One of the most successful singers of the twe...

One of the most successful singers of the twentieth century, Ella Fitzgerald has made several different styles of her own. She was born in Virginia but was brought up in an orphanage in Yonkers, New York. Chick Webb spotted her in an amateur competition when she was sixteen. He engaged her to sing with his band and when he died in 1939, she took over.

Unlike Bessie Smith, Ella Fitzgerald taught herself the sentimental music so popular in the 1930’s — songs like “My Heart Belongs to Daddy”— and her recordings became best-sellers. During the 1940’s she developed her own “scat singing” — a breathless, nonsense—syllable style—for songs like “Flying Home” and “Lady Be Good.”

Ella Fitzgerald was the perfect musical partner for her friend, the trumpeter Louis Armstrong, matching him in warmth and artistry. “I just like music, period,” she said. “To me, it’s a story. There’s only one thing better than singing…. It’s more singing.”

1.What does the passage mainly discuss?

A. A comparison of Ella Fitzgerald and Bessie Smith.

B. The musical career of Ella Fitzgerald.

C. Ella Fitzgerald’s early childhood.

D. Ella Fitzgerald’s most recent recordings.

2.The underlined word “spotted” means ________.

A. noticed            B. brought up            C. employed            D. recognized

3.What does the passage imply about Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong?

A. They were the founders of “scat singing”.

B. They played the same musical instruments.

C. They performed well together.

D. They were a married couple.

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Barbara McClintock was one of the most important scientists of the twentieth century. She made important discoveries about genes and chromosomes (染色体).

Barbara McClintock was born in 1902 in Hartford, Connecticut. Her family moved to the Brooklyn area of New York City in 1908. Barbara was an active child with interests in sports and music. She also developed an interest in science.

She studied science at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Barbara was among a small number of undergraduate students to receive training in genetics in 1921. Years later, she noted that few college students wanted to study genetics.

Barbara McClintock decided to study botany, the scientific study of plants, at Cornell University. She completed her undergraduate studies in 1923. McClintock decided to continue her education at Cornell. She completed a master’s degree in 1925. Two years later, she finished all her requirements for a doctorate degree.

McClintock stayed at Cornell after she completed her education. She taught students botany. The 1930s were not a good time to be a young scientist in the United States. The country was in the middle of the great economic Depression. Millions of Americans were unemployed. Male scientists were offered jobs. But female geneticists were not much in demand.

An old friend from Cornell, Marcus Rhoades, invited McClintock to spend the summer of 1941 working at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. It is a research center on Long Island, near New York City. McClintock started in a temporary job with the genetics department. A short time later, she accepted a permanent position with the laboratory. This gave her the freedom to continue her research without having to teach or repeatedly ask for financial aid.

By the 1970s, her discoveries had had an effect on everything from genetic engineering to cancer research. McClintock won the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1983 for her discovery of the ability of genes to change positions on chromosomes. She was the first American woman to win an unshared Nobel Prize.

1.When did McClintock receive a doctorate degree?

A. In 1921.　　 B. In 1923.　　 C. In 1925.　　 D. In 1927.

2.During the great economic Depression in the US, _______.

A. young scientists had trouble finding a job

B. female geneticists were not wanted at all

C. male geneticists were in great demand

D. male scientists were mostly out of job

3.Which of the following jobs may be most beneficial to McClintock’s research?

A. The job as a botany teacher.

B. The temporary job in the genetics department.

C. The permanent position in the laboratory.

D. The job of cancer research.

4.McClintock was awarded a Nobel Prize because of _______.

A. her life-long research in botany and biology

B. her contribution to genetic engineering

C. her discoveries about genes and chromosomes

D. her unshared work in the laboratory

5.The text is likely to appear in _______.

A. a biography　　 B. a history paper

C. a newspaper　　 D. a philosophy textbook

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Soong Mei-ling was one of the most well-known Chinese women of the twentieth century.

Mei-ling was born in Hainan in 1898, the youngest daughter of Charlie Soong. At the age of 8, she was sent to the United States to go to school, where she did well. She graduated from Wellesley College in Massachusetts in 1917 with a degree in English Literature. Because of her education Mei-ling spoke excellent English.

After graduation Mei-ling returned to China and she met Chiang Kai-shek(蒋介石) in 1920. She married him in 1927 after his divorce. During the war against Japan, Mei-ling acted as her husband’s interpreter and translator. She worked hard to promote the Chinese cause during the war, especially in the United States. In 1943 she became the first Chinese national and only the second woman to speak before the US Congress(国会).

After the defeat(溃败) of her husband’s government in 1949, Mei-ling moved to Taiwan. She lived there until her husband’s death in 1975. She then emigrated to the USA and lived on her family’s estate(别墅) in Lattington, Long Island, near New York. She spent much of time painting.

