The word “soul” pops up everywhere. We may sp...

The word “soul” pops up everywhere. We may speak of a very polished performance, but without soul, or describe an athlete as the soul of his team. In each case, “soul” means deep feelings and core values. As neuroscientist Antonio Damasio wrote 20 years ago in his book Descartes’ Error. “Feelings form the basis for what humans have described for thousands of years as the soul or spirit.”

Today, studies increasingly show that many non-humans feel. Elephants appear to feel grief, while dolphins and whales express joy, or something much like it. Experiments have shown that rats become anxious when seeing surgery performed on other rats and that when presented with a trapped lab-mate and a piece of chocolate, they will free their trapped brother before eating.

None of the these will come as a surprise to pet owners or anyone who has observed virtually any kind of animal for any length of time. Science is rediscovering what Charles Darwin, in his book The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (1872), concluded that the variations between humans and other species in their ability to feel and express their emotions are differences in degree rather than in kind.

It could even be argued that other creatures are more conscious of feelings than humans are, because they possess a primary form of consciousness: they are aware of themselves and their environment but are less burdened by complexities such as reflection and thoughts that typify (是……的典型) human consciousness. They live closer to the bone, so to speak. Jeffrey Masson, author of When Elephants Weep, has remarked that animals possess feelings of “undiluted (纯粹的) purity and clarity” compared to the “seeming opacity (费解) and inaccessibility of human feelings.” Furthermore, we should consider that humans may not experience the full range of feelings found in the animal kingdom. As Humane Society ethologist Jonathan Balcombe points out: “in light of their sometimes vastly different living circumstances and sensory abilities, other species may experience some emotional states that we do not.”

Sentience — the ability of an organism (有机体) to feel — is fundamental to being alive. What we feel deeply is what drives us, for good or ill. So if humans have souls, they must be more about sentience than consciousness. In his book Pleasure: A Creative Approach to Life, the late psychoanalyst Alexander Lowen reflected on these connections, proposing that “The soul of a man is in his body. Through his body a person is part of life and part of nature…If we are identified with our bodies, we have souls, for through our bodies we are identified with all creation.” As long as we are alive — and therefore feeling — we are connected to one another and to the natural world. We are, in a word, ensouled.

Thanks to the Internet, there’s a steady stream of examples of animals demonstrating sympathy, from an ape saving a bird to a gorilla protecting a three-year-old boy when he fell into her enclosure. A particularly striking case of animal gratitude occurred in 2005 off the California coast, where a female whale was found caught in nylon ropes used by fishermen. As narrated by Frans de Waal in The Age of Empathy: Nature’s Lessons for a Kinder Society, “The ropes were digging into the body. The only way to free the whale was to dive under the surface to cut away the ropes. The divers spent an hour on the task. The most remarkable part came when the whale realized it was free. Instead of leaving the scene, she hung around. The huge animal swam in a large circle, carefully approaching every diver separately. She nuzzled (用鼻子轻触) one, then moved on to the next, until she had touched them all.”

Soul may be a profound (深奥的) matter of fellow feeling. The stronger the capability of a given species for fellow feeling, the more that species can be said to exhibit soulfulness. To view things in this way offers an important step in humanity’s progression toward understanding its place in Creation — and toward appreciating the inheritance we hold in common with other sentient beings on this increasingly small and fragile planet.

1.What can we infer from Charles Darwin’s conclusion in his book of 1872?

A.Humans and animals fall into different categories.

B.Animals can neither feel nor express their emotions.

C.Humans and animals express emotions at different levels.

D.Only some animals can express their emotions like humans.

2.Why is there an argument that animals have higher ability to feel than humans?

A.Because animals concentrate more on themselves and their surroundings.

B.Because animals are more capable of to reflect and think in a complex way.

C.Because Darwin’s theory of natural selection has not confirmed it up to now.

D.Because Darwin’s theory of natural selection doesn’t mention the phenomenon.

3.What can we learn from Jeffrey Masson and Jonathan Balcombe?

A.Animals’ living environment contributes to their sensory abilities.

B.The range of animals’ feelings may be larger than that of humans’.

C.Humans tend to unconsciously damage animals’ living environment

D.Animals in harmony with humans could express emotions more easily.

4.The author gives the example of a whale expressing its gratitude to divers to_______.

