George Gershwin, born in 1898, was one of Ame...

George Gershwin, born in 1898, was one of America’s greatest composers. He published his first song when he was eighteen years old. During the next twenty years he wrote more than five hundred songs.

Many of Gershwin’s songs were first written for musical plays performed in theatres in New York City. These plays were a popular form of entertainment in the 1920s and 1930s. Many of his songs have remained popular as ever. Over the years they have been sung and played in every possible way — from jazz to country.

In the 1920s there was a debate in the United States about jazz music. Could jazz, some people asked, be considered serious music? In 1924 jazz musician and orchestra leader Paul Whiteman decided to organize a special concert to show that jazz was serious music. Gershwin agreed to compose something for the concert before he realized he had just a few weeks to do it. And in that short time, he composed a piece for piano and orchestra which he called Rhapsody in Blue. Gershwin himself played the piano at the concert. The audience were thrilled when they heard his music. It made him world-famous and showed that jazz music could be both serious and popular.

In 1928, Gershwin went to Paris. He applied to study composition (作曲)with the well-known musician Nadia Boulanger, but she rejected him. She was afraid that classical study would ruin his jazz-influenced style. While there, Gershwin wrote An American in Paris. When it was first performed, critics (评论家)were divided over the music. Some called it happy and full of life, to others it was silly and boring. But it quickly became popular in Europe and the United States. It sill remains one of his most famous works.

George Gershwin died in 1937, just days after doctors learned he had brain cancer. He was only thirty-nine years old. Newspapers all over the world reported his death on their front pages. People mourned the loss of the man and all the music he might have still written.

1.Many of Gershwin’s musical works were ________.

A. written about New Yorkers　　 B. composed for Paul Whiteman

C. played mainly in the countryside　　 D. performed in various ways

2.What did Gershwin do during his stay in Paris?

A. He created one of his best works.　　 B. He studied with Nadia Boulanger.

C. He argued with French critics.　　 D. He changed his music style.

3.What do we learn from the last paragraph?

A. Many of Gershwin’s works were lost.

B. The death of Gershwin was widely reported.

C. A concert was held in memory of Gershwin.

D. Brain cancer research started after Gershwin’s death.

4.Which of the following best describes Gershwin?

A. Talented and productive.　　 B. Serious and boring.

C. Popular and unhappy.　　 D. Friendly and honest.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

George Gershwin, born in 1898, was one of America's greatest composers. He published his first song when he was eighteen years old. During the next twenty years he wrote more than five hundred songs.

Many of Gershwin's songs were first written for musical plays performed in theatres in New York City. These plays were a popular form of entertainment in the 1920s and 1930s. Many of his songs have remained popular as ever. Over the years they have been sung and played in every possible way — from jazz to country.

In the 1920s there was a debate in the United States about jazz music. Could jazz, some people asked, be considered serious music? In 1924 jazz musician and orchestra leader Paul Whiteman decided to organize a special concert to show that jazz was serious music. Gershwin agreed to compose something for the concert before he realized he had just a few weeks to do it. And in that short time, he composed a piece for piano and orchestra which he called Rhapsody in Blue. Gershwin himself played the piano at the concert. The audience were thrilled when they heard his music. It made him world­famous and showed that jazz music could be both serious and popular.

In 1928, Gershwin went to Paris. He applied to study composition (作曲)with the well­known musician Nadia Boulanger, but she rejected him. She was afraid that classical study would ruin his jazz­influenced style. While there, Gershwin wrote An American in Paris. When it was first performed, critics (评论家)were divided over the music. Some called it happy and full of life, to others it was silly and boring. But it quickly became popular in Europe and the United States. It still remains one of his most famous works.

George Gershwin died in 1937, just days after doctors learned he had brain cancer. He was only thirty­nine years old. Newspapers all over the world reported his death on their front pages. People mourned the loss of the man and all the music he might have still written.

1.Many of Gershwin's musical works were ________．

A.written about New Yorkers B.composed for Paul Whiteman

C.performed in various ways D.played mainly in the countryside

2.What do we know about the concert organized by Whiteman?

A.It proved jazz could be serious music.

B.It attracted more people to theatres.

C.It made Gershwin leader of the orchestra.

D.It caused a debate among jazz musicians.

3.What did Gershwin do during his stay in Paris?

A.He studied with Nadia Boulanger. B.He created one of his best works.

C.He argued with French critics. D.He changed his music style.

4.What do we learn from the last paragraph?

A.The death of Gershwin was widely reported.

B.Many of Gershwin's works were lost.

C.A concert was held in memory of Gershwin.

D.Brain cancer research started after Gershwin's death.

5.Which of the following best describes Gershwin?

A.Serious and boring. B.Talented and productive.

C.Popular and unhappy. D.Friendly and honest.

高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

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

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

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

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

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

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

A. mountain-climbing　　 B. bee-keeping

C. money-raising　　 D. story-writing

2.Hillary became well-known because ________.

