Filmmaker Jennifer Nelson was sued (起诉) for $1,500 for having a song “Happy Birthday to You” sung in the movie she’s making. The money went to Warner Music Group, a company that claims to own the copyright on the song. A copyright is the legal right to use or sell a creative product such as a song, a TV show, a book, or a work of art. Warner has claimed the copyright for “Happy Birthday to You” since 1988.
“I never thought the song was owned by anyone,” Nelson said in an e-mail to The New York Times. “I thought it belonged to everyone.”
Nelson’s movie is a documentary—a film that uses pictures and/or interviews with people to create a factual report of real-life events—and is actually about the history of the “Happy Birthday” song itself.
Two sisters named Mildred and Patty Hill wrote a song called “Good Morning to All” in 1893. Over a short period of time, people began to sing the words “happy birthday to you” in place of the original lyrics to the tune of the Hill sisters’ song.
A number of history experts say that there is no record of who actually wrote the “Happy Birthday to You” lyrics. Historians also say there is no way to know when the general public began singing the “Happy Birthday” song, but they believe it had been sung by the public long before it was printed and owned by a company.
Nelson’s lawyers say this piece of music’s history proves that “Happy Birthday to You” belongs to everyone in the general public. That would mean Warner Music Group has no right to charge anyone a fee to sing the song in any setting.
Experts estimate that Warner/Chappell, the publishing division of the Warner Music Group, has made about $2 million a year from licensing fees for “Happy Birthday to You.” Nelson’s lawyers are asking a court in New York City to order Warner/Chappell to return fees they have collected over the past four years for use of the “Happy Birthday” song.
1.Why did Warner Music Group sue Jennifer Nelson?
A.Because she sold “Happy Birthday to You” for money.
B.Because she secretly used “Happy Birthday to You” song in her film.
C.Because she didn’t own the copyright on “Happy Birthday to You” song.
D.Because she used the “Happy Birthday to You” song without permission.
2.How was the “Happy Birthday” song produced?
A.Someone replaced “happy birthday to you” in the song.
B.It was written by Mildred as a gift for her sister’s birthday in 1893.
C.It was created by someone who used the tune of “Good Morning to All”.
D.People were asked to sing the words “happy birthday to you” in the movie.
3.The history experts’ statement can prove that the “Happy Birthday” song__________.
A.has always been very popular B.was definitely released by the public
C.does not belong to Warner Music Group D.has more than 32 years’ history since 1988
4.If the court supports the claim from Nelson’s lawyers,__________.
A.Warner will return about $8 million B.she can obtain the copyright on the song
C.Warner will have to pay her for her damage D.she can sell the song for about$2 million a year
高一英语阅读选择中等难度题
The wagon train (马车队) had been traveling for weeks now. Emily was getting tired — tired of not having a comfortable bed to sleep in or a ______ home. She was also ______ because there was never anything fun for a girl her age to do. Mama promised it wouldn’t be too much longer, ______ the trip seemed to take forever.
Then, one day, a rabbit caught Emily’s eye. Maybe she could ______ it, and then she’d have a pet! Emily ran after the rabbit into the woods behind the wagons, but it ______. Emily looked for it, and at last she ______. She turned to go back, but ______ looked familiar (熟悉的). She started in one direction, but it was the wrong ______. Emily tried another direction, but soon found that that was ______, too.
Emily was ______. What if she couldn’t ______ the wagons? What if they didn’t realize she was ______ and just kept moving farther and farther away from her? What if some dangerous animal attacked her?
Emily sat on the ground and started to cry ... but wait ... did she hear ______? She stood up and ran toward them. As she got ______, she recognized Mama’s voice and the voices of some of the men from the ______. Then she could see them. Emily ran as ______ as she could, right into Mama’s ______ arms.
Mama carried Emily back to their wagon and put her to bed. Emily was ______ that she was home. ______ was wherever Mama was. She’d never ______ about being bored again.
