Barack Obama, Lady Gaga and Steve Jobs—what do they have in common? They are, of course, all Americans. And according to a survey by social networking site badoo. com, they all best illustrate(举例说明) the word “cool”.
But just what does it mean to say someone is “cool”? Most would answer that it is something to do with being independent-minded and not following the crowd.
Yale University art professor Robert Farris Thompson says that the term “cool” goes back to 15th century West African philosophy(哲学). “Cool” relates to ideas of grace(优雅) under pressure.
“In Africa, ” he writes, “coolness is a positive quality which combines calmness, silence, and life. ”
The modern idea of “cool” developed largely in the US in the period after World War Ⅱ. “Post-war ‘cool’ was in part an expression of war-weariness (厌战情绪) . . . it went against the strict social rules of the time, ” write sociologists Dick Pountain and David Robins in Cool Rules: Anatomy of an Attitude.
But it was the American actor James Dean who became the symbol for “cool” in the hugely successful 1955 movie Rebel without a Cause. Dean plays a tough guy who disobeys his parents and the authorities(权威). He always gets the girl, smokes cigarettes, wears a leather jacket and beats up bullies(欺凌弱小者). In the movie, Dean showed what “cool” would mean to American young people for the next 60 years.
Today the focus of “cool” has changed to athletics (体育运动) stars. Often in movies about schools, students gain popularity on the athletics field more than in the classroom. This can be seen quite clearly in movies like Varsity Blues and John Tucker Must Die.
But many teenagers also think being smart is cool. Chess and other thinking games have been becoming more popular in schools.
“Call it the Harry Potterization of America —a time when being smart is the new cool, ” writes journalist Joe Sunnen.
1.Barack Obama, Lady Gaga and Steve Jobs are mentioned in the first paragraph to ________.
A. introduce the topic
B. draw our attention
C. tell us what they have in common
D. tell us what is “cool”
2.If you were considered “cool” in Africa in the 15th century, you ________.
A. thought and acted differently from the majority
B. had a calm and quiet attitude towards life
C. didn’t observe rules and authorities
D. had all kinds of “bad” manners
3.The heroes in Varsity Blues and John Tucker Must Die are likely to be those who ________.
A. do very well in their studies
B. are very skilled at sports
C. are good at chess and other thinking games.
D. have supernatural powers like Harry Potter
4.Which of the following is NOT true according to the article?
A. It is generally considered “cool” to be independent-minded and not to follow the crowd.
B. “Cool” was used as early as the 15th century.
C. Disobeying one’s parents and the authorities is considered “cool” among American young people nowadays.
D. Getting the first place in an exam can also be considered “cool”.
5.What does the article mainly talk about?
A. The origin of the word “cool”.
B. The kinds of people who are “cool”.
C. The changing meaning of the word “cool”.
D. How to be a “ cool” person.
高二英语阅读理解困难题
Barack Obama, Lady Gaga and Steve Jobs—what do they have in common? They are, of course, all Americans. And according to a survey by social networking site badoo. com, they all best illustrate(举例说明) the word “cool”.
But just what does it mean to say someone is “cool”? Most would answer that it is something to do with being independent-minded and not following the crowd.
Yale University art professor Robert Farris Thompson says that the term “cool” goes back to 15th century West African philosophy(哲学). “Cool” relates to ideas of grace(优雅) under pressure.
“In Africa, ” he writes, “coolness is a positive quality which combines calmness, silence, and life. ”
The modern idea of “cool” developed largely in the US in the period after World War Ⅱ. “Post-war ‘cool’ was in part an expression of war-weariness (厌战情绪) . . . it went against the strict social rules of the time, ” write sociologists Dick Pountain and David Robins in Cool Rules: Anatomy of an Attitude.
But it was the American actor James Dean who became the symbol for “cool” in the hugely successful 1955 movie Rebel without a Cause. Dean plays a tough guy who disobeys his parents and the authorities(权威). He always gets the girl, smokes cigarettes, wears a leather jacket and beats up bullies(欺凌弱小者). In the movie, Dean showed what “cool” would mean to American young people for the next 60 years.
Today the focus of “cool” has changed to athletics (体育运动) stars. Often in movies about schools, students gain popularity on the athletics field more than in the classroom. This can be seen quite clearly in movies like Varsity Blues and John Tucker Must Die.
