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April 23 marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. Organizations in Britain have planned numerous events to honor him.
In Stratford-upon-Avon, his birthplace, the tourism organization has a great number of free events, including performances of Shakespeare’s plays, and a dazzling fireworks display. And the BBC is broadcasting a live show from Stratfore-upon-Avon, celebrating Shakespeare’s widespread influence on the world. In England’s capital, the London Shakespeare Centre is holding a series of public performances, exhibitions and activities. It isn’t just England that honors the anniversary of the death of this extraordinary writer. In Washington, D.C., the Folger Shakespeare Library, which houses the world’s largest collection of documents relating to William Shakespeare, is displaying a series of exhibitions.
Shakespeare is probably one of the most famous authors and is considered a genius. He wrote around 37 plays and 154 sonnets(十四行诗), and his work has been translated into over one hundred languages! He penned beautiful metaphors(暗喻), serious dramas and amusing tales.
Shakespeare also invented many new terms and phrases. If someone’s behavior suggested they were not being honest and should not be trusted, Shakespeare called their actions suspicious. If someone was being silly and perhaps looking like a fool, Shakespeare found their actions laughable. And Shakespeare called people who offered their opinions on the quality of something critics. Today, for instance, food critics and film critics give audiences their opinions of foods and films. The familiar phrase “break the ice” comes from Shakespeare’s play The Taming of the Shrew. “The ice is broken” when a difficult conversation or meeting is calmed by some basic introduction, such as a simple game. More common words coined by Shakespeare include road, gossip, lonely, bump and hurry.
Four hundred years after his death, Shakespeare surely lives on，in everyday speech, as the most famous writer of all time!
1.The passage is mainly about ______.
A. the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death
B. the influence Shakespeare has on written English
C. the friends of William Shakespeare
D. Shakespeare’s colorful and fruitful life
2.Shakespeare is honored in the following ways except ______.
A. a great number of free events in Stratford-upon-Avon
B. a series of activities in the London Shakespeare Centre
C. a series of exhibitions in the Folger Shakespeare Library
D. a live show of Shakespeare in Washington, D.C.
3.According to the text, a simple game to make a difficult conversation easy is called ______.
A. an ice-breaker B. a suspicious man
C. a critic D. a laughable man
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948．Each year a theme is selected for World Health Day that highlights a priority area of public health concern in the world．
The theme for 2013 is high blood pressure．
High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes（中风）．If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can also cause blindness, irregularities of the heartbeat and heart failure．The risk of developing these complications is higher in the presence of other risk factors such as diabetes（糖尿病）．One in three adults worldwide has high blood pressure and this increases with age, from 1 in 10 people in their 20s and 30s to 5 in 10 people in their 50s．High blood pressure is most common in some low-income countries in Africa, with over 40% of adults in many African countries thought to be affected．
However, high blood pressure is both preventable and treatable．In some developed countries, prevention and treatment of it has brought about a reduction in deaths from heart disease．The risk of developing high blood pressure can be reduced by: reducing salt intake; eating a balanced diet; avoiding harmful use of alcohol; taking regular physical activity; keeping a healthy body weight; and avoiding tobacco use．
The final and most important goal of World Health Day 2013 is to reduce heart attacks and strokes, which includes as follows:
1．to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of high blood pressure;
2．to provide information on how to prevent high blood pressure
3．to encourage adults to check their blood pressure and to follow the advice of health-care professionals．
1.High blood pressure can cause medical problems like_____．
A．heart diseases, strokes and blindness．
B．strokes, heart failure and diabetes．
C．heart attacks, blindness and diabetes．
D．heart troubles, strokes and cancers．
2.Who are most likely to be affected by high blood pressure?
A．Those who are in their 20s．
B．Those who are in their 30s．
C．Those who are in their 40s．
D．Those who are in their 50s．
3.Which of the following can NOT reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure?
A．Less salt intake． B．Putting on weight．
C．Regular exercise． D．No smoking．
4.The text is mainly about______．
A．the theme for World Health Day 2013．
B．the causes of high blood pressure．
C．the treatment of heart attacks and strokes．
D．how to reduce the risk of high blood pressure．
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948. Each year a theme is selected for World Health Day that highlights a priority area of public health concern in the world.