1.A. real B. new C. big D. special
2.A. afraid B. bored C. lazy D. nervous
3.A. and B. so C. or D. but
4.A. dress B. kill C. catch D. buy
5.A. waited B. arrived C. disappeared D. stopped
6.A. gave up B. calmed down C. set off D. came in
7.A. nothing B. everything C. something D. anything
8.A. gate B. answer C. plan D. way
9.A. dangerous B. strange C. wrong D. impolite
10.A. excited B. frightened C. moved D. surprised
11.A. afford B. remember C. find D. mend
12.A. asleep B. busy C. missing D. tired
13.A. shouts B. songs C. cheers D. noises
14.A. farther B. away C. inside D. closer
15.A. train B. forest C. station D. zoo
16.A. safely B. easily C. slowly D. quickly
17.A. welcoming B. falling C. crossed D. broken
18.A. sad B. glad C. angry D. proud
19.A. Promise B. Trip C. Love D. Home
20.A. complain B. hear C. care D. know
高一英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The concert last week was ____ that his concert is expected to run for the next two years.
A. such success B. such a success
C. so a success D. such successful
高一英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
It was _______that they went for a walk in the park.
A. such a fine weather B. so fine a weather
C. such fine weather D. so fine weather
高一英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
1990 was a significant year in world events. In February, Nelson Mandela was set free after 27 years in prison. In October, East and West Germany became one country again. Then at the end of 1990, the World Wide Web was born. For this final event we have one man to thank, Tim Berners-Lee, the father of the Web.
Berners-Lee was born on June 8, 1955 in London, England. His parents, both computer designers, encouraged him to think and work creatively as he grew up. He was an excellent student and naturally took an interest in computers and science.
After graduating from Oxford University, Tim went to work at a science research center in Switzerland. There he developed some of the different systems that would later become the Web. The first was HTML, the computer language used to make web pages. The second was an address system that let computers anywhere find each other and send and receive information. In 1990, while still at the science center in Switzerland, he put them together to make the first Internet browser. It could run on any computer and allowed people to share their information with the rest of the world.
Tim knew that the more people used the Web, the more useful it would be. He wasn’t interested in money but knowledge, so he gave out his invention for free to anyone who was interested. Many were interested and the growth of the Internet began.
Today Tim works as a professor at the MIT in America, researching new and interesting ways to use the Web. He has received many awards from governments and organizations for his efforts. He is still not very interested in money. That is why he is so admired by his students and workmates. It may also be one of the reasons why few people outside the world of technology know his name.
1.What can we learn about Berners-Lee from the passage?
A. He was encouraged to be creative.
B. He didn’t do well at school.
C. He cares little about money and knowledge.
D. He is well-known all over the world.
2.Where does Berners-Lee live today?
A. England. B. Switzerland. C. America. D. Canada.
3.Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A. The address system was used to make web pages.
B. The World Wide Web was created in Switzerland.
C. The first web browser was very expensive to buy.
D. Many people could use the Internet before 1990.
4.What is the passage mainly about?
A. The events that took place in 1990. B. The history of the Internet.
C. The invention of the Internet browser. D. The man who created the World Wide Web.
高一英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Nelson Mandela was a figure of international fame, and many details of his life and career were public knowledge. But here are four things you may not have known about the late South African leader.
1. He was a boxing fan.
In his youth, Nelson Mandela enjoyed boxing and long-distance running. Even during the 27 years he spent in prison, he would exercise every morning. "I did not enjoy the violence of boxing so much as the science of it. I was curious by how one moved one's body to protect oneself, how one used a strategy both to attack and retreat, how one paced oneself over a match," he wrote in his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.
2. His original name was not Nelson.
Rolihlahla Mandela was nine years old when a teacher at the primary Methodist school where he was studying in Qunu, South Africa, gave him an English name “Nelson” in accordance with the custom to give all school children Christian names.
3. He forgot his glasses when he was released from prison.
Mr. Mandela's release on 11 February 1990 followed years of political pressure against apartheid(种族隔离). Mr. Mandela's reading glasses stayed behind in prison. Mr. Mandela and his then-wife Winnie were taken to the centre of Cape Town to address a huge and exciting crowd. But when he pulled out the text of his speech, he realized he had forgotten his glasses and had to borrow Winnie's.
4. He had his own law firm, but it took him years to get a law degree.
Mr. Mandela studied law on and off for 50 years from 1939, failing about half the courses he took. A two-year diploma(学位证书) in law on top of his university degree allowed him to practice, and in August 1952, he and Oliver Tambo set up South Africa's first black law firm, Mandela and Tambo, in Johannesburg. He kept on studying hard to finally secure a law degree while in prison in 1989.