A.teach humans to have a grateful heart

B.show that animals have certain feelings

C.explain humans live in harmony with animals

D.tell readers whales have special ways to say thanks

5.What is the purpose of the last paragraph?

A.To give an explanation of the relationship between soul and fellow feeling,

B.To stress the importance of understanding animals’ feelings in human progress.

C.To remind humans of the meaning of appreciating nature.

D.To raise a new question about creatures and fragile planet.

6.What would be the best title for the text?

A.Do animals really have souls? B.Are animals similar to humans?

C.Can humans communicate with animals? D.How do animals express their emotions?

高三英语阅读选择困难题查看答案及解析

My youngest son has a severe form of autism (自闭症). Even though he is in his twenties now, he still has the mind of a young child.

He speaks only a few words. He is lost in his own world most of the time. Things I find silly delight him and little changes that wouldn’t bother me at all bother him greatly. He will tear things up and cry for no reason that I can see. He will even hit himself.

It always hurts me to see him suffer this way especially when there is little I can do. This morning was particularly trying for him. He tore up a new shirt I’d bought him and cried on and off for an hour. Finally he calmed down again. However, I was still feeling stressed and exhausted. I sat down before my computer to see if I could get a little work done.

As I was turning it on, though, I heard my son laugh for the first time all day. I turned my head and saw him standing directly under the glass angel hanging from our ceiling fan. The light from our house lamps seemed to shine all around him like a gold ring. His eyes shone too as the little angel swung gently above his head. He laughed again and smiled at me, saying, “Mom, I love you”.

At that moment my heart opened. I could see that the miracle (奇迹) was reminding me that my son was more than his autism. I instead saw the shining soul within. I saw the love and light of his spirit and knew he was here for a purpose. My eyes watered and I feel grateful for this minor miracle and gentle reminder of his love for me.

Miracles are all around us，but we can’t always see them with our eyes. We often have to see them with our hearts. Keep your heart open to them then. And let yourself be the miracle you were meant to be!

1.What do we know about the author’s son?

A.Little changes seldom bother him.

B.His physical condition is very good.

C.He treats others rudely and impolitely.

D.He isn’t mature for his age.

2.What does the underlined word “trying” in paragraph 3 mean?

A.Interesting. B.Puzzling.

C.Annoying. D.Embarressing.

3.Why were the author’s eyes full of tears?

A.Because she saw her son’s love for her.

B.Because the little angel comforted her son.

C.Because the light from lamps seemed to shine.

D.Because she heard her son’s laughter for the first time.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A.The glass angel is swinging B.Disease can be cured accidentally

C.The happiness lies in waiting D.Miracles come with open heart

高三英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析

The beginnings of life provide scientists with some of the most difficult questions on modern science. Our knowledge of the development of cells, from which all forms of life are made, is not complete because we do not understand very well conditions on our planet four billion years ago. Why and how did cells first appear? Was this very likely to happen under the conditions then, or was it due to chance? Might this happen in other places in the universe?

A group of scientists at London University are trying to answer these questions. They started by studying the way in which the first cells on Earth might have been formed. Next they will use powerful new telescope to look at places far away in the universe. The scientists hope that the results will improve our understanding of the development of life on Earth and help us to find life on other planets.

Dr. Nick Lane, who is in charge of the team, has suggested that four billion years ago warm water springs on the floor of the earth ocean might have helped create life. Each spring consists of tiny connected holes that water passes through. The team have created models of these springs in their labs. You have found that they encourage chemical reactions between hydrogen in the liquids that come out of them and the carbon dioxide in the sea water. These chemical reactions can create the “building blocks” of life, these building blocks are not living themselves, but when they are enough of them joined together in the right way, they can make living things. The water in the system of springs move the building blocks around until there are a lot of them in a small area. Things that look very much like real living cells can be made in this way.

These reactions and changes show us how life on earth and on other planets could begin. When sea water goes through tiny holes in the earth’s surface, it gets very hot and causes a chemical reaction with rocks. When this very hot water goes back up and meets cold sea water again, other chemical reactions happen. Lane explains, “The conditions needed for life are rock, water and carbon dioxide. This could be found on millions of exoplanets (planets beyond solar system), so basic life should be everywhere.”

1.What can we learn from the fourth paragraph?

A.Rock, water and carbon dioxide are three things to make life.

B.How different chemicals mix together to produce cells.

C.Amazing reactions are made by hot sea water and cold sea.

D.Life should be seen everywhere in the exoplanets.

