Machu Picchu is an unusual site in Peru and o...

Machu Picchu is an unusual site in Peru and one of the most mysterious wonders of the world. Built at almost 10,000 feet on the top of an Andean mountain, the Incas built hundreds of structures made of stone. A large number of Machu Picchu’s surrounding structures date back to the early 13th century, but it was considered a chief sacred site far before then. The Inca people changed the large site into a very small but wonderful city, completely self-sufficient and hidden from below. Agricultural terraces (梯田) surrounded the entire city, fed by natural spring water, supporting the entire population.

Inca Trail

The trail is one of the most famous in the world and regarded as one of the best. It covers only 26 miles, combining cloud forest, green mountain scenery, forest, and plenty of tunnels, paving stones, and ruins. The four-day hike begins slowly but quickly changes into a difficult journey suitable for those in excellent shape. The trail winds through the Andes, leading alongside and through ruins. Though independent hiking was once permitted, now it must be done with a guide.

Funerary Rock

It is believed that the Funerary Rock at Machu Picchu was used as a place to prepare Inca nobles for preservation, or mummifying (做成木乃伊), a common habit among the tribe. Nobles would be laid out to be mummified by the hot sun and freezing cold nights after their organs were removed. The rock is also famous as a spot from which a view of the city is afforded.

Temple of the Sun

Within the city’s castle, deep within Machu Picchu, is the Temple of the Sun, accessed only by the Emperor and

Inca priests. It means the Inca’s advanced knowledge of religion, weather, and nature, showing the great extent

Incas went to adapt to and learn about nature. Still unbroken, the temple was built to honor the god Inti, who is exactly the sun. The temple was effectively protected. It was also a very important scientific center, built in half-moon shape with openings facing north and east. The windows’ shadows in the center of the temple helped see the start of winter solstice (至日), showing farming season.

1.What do we know about the Inca Trail?

A. The scene is very beautiful along the trail.

B. One person alone is permitted to hike on the trail.

C. Only healthy people can do the four-day hike trail.

D. The trail covers a distance of 80 miles in all.

2.Temple of the Sun suggests that　　　　 .

A. Incas had a good knowledge of math

B. Incas are rich in farming experiences

C. Inca had a desire to go to the moon

D. Incas adapted and learned about nature

3.What can be the best title for the passage?

A. Inca Trail　　 B. Funerary Rock

C. Machu Picchu　　 D. Temple of the Sun

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

London is one of the most popular sites in the world for tourists to visit.If you are planning a trip to London in the future,you’re lucky.There are a variety of attractions for you to enjoy.

One of the most popular tourist attractions in London is the Tower of London.Founded more than 900 years ago, the Tower of London is one of the world's most famous towers and has changed a lot.Here,you can also find the seven ravens（乌鸦）which live in the Tower.There is a story that says: If there are no ravens in the Tower,the Tower and the kingdom will fall.There are also lots of tours,exhibits.and special events that you can enjoy throughout the year.

Another popular place to visit is Westminster Abbey.It was set up in 1065 by Edward the Confessor.Visitors to Westminster Abbey can enjoy its beautiful special Gothic architecture（哥特式建筑）.There are also lots of memorials of Kings and Queens to enjoy.Excellent transportation is available here by bus or tube from many locations in London.

Buckingham Palace is another place with a rich history to discover.It's the official London residence（住处）of Queen ElizabethⅡ.During August and September,you can visit the State Rooms and see the Changing of the Guards.The Queen's Gallery is open to the public daily.Checking the official timetable before you make sure to visit the Palace is a must,because it is not open year round.

1.We probably read the text in a(n)______.

A. travel magazine　　 B. bookstore poster

C. advertisement　　 D. science report

2.What may it suggest if no ravens are seen in the Tower according to the story?

A. The approaching of Christmas.　　 B. Most rare animals are in danger.

C. The Tower and the kingdom will fall.　　 D. The sudden change of the global climate.

3.What can we learn about the text?

A. There are few changes over the Tower.

B. London is the most popular site in the world.

C. People can visit the Changing of the Guards year round.

D. Memorials of Kings and Queens can be seen at Westminster Abbey.

4.What’s the best title for the text?

