The vast majority of us spend our entire live...

The vast majority of us spend our entire lives pulled down by gravity. Then there are astronauts.

This small population of space travelers has given researchers a rare look at what happens to the human body when it’s able to spend large amounts of time outside the downward pull of the Earth. This week, a study on one of the largest groups of astronauts yet ---34 participants---was published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

In the new study, a team of international radiologists supported by NASA looked at MRIs of the brains of astronauts before and after their trips to space. The scientists found that upon returning to Earth, many of the astronauts’ brains had become repositioned inside their skulls, floating higher than before. In addition, the space between certain brain areas appeared to have shrunk. The changes were more common in astronauts who took longer trips into space.

The team characterized astronaut trips as short (an average of less than 14 days) or long (an average of about 165 days). Radiologists who didn't know each astronaut's duration（持续时间）in space compared MRIs from before and after their trips.

Of the 34 total astronauts involved in the study, 18 took long trips to space—spending most of that time on the International Space Station —and of those, 17 returned to Earth with smaller areas between the frontal lobe（脑前额叶）and parietal lobe（顶叶）. The same area of the brain also shrank for three of the 16 astronauts who took shorter trips with the US Space Shuttle Program. The researchers also found that 12 of the ISS astronauts and six of the space-shuttle astronauts returned home with their brains sitting slightly higher in their skulls than before.

It’s not clear what, if anything, these brain changes mean for the health of space travelers. In general, it appears the human body tolerates space travel fairly well: the time astronauts have spent in zero-gravity environments so far doesn’t seem to have had any strong or long-lasting effects.

1.What is the finding of the study?

A. Astronauts have great brain power.

B. Astronauts’ duration in space is updated.

C. Astronauts’ skulls expand after space trips.

D. Astronauts return to Earth with raised brains.

2.How did the scientists draw the conclusion?

A. By analyzing astronauts’ symptoms.

B. By comparing each astronaut’s MRIs.

C. By monitoring astronauts’ brain activities.

D. By observing countless astronauts’ behaviors.

3.What does the author say about the changes inside astronauts’ skulls?

A. They are totally harmless.

B. Their effects are hard to assess.

C. Their occurrence is unavoidable.

D. They will heavily influence astronauts.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A. Effects of zero gravity

B. Valuable experiences of space travel

C. Space travel changes astronauts’ brains

D. Flying long house increases health risks

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Most of us spend our lives seeking the natural world. We go fishing, sit in the garden, have a picnic, live in the suburbs or go to the seaside. The most popular leisure activity in Britain is going for a walk. When joggers jog, they don't run the streets. Every one of them tend to go to the park or the river.

But despite this, our children are growing up nature­deprived(剥夺). I spent my boyhood climbing trees. These days, children are robbed of these ancient freedoms, due to problems like crime, traffic, the loss of the open spaces and strange new ideas about what is best for children, that is to say, things that can be bought, rather than things that can be found.

The truth is to be found elsewhere. A study in the US: families had moved to better housing and the children were assessed for ADHD—attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(多动症). Those whose accommodation had more natural views showed an improvement of 19%; those who had the same improvement in material surroundings but no nice view improved just 4%.

ADHD is one of the great problems of modern childhood. One study after another indicates that contact with nature gives huge benefits to ADHD children. However, we spend money on drugs rather than on green places.

The life of old people is measurably better when they have access to nature. The increasing concern for the growing population of old people is in quality rather than quantity of years. And study after study finds that a garden is the single most important thing in finding that quality. Even problems with crime and aggressive behaviour are reduced when there is contact with the natural world.

We need the wild world. It is essential to our well­being, our health and our happiness.

1.According to the author, people enjoy ________ to seek nature.

A．jogging on the street

B．sitting in the garden

C．shopping in the supermarket

D．running in the gym

2.From the second paragraph, we can see that ________.

A．adults deprive the children of their rights to approach nature

B．climbing trees will certainly do good to the children

C．children probably spend less time in nature nowadays

D．children tend to be happier as a result of their material satisfaction

3.In what way do people benefit from their contact with nature?

A．Children with ADHD can be cured.

B．A garden nearby improves the quality of old people's life.

C．Problems with crime and violent behaviour will easily be solved.

D．Children's performance at school is greatly improved.

4.What is the main idea of this passage?

A．Access to nature improves our life.

B．Nature treats children for ADHD.

C．Getting close to nature reduces crime.

