My mom was a beauty who seldom spent time and...

My mom was a beauty who seldom spent time and money on her physical appearance—especially in terms of fancy clothes or hairstyles. She just kept beautiful in her way： rest, water, exercise, vegetables and laughter.

My mom would tell me her father had her run his little corner store from the age of ten. She saw poor people come in, looking for food and making hard choices, like meat or cheese. She took their coins with an eye on the bottom line. It was up to her to ensure the register balanced at the end of the day. So from a young age, my mom had her mind conditioned about money.

However, my mom had one weakness： diamonds. In 1958, my teenage dad gave her a diamond chip as an engagement（订婚）ring, which she proudly wore until she saved enough for an “upgrade". By then, she was in her thirties. Over the years, my mom also acquired other diamond pieces like earrings. Mom wore them proudly and she simply loved the way her diamonds sparkled（闪耀）.

On my parents' 50th wedding anniversary, I treated them to dinner at a restaurant. It made her happy, but Mom had her eye on a big diamond to mark the occasion. My dad found her a six-carat（克拉）one. Mom said each carat represented a decade that she loved my dad, plus one to grow on. For the next six years, she never took it off her finger.

Knowing how my mom loved that diamond made it more special when she left it to me. After wearing it on my hand for a year, I decided to set it into a necklace where it'd be closer to my heart. It reminds me of my mom every day, no matter what I'm doing, and it speaks to me in unique ways.

1.What can we know about Mom?

A.She spent much on her makeup. B.She was a vain beautiful woman.

C.She kept beautiful in a natural way. D.She was proud of her appearance.

2.What made Mom careful about spending money?

A.The words of neighbors.

B.Her life in a poor family.

C.The choice of the poor people.

D.Her experience in her father's store.

3.Mom most probably thinks of the diamonds as a sign of_____ .

A.luck B.love C.status D.wealth

4.What is the best title for the text?

A.Mother's Love for Diamonds B.Love Between Mother and Daughter

C.Memories of Beautiful Diamonds D.Strong Love for a Determined Mother

高二英语阅读选择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

At the time,I attended a private school called Maryvale College.I was the champion of the Maryvale sports day every single year.and my mother won the moms’trophy(奖杯)every single year.Why?Because she was always chasing me to kick my ass,and I was always running not to get my ass kicked.Nobody ran like me and my mom.

She was a thrower,too.Whatever was next to her was coming at you.If it was something breakable,I had to catch it and put it down.If it broke,that would be my fault,too,and the ass-kicking would be that much worse.

We had a Tom and Jery relationship.me and my mom.She was the strict disciplinarian(纪律执行者)；I was naughty as shit.She would send me out to buy groceries,and I wouldn’t come right home because I’d be using the change from the milk and bread to play arcade(街机)games at the supermarket.I’d drop a coin in,time would fly,and the next thing I knew there’ d be a woman behind me with a belt.It was a race.I’d take off out the door and through the dusty street, clambering over walls.ducking through backyards.It was a normal thing in our neighborhood. She could go at a full sprint(冲刺)in high heels,but if she really wanted to come after me she’d kick her shoes off while still going at top speed.

When I was little she always caught me,but as I got older I got faster,and when speed failed her she’d use her wits.If I was about to get away she’d yell,”Stop!Thief!”She’d do this to her own child.She’d yell”Thief!”knowing it would bring the whole neighborhood out against me,and then I’d have strangers trying to grab me and tackle me,and I’d have to duck and dive them as well.all the while screaming.”I’m not a thief!I’m her son!”

1.Why did the author’s mom often chase him and kick his ass?

A.Because he didn’t get a trophy on the sports day.

B.Because he didn’t get a high mark in the school.

C.Because he failed to obey his mom’s disciplines.

D.Because he failed to buy groceries for the family.

2.The underlined phrase”a Tom and Jerry relationship”in paragraph 3 indicates that

A.they are close friends

B.they play run and catch every day

C.they are born enemies

D.they play hide and seek every day

3.Why did the author’s mom yell”Stop!Thief!”when chasing him?

A.Because she really wanted to win the race.

B.Because she wanted to catch and punish him.

C.Because he stole his mom’s money to play games.

D.Because he stole something from the neighborhood.

4.Which of the following best describes the author’s mom?

A.Violent and stubborn.

B.Reasonable and gentle.

C.Energetic and friendly.

D.Strict and responsible.

高二英语阅读选择困难题查看答案及解析

Ieshia Champs, 33, _______ her law degree at Texas Southern University in April. She also gained online _______when she uploaded _______photos of herself on Facebook, which quickly went viral.

On Monday, she posted an update on Facebook along with a letter from the Texas Board of Law Examiner _______ she passed the exam.

According to the letter, she will need to finish her _______process in order to become a practicing attorney (执业律师) in Texas.