But many teenagers also think being smart is cool. Chess and other thinking games have been becoming more popular in schools.
“Call it the Harry Potterization of America —a time when being smart is the new cool, ” writes journalist Joe Sunnen.
1.Barack Obama, Lady Gaga and Steve Jobs are mentioned in the first paragraph to ________.
A. introduce the topic
B. draw our attention
C. tell us what they have in common
D. tell us what is “cool”
2.If you were considered “cool” in Africa in the 15th century, you ________.
A. thought and acted differently from the majority
B. had a calm and quiet attitude towards life
C. didn’t observe rules and authorities
D. had all kinds of “bad” manners
3.The heroes in Varsity Blues and John Tucker Must Die are likely to be those who ________.
A. do very well in their studies
B. are very skilled at sports
C. are good at chess and other thinking games.
D. have supernatural powers like Harry Potter
4.Which of the following is NOT true according to the article?
A. It is generally considered “cool” to be independent-minded and not to follow the crowd.
B. “Cool” was used as early as the 15th century.
C. Disobeying one’s parents and the authorities is considered “cool” among American young people nowadays.
D. Getting the first place in an exam can also be considered “cool”.
5.What does the article mainly talk about?
A. The origin of the word “cool”.
B. The kinds of people who are “cool”.
C. The changing meaning of the word “cool”.
D. How to be a “ cool” person.
高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
Barack Obama, Lady Gaga and Steve Jobs—what do they have in common? They are, of course, all Americans. And according to a survey by social networking site badoo. com, they all best illustrate(举例说明) the word “cool”.
But just what does it mean to say someone is “cool”? Most would answer that it is something to do with being independent-minded and not following the crowd.
Yale University art professor Robert Farris Thompson says that the term “cool” goes back to 15th century West African philosophy(哲学). “Cool” relates to ideas of grace(优雅) under pressure.
“In Africa, ” he writes, “coolness is a positive quality which combines calmness, silence, and life.”
The modern idea of “cool” developed largely in the US in the period after World War II. “Post-war ‘cool’ was in part an expression of war-weariness (n. 厌战情绪)
. . . it went against the strict social rules of the time,” write sociologists Dick Pountain and David Robins in Cool Rules:Anatomy of an Attitude.
But it was the American actor James Dean who became the symbol for “cool” in the hugely successful 1955 movie Rebel without a Cause. Dean plays a tough guy who disobeys his parents and the authorities. He always gets the girl, smokes cigarettes, wears a leather jacket and beats up bullies(欺凌弱小者). In the movie, Dean showed what “cool” would mean to American young people for the next 60 years.
Today the focus of “cool” has changed to athletics (体育运动) stars. Often in movies about schools, students gain popularity on the athletics field more than in the classroom. This can be seen quite clearly in movies like Varsity Blues and John Tucker Must Die.
But many teenagers also think being smart is cool. Chess and other thinking games have been becoming more popular in schools.
“Call it the Harry Potterization of America—a time when being smart is the new cool,” writes journalist Joe Sunnen.
1.Barack Obama, Lady Gaga and Steve Jobs are mentioned in the first paragraph to ________.
A. introduce the topic B. draw our attention
C. tell us what they have in common D. tell us what is “cool”
2.If you were considered “cool” in Africa in the 15th century, you ________.
A. thought and acted differently from the majority
B. had a calm and quiet attitude towards life
C. didn’t observe rules and authorities
D. had all kinds of “bad” manners
3.The heroes in Varsity Blues and John Tucker Must Die are likely to be those who ________.
A. do very well in their studies
B. are very skilled at sports
C. are good at chess and other thinking games.
D. have supernatural powers like Harry Potter
4.Which of the following is NOT true according to the article?
A. It is generally considered “cool” to be independent-minded and not to follow the crowd.
B. “Cool” was used as early as the 15th century.
C. Disobeying one’s parents and the authorities is considered “cool” among American young people nowadays.
D. Getting the first place in an exam can also be considered “cool”.
5.What does the article mainly talk about?