D．Man can't live without natural areas.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Who's in control of your life? Who is pulling your string? For the majority of us, it's other people-society, colleagues, friends, family or our religious community. We learned this way of operating when we were very young, of course. We were brainwashed. We discovered that feeling important and feeling accepted was a nice experience and so we learned to do everything we could to make other people like us. As Oscar Wilde puts it, “Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry(模仿)，their passions a quotation.”

So when people tell us how wonderful we are, it makes us feel good. We long for this good feeling like a drug－we are addicted to it and seek it out wherever we can. Therefore, we are so eager for the approval of others that we live unhappy and limited lives failing to do the things we really want to. Just as drug addicts and alcoholics live worsened lives to keep getting their fix(一剂毒品)，we worsen our own existence to get our own constant fix of approval.

But just as with any drug, there is a price to pay. The price of the approval drug is freedom－the freedom to be ourselves. The truth is that we cannot-control what other people think. People have their own agenda(日程安排), and they come with their own baggage and, in the end, they're more interested in themselves than in you. Furthermore, if we try to live by the opinions of others, we will build our life on sinking sand. Everyone has a different way of thinking, and people change their opinions all the time. The person who tries to please everyone will only end up getting exhausted and probable pleasing no one in the process.

So how can we take back control? I think there's only one way－make a conscious decision to stop caring what other people think. We should guide ourselves by means of a set of values－not values imposed from the outside by others, but innate values which come from within. If we are driven by these values and not by the changing opinions and value systems of others, we will live a more authentic(真实的), effective, purposeful and happy life.

1.What Oscar Wilde says implies that________.

A. most people's thoughts are controlled by others.

B. we have thoughts similar to those of others.

C. most people have a variety of thoughts.

D. other people's thoughts are more important.

2. What does the author try to argue in the third paragraph?

A. The price of taking the drug is freedom.

B. Changing opinions may cost us our freedom.

C. We may lose ourselves to please others.

D. We need to pay for what we want to get.

3. It can be concluded from the passage that________.

A. it's important to accept others' opinions.

B. it's better to do what we like.

C. we shouldn't care what others think.

D. we shouldn't change our won opinions.

4. The author tries to persuade the readers to accept his arguments mainly by________.

A. making suggestions.                      B. analyzing causes and effects.

C. providing examples and facts.        D. discussing questions

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Who's in control of your life? Who's pulling your strings? For the majority of us, it's other people-society, colleagues, friends, family or our community. We learned this way of operating when we were very young,of course. We were brainwashed. We discovered that feeling important and feeling accepted was a nice experience and so we learned to do everything we could to make other people like us. As Oscar Wilde puts it," Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation. "

So when people tell us how wonderful we are, it makes us feel good. We long for this good feeling like a drug-we are addicted to it and seek it out wherever we can. Therefore, we are so eager for the approval of others that we live unhappy and limited lives, failing to do the things we really want to. Just as drug addicts and alcoholics live worsened lives to keep getting their fix(成瘾物)we worsen our own existence to get our own constant fix of approval.

But, just as with any drug. there is a price to pay. The price of the approval drug is freedom-the freedom to be ourselves. The truth is that we cannot control what other people think. People have their own agenda, and they come with their own baggage and, in the end, they're more interested in themselves than in you. Furthermore, if we try to live by the opinions of others, we will build our life on sinking sand. Everyone has a different way of thinking, and people change their opinions all the time. The person who tries to please everyone will only end up getting exhausted (tired) and probably pleasing no one in the process.

So how can we take back control? I think there's only one way-make a conscious decision to stop caring what other people think. We should guide ourselves by means of a set of values- not values imposed from the outside by others. but innate values which come from within. If we are driven by these values and not by the changing opinions and value systems of others. we will live a more authentic, effective, purposeful and happy life.

1.What Oscar Wilde says implies that　　　　　　 .

A.most people have a variety of thoughts

B.we have thoughts similar to those of others

C.other people's thoughts are more important

D.most people's thoughts are affected by others

2.What does the author try to argue in the third paragraph?

A.The price of taking the drug is freedom.

B.We may lose ourselves to win the approval of others.

C.We need to pay for what we want to get.

D.Changing opinions may cost us our freedom.

3.It can be concluded from the passage that　　　　　　 　 .

A.it's better to follow others' opinions

B.it's important to accept others' comments

C.we shouldn't change our own decision

D.we shouldn't care too much what others think

4.The author tries to persuade the readers to accept his arguments mainly by　　　　　 .

