Christmas Glow, RHS Wisley, SurreyThe garden ...

Christmas Glow, RHS Wisley, Surrey

The garden is flowing with large lighted flowers. Some of the trees are brilliant, too. The glasshouse is decorated like a gingerbread house, and displays (展览) seasonal plants. There are lanterns around the lake. The cafe serves hot chocolate and apple juice.

●£9.90, adult £3.60, child

●20 Dec. to 2 Jan.

Festival of Light, Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire

Longleat is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Large lanterns take the shape of some of the park’s animals, and there are also lots of characters in Beatrix Potter’s book, such as Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle Duck, Squirrel Nutkin, to mark the 150th anniversary of the author’s birth. There is also a 20-metre-high birthday cake.

●£27.85, adult £20.65, child under-threes, free

●15 Dec. to 2 Jan.

Festival of Light, Enchanted Park, Gateshead

Enchanted Park is an interactive walk through Saltwell Park, just south of the town centre, along a trail of light with performances and sculptures. “The story being told is Midwinter Night’s Tale, inspired by the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death.” Visitors can join stories and songs with Santa, and attend decorating workshops.

●£8, adult £2, child under-fours, free

●11-27 Dec.

Christmas at Kew Gardens or London

Kew is a special place to visit at any time of the day or year, but the festive light show gives it a magical twist, as the mile-long trail through the garden is decorated with 60,000 lights. Some of the garden’s oldest and tallest trees are also beautifully lit along the way.

●£16, adult £10, child under-fours, free

●24 Dec. to 2 Jan.

1.Which of the following events last the longest?

A.Christmas Glow, RHS Wisley, Surrey.

B.Festival of Light, Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire.

C.Festival of Light, Enchanted Park, Gateshead.

D.Christmas at Kew Gardens or London.

2.What can people do in Enchanted Park?

A.Learn to write stories. B.Play with wild animals.

C.Pay a visit to glasshouses. D.Sing songs with Santa.

3.How much should a woman and her 4-year-old twin children pay to visit Kew Gardens?

A.£16. B.£26. C.£36. D.£48.

高二英语阅读选择简单题查看答案及解析

The American self-image is spread with the golden glow of opportunity. We think of the United States as a land of unlimited possibility, not so much a classless society but as a place where class is mutable(可变的) -- a place where brains, energy and ambition are what count, not the environment of one’s birth. However, we are not who we think we are.

The Economic Mobility Project, an ambitious research led by Pew Charitable Trusts, looked at the economic fortunes of a large group of families over time, comparing the income of parents in the late 1960s with the income of their children in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Here is the finding: The “rags to riches” story is much more common in Hollywood than on Main Street. Only 6 percent of children born to parents with family income at the very bottom move to the top.

That is right, just 6 percent of children born to parents who ranked in the bottom of the study sample, in terms of income, were able to bootstrap their way into the top. Meanwhile, an incredible 42 percent of children born into that lowest are still stuck at the bottom, having been unable to climb a single rung of the income ladder.

It is noted that even in Britain -- a nation we think of as burdened with a hidebound(顽固的，死板的) class system(阶层体系) -- children who are born poor have a better chance of moving up. When the studies were released, most reporters focused on the finding that African-Americans born to middle-class or upper middle-class families are earning slightly less, in inflation-adjusted(扣除通胀后的) dollars, than did their parents.

One of the studies indicates, in fact, that most of the financial gains white families have made in the past three decades can be attributed to(归功于) the entry of white women into the labor force. This is much less true for African-Americans.

The picture that emerges is of a nation in which, overall, “the current generation of adults is better off than the previous one”, as one of the studies notes.

The median(中值的) income of the families in the sample group was $55,600 in the late 1960s; their children’s median family income was measured at $71,900. However, this rising tide has not lifted all boats equally. The rich have seen far greater income gains than have the poor.

Even more troubling is that our nation of America as the land of opportunity gets little support from the data. Americans move fairly easily up and down the middle rungs(横档) of the ladder, but there is “stickiness at the ends” -- four out of ten children who are born poor will remain poor, and four out of ten who are born rich will stay rich.

1.What did the Economic Mobility Project find in its research?

A. Children from low-income families are unable to move up to the top.

B. Hollywood actors and actresses can get rich easily.

C. The rags to riches story is more fiction than reality.

D. The rags to riches story is only true for a small minority of whites.

2.According to the passage, the author probably agrees that America should____.