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

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

C. he lived in places where no humans had gone

D. he made a lot of money as a beekeeper

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

A. outgoing and fearless

B. talented and honest

C. determined and caring

D. hardworking and careful

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

The famous British inventor George Stephenson was born in 1781 and died in 1848. One of his　　 important inventions was the train. He　　 his first train when he was forty-four years old. When he was experimenting with the　　 engine on the train, he met with　　 from the government, the newspapers and the gentlemen in the country. They said that the noise and the smoke would　　 cows, horses and sheep, that the　　 would burst or that the hot coals from it would　　　 their houses. At that time, 　　 people believed what they said.

George Stephenson　　 　　 the people that the train could go on small　　 　　 　 , could pull carriages　　 goods and passengers and there was　　 to them. It was a very　　 matter for him to　 　 them believe. However, after　　　 , he was able to do it; and the first train that　　 　　 by Stephenson himself　　 what he had said.

The first day　　　 the people along the way　　　 the noises of the train　　 and saw it running quickly to them, they ran back home as quickly as they could and closed their doors tightly, for they thought it a genius(妖怪).They did not dare to come out until it had passed.

1.A. very　　　　 B. a lot　 　 C. much 　　　　 D. most

2.A. bought 　　　 B. made 　　　　 C. introduced 　　　 D. did

3.A. electrical B. atomic 　　　　 C. oil　　 　　 D. steam

4.A. troubles 　　　 B. success 　　 C. people 　　　　 D. pleasure

5.A. buy 　　　　 B. kill　　　　 C. interest 　　　　 D. take away

6.A. smoke 　　　 B. noise 　　　　 C. engine 　　　　 D. driver

7.A. pull down 　　 B. blow away 　 C. pass 　　　　　　 D. set fire to

8.A. few 　　　　 B. most 　　　　 C. only a few 　　　 D. the rich

9.A. said 　 B. spoke 　　 C. warned 　　　　 D. told

10.A. roads 　　　 B. rivers 　　　　 C. rails　　　　 D. steam

11.A. full of 　　　 B. short of 　　 C. empty of 　　　　 D. without

12.A. dangerous 　 B. no great danger　 C. a lot of danger 　　　　　 D. few danger

13.A. difficult B. easy　　　　　　 C. pleasant 　　　　 D. light

14.A. get 　 B. cause 　　　　 C. force 　　　　 D. make

15.A. some time 　 B. sometime 　　　　 C. a few times 　　　 D. sometimes

16.A. was driven B. was sold　　　　　 C. was pulled 　　　 D. helped

17.A. believed B. seemed 　　 C. proved　　　　　　　　　 D. sensed

18.A. when　　　　 B. of 　　　　　　　　 C. while 　　　　　　　　　 D. for

19.A. caught sight of 　 B. listened to 　 C. thought 　 D. heard

20.A. in the distance B. nearby 　　 C. on the far D. from the distance

高二英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Born in London in 1825, Thomas Henry Huxley was one of the greatest men of the nineteenth century. In 1846 Thomas Henry Huxley was appointed assistant doctor aboard H. M.S. Rattlesnake. The ship had been asked to survey areas of the Great Barrier Reef and the neighboring seas. This gave Thomas Henry Huxley an opportunity to study animal life and was the start of his biological career. The voyage lasted four years, during which time he gathered much information on plankton (浮游生物).

On his return from the voyage, Thomas Henry Huxley was made a member of the Royal Society in recognition of his scientific work. Although he continued to publish papers about plankton, his interest was turning towards vertebrate (有脊椎的) animals. For some time Thomas Henry Huxley and his workmates had been discussing the possibility that animal species had evolved (进化), one from another. No satisfactory theories had been put forward, but in 1859 Darwin’s Origin of Species appeared. Thomas Henry Huxley at once realized　 its importance and how the theory of natural selection provided “the working hypothesis (假说) we sought”.

For the rest of his life Thomas Henry Huxley struggled to ensure the full recognition of Darwin's work. In 1863 Thomas Henry Huxley published Man’s Place in Nature in which he compared man and great apes (猿). He clearly showed similarities.

Despite his many achievements, he was given no award by the British state until late in his life. From about 1870, Thomas Henry Huxley was too involved in other things to continue actual research. He had always been interested in education. He pioneered the teaching of biology and his method of selecting “type animals” is still followed today. He spent the last ten years of his life writing essays mainly on biology.

1.Why did Huxley go on the voyage?

A.To explore the deep sea. B.To do research on sea animals.

C.To work as a doctor on the ship. D.To gather information for his paper.

2.How did Huxley react to the theory of natural selection?

A.He had doubt about it. B.He thought highly of it.

C.He couldn’t understand it. D.He thought he developed it first.

3.What do we know about Huxley's book Man’s Place in Nature?

A.It discusses the importance of human beings.

B.It focuses on Darwin’s theory of natural selection.

C.It talks about the differences between man and apes.

D.It provides evidence about the evolution of man from apes.

4.What can we learn about Huxley from the last paragraph?

A.He contributed a lot to biology teaching.

B.He continued his research till his death.

C.He became a good novelist late in his life.