A. An Unforgettable Visit to London　　 B. Attractions in London

C. Old Stories about London　　 D. A Brief Introduction to London

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

London is one of the most popular sites in the world for tourists to visit. If you are planning a trip to London in the future, you’re lucky. There are a variety of attractions for you to enjoy.

One of the most popular tourist attractions in London is the Tower of London. Founded more than 900 years ago, the Tower of London is one of the world’s most famous towers and has changer a lot. Here, you can also find the seven raven（乌鸦）which live in the Tower. There is a story that says：If there are no ravens in the Tower, the Tower and the kingdom will fall. There are also lots of tours, exhibits and special events that you can enjoy throughout the year.

Another popular place to visit is Westminster Abbey. It was set up in 1065 by Edward the Confessor. Visitors to Westminster Abbey can enjoy its beautiful special Gothic architecture（哥特式建筑）. There are also lots of memorials of Kings and Queens to enjoy. Excellent transportation is available here by bus or tube from many locations in London.

Buckingham Palace is another place with a rich history to discover. It’s the official London residence（住处） of Queen Elizabeth II. During August and September, you can visit the State Rooms and see the Changing of the Guards. The Queen’s Gallery is opened to the public daily. Checking the official timetable before you make sure to visit the Palace is a must, because it is not open year round.

If you’re expecting to enjoy one of London’s most beautiful landscapes, Hyde Park is the place for you. There are many activities available here to enjoy, including guided walking tours, swimming, tennis, and horse riding. In addition, many concerts are performed in Hyde Park. There’s also a playground available for the kids.

Tourist attractions in London

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Theater is one of the oldest and most important art forms in world culture, it is also one of the richest art forms. Many people work together to bring a play to life. There are playwrights, directors, set designers, costumers, lighting technicians, and, of course, actors. If the performance is a musical, the skills of a songwriter, a choreographer, and musicians are also required. The excitement of opening night can be felt by the people waiting to watch a performance and by the performers and workers backstage waiting for the curtain to go up. Live theater is thrilling because no one really knows how well the play will go until it is performed.

The word theater comes from the Greek theatron, which means “a place for seeing.” One concept from Greek theater that is still seen in some plays today is the “Greek Chorus”. This consists of several actors or characters watching the action of the play(almost like the audience) and then commenting on what whey just saw with either reactions or dialogue.

Although most people think of the theater in terms of a play performed on the stage, theater has taken on a much broader meaning in the modern world. You may find yourself walking into a theater with no seats in the rows. Instead, you are seated among the set pieces, which makes you part of the setting. Sometimes theater may come to life on a street corner, or in a classroom. The excitement of theater is in its very nature----it is an art form that changes as it is interpreted(诠释) in different ways by different people. That is probably why the works of the greatest playwright of all time, William Shakespeare, are still performed and enjoyed today, both in classic and new interpretations.

1.What does the word “richest” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?

A. diverse.　　 B. wealthy.　　 C. terrifying.　　 D. entertaining.

2.Why is live theater so exciting according to the text?

A. Plays are usually well written.　　 B. It is often interpreted by skilled actors.

C. No one can predict its success or failure.　　 D. There are so many people working on it.

3.What is suggested about the plays of Shakespeare in the text?

A. They are more often given new interpretations today than in the past.

B. They are more popular today than during Shakespeare’ s time.

C. They will always be considered the world’s greatest.

D. They have been performed in a variety of ways.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A. A vital part of theater: Greek Chorus　　 B. Modern theater: adventures in acting

C. Shakespeare: our greatest playwright　　 D. Theater: an exciting art form

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

One of the most important aspects of an image is color. People are very sensitive to color, and different colors have different effects on people .

