The first graffiti was probably drawings on walls appearing in caves thousands of years ago. Later the Ancient Romans and Greeks wrote their names and poems on buildings. Modern graffiti seems to have appeared in Philadelphia in the early 1960s, and by the late sixties it had reached New York. The new art form rally took off in the 1970s, when people began writing their names, or "tags", on buildings all over the city. In the mid-seventies it was sometimes hard to see out of a subway car window, because the trains were completely covered in spray paintings known as "masterpieces".
The term "graffiti" was first used by The New York Times and the novelist Norman Mailer. Art galleries in New York began buying graffiti in the early seventies. But at the same time that it began to be regarded as an art form, John Lindsay, the then mayor of New York, declared the first war on graffiti. By the 1980s it became much harder to write on subway trains without being caught, and instead many of the more established graffiti artists began using roofs of buildings or canvases (油画布).
The debate over whether graffiti is art or vandalism (破坏公物) is still going on. Peter Vallone, on the New York City Committee, thinks that graffiti done with permission can be art, but if it is on someone else's property it becomes a crime. On the other hand, Felix, a member of the Berlin based group Reclaim Your City, says that artists are trying to get it back from advertisers, and that graffiti represents freedom and makes cities more lively.
The Frenchman Blek le Rat and the British artist Banksy have become world-famous by producing graffiti works. Works by Banksy have been sold for over f 10000. Graffiti is now sometimes big business.
1.What might have happened to the subway car window?
A.It was dirty with paint.
B.It was covered by graffiti.
C.It was broken by some children.
D.It was marked with people's names,
2.What do we know about graffiti?
A.Modern graffiti probably started in New York.
B.Art galleries in New York first used the term "graffiti".
C.The mayor of New York considered graffiti as an art form.
D.Graffiti artists were not allowed to paint on subway trains in the 1980s.
3.What is Felix's attitude towards graffiti?
A.Approving. B.Critical. C.Neutral. D.Indifferent.
4.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A.Graffiti is developing very fast.
B.All graffiti artists can make a big fortune.
C.Graffiti has earned international fame for some artists.
D.Some graffiti artists produce works to earn much money.
高二英语阅读选择中等难度题
The first graffiti was probably drawings on walls appearing in caves thousands of years ago. Later the Ancient Romans and Greeks wrote their names and poems on buildings. Modern graffiti seems to have appeared in Philadelphia in the early 1960s, and by the late sixties it had reached New York. The new art form rally took off in the 1970s, when people began writing their names, or "tags", on buildings all over the city. In the mid-seventies it was sometimes hard to see out of a subway car window, because the trains were completely covered in spray paintings known as "masterpieces".
The term "graffiti" was first used by The New York Times and the novelist Norman Mailer. Art galleries in New York began buying graffiti in the early seventies. But at the same time that it began to be regarded as an art form, John Lindsay, the then mayor of New York, declared the first war on graffiti. By the 1980s it became much harder to write on subway trains without being caught, and instead many of the more established graffiti artists began using roofs of buildings or canvases (油画布).
The debate over whether graffiti is art or vandalism (破坏公物) is still going on. Peter Vallone, on the New York City Committee, thinks that graffiti done with permission can be art, but if it is on someone else's property it becomes a crime. On the other hand, Felix, a member of the Berlin based group Reclaim Your City, says that artists are trying to get it back from advertisers, and that graffiti represents freedom and makes cities more lively.
The Frenchman Blek le Rat and the British artist Banksy have become world-famous by producing graffiti works. Works by Banksy have been sold for over f 10000. Graffiti is now sometimes big business.
1.What might have happened to the subway car window?
A.It was dirty with paint.
B.It was covered by graffiti.
C.It was broken by some children.
D.It was marked with people's names,
2.What do we know about graffiti?
A.Modern graffiti probably started in New York.
B.Art galleries in New York first used the term "graffiti".
C.The mayor of New York considered graffiti as an art form.
D.Graffiti artists were not allowed to paint on subway trains in the 1980s.
3.What is Felix's attitude towards graffiti?
A.Approving. B.Critical. C.Neutral. D.Indifferent.
4.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A.Graffiti is developing very fast.
B.All graffiti artists can make a big fortune.
C.Graffiti has earned international fame for some artists.
D.Some graffiti artists produce works to earn much money.