A. perfect its self-image as a land of opportunity

B. have a lower level of upward mobility than Britain

C. enable African-Americans to earn more than whites

D. encourage the current generation to work harder than their parents

3.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The US is a land where brains, energy and ambition are what count

B. Inequality remains between whites and blacks in financial gains.

C. Middle-class families earn slightly less with inflation considered.

D. Children in lowest-income families manage to climb a single rung of the ladder.

4.What might be the best title for this passage?

A. Social Upward Mobility.　　 B. Incredible Income Gains.

C. Inequality in Wealth.　　 D. America Not Land of Opportunity

高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

_______ from the top of the hill, the city is of round shape with a flowing river through it.

A. Seeing      B. To be seen         C. Seen     D. To be seeing

高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析

“It is a dreadful thing to be poor a fortnight before Christmas,” said Clorinda, with the mournful sigh of seventeen years.

Aunt Emmy smiled. Aunt Emmy was sixty, and spent the hours she didn't spend in a bed, on a sofa or in a wheel chair; but Aunt Emmy was never heard to sigh.

“The gifts which money can purchase are not the only ones we can give,” said Aunt Emmy gently, “nor the best, either.”

“Oh, I know it’s nicer to give something of your own work,” agreed Clorinda, “but materials for fancy work cost too. That kind of gift is just as much out of the question for me as any other.”

“That was not what I meant,” said Aunt Emmy.

“What did you mean, then?” asked Clorinda, looking puzzled.

Aunt Emmy smiled.

“Suppose you think out my meaning for yourself,” she said. “That would be better than if I explained it. Besides, I don’t think I could explain it. Take the beautiful line of a beautiful poem to help you in your thinking out: ‘The gift without the giver is bare’.”

“I’d put it the other way and say, ‘The giver without the gift is bare’,” said Clorinda. “That is my predicament(窘境) exactly. Well, I hope by next Christmas I’ll not be quite bankrupt. I'm going into Mr. Callender’s store down at Murraybridge in February. He has offered me the place, you know.”

“Won’t your aunt miss you terribly?” said Aunt Emmy gravely. “I think she would rather have your companionship than a part of your salary, Clorinda,” said Aunt Emmy. “But of course you must decide for yourself, dear.”

“Well, I must say bye-bye and run home.” Clorinda lived just across the road from Aunt Emmy in a tiny white house behind some huge willows. But Aunt Mary lived there too--the only relative Clorinda had, for Aunt Emmy wasn’t really her aunt at all. Clorinda had always lived with Aunt Mary ever since she could remember.

Clorinda puzzled over Aunt Emmy’s meaning for days. Then all at once it came to her. On Christmas Day, Clorinda went over to Aunt Emmy’s. Aunt Emmy was lying on the sofa before the fire, and Clorinda sat down beside her.

“I’ve come to tell you all about it,” she said. “Aunt Emmy, I thought for days over your meaning ... And then one evening it just came to me. At first I didn’t think I could give some of them, and then I thought how selfish I was. I would have been willing to pay any amount of money for gifts if I had had it, but I wasn't willing to pay what I had. I got over that, though, Aunt Emmy. Now I'm going to tell you what I did give.”

“First, there was old Aunt Kitty. You know she was my nurse when I was a baby. She is always glad when I go to see her, but I’ve never gone except when I couldn’t help it. She is very deaf, and rather dull and stupid, you know. Well, I gave her a whole day. I took my knitting yesterday, and sat with her the whole time and just talked and talked. She was so pleased and proud; she told me when I came away that she hadn’t had such a nice time for years. ”

“Then there was ... Florence. You know, Aunt Emmy, we were always intimate friends until last year. Then Florence once told Rose Watson something I had told her in confidence. I found it out and I was so hurt. I couldn’t forgive Florence, and I told her plainly I could never be a real friend to her again. Florence felt badly, because she really did love me, and she asked me to forgive her, but it seemed as if I couldn’t. Well, Aunt Emmy, that was my Christmas gift to her ... my forgiveness.”

“I gave Aunt Mary her gift this morning. I told her I wasn’t going to Murraybridge, that I just meant to stay home with her. She was so glad--and I'm glad, too, now that I’ve decided so.”

“Your gifts have been real gifts, Clorinda,” said Aunt Emmy. “Something of you--the best of you--went into each of them.”

“I didn’t forget you, Aunt Emmy,” she said, as she unpinned the paper.

There was a rosebush. Aunt Emmy loved flowers. She put her finger under one of the roses and kissed it.

“It’s as sweet as yourself, dear child,” she said tenderly. “And it will be a joy to me all through the lonely winter days. You’ve found out the best meaning of Christmas giving, haven’t you, dear?”