A.discussing questions B.making suggestions

C.analyzing causes and effects D.providing examples and facts

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Who’s in control of your life? Who’s pulling your strings? For the majority of us，it’s other people—society，colleagues，friends，family or our religious community．We learned this way of operating when we were very young，of course．We were brainwashed．We discovered that feeling important and feeling accepted was a nice experience and so we learned to do everything we could to make other people like us．As Oscar Wilde puts it，“Most people are other people．Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions，their lives a mimicry，their passions a quotation．”

So when people tell us how wonderful we are，it makes us feel good．We long for this good feeling like a drug—we are addicted to it and seek it out wherever we can．Therefore，we are so eager for the approval(赞同)of others that we live unhappy and limited lives，failing to do the things we really want to．Just as drug addicts and alcoholics live worsened lives to keep getting their fix(一剂毒品)，we worsen our own existence to get our own constant fix of approval．

But，just as with any drug，there is a price to pay．The price of the approval drug is freedom—the freedom to be ourselves. The truth is that we cannot control what other people think．People have their own agenda，and they come with their own baggage and，in the end，they’re more

interested in themselves than in you．Furthermore，if we try to live by the opinions of others，we will build our life on sinking sand．Everyone has a different way of thinking，and people change

their opinions all the time．The person who tries to please everyone will only end up getting exhausted and probably pleasing no one in the process．

So how can we take back control? I think there’s only one way—make a conscious decision to stop caring what other people think．We should guide ourselves by means of a set of values—not values imposed from the outside by others，but innate values which come from within．If we are driven by these values and not by the changing opinions and value systems of others，we will live a more authentic，effective，purposeful and happy life．

1.．What Oscar Wilde says implies that________．

A．we have thoughts similar to those of others

B．most people have a variety of thoughts

C．other people’s thoughts are more important

D．most people’s thoughts are controlled by others

2.．What does the author try to argue in the third paragraph?

A．Changing opinions may cost us our freedom．

B．We may lose ourselves to please others．

C．We need to pay for what we want to get．

D．The price of taking the drug is freedom．

3.．It can be concluded from the passage that．

A.  it’s better to do what we like

B．we shouldn’t care what others think

C．we shouldn’t change our own opinions

D．it’s important to accept others’ opinions

4.．The author tries to persuade the readers to accept his arguments mainly by________

A．analyzing causes and effects          B．providing examples and facts

C．discussing questions                      D．making suggestions

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

We would hesitate to pull over to the side of the road ________ a stranger in a car wave us down.

A. should　　　　 B. were　　　　　　 C. if　　　　　　　 D. if only

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Technology improves our lives but ruins those of everyone who hangs out with us. I spend nearly as much of my life waiting for people I’m with to answer a call, text back or finish a tweet（发帖）as they do waiting for me.

I’ve already known that owning Google Glass---the eyeglasses with a computer attached---will completely turn my life into a virtual reality（虚拟实境）exactly like moving my cell phone fives inches closer to my face. What I need to know is what it’s like to communicate with someone who’s weaning Google Glass.

I invited Heather Anne Campbell to have lunch with me and wear her Google Glass the whole time. Heather, a comedian who appears on the new Whose Line Is It Away?, is one of about 8000 people Google chose to buy the $ 1500 device before it’s made available to the public.

I did not think our lunch would go well since I’m one of the few people who believe putting your phone on the table suggests that you don’t think I can tell a story as well as someone without a face or body.

When Heather arrived, I noticed that while she is very attractive, she looks even better wearing her Google Glass. Shortly after sitting down, Heather told me that she would never actually wear these glasses to a lunch. “It’s a social threat.” She explained, since by moving her head or saying an order, she could make the glasses shoot video or , worse, look me up on Wikipedia, which would certainly end lunch early. Besides, you can’t be nearly as secret with Glass as I thought: I could find when the tiny screen over her left eye was on , so I’d know immediately if she wasn’t really paying attention.

It’s not the technology that makes the Glassbole (a person who talks to their Google Glass often without noticing the outside world ); it’s the person using the technology. There’s a chance that by making the first Glass wearers hand in plans on how they’d use them ,they’ll set a good example. Maybe, in fact, Google will be responsible enough to never sell me one.

1.Why did the author invite Heather to lunch?

A. To borrow her Google Glass.

B. To talk about her new comedy.

C. To interview her about the user experience.

D. To experience Google Glass as a lunch companion.

2.The author didn’t expect the lunch to be good because he thought_________.