高二英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析
The first drawings on walls appeared in caves thousands of years ago. Later the Ancient Romans and Greeks wrote their names and protest (抗议) poems on buildings. Modern graffiti (涂鸦艺术) seems to have appeared in Philadelphia in the early 1960s, and by the late sixties it had reached New York. The new art form really took off in the 1970s, when people began writing their names, or “tags”, on buildings all over the city. In the mid-seventies it was sometimes hard to see out of a subway car window, because the trains were completely covered in spray (喷射) paintings known as masterpieces.
In the early days, the “taggers” were part of street crowds who were concerned with marking their territory (领地). They worked in groups called “crews” and called what they did “writing”—the term “graffiti” was first used by The New York Times and the novelist Norman Mailer. Art galleries in New York began buying graffiti in the early seventies. But at the same time when it began to be regarded as an art form, John Lindsay, the then mayor of New York, declared the first war on graffiti. By the 1980s it became much harder to write on subway trains without being caught, and instead many of the more established graffiti artists began using roofs of buildings.
The debate over whether graffiti is art or deliberate damage is still going on. Peter Vallone, a New York city councilor (顾问), thinks that graffiti done with permission can be art, but if it is on someone else’s property it becomes a crime. “I have a message for the graffiti destroyers out there,” he said recently, “and your freedom of expression ends where my property begins.” On the other hand, Felix, a member of the Berlin-based group Reclaim Your City, says that artists are reclaiming (开拓，改造) cities for the public from advertisers, and that graffiti represents freedom and makes cities livelier.
For decades graffiti has been a springboard (跳板) to international fame for a few. Jean-Michel Basquiat began spraying on the street in the 1970s before becoming a respected artist in the 80s. The Frenchman Blek le Rat and the British artist Banksy have achieved international fame by producing complex works with stencils (模板), often making political or humorous points. Works by Banksy have been sold for over £ 100,000. Graffiti is now sometimes big business.
1.Why was the seventies an important decade in the history of graffiti?
A. That was when modern graffiti first appeared.
B. That was when modern graffiti first became really popular.
C. That was when graffiti first reached New York.
D. That was when graffiti first appeared on subway car windows.
2.What does the underlined word “taggers” in the second paragraph mean?
A. Names of people who draw graffiti.
B. Building where paints were sprayed.
C. People who marked surface with graffiti.
D. People who were interested in graffiti.
3.The Berlin-based group Reclaim Your City holds the view that_____.
A. involving young people in graffiti stops them being involved with serious crime.
B. graffiti helps the public to own the streets and take control away from advertisers.
C. graffiti actually increases the value of property by making the area more attractive.
D. graffiti can free artist from being caught by the police.
4.What is the author’s final opinion about graffiti?
A. Graffiti has now become mainstream and can benefit artists.
B. Graffiti is not a good way to become a respected artist.
C. Some popular graffiti artists end up being ignored by the art world.
D. Some graffiti caused inconvenience to the local environment.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Robert has never had an art lesson or even visited a museum in fact. he has spent a good part of his life mopping floors. But when he began painting on canvas (帆布) at age 60—after years of sketching (素描) people on the subway -he knew he had found his passion. “I was very lonely” he said, “It made me feel good to create something beautiful.”
Now, Robert, 75, is debuting (首秀) his collection of colorful scenes and landscape at New York City’s Outsider Art Fair, the premier showcase for self-taught artist. “It feels great to say I am an artist. I was always told that I didn’t have any talent. I became something from nothing.” adds Robert.
Abandoned by his parents to an orphanage at age 7, Robert was on his own by the time he was 15, working the counter at a Schrafft’s restaurant in Manhattan and street-bustling for money on the side. At Scharafft’s, one of his regular customers was a former school teacher Marian O’Conner, who taught him to read and later left him enough money to buy a modest apartment. “She told me someday I would be something,” said Robert, who considered O’Conner his second mother. “So I kept going.” In 2009 artist Daniel Belardineli discovered Robert’s work on the walls of the town hall and arranged his first art show. “It was like a left blow,” he said, “I saw these raw drawings that jumped out with emotion.” Whatever comes next, for Robert it has all been worth it. “I have had a lot of hard times,” said Robert, “But my art kept me going. Good thing happen to those who wait.”
1.Why did Robert begin painting on canvas?
A.He was inspired by an art museum.
B.He was told that he was talented in painting.
C.He felt passionate about painting beauty in life.
D.He was invited to the New York City’s Outsider Art Fair.
2.What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2 mean?