Ieshia said she wanted to be a lawyer from a young age, _______countless hardships throughout her life. While pregnant with her fourth baby, Ieshia said her home was destroyed by a fire, and she _______her job and her husband died of cancer.

“Nobody told me what to do. I really didn’t have any _______income at that time. My mom was addicted to drugs. My dad was dead. And I was homeless,” Ieshia said. “I lived with _______or whoever would take me in.”

But Ieshia said her success could be ________to her children, who often helped their mother as she was ________to earn her degree.

“When I look at the pictures, I cry, I smile, and I’m very ________,” Ieshia told CBS News. “I see a woman who at one time knew that the ________were against her. Looking at the ________reminds me of the fact that I didn’t just defy the difficulties, my children and I ________them.”

1.A.reached B.lost C.missed D.earned

2.A.money B.support C.access D.fame

3.A.graduation B.passport C.school D.wedding

4.A.predicting B.foreseeing C.confirming D.broadcasting

5.A.working B.licensing C.preparing D.instructing

6.A.despite B.beyond C.without D.unlike

7.A.found B.lost C.changed D.moved

8.A.gentle B.marriage C.stable D.strict

9.A.strangers B.parents C.colleagues D.friends

10.A.good B.credited C.bad D.close

11.A.planning B.resting C.studying D.serving

12.A.annoyed B.devoted C.grateful D.regretful

13.A.children B.world C.fate D.difficulties

14.A.letters B.pictures C.posts D.notes

15.A.destroyed B.followed C.built D.admitted

高二英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Growing up in an Italian-American household was, for me, pretty special. My mother, Gina, an immigrant from Calabria, held on to so many of her family's traditions that at times, regardless of the fact that I was living in the United States, our home felt like part of Italy.

To this day, my mother only speaks to me in Italian, and our conversations are, for the most part, in her mother tongue. And most of those conversations are about food. For us, food — Italian food — is an important part of our lives.

My mom Gina grew up on a farm where the fruits of their labor directly turned into the food on the table, and wasting any of it was unacceptable. Every day was “Thanksgiving” because times were tough, so food — and how it found its way onto the table ——was a holy matter. One of the greatest lessons my mother taught me in the kitchen is to cook what you have on hand, and to never let anything go to waste.

So, when I take a perfect little arancini(意大利饭团)out of the hot oil. I am immediately transported back to my childhood: I am a little girl getting off the bus and running through the back door to the smell of the food. This small snack symbolizes so many important tenements(经济公寓)in my life about my heritage(传承)through food.

Heritage food is Sunday dinner with the family. When we preserve and recreate dishes like that, we feel a sense of pride and also a sense of continuity. Heritage food is the love we receive from our parents and grandparents, and it's the love we in turn give to our children and grandchildren. Heritage food is food that makes you feel safe and protected wherever and whenever you eat it.

Eating arancini, and all the other recipes my mother continues to make here in the U.S. after leaving Italy, allow her to teach me who I am, where I come from, and why I should be proud of it all.

1.What can we know about the author's mom?

A.She is very strict with her children.

B.She refuses to learn to speak English.

C.She thinks her life in the U.S. special.

D.She values her family's traditions a lot.

2.What does the author imply by mentioning “Thanksgiving” in paragraph 3?

A.She enjoyed the food her mother cooked.

B.This holiday was very important for her mother.

C.Her family treasured the food that didn't come easily.

D.The food was delivered to her family on Thanksgiving.

3.What does the author think of heritage food?

A.It is becoming popular among American families.

B.It passes on family love from generation to generation.

C.It offers a sense of safety when one lives in America.

D.It reminds parents to take good care of their children.

高二英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析

It seemed like a typical November day two years ago, as I walked out of Walgreens, a store near my house. It was just a month after my grandmother had passed away and I spent my days running useless errands (杂事) hoping to fill the emptiness in my heart and distract me from the pain.

As I attempted to walk out of the store, I felt exhausted and hopeless and began walking to my car. Suddenly, a woman driving right by my side rolled down her window. “Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me,” she said loudly. Thinking she was going to ask for my parking spot, I simply pointed to my car. “No, excuse me,” she said again. At this point, 1 felt I had no choice but to see what this annoying lady wanted. Under a clutter of makeup, money, pens, and other belongings, she finally reached to the very bottom of her bag and handed me a three -page booklet. “It looks like you need this,” she said calmly with a warm smile on her face. I looked down at the mysterious and obviously used pamphlet and on the front cover in big bold letters read “What Hope for Dead Loved Ones?” It took me only a few seconds to understand the exchange with this woman, but by the time I looked up, she was gone. I felt a sense of relaxation as I opened the first page. It explained how people pass away, but their spirit remains with us. This was the first time since my grandma had passed that I felt her with me, just like I had wanted. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but I did know that I finally felt happiness from the surprising change in events.

