In Britain, many theatres put on shows for children at Christmas and many theatres have a theatre-in-education team working there. This team, made up of actors and teachers, writes plays for children, usually performing them in schools. They do different plays for different age groups and the children often take part in the play in some way.
Pantomime is a special kind of Christmas show for children. It is loved by people and also allows the audience to join in. “Pantomime” was the name of the Roman actor who performed shows without speaking — this is where the English word “mime” comes from.
A pantomime is always based on a well-known children's story. But there are always certain types of characters in the show and certain situations and events. For example, a pantomime must always include a hero, known as the “principal boy” and this principal boy is always played by a pretty girl wearing a short costume. Then there is the comic older woman, known as the “dame” who is played by a man. There is always a group of men and women who sing and dance and often there is a pantomime horse. The horse is played by two men who form the “front” and “back” ends inside a “horse” costume. It is funny and it usually kicks the dame when she isn't looking.
Members of the audience have to shout a warning to one of the characters and argue with the character (usually the dame) when she does not believe them. When she shouts, “Oh no, it isn't,” the audience always responds with “Oh yes, it is!” The audience also learns and sings a simple song and a few children are sometimes invited to help one of the characters during the show.
1.The theatre-in-education teams _____.
A. are made up of famous local actors
B. write plays for the same age group
C. often give plays in their own theatres
D. usually allow children to join in a play
2.According to the text, a pantomime _____.
A. is designed to make people laugh
B. is made up of three characters
C. is especially popular with grown-ups
D. can be watched all year round in Britain
3.When the dame says, “Yes, it is”, the audience should _____.
A. follow her and sing
B. stand up and dance
C. repeat what she says
D. disagree with her loudly
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
In Britain, many theatres put on shows for children at Christmas and many theatres have a theatre-in-education team working there. This team, made up of actors and teachers, writes plays for children, usually performing them in schools. They do different plays for different age groups and the children often take part in the play in some way.
Pantomime is a special kind of Christmas show for children. It is loved by people and also allows the audience to join in. “Pantomime” was the name of the Roman actor who performed shows without speaking — this is where the English word “mime” comes from.
A pantomime is always based on a well-known children's story. But there are always certain types of characters in the show and certain situations and events. For example, a pantomime must always include a hero, known as the “principal boy” and this principal boy is always played by a pretty girl wearing a short costume. Then there is the comic older woman, known as the “dame” who is played by a man. There is always a group of men and women who sing and dance and often there is a pantomime horse. The horse is played by two men who form the “front” and “back” ends inside a “horse” costume. It is funny and it usually kicks the dame when she isn't looking.
Members of the audience have to shout a warning to one of the characters and argue with the character (usually the dame) when she does not believe them. When she shouts, “Oh no, it isn't,” the audience always responds with “Oh yes, it is!” The audience also learns and sings a simple song and a few children are sometimes invited to help one of the characters during the show.
1.The theatre-in-education teams _____.
A. are made up of famous local actors
B. write plays for the same age group
C. often give plays in their own theatres
D. usually allow children to join in a play
2.According to the text, a pantomime _____.
A. is designed to make people laugh
B. is made up of three characters
C. is especially popular with grown-ups
D. can be watched all year round in Britain
3.When the dame says, “Yes, it is”, the audience should _____.
A. follow her and sing
B. stand up and dance
C. repeat what she says
D. disagree with her loudly
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
On Christmas Eve─the night before Christmas Day─children all over Britain put a stocking at the end of their beds before they go to sleep. Their parents usually tell them that Father Christmas will come during the night.
Father Christmas is very kind and hearted. He gets to the top of each house and climbs down the chimney into the fireplace. He fills each of the stockings with Christmas presents.
Of course, Father Christmas isn't real. In Jim and Kate's house, "Father Christmas" is really Mr Green. Mr Green doesn't climb down the chimney. He waits until the children are asleep. Then he quietly goes into their bedrooms and fills their stockings with small presents. When they were very young, Mr Green sometimes wore a red coat. But he doesn't do that now. The children are no longer young, and they know who "Father Christmas" really is. But they still put their stockings at the end of their beds.