Mei-ling died peacefully at her apartment in New York on October 23, 2003 at the age of 105.

41.  Mei-ling was born in ______

A.  1920      B.  1927       C.  1917       D.  1898

42.  After graduation Mei-ling_______

A.  went back to China B.  studied English Literature

C..  lived in Massachusetts   D.  spoke little English

43.  During the war against Japan, Mei-ling________

A.  was her husband’s interperter and translator

B.  toured the United States

C.  spent her time in Long Island

D.  lived in Tai’wan

44.  Soong Mei-ling ______

A.  was the oldest Soong sister    B.  loved money

C.  died in the USA     D.  married Dr Sun Yat-sen(孙中山)

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Grandma Moses is among the most famous twentieth-century painters of the United States, yet she did not start painting until she was in her late seventies. As she once said to herself: " I would never sit back in a rocking chair, waiting for someone to help me." No one could have had a more productive old age.

She was born Anna Mary Robertson on a farm in New York State, one of five boys and five girls. At twelve she left home and was in domestic service until, at twenty--seven, she married Thomas Moses, the hired hand of one of her employers. They farmed most of their lives, first in Virginia and then in New York State, at Eagle Bridge. She had ten children, of whom five survived; her husband died in 1927.

Grandma Moses painted a little as a child and made embroidery (刺绣) pictures as a hobby, but only changed to oils in old age because her hands had become too stiff to sew and she wanted to keep busy and pass the time. Her pictures were first sold at the local drugstore and at a market and were soon noticed by a businessman who bought everything she painted. Three of the pictures exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art, and in 1940 she had her first exhibition in New York. Between the 1930's and her death, she produced some 2,000 pictures: detailed and lively portrayals of the country life she had known for so long, with a wonderful sense of color and form. "I think really hard till I think of something really pretty, and then I paint it" she said.

1.According to the passage, Grandma Moses began to paint because she wanted to_______.

2.Grandma Moses spent most of her life ________.

3.The underlined word “portrayals ” means ________.

A. expressions       B explanations     C. descriptions  .  D. impressions

4.From Grandma Moses' description of herself in the first paragraph, it can be inferred that she was ________.

5.Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Kenneth Williams 1. (consider) one of the greatest British comedy actors of the twentieth century. His voice, as his outstanding gift, actually defended him as a 2. (perform). Williams would often spend weeks 3. (decide) how a character should sound and this “voice” determined his approach to each role. 4. even after he had chosen his “voice”, he didn’t always stick to it. In the middle of a single performance, he would occasionally change the tone or speed of his speech, for 5. (great) comic effect. While still a beginner, he felt he should be given the freedom to do as he wished on stage and often 6. (ignore) his directors’ instructions. This greatly annoyed some directors, who refused 7. (work) with him. Sometimes, he would completely ignore the script and make up his own lines during performance. Although he was proud of his ability to go “off script”, he became extremely angry if other actors tried to do the same, 8.(argue) that they were simply not good at it. Williams loved to make his audience laugh. When performing a scene 9. there were few laughs, he would often make up 10. own jokes, which always entertained the audience, but sometimes also ruined the scene.

高二英语语法填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Edmund Percival Hillary was one of the greatest explorers of the twentieth century. He was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1919. He discovered an interest in mountain climbing while he was still in high school and began climbing New Zealand's Southern Alps.

Like his father, Hillary earned his living as a beekeeper. However, he continued to climb mountains. His goal was to climb Mt. Everest, which is the highest mountain in the world. By the early 1950s, several expeditions（探险队）had attempted to reach the summit of Everest, but all had failed. Then, in 1953, Hillary and a Nepalese climber named Tenzing Norgay became the first two people to reach the top of the world.

Hillary's spirit of exploration was not satisfied. He joined an expedition to Antarctica and reached the South Pole in 1958. He also made an expedition up the Ganges River to its source in the Himalayas. Sir Edmund Hillary was a brave adventurer. He went where no man or woman had gone before.

Although Hillary was best known as the young man who climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest in the 1950s, he continued his journeys to far-off places into his senior years. For instance, in his mid-sixties Hillary flew to the North Pole with Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon. Moreover, Hillary authored many books. However, his most lasting gift, perhaps, was the Sir Edmund Hillary Himalayan Trust（信托基金）. It raised millions of dollars and contributed to schools, hospitals and many other public improvements in the Sherpa villages of Nepal. In January 2008, Sir Edmund Hillary died at the age of 88.

Despite being a great adventurer and known for the treasure he left Sir Edmund Hillary always modestly referred to himself as a simple beekeeper from New Zealand.

1.Hillary was interested in ________ when he was in high school.

A. mountain-climbing　　 B. bee-keeping

C. money-raising　　 D. story-writing

2.Hillary became well-known because ________.