A.He lived up to the expectation. B.He knew nothing about painting.
C.He rose to fame from an unknown. D.He had no trouble becoming famous.
3.According to Daniel Belardineli, Robert’s painting is probably____.
A.subtle and life-like B.dull but meaningful
C.healing and peaceful D.primitive but powerful
4.What would be the best title for the text?
A.A natural born artist B.A lonely orphan
C.A caring teacher D.A lucky dog
高二英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析
Julian Beever is a well-known British artist. His drawings have appeared on the streets of London, Paris, Tokyo, New York and many other cities around the world. Beever creates what looks like a three-dimensional design (三维设计). From animals to heroes to buildings, the paintings are wonders for our eyes to see.
In his book Pavement Chalk Artist, Beever shares some of his most attractive and humorous pieces. Here are the examples you will find in the book.
Philadelphia Eagle, created in the USA, is a huge drawing with an eagle (鹰) landing on an American national flag. Meeting Mr. Frog was created in Spain and is about a realistic-looking (样子逼真的) frog sitting on a lily pad (睡莲叶子). Swimming Pool in the High Street is about a woman relaxing in a swimming pool sinking into the middle of the street.
Along with an introduction about his background, Beever shares information about his time at home in the UK and abroad. With a fun story coming after each piece of art, this 112-page book is really worth another look.
1.Julian Beever comes from ________.
A. the UK B. France
C. Japan D. the USA
2.What does the author think of Beever’s drawings?
A. Terrible. B. Ugly.
C. Wonderful. D. Boring.
3.Which of the art pieces CANNOT be found in the book Pavement Chalk Artist?
A. Philadelphia Eagle. B. Meeting Mr. Frog.
C. Swimming Pool in the High Street. D. Sharing Information.
4.The text mainly talks about ________.
A. a three-dimensional design B. Julian Beever and his book
C. an attractive drawing D. famous artists in Spain
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Bryan Forbes, who was born in London on 22 July 1926, made his first screen acting appearance in 1918.
He landed supporting parts in several outstanding British films, including An Inspector Calls (1954) and The Colditz Story (1955), but it was not long before screen-writing and directing attracted him behind the camera. Together with Richard Attenborough, he set up Beaver Films in 1959. Its first film, The Angry Silence (1960), was written by Forbes and Attenborough played the lead role.
His directing career began in 1961 with Whistle down the Wind, featuring child star Hayley Mills. Forbes directed many more films in the 1960s and early 1970s. In 1969 he took over as head of production and managing director of EMI—MGM Elstree, and the studio achieved outstanding successes. But it was a torrid time for the company. Troubled constantly by financial difficulties and staffing issues, Forbes quitted in 1971. He then directed The Step ford Wives, based on the novel by Ira Levin, and in 1975 International Velvet, starring Tatum O’Neal, in 1978.
Forbes, who counted the late Queen Mother among his friends, continued directing, writing and acting throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. He also found success as an author with a number of novels, the latest of which, The Soldier’s Story, was published last year.
After Forbes passed away, film critic Mark Kermode said, “Once I had fun—boyish pleasure of telling Bryan Forbes how much I loved Step ford Wives. He was charming and modest. A great loss.”
1.Having played several supporting roles, Forbes began to ________.
A. work as a cameraman
B. make a lead actor
C. build his own company alone
D. write and direct films
2.Which of the following is the first film directed by Forbes?
A. An Inspector Calls B. The Colditz Story
C. Whistle down the Wind D. The Angry Silence
3.The underlined word “torrid” in Paragraph 3 can be replaced by ________.
A. suitable B. tough C. precious D. steady
4.Which of the following can be best used to describe Forbes?
A. Talented. B. Well-educated. C. Proud. D. Attractive.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Dickens was the most popular novelist of his time, and remains one of the best-known and most-read of English authors. He created some of the world’s best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.
Among fellow writers, Dickens has been admired. Leo Tolstoy, G. K. Chesterton, and George Orwell praised his realism and comic voice as well as his drawing people’s attention to children and the poor. The French writer Jules Verne called Dickens his favorite writer, writing his novels “stand alone, dwarfing all others by their amazing power and suitable expression.” The Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh was inspired by Dickens’s novels in several of his paintings like Vincent’s Chair and in an 1889 letter to his sister stated that reading Dickens, especially A Christmas Carol, was one of the things that was keeping him from killing himself
A Christmas Carol is most probably his best-known story, with frequent new adaptations. It is also the most-filmed of Dickens’ stories, with many versions dating from the early years of cinema. According to the historian Ronald Hutton, the current state of the observance of Christmas is largely the result of a mid-Victorian revival of the holiday spearheaded by A Christmas Carol. William Makepeace Thackeray called the book “a national benefit, and to every man and woman who reads it a personal kindness”.
