In the countries of South and Southeast Asia, the elephant has been an important part of the culture, economy and religion for centuries. And nowhere more so than in Thailand. Unlike its African cousin, the Asian elephant is easily domesticated(驯化). The rare so-called white elephants have actually lent the power of royalty (皇室)to its rulers,and until the 1920s the national flag was a white elephant on a red background. To the early Western visitors, the country's romantic name was“ Land of the White Elephant".
Today, however, the story is very different. Out of work and out of land, the Thai elephant struggles for survival in a nation that no longer needs it. The elephant has found itself more or less deserted by previous owners who have moved on to a different economic world and a society in the western part. And while the elephant's problems began many years ago, now it has a very low national advantage.
How does the national symbol turn into ignored animals? It is a story of worse environment and the changing lives of the Thais themselves. According to Richard Lair, Thailand's expert on the Asian elephant and author of the report Gone Astray, at the turn of the last century, there may well have been as many as 100,000 national elephants in the country.
In the north of Thailand alone, it was estimated(估计)that more than 20,000 elephants were employed in transport, 1,000 of them alone on the road between the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Saen.
This was at a time when 90 percent of Thailand was still forest---a habitat that not only supported the animals but also made them necessary to carry goods and people. Nothing ploughs through thick forest better than lots of sure-footed elephants.
By 1950 the elephant population had dropped, but still to the number of 13, 397. However, today there are probably no more than 3,800, with another l,350 wandering free in the national parks. But now, Thailand's forest covers only 20 percent of the land. This deforestation(采伐森林)is the central point of the elephant's difficult situation, for it has effectively put the animals out of work. This century, as the road network grew, the elephant's role as a beast of burden decreased.
1.What can we know about African elephants from the passage?
A. It is of little value to domesticate them.
B. It is hard to domesticate them.
C. They are living a better life than Asian elephants.
D. Their fate is quite similar to that of Asian elephants.
2.Thailand was once called "Land of the White Elephant" because ________.
A. white elephant was a national symbol until the 1920s
B. white elephant is rarely seen and thus very special
C. white elephant has helped kings to gain the ruling authority
D. this name was so romantic that it was popular among visitors
3.Why is the Thai elephant "out of work", according to the author?
A. Because there are too many elephants but too few jobs.
B. Because the elephants can't do labor work any longer.
C. Because the government pays little attention to the problem.
D. Because the elephants are no longer useful to their owners.
4.The passage is most probably from ________.
A. a travel guide
B. a history book
C. a popular science magazine
D. an official announcement
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
In the countries of South and Southeast Asia, the elephant has been an important part of the culture, economy and religion for centuries. And nowhere more so than in Thailand. Unlike its African cousin, the Asian elephant is easily domesticated(驯化). The rare so-called white elephants have actually lent the power of royalty (皇室)to its rulers,and until the 1920s the national flag was a white elephant on a red background. To the early Western visitors, the country's romantic name was“ Land of the White Elephant".
Today, however, the story is very different. Out of work and out of land, the Thai elephant struggles for survival in a nation that no longer needs it. The elephant has found itself more or less deserted by previous owners who have moved on to a different economic world and a society in the western part. And while the elephant's problems began many years ago, now it has a very low national advantage.
How does the national symbol turn into ignored animals? It is a story of worse environment and the changing lives of the Thais themselves. According to Richard Lair, Thailand's expert on the Asian elephant and author of the report Gone Astray, at the turn of the last century, there may well have been as many as 100,000 national elephants in the country.
In the north of Thailand alone, it was estimated(估计)that more than 20,000 elephants were employed in transport, 1,000 of them alone on the road between the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Saen.
This was at a time when 90 percent of Thailand was still forest---a habitat that not only supported the animals but also made them necessary to carry goods and people. Nothing ploughs through thick forest better than lots of sure-footed elephants.
By 1950 the elephant population had dropped, but still to the number of 13, 397. However, today there are probably no more than 3,800, with another l,350 wandering free in the national parks. But now, Thailand's forest covers only 20 percent of the land. This deforestation(采伐森林)is the central point of the elephant's difficult situation, for it has effectively put the animals out of work. This century, as the road network grew, the elephant's role as a beast of burden decreased.
1.What can we know about African elephants from the passage?
A. It is of little value to domesticate them.
B. It is hard to domesticate them.
C. They are living a better life than Asian elephants.
D. Their fate is quite similar to that of Asian elephants.
2.Thailand was once called "Land of the White Elephant" because ________.
A. white elephant was a national symbol until the 1920s
B. white elephant is rarely seen and thus very special
C. white elephant has helped kings to gain the ruling authority
D. this name was so romantic that it was popular among visitors
3.Why is the Thai elephant "out of work", according to the author?
A. Because there are too many elephants but too few jobs.
B. Because the elephants can't do labor work any longer.
C. Because the government pays little attention to the problem.
D. Because the elephants are no longer useful to their owners.
4.The passage is most probably from ________.