1.Christmas Eve is __________.
A.the night of Christmas Day B.the evening of Christmas Day
C.Christmas Day D.the night before Christmas Day
2.Father Christmas often puts presents ________.
A.into children's hats B.into children's stockings
C.under children's beds D.into children's shoes
3.When the children are older, they __________.
A.know that Father Christmas is real
B.ask their mother to fill their stockings with presents
C.know that Father Christmas is really their father
D.know that Father Christmas is really their friend
4.Father Christmas comes into the house through the ________.
A.chimney B.back door
C.front door D.window.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
—Who ________ for the shooting at a movie theatre in America?
—A gunman named James Eagan Holmes.
A.is blaming B.has blamed C. is to blame D.is to be blamed
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Imagination Stage is a children’s theater in the state of Maryland. A special performance is put on for children with autism (自闭症) each day. People with autism have difficulty communcating and socializing with other people. Children in the theater are allowed to move around during the performance. It’s OK if they shout out or hold their ears when the music is too loud. These special performances are sometimes the only thing that a family can go to the theater together to see if a child has autism.
That is the same idea with Autism on the Seas. This company organizes vacations for families of children with autism, especially vacations on cruise ships. Jamie Grover is director of group development in Autism on the Seas. He said, “With our staff on board, parents know that they are going to be able to relax, enjoy their vacation, and participate in ship activities. They know that their children are well taken care of.”
The benefit of such vacations organized by Autism on the Seas is not waiting in huge lines on departure day. The company has staff to help in the ports. Waiting in long lines or being in the middle of big crowds can cause problem behavior in children with autism. Autism on the Seas helps families avoid situations like that.
Autism on the Seas works with the help of cruise companies like Royal Caribbean. Special times or places are arranged for families to play video games, go skating or rock climbing, or eat dinner. Autism on the Seas also directs families to organizations that can help them pay for these vacations.
Bambi Van Woert from the state of Michigan went on a cruise with her 7-year-old Ben, who has autism. She said, “I would never do something like this myself. I cannot take Ben shopping by myself at this point, so for me to try to do a cruise without help would be absurd.”
1.What makes the children’s theatre Imagination Stage special?
A. That it only allows children with autism to enter.
B. That it puts on plays performed by people with autism.
C. That it mainly puts on plays about people with autism.
D. That it puts on special performances for kids with autism.
2.What do we know about the company Autism on the Seas?
A. It helps families of children with autism pay for vacations.
B. It was started with the help of the cruise company Royal Caribbean.
C. It organizes vacations for families of children with autism.
D. It takes care of kids with autism while their parents are away.
3.The third paragraph mainly tells us ________.
A. some occasions that kids with autism should avoid
B. some behavioural problems of children with autism
C. some activities children with autism can take part in
D. the benefit of vacations organized by Autism on the Seas
4.Bambi Van Woert is mentioned in the last paragraph to show that ________.
A. parents of a child with autism don’t want such trips
B. parents of a child with autism live a very difficult life
C. children with autism don’t like doing anything with their parents
D. such cruise trips can really help families of children with autism
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Putting in water fountains (饮水器) at schools, and teaching children about the health benefits of water, could reduce their risk of getting extra pounds, reports a new study that is published in the latest issue of the journal Pediatrics.
The findings are based on a survey in 32 elementary schools of two German cities, Dortmund and Essen. The researchers, led by Rebecca Muckelbauer, a nutritionist(营养学家) at the Research Institute of Child Nutrition Dortmund, weighed about 3,000 children, and asked them about their beverage consumption(饮料消费量).
At the beginning of the school year, the experts had water fountains added to 17 of the schools. The scientists also worked with teachers to carry out educational programs that promote the benefits of drinking water. In contrast to schools in the United States, there are very few schools in Germany that have water fountains.
At the beginning of the study, there were no big differences in the number of overweight children in the different groups. But by the end of the school year, children in the schools with water fountains were 31 per cent less likely to gain extra pounds, compared to kids who went to other schools, where water drinking was not encouraged.