2.What does the underlined word “spring” in the third paragraph mean?

A.A place where liquid comes out of the earth.

B.A place where cells are easily born.

C.A place where building blocks of life can be found.

D.A place where hydrogen and carbon dioxide are combined.

3.Why is the scientist very sure that there must be life on exoplanets?

A.We have had enough knowledge about the Universe.

B.The new powerful telescope can help us find cells on the other planets.

C.The ingredients for life are basic and should be all over the universe.

D.Chemical reactions can happen everywhere in the universe.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A.Changes at the Bottom of the Sea B.How Life Starts always puzzles the scientists

C.Search for the Start of Life D.Life Exists on Millions of Exoplanets

高三英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析

My violin is like a soul mate that whispers words of wisdom to me. Together, we’ve gone through both tears and happiness.

About 12 years ago, I made acquaintance with it following an order from my mom. Many hours of boredom were spent practicing it. And to make things worse, the disappointment in my teacher’s eyes as I played the wrong notes was like an invisible hammer, striking on my heart. One day, I finally decided: I hate it!

By chance, things changed when I was seven. I was at home lying on the sofa, wondering how those famous violinists dealt with this terrible dilemma. I searched online for the E-minor Concerto, a well-known violin work by German composer Felix Mendelssohn, and listened to it.

A beautiful and mysterious sound came from the violin as the bow moved across it. It was like the music slid over the flowers, rose up, and started to fill the air. The violin’s voice woke up the sun, made the trees green, and freshened the air. As the music changed, the sky turned back to gray. A gloomy shade covered the grass as all the sunshine disappeared. I could hear children crying and men shouting. It was like an invisible claw had grabbed my heart tightly, making it unable to beat.

That glorious day set off my passion and interest in violin — I grabbed mine and never let it go. Before the memories faded, I stared at my instrument. Without hesitating, I picked it up, rosined(用松香擦) the bow, and began to play. Peace filled my heart.

My violin has been by my side for 12 years. When I feel happy, an energetic tune makes it even better; when I’m deep in sorrow, a peaceful tune washes it away, when I’m walking on air, feeling especially pleased with my achievements, solemn(庄严的) tunes calm me down. Gradually, it has become a part of my life.

My violin, shall I compare you to a summer’s day?

1.What further contributed to the author’s dislike of violin-playing?

A.Orders from mum. B.Boredom of practice.

C.Loss of passion for violin. D.Disappointment in the teacher’s eyes.

2.What can be inferred from Paragraph 4?

A.The author’s feeling was continuously influenced by the music.

B.The weather actually changed because of the tune.

C.The sudden change made the author’s heart unable to beat.

D.The scenery outside the room was quite attractive.

3.Why did the author pick up the violin again?

A.The invisible hammer and claw are gone.

B.The beautiful imagination changed his attitude.

C.A famous tune aroused his interest and passion.

D.He was crazy about Felix Mendelssohn’s works.

4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A.Deep love for music B.My dislike and like of violin

C.An inspiring story of violin D.Musical soul mate—violin

高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

We may be very     31       (please) with the rapid progress we have made in every field of study, but we have almost done nothing to improve our present examination systems    32         focus on testing the students’ memory instead of their   33    ______ (able). As soon as a child begins school, he enters a world of examination   34 _________ will decide his future of job. In fact, a good examination system should encourage students to think  35 _________ themselves. But the examination now does nothing but that. It forces the students to remember        36       is taught to get high marks. Thus the students who come out first in the examination often many be the   37         (good) in their studies. In addition, such an examination system often   38  _____ (drive) teachers to cram all the time and forces them to train students what to do with the  39  ____  (come) examination.

There must be a better way to test a   40          (student) true ability as well as their knowledge.

高三英语填空题简单题查看答案及解析

Hedonic Adaptation

Generally speaking, people often return to a set level of happiness despite life’s ups and downs. For instance, people who win the lottery tend to return to roughly their original levels of happiness after the novelty of the win has worn off. The same is true for those who are in major accidents and lose the use of their legs. The change in ability can be damaging at first, but people generally return to their pre-accident levels of happiness after the habituation period. This phenomenon is called hedonic adaptation, a concept studied by positive psychology researchers.

