In today’s world of cellphones, mini laptops ...

In today’s world of cellphones, mini laptops and MP3 players, most people have at least one timetelling tool with them. Since these devices are so common, is time running out for the 500­year­old watch? According to some consumers, yes. New Jersey teenager Charlie Wollman says a watch is “an extra piece of equipment with no necessary function”. Many young adults agree — and use their cellphones to tell time. Louis Galie, a senior vice president at Timex, said that fewer young people wear watches today than five years ago. As a result, some people claim that the watch industry is at a crossroads.

However, watchmakers optimistically say that watches regain popularity when consumers reach their 20s and 30s. By then, they are willing to spend money on a quality timepiece that doesn't just keep good time. Fifty years ago, watchmakers boasted about their products' accuracy. But in recent years, the watch industry has transformed itself into an accessory business. And for many today, the image a watch communicates has become more important than the time it tells.

“Complications” — features that go beyond simple timekeeping — are an important part of a watch's image. Today's watches offer a lot of features that suit almost any personality. These features include altitude trackers, compasses, lunar calendars, USB drives, and even devices that measure the effectiveness of golf swings!

Creativity is also a key element in today's watches. For example, Japanese watchmaker Tokyoflash makes watches that don't even look like watches. The company's popular Shinshoku model uses different color lights to tell time.　 It looks more like a futuristic (未来主义的) bracelet than a watch. Another Japanese watchmaker, EleeNo, makes a “handless” watch. Using a ring of circles to keep time, this watch makes an excellent conversation piece.

Whether a watch communicates fashion sense, creative flair or a love of sports, consumers want their timepieces to stand out. Nowadays, everyone has the same kind of gadget (小玩意儿) in their bags, so people want to make a statement with what's on their wrists.　 Will this interest in wrist fashion last? Only time will tell!

1.Why aren't watches popular with young people as before?

A. Because watches cannot keep good time as cellphones, mini laptops and MP3 players.

B. Because watches are featured by the disadvantages of simple function.

C. Because watches are too expensive to afford.

D. Because watches don't have beautiful appearance as other modern time­telling tools.

2.What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 1 mean?

A. Watch­making becomes the sunrise industry.

B. Watch­making is faced with the developing opportunity.

C. Watch­making is facing a survival crisis challenge.

D. Watch­making has a specific development target.

3.It can be implied that ________.

A. people will gradually lose interest in watches as they grow older

B. watchmakers scarcely change the development strategy for watches

C. today's watches are better than those in the past in quality

D. customers used to be more concerned with the quality of a watch than with its image

4.The following qualities can make a watch popular EXCEPT ________.

A. multifunction　　　　 B. accuracy

C. nice design　　　　　 D. low price

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

In today’s world of cellphones，mini laptops and MP3 players, most people have at least one time-telling tool with them. Since these devices are so common，is time running out for the 500­year­old watch？According to some consumers，yes. New Jersey teenager Charlie Wollman says a watch is “an extra piece of equipment with no necessary function”．Many young adults agree—and use their cellphones to tell time. Louis Galie, a senior vice president at Timex，said that fewer young people wear watches today than five years ago. As a result, some people claim that the watch industry is at a crossroads.

However, watchmakers optimistically say that watches regain popularity when consumers reach their 20s and 30s.By then，they are willing to spend money on a quality timepiece that doesn’t just keep good time. Fifty years ago，watchmakers　 boasted about their products’ accuracy. But in recent years, the watch industry has transformed itself into an accessory　 business. And for many today, the image a watch communicates has become more important than the time it tells.

“Complications”—features that go beyond simple timekeeping—are an important part of a watch’s image. Today’s　 watches offer a lot of features that suit almost any personality. These features include altitude trackers, compasses，lunar calendars, USB drives, and even devices that measure the　 effectiveness of golf swings!

Creativity is also a key element in today’s watches. For example，Japanese watchmaker Tokyoflash makes watches that don’t even look like watches. The company’s popular Shinshoku model uses different color lights to tell time. It looks more like a futuristic(未来主义的)bracelet than a watch. Another Japanese watchmaker, EleeNo, makes a “handless” watch. Using a ring of circles to keep time, this watch makes an excellent conversation piece.

Whether a watch communicates fashion sense, creative talent or a love of sports, consumers want their timepieces to stand out. Nowadays，everyone has the same kind of gadget (小玩意儿)in their bags，so people want to make a statement with what’s on their wrists. Will this interesting wrist fashion last？Only time will tell!

1.Why aren’t watches popular with young people as before?

A．Because watches cannot keep good time as cellphones, mini laptops and MP3 players.

B．Because watches are featured by the disadvantages of simple function.

C．Because watches are too expensive to afford.