In general , red is an exciting color , which creates an image of action, energy and danger. Red is also the most frequently used color in flags .Eighty percent of the world’s flags contain red. A study in “Germany showed that football teams wearing red are more successful .Blue is a very calm color .Business executives usually wear dark blue suits .Blue is also a peaceful color. The flag of the United Nations is light blue .Yellow is associated with openness and freedom. Green is a very relaxing color .Surgeons nowadays wear green ,because it’s less tiring than white .Black creates an image of power and authority .It can also be a very threatening color .Gangsters and vampires often wear black .white is a pure and strong color .This is one reason why doctors wear white coats .We trust them more .Grey is a very anonymous color .People wearing grey don’t want other people to notice them .Brown is the opposite of black .It’s warm and friendly ,while black is threatening .

1.What does the author mainly talk about in the passage?

A．Color and Character         B．Color and Image

C．Color and Occupation         D．People are sensitive to color

2.Which of the following is true about color according to the passage?

A．Eighty per cent of the world’s flags contain green.

B．Brown is the opposite of pink, presenting warmth.

C．Red creates an image of energy , danger and freedom.

D．Blue is a peaceful and calm color.

3.The underlined word “anonymous” roughly means ______

A．outstanding B．beautiful    C．exciting     D．unknown

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Traditional Japanese food is surely one of the healthiest and most delicious in the world, and fortunately for most of us, foods like tofu, sushi and even green tea are now familiar and can be found easily out of Japan. As a national cuisine(烹饪), thanks to many social as well as political changes, Japanese food has greatly developed over the past few centuries. In ancient times, when much of the traditional cuisine was influenced by Korean and Chinese cultures, Japanese cuisine slowly changed with the start of the medieval(中世纪的)period, which brought along with it new tastes.

With the coming of the modern age, a great many changes took place and the Japanese cuisine was influenced greatly by Western culture. However, the traditional Japanese food of today is still very like what existed toward the end of the 19th century. This would mean that a large part of the Japanese cuisine includes those foods whose cooking methods and ingredients(原料)have been introduced from other cultures, but which have since then been experimented with and developed by the Japanese themselves.

The thing about Japanese food is that you either will love it or will completely look down upon it. With traditional Japanese food, there is no such thing as an in-between. However, chances are that if you hate Japanese food, then you probably haven’t even tasted real Japanese food or you simply haven’t given yourself the chance to like it. Unlike other cuisines, Japanese food is not something that you will appreciate after having only a bite. Like wines and cigars, Japanese food needs time to be liked.

1. After reading the whole passage, we learn that this passage mainly　　　　　　 .

A. advises us to eat healthy food is so healthy

B. explains why Japanese food is so healthy

C. introduces some famous traditional Japanese food

D. tells us something about traditional Japanese food

2.What does the writer mean by saying “fortunately for most of us”?

A. That most people know how to prepare tofu and sushi themselves.

B. That most traditional Japanese food can be enjoyed everywhere.

C. That we can enjoy some traditional Japanese food out of Japan.

D. That Japanese food like tofu, sushi and even green tea is not strange to us.

3.What can we learn from the passage?

A. Japanese food changed most during the medieval period.

B. Japanese food has been greatly influenced by other cultures.

C. The traditional Japanese food of today tastes totally different from that in the past.

D. Korean food is also one of the healthiest foods in the world.

4.The last paragraph suggests that　　　　 .

A. healthy food usually doesn’t taste good

B. not everyone likes Japanese food

C. some people are crazy about Japanese food

D. it’s very easy to tell whether the food is real Japanese food or not

5. In the writer’s opinion, Japanese food　　　　　　 .

A. is not as good as people think

B. sometimes tastes really terrible

C. is worth tasting a second time

D. tastes as good as Chinese food

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

One of the most famous buildings in the United States is Carnegie Hall, the home of classical and popular music concerts in New York. Carnegie Hall is known not just for its beauty and history, but also for its amazing sound. It has been said that the hall itself is an instrument. It takes the music and makes it larger than life.

Carnegie Hall is named after Andrew Carnegie, who paid for its construction. He was a wealthy man who also gave a lot of money to schools and public libraries. Construction on Carnegie Hall began in 1890 and the official opening night was on May 5, 1891.

The hall was owned by the Carnegie family until 1924 when it was sold to Robert E. Simon. The building became very old and in 1960, the new owner made plans to destroy it and build an office block. Isaac Stem led a group of people who fought to save Carnegie Hall and finally, the city of New York bought it for $5 million. It was then fixed up between 1983 and 1995.