A. a travel guide
B. a history book
C. a popular science magazine
D. an official announcement
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The Mekong River, which________ several countries in Southeast Asia, ______to be playing a significant role in the region.
A.links; is considered | B.has linked; considers |
C.is linked; is considered | D.links; considers |
高二英语单项填空困难题查看答案及解析
The strong emphasis on educational achievement in China, Japan and other parts of South-East Asia may be coming at a heavy price. Researchers say that hard work at school plus the lack of exposure to outdoor light is damaging the eyes of almost nine out of ten students—with one in five at serious risk of visual impairment and blindness.
The scientists say that young people need up to three hours a day of outdoor light, but many infants are also missing out as they nap during lunch time. Dr. Ian Morgan is the lead author of the study. “I think what's happened in South-East Asia is that we've got a double whammy. We've got the massive educational pressures and we've got the construction of a child's day in a way that really minimises the amount of time they spend outside in bright light.”
The scientists say that genetic factors, long thought to play a big role in short-sightedness, are not as important as the environment. They point to Singapore as a place with several different racial groups, all of whom are now suffering high levels of short-sightedness.
The authors suggest that compulsory time outdoors should be considered by educational authorities across South-East Asia as a way of dealing with the problem.
1.What does the passage mainly talk about ?
A. Educational achievement in Asia.
B. Sight problems in South-East Asia.
C. Risk of visual impairment and blindness.
D. Massive educational pressures
2. What does the underlined part “a double whammy” refer to?
A. Many infants’ naps and massive educational pressures.
B. Hard work at school and the construction of a child's day.
C. Educational pressures and the lack of exposure to outdoor light.
D. Genetic factors and the minimised time spent outside in bright light.
3. By mentioning Singapore, the author intends to tell us that ________.
A. genetic factors play a big role in short-sightedness
B. it has several different racial groups
C. all Singaporeans are shortsighted now
D. the environment has greater effect on people’s eyes
4.The authors strongly believe that __________.
A. we should spend enough time outdoors
B. infants should not nap during lunch time
C. students should not work hard at school
D. educational authorities are to blame for short-sightedness
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
In Thailand and other parts of South-east Asia, the normal greeting is a slight bow with palms _____ together.
A. being pressed B. having pressed
C. to be pressed D. pressed
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
单词拼写(10分)
1.An earthquake hit the southeast of the country,causing 6 deaths and hundreds of i_____________.
2.The lady has a very expensive ring with a d__________ in the center.
3.David had prepared carefully for the chemistry exam so that he could be sure of passing it at her first a____________.
4.Life is tough in the city. In order to lose the p____________,some people drink alcohol.
5.She cut her finger on a piece of glass and it is b___________.
6.We feel we are happiest when we chat and e_____________ ideas with one another.
7.She thought it was worthwhile for her to teach in the small village to make a d____________ to the life of the children there.
8.I like reading poems, because poems can c___________ certain emotions.
9.Strict measures have to be a__________ to protect the wildlife from being killed.
高二英语单词拼写中等难度题查看答案及解析
At this time of last year, part of Southeast Asia was struck by floods, from _____ effects the people are still suffering.
A. that B. whose
C. those D. what
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Brazil, the largest country in South America, is famous for the Amazon rainforest and soccer. But on the hottest days, people travel there for another reason – the Carnival. Full of excitement and fun, the Carnival is held annually in February or March. This year, the celebration runs from March 2nd to 9th .
It is a wild festival of food, music and dance. The word “Carnival” comes from the Portuguese “Carne Vale”, which means “farewell to meat”. In the early 1600s, the Portuguese brought European traditions to Brazil. Then they started their own carnival with dances and music, which were inspired by black people brought there by the slave trade.
With its beautiful floats (花车), attractive clothes and happy people, the Samba Parade is the most fantastic event of the Carnival. The Sambadrome is a special stadium for the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro with 80,000 seats where people can sit and enjoy the festival. Samba is said to be the soul of Rio. “This is where the passion for samba lies – the atmosphere is electric as even the oldest men and women sing and dance to the music,” travel guidebook Lonely Planet noted.
Top samba schools stand out in the main parade, with fantastic parades of floats and thousands of dancers. The parade goes on until dawn. The schools base their performances on certain themes from Brazilian history or on social and environmental problems, such as that of the Amazon rainforest.
Besides fun street parties, colorful costumes and energetic music, Carnival also offers plenty of tasty street food, such as Quindim – a dessert made of egg yolks and sugar.
Overall, it is traditionally a time to go a bit crazy with eating, dancing and dressing up.
1.What is true about the Carnival in Brazil?
A. It is annually celebrated from March 2nd to 9th.
B. It has attracted a large number of people.
C. It is held for people to stop eating meat.
D. It was brought to Brazil by black people.
2.It can be inferred that Samba is popular because _______.
A. it brought European tradition
B. it highlights top Samba Schools
C. it represents Brazilian passion
D. it reflects Brazilian history
3.What is the main purpose of the passage?
