Many of us choose to live in smaller spaces, ...

Many of us choose to live in smaller spaces, especially in big cities, than we’d like owing to the high housing price1.

They’re cheaper to decorate. It can take thousands of dollars worth of decoration simply to make a large space look inviting. Small spaces, however, make decorating more simple and affordable. Instead of many pieces of large, expensive furniture, you only need a few to make your style sing. You’ll have plenty of money left for other things.

They’re easier to clean.2.The bigger the space, the longer it takes to organize and tidy up.No one wants to spend hours just cleaning. That’s why small spaces are welcomed by those who like being surrounded by order and cleanliness and don’t want to spend a ton of time and energy in keeping them that way.

3.It takes a lot to pay for heating, cooling and electricity, which can also cost much energy. When you compare the electricity bill of someone living in 500 square feet with that of someone living in 3,000 square feet, the difference can be great. 4. So it also does good to our beloved Mother Nature. They’re easier to personalize. Ever have you walked into a large home that feels more like a museum than the small home of someone you know? It’s usually not the most familiar or welcoming atmosphere. Actually, you want your home to show your personal style. 5.

A.They are more expensive to live in.

B.They’re more economical and greener to maintain.

C.Living in small homes makes your life more convenient.

D.That must be one of your favorite things in such a busy life.

E.Less energy is used and less waste is produced in small spaces.

F.It is not that bad, however, considering their advantages.

G.It is much easier to decorate a small home in your own style.

高二英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析

Are people happier in nature with blue skies overhead and fresh green grass underfoot? Could noisy streets, crowded with cars and people, make us unhappy?

The possible mental health problems of city living affect a lot of people. The World Health Organization estimates(估计)that 56 percent of the world's population lived in urban areas in 2019. The WHO adds that that amount will increase to 66 percent by 2050. People often move to cities for better jobs and more cultural activities. But are they putting themselves at risk? Maybe. Experts at the American Psychiatry Association say that “natural environments or green spaces” do much good to our mental health.

Many studies have shown that nature can calm us and make us feel happy. Nature, experts say, can also help us learn better. And experiencing nature helps people recover from the mental tiredness that comes from day-to-day work. On the other hand, mental health experts say some research suggests that city living might hurt our mental health. But they cannot say exactly why.

What are the specific aspects of the urban environment which causes some people to develop mental illness? Andrea Mechelli, a doctor at Kings College, London, states, “There have been studies where people were literally taken out of an urban environment into a rural (乡村的) environment and their symptoms would improve. And we also see that the greater the city is, the greater the risk is.” Mechelli say that someone who lives in a city is three times more likely to develop psychological problem than someone living in the country.

Kings College researchers, along with city planners, land and building designers and others wanted to learn more about city living and mental illness. So, they created a smartphone app called Urban Mind. They say they wanted to understand how different parts of the urban environment affect mental wellbeing(健康).

The researchers found that being outdoors, seeing trees, hearing birdsong, seeing the sky, and feeling in contact with nature were associated with higher levels of mental well-being. They also found that these seeming effects of nature were especially strong in those individuals at greater risk of mental health problems. The Urban Mind Project team says it hopes “the results will inform future urban planning and social policy aimed at improving design and health.”

1.Why is the question raised in the first paragraph?

A.To introduce the topic of the text.

B.To show the background of the text.

C.To ask the readers to learn the study.

D.To raise the readers' interest in happiness.

2.What does Mechelli find during his study?

A.People are attracted by the blue skies and green grass.

B.People are more content with their city life.

C.More and more people are interested in taking risks in cities,

D.City people are more likely to develop mental problems than country people.

3.What is expected of the Urban Mind research result?

A.More people will choose to live in the countryside.

B.It will bring more concern about people s mental health.

C.It will contribute to future urban planning and social policies.

D.People will be helped to improve their mental illness.

4.What is the main idea of the text?

A.Urban Mind measures the level of mental wellbeing.

B.City living may be harmful to people’s mental health.

C.Living in the countryside is better than in the city.

D.Different scientists hold different opinions on the effects of city living.

高二英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析

Ways to create calm in your daily life

Most of us need some space for calm in our lives. A few simple minutes can create much needed moments of calm. 1.You can use these small skills to create calm in your busy schedule.

Go walking. Walking is perfect and you can do it well anywhere. Simply walking and taking in the view is stress reducing. 2. . It makes room for new ideas to develop.

Appreciate nature. when we think of nature we think of getting into the countryside or forests, and that is great if you can. 3. Actually, nature is everywhere. Find a park or a small patch(小块地)of green, or just stick your head out of the window! You have many ways to appreciate nature.

Listen to music. Many people listen to music to calm themselves down. Music actually lifts us out of ourselves. It can also draw our attention from boring and tiring things. 4..