1.What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Nelson Mandela’s life in the prison.
B. Unknown things about Nelson Mandela.
C. Nelson Mandela’s hobbies and career.
D. The achievements of Nelson Mandela.
2.Why did Nelson Mandela love boxing?
A. Because he wanted to be a boxer.
B. Because he loved the science in boxing.
C. Because he enjoyed the violence of boxing.
D. Because he had nothing else to do in the prison.
3.What happened to Mandela when he was about to give the speech?
A. He broke his glasses into pieces.
B. He left his own glasses at home.
C. He had to use his wife’s glasses.
D. His wife wanted to borrow his glasses.
4.Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Nelson Mandela was not his original name.
B. Nelson Mandela was the name given by his teacher.
C. Nelson Mandela had started his own law firm before he got a law degree.
D. Nelson Mandela had been studying the law nonstop for 50 years.
高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Nelson Mandela was a person of international fame，and many details of his life and career were public knowledge. But here are some things you may not have known about him.
In his youth，Mandela enjoyed boxing. Even during the 27 years he spent in prison，he would exercise every morning. “I did not enjoy the violence of boxing so much as the science of it. Boxing is equal. I never did any real fighting after I entered politics. My main interest was in training，”he wrote in his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.
Rolihlahla Mandela was nine years old when a teacher at the primary Methodist school where he was studying，gave him an English name—Nelson—according to the custom to give all school children Christian names.
Rolihlahla is not a common name in South Africa.It means “troublemaker”．His circumcision name was Dalibunga，meaning “founder of the Bunga”．
However，in South Africa，Mr. Mandela was often called by his clan(宗族)name—Madiba—which South Africans used out of respect.
After going underground because of his ANC activities，Mr. Mandela's ability to evade (躲避)the securities services earned him the nickname “the black Pimpernel”，after the novel The Scarlet Pimpernel，about a hero with a secret identity.
A fake(伪造的)passport in the name of David Motsamayi was used by Mr. Mandela. He had pretended to be a driver，a gardener and a chef in order to travel around the country unnoticed by the authorities.
Mr.Mandela studied law on and off for 50 years from 1939，failing about half the course he took. In August 1952，he and Oliver Tambo founded South Africa's first black law firm，Mandela and Tambo，in Johannesburg. He persevered (坚持) to finally get a law degree while in prison in 1989.
1.Why did Nelson Mandela become a boxing fan?
A. He hoped to find a better job.
B. He was interested in the training.
C. He enjoyed the violence of boxing.
D. He wanted to take the championship.
2.Which of the following is TRUE about Mandela's name?
A. Madiba was his Christian name.
B. His original name was not Nelson.
C. His parents gave him the name—Nelson.
D. Rolihlahla is a popular name in South Africa.
3.Mr. Mandela made a fake passport to ．
A. travel around the country B. go abroad easily
C. escape from the authorities D. pretend to be an actor
4.What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A. Mr. Mandela was a determined person.
B. Mr. Mandela set up South Africa's first law firm.
C. It took Mr. Mandela over fifty years to get a law degree.
D. Mr. Mandela got his law degree after being released from prison.
高一英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Nelson Mandela was a figure of international fame, and many details of his life and career were public knowledge. But here are four things you may not have known about the late South African leader.
1. He was a boxing fan.
In his youth, Nelson Mandela enjoyed boxing and long-distance running. Even during the 27 years he spent in prison, he would exercise every morning. "I did not enjoy the violence of boxing so much as the science of it. I was curious by how one moved one's body to protect oneself, how one used a strategy both to attack and retreat, how one paced oneself over a match," he wrote in his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.
2. His original name was not Nelson.
Rolihlahla Mandela was nine years old when a teacher at the primary Methodist school where he was studying in Qunu, South Africa, gave him an English name “Nelson” in accordance with the custom to give all school children Christian names.
3. He forgot his glasses when he was released from prison.
Mr. Mandela's release on 11 February 1990 followed years of political pressure against apartheid(种族隔离). Mr. Mandela's reading glasses stayed behind in prison Mr. Mandela and his then-wife Winnie were taken to the centre of Cape Town to address a huge and exciting crowd. But when he pulled out the text of his speech, he realized he had forgotten his glasses and had to borrow Winnie's.
