LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pop giant Michael Jac...

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pop giant Michael Jackson, who took to the stage as a child star, died on Thursday, TMZ website reported. He was 50.

There was no official confirmation of the reported death and spokespersons for Jackson could not be reached for comment. "We've just learned Michael Jackson has died," TMZ said. "Michael suffered a cardiac（心脏的） arrest earlier this afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. We're told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back," the entertainment site said. It added, "A source tells us Jackson was dead when paramedics arrived."

Earlier, the Los Angeles Times said the singer had been rushed to a Los Angeles-area hospital by fire department paramedics who found him not breathing when they arrived at the singer's home.The newspaper said paramedics performed perfectly at the scene before taking him to the UCLA Medical Center hospital. Jackson had been due to start a series of comeback concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer, whose hits included "Thriller" and "Billie Jean," had been rehearsing in the Los Angeles area for the past two months. The shows for the 50 London concerts sold out within minutes of going on sale in March.

His lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he received, makes him one of the most successful entertainers of all time. There were concerns about Jackson's health in recent years but the promoters of the London shows, AEG Live, said in March that Jackson had passed a 4-1/2 hour physical examination with independent doctors.

1.What does the underlined word paramedics probably mean?

A. the persons who attend at home.

B. relatives or friends

C. the persons who give emergency medical treatment

D. the artists together with Jackson

2. What is the reason of Jackson’s death?

A. He was too tired before his death.

B. He was so lonely that nobody looked after him.

C. Maybe Jackson was too excited when he was invited by London.

D. The text didn’t tell us.

3. If Jackson had not died, he __________.

A. would be taken care of by the doctors.

B. would not practise singing any more.

C. would give some concerts in London soon.

D. would retire as a result of his bad health.

4.The underlined the singer probably refers to _______.

A. TMZ        B. AEG          C. Michael Jackson         D. unknown

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

LOS ANGELES, the US

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff ruled Michael Jackson’s father can receive some medical records related to his superstar son’s death．The judge will review the records first before making them accessible to Joe Jackson’s lawyer，Brian Oxman．Beckloff said the man can only receive records on or after June 25一the day Michael Jackson died．

VANCOUVER，CANADA

World number one Zhou Yang overcame three South Korean players to win the women’s short track speed skating 1,500 meters final at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games．The l8-year-old made perfect debut(首次亮相)as she set an Olympic record of a winning time of 2 minutes and l6,993 seconds among other seven skaters．

China has never won the women’s l,500 meters in the Olympics before，and this time Zhou’s performance gave China its third gold medal in Vancouver．

BElJING，CHINA

China’s first compulsory,(强制性的)safety regulation on primary school buses，which requires every seat to have a seat belt，will take effect on July l to help ensure safer transportation for the country’s 100 million students．

Each primary school bus must also be equipped with a “black box”，0r a recording monitor，to record speed，travel time and distance．Also，the bus must be staffed by teachers who will ensure student safety．In addition，the new rule states that the color of the school buses should be yellow，and each bus must have at least two emergency exits．

Texas，the US

A software engineer who crashed his plane into a Texas building housing a United States tax agency office，killing himself and at least one worker，apparently left behind an angry anti-government manifesto(宣言) detailing his financial difficulties and tax problems．The pilot took off from an airport in Georgetown．about 48 km from Austin．He flew low over the Austin skyline before plowing into the building．

1.We can learn from the first news that_________．

2.The new school bus safety rules include all the followings EXCEPT_____________.

3.It seems the software engineer crashed into the US tax office mainly because of___________.

4.We can infer from the news that____________.

高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

TOURNAMENT OF ROSES

-- 5 Days Los Angeles

1.You can most probably read the passage in a ___ .

2.What activity can visitors enjoy on Dec. 31?

3.The underlined word “Globus” in the passage refers to “____”.

4.According to the passage, you should bring your camera on ____.