A. he reached both the South Pole and the North Pole

B. he was the first to reach the top of Mt. Everest

C. he lived in places where no humans had gone

D. he made a lot of money as a beekeeper

3.We can learn from the passage that Hillary is ________.

A. outgoing and fearless

B. talented and honest

C. determined and caring

D. hardworking and careful

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Enrique Iglesias is a most successful singer! Born in 1975 in Madrid, Spain, Enrique is the child of the famous singer Julio Iglesias. Enrique’s mother is a journalist. His parents divorced in 1978. Although Enrique lived with his mother, she sent him to live with his father because of concerns about her son’s safety. Enrique wanted to be a singer secretly, he didn’t wish his father to know that and didn’t want to live under his shelter. He sought his dream on his own.

Enrique released(发行) his first album “Enrique Iglesias” in 1995. This album had a collection of rock ballads(民谣) and five singles from it went straight to the top spots in Latin music. This album was followed by another “Vivir” in 1997. Three singles from this album occupied the top spots on the Latin charts yet again! Enrique also found himself nominated(提名) for the “Favorite Latin Artist” at the American Music Awards. By 1998, he had released his 3rd album, “Cosas Del Amor”.This year Enrique won the “Favorite Latin Artist”. “Bailamos” got him great fame. One of the songs in this album was also used in a movie. With the success of “Bailamos”, Enrique now already had many loyal fans. The album, “Enrique”, was released in 1999.

The year 2001 brought more success for him. His album, “Escape” had a few singles that reached the top spots. Enrique became a household name. This album is his biggest successful album so far. “Hero” and “Don’t Turn Off the Lights” soon turned Enrique into a super star. His next release in 2002 was a Spanish album “Quizas”. This album brought Enrique a “Latin Grammy Award” for the Best Pop Vocal Album. In 2007, he released another album “Insomniac” and the song “Do You Know” became an instantly popular song.

1.Why didn’t Enrique tell his father about his dreaming of becoming a singer?

A. Because he wanted to try a new singing style.

B. Because he hated his father for his carelessness.

C. Because he didn’t want to benefit from his father’s fame.

D. Because he planned to give his father a surprise when he succeeded.

2.Which of the following albums has a song adopted in a movie?

A. “Vivir”　　 B. “Bailamos”.

C. “Cosas Del Amor”.　　 D. “Enrique Iglesias”.

3.How does the author mainly develop the third paragraph?

A. By following the order of time.

B. By making comparisons of his albums.

C. By following the order of his albums’ influence.

D. By analyzing the style of his albums.

4.What is the best title for the passage?

A. Enrique Iglesias’ lucky life

B. Enrique Iglesias’ wonderful singing skills

C. Enrique Iglesias’ secret to success

D. Biography of Enrique Iglesias

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

By the mid-1920s, Pablo Picasso, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. had been one of the most celebrated men .In 1957, when Pablo Picasso was in his seventh decade, he joked that x-ray technology might one day reveal a lost work underneath one of his early paintings. Today, that prediction became reality although the technology involved goes far beyond x-rays.

Using hyper-modern tools to peer into one of his Blue Period paintings, researchers have not only shown a hidden piece of art history in astonishing new detail, they have revealed a striking amount of insight into Picasso's creative process and style.

The investigation focused on"La Miséreuse accroupie, "or" Crouching Woman, "painted in 1902 and currently owned by the Art Gallery. The painting, an oil on canvas (画布) piece drawing a crouching (蜷坐的) woman who wears a long coat, shows Picasso’s typical Blue Period colors: grey, green, blue and white. It shows that the innovative modernist was inspired by the lines of an underlying landscape painted by an unknown artist.

The analysis also exposes several changes to the woman described in the painting,many of which Picasso ultimately abandoned. Researchers released their findings on Saturday’s press conference of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Austin, Texas. “We think now it's a landscape painted by someone enrolled at the fine arts academy in Barcelona, someone in Picasso’s orbit but not in his close circle, ”says Kenneth Brummel, assistant curator of modern art for the Art Gallery of Ontario.

As to why Picasso would have “recycled” another artist’s canvas(油画布), reasons could range from economic necessity, as a young artist still establishing himself, to deep inspiration driven by the lines of the image already laid down there. Picasso often re-used canvases for this reason."

“He didn't shave off the canvas or put a preparatory layer over it,” Brummel says.“ Picasso saw this landscape, found inspiration, and decided he was going to paint it immediately."

1.According to the text ,the most likely process of Picasso's painting?

①Picasso reused another artist's canvas.

②Inspired by a landscape painting, Picasso decided to paint one too.

③Picasso painted a woman on the landscape painting.

④Not happy with the landscape, Picasso covered it totally.