At a time when Britain was the major economic and political power of the world, Dickens highlighted the life of the forgotten poor and disadvantaged within society. Through his journalism he campaigned on specific issues — such as sanitation and the workhouse — but his fiction probably demonstrated its greatest prowess (非凡的才能) in changing public opinion on class inequalities. The exceptional popularity of Dickens’ novels not only displayed his outstanding ability to create attractive storylines and unforgettable characters, but also ensured that the Victorian public confronted issues of social justice that had commonly been ignored.
1.What is the second paragraph mainly about?
A.Vincent van Gogh appreciates Dickens’ novels very much.
B.George Orwell sees Dickens’ novels as a minor of society.
C.Jules Verne thinks highly of Dickens and Dickens’ novels.
D.Dickens’ fellow writers comment on his novels positively.
2.What is Thackeray’s attitude towards A Christmas Carol?
A.Critical. B.Appreciative.
C.Doubtful. D.Unconcerned.
3.What made Dickens’ novels popular?
A.Their highlights of the public life in the Victorian era.
B.Their vivid characters and focus on social inequalities.
C.Their presentation of Dickens’ love for his journalism.
D.Their description of British economic and political power.
4.In which section of a magazine may this text appear?
A.Science. B.Entertainment.
C.Literature. D.Health.
高二英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析
The Barbie doll first appeared at the toy fair in New York in 1959. Its creator was Ruth Handler, an American businesswoman. She and her husband Elliott along with Harold Matt Matson started the toy company Mattel. She based the design of the new doll on a German doll named Bild Lilli and named her after their daughter Barbara.
The first Barbie wore a black and white swimsuit and had her hair in a ponytail(马尾辫). She looked very grown-up. But any concerns that parents would not want to buy it for little girls were soon proved wrong.
Mattel sold 300,000 Barbie dolls in the first year at a price of three dollars. Today, a fifty-year-old Barbie in good condition might cost more than 27,000 dollars.
Barbie dolls have represented 50 different nationalities and are sold in 150 countries. Mattel says 90% of girls in the United States between the ages of three and ten own at least one Barbie doll. It says girls between the ages of three and six own an average of about 12.
Barbie also faced her share of critics. A well-known example was when women’s education groups objected to a talking Barbie doll that declared, among other things, “Math class is tough!” Mattel agreed to change it. Saudi Arabia has banned Barbie dolls. And a lawmaker in the American state of West Virginia would like to do the same. Last month, he proposed banning sales of Barbie and other dolls that influence girls to put too much importance on physical beauty.
Some people say Barbie is an unhealthy role model for young girls. Robin Gerber disagrees. She wrote a book about Barbie. She points out dolls like scientist Barbie and race car driver Barbie. She says people who criticize Barbie should tell girls the story of the businesswoman who created her. She says Ruth Handler wanted the dolls to help girls think about what they wanted to do with their lives.
1.The first Barbie doll might not be popular among little girls because _______.
A.her hairstyle was out of fashion
B.her appearance looked much too mature
C.her way of dressing was against the tradition
D.physical beauty wasn’t thought to be important
2.From the passage we know that Mattel ________.
A. is one of the world’s largest toy companies
B. is the director of an American toy company
C. was the woman who originally created Barbie
D. was a salesman who was good at selling Barbie dolls
3.Barbie dolls are criticized partly because they make girls ________.
A. pay too much attention to their physical beauty
B. neglect their schoolwork and inner beauty
C. prefer physical beauty to inner beauty
D. waste too much time and money on clothes
4.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that in her book Robin Gerber ________.
A. shows Barbie dolls have a negative influence on girls
B. praises a successful person who sells Barbie dolls
C. expresses her own favorable opinion about Barbie
D. argues for banning the sales of Barbie dolls
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The first newspapers were written by hand and put up on walls in public place. The earliest daily newspaper was started in Rome in 59 BC. In the 700’s the world’s first printed newspaper was published. Europe didn’t have a regularly published newspaper until 1609, when one was started in Germany.