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

TOURNAMENT OF ROSES　　 ----5 Days Los Angeles

Day 1 Los Angeles.( Sun.Dec.30)

Welcome to Los Angeles! This evening mixes with your traveling friends at the welcome reception.

Day 2 Los Angeles.( Mon.Dec.31)

Head to Pasadena for the always colorful ROSE BOWL FAMILY FESTIVAL and watch the floats (彩车)decorated with tens of thousands of flowers.This afternoon, you can take the included visit to the GETTY MUSEUM.This evening, join your travelling friends at a special New Year’s Eve DINNER AND DANCE GALA (盛会), complete with hats, party favors and live music.You’ll toast the New Year a little early tonight to consider an early morning departure (离开) to the Rose Parade.

Day 3 Los Angeles.Tournament of Roses Parade ( Tue.Jan.1)

Happy New Year! Get ready for one of the world’s most popular parades, and you’ll see it live! Globus has booked the GRANDSTAND SEATS at the beginning of the parade route for a good view.See the wonderful colorful floats, marching bands from around the world, and the famous people.

Day 4 Los Angeles.( Wed.Jan.2)

This morning view the individual floats in the POST PARADE VIEWING AREA.For many this is the most exciting part of the entire event.Be sure to bring your camera and plenty of film! Another special dinner tonight—a special GLOBUS FAREWELL CELEBRATION DINNER.

Day 5 Los Angeles.( Thu.Jan.3)

The tour ends today, with tour guests departing on individual schedules.

1.What activity can visitors enjoy on Dec.31?

A.Tournament of Rose Parade.

B.A farewell celebration dinner.

C.Post parade viewing area.

D.A dinner and dance gala.

2.The underlined word “Globus” in Paragraph 3 refers to ________.

A.the travel agency　　　　 B.the local government

C.Los Angeles　　　　　　　　 D.Roses Parade

3.According to the passage, you should bring your camera on ________.

A.Day 2.　　 B.Day 4　　 C.Day 3　　 D.Day 5

4.You can most probably read the passage in a ________.

A.textbook　 　　 B.news report

C.travel guide　 D.history magazine

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

When movie star Scarlett Johansson was photographed naming in Los Angeles recently, she attracted a lot of attention; for the 27-year-old actress was wearing Vibram FiveFingers, so called because they look more like gloves than shoes, with a space for each toe.

Strange though they may look, these so-called barefoot shoes, which reproduce the effect of barefoot running but with less pain, are just one brand in a range of minimalist footwear. These super-thin sports shoes are causing a stir in the world of running and fitness. Why? Because some experts believe they could make you a better, more efficient runner and that traditional trainers could be doing you more harm than good.

"Wearing a shoe that has lots of cushioning and support affects the way your body naturally moves and studies suggest that this carries a higher risk of injury," explains Matt Wallden, an athlete performance expert. "But with barefoot shoes, the foot can actually feel the firmness and shape of the ground, which allows your body to respond effectively.'"

But before you rush out to invest in minimalist footwear, be careful. These kinds of shoes are not meant for everyone, or at least not straight away.

"Ordinary sports shoes with support are good for beginners whose bodies are not used to the impact of running," explains Patrick Davoren, former Olympic athlete. "If you are not in great condition, then running in minimalist footwear may cause injuries and will turn a lot of people off exercise and running.

If you are currently injured, and figures show that in any given year 65% of all runners are, it can be tempting to try anything that promises to get you back on the road, trail, or beach. But barefoot running is not a method of treating injury nor is it a magical way of suddenly turning you into a great athlete.

Even if you're used to running, when you start using minimalist shoes you should build up your distance gradually. Start_off'by doing just 10% of what you'd normally run and increase the distance by no more than 10% every week. And a word of warning - you may never have soft feet again

1.The Vibram FiveFingers are shoes ______.

A．specifically designed for women

B．that have lots of cushion inside

C．safest for people who enjoy sports

D．that are much thinner than normal sports shoes

2.The underlined word "they" in paragraph 2 refers to ________.