I couldn't, and still can't, believe what had happened to me on that day. It was a random day in November when my life turned back around and I began to feel hope again. It was real. It was a miracle. And, I'll remember it for the rest of my life.

1.Why did the author spend days doing useless things?

A.To kill her spare time. B.To relieve the suffering.

C.To reflect on herself. D.To make herself fulfilled.

2.Why did the woman say “Excuse me” so loudly?

A.To catch the author's attention. B.To get the author's parking space.

C.To share her experience with the author. D.To complain about the author's improper behavior.

3.What can be learned about the three- page booklet?

A.It included some mysterious stories.

B.It was a gift from her grandmother.

C.It gave people some advice on how to find happiness.

D.It showed that people's spirit would stay after death.

4.What can be the best title for the text?

A.Love from My Grandma B.A Random Day in November

C.A Miracle at the Parking Lot D.Comfort from a Woman Stranger

高二英语阅读选择简单题查看答案及解析

Something strange happened when I was 14 years old. Every previous year on Thanksgiving Day I’d woken up early, filled with excitement. But that Thanksgiving, for some reason I saw no reason to celebrate. None of my family were really thankful, I realized. The whole thing was a lie!

During the dinner time, I left, hiding in the guest room and cried. My mom came to see what was wrong. “No one is really thankful!” I sobbed, “They just pretend for one day because that’s what they’re supposed to do!”

After I finished talking, she nodded. “You’re right,” she told me. “It’s fake until you find the truth for yourself.” She said it was my choice whether to celebrate with them or not. She said Thanksgiving is a time to reflect because we don’t always get to see loved ones and eat a good meal. Then she left.

I didn’t listen to her, thinking that every holiday was a lie and I could never find joy celebrating again. But giving in to my starving stomach, I went back to the dining room in a few minutes. I couldn’t believe what I saw. My entire extended family was waiting for me with wide smiles and concerned looks, and the table was loaded with untouched plates.

“Andy,” my aunt said, “We can’t eat without you. We’re waiting for your turn. Now you can start it.” I didn’t know what to say first. Finally, I said I was thankful for having a younger brother to teach, play with, and see grow.

The family shared, and everyone had something beautiful to say. Listening to what they said, I suddenly understood what my mom meant about finding out my own reason for celebrating. For me, this holiday was a chance to pause and reflect on everything I cared about.

And with that, I took a huge and satisfying bite of food.

1.Why did the author hide himself and cry on the Thanksgiving Day?

A.Because he got up too late.

B.Because he thought the dinner was tasteless.

C.Because he thought his family didn’t show real thankfulness.

D.Because some of his family were absent from the celebration.

2.What can we know about the author’s mother according to the text?

A.She was strict with her son.

B.She was very understanding.

C.She felt disappointed in the author.

D.She showed great worry about the author.

3.What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 5 refer to?

A.Making a wish. B.Having dinner.

C.Giving a performance. D.Expressing thankfulness.

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

A.Love and lies B.My loving mother

C.An unforgettable dinner D.An inspiring Thanksgiving

高二英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析

Fernando, Lucia, and their moms were heading downhill. Tired and hungry, Fernando was eager to have a rest and eat up the sandwich buried in his pack. Lucia desperately wanted to rest her tired feet and legs, which ached terribly from the challenging climb up the mountain. Mountain climbing was not her greatest talent.

Distracted by hunger pains and by the beautiful view of the valley below, Fernando didn't see the large fallen branch steps ahead of him. His foot caught on it, sending him down a steep path. After rolling to a stop, he knew something was wrong with his ankle.

His mom supported him as he tried to stand, but it was much too painful. They tried calling 911, but the surrounding trees blocked their cell phone signals. Analyzing their dilemma, the group decided that Lucia and her mom would climb back to the top of the mountain, where they would set off the emergency flares they carried. Lucia really began to worry when the group settled on this plan. She wasn't confident that her overtaxed muscles could carry her up the mountain a second time in one day!

Fernando's mom stayed with her son, and tried to make him as comfortable as possible.　 The air on the mountain was dry and turning cooler. She wrapped him in her jacket to keep him warm and periodically gave him sips of water.

Meanwhile, Lucia and her mom climbed up the mountain-again! A feeling of pride washed over Lucia when she finally made it to the mountaintop-she was tougher than she thought! Then pride turned to amazement when she spotted a helicopter approaching. Quickly, her mom fired a flare, and they shouted and waved to attract attention. The helicopter flew round to let them know that he had seen them. The plan nearer and the pilot circled had worked-they were going to get Fernando safely off the mountain!

1.What happened to Fernando?

A.His ankle got injured by accident. B.A branch knocked him on the head.