The first regularly published newspaper in the English language was printed in Amsterdam in 1620. In 1621, an English newspaper was started in London and was published once a week. The first daily English newspaper was the Daily Courant (每日新闻). It came out in March 1702.
In 1690, Benjamin Harris printed the first American newspaper in Boston. But not long after it was first published, the government stopped the paper. In 1704, John Campbell started The Boston Newsletter (波士顿新闻通讯), the first newspaper published in the American colonies. By 1760, the colonies had more than thirty daily newspapers. There are now about 1,800 daily papers in the United States.
Today, as a group, English language newspapers have the largest circulation (发行量) in the world. But the largest circulation for a newspaper is that of the Japanese newspaper Asahi Dhimbun (朝日新闻).It sells more than 11 million copies every day.
1.The first daily newspaper came out in _____.
| A．59 BC | B．700’s | C．1609 | D．1620 |
2.The first regular published newspaper in Europe was printed in _____.
| A．England | B．Germany | C．France | D．Sweden |
3.The first printed newspaper in America came out in _____.
| A．Washington | B．New York | C．Boston | D．New Orleans |
4.Today there are about _____ daily newspaper printed in the United States.
| A．1621 | B．1704 | C．1760 | D．1800 |
5.Which is NOT true according to the passage?
| A．The first regularly published newspaper in the English language was printed in Amsterdam. |
| B．English language newspaper sells more than 11 million copies every day. |
| C．Europe didn’t have a regularly published newspaper in 1608. |
| D．The first daily English newspaper came out in March 1702. |
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The first newspapers were written by hand and put up on walls in public place. The earliest daily newspaper was started in Rome in 59 BC. In the 700’s the world’s first printed newspaper was published. Europe didn’t have a regularly published newspaper until 1609, when one was started in Germany.
The first regularly published newspaper in the English language was printed in Amsterdam in 1620. In 1621, an English newspaper was started in London and was published once a week. The first daily English newspaper was the Daily Courant (每日新闻). It came out in March 1702.
In 1690, Benjamin Harris printed the first American newspaper in Boston. But not long after it was first published, the government stopped the paper. In 1704, John Campbell started The Boston Newsletter (波斯顿新闻通讯), the first newspaper published in the American colonies. By 1760, the colonies had more than thirty daily newspapers. There are now about 1,800 daily papers in the United States.
Today, as a group, English language newspapers have the largest circulation (发行量) in the world. But the largest circulation for a newspaper is that of the Japanese newspaper Asahi Dhimbun (朝日新闻). It sells more than eleven million copies every day.
1.The first daily newspaper came out in _____.
A. 59 BC B. 700’s C. 1609 D. 1620
2.The first regular published newspaper in Europe was printed in _____.
A. England B.Sweden C. France D. Germany
3.The first printed newspaper in America came out in _____.
A. Washington B. Boston C.New York D. New Orleans
4.Today there are about _____ daily newspaper printed in the United States.
A. 1621 B. 1704 C. 1760 D. 1800
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The first newspapers were written by hand and put up on walls in public place.The earliest daily newspaper was started in Rome in 59 BC.In the 700’s the world’s first printed newspaper was published.Europe didn’t have a regularly published newspaper until 1609, when one was started in Germany.
The first regularly published newspaper in the English language was printed in Amsterdam in 1620.In 1621, an English newspaper was started in London and was published once a week.The first daily English newspaper was the Daily Courant (每日新闻).It came out in March 1702.
In 1690, Benjamin Harris printed the first American newspaper in Boston.But not long after it was first published, the government stopped the paper.In 1704, John Campbell started The Boston Newsletter (波士顿新闻通讯), the first newspaper published in the American colonies.By 1760, the colonies had more than thirty daily newspapers.There are now about 1,800 daily papers in the United States.
Today, as a group, English language newspapers have the largest circulation (发行量) in the world.But the largest circulation for a newspaper is that of the Japanese newspaper Asahi Dhimbun (朝日新闻).It sells more than 11 million copies every day.
1.The first daily newspaper came out in _____.
A. 59 BC B. 700’s C. 1609 D. 1620
2.The first regular published newspaper in Europe was printed in _____.
A. England B. Germany C. France D. Sweden
3.The first printed newspaper in America came out in _____.
A. Washington B. New York C. Boston D. New Orleans
4.Today there are about _____ daily newspaper printed in the United States.
A. 1621 B. 1704 C. 1760 D. 1800
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析