4. He had his own law firm, but it took him years to get a law degree.
Mr. Mandela studied law on and off for 50 years from 1939, failing about half the courses he took. A two-year diploma(学位证书) in law on top of his university degree allowed him to practice, and in August 1952, he and Oliver Tambo set up South Africa's first black law firm, Mandela and Tambo, in Johannesburg. He kept on studying hard to finally secure a law degree while in prison in 1989.
1.What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Nelson Mandela’s life in the prison.
B. The achievements of Nelson Mandela.
C. Nelson Mandela’s hobbies and career.
D. Unknown things about Nelson Mandela.
2. Why did Nelson Mandela love boxing?
A. Because he wanted to be a boxer.
B. Because he enjoyed the violence of boxing.
C. Because he appreciated the strategy in boxing.
D. Because he had nothing else to do in the prison.
3.What happened to Mandela when he was about to give the speech?
A. He broke his glasses into pieces.
B. He had to use his wife’s glasses.
C. He left his own glasses at home.
D. His wife wanted to borrow his glasses.
4.Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Nelson Mandela was not his original name.
B. Nelson Mandela was the name given by his teacher.
C. Nelson Mandela had been studying the law nonstop for 50 years.
D. Nelson Mandela had started his own law firm before he got a law degree.
高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
A gentle breeze blew through Jennifer's hair. The golden red sun was setting. She was on the beach, looking up at the fiery (火红的) ball. She was amazed by its color, deep red in the middle, softly fading into yellow. She could hear nothing but the waves and the seagulls flying up above in the sky.
The atmosphere relaxed her. After all she had been through, this was what she needed. "It's getting late," she thought, "I must go home. My parents will be wondering where I am."
She wondered how her parents would react, when she got home after the three days she was missing. She kept on walking, directing herself where she spent every summer holiday. The road was deserted. She walked slowly and silently. Just in a few hundred meters she would have been safe in her house.
It was really getting dark now. The sun had set a few minutes before and it was getting cold too. She wished she had her favorite sweater on: it kept her really warm. She imagined having it with her. This thought disappeared when she finally saw her front door. It seemed different. Nobody had taken care of the outside garden for a few days. She was shocked: her father was usually so strict about keeping everything clean and tidy, and now... It all seemed deserted. She couldn't understand what was going on.
She entered the house. First, she went into the kitchen where she saw a note written by her father. It said: "Dear Ellen, there is some coffee ready. I went looking." Ellen was her mother but－where was she? On the right side of the hallway was her parents' room. She went in. Then she saw her. Her mother, lying on the bed, was sleeping. Her face looked so tired, as if she hadn't slept for days. She was really pale. Jennifer would have wanted to wake her up but she looked too tired. So Jennifer just fell asleep beside her. When Jennifer woke up, something was different－she wasn't in her mother's room and she wasn't wearing the old clothes she ran away in. She was in her cozy bed in her pajamas.
It felt so good being back home. Suddenly she heard a voice, "Are you feeling better now, dear? You know you got us very, very scared."
1.Three days later Jennifer came back home________.
A. at sunrise B. at sunset C. at night D. at midday
2.What does the underlined phrase "This thought" most probably mean?
A. The idea of going back home.
B. Her anxiety about her parents.
C. The feeling of being warm in her favorite sweater.
D. The feeling of getting back home safely.
3.Her father didn't take care of the garden because________.
A. he was busy looking for her
B. he had to look after his wife
C. he was not strict with his job
D. he no longer enjoyed working in the garden
4.What can we infer from this passage?
A. In fact Jennifer's mother had been sick for days.
B. As Jennifer walked towards home, she became increasingly scared.
C. When she found the garden deserted, she realized she was wrong.
D. Having experienced a lot outside, Jennifer felt home was safest for her.
高一英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
--- Who called just now?
--- A man ______ Mr. Nelson.
A called himself B calling himself C was called D who called
高一英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
He was lying on the grass, his hands _____ under his head.
A. crossing B. crossed
C. to cross D. having crossed
高一英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析