Hearing live music is one of the most pleasur...

Hearing live music is one of the most pleasurable experiences available to human beings. The music sounds great, but it sounds greater when you get to watch the musicians as they create it. No matter what kind of music you love, try listening to it live.

This guide focuses on classical music, a tradition that originated before recordings, radio, and the Internet, back when all music was live music. In those days live human beings performed for other live human beings, with everybody together in the same room. When heard in this way, classical music can have a special excitement. Hearing classical music in a concert can leave you feeling refreshed and energized. It can be fun. It can be romantic. It can be spiritual.

Classical music concerts can seem like snobby (高傲的) affairs full of foreign terms and unusual behavior. It can be hard to understand what’s going on. It can be hard to know how to act. But don’t worry. Concerts are no stranger than any other amusement, and the rules of behavior are much simpler and easier to understand than the stock market, football, or system software upgrades.

If you haven’t been to a live concert before, or if you’ve been confused by concerts, this guide will explain, so you can relax and enjoy the music.

1.From Paragraph 1, we can see that the author encourages us _______.

A. to watch the musicians to compose music

B. to experience the spirit of classical music

C. to attend live concerts and enjoy live music

D. to obtain pleasure from different kinds of music

2. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “originated” in Paragraph 2?

A. listened　　 B. started

C. performed　　 D. disappeared

3.The author considers that live classical music _______.

A. is full of foreign terms

C. is too difficult to understand

B. is stranger than other amusements

D. is exciting to both players and listeners

4. The passage is _____ which focuses on live classical music.

A. a review　　　　 B. a conclusion

C. a summary 　　 D. an introduction

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Losing a job is considered one of the five most stressful life changes you can experience. Those who have been there say it feels like being robbed of your identity and is as painful as the loss of a loved one.

It may be hard to believe at first, but finally you can use this experience as your advantage—to find another, perhaps even better job, to strengthen your relationship with your family, and to make some much-needed changes in your life. Here are three essential steps.

Step1 Get emotional support. Because it’s easy to feel uneasy and vulnerable（脆弱), turning to others is the key to making a smooth transition(过渡). You’ll need people who will listen and provide a safe place for you to cry, or to express your fears and concerns.

Don’t go it alone. It takes courage to ask for help, and yet, help may be what you need most to move forward.

Step2 Seek professional guidance. Getting assistance from a recruiter（招聘人员) or career adviser will not only help you value your experience and improve your skills, it also will ensure that you put your best foot forward. Once again, your local unemployment office should have helpful resources.

If possible, try not to let fear cause you to grab the first new job you’re offered (unless it’s the right one). Give yourself time to explore different choices.

Step3 Consolidate family ties. Meet with family members to openly discuss your feelings. Listen carefully without interrupting one another, and give everyone a turn to speak. When a man I know did this with his family, his wife agreed to leave the job search planning to him and his outplacement adviser. In turn, he agreed to keep her informed about the process on a weekly basis. When you keep the lines of communication open, you can build stronger relationships.

Once you’ve got a new job, create your own security. Keep your resume up-to-date, stay in touch with recruiters about the job market, and constantly improve your skills to stay marketable in your field.

Although being laid-off can turn your life upside down, many people say that it gave them push they needed to start a new life!

1.What’s the author’s purpose of writing the passage?

A. To ask the family for help.

B. To stay in touch with recruiters in your field.

C. To deal with the hurt from losing a job.

D. To keep your resume up-to-date.

2.The underlined title “Consolidate family ties” probably means “________”.

A. find another better job for your family

B. strengthen your relationship with your family

C. make some much-needed changes in your family

D. create your own security to your family

3.Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A. Losing a job is stressful but is not so painful as the loss of a loved one.

B. Turning to others is the main key to obtaining deepest sympathy.

C. Asking for a career adviser will help you and improve your skills.

D. Keeping the lines of communication open can end your relationships.

4.We can infer from the passage that the author is most likely to ____________.