Children in the schools with fountains increased their water consumption from about 3 up to 4 glasses a day, while those in the other schools continued to drink an average of 3 glasses. Over the research, the number of overweight kids upped from 384 to 385 out of 1,641 at the schools with water fountains. In comparison, the number of overweight kids at the other schools increased from 339 to 364 out of 1,309, Dr. Muckelbauer said.
The experts cannot make any final conclusions and explain why the students who were encouraged to drink water were less likely to gain extra weight. Dr. Muckelbauer noted that according to a few other studies, drinking of water increases the rate at which calories are burned, while some other research suggested that water may temporarily decrease appetite (食欲).
1.What do we know about the survey from the passage?
A. The teachers were also encouraged to drink water.
B. The students surveyed were all overweight.
C. It surveyed children in the countryside.
D. It lasted for a whole school year.
2. What can be learned from the last paragraph?
A. Drinking water certainly decreases appetite.
B. Further research is needed to confirm the finding.
C. The experts will encourage all the students to drink water.
D. Why students drinking more get less pounds will be clear soon.
3. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Schools with water fountains
B. Drink more water and become thinner
C. Water fountains at schools help kids stay thin
D. Water consumption at some German schools
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Putting in water fountains(ˮ) at schools, and teaching children about the health benefits of water, could reduce their risk of getting extra pounds, reports a new study that is published in the latest issue of the journal pediatrics.
The findings are based on a survey in 32 elementary schools of two German cities, Dortmund and Essen. The researchers, led by Rebecca Muckelbauer, a nutrionist at the Research Institute of Child Nutrition Dortmund, weighed about 3,000 children, and asked them about their beverage() consumption.
At the beginning of the school year, the experts had water fountains added to 17 of the schools. The scientists also worked with teachers to carry out educational programs that promote the benefits of drinking water. In contrast to schools in the United States, there are very few schools in Germany that have water fountains.
At the beginning of the study, there were no big differences in the number of overweight children in different groups. But by the end of the school year, children in the schools with water fountains were 31 percent less likely to gain extra pounds, compared to kids who went to other schools, where water drinking was not encouraged.[Դ:ѧ
Children in the schools with fountains, increased their water consumption from about 3 up to 4 glasses a day, while those in the other schools continued to drink an average of 3 glasses. Over the research, the number of overweight kids upped from 384 to 385 out of 1,641 at the schools with water fountains. In comparison, the number of overweight kids at the other schools increased from 339 to 364 out of 1,309, Dr. Muckelbauer said.
The experts cannot make any final conclusions and explain why the students who were encouraged to drink water were less likely to gain extra weight. Dr. Muckelbauer noted that according to a few other studies, drinking of water increases the rate at which calories are burned, while some other research suggested that water may temporarily decrease appetite.
1.According to the text, the journal Pediatrics__________.
A. may cover the subject of the health of children
B. mainly deals with the water drinking problem
C. is mainly about the mental health of kids
D. must be a journal entitled(Ȩ) by a school
2.What do we know about the survey from the text?
A. The teacher were also encouraged to drink water.
B. The students surveyed were all overweight.
C. It surveyed children in the countryside.
D. It lasted for a whole school year.
3.The fifth paragraph is mainly about __________.
A. the technique used in the survey B. the benefits of the survey
C. the process of the survey D. the result of the survey
4.What can be learned from the last paragraph?
A. Drinking water definitely decreases appetite.
B. Further research is needed to confirm the finding.
C. The experts will encourage all the students to drink water.
D. Why students drinking more get less pounds will be clear soon.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Just like children, baby animals spend countless hours at play. After studying animal play for many years, scientists recognize that young animal play is practice for adult behavior. Today this play is roughly divided into the following groups.
Locomotor play refers to the movements animals carry out in their play. Running, leaping, turning, and kicking are some of the most common examples of locomotor play. An adult deer may run, leap, and twist(曲折前进) to escape its attackers. Play movements like these surely make young animals nimble. Someday these skills might help save their lives.