A．experts           B．feet              C．shoes             D．runners

3.According to Matt Wallden, the new shoes ________.

A．make feet more sensitive to the running surface

B．will produce immediate improvements

C．force your body to move less naturally

D．increase the chances of getting hurt

4.The author suggests that new users of Vibram FiveFingers should ________.

A．run in the shoes every day at top speed

B．begin with a shorter running distance than normal

C．occasionally run barefooted to harden their feet

D．make sure they are already very fit before using them

5.Where would you probably read this article?

A．A travel book.                          B．A movie website.

C．A sports magazine.                      D．A science journal.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Researchers in the psychology department at the University of California at Los Angeles(UCLA) have discovered a major difference in the way men and women respond to stress. This difference may explain why men are more likely to suffer from stress-related disorders.

Until now, psychological research has maintained that both men and women have the same “fight-or-flight” reaction to stress. In other words, individuals either react with aggressive behavior, such as verbal or physical conflict(“fight”), or they react by withdrawing from the stressful situation(“flight”). However, the UCLA research team found that men and women have quite different biological and behavioral responses to stress. While men often react to stress in the fight-or-flight response, women often have another kind of reaction which could be called “tend and befriend.” That is, they often react to stressful conditions by protecting and nurturing their young(“tend”), and by looking for social contact and support from others—especially other females (“befriend”).

Scientists have long known that in the fight-or-flight reaction to stress, an important role is played by certain hormones(激素) released by the body. The UCLA research team suggests that the female tend-or-befriend response is also based on a hormone. This hormone, called oxytocin, has been studied in the context of childbirth, but now it is being studied for its role in the response of both men and women to stress. The principal investigator, Dr. Shelley E. Taylor, explained that “animals and people with high levels of oxytocin are calmer, more relaxed, more social, and less anxious.” While men also secrete(分泌) oxytocin, its effects are reduced by male hormones.

In terms of everyday behavior, the UCLA study found that women are far more likely than men to seek social contact when they are feeling stressed. They may phone relatives or friends, or ask directions if they are lost.

The study also showed how fathers and mothers responded differently when they came home to their family after a stressful day at work. The typical father wanted to be left alone to enjoy some peace and quiet. For a typical mother, coping with a bad day at work meant focusing her attention on her children and their needs.

The differences in responding to stress may explain the fact that women have lower frequency of stress-related disorders such as high blood pressure or aggressive behavior. The tend-and-befriend regulatory(调节的) system may protect women against stress, and this may explain why women on average live longer than men.

1.Which of the following is true about oxytocin according to the passage?

A. Men have the same level of oxytocin as women do.

B. Oxytocin used to be studied in both men and women.

C. Both animals and people have high levels of oxytocin.

D. Oxytocin has more of an effect on women than on men.

2.What can be learned from the passage?

A. Male hormones help build up the body’s resistances to stress.

B. In a family a mother cares more about children than a father does.

C. Biological differences lead to different behavioral responses to stress.

D. The UCLA study was designed to confirm previous research findings.

3.Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?

A. How men and women suffer from stress

B. How men and women get over stress

C. How researchers overcome stress problems

D. How researchers handle stress-related disorder

高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

In 1999, Rebecca Constantino began doing a study at schools across Los Angeles. She had just completed a Ph. D. in language and learning, and she was analyzing children’s access to ________ in rich and low-income communities.

One day, she ________ something that stopped her in her tracks. “I was at a ________ in a wealthy community, and they were ________ almost brand-new books because they didn’t have ________ in the library,” Constantino said. She put the books in her car and drove them to a school in a(n) ________ community.

Shocked by the ________ she saw in public school libraries, Constantino became ________ to bridge the gap. “Some school libraries are not funded well, and sometimes not funded at all,” Constantino said. “If you’re a(n) ________ in an underserved community, ________ you’re left with boring, outdated and uninteresting books.”