The theme for 2013 is high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes(中风). If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can also cause blindness, irregularities of the heartbeat and heart failure. The risk of developing these complications is higher in the presence of other risk factors such as diabetes(糖尿病). One in three adults worldwide has high blood pressure and this increases with age, from 1 in 10 people in their 20s and 30s to 5 in 10 people in their 50s. High blood pressure is most common in some low-income countries in Africa, with over 40% of adults in many African countries thought to be affected.
However, high blood pressure is both preventable and treatable. In some developed countries, prevention and treatment of it has brought about a reduction in deaths from heart disease. The risk of developing high blood pressure can be reduced by: reducing salt intake; eating a balanced diet; avoiding harmful use of alcohol; taking regular physical activity; keeping a healthy body weight; and avoiding tobacco use.
The final and most important goal of World Health Day 2013 is to reduce heart attacks and strokes, which includes as follows:
1.to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of high blood pressure;
2.to provide information on how to prevent high blood pressure
3.to encourage adults to check their blood pressure and to follow the advice of health-care professionals.
1.High blood pressure can cause medical problems like_____.
A．heart diseases, strokes and blindness B．strokes, heart failure and diabetes
C．heart attacks, blindness and diabetes D．heart troubles,strokes and cancers
2.Who are most likely to be affected by high blood pressure?
A．Those who are in their 20s B．Those who are in their 30s
C．Those who are in their 40s D．Those who are in their 50s
3.Which of the following can NOT reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure?
A．Less salt intake B．Putting on weight C．Regular exercise D．No smoking
4.The text is mainly about______.
A．the theme for World Health Day 2013 B．the causes of high blood pressure
C．the treatment of heart attacks and strokes D．how to reduce the risk of high blood pressure
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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In April, 2009, President Hu inspected the warships in Qingdao, the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Navy.
A. marking B. marked C. having marked D. being marked
高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
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As is known, 2009 marked the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. And many leaders __1__ other countries sent their best wishes to the people of China on this important anniversary, all of whom spoke __2 __(high) of the great achievement we have made and the important role we have been playing in the international affairs.
Since 1949, we __3__(achieve) a lot: the success of the Beijing Olympic Games __4__ 2008, when the Chinese people realized the dream of a century；__5__ completely successful launch of the Shenzhou VII, which marked the people of China are climbing the peak of world science and technology; the return of Hong Kong and Macao to the motherland, all of __6__ have been written into the history of the Republic.
At the same time, we will never forget the united Chinese people worked together，__7__(win)one __8__(victorious) after another：the great flood in 1998; the SARS in 2003; the rare snow disaster __9__ the earthquake in 2008.
We firmly believe that the great rejuvenation (复兴)of the Chinese nation on the journey is bound __10__(occur). The rise of the Chinese nation will surely make the world be proud of us!
高二英语其他题中等难度题查看答案及解析
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Just weeks after a special memorial voyage to mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, an Australian billionaire has announced plans to build an exact replica(复制品) of the Titanic, which is just as similar to the original one as possible. The Titanic replica will make its first voyage from Southampton, England to New York in 2016.
The Titanic is a famous ship that sank in 1912. The attractive story of the ocean liner(邮轮) has made millions of people interested in it around the world. It was believed to be an unsinkable ship but it hit an iceberg and sank on its first voyage. More than 1,500 people died in the sinking of the Titanic, which at the time was the world’s largest and most luxurious ocean liner.
When fully built, the Titanic II will be 270 meters (886 feet) long and capable of holding 1,680 passengers. Unlike the original Titanic which was powered by coal-fired boiler and steam engines, the Titanic II will have modern diesel(柴油机) and electric engines. Also unlike the first Titanic, the Titanic II will have more than enough lifeboats to accommodate everyone on board if something should go wrong.
When asked whether the new replica would sink, Mr. Palmer replied: “Of course it will sink if you put a hole in it. He also added “It will be designed as a modern ship with all the technology to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
When Mr. Palmer was asked if he expected his Titanic to be successful, he simply said: “At my age, you don’t really worry so much about whether you’ll make money or lose money on something, but I believe that it is worth building it.”
1.Why is the Titanic replica being built?
A. To make a voyage from Southampton, England to New York.
B. To mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.
C. To realize Mr. Palmer’s dream of constructing a luxurious ocean liner.
D. Not clearly talked about in the passage.
2.What’s mainly talked about in Paragraph 2?
A. The travelling route of the Titanic.
B. A short introduction to the original Titanic.
C. The number of people on the Titanic when it sank.
D. People’s great interest in the attractive story of the ocean liner.
3.What is the difference between the Titanic II and the original one?