Moving forward slowly, attacking suddenly .and biting are examples of predatory play that help young predators(食肉动物) prepare for a life of running after and taking hold of other animals. Wild cats, wolves, and bears are predators. It is very common to see these young animals play this kind of games which sharpen their skills and teach them about their strengths and limitations.
For children, playing with toys is both fun and educational. It helps improve their hand and eye movements as well as develop hand skills to accomplish tasks. It is the same with animals. Young chimpanzees improve their hand skills while playing with sticks. Birds also play with things in ways that teach. Swallows drop and recover feathers in mid air. Diving suddenly to catch the feathers is good practice for catching flying insects.
Social play helps animals learn how to behave when they run into other animals. And it teaches animals about communication. An animal gives signals to let another animal know it wants to play. Many animals give signals by showing a " play face" . In some ways this face is like a human smile; the animal holds its mouth in a relaxed and open manner. During play-fights, some animals may step backwards to signal that they are playing and not acting seriously.
Until now, scientists have understood playful acts help prepare animals for their serious adult situations. But the numbers of playful species and examples of animal play are vast. The purpose of animal play may have meanings scientists have not discovered yet.
1.The main purpose of the text is to ______.
A. ask us to take good care of wild animals
B. encourage us to learn more about animals
C. entertain us with interesting animal stories
D. show us something about animal behavior
2.The underlined word "nimble" in Paragraph 2 can best be replaced by______.
A. cruel B. swift
C. curious D. strong
3.Which of the following belongs to predatory play?
A. A deer runs, leaps, and turns.
B. A chimpanzee plays' with a stick.
C. A lion moves slowly and makes an attack suddenly.
D. A dog holds its mouth in a relaxed and open manner.
4.Based on Paragraph 5, a " play face " is______.
A. a type of signal between animals
B. a name for a kind of animal play
C. an activity that involves adult animals
D an action that is taught to another animal
5. Which of the following shows the structure of the text?
高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
Cobb Theatres are showing kids' movies this summer at 10 am every Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday. Doors open at 9:30 am,and many of the theaters fill quickly with summer campers,so arrive early if you want a seat.
The films will be at three MiamiDade theaters:
◆ Dolphin 19,11471NW 12th St.,Miami;
Tel:3055910785.
Ticket Pricing:$12.00 (adult);$9.00 (child under the age of 12)
◆ Cobb Grand 18,17355 NW 59th Ave.,Miami Lakes;
Tel:30523135252.
Ticket Pricing:$13.00 (adult);$10.00 (child under the age of 12)
◆ Miami Lakes 17,6711 Main St.,Miami Lakes;
Tel:3055583810.
Ticket Pricing:$11.00 (adult),$8.00 (child under the age of 12)
The schedule is as follows:
★June 14,15 and 16:Norm of the North (all three theaters) and Shaun the Sheep (Dolphin and Miami Lakes)
★June 21,22 and 23:Minions (all three theaters) and The Spongebob Movie;Sponge out of Water (Dolphin and Miami Lakes);
★June 28,29 and 30:Penguins of Madagascar (all three theaters) and Dr.Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! (Dolphin and Miami Lakes)
★July 5,6 and 7:Alvin & The Chipmunks;The Road Chip (all three theaters) and Shark Tale (Dolphin and Miami Lakes)
★July 12,13 and 14:Home (all three theaters) and The Peanuts Movie (Dolphin and Miami Lakes)
★July 19,20 and 21:The Peanuts Movie (Cobb Grand);Hotel Transylvania and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Dolphin and Miami Lakes)
★July 26,27 and 28:Dr.Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! (Cobb Grand);Goosebumps and Smurfs 2 (Dolphin and Miami Lakes)
★Aug.2,3 and 4:HotelTransylvania (Cobb Grand);Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2007) and Happy Feet (Dolphin and Miami Lakes)
1.What can we learn about Cobb Theatres from the passage?
A. They open at 8:30 am. B. They are busy on Monday.
C. They close early on weekends. D. They are popular with campers.
2.Which of the following movies is shown on July 5?
