The Big Ben is located in the tower at the eastern end of the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, Greater London. It was designed by Edmund Beckett and Baron Grimthorpe.
The Big Ben is very famous throughout the world, but nobody really knows why it is called Big Ben. There are two hearsays about this. Some people say that it was named after Benjamin Caunt, a boxer, who was called Big Ben. More people believe it was called after Welshman, Sir Benjamin Hall. He was the commissioner(特派员)of the work at the time of its installation in 1859.A story was told that during a debate in the Commons on what to call the bell, Sir Benjamin was about to give his ideas when a MP who sat behind the front bench shouted, “Let's call it Big Ben!” Then this name came into being.
The bell hasn't gone through a smooth road since the beginning of its design. Because there was great disagreement about the design of the clock. It took fifteen years to build. In 1857, the bell was completed and tested on the ground, but a four-foot crack appeared and the bell had to be cast again. Finally, the clock started ticking on 31 May, 1859, and struck its first chime(报时)on 11, July. Then in September, the bell cracked again. It was silent for four years but was eventually turned a quarter of a revolution(旋转). In this way, the crack was not under the striking hammer. Craftsmen made a square above the crack to stop it growing longer and it can still be seen today.
The Big Ben is famous not only for its 13-ton weight, but also for its accuracy(准确性) which is a result of its precise mechanism(机械装置). Even one extra penny's weight on the balance will cause a gain of two fifths of a second in twenty-four hours. Although there have been several problems, the bell is still striking today.Its chimes can be heard all over the world on the B.B.C.
1.What can we know about the Big Ben?
A.It is located in the Houses of Parliament. B.It is the largest and tallest clock tower in the world.
C.It is well-known all over the world. D.It is the heaviest clock in the world.
2.What can we learn from the third paragraph?
A.The bell worked well at its first test.
B.The construction of the clock was long but not smooth.
C.The clock started to strike chimes on 31 May,1859.
D.The crack finally disappeared after a quarter of a revolution
3.Which of the following can best explain why Big Ben is world-famous?
A.Accurate and heavy. B.Accurate and colorful.
C.Heavy and colorful. D.Attractive and accurate.
4.What can we infer from the passage?
A.Sir Benjamin Hall was a famous architect at that time.
B.Even the tiniest extra weight on the balance will affect the clock's accuracy.
C.The chimes of the clock could be heard all over the world.
D.The clock has been ticking ever since 31 May,1859.
高一英语阅读选择中等难度题
The Big Ben is located in the tower at the eastern end of the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, Greater London. It was designed by Edmund Beckett and Baron Grimthorpe.
The Big Ben is very famous throughout the world, but nobody really knows why it is called Big Ben. There are two hearsays about this. Some people say that it was named after Benjamin Caunt, a boxer, who was called Big Ben. More people believe it was called after Welshman, Sir Benjamin Hall. He was the commissioner(特派员)of the work at the time of its installation in 1859.A story was told that during a debate in the Commons on what to call the bell, Sir Benjamin was about to give his ideas when a MP who sat behind the front bench shouted, “Let's call it Big Ben!” Then this name came into being.
The bell hasn't gone through a smooth road since the beginning of its design. Because there was great disagreement about the design of the clock. It took fifteen years to build. In 1857, the bell was completed and tested on the ground, but a four-foot crack appeared and the bell had to be cast again. Finally, the clock started ticking on 31 May, 1859, and struck its first chime(报时)on 11, July. Then in September, the bell cracked again. It was silent for four years but was eventually turned a quarter of a revolution(旋转). In this way, the crack was not under the striking hammer. Craftsmen made a square above the crack to stop it growing longer and it can still be seen today.
The Big Ben is famous not only for its 13-ton weight, but also for its accuracy(准确性) which is a result of its precise mechanism(机械装置). Even one extra penny's weight on the balance will cause a gain of two fifths of a second in twenty-four hours. Although there have been several problems, the bell is still striking today.Its chimes can be heard all over the world on the B.B.C.
1.What can we know about the Big Ben?
A.It is located in the Houses of Parliament. B.It is the largest and tallest clock tower in the world.
C.It is well-known all over the world. D.It is the heaviest clock in the world.
2.What can we learn from the third paragraph?
A.The bell worked well at its first test.
B.The construction of the clock was long but not smooth.
C.The clock started to strike chimes on 31 May,1859.
D.The crack finally disappeared after a quarter of a revolution
3.Which of the following can best explain why Big Ben is world-famous?
A.Accurate and heavy. B.Accurate and colorful.
C.Heavy and colorful. D.Attractive and accurate.