Word spread about Constantino’s work, and books began ________. Donors buy new hardcover books. Kids ________ what they think are the most interesting books. Today, her nonprofit, Access Books, has ________ more than 1.5 million books for public-school and community libraries across California. The group has also ________ close to 350 libraries, making sure the reading environment is relaxing and comforting.

“________ we provide high-interest books and a(n) ________ library space, they do come and they do read. We found that in the schools that we serve, ________ doubles and triples (增值三倍) after we’ve come. So, we know that kids come to the ________ and read the books we give. They are ________ to keep on the shelf because we re giving books that really ________ kids. My goal is to see that kids can always have a friend in a book and they can always turn to a book to find comfort,” said Constantino.

1.A.phones B.books C.food D.water

2.A.spotted B.established C.heard D.resembled

3.A.hospital B.bookshop C.school D.structure

4.A.selling B.setting off C.getting rid of D.taking up

5.A.room B.money C.readers D.volunteers

6.A.temporary B.local C.circular D.underserved

7.A.combination B.difference C.buildings D.mission

8.A.qualified B.excited C.confident D.determined

9.A.intellectual B.teacher C.child D.settler

10.A.gradually B.usually C.rapidly D.steadily

11.A.functioning B.disappearing C.coming out D.piling up

12.A.give B.discuss C.understand D.display

13.A.provided B.bought C.encountered D.translated

14.A.visited B.redecorated C.built D.simplified

15.A.Though B.Until C.Unless D.If

16.A.beautiful B.quiet C.standard D.individual

17.A.satisfaction B.reference C.circulation D.transportation

18.A.classroom B.library C.market D.playground

19.A.necessary B.organizational C.difficult D.essential

20.A.surprise B.calm C.encourage D.attract

高二英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

The GRAMMY Museum is a musically fascinating journey of music in downtown Los Angeles. Turn up the beat over four floors of modern exhibits, interactive(互动的) experiences and interesting films that will give you a one-of-a-kind experience. They want to engage you, educate you, and inspire you — just like music does!

There are over 30,000 square feet of interactive, traveling and permanent (永久的) exhibits. This includes over two dozen exhibits along that explore the greatest of the GRAMMY music! Your whole family will find something they love — rock, classical, hip hop to country…

The Crossroads exhibition invites you to explore nearly 160 kinds of music! Open them up on the interactive table in front of you to show photos, songs and stories that describe the influence that music has on the world, as well as the music itself.

Journey down the Songwriters Hall of Fame. How many of these songs do you know? How many songwriters have you heard of? You can also try writing a song with some songwriters in the songwriting kiosks(自助式服务设备)!

Have you wondered how a song gets from someone’s head to your radio? The third floor shows the art of recording.

The museum always has a host of programs and events throughout the year, so make sure you keep up to date — you won’t want to miss out!

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Adults: $ 12.95

Children: $ 10.95 (6-17 yrs)

Free: under 5 years old

WHEN CAN WE GO?

Mon-Fri: 11:30 am – 7:30 pm

Weekends: 10:00 am – 7:30 pm

Sometimes shut for private events, so check before you go.

【小题】 What can you learn through the Crossroads exhibition?

A. Stories that inspire songs.　　　　　　　 B. The history of the Grammy Awards.

C. The influence of music on the world.　　 D. How some famous photos were taken.

1.Where can you go to learn about the development of music recording?

A. The third floor.

B. The fourth floor.

C. The Crossroads exhibition.

D. The Songwriters Hall of Fame.

2.How much should a couple with a 6-year-old kid pay to enter the museum?

A. $23.90. B. $25.80. C. $36.85.　 D. $47.70.

3.We know that the museum __________.

A. is open to the public all year round　　　　

B. is open for the same time every day

C. cannot be entered until 10:30 am at weekends　

D. cannot be entered until 11:30 am on weekdays

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Here are the most popular events in Los Angeles this year.

Earth Day L. A.