5. . Certain activities like yoga and tai chi need quiet focus. They are perfect for active calming. They are good for the body, mind and spirit.

Try out some of these ways and you’ll soon be practicing “moments of calm”.

A. Do some activities.

B. But what if you are in the city?

C. Notice the animals around you.

D. It is a time to get　　 stressful thoughts out of your head.

E. Music is a way to express the way that they are feeling.

F. With enjoyable music even work can be “music to your ear”.

G. You don’t have to find a mountain to sit on, or empty your mind of all thoughts for hours.

高二英语七选五困难题查看答案及解析

William I, who conquered England some 930 years ago, had wealth, power and an army. Yet although William was very rich by the standard of his time, he had nothing like a flush toilet(抽水马桶)，or riding lawn mower(除草机). How did he get by ?

History books are filled with wealthy people who were poor compared to me. I have storm windows, Croesus did not. Entire nations trembled before Alexander the Great, but he couldn,t buy cat food. Czar Nicholas lacked an electric saw.

Given how much better off I am than so many famous dead people, you,d think I,d be content. The trouble is that, like most people, I compare my wealth with that of living persons: neighbors, school classmates, famous TV people. The greed I feel toward my friend Howard,s new kitchen is not reduced by the fact no kings ever had a refrigerator with glass doors.’

There is really no rising or falling standard of living. Over the centuries people simply find different things to feel sad about. You,d think that simply not having disease would put us in a good mood, but no, we want a hot bath too.

Of course, one way to achieve happiness would be to realize that even by today,s standards the things I own are pretty nice. My house is smaller than the houses of many investments bankers, but even so it has a lot more rooms than my wife and I can keep clean.

Besides, to people looking back at our era from a century or two in the future, these bankers, fancy counter tops and my own worn Formica will seem equally shabby. I can,t keep up with my neighbors right now. But just wait.

1.What does the underlined phrase “get by” in the first paragraph mean ?

A.Succeed as a king. B.Deal with complaints.

C.Live in s satisfactory way. D.Get some extra money.

2.How many historical figures are mentioned to compare lives in the past and present ?

A.3. B.4.

C.5 D.6

3.According to the passage, the author. intends to 　　　　 .

A.tell us to be content with life

B.warn us to live in a simple way

C.teach us to learn lessons from life

D.encourage us to struggle for wealth

4.What,s the author,s attitude towards life ?

A.Doubtful. B.Optimistic.

C.Uncaring. D.Cautious.

高二英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析

The International Space Station allows astronauts to live in space for extended amounts of time, enabling them to explore the outside universe and conduct many experiments. However, nothing like that exists for our oceans, and thanks to the high water pressure, ocean researchers are able to explore what lies undersea for very short periods of time.

They are therefore never able to fully explore the deep inside areas of our oceans. However, if French architect Jacques Rougerie has his way, that will change soon.

Jacqucs has designed a ship that will allow researchers to spend a long period of time observing the sea life and conducting experiments. The huge 167ft ship, named 'Sea Orbiter', consists of two areas—one above the water where the scientists and crew will live, and a lower pressurized deck (甲板), where scientists will be able to spend as much time as they wish. Since it is powered by sea currents and wind, he expects it to drift (漂流) along the oceans slowly, taking about two years to circumvent the globe.

Jacques will make their life as comfortable as possible in the ship. Besides being equipped with the latest sailing tools and communication equipment, the ship will also have a gym, a television and a DVD player. And these guys will not be eating freeze-dried food like astronauts. Instead, Jacques, an accomplished chef, plans on cooking them delicious meals every day.

The biggest problem to this giant ship is the cost, which is expected to be over $500 million—per ship! However, Jacques, who strongly believes that the secrets of our oceans may be the key to solving global warming and a vital supply for food and medicine in the future, is confident he will be able to convince governments all over the world to help out, and expects to start construction on not one, but four or five of these amazing ships soon!

1.Why can’t ocean researchers explore the deep oceans for a long time?

A. Because they can’t stand the high water pressure.

B. Because it’s too cold in deep ocean.

C. Because time for experiments is too limited.

D. Because it’s dangerous to observe the sea life.

2.The underlined word "circumvent" probably means________.

A. fly away    B. get around     C. travel through     D. move into

3.From the fourth paragraph we can learn that________.

A. Jacques intends to design the ship mainly for sightseeing and traveling

B. living a comfortable life helps to do the ocean research quickly

C. it’s much more expensive to eat freeze-dried food

D. researchers on Jacque’s ship will live more comfortably than astronauts

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

A. Sea Orbiter—the ship of the future

B. A new way to explore the deep oceans

C. A great architect—Jacques Rougerie

D. Travel around the globe in Sea Orbiter

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

The Internationa1 Space Station allows astronauts to live in space for extended amounts of time, enabling them to explore the outside universe and conduct many experiments. However, nothing like that exists for our oceans, and thanks to the high water pressure, ocean researchers are able to explore what lies undersea for very short periods of time.