D．Because watches don’t have beautiful appearance as other modern time­telling tools.

2.What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 1 mean?

A．Watch­making is facing a survival crisis challenge.

B．Watch­making is faced with the developing opportunity.

C．Watch­making becomes the sunrise industry.

D．Watch­making has a specific development target.

3.It can be implied that ________.

A．people will gradually lose interest in watches as they grow older

B．watchmakers scarcely change the development strategy for watches

C．today’s watches are better than those in the past in quality

D．customers used to be more concerned with the quality of a watch than with its image

4.What’s the best title of the passage?

A．Watches and Teenagers　　 B．The History of Watches

C．The Accuracy of Watches　　 D．Watches Tell More than Time

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

In today's world of cell phones, mini laptops and MP3 players, most people have at least one time-telling tool with them. Since these devices are so common, is time running out for the 500-year-old watch? According to some consumers, yes. New Jersey teenager Charlie Wollman says a watch is "an extra piece of equipment with no necessary function." Many young adults agree ─ and use their cell phones to tell time. Louis Galie, a senior vice president at Timex, said that fewer young people wear watches today than five years ago. As a result, some people claim that the watch industry is at a crossroads.

However, watchmakers optimistically say that watches regain popularity when consumers reach their 20s and 30s. By then, they are willing to spend money on a quality timepiece that doesn't just keep good time. Fifty years ago, watchmakers boasted(自夸) about their products' accuracy. But in recent years, the watch industry has transformed itself into an accessory(附件，配件) business. And for many today, the image(外形) a watch communicates has become more important than the time it tells.

"Complications" ─ features that go beyond simple timekeeping ─ are an important part of a watch's image. Today's watches offer a host of features that suit almost any personality. These features include altitude trackers(追踪器), compasses(指南针), lunar calendars, USB drives, and even devices that measure the effectiveness of golf swings!

Creativity is also a key element in today's watches. For example, Japanese watchmaker Tokyoflash makes watches that don't even look like watches. The company's popular Shinshoku model uses different color lights to tell the time. It looks more like a futuristic bracelet(手镯) than a watch. Another Japanese watchmaker, EleeNo, makes a "handless" watch. Using a ring of circles to keep time, this watch makes an excellent conversation piece.

Whether a watch communicates fashion sense, creative flair or a love of sports, consumers want their timepieces to stand out. Nowadays, everyone has the same kind of gadget in their bags, so people want to make a statement with what's on their wrists(手腕). Will this interest in wrist fashion last? Only time will tell!

1.Why aren’t watches popular with young people as before?

A. Because watches cannot keep good time as cell phones, mini laptops and MP3 players.

B. Because watches are featured by the disadvantages of simple function

C. Because watches are too expensive to afford.

D. Because watches don’t have beautiful appearance as other modern time telling tools.

2. What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 1 mean?

A. Watching-making is facing a survival crisis challenge.

B. Watching-making is faced with the developing opportunity.

C. Watching-making becomes the sun rising industry.

D. Watching-making has a specific development target.

3. It can be implied that ____________________.

A. people will gradually lose interest in watches as they grow older

B. watchmakers hardly change the development strategy for watches

C. today’s watches are better than those in the past in quality

D. customers used to be more concerned with the quality of a watch than with its image.

4.The following qualities can make a watch popular EXCEPT _________.

A. multifunction   B. accuracy   C. nice design   D. low price

5.What’s the best title of the passage?

A. Watches and Teenagers     B. The History of Watches

C. The Accuracy of Watches   D. Watches Tell More Than Time

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

In today's world of smart phones and notebook computers, most people have at least one time-telling thing with them. Since these digital products are so common, is time running out for the 500-year-old watch? According to some consumers, the answer is yes. New Jersey teenager Charlie Wollman says a watch is “an extra piece of equipment with no necessary function.” Many young adults think so and use their smart phones to tell time. It is said that fewer young people wear watches today than ten years ago. As a result, some people say that the watch industry is at a crossroads.

However, watchmakers optimistically say that watches regain popularity when consumers reach their 20s and 30s. By then, they are willing to spend money on a quality watch that doesn’t just keep good time. Fifty years ago, watchmakers took pride in their products’ accuracy. But in recent years, the watch industry has changed itself into an accessory(附属的) business. And today, the image a watch communicates has become more important than the time it tells.

“Complications” — features that go beyond simple timekeeping — are an important part of a watch’s image. Today’s watches offer lots of features that meet almost any personality. These features include compasses, USB drivers, and even other functions .

Creativity also plays a key role in designing today’s watches. For example, Japanese watchmaker Tokyoflash makes watches that don’t even look like watches. The company’s popular Shinshoku model uses different color lights to tell time. It looks more like a fashionable bracelet(手镯) than a watch.