A. To tell the history of European settlers.
B. To attract more visitors to Brazil.
C. To introduce the Carnival in Brazil.
D. To show the attraction of Samba.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Last year, part of Southeast Asia was struck by floods, from ________ effects the people are still suffering.
A.that B.whose C.which D.what
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Lindsay Renwick, the mayor of Deniliquin, a country town in New South Wales, misses the constant whir of the rice mill whose giant fans dried the rice. The Deniliquin mill, the largest rice mill in the Southern Hemisphere, once processed enough grain to meet the needs of 20 million people globally. But six years of drought have had a destructive effect, reducing Australia’s rice crop by 98 percent and leading to the mothballing of the mill last December.
Drought affects every agriculture industry based in Australia, not just rice – from sheep farming, the country’s other backbone, to the cultivation of grapes for wine, the fastest-growing crop there, with that expansion often coming at the expense of rice. The drought’s effect on rice has produced the greatest impact on the rest of the world, so far. It is one factor contributing to skyrocketing prices, and many scientists believe it is among the earliest signs that a warming planet is starting to affect food production.
Researchers are looking for solutions to global rice shortages – for example, rice that blooms earlier in the day, when it is cooler, to fight against global warming. Rice plants that happen to bloom on hot days are less likely to produce grains of rice, a difficulty that is already starting to emerge in inland areas of China and other Asian countries as temperatures begin to climb. “There will be problems very soon unless we have new varieties of rice in place,” said Reiner Wassmann, climate change director at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The recent reports on climate change carried a warning that could make the news even worse: that existing models for the effects of climate change on agriculture did not yet include newer findings that global warming could reduce rainfall and make it more variable.
Meanwhile, changes like the use of water to grow wine grapes instead of rice carry their own costs, as the developing world is discovering. "Rice is an essential food," sail Graeme Haley, the general manager of the town of Deniliquin. "Wine is not."
Yet the effects of climate change are not uniformly bad for rice. Rising concentrations (浓度) of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, can actually help rice – although the effect reduces or disappears if the plants face unnecessary heat, inadequate water, severe pollution or other stresses. Still, the flexibility of farmers here has persuaded some climate experts that, particularly in developed countries, the effects of climate change may be relieved, if not completely avoided. “I’m not as negative as most people,” said Will Steffen, director of the Fenner School of Environment and Society at Australian National University. “Farmers are learning how to do things differently.”
Phenomenon | Six years of drought has reduced Australia’s rice crop by 98%, leaving the largest rice mill 1. |
2.of climate change on agriculture | ◎Every Australian agriculture industry is affected, sheep farming 3. ◎The cultivation of grapes for wine may stop 4. owing to a shortage of rice. ◎Rice prices are rising 5. . ◎Food production will be reduced for a recent report reveals that global warming may reduce rainfall and cause it to 6. more often. |
7.to global rice shortages | ◎8. old types with a new variety of rice that blooms earlier when it is cooler. ◎Use water instead of rice to grow wine. |
Some good news | ◎Rice can actually 9. by the rising concentration of carbon dioxide and the main greenhouse gas. ◎Though the effects of climate change are 10., farmers are flexible and can do things differently . |
高二英语任务型阅读中等难度题查看答案及解析
Handball(手球)is a hugely popular sport in Europe and Asia, and it is one of the fastest and most exciting sports in the world.It combines basketball and soccer with the attracting saves of water polo.
Handball is played on an indoor court(the size of two basketball courts)and there are goals at each end.There are twelve players on each team,two goal keepers and ten field players,but there is a maximum of one goalkeeper and six field players from each team allowed on the court at any one time.The idea is simple:score more goals than the other team.
The ball is made of leather or synthetic material and it must be round.The surface must not be shiny or slippery.The size and weight of the ball varies for male and female teams,and adult and junior teams.
Handball has the same free-ranging play as basketball,with all players except the goalkeeper constantly moving from attack to defence.The goalkeeper uses hands, feet,head and body to keep out the other team’s shots.The origins of handball are unclear.Many people believe that it developed as a training game for soccer,to be played in the off season,or when it snowing.Now,in countries where handball is popular,players can earn large sums of money,and indoor stadiums seating over ten thousand people sell out regularly.Handball has been played at the Olympics since 1972.
1.The passage states that handball was most probably developed__________.
A.as a replacement for basketball
B.by supporters of water polo
C.as a training game
D.for the 1972 Olympics
2.The statement,“The idea is simple”,emphasizes that in handball the _____ .
A . game has only one purpose
B.court is clearly marked
C.players can change positions
D.goalkeeper is the last defense
3.It is clear that the writer believes the sport of handball __________.
A.is more popular for men than for women
B. is great fun for the audience
C.requires an unusually shaped ball
D.should only be played in winter
4.In which order does the information appear in the passage?
a.type of ball b.court size
c.beginning of the sport d.team members
A. c—a—b—d B.b—a—d—c
C.c—d—a—b D.b—d—a—c
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析