C.He went missing in the deep valley. D.He could find his sandwich nowhere.

2.Why did Lucia climb up the mountain again?

A.To signal for help. B.To wait for the helicopter.

C.To search for water. D.To look for Fernando's cellphone.

3.Which words can best describe Lucia's second climb?

A.Painful and fruitless. B.Dangerous but exciting.

C.Tiring yet worthwhile. D.Challenging and enjoyable.

高二英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析

When Jenny Benson was eight, her mother took her to soccer practice for the first time.

“She’s never played soccer before,” Mrs Benson told the coach.“I’m not sure how she’ll do.”

Jenny ran onto the field and joined the other players. Over the next hour, Mrs Benson and the coach watched as Jenny out­ran many of the more experienced players.

“I knew then that soccer would be Jenny’s sport.” Mrs Benson recalls. And she was right.

It may have helped that Jenny had spent much of her time trying to keep up with her three brothers.“I wanted to be just like them,” Jenny says.“My family has inspired me for my entire life.”

Jenny has retired from the United States women’s national soccer team. She started out on her professional career in the Philadelphia Charge, a team in the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA)．Later on, she joined FC Energy Voronezh, and then New Jersey Wildcats.

When the WUSA was being formed, league officials watched many college soccer games, looking for players good enough to join the league. They were very interested in Jenny, who played for the University of Nebraska.

“Throughout that college season, I knew I was being watched,” Jenny says, “I knew I couldn’t be perfect, so I just tried to be very consistent and have fun.”

As a professional, Jenny relied on her focused but fun­loving attitude. “In a game, I try never to put too much pressure on myself. The more I concentrate on having fun, the better I play.” She says. “I have good and bad days, just like everyone else, but I know the sun will always come up after a bad day. So all I have to do is to adjust myself, either to the change of my inner feelings or to the change of circumstances.That helps me get through anything.”

1.What can we learn from Jenny’s first soccer practice?

A.She was not sure how to play soccer.

B.She was gifted in playing soccer.

C.She was instructed by the soccer coach.

D.She was more experienced than other players.

2.Which professional team did she first play for?

A.New Jersey Wildcats.

B.FC Energy Voronezh.

C.The University of Nebraska.

D.The Philadelphia Charge.

3.Which of the following can best describe Jenny?

A.Talented but impatient.

B.Confident and considerate.

C.Concentrated and adaptable.

D.Absorbed but self­centered.

4.What does the passage mainly talk about?

A.How Jenny developed her soccer career.

B.Why Jenny retired from the national team.

C.How Jenny’s brothers influenced her career.

D.What made Jenny a good soccer player.

高二英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析

I keep a pocket knife in my handbag and it comes in handy for all sorts of things. I have _______ carried it with me since I discovered it on a boat we bought and _______ for about twenty years. It has been through many　 _______ with us.

I recently _______ an interesting flight and was pulled up at the departure gate. When my bag went through the x-ray machine, my _______ was discovered. I had forgotten it was there and as I rarely _______, it hadn’t crossed my mind that it would be discovered and confiscated(没收). We had gone through the gate and it was the time for us to _______ the plane so there wasn’t time for me to go _______ and post it to myself.

The security lady at the gate saw that I was _______ at losing one of my treasure possessions. They usually ________threw away things that got confiscated. But she ________ to post it to me if I wrote down the ________and gave her the postage money.

I was so grateful that I tried to ________her and she asked me to stop as they weren’t supposed to do this and she would get into trouble ________ anyone found out.

The next day in the post I ________ a little package with my pocket knife and the ________ from the $10 note I had given her, even though I had ________ her to keep the rest for her ________. It was so nice to be the recipient(接受者)of a kind deed ________ that.

Now I often do ________ things for others and have started using smile cards. Hopefully the world is becoming a kinder place bit by bit.

1.A.never B.always C.hardly D.seldom

2.A.stayed in B.kept up C.looked around D.lived on

3.A.adventures B.quarrels C.arguments D.fights

4.A.invited B.hired C.took D.brought

5.A.knife B.money C.secret D.plan

6.A.walked B.spoke C.thought D.flew

7.A.order B.follow C.board D.find

8.A.ahead B.back C.down D.up

9.A.anxious B.nervous C.angry D.happy

10.A.even B.still C.just D.also

11.A.refused B.offered C.agreed D.pretended

12.A.number B.promise C.time D.address

13.A.persuade B.satisfy C.thank D.comfort

14.A.if B.because C.until D.though

15.A.discovered B.picked C.bought D.received

16.A.reward B.change C.cost D.expense

17.A.urged B.encouraged C.begged D.force

18.A.bravery B.support C.kindness D.cleverness

19.A.for B.like C.with D.in

20.A.difficult B.interesting C.important D.little

高二英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析