They are therefore never able to fully explore the deep inside areas of our oceans. However, if French architect Jacques Rougerie has his way, that will change soon.

Jacques has designed a ship that will allow researchers to spend a long period of time observing the sea life and conducting experiments. The huge l67ft. ship, named ‘Sea Orbiter’, consists of two areas—one above the water where the scientists and crew will live, and a lower pressurized deck (甲板), where scientists will be able to spend as much time as they wish. Since it is powered by sea currents and wind, he expects it to drift (漂流) along the oceans slowly, taking about two years to circumvent the globe.

Jacques will make their life as comfortable as possible in the ship. Besides being equipped with the latest sailing tools and communication equipment, the ship will also have a gym, a television and a DVD player! And these guys will not be eating freeze-dried food like astronauts. Instead, Jacques, an accomplished chef, plans on cooking them delicious meals every day.

The biggest problem to this giant ship is the cost, which is expected to be over $500 million—per ship! However, Jacques, who strongly believes that the secrets of our oceans may be the key to solving global warming and a vital supply for food and medicine in the future, is confident he will be able to convince governments all over the world to help out, and expects to start construction on not one, but four or five of these amazing ships soon!

1.Why can’t ocean researchers explore the deep oceans for a long time?

A. Because they can’t stand the high water pressure.

B. Because it’s too cold in deep ocean.

C. Because time for experiments is too limited.

D. Because it’s dangerous to observe the sea life.

2.The underlined word “circumvent ” probably means________.

A. fly away     B. go around     C. travel through     D. move into

3.From the fourth paragraph we can learn that________.

A. Jacques intends to design the ship mainly for sightseeing and traveling

B. living a comfortable life helps to do the ocean research quickly

C. it’s much more expensive to eat freeze-dried food

D. researchers on Jacques ’ ship will live more comfortably than astronauts

4.In Jacques’ opinion, which of the following is not the purpose of the undersea research?

A. To find supply for food in the future.

B. To find supply for medicine in the future.

C. To draw governments’ attention to the construction of the ship.

D. To solve the global warming.

5.Which of the fol1owing would be the best title for the text?

A. Sea Orbiter—the ship of the future

B. A new way to explore the deep oceans

C. A great architect—Jacques Rogerie

D. Travel around the globe in Sea Orbiter

高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

Good books can be defined by the standard - classic, popular, encouraging, instructing, etc. Many categories can be classified for the good books.

1., for there is a companionship of books as well as of men; and one should always live in the best company, whether it be of books or of men.

A good book may be among the best of friends. It is the same today that it always was, and it will never change. It is the most patient and cheerful of companions. It always receives us with the same kindness; amusing and instructing us in youth, and comforting and consoling us in age.

Men often discover their affinity(密切关系) to each other by the mutual love they have for a book just as two persons sometimes discover a friend by the admiration which both entertain for a third.2.But there is more wisdom in this. “Love me, love my bock.”

A good book is often the finest urn(宝器) of a life containing the best that life could think out;3.Thus the best books are treasuries of good words, the golden thoughts, which, remembered and cherished, become our constant companions and comforters.

Books possess an essence of immortality.4.Time is of no account with great thoughts, which are as fresh today as when they first passed through their author’s minds, ages ago. What was then said and thought still speaks to us as vividly as ever from the printed page. The only effects of time have been to sift out the bad products; for nothing in literature can long survive but what is really good.

Books invite us into the best society;5.We hear what they said and did; we see them as if they were really alive; their experience becomes ours, and we feel as if we were actors with them in the scenes which they describe.

Books are what we always need to read or listen to. A good book is especially an intellect to which one never stops listening.

A.There is an old proverb, “Love me, love my dog.”

B.Temples and statues decay(腐烂),but books survive.

C.We can tell what one is by the books he reads and the company he keeps.

D.the world of a man’ life is, for the most part, the world of his thoughts.

E.They are by far the most lasting products of human effort.

F.they bring us into the presence of the greatest minds that have ever lived.

G.They do not turn their back upon us in times of poverty or trouble.

高二英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析

Every feature of the supermarket--from floor plan and shelf layout to lighting, music, and ladies offering free sausages on sticks ---is designed to bring us in , keep us there , and get us into spending money.

From my own experience , once I enter a supermarket, it' s often not easy for me to get out again. A common feature of supermarkets is the one-way entry door; to get back out, you have to walk through a good portion of the store----with its attractive displays of buyables---to find an exit. I am often subjected to this clever arrangement.