A. be a life coach

B. be a keeper of family ties

C. memorize his or her loved one

D. work in an employment agency

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Pleasure and Enjoyment

When considering the kind of experience that makes life better, most people first think that happiness consists in experiencing pleasure: good food, all the comforts that money can buy. We imagine the satisfaction of traveling to exciting places or being surrounded by expensive devices. If we cannot afford those goals, then we are happy to settle for a quiet evening in front of the television set with a drink close by.

Pleasure is a feeling of contentment that one achieves whenever expectations set by biological programs or by social conditioning have been met. The taste of food when we are hungry is pleasant because it reduces a physiological (生理的) imbalance. Resting in the evening while passively absorbing information from TV, with alcohol or drugs to dull the mind overexcited by the demands of work, is pleasantly relaxing. Traveling to Acapulco is pleasant because the exciting novelty (新奇) restores our sensations (感觉) exhausted by the repetitive routines of everyday life.

When people think further about what makes their lives rewarding, they tend to move beyond pleasant memories and begin to remember other events, other experiences that overlap (重叠) with pleasurable ones but fall into a category that deserves a separate name: enjoyment. Enjoyable events occur when a person has not only met some expectation or satisfied a need or a desire but also gone beyond what he or she has been programmed to do and achieved something unexpected, perhaps something even unimagined before.

Enjoyment is characterized by this forward movement: by a sense of novelty, of accomplishment. Playing a close game of tennis that stretches one’s ability is enjoyable, as is reading a book that reveals things in a new light, as is having a conversation that leads us to express ideas we didn’t know we had. Closing a contested business deal, or any piece of work well done, is enjoyable. None of these experiences may be particularly pleasurable at the time they are taking place, but afterward we think back on them and say, “That really was fun” and wish they would happen again. After an enjoyable event we know that we have changed, that our self has grown: in some respect, we have become more complex as a result of it.

Experiences that give pleasure can also give enjoyment, but the two sensations are quite different. For instance, everybody takes pleasure in eating. To enjoy food, however, is more difficult. A gourmet (美食家) enjoys eating, as does anyone who pays enough attention to a meal so as to discriminate the various sensations provided by it. As this example suggests, we can experience pleasure without any investment of psychic energy, whereas enjoyment happens only as a result of unusual investments of attention. A person can feel pleasure without any effort, but it is impossible to enjoy a tennis game, a book, or a conversation unless attention is fully concentrated on the activity.

Pleasure and Enjoyment

高二英语任务型阅读困难题查看答案及解析

For many young people, going to university is one of the most important 1. (stage) of their lives. It is the time when young people will move out of 2. (they) home to live with other people, often strangers. 3. (especial) in the U.S, people often travel very far 4.home to study. It is a time to be 5. (independence).

At university, you will 6. (teach) by lectures and professors who are leading figures in their study. The opportunity to learn from and to discuss with them is 7. drives some people to apply to university. Students are required to choose a major that they wish to study. Apart from the 8. (academy) benefit, life at university also can allow students 9.(develop) their interests in many fields.

Therefore，university is a place 10. you attain knowledge, develop your values and accept those who may be different.

高二英语语法填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

The United States is one of the richest countries in the world. Most people live in urban areas, and the large stretch of land left unused is full of scenic beauty. On the one hand it is proud of its urban areas, and on the other hand, it has the rich wealth of forests, mountains, plains and much more.

On the east coast of the country there are cities like New York, the leading city in business. Washington, D.C. is the capital of the country, where you will get an opportunity to see the White House. The city will simply impress you, with many museums showing the culture, lifestyle, art and architecture of the country. Another place worth visiting is Miami, one of the most popular international tourist destinations. It is also well known for its Latin culture, wonderful urban nightlife and beaches.