Whether a watch communicates fashion sense, or creative talent of a love sports, consumers want their watches to stand out. Nowadays, everyone has the same kind of gadget(配件) in their bags, so people want to make a statement with what’ s on their wrists. Will this interest in wrist fashion last? Only time will tell!

1.What can we know from the first paragraph?

A. As most people see, watches are out of fashion.

B. The watch industry will close down sooner or later.

C. Some people feel that watches have been of no use.

D. There are so many choices of watches for teenagers today.　

2. Japanese watchmaker Tokyoflash is mentioned in Paragraph 4 to_______.

A. tell that today’s watches need more imagination

B. show why Shinshoku watches are popular　

C. advertise Shinshoku watches made by Tokyoflash

D. make a comparison between watches and bracelets

3.What might be the most suitable title for the passage?

A. Japanese Watches Stand Out　　

B. Watches Tell More Than Time

C. Watch Industry Is in a Bad Situation　

D. Watches Are Becoming Less Popular　　

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

In the world today, there are millions of surveillance cameras, or “spy cams”, watching and monitoring our daily activities. There are some benefits of course, as people who are breaking laws can be watched and caught using cameras and this helps keep our society and public places safe. These cameras are everywhere and most are openly visible on roads, in airports, businesses, shopping centers and government buildings and even in lifts. Even schools have started using spy cams to watch student activity and behaviour.

The cameras are so common now that we hardly ever even notice them. But the problem lies with the ones that are hidden away from our eyes and are unseen. Technology has helped develop tiny cameras that can be very well hidden and they can “spy” on shoppers, workers, babysitters and people in hotels and clubs without the people even knowing.

It is these spy cams that people feel are an invasion of privacy. Recently, in the US, there have been a number of court cases against babysitters whose actions have been recorded by their employers on hidden cameras.

The number of cameras in public and private areas is on the increase and with rising crime rates and the recent terrorist attacks, more and more surveillance cameras are being used to watch us. This means that we all have to be aware that our employers, department stores, police and even some of our friends could be spying on us at any time!

1.In the writer’s opinion, surveillance cameras _______.         .

A．do more good than wrong

B．are overused

C．should be very popular

D．ought to be more widely used

2.In what way can the surveillance camera benefit the public?

A．By helping keep social safety.

B．By monitoring the employees.

C．By watching the students in class.

D．By spying on customers.

3.According to Paragraphs 3 and 4, people _______ the use of hidden cameras.

A．object to

B．agree to

C．feel happy about

D．are fearful of

4.Spy cams will be more widely used in the future because _______.         .

A．all people want to spy

B．of the invasion of privacy

C．people enjoy being watched

D．of terrorist attacks

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

There is a lot of love in today’s world and I’m convinced that this is still the most powerful ______ in the world.

高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析

Today, people all over the world are moving out of small villages in the country to go and live in big, noisy cities. They are moving from the peaceful hills, mountains, fields, rivers and streams of the countryside to the busy world of streets, buildings, traffic and crowds. This movement from rural areas to urban areas has been going on for over two hundred years.

In many countries, the main reason people come to live in towns and cities is work. After one or two large factories have been built in or near a town, people come to find work, and soon an industrial area begins to grow. There is usually a residential area nearby where the factory workers can live. The families of these workers need schools, hospitals and shops, so many people come to live in the area to provide these services and a city grows.

In every major city in the world, there is a business district where the big companies have their main offices. In the United States, this area is usually in the city center downtown. It is here that you can see many huge skyscrapers（摩天楼）and office blocks. The people who work here often travel a long way to work each day. Many of them live in the suburbs of the city, far away from the industrial area and the city center. Some suburbs are very pleasant, with nice houses and big gardens. There are usually parks for children to play in and large department stores where you can buy all you need.

But what is the future of the big cities? Will they continue to get bigger and bigger? Perhaps not. Some major cities have actually become smaller in the last ten years, and it is quite possible that one day we will see people moving out of the major cities and back into smaller town and villages.

1.The underlined phrase “a residential area” means ________.

A. an area where people can buy things       B. an area where people live

C. an area where people can do business      D. an area near a city center

2.Why do people move to live in cities or towns?

A. Because they can live more comfortably there.

B. Because they like noisy life better than peaceful life.

C. They do so mainly to find work.

D. Because they are sure of having a better life there.

3.In a residential area you can see ________.

A. rows of houses               B. many offices and factories

C. a lot of factories and farms     D. many houses with offices and factories

4.In the United States, many people work in the center of a big city__________.

A. and live there               B. while living on the far away edge（边缘）of the city

C. but live in another city        D. but live far away out of the city

5.We can infer that this movement from rural to urban areas ______.