4.What can we infer from the passage?
A.Sir Benjamin Hall was a famous architect at that time.
B.Even the tiniest extra weight on the balance will affect the clock's accuracy.
C.The chimes of the clock could be heard all over the world.
D.The clock has been ticking ever since 31 May,1859.
高一英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析
Things That You Can’t Miss in Macao
Macao Tower AJ Hackett Bungee Jump
The Macao Tower, 338 meters tall, is the world's 10th highest tower, with a variety of activities, such as eating and entertainment. One of the exciting activities is the bungee jump. The AJ Hackett Macao Tower Bungee Jump is 233 meters high, making it a Guinness World Record as the highest bungee jump in the world.
Grab a traditional Portuguese dinner
Macao was colonized by Portugal (葡萄牙) before 1999. As a result, Portuguese culture is deeply immersed into many corners of Macao. Many Portuguese settled and opened Portuguese restaurants in the special administrative region, but the flavor is more adaptable to Chinese people.
Visit a museum
Macao, as a tiny little city with only an area of 30.5 square kilometers, has 23 eye-catching museums. Due to its unique history, both Eastern and Western historical sites can be found. Many of them are preserved for cultural heritage, tourist spots or museums, such as the Grand Prix Museum, Maritime Museum and Wine Museum.
Selfie at the Ruins of St. Paul
The Ruins of St. Paul is the signature landmark of Macao. The ruins consist of the St. Paul’s College and the Church of St. Paul, built in 1583. However, after three fires in 1595, 1601 and 1835, the church was seriously damaged.
1.If you want to go bungee jumping, you should go to_______________.
A.the ruins of St. Paul B.the Macao Towel.
C.a Portuguese restaurant. D.the Maritime Museum
2.Which phrase below is close to the underlined part in Para.2?
A.has a great influence on B.is deeply impressed by
C.is well prepared for D.is made up of
3.Where may you read this passage?
A.In a letter B.In a history book
C.In a news report. D.On a tourism website.
高一英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析
Qingdao is an________ city________ the eastern coast of China.
A.unique；locating in B.impressive；lying in C.attractive；located on D.seaside；lay on
高一英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Towers Worth Visiting in Sanya
The sightseeing tower in East Coast Wetland Park in Sanya, South China’s Hainan province, boasts six floors and is 21 meters high, which is able to provide visitors a bird’s-eye view of the park. The tower’s walls are full of holes of various sizes, allowing visitors to enjoy different views of landscapes as they climb the staircase to the top of the tower.
The watchtower on the mountaintop of Linchunling Forest Park is an ideal place to get a bird’s-eye view of Sanya. It has five floors and is 195.6 meters high. Modeled like an ancient pavilion (亭), the tower is painted in red and has been praised for its beauty.
The Tower of the Silk Road in the fishing port in Sanya’s Yazhou district is the tallest lighthouse in China, with a height of 95 meters. Sanya had been an important part of the ancient Maritime (海洋) Silk Road. The tower was built in the shape of Zun, type of Chinese wine cup.
Built during the reign of Emperor Xianfeng (831-1861), Yingwang Tower in Sanya has seven floors and is about 15 meters high. Its name bears the meaning of talents thriving due to prosperous education. Located at the bank of the Ningyuan River,the tower is the only surviving ancient tower in the city.
1.Which tower provides the whole view of Sanya?
A.The tower in East Coast Wetland Park.
B.The Tower of the Silk Road.
C.The watchtower in Linchunling Forest Park.
D.Yingwang Tower.
2.What is special about The Tower of the Silk Road?
A.The tallest tower in Sanya. B.The function as lighthouse.
C.The only surviving ancient tower. D.The bird’s-eye view of the port.
3.Where is the text probably from?
A.A guidebook. B.A dictionary. C.A news report. D.A book review.
高一英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析
The Top 4 Beaches on the East Coast
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Great point, at the easternmost end of the island of Nantucket, is one of the most secret beaches in the world. That's because you need a four﹣wheel drive vehicle and a beach permit to get there. Once you do, you'll find miles of beachfront and a historic lighthouse.
Block Island, Rhode Island
Accessible by ferry, Block Island oozes New England charm. It's worth the effort to get to Mohegan Bluffs, where you can experience a set of 141 wooden steps leading down to the sand. With clay cliffs and a view that reaches Montauk at the eastern tip of Long Island, this beach is especially unique.
East Hampton, New York
Named the best beach in the county in 2013, Main Beach in East Hampton is known for its wide stretch of sand plus a snack bar, bathrooms, and lockers. On﹣site parking is only available to village residents but there are free beach shuttles available.