Moving to the west coast, you will come across the most amazing places in which to relax. Los Angeles is the place where you can see life in all its many forms; this city is world-famous for its Hollywood film industry. It also has beaches that can offer breathtaking surfing experiences.

Moving on to the Pacific Coast Highway, we get to see the beauty of San Francisco. Clean beaches and mountains topped (盖住) by clouds are worth seeing. Travelers can enjoy day trips to beaches, deserts and wine-producing regions. Chicago lies on the shore of the Great Lakes and is believed to be the fastest growing city in the world, with its high standard of living and rich lifestyles. The city is a center for many theaters and is world-famous for its strong tradition of music jazz and the blues.

1.According to the first paragraph, we know that ______.

A. most American people live in the countryside

B. a lot of land has not been used in the US

C. the US has the largest forest in the world

D. the US has a larger area of urban land than wild land

2.Which city in the US is famous for its Latin culture?

A. New York.                 B. San Francisco.

C. Los Angeles.                  D. Miami.

3.Which of the following is TRUE?

A. The article refers to four cities on the east coast.

B. You can go to Los Angeles to experience surfing.

C. You cannot enjoy the blues in Chicago.

D. San Francisco is a center for many theaters.

4.What is the text mainly about?

A. One of the reasons why the US is rich.

B. The customs and culture of the US.

C. A brief introduction to some American cities.

D. The beautiful landscapes of the US.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Dinah is one of the most good-natured children that ever lived, but she is very, very lazy. There is nothing she likes, or used to like, so much as to curl up in some warm corner in the sun and do nothing.

Dinah’s mother wished very much that her child should learn to read, but the lady who tried to teach her soon give it up. “It is no 16  ,” she said, “Dinah 17 not learn. She is not stupid, but too lazy.”

It happened soon that a young man from Massachusetts came to the house where Dinah lived. He brought with him something no one else in the neighborhood had ever seen before－a pair of roller-skates.

When Dinah saw the young man going rapidly up and down the piazza (广场) on his skates she was so 18. She ran after him like a cat, her black eyes shining.

One day the young man allowed her to 19 the skates. The child was too happy for words. Of course she fell down, but did not 20  at all.

“Look here, Dinah,” said the young man, “I understand that my aunt has been trying to teach you to read. Why didn’t you learn? Now, if you can read, I will send you a pair of good roller-skates.”

For a moment she said21, then exclaimed decidedly, “I’ll have those skates, sure.”

And she did. When she 22 her mind on her work, she could always do it well, 23 it was.

The lady who had before this found her 24   difficult a child to teach, now had no trouble. If Dinah showed the least 25 of her former laziness, the word SKATES was enough to draw her attention back to her lesson instantly.

On New Year’s morning she received a box marked in large printed letters:

MISS DINAH MORRIS,

Care of Mrs. Lawrence Delaney,

NEW ORLEANS, LA.

If she can read what is on the outside of this box she can have what is inside.

And as Dinah read every word clearly and quickly, of course she had the fine roller-skates the box held. And now sitting curled up in the sun, doing nothing, is not the thing she likes to do best.

高二英语完型填空困难题查看答案及解析

Most British people prefer to live in a house rather than,a flat and one of the reasons for this is that houses usually have gardens.The garden is a place where people can be outside and yet private.

If a house has a front and back garden,the front is likely to be formal and decorative,with a lawn (an area of grass) or fancy paving and flower borders.The back garden usually also has a lawn and flower beds,and sometimes a vegetable land or fruit trees.There is often a bird table (a raised platform on which food is put for birds) and a shed in which garden tools are kept.

Many British people spend quite a lot of money on their gardens and even the smallest may contain many kinds of flowers and plants.For many British people gardening is a hobby and they take great pride in their gardens.Some towns and village have competitions for the best-kept small garden.People with a small garden,or no garden at all can rent a piece of land,on which most people grow vegetables.

There are garden centers near most towns,selling everything a gardener might need,from flowerpots to fish ponds as well as different plants.