A. Titanic II will be powered by modern diesel and electric engines.
B. The appearance of Titanic II will be more luxurious.
C. The construction of Titanic II will be more complex.
D. The number of the lifeboats on Titanic II will be smaller.
4.What is Mr. Palmer’s attitude towards his Titanic II replica?
A. It will sink with a hole in it.
B. It will definitely be a great success.
C. It is worthwhile to build it.
D. It will make him lose money.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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My People, My Country, an epic seven-part anthology(选集) to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, records the nation's greatest technological and cultural achievements.
Each part focuses not on the heroes of the hour, but on everyday people and how their lives connect personally with China's advancement.
The opening part by Guan Hu, The Eve, sees an engineer, played by Huang Bo, race against time to perfect an automatic flag-raising mechanism before the ceremony in 1949 to mark the founding of the People's Republic of China.
The second story, directed by Zhang Yibai, is about a scientist working on China's first atomic bomb who had to bid farewell forever to his lover in the 1960s.
In Xu Zheng's lighthearted offering, The Champion, a young boy must secure a TV aerial(天线) to the roof of his home so his neighbours can watch the Chinese women's volleyball team play in the 1984 Olympic final.
Going Home is about Hong Kong's return to China in 1997. It focuses on a Chinese soldier tasked with hoisting the national flag on the stroke of midnight.
Hello, Beijing, is about a taxi driver who gets a ticket of the opening ceremony of 2008 Beijing Olympics. Though he planned to give it as a birthday gift to his son, who had been away from him for a long time, the good-hearted man gives the ticket to another child suffering from Wenchuan Earthquake.
One for All, directed by Wen Muye, focuses on a top female fighter jet pilot who helps her fellow pilots complete a smooth aerial performance, part of the military parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression in 2015.
1.What does the underlined word “hoisting” in Paragraph 6 probably mean?
A.mending B.buying
C.raising D.making
2.What do we know according to the passage?
A.The engineer finally got the mechanism working successfully.
B.The young boy watched the national volleyball team play.
C.The taxi driver didn’t give the ticket to his son because of lack of love.
D.The male fighter jet pilot finished the performance with team members.
3.Where does the passage probably come from?
A.a book review B.a film review
C.an ad D.a magazine
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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Welcome to the world-famous house where William Shakespeare was born in l564 and
where he grew up .The property (房产) remained in the ownership of Shakespeare’s family until 1806 .The House has welcomed visitors travelling from all over the world for over 250 years.
◆Enter through the Visitors’ Centre and see the highly-praised exhibition Shakespeare's World，a lively and full introduction to the life and work of Shakespeare.
◆Stand in the rooms where Shakespeare grew up.
◆Discover examples of furniture and needlework from
Shakespeare’s period.
◆Enjoy the traditional English garden，planted with trees and flower mentioned in the poet’s works.
The Birthplace is within easy walking distance of all the car parks shown on the map；nearest is Windsor Street(3 minutes’ Walk).
The House may present difficulties but the Visitors’ Centre，its exhibition,and the garden are accessible (可进入的)to wheelchair users.
The Shakespeare Coffee House (opposite the Birthplace).
1.How much is the admission for a family of two grown-ups and two children？
A．￡9.80． B．￡12.00． C．￡14.20． D．￡16.40．
2.Where is the nearest parking place to Shakespeare’s Birthplace？
A．Behind the exhibition hall．
B．Opposite the Visitors’ Centre．
C．At Windsor Street．
D．Near the Coffee House．
3.A wheelchair user may need help to enter ．
A．the House B．the garden
C．the Visitors’ Centre D．the exhibition hall
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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Happy Shakespeare Day!
The 23rd April is World Book Day, but did you know that it is also Shakespeare Day? Everybody has heard of Shakespeare, but do you know many plays he wrote? Have you heard of many of his poetry?
Shakespeare’s plays fit into three categories: tragedies, comedies and histories. Perhaps his most famous play is the tragedy story of Romeo and Juliet, which deals with two young lovers who are forbidden to marry by their parents. Other tragedies include Hamlet, a play about a vengeful ghost Othello, about an army general who is manipulated(操纵) into killing his wife, and Macbeth(麦克白). If you’ve seen Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban written which is sung in the Great Hall after the Sorting Ceremony. These words come from the Witches in Macbeth!