“Yes, thanks to you, Aunt Emmy,” said Clorinda softly.

1.Clorinda felt anxious before Christmas because ___________.

A. She had to leave Aunt Mary

B. She didn’t know what kind of Christmas gifts she should buy

C. She had not enough money to buy Christmas gifts

D. She had no time to make a proper decision

2. Which of the following sentences can best explain the line “The gift without the giver is bare.”?

A. A gift is valued by the mind of the giver.

B. Forgiveness is a gift for the giver and the receiver.

C. You cannot buy love or respect with expensive gifts.

D. Think twice before you give gifts to somebody

3. What is the gift that Clorinda gave to old Aunt Kitty?

A. Passion　　　 B. Sympathy　　　 C. Kindness　　　 D. Company

4. What does the underlined phrase “in confidence” mean?

A. respectfully　　　 B. confidently

C. secretly　　 　　 　 D. willingly

5. Which two words can best describe Aunt Emmy?

A. cute and joyful　　　　　　　　　 B. kind-hearted and emotional

C. optimistic and wise　　　　　　 D. gentle and reserved

6. Which of the following is the best title?

A. A Special Christmas　 B. Clorinda’s Gifts

C. Aunt Emmy 　　　　　　　 D. Clorinda’s Choice

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Christmas is a time for relaxing, having fun and spending time with family and friends. 1.It can be difficult to find the motivation for study when everyone around you is having so much fun. So, here are my top five tips for revising effectively over the Christmas break.

Set aside a few hours a day to revise.

Find the best time to revise and make sure that you stick to your timetable! For example, I find that I work best in the morning. 2.

Plan something fun to do every day.

Even if it’s just going for coffee with a friend or watching a film at home, this will give you something to look forward to and motivate you to finish your revision.

Explain to your family why your revision is important.

3.So, make efforts to tell them why your exams are important. Perhaps you can agree to do something nice with them when your exams are over.

4.

It is important to take some time to relax. When you do get back to revising, you’ll probably find it easier to concentrate. Pick the most important days for you and your family to concentrate on celebrating Christmas!

Remember that it won’t last forever.

You might have to spend your Christmas revising this year, and perhaps for a few more years, but soon enough you’ll be free of exams forever.　 5.Have a great Christmas and make sure you find a balance between studying and celebrating. Good luck in your exams!

A. Spare your time for your family.

B. Make sure that you take a few days off!

C. So I get up fairly early and do a few hours of revision.

D. Sometimes it can be difficult for family to understand you.

E. However, for many of us, it is also time to prepare for January exams.

F. Otherwise, you may probably fall into trouble with your friends and family.

G. And after spending time revising, your future Christmases will seem even better!

高二英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析

With Christmas just around the corner, it is time for us to plan our holidays. 1.

Organize a Charity Show

Christmas is about spreading joy and love. It’s about giving. We give our family presents on this day to show them with happiness and love, don’t we? But have you ever wondered how the poor celebrate their Christmas? Does Santa leave gifts for them too? 2.Use all the activities to buy gifts or necessities for those less rich.

Visit Orphanages and Old Age Homes

Christmas is an occasion for the entire family to come together and celebrate. More than the celebrations, we look forward to being near our close ones. 3.Form a group and spend an entire day with children or senior at orphanages and old age homes.

Start a Donation Drive

When we do something alone, the impact of that action isn’t as great as it would be if done by a group. 4.A lot of people will want to donate clothes and other necessary items. Along with gifts, if you donate these to people as well, it will really make a difference.

5.Plan these activities in time and have fun with your family and friends. Merry Christmas！May God bless you!

A. Shopping is an entirely different experience during Christmas.

B. Here are some fun Christmas activities that you are absolutely going to love.

C. If you have the time, organize a donation drive in your locality.

D. Now that you know these activities, you can select a few of them to keep yourself busy.

E. As charity, you can arrange for a show in your circle of friends or in your neighborhood.

F. Gifting something to your family members, friends and colleagues is important.

G. The same joy can be shared with people who don’t have the company of their family on this happy occasion.

高二英语其他题中等难度题查看答案及解析

Small talk is stressful for even the most easy-going people. 1. Below, small-talk experts share their best advice on developing good chatting skills.

Ask questions.

The key to good small talk is asking the other person a lot of questions. But avoid rapid-fire questions. 2. Be sure to express your own feelings in response to what they share.

Avoid conversation starters like “How have you been?”