A. The origin of the word “cool”.
B. The kinds of people who are “cool”.
C. The changing meaning of the word “cool”.
D. How to be a “ cool” person.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Obama, Lady Gaga and Steve Jobs—what do they have in common? They are, of course, all Americans. And according to a survey by social networking site baidu. com, they all best illustrate(举例说明) the word “cool”.
But just what does it mean to say someone is “cool”? Most would answer that it is something to do with being independent-minded and not following the crowd.
Yale University art professor Robert Farris Thompson says that the term “cool” goes back to 15th century West African philosophy. “Cool” relates to ideas of grace under pressure.
“In Africa, ” he writes, “coolness is a positive quality which combines calmness, silence, and life.”
The modern idea of “cool” developed largely in the US in the period after World War II. “Post-war ‘cool’ was in part an expression of war-weariness (厌战情绪), . . . it went against the strict social rules of the time,” write sociologists Dick Pountain and David Robins in Cool Rules:Anatomy of an Attitude.
But it was the American actor James Dean who became the symbol for “cool” in the hugely successful 1955 movie Rebel without a Cause. Dean plays a tough guy who disobeys his parents and the authorities. He always gets the girl, smokes cigarettes, wears a leather jacket and beats up bullies. In the movie, Dean showed what “cool” would mean to American young people for the next 60 years.
Today the focus of “cool” has changed to athletics (体育运动) stars. Often in movies about schools, students gain popularity on the athletics field more than in the classroom. This can be seen quite clearly in movies like Varsity Blues and John Tucker Must Die.
But many teenagers also think being smart is cool. Chess and other thinking games have been becoming more popular in schools.
“Call it the Harry Potterization of America—a time when being smart is the new cool,” writes journalist Joe Sunnen.
1.If you were considered“cool”in Africa in the 15th century, you_____.
A. thought and acted differently from the majority
B. had a calm and quiet attitude towards life
C. didn’t observe rules and authorities
D. had all kinds of “bad” manners
2.The heroes in Varsity Blues and John Tucker Must Die are likely to be those who ________.
A. do very well in their studies
B. are very skilled at sports
C. are good at chess and other thinking games.
D. have supernatural powers like Harry Potter
3.Which of the following is NOT true according to the article?
A. It is generally considered “cool” to be independent-minded and not to follow the crowd.
B. “Cool” was used as early as the 15th century.
C. Disobeying one’s parents and the authorities is considered “cool” among American young people nowadays.
D. Getting the first place in an exam can also be considered “cool”.
4.What does the article mainly talk about?
A. The origin of the word “cool”.
B. The kinds of people who are “cool”.
C. The changing meaning of the word “cool”.
D. How to be a “ cool” person.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
阅读理解。
Obama, Lady Gaga and Steve Jobs—what do they have in common? They are, of course, all Americans. And according to a survey by social networking site baidu. com, they all best illustrate(举例说明) the word “cool”.
But just what does it mean to say someone is “cool”? Most would answer that it is something to do with being independent-minded and not following the crowd.
Yale University art professor Robert Farris Thompson says that the term “cool” goes back to 15th century West African philosophy. “Cool” relates to ideas of grace under pressure.
“In Africa, ” he writes, “coolness is a positive quality which combines calmness, silence, and life.”
The modern idea of “cool” developed largely in the US in the period after World War II. “Post-war ‘cool’ was in part an expression of war-weariness (厌战情绪), ... it went against the strict social rules of the time,” write sociologists Dick Pountain and David Robins in Cool Rules: Anatomy of an Attitude.
But it was the American actor James Dean who became the symbol for “cool” in the hugely successful 1955 movie Rebel without a Cause. Dean plays a tough guy who disobeys his parents and the authorities. He always gets the girl, smokes cigarettes, wears a leather jacket and beats up bullies. In the movie, Dean showed what “cool” would mean to American young people for the next 60 years.
Today the focus of “cool” has changed to athletics (体育运动) stars. Often in movies about schools, students gain popularity on the athletics field more than in the classroom. This can be seen quite clearly in movies like Varsity Blues and John Tucker Must Die.
But many teenagers also think being smart is cool. Chess and other thinking games have been becoming more popular in schools.
“Call it the Harry Potterization of America—a time when being smart is the new cool,” writes journalist Joe Sunnen.