⑤Picasso made changes to the woman

A.②③④ B.④②③

C.①③⑤ D.②①④

2.How did Picasso deal with the landscape painting?

A.He reused it because he hated wasting anything.

B.He hid his own paintings beneath the landscape.

C.He took the advantage of it and created a new one.

D.He kept it to himself with the permission of its owner.

3.What can we infer from the passage?

A.People often celebrated Picasso’s success.

B.Picasso was not well-off when he started his career.

C.Picasso became successful overnight.

D.Picasso was good at imitating other artists’ works.

4.Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A.Picasso's predication turned out to be joke.

B.High technology uncovered art mysteries.

C.Seeing is not always believing.

D.Lost Artwork Found Under Famous Picasso Painting.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

If Frida Kahlo（1907-1954） is today one of the best-known and most popular figures of 20th-century, Mexican art, it is undoubtedly because of her personality and the originality（独创性）of a body of works. Her work is, above all, the expression of a real life－a tragic and stormy life, one that challenged all conventions. The mere mention of her name excites enthusiasm and admiration, but her work is rarely exhibited, and has not been shown in France for fifteen years. The selection to go on show at the Musee de L’Orangerie includes major works by the artist, with masterpieces from the Museo Dolores Olmedo.

The life and work of Frida Kahlo cannot be separated from those of her companion Diego Rivera（1886-1957）. Together they became figures of legend, and both have a place in the pantheon of 20th-century Mexican artists. Famous for his large wall paintings, Rivera’s easel paintings, drawings and prints, which form a large part of his artistic production, are less well-known to the public in Europe. The exhibition aims to trace his artistic career from the early Cubist images, revealing his links with the Paris artists whose works are a key element in the Orangerie collections, to the paintings that established him as the founder of the 20th-century school of Mexican art. His travels throughout Europe influenced his vision and his skills without ever distancing him from his roots, thus confirming his place in history as the founder of the nationalist school.

The exhibition devoted to the legendary couple Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo presents their works together, as if to confirm the impossibility of their divorce that was in fact finalized（定下来）but reconsidered after just one year apart. It also gives us a better view of their respective artistic worlds, so different and yet so complementary（互补的）, through the deep-rooted attachment they shared to their country.

1.Which of the following best describes Frida Kahlo’s work?

A. Authentic but ordinary.　　 B. Fashionable but unusual.

C. Practical and popular.　　 D. Creative and realistic.

2.What does the underlined word “pantheon” in the second paragraph refer to?

A. Character.　　 B. Community.

C. School.　　 D. Society.

3.What can we infer about Rivera from the passage?

A. Rivera’s marriage to Kahlo was totally ended.

B. Rivera’s works arc hugely popular in Europe.

C. Rivera’s works are the focus of the exhibition.

D. Rivera’s works arc rooted in his motherland.

4.What is the purpose of the passage?

A. To present the attraction of art.

B. To introduce two famous artists.

C. To persuade people to learn art.

D. To analyze the styles of artists.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Internet dating has become one of the biggest and most successful business ventures on the Internet. Basically, Internet dating is a way to meet people for either friendship or dating without actually having to meet them in person first.

The first thing to do if you decide to try Internet dating is to build your profile(简介) which can include your hobbies, hopes for the future, and so on. A photograph is optional, but many sites claim that a photograph increases the number of people who look at your profile. Many Internet dating sites will charge a one-time registration fee to use their services.

Internet dating makes it possible to meet people from all over the world. You can even narrow the search down to your area by zip code. Another advantage is that you can　 communicate by email before you meet in person. Thousands of people have met, fallen in love, and married through Internet dating. It is an excellent way for shy people to meet. It is also a way for people with busy lives to connect with others, and an easy way to meet people who share your interests.

Just as in conventional dating and love, there are some pitfalls to be aware of in Internet dating. The person you have been talking to on the net may not be who they say they are. Be very aware that there are some people who misrepresent their appearance or private details, such as marital status, income, and so on, for their own reasons. It would not be the first time that someone has been taken in, and talk shows are full of cheating partners who have been caught dating over the Internet in their spare time. Nevertheless, taking a few simple precautions should help ensure that your Internet dating experience is fun.

1.Which of the following is a must to make an Internet dating possible?

A. A photo.　　 B. A profile.

C. Registration fee.　　 D. Business experience.

2.One advantage of Internet dating is that _______.

A. you can avoid a face-to-face meeting in the beginning

B. you're sure to find a partner with the same interests

C. you'll find absolutely reliable information of others

D. you'll gain fame and money overnight

3.The underlined word "pitfalls" in Paragraph 4 most probably means ________.

A. rules　　 B. trends

C. problems　　 D. skills

4.What is probably talked about following the last paragraph?

A. Conventional dating.　　 B. Hidden advantages.

C. Safety measures.　　 D. Romantic love.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析