You could not ask a more awkward question. A better way to produce meaningful conversation is to add “What is new in your life since the last time I saw you?

Avoid one-word answers.

3. When someone asks you a question, give them something to talk about with you, not a word or two. Fine said, if someone asks you, “How was your summer?”, you can answer, for instance. My summer was great. I’m excited about my vegetable garden. That will give the person something else to ask you about.

4.

Your facial expression and body language should let the other person know you’re truly listening to them. A recent study showed that people who used hand or head gestures received responses to their questions faster than those who didn’t.

Small talk may help you connect with someone new with whom you want to have a more serious talk. 5.

A.You don’t have to be a reporter.

B.Don’t worry about it too much, though.

C.You could not ask a more inconvenient question.

D.It’s the first step to any meaningful relationship.

E.Use your hands to keep the conversation flowing.

F.Don’t be a disappointing person in a conversation.

G.You should make a conversation with people you like.

高二英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析

阅读下面短文, 请根据短文后的要求进行答题。（请注意问题后的字数要求）

[1]Everybody is familiar with Christmas music； its played everywhere. Whether it's the music from a grocery store or random(随机的）songs on the radio， holiday music remains to flood in the air from the day after Thanksgiving to the beginning of December. Christmas music gets extremely over- played through the Holiday season. “'I think the common seasonal Christmas music is annoying because it keeps being played over and over.”said junior Devin McFarland.

[2]The Christmas music still played today is what she heard in her childhood. Some famous Christmas songs have never been changed. The original music is played so much that in some cases people dream about or even sing Christmas music__________. She wishes that there was a wider variety of songs. She likes the newer Christmas songs that bands either re- make or write themselves. "They have a fresher sound to Christmas songs, and they add their own characteristics to them so that they are more like their own songs. ” McFarland explained.

[3]Christmas is known as a happy and homecoming festival, so the holiday season is meant to be spent happily with your family. It is recognized that the music media wants to get the point across and add to the festival atmosphere. But isn't the music being pushed to the public too much?

[4]Most grocery stores play the music non-stop ，Christmas song after Christmas song， disgusting the customers who don't like that kind of music. You can walk through stores and attempt turning off the music, but sometimes it's impossible to do so. On the other hand, almost everyone has witnessed random persons walking along happily and either singing or whistling to the tune of the song that's played throughout the store.

1.What is the main idea of the passage? (no more than 10 words)

2.Why is the common seasonal Christmas music annoying? (no more than 8 words)

3.What does the music media hope to tell the public?

4.Fill in the blank in Paragraph 2 with proper words.(no more than 3 words)

5.What does the word “them” (Line 6 Paragraph 2) probably refer to? (no more than 4 words)

高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

Not far from the club, there is a garden, its owner ________ in it ________ bridge with his children every afternoon.

A. seated; plays　　     B. seats; plays　　     C. seated; playing　　     D. seating; playing

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

There are some Christmas traditions between the United Kingdom and the United States.

Letters to Santa Claus

In the United States, kids usually write letters to Santa and put them in the mailbox. However, in England we throw them directly into the fire. We don't plan to make kids cry because burning the letters can send them to the North Pole where Santa can read your Christmas wishes in the smoke. It may seem strange but it does save on postage.

Hanging stocking

Traditionally, American kids hang stockings around the fireplace for Santa to fill with presents. But in the UK. we hang stockings around the bed; being surrounded by presents is a fantastic way to wake up on Christmas morning.

Christmas pudding

Americans prefer to have pumpkin and pecan pies for the Christmas dessert; while we British are fond of Christmas pudding. which is a cake flavored with dried fruits and spices.

Dealing with Christmas tree

We British chose to take down the Christmas trees and the decorations within 12 days of Christmas, because we hold the belief that keeping then beyond that time can bring bad luck. This is probably a tradition that Americans should consider adopting. I have seen people keep their old, brown, dry and withered Christmas trees until almost July 4.

1.How do the British people deal with "Letters to Father Christmas"?

A.Emailing them to Santa. B.Hiding them in the mailbox.

C.Putting them in the stockings. D.Throwing them straight into the fire.

2.Why do the British take down the Christmas tree as early as possible?

A.To stop it from drying B.To expect good luck.

C.To save money. D.To reuse it for the next year.

3.What do Christmas traditions between Britain and America have in common?

A.Writing letters to Santa. B.Making pumpkin pudding.

C.Hanging stockings around the bed. D.Keeping Christmas trees for months.

高二英语阅读选择简单题查看答案及解析