The British's interest in gardening affects the appearance of whole towns.Public parks and traffic roundabouts often have bright displays of flowers in summer and public buildings have window boxes（窗口花坛）and hanging baskets.Towns and villages enter for the yearly Britain in Bloom competition.

At weekends many British people like to visit famous gardens,such as that at Stowe near Banbury,built in the 18th century.Every summer the National Gardens Scheme publishes a thin book listing private gardens belonging to enthusiastic gardeners which are open to the public on a particular day.Visitors like to look around and get ideas for their own gardens.

1.What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A. The British love gardening as a hobby.

B. The British spend too much money on touring.

C. Poor British people cannot afford gardening.

D. The British like showing off their gardens.

2.What can we know from Paragraph 5?

A. Gardening improves the appearance of British towns.

B. British parks are full of flowers all year round.

C. The British's interest in gardening is decreasing.

D. Britain in Bloom is a worldwide competition.

3.Why does the National Gardens Scheme offer information on private gardens?　　 .

A. Call on gardeners to compete with each other.

B. Point out the importance of private gardens.

C. Help other gardeners find inspiration.

D. Make the gardeners better-known.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

It is the first time I ______ this kind of music.

A．heard            B．am hearing        C．have heard        D．had heard

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

As we all know, music is p___1.____ the most importantpart in our day-to-day lives. Some songs can ___2.____ (激励) us and drive us forward, while _____3._____ may remind us ___4.__ the people whom we love. Many important occasions like those of ___5.____ (婚礼) or sports and games have their special music. Every nation has its n____6.___ anthem. With years p_____7.___ by, music grows and changes.Modern science has also changed music. Inventions like records, radios, movies, ___8.____ (电的) instrument, tapes,recorders and videos have changed the way in ___9.___ we play and listen to music; they have h___10._____ to make music an important form of international communication.

高二英语其他题中等难度题查看答案及解析

Let's pretend we're sailing down the Rhine River on a pleasure boat. The Rhine is one of the main waterways of Germany, and the river traffic is heavy. It's interesting to watch the many boats going up and down the river. But the river traffic is not nearly so interesting as the beautiful scenery along the banks and hillsides. The boat is passing many old castles. We can see people working in the vineyards (԰) on the hillsides. There are vineyards as far as the eye can see. Wine from the Rhine Valley is famous all over the world.

Suddenly our boat slows down and begins to turn a little. We are coming to a sharp bend in the river. On our right we can see a rocky cliff over 400 feet high. At first it looks quite ordinary, but there is nothing ordinary about it. There are many stories, poems, and songs about the cliff. We are looking at the Lorelei.

The someone on the boat begins to sing in German, the song of the Lorelei. It is a song about a beautiful siren (Ů) who has lured many sailors to their deaths.

The siren is supposed to sit on the rock combing her long golden hair and singing. The sailors who hear her forget to steer, and the current of river hurls their boats on the rocks and dashes them to pieces.

Soon other people on the boat begin to sing. The beautiful song adds to special magic to the moment, and you begin to realize why so many people have made this trip down the Rhine to see the rock of the Lorelei.

1.The more interesting thing to those who are sailing down the Rhine River on a pleasure boat is      .

A. to watch many boats going up and down the river

B. to see the beautiful scenery along the banks and hillsides

C. to hear a song about beautiful siren

D. to see a beautiful siren combing her golden hair

2. Which of the following is famous all over the world?

A. The Rhine River.                   B. The River Traffic.

C. Wine from the Rhine Valley.          D. The Lorelei.

3. We can see a rocky cliff over 400 feet high      .

A. on our right when coming to a sharp bend       B. on the Rhine hillsides

C. from the Rhine Valley                 D. on the boat

4. The song of the Lorelei is about      .

A. The Rhine wine

B. a rocky cliff

C. the beautiful scenery along the Rhine River

D. a beautiful and dangerous woman genie

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析