Shakespeare’s comedies include Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Twelfth Night. Twelfth Night is a play about confusing identities. Two twins are shipwrecked and the sister, Viola, dresses up as her brother, Sebastian, who she thinks is dead. It’s hilarious, because the brother reappears without Viola realizing and there’s a big love triangle going on: Viola is in love with the Duke Osino, who is in love with Olivia, who falls in love with Sebastian, except she doesn’t realize that Sebastian is actually Viola dressed up! Everybody falls in love with the wrong person, but it is all made right in the end.
The history plays, such as Antony and Cleopatra, Richard III and Henry V are based on the lives of real historical people. Antony and Cleopatra is a story about a doomed romance in ancient Egypt. Cleopatra becomes Antony’s mistress and Antony becomes so obsessed with her that he loses his military might. Cleopatra kills self by letting a snake bite her after Egypt’s army has been defeated by Octavius and Antony kills himself too.
Shakespeare’s plays can be very heavy going sometimes. Some of the themes they deal with are heavy and complex, so they almost always contain a lighter subplot with characters who aren’t closely linked to the characters in the main plot. They are often used in tragedies to lighten the mood of the play and to keep the audience interested in the main plot.
1.What can we learn about Shakespeare’s tragedies?
A. Romeo and Juliet is perhaps the most famous play of all time.
B. Hamlet tells us a story of two young lovers dead in the end.
C. The army general Othello kills his wife in person purposely.
D. Macbeth gives J.K. Rowling some inspiration in her writing.
2.What is not a probable ending in Twelfth Night?
A. Viola and Sebastian reunited. B. Osino and Viola got marred.
C. Osino and Olivia got married. D. Sebastian and Olivia got married.
3.Characters in the lighter subplot of Shakespeare’s plays are often used to_____.
A. deal with the heavy and complex themes
B. distinguish the characters in the main plot
C. make the mood of the play softer than before
D. interest the audience in the subplot to the great extent
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
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New York Times---( DINITIA SMITH )Tomorrow is the 433d anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. A recent survey shows that more people are watching him, reading him and studying him than ever before.
Consider the recent yearly conference of the Shakespeare Association of America in Washington, where more than 600 people who study or admire Shakespeare from 18 countries took in topics like ‘‘Whither Attribution Studies,’’ ‘‘Unpopular Shakespeare’’ and ‘‘Sex Me Here,’’ a talk on breast-feeding and Lady Macbeth.
‘‘The national media is saying that fewer students’ taking Shakespeare,’’ Barbara Mowat, the editor of The Shakespeare Quarterly, observed in a speech at the conference. ‘‘But Shakespeare is thriving.’’ The association’s membership has increased by a third since 1990.
The Shakespeare business is so good these days that W. W. Norton is introducing a huge new collections of the plays into the already crowded field just in time for tomorrow’s birthday anniversary. Priced at $44.95, ‘‘The Norton Shakespeare: Based on the Oxford Edition’’ runs for 3,420 pages, offering introductions, illustrations and notes and three versions(版本) of ‘‘King Lear.’’
Today, movies and videos have made the plays even more accessible. Last year, ‘‘William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet’’ was No. 1 at the box office when it opened, and it grossed nearly $50 million. In New York in January, crowds lined up in the freezing cold to see Kenneth Branagh’s four-hour ‘‘Hamlet.’’ The students select a scene and then have a violent discussion about it.’’ Influenced by films, professors are increasingly teaching students by having them perform the plays.
1.Why people from 18 countries came to Washington this year?
A. To celebrate Shakespeare’s 433d birth day only.
B. To watch some plays by Shakespeare as planned.
C. To celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday and study his works.
D. To discuss how to teach students using Shakespeare’s plays.
2.What does the underlined word “ field” in the fourth paragraph refer to?
A. Washington D.C. B. Shakespeare Association.
C. The birthday anniversary. D. The Shakespeare business.
3.Which of the many plays by Shakespeare was most popular the year before?
A. King Lear. B. Hamlet.
C. Macbeth. D. Romeo and Juliet.
4.What does the author want to prove by using so many examples about Shakespeare?
A. More and more people are becoming interested in Shakespeare.
B. Shakespeare business is being run well in America nowadays.
C. Plays by Shakespeare can be used at school for more studies.
D. Shakespeare belongs not only to Britain but also to the USA.
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析