Phone number: (213) 972-8080

Earth Day L.A. offers Downtown L.A.’s citizens, workers and visitors ideas, a place to drop e-waste and solutions on how to do little harm to our planet in daily life. The annual event features performances, composting (制肥堆), and plant giveaways as well as electric vehicle exhibits, which are all free to the public (and to a select number of school groups).

Jackalope Pasadena Spring 2020 Fair

Phone number: (323) 989-2278

Where Local Culture Meets Craft (手工艺)！Come and shop—over 200 handmade makers from fashion, home design, art and more all in one place at Jackalope Pasadena coming up April 25th & 26th. Enjoy a bite to eat from a local food truck or take part in a free yoga class offered throughout the weekend.

Explore Caltech

Phone number: (626) 395- 4652

You’re invited to Explore Caltech as the Institute brings science and engineering out the lab and into the community, sharing the excitement of discovery through family-friendly open-air laboratories, a series of 10- minute talks by Caltech researchers, and a keynote discussion.

Yallwest

Phone number: (310) 395-3204

There are over 100 authors and presenters including New York Times Best Sellers along with local and widely- acknowledged young adult and middle grade writers, plus famous TV, film, video game, and comic creators. A day of book signings, food trucks and rock’ n’ roll.

1.What do we know about the event Earth Day L.A.?

A.It charges less than the other events.

B.It offers people the performing techniques.

C.It contributes to participants’ going green.

D.It leads participants to prefer an electric vehicle.

2.Where can people buy handmade products?

A.Yallwest. B.Earth Day L. A.

C.Explore Caltech. D.Jackalope Pasadena Spring 2020 Fair.

3.What will visitors call if they’re interested in science?

A.(213) 972-8080 B.(323) 989-2278

C.(626) 395- 4652 D.(310) 395-3204

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Michelle was a student at University of California, Los Angeles. She is here to tell us how she feels about the city.

What were the best things about Los Angeles?

One of my favorite things about Los Angeles is the weather. I hate the cold and it never really gets that cold there. Plus, most of the time it’s usually sunny, which is good because I love going to the beach during the summer. There’s so much to do at the beach, but my favorite thing in L.A. was having a picnic on the sand with my friends.

What were the worst things about being there?

I disliked having to drive everywhere to get around because the city is so spread out. Los Angeles has a lot of traffic and sometimes it takes a long time to get somewhere close by just because the streets are so crowded. Also, a lot of people complain about the pollution.

Did you have any problems there?

Just the normal problems of living in any city, like watching out for pickpockets. Some people think Los Angeles has a lot of crime, but I think it’s as safe as any other city. Also, many people think driving is difficult because there is a lot of traffic and road rage (路怒症), but it just takes a little practice and a lot of patience.

What are the people like in Los Angeles?

There are all types of people in Los Angeles since the city is pretty diverse. For the most part, though, most of the people are friendly, calm and relaxed. Some people say that everyone in Los Angeles is beautiful, but I think that’s just a stereotype.

Would you go back to Los Angeles?

Certainly. Los Angeles is one of my favorite cities in the world. I love the fact that it has all the nightlife and shopping of a big city, but also has access to beaches, parks, mountains and other places you can’t usually find in large cities. Between the weather and the beaches and all the fun things to do, it’s a great place to be.

1.We can learn from the text that Michelle _____.

A. hates the heavy traffic in Los Angeles

B. dislikes the cold weather in Los Angeles

C. thinks Los Angeles is small and crowded

D. enjoys driving everywhere in Los Angeles

2.What’s Michelle’s impression of the people in Los Angeles?

A. They get angry easily.

B. All sorts of people live there.

C. They are patient and amusing.

D. Everyone is kind and beautiful.

3.How does Michelle find Los Angeles?

A. Safe but noisy.

B. Relaxing but busy.

C. Polluted and dangerous.

D. Diverse and interesting.

4.We learn from the text that _____.

A. Michelle was born in Los Angeles

B. Michelle loved the life in Los Angeles

C. Los Angeles has many traffic accidents

D. Michelle has no plan to return to Los Angeles

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析