A. he couldn’t tell good stories.

B. Heather might not like his cooking.

C. Heather’s Google Glass would be a problem.

D. their lunch would be disturbed by Heather’s fans.

3.What does Heather mean by saying “It’s a social threat” in Paragraph 5?

A. Google Glass is bad for interpersonal communication.

B. Google Glass causes great harm to her health.

C. Conversation can’t go on with Google Glass.

D. One has no secrets with Google Glass.

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

A. Google Glass　　　　　　　　　　　 B. Heather Anne Campbell

C. Modern Communications　　　　　 D. The Widespread Use of Phone

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

By the middle of the 21^st century, the vast majority of the world’s population _____ in cities rather than in the country.

A．are living          B．will be living        C．have lived         D．will have lived

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

We spend a quarter of our lives asleep. Sleep is necessary for the body to rest, yet our brains continue to process information. Studies have shown that students are more successful when they sleep after studying–instead of pulling all-nighters–because the brain reviews information learned. Similarly, dreaming is an opportunity to work out emotional problems and form thoughts and memories. About 25 percent of the time spent sleeping is spent in rapid eye movement, or REM, sleep. This type of sleep is known for when dreams occur, but it also helps energize the brain and body.

Researchers have found two important factors regarding humans and sleep: basicsleep need and sleep debt. Basic sleep need is the amount of sleep we need to have regularly to perform at our best. Sleep debt is the loss of sleep. A few studies say that most adults function best with a basic sleep need of seven to eight hours a night. The problem is that sleep debt also factors in, just because that you meet your basic sleep needs a few nights of the week doesn’t mean it cancels out the effects of one night’s sleep debt.

Of course, everyone is different and some people require more or less sleep than the standard basic sleep need. But the real problem lies in what lack of sleep does over the long period to people who either does not meet his or her body’s needs or for one reason or another doesn’t get enough regular sleep. It is more possible for these people to have motor vehicle accidents, weight gain and risk for heart disease or diabetes (糖尿病) and may be at increased risk for psychological conditions such as depression or drug abuse. Sleeping too long also can be associated with depression and poor health.

1.Most peoplespent around ______ of the sleeping time in REM sleep?

A. One third of the time

B. More than half of the time

C. One fourth of the time

D. More than 5 hours every day

2.【Which of the following is NOT the result for lack of sleep according to the passage?

A. Car accidents.　　　　 B. Putting on weight.

C. Heart problems.　　　　 D. Review learning things.

3.The best title for the passage is ______.

A. Why We Need Sleep

B. REMSleep and Basic Sleep

C. Sleep Causes Problems

D. How Much Sleep We Need

4.Which statement is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Students will forget what they have learned if they go to sleep immediately after study.

B. People may have an idea on how to solve an emotional problem if they have a dream.

C. It’s all right to have a night of sleep debt if you fulfill several days of basic sleep need.

D. Sleeping as long as you can is considered to be good for your health and performance.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中的两项为多余选项。

Urbanization

Until relatively recently, the vast majority of human being lived and died without ever seeing a city. The first city was probably founded no more than 5,500 years ago. _1._ In fact, nearly everyone lived on farms or in tiny rural (乡村的) villages. It was not until the 20th century that Great Britain became the first urban society in history—a society in which the majority of people live in cities and do not farm for a living.

Britain was only the beginning. _2.__ The process of urbanization—the migration (迁徙) of people from the countryside to the city—was the result of modernization, which has rapidly transformed how people live and where they live.

In 1900, fewer than 40% of Americans lived in urban areas. Today, over 82% of Americans live in cities. Only about 2% live on farms. __3.__

Large cities were impossible until agriculture became industrialized. Even in advanced agricultural societies, it took about ninety­five people on farms to feed five people in cities.__ 4.__ Until modern times, those living in cities were mainly the ruling elite (精英) and the servants, laborers and professionals who served them. Cities survived by taxing farmers and were limited in size by the amount of surplus（过剩）food that the rural population produced and by the ability to move this surplus from farm to city.

Over the past two centuries, the Industrial Revolution has broken this balance between the city and the country.__ 5._ Today, instead of needing ninety­five farmers to feed five city people, one American farmer is able to feed more than a hundred non­farmers.

A．That kept cities very small.

B．The rest live in small towns.

C．The effects of urban living on people should be considered

D．Soon many other industrial nations became urban societies.

E．But even 200 years ago, only a few people could live in cities.

F．Modernization drew people to the cities and made farmers more productive.

G．Modern cities have destroyed social relations and the health of human beings.

高二英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析