1.If you were considered “cool” in Africa in the 15th century, you ________.
A. thought and acted differently from the majority
B. had a calm and quiet attitude towards life
C. didn’t observe rules and authorities
D. had all kinds of “bad” manners
2.The heroes in Varsity Blues and John Tucker Must Die are likely to be those who ________.
A. do very well in their studies
B. are very skilled at sports
C. are good at chess and other thinking games
D. have supernatural powers like Harry Potter
3.Which of the following is NOT true according to the article?
A. It is generally considered “cool” to be independent-minded and not to follow the crowd.
B. “Cool” was used as early as the 15th century.
C. Disobeying one’s parents and the authorities is considered “cool” among American young people nowadays.
D. Getting the first place in an exam can also be considered “cool”.
4.What does the article mainly talk about?
A. The origin of the word “cool”.
B. The kinds of people who are “cool”.
C. The changing meaning of the word “cool”.
D. How to be a “ cool” person.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The campaign is over. The celebrations have ended. And the work for US president-elect Barack Obama has begun.
The 47-year-old politician rose to the highest post because of his stand against the war in Iraq and his plans to fix a weak economy. But what will the first 47-year-old African-American president do for race relations?
Obama’s victory appears to have given blacks and other minorities a true national role model. For years, many looked to athletes and musicians for inspiration. As Darius Turner, an African-American high school student in Los Angeles, told the Los Angeles Times, “Kobe doesn’t have to be everybody’s role model anymore.”
Recent polls(民意测验)also suggest that Obama’s victory has given Americans new optimism about race relations. For example, a USA Today poll found that two-thirds of Americans believe relations between blacks and whites “will finally be worked out”. This is the most hopeful response since the question was first asked during the civil rights revolution in 1963.
However, it’s still too early to tell whether Obama’s presidency will begin to solve many of the social problems facing low-income black communities.
Although blacks make up only 13 percent of the US population, 55 percent of all prisoners are African-American. Such numbers can be blamed on any number of factors on America’s racist past, a failure of government policy and the collapse(瓦解)of the family unit in black communities.
It is unlikely that Obama will be able to reverse (扭转) such trends overnight. However, Bill Bank, an expert of African-American Studies, says that eventually young blacks need to find role models in their own communities. “That’s not Martin Luther King, and not Barack Obama,” he told the Los Angeles Times. “It’s actually the people closest to them. Barack only has so much influence.”
In the opinion of black British politician Trevor Phillips, Obama’s rise will contribute more to multiculturalism than to race relations in the US.
“When the G8 meets, the four most important people in the room will be the president of China, the prime minister of India, the prime minister of Japan and Barak Obama,” he told London’s The Times newspaper. “It will be the first time we’ve seen that on our television screens. That will be a huge psychological shift (心理转变) for both the white people and the colored ones in the world.”
1.For years, before Obama was elected president of the US, __________.
A.Kobe was the only role model for all the blacks |
B.blacks could only find role models on the basketball court |
C.minorities in America couldn’t find role models in their real life |
D.American blacks had no role model who was successful in political area |
2.According to Bill Bank, ____________.
A.it’s better for young blacks to find role models in those who are close to them |
B.young blacks should not be so much influenced by Obama |
C.blacks should find other role models because Obama is far from their reality |
D.Obama is not the proper role model for African-Americans |
3.What would be the best title for this passage?
A.The First African-American President | B.America’s New Role Model |
C.Obama-- A Successful Black . | D.Choosing a Right Role Model |
4.What will be the huge psychological shift Trevor mentioned at the end of the passage?
A.The other three leaders all support Obama. |
B.Obama is an African-American president. |
C.None of the four leaders is white. |
D.The other three leaders except Obama are from Asian countries. |
高二英语阅读理解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
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
Ever since he was a little child, Steve Jobs has been interested in electronics and filled with the _______ to become one of the best engineers in this field.
A. advantage B. ambition
C. aggression D. adventure
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
He always did well at school _____ having to do part–time jobs every now and then.
A. in spite of B. instead of C. in case of D. in favor of
高二英语单项填空困难题查看答案及解析
He always did well at school _____ having to do part–time jobs every now and then.
A.in spite of | B.instead of | C.in case of | D.in favor of |
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析