(令人安心的保证），a measure against emptiness, obviously your life cannot possibly be silly or tiny or meaningless if you are so busy, completely booked, in demand every hour of the day.
Idleness is not just a vacation. It is as necessary to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as ugly as rickets. The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole, for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration.” Idle dreaming is often the essence of what we do”, wrote Thomas Pynchon. Archimedes' “Eureka” in the bath, Newton's apple :history is full of stories of inspirations that come in idle moments.
1.When many Americans say “Crazy busy”, they mean______.
A. they are really tired of their present situation
B. they are really proud of their present life
C. they are complaining about their current work
D. their life are full of all kinds of problems
2.The writer mentions Archimedes'“Eureka” and Newton's apple to show that________.
A. history is full of interesting stories
B. Archimedes and Newton were very busy, so they made great discoveries
C. people may get inspiration when they are idle
D. inspirations come from hard work
3.The word “its” in the second paragraph refers to_________________.
ambition B. anxiety C. busyness D. dread
4.From the article, we can infer that ___________________.
A. generally people pulling back-to-back shifts in the ICU tell you they are busy
B. “Dead on their feet” means “being tired out”
C. all the kids are self-imposed due to the drive and motivation
D. The author seems to agree that idleness is better than busyness
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
If you live in America in the 21st century you'll probably have to listen to a lot of people tell you how busy they are. It's become the default response when you ask anyone how they are doing:"Busy!""Crazy busy!".It is,pretty obviously,a boast disguised as a complaint. And the common response is a kind of congratulation:"That's a good problem to have,"or"Better than the opposite."
Notice it isn't generally people pulling back-to-back shifts in the ICU or commuting by bus to three minimum-wage jobs who tell you how busy they are.What those people are is not busy but tired.Exhausted!Dead on their feet.It's almost always people whose busyness is purely self-imposed:work and obligations they've taken on voluntarily,classes and activities they've "encouraged" their kids to participate in.They're busy because of their own ambition or drive or anxiety,because they're addicted to busyness and dread that they might have to face in its absence.
Almost everyone I know is busy. They feel anxious and guilty when they aren't either working or doing something to promote their work.It's something they have chosen.Busyness serves as a kind of existential reassurance(令人安心的保证），a measure against emptiness,obviously your life cannot possibly be silly or tiny or meaningless if you are so busy,completely booked,in demand every hour of the day.
Idleness is not just a vacation.It is as necessary to the brain as vitamin D is to the body,and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as ugly as rickets.The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole,for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration."Idle dreaming is often the essence of what we do,"wrote Thomas Pynchon.Archimedes' "Eureka"in the bath, Newton's apple :history is full of stories of inspirations that come in idle moments.
1.When many Americans say"Crazy busy", they mean______.
A．they are really tired of their present situation
B．they are really proud of their present life
C．they are complaining about their current work
D．their life are full of all kinds of problems
2.The writer mentions Archimedes' "Eureka"and Newton's apple to show that________.
A．history is full of interesting stories
B．Archimedes and Newton were very busy, so they made great discoveries
C．people may get inspiration when they are idle
D．inspirations come from hard work
3.The word "its" in the second paragraph refers to_______________________________.
A．ambition B．anxiety C．busyness D．dread
4.From the article,we can infer that ___________________________________.
A．generally people pulling back-to-back shifts in the ICU tell you they are busy
B．"Dead on their feet" means "being tired out"
C．all the kids are self-imposed due to the drive and motivation
D．The author seems to agree that idleness is better than busyness
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析