Jekyll Island, Georgia
Located off the coast of Georgia, this 5, 700﹣acre barrier island is famous for its nesting sea turtles and hermit crabs. Glory Beach got its name because producers of the 1989 movie Glory, featuring Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, and Denzel Washington, built a long boardwalk to the beach that remains in place.
1.Which has one of the most private beaches in the world？
A.Jekyll Island, Georgia.
B.Block Island, Rhode Island.
C.Nantucket, Massachusetts.
D.East Hampton, New York.
2.What may attract the visitors to go to Mohegan Bluffs？
A.Climbing the clay cliffs.
B.Experiencing the warm sand.
C.Admiring the scenery of Montauk.
D.Walking along a set of 141 wooden steps.
3.What can we learn about Jekyll Island according to the passage？
A.Jekyll Island is famous for its nesting sea fishes and hermit crabs.
B.Jekyll Island is located on the east coast of the United States.
C.There is a wide boardwalk to Glory Beach on Jekyll Island.
D.Glory Beach is named after the producers of the movie Glory.
高一英语阅读选择简单题查看答案及解析
Minutes after the last movie ended yesterday at the Plaza Theater, employees were busy sweeping up popcorns and gathering coke cups. It was a scene that had been repeated many times in the theater’s 75-year history. This time, however, the cleanup was a little different. As one group of workers carried out the rubbish, another group began removing seats and other theater equipment in preparation for the building’s end.
The classic film The Last Picture Show was the last movie shown in the old theater. Though the movie is 30 years old, most of the 250 seats were filled with teary-eyed audience wanting to say good-bye to the old building. Theater owner Ed Bradford said he chose the movie because it seemed appropriate. The movie is set in a small town where the only movie theater is preparing to close down.
Bradford said that large modern theaters in the city made it impossible for the Plaza to compete. He added that the theater’s location(位置) was also a reason. “This used to be the center of town,” he said. “Now the area is mostly office buildings and warehouses.”
Last week some city officials suggested the city might be interested in turning the old theater into a museum and public meeting place. However, these plans were abandoned because of financial problems. Bradford sold the building and land to a local development firm, which plans to build a shopping complex on the land where the theater is located.
The theater audience said good-bye as Bradford locked the doors for the last time. After 75 years the Plaza Theater had shown its last movie. The theater will be missed.
1.In what way was yesterday’s cleanup at the Plaza special?
A.It made room for new equipment. B.It marked the 75th anniversary of the theater.
C.It was done with the help of the audience. D.It signaled the close down of the theater.
2.Why was The Last Picture Show put on?
A.It was an all-time classic. B.It was about the history of the town.
C.The theater owner found it suitable. D.The audience requested it.
3.What will probably happen to the building?
A.It will be repaired. B.It will be knocked down.
C.It will be turned into a museum. D.It will be sold to the city government.
4.What can we infer about the audience?
A.They are sad to part with the old theater. B.They are disappointed with Bradford.
C.They are supportive of the city officials. D.They are eager to have a shopping center.
高一英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析
Florida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is one of the most visited states in the country and the sunshine state attracts millions of visitors each year. Are you planning a vacation to it? Here our travel guide may help you.
La Nouba at Walt Disney World Resort
Duration: 90 minutes
Location: Orlando, Florida
While you're in Orlando, spend a day at the theme parks with a Cirque du Soleil show at Downtown Disney, La Nouba is the meeting of two different worlds—the fantastic world of the circus (马戏团) people who wear bright colors and the boring world of the people living in big cities who wear dark, lifeless clothes.
Kennedy Space Center
Duration: Flexible
Location: Orlando, Florida
Spend a day exploring the attractive Kennedy Space Center, just 45 minutes from Orlando. Learn about the history of the US space program and watch beautiful IMAX films. Don't miss the chance to walk under a Saturn V rocket, and experience a real moonwalk!
Sea World Orlando
Duration: Varies
Location: Orlando, Florida
Spend a day at Sea World Orlando and come face to face with the ocean's most attractive sea animals. With several upclose meetings with killer whales, sharks and turtles, you'll feel the energy and excitement of all kinds of sea life.
South Beach Cultural Food and Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Location: Miami, Florida
On the South Beach Cultural Food and Walking Tour, you'll explore the Art Deco district of South Beach on foot and along the way, you'll taste a variety of foods that make South Beach such an internationally wellknown food region.
★Price information：
Click the link below to check price information on your preferred travel date. Our price is constantly updated.
1.If you are interested in exciting performances, which of the following is the best choice?