There are activities that are more or less affected by hedonic adaptation. Some of these activities are known as pleasures. They can lift your mood and leave you feeling wonderful, but their effects can be relatively a short time. What’s more, we get used to them relatively quickly. If you have the same meal every day for a week, for example, you may find it to be less pleasurable by the end of the week. Gratifications (满足) are also such activities affected by hedonic adaptation. They can get us into a feeling of “flow” where we don’t notice the passage of time, and where we’re thoroughly engaged in what we’re doing. Gratifications are activities that require more effort and thought, but the payoff is higher as well. The more we engage, the more we enjoy!

Knowing that pleasures don’t last long in their effects may make them seem less worth the effort than gratifications. There are reasons why they can be perfect for certain situations, however. First, they bring a quick lift in mood without a great deal of effort. This is actually quite valuable because there is significant research that shows that a lift in mood can lead to chain reaction of positive feelings. Second, gratifications do take more effort, so when you only have few minutes or a very limited amount of energy, pleasures are often the simpler and more accessible option.

Thankfully, we can do something to move away from the limiting effects of hedonic adaptation and engage in activities that can create a greater level of happiness in life. For example, be sure to make time for hobbies! It doesn’t really matter what the hobby is; as long as it’s one you enjoy, you’ll benefit from it, and these benefits will extend into the rest of your life. It’s also a good idea to help other people as this can create greater meaning in your life, and thus create greater happiness. Enjoying your positive experiences is also a great way to maximize the positive in your life. So at the end of the day, a few days a week, write about three things you enjoyed that day. Then, you’ll be reliving these positive experiences as you write about them, and can relive them again when you read.

高三英语任务型阅读中等难度题查看答案及解析

More of us are using headphones in noisier environments, ______ we may turn up the volume to potentially dangerous levels.

A. when　　 B. while　　 C. before　　 D. where

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

More of us are using headphones in noisier environments, _______ we may turn up the volume to potentially dangerous levels.

A. when B. while

C. before D. where

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

We may be living in the digital age, but reading books is still a big part of growing up. When they’re in primary school, children read books that really challenge them. But once they reach secondary school, the level of difficulty doesn’t change much. Secondary school students tend to read books which are also read by upper primary students. They are not challenging themselves enough.

To discover these trends, I analyzed data collected by Accelerated Reader (AR) software, which asks pupils to check their understanding of the books they’ve chosen to read. The difficulty — which I call “readability”.

I also created two lists of books: one for the books that most secondary pupils had chosen to read, and another for the books they had voted as their favorites. According to the readability, these students’ favorite books tend to be much more advanced than the other books they chose, but they could still understand them. The rest of the books most often chosen by them are quite simple.

You might think that students who read harder books might make more mistakes and understand them less well. But students’ quality of comprehension does not depend on the difficulty of the book, no matter what year of secondary school they’re in. Having an interest is the most obvious factor here — if you like the book, you try hard to really understand it.

As children become teenagers, they listen less to advice from adults and more to advice from kids of their age. So, rather than trying to lecture young people on the benefits of Jane Austen, we should make the nature of the problem clear to them. Students should challenge each other to read more difficult books. Adults could help by setting up noticeboards or organizing social media networks for young people to share their recommendations. And teachers can lend a hand by setting aside time for reading in school. Young people will realize the problems that come when they don’t challenge themselves to read difficult books.

1.What can we learn from the first paragraph?

A.Children spend little time on after-class reading

B.Secondary school students seldom read tough books

C.Children’s reading interest tends to decrease as they grow up

D.Primary students have difficulty choosing good reading materials

2.The author made use of AR software to ________.

A.understand children’s different reading styles

B.show the average time children spend on reading

C.find out the causes of children’s reading difficulties

D.make clear the difficulty levels of books read by children

3.What can we infer about secondary school students from the readability scores?

A.They find some advanced books interesting

B.They often make mistakes during advanced reading

C.They prefer to read books recommended by their parents

D.They can hardly improve their scores on reading comprehension

4.According to Paragraph 4, what is vital for improving reading comprehension?

A.Basic knowledge

B.Reading skills

C.Motivation

D.Instruction

5.What does the author want to express in the last paragraph?

A.Designing relatively difficult textbooks is necessary

B.Improving students’ reading is a shared responsibility

C.Advanced technology should be used in reading reaching

D.Students should be encouraged to read more literary works

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

When we climbed up to the top of the mountain, we were all __________ ,but we were very happy.

A. out of sight   B. out of reach

C. out of breath         D. out of danger

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析