In 1986, people realized that Carnegie Hall had never kept proper records of its history. Advertisements and stories in newspapers about how Carnegie Hall needed help to recover its history led people to send in old concert programmes and information from all over the world. Over 12,000 concert programmes were received and with these it was possible to make a proper record of Carnegie Hall’s concert history.

Carnegie Hall is actually made up of several different halls, but the Main Hall, now called the Isaac Stern Hall, is the most famous. Most of the greatest performers of classical music since the time the hall was built have performed in the Main Hall, and its reception areas are decorated with signed photographs of these musicians. The hall itself can hold an audience of 2,804 in five levels of seating. Visitors to the top level have to climb up 105 steps to get there!

Because the best and most famous musicians of all time have played at Carnegie Hall, it is the dream of most musicians who want to be great to play there. This has led to a very old joke which is now part of Carnegie Hall’s history. Question: “How do I get to Carnegie Hall?” Answer: “Practise, practise, practise.”

1.What do music lovers expect in Carnegie Hall?

A. Musical concerts presented by first class performers.

B. Exhibits and photographs of historical events.

C. Musicians practicing for opportunities to play.

D. People dancing merrily at parties.

2.What is the correct order of the following events?

a. Robert E. Simon bought it in 1924.

b. Carnegie Hall got its name.

c. Carnegie Hall recovered its history.

d. New York City paid $5,000,000 for it.

e. Construction on Carnegie Hall began in 1890.

A. a; c; b; d; e;       B. e; d; c; a; b      C. e; b; a; d; c      D. a; e; c; d; b

3.How long did it take Carnegie Hall to be fixed up?

A. 9 years.   B. 10 years.   C. 11 years.   D. 12 years.

4. How did Carnegie Hall recover its concert history?

A. Through newspaper reports.

B. Through old concert programmes.

C. Through old photographs.

D. Through old jokes.

5.Why do you think the Main Hall is now called the Isaac Stern Hall?

A. Because Isaac Stern is a famous musician.

B. Because Isaac Stern built the Main Hall.

C. Because Isaac Stern saved Carnegie Hall.

D. Because Isaac Stern made up the Carnegie Hall joke.

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Situated in the South West of England, between Exeter and Plymouth, Torquay is one of the most popular holiday resorts in Britain. It provides a variety of entertainment, sports of every kind and cultural facilities, all set in a position of outstanding natural beauty. Visitors can choose between luxury hotels by the sea, with private suites（套房），swimming pools and saunas, and comfortable but less expensive guest houses. There are camping sites, too, and hundreds of houses displaying“B & B”signs.

As well as a number of small quiet bays, which are ideal for beach barbecues away from the crowds, Torquay has large sandy beaches where you can buy refreshments（饮料）and hire deck chairs, boats and even beach huts. There are large areas of grassland overlooking the sea, and miles of winding cliff paths for walkers who just want to enjoy the scenery and what is often said to be the healthiest air in the country. For the sportsmen and women there are opportunities not only for golf, tennis, squash and bowls, but also for water-skiing, hang-gliding and deep-sea fishing.

After a day in the open air, there’s lots to do in the evenings, too. There are plenty of discos, the occasional opera or ballet, and summer variety shows in the seafront theatres. For the children, there is a beautiful model village with a complicated railway layout which is remarkably realistic-especially when the lights are all on at night.

Of course, there’s no need to spend your whole holidays in Torquay. Only a short drive away is Dartmoor National Park, where you can walk for miles through dramatic, unspoiled countryside, or picnic by beautiful rivers and streams. Or, nearer to home, you can sail across Tor Bay to the lovely old fishing village of Brixham.

Torquay seems to have something for everyone. But don’t take my word for it----come and see for yourself.

1. Which of the following best explains what “B & B” means on the signs?

A．Beach and barbecue               B．Breakfast and bath

C．Bed and breakfast                 D．Beautiful and British

2.According to the text Torquay might be described as________.

A．comfortable and expensive       B．remote and beautiful

C．croweded and lively            D．fresh and healthy

3.What is special about the model village?