After the one-way front door, the first supermarket feature you encounter is the produce department. There’s a good reason for this: the sensory impact of all those good smells and beautiful colors makes us feel both cheerful and hungry. Similarly the store bakery is usually near the entrance with its delicious smell of fresh-baked bread, as is the flower shop, with its buckets of roses and banks of greenery. The message we get right off the bat is that the supermarket is a welcoming place, fresh, natural, fragrant, and healthy.

Plus, dairy departments are almost invariably located as far from the entrance as possible, ensuring that customers－most of whom will have to walk the length of the store, passing a wealth of tempting products, en route　 (在途中）to the milk, cheese, and yogurt. Especially popular items are routinely located in the middle of aisles (过道），so that even the most single-minded buyer has a chance to be attracted by alternatives. Mid-aisle positioning is intended to sideline the so-called Boomerang Effect, in which some shoppers simply head for the item they need , then return the way they came.

So what to do about all this? Make a list and stick to it. Try not to shop so often and don't shop when you' re hungry. And when it comes to supermarket psychology, know what to look for. Forewarned is forearmed.

1.What might be unavoidable after the author enters a supermarket?

A.Having difficulty in finding the exit.

B.Getting out with many unintended purchases.

C.Feeling at a loss in front of so many alternatives.

D.Being annoyed by the ladies offering free sausages.

2.How does the author introduce the function of the produce department?

A.By quoting an expert. B.By drawing comparisons.

C.By making classifications. D.By following the order of space.

3.What does the underlined word"sideline"in Paragraph 4 mean?

A.Inspire. B.Estimate C.Prevent D.Expand

4.What is the best title for the text?

A.Surviving the tricky psychology of the supermarket

B.Reducing your must-buys during grocery shopping

C.Tips on buying cheaper products in supermarkets

D.Things to look for when shopping in supermarkets

高二英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析

With increasing competition in education, some of the best universities worldwide are having a global view to best prepare their students for the future.

China

China has been determined to play is key role on the global educational stage. Take Project 21l, a program created in 1995 to bring 100 Chinese universities up to a world-class standard. Similarly, in1999 Project 985 got started to produce more top universities. To further improve the global position of Chinese education, in 2009 the C9 League was also created, hoping to be an eastern equal to the US Ivy League (常春藤联盟).

Germany

Germany offers a menu of educational choice from smaller but high-quality institutions to some most famous universities in Western Europe. Similarly, the country serves up plenty of cultural experiences from the lively capital streets to the characteristic towns and villages. Germany also creates many scholar-ships to help international students afford their tuition fees (学费).

Italy

Italy has some of the world’s most respected learning institutes including the University of Bologna, believed to be the world’s oldest university. There are more UNESCO World Heritage (遗产) Sites in Italy than in any other nation in the world. These attractions, alongside Italy’s world-famous food and endless culture make it among the world’s most visited countries each year.

Poland

Over years, Poland’s universities have produced some of the world’s most famous thinkers and scientists, such as Marie Curie and astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Poland also provides many private and public education to both Polish students and international students.

1.For what purpose has China created some projects?

A.To offer free education to the public. B.To create more educational companies.

C.To attract more world-famous scientists. D.To promote its global status in education.

2.How can Germany help international students?

A.By making tuition fees affordable. B.By offering many educational menus.

C.By planning some cultural experiences. D.By providing free capital-based travels.

3.Which country has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

A.China. B.Germany. C.Italy. D.Poland.

高二英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析

This is the age of being busy. Many of us live in busy places and have busy lives. Even the roads are busy as we try to get from here to there. Adults are busy going to jobs and taking care of their families. Kids are busy, too, going to school and doing a lot of homework after school and on weekends.

Busy isn’t bad, necessarily. If you are not busy enough you might be bored. But if you are too busy, you might break down. For example, if you have a soccer game that runs late on a school night and you haven’t eaten dinner or done your homework, that’s a not-so-fun kind of busy. We wanted to know what kids thought, so we did a kidsPoll about being busy with 882girls and boys aged 9 to 13.

Almost all of them said they felt stressed because they were too busy. About half said they felt this way once in a while or some of the time. But 17% said they felt this way most of the time and 24% said they felt this all the time! Oh dear, that’s no fun.

Only 4% of kids said they wanted less free time and 18% said they already had just the right amount. But, no big surprise, 61% of kids wish they had a lot more free time. If they had more time, most would spend it hanging out or playing with friends.

Often, adults plan large parts of a kid ’s day, especially during the school year. kids can’t tell their parents they’ll be skipping school(逃学) today to get more free time! But they can tell their parents they’d like to play a game or read a book during their free time instead of watching TV.

1.The purpose of the first paragraph is to _____.

2.By giving the example of a late soccer game, the writer intends to tell us______.

3.According to the passage, the KidsPoll is done to carry out research on _____.

4.From the passage, we can infer that the writer agrees kids can_____.

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析