D.He never got awards for his achievements.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

完形填空 （20分）

The famous British inventor George Stephenson was born in 1781 and died in 1848. one of his _21_ important inventions was the train. He _22_his first train when he was forty-four years old. When he was experimenting with the _23_ engine on the train, he met with _24_ from the government, newspapers and the gentlemen in the country. They said that the noise and the smoke would _25_ cows, horses and sheep, that the _26_ would hurtle(炸飞) or that the hot coals from it would _27_their houses. At that time, _28_ people believed what they said.

George Stephenson _29_ the people that the train could go on small _30_, could pull carriages _31_goods and passengers and there was _32_ to them. It was a very _33_ matter for him to _34_ them believe. However, after _35_, he was able to do it; and the first train that _36_ by Stephenson himself _37_ what he had said.

The first day _38_ the people along the way _39_ the noises of the train _40_ and saw it running quickly to them, they ran back home as quickly as they could and closed their doors tightly, for they thought it a genius. They did not dare to come out until it had passed.

2.made   B. bought   C. introduced   D. did

10. A.reads    B. rivers    C. steam    D rails

高二英语完型填空简单题查看答案及解析

One of the greatest soccer players of all time is Pelé. He was born in 1940 in Tres Coracoes, Brazil. His first soccer ball was a grapefruit. He also used an old sock and filled it with newspaper. Pelé left school at a young age to play soccer and work to help his family. Later in life, he finished high school and college.

Pelé scored 1,281 goals—more goals than any other player in the world. He helped Brazil win three World Cup titles.

Pelé retired from soccer in 1971. People all over the world admired Pelé. Presidents and world leaders invited him to their countries. Nigeria once stopped its war for three days to let Pelé play. His talent is very unusual. Doctors once tested Pelé to find out why he played soccer so well. They found that he had excellent eyesight. He is also very intelligent. Pelé liked to do math problems and play chess. He said these activities helped him play better.

Pelé is married and has three children. He likes to be with his family. He also plays the guitar and writes songs. Pelé cares about people, especially children. He gives money to help poor children. He never advertises for tobacco or liquor companies. He knows that he has a great influence on young people. Pelé once said that he wants to “unite people, never to separate them.” He is loved and admired all over the world.

1.The text is mainly talking about Pelé’s __________.

A. family　　 B. life

C. hobby　　 D. work

2.How old was Pelé when he stopped playing soccer?

A. 49　　 B. 39

C. 31　　 D. 22

3.Which words can best describe Pelé ？

A. Caring and responsible.　　 B. Intelligent and aggressive.

C. Helpful and outgoing.　　 D. Generous and modest　　 .

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Roald Dahl is one of the greatest storytellers the world has ever known. He was born in Llandaff in Wales on 13 September 1916. Roald’s dream was to go to exciting foreign places, and he got the chance when he got a job with the Shell Company supplying oil in East Africa. When the Second World War broke out, he became a fighter pilot and he almost died when he crashed his plane in the desert. Afterwards he was sent home and given a new job in the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. There, he started writing speeches and war stories, and his first pieces of writing were published.

Have you heard of any of these stories?

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie is a young boy from a poor family and, like most children, he loves chocolate. Charlie buys Wonka chocolate bars hoping to find a golden ticket inside because whoever finds a golden ticket is invited to visit the Wonka chocolate factory. However, there are some wonderfully strange things inside the factory!

The BFG

The BFG is the Big Friendly Giant and he brings sweet dreams to children while they are sleeping. One night he is seen by a girl called Sophie, and he kidnaps(绑架) her and carries her away to his homeland because he is scared she’ll tell the world about his existence. He is actually friendly, but the other giants are not. They want to eat people. Sophie decides to get someone to help: the Queen!

Matilda

Matilda is a genius(天才) and she loves books, but her parents don’t understand her intelligence and are cruel to her. Matilda’s brainpower is discovered by her teacher, Miss Honey, who helps her to develop her intellect. But Miss Honey is also being mistreated by the cruel head teacher, so Matilda tries to find a way to help her…

Boy: Tales of Childhood

This book is told like a story, but it’s not a novel. It’s an autobiography (自传) of Roald Dahl’s childhood and school experiences. In it he describes his experiences with the dead mouse, horrible teachers, summer holidays to Norway and getting the job with Shell.

1.What did Roald do right before working in the British Embassy?

A. He wrote stories and speeches.　　 B. He traveled in foreign countries.

C. He worked for a famous oil company.　　 D. He served as a member of the air force.

2.To know about Roald’s personal experiences, which story should you read?

A. Matilda.　　 B. Boy: Tales of Childhood.

C. The BFG.　　 D. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

3.What do the four stories have in common?

A. They are amusing.　　 B. They are about kids.

C. They are works of fiction.　　 D. They are based on true stories.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

George Washington was born in 1732 in a rich family in _______ is now the state of Virginia.

A. which       B. where       C. that            D. what

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

George Washington was born in 1732 in a rich family in _______ is now the state of Virginia.

高二英语单项填空困难题查看答案及解析