A．It opens at night.                       B．It has a real railway system.

C．It’s in the open air.                     D．It has something for the children

4.What is the purpose of writing this text?

A．To introduce the geography of Torquay to students.

B．To make some places known to visitors.

C．To show the beauty of resorts.

D．To attract more tourists.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

The United States is one of the richest countries in the world. Most people live in urban areas, and the large stretch of land left unused is full of scenic beauty. On the one hand it is proud of its urban areas, and on the other hand, it has the rich wealth of forests, mountains, plains and much more.

On the east coast of the country there are cities like New York, the leading city in business. Washington, D.C. is the capital of the country, where you will get an opportunity to see the White House. The city will simply impress you, with many museums showing the culture, lifestyle, art and architecture of the country. Another place worth visiting is Miami, one of the most popular international tourist destinations. It is also well known for its Latin culture, wonderful urban nightlife and beaches.

Moving to the west coast, you will come across the most amazing places in which to relax. Los Angeles is the place where you can see life in all its many forms; this city is world-famous for its Hollywood film industry. It also has beaches that can offer breathtaking surfing experiences.

Moving on to the Pacific Coast Highway, we get to see the beauty of San Francisco. Clean beaches and mountains topped (盖住) by clouds are worth seeing. Travelers can enjoy day trips to beaches, deserts and wine-producing regions. Chicago lies on the shore of the Great Lakes and is believed to be the fastest growing city in the world, with its high standard of living and rich lifestyles. The city is a center for many theaters and is world-famous for its strong tradition of music jazz and the blues.

1.According to the first paragraph, we know that ______.

A. most American people live in the countryside

B. a lot of land has not been used in the US

C. the US has the largest forest in the world

D. the US has a larger area of urban land than wild land

2.Which city in the US is famous for its Latin culture?

A. New York.                 B. San Francisco.

C. Los Angeles.                  D. Miami.

3.Which of the following is TRUE?

A. The article refers to four cities on the east coast.

B. You can go to Los Angeles to experience surfing.

C. You cannot enjoy the blues in Chicago.

D. San Francisco is a center for many theaters.

4.What is the text mainly about?

A. One of the reasons why the US is rich.

B. The customs and culture of the US.

C. A brief introduction to some American cities.

D. The beautiful landscapes of the US.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Handball(手球)is a hugely popular sport in Europe and Asia, and it is one of the fastest and most exciting sports in the world．It combines basketball and soccer with the attracting saves of water polo．

Handball is played on an indoor court(the size of two basketball courts)and there are goals at each end．There are twelve players on each team，two goal keepers and ten field players，but there is a maximum of one goalkeeper and six field players from each team allowed on the court at any one time．The idea is simple：score more goals than the other team．

The ball is made of leather or synthetic material and it must be round．The surface must not be shiny or slippery．The size and weight of the ball varies for male and female teams，and adult and junior teams．

Handball has the same free-ranging play as basketball，with all players except the goalkeeper constantly moving from attack to defence．The goalkeeper uses hands, feet，head and body to keep out the other team’s shots．The origins of handball are unclear．Many people believe that it developed as a training game for soccer，to be played in the off season，or when it snowing．Now，in countries where handball is popular，players can earn large sums of money，and indoor stadiums seating over ten thousand people sell out regularly．Handball has been played at the Olympics since 1972．

1.The passage states that handball was most probably developed__________．

A．as a replacement for basketball

B．by supporters of water polo

C．as a training game

D．for the 1972 Olympics

2.The statement，“The idea is simple”，emphasizes that in handball the _____ ．

A . game has only one purpose

B．court is clearly marked

C．players can change positions

D．goalkeeper is the last defense

3.It is clear that the writer believes the sport of handball __________.

A．is more popular for men than for women

B. is great fun for the audience

C．requires an unusually shaped ball

D．should only be played in winter

4.In which order does the information appear in the passage?

a．type of ball　　 　　　　 b．court size

c．beginning of the sport d．team members

A.　 c—a—b—d　　 　 B．b—a—d—c

C．c—d—a—b　　　 D．b—d—a—c

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析