A.La Nouba at Walt Disney World Resort
B.Kennedy Space Center
C.Sea World Orlando
D.South Beach Cultural Food and Walking Tour
2.What can we learn from the text?
A.Visitors can enjoy real space travel at Kennedy Space Center.
B.Visitors can enjoy foods from different countries at South Beach.
C.Some dangerous animals can be found at Sea World Orlando.
D.La Nouba is a funny person who performs in the Cirque du Soleil show.
3.Where does the text most probably come from?
A.A travel magazine. B.A travel website.
C.A news report. D.A geography textbook.
高一英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析
Qingdao is an ______ city ______ the eastern coast of China.
A.attract; locating on B.attracting; lying in
C.attractive; located on D.attracted; lay in
高一英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower opened to the public on March 31, 1889, and its beauty has continued to spellbind the world for 130 years. But some little-known facts about the Eiffel Tower may surprise you. We've put together a list.
It's the world's most visited paid tourist attraction
Almost seven million visitors each year pay the admission fee to visit the Eiffel Tower, Since it opened in 1889, nearly 300 million people have experienced the tower.
There’s an apartment at the top
A personal apartment that Gustave Eiffel used as an office was created at the top of the tower. Eiffel entertained many important persons there, and today visitors to the apartment will see it as it looked in Eiffel's day, with life-like wax models （蜡像）of Eiffel and Thomas Edison.
You could send a postcard by balloon from the Eiffel Tower
During the 1889 World's Fair, visitors could buy a commemorative （纪念）postcard that was attached to a balloon and a small parachute （降落伞）.Visitors would write an address on the postcard and release it into the air from the tower. The postcard would fall back to earth gently due to the parachute, but it's not known how many of these postcards ever made it to their intended addresses.
19th-century elevators are still in operation
Two of the original elevator cars are still functioning in the Eiffel Tower elevators that go to the third floor in the east and west pillars （铁柱）.The equipment has been updated, but it is basically the same technology that was used more than a century ago.
1.What do you know about the apartment at the top?
A.It was used as Eiffel's office.
B.It used to be a public apartment.
C.It sells wax models of Eiffel and Edison.
D.It only provides service for important persons.
2.What is special about sending the postcard?
A.The symbol. B.The fee. C.The way. D.The time.
3.What is the text intended to do?
A.To update the equipment. B.To show some interesting stories.
C.To explain the amazing history. D.To share some little-known facts.
高一英语阅读选择中等难度题查看答案及解析
Ecuador is located in the western corner at the top of the South American continent. Ecuador，the smallest country in South America，is named after the Equator (赤道)，the imaginary line around the Earth that divides the country into two. Most of the country is in the Southern Hemisphere(半球)．Ecuador is about the size of Colorado and is bordered by the South American countries Colombia and Peru. The Galapagos Islands, 596 miles west of the mainland of Ecuador，are part of Ecuador and are home to many unique birds and plants. The Costa, or coastal plain region, is where many of the world’s bananas are grown. The Sierra is also made up of farmland. The Oriente is east of the Andes and is rich in oil.
Ecuador is considered to be one of the most diverse(多样的) areas of the world. There are some 25,000 plant species and over 1,600 known bird species. Ecuador has nine national parks，including the Galapagos Islands. These 18 islands are home to some of the most amazing creatures. This is where Charles Darwin noticed the diversity of species and began to study evolution.
Ecuador was part of the Inca Empire until the Spanish arrived and claimed the country as a Spanish colony. For three hundred years the Spanish controlled Ecuador. In 1822，Ecuador became independent of Spain.
About 10 percent of Ecuador’s population is of European origin. About 25 percent of the population belongs to native cultures and the rest is of mostly mixed ethnicity(混合民族)．Many of the native people are farmers and only grow enough food for their family.
1.The passage mainly talks about________.
A. the geography, climate and plant species of Ecuador
B. the natural environment and economy of Ecuador
C. the geography, nature, history and population of Ecuador
D. the nature, history and agriculture of Ecuador
2.What can we know from the passage?
A. Many special birds and plants can be seen in Ecuador.
B. Ecuador is mainly made up of farmland.
C. Ecuador is the largest producer of bananas around the world.
D. Ecuador is one of the largest exporters of oil in South America.
3.It is implied in the passage that Ecuador’s diversity of species________.
A. attracts many visitors each year
B. has made Ecuador famous all over the world
C. led to the setting up of Ecuador’s national parks
D. inspired Charles Darwin to study evolution
4.Which group makes up the main part of Ecuador’s population?
A. Natives. B. People of mixed ethnicity.
C. People of European origin. D. Spanish people.
高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析