A. has been going on for more than 2,000 years    B. will surely continue in the future

C. may not continue in the future                 D. has now stopped already

高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

Today, people all over the world are moving out of small villages in the country to go and live in big, noisy cities. They are moving from the peaceful hills, mountains, fields, rivers and streams of the countryside to the busy world of streets, buildings, traffic and crowds. This movement from rural areas to urban areas has been going on for over two hundred years.

In many countries, the main reason people come to live in towns and cities is work. After one or two large factories have been built in or near a town, people come to find work, and soon an industrial area begins to grow. There is usually a residential area nearby, too. The families of these workers need schools, hospitals and shops, so many people come to live in the area to provide these services and a city grows.

In every major city in the world, there is a business district where the big companies have their main offices. In the United States, this area is usually in the city center downtown. It is here that you can see many huge skyscrapers and office blocks. The people who work here often travel a long way to work each day. Many of them live in the suburbs of the city, far away from the industrial area and the city center. Some suburbs are very pleasant, with nice houses and big gardens. There are usually parks for children to play in and large department stores where you can buy all you need.

But what is the future of the big cities? Will they continue to get bigger and bigger? Perhaps not. Some major cities have actually become smaller in the last ten years, and it is quite possible that one day we will see people moving out of the major cities and back into smaller towns and villages.

1.The underlined phrase “a residential area” means an area________.

A．where people can buy things

B．which is suitable for living in

C．where people can do business

D．which is near a city center

2.Why do people move to live in cities or towns?

A．Because they like noisy life better than peaceful life.

B．Because they can live more comfortably there.

C．Because they mainly want to find work there.

D．Because they are sure of having a better life there.

3.Which of the following statement is NOT true about the business district?

A．Big companies usually have their main offices in the business district.

B．A business district usually lies in the city center downtown.

C．People usually work and live in the business district.

D．Nearly every major city has its own business district.

4.In the United States, many people work in the center of a big city________.

A．and live there

B．but live in the suburbs of the city

C．and live in another city

D．but live in rural areas

5.We can infer that this movement from rural to urban areas ________.

A．has been going on for more than 2,000 years

B．will surely continue in the future

C．may not continue in the future

D．has now stopped already

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

If you have a taste for the USA and time and money are in short supply, our range of Mini Adventures are just the ticket for experiencing North America’s most incredible parts in just a few days.

These 3- and 4- day tours get you out of the city and off the beaten path in a flash, making the most of your time and money. From the thundering Niagara Falls and the magnificent Grand Canyon to the most iconic landscape in America, Monument Valley, our Mini Adventures serve up a huge helping of American pie!

Vegas to Grand Canyon

4 days from Las Vegas

May-Oct from US $ 789

USA West-Camping

Cowboys, canyons and Indians --- Need we say more? Explore Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks before a night with the Navajo people deep in the heart of Monument Valley, then top it all off with the grandest canyon on earth!

Los Angeles to Grand Canyon

4 days from Los Angeles

May-Oct from US$649

USA West-Camping

Escape the hustle and bustle of Los Angles for some Desert Southwest action! Travel from Lake Havasu to the Grand Canyon, then along the iconic Route66, over the Hoover Dam and into Las Vegas for an included limousine tour that you’ll never forget!

San Francisco to Yosemite

3 days from San Francisco

Jan-Sep from US $ 429

USA West-Camping

Cross the Sierra Nevada Mountains for the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe and on to Yosemite Valley for a full day of exploration. Spectacular views, adventurous activities and abundant wildlife awaits you on this amazing short break in Western USA.

New York to Niagara Falls

3 days from New York

Jun-Sep from US　 $599

USA East-Hotel

Leave city life behind in New York and venture deep into ‘up state’ New York to the thundering wonder of incomparable Niagara Falls before a night in the Finger Lakes with the waterfalls and Wineries as your neighbors.

1.If you want to go to the Grand Canyon, you can’t ______.

A. go if you only have US $ 600　　

B. see the Navajo people

C. choose a four-day adventure

D. start from Los Angeles

2.If you want to travel in March, which of the following could you choose?

A. Vegas to Grand Canyon.

B. Los Angeles to Grand Canyon.

C. San Francisco to Yosemite.

D. New York to Niagara Falls.

3. If you don’t like going camping, you should choose ______.

A. Vegas to Grand Canyon　

B. Los Angeles to Grand Canyon

C. San Francisco to Yosemite

D. New York to Niagara Falls

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A. Tips to have a short journey.

B. Mini adventures in USA.

C. Importance of adventures.

D. Tips to save money in USA.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

For the sake of enough time for study and rest, students are _____ from using cellphones in our school.

A. encourged　         B. forbidden         C.required　             D. kept

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析