A. Minions. B. Shark Tale.
C. Goosebumps. D. The Peanuts Movie.
3.How much should a 10 year old boy and his parents pay for Hotel Transylvania on Aug.3?
A. $30.00. B. $33.00.
C. $36.00. D. $38.00.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
One day, many years ago, when I was working as a psychologist at a children's institution in England, an adolescent boy showed up in the waiting room. I went out there where he was _______up and down restlessly.
Tim wore a black raincoat that was_____ all the way up to his neck. His face was pale, and he stared at his feet while wringing(扭)his hands nervously. He had _________his father as a baby, and had lived with his mother and grandfather ever since. But the year before he turned 13, his grandfather and mother were killed in a car accident. Now he was fourteen and in family care.
I looked at Tim. He was very ______and depressed. He refused to talk to me. The first two times we _______, Tim only sat hunched up (蜷缩) in the chair without saying a word. As he was about to leave after the second visit. I put my hand on his shoulder. He didn't _______ back, but he didn't look at me either.
“Come back next week, if you like, ”I said. I ____ a bit. Then I said, “I know it hurts. ”
He came, and I _____ we play chess. He nodded. After that we played chess every Wednesday afternoon in _______and without making any eye contact. It's not easy for me to _______ in chess, but I admit that I made sure Tim won once or twice.
Usually, he arrived earlier, took the chessboard and pieces and set them up before I even got a(n) ______ to sit down. It seemed as if he enjoyed my ______. But why did he ______look at me?
“Perhaps he simply needs someone to share his _______with, ”I thought.
One afternoon. Tim took off his raincoat and put it on the back of the chair. While he was setting up the chess pieces, his face seemed more ________and his motions more lively.
Some months later, I sat staring at Tim's head, _____he was bent over the chessboard. I was thinking about how little we knew about the healing process. ______, he looked up at me. “It's your _______ ,” he said.
After that day, Tim started talking.
Maybe I gave Tim something, but I learned a lot from him. He showed me how one without any words can________ another person. All it_______is a hug,a shoulder to cry on, a friendly touch, a sympathetic nature and an ear that listens.
1.A.walking B.jumping C.sitting D.jogging
2.A.put B.buttoned C.wrapped D.tied
3.A.hated B.found C.missed D.lost
4.A.sad B.mad C.calm D.tough
5.A.talked B.tried C.gathered D.met
6.A.call B.come C.draw D.get
7.A.suspected B.hesitated C.worried D.doubted
8.A.insisted B.demanded C.required D.suggested
9.A.satisfaction B.patience C.silence D.excitement
10.A.cheat B.move C.play D.win
11.A.promise B.invitation C.order D.chance
12.A.attendance B.technique C.company D.instruction
13.A.sometimes B.never C.often D.ever
14.A.pain B.secret C.prejudice D.disagreement
15.A.serious B.anxious C.alive D.pale
16.A.since B.until C.before D.while
17.A.Suddenly B.Nervously C.Strangely D.Fortunately
18.A.time B.turn C.fault D.way
19.A.appeal B.tolerate C.refresh D.possess
20.A.works B.gives C.takes D.makes
高二英语完形填空困难题查看答案及解析
Many years ago,I was working as a psychologist at a children's institution in England.One day an adolescent boy____in my office.His headmaster had____him to me."David,"he wrote,"is very sad since both his parents died. He refuses to talk and I'm very____about him.Can you help?"
How could I help him?There are human tragedies psychology doesn't have the____to.Sometimes the best thing one can do is to listen____.
The first two times we met,David didn't say a word.I____we play a game of chess the third time he came.He ____.After that we played chess every Wednesday afternoon in____.It's not easy to cheat in chess,____I made sure David won once or twice.It seemed as if he enjoyed my____.But why did he never talk with me?
"Perhaps he____needs someone to share his pain with,"I____.Some months later,I sat staring at David's head, while he was bent____the chessboard.Suddenly,he looked up at me.
"It's your____,"he said.
After that day,David started talking. He got friends in school and joined a bicycle club.He wrote me____a few times about how he would try to get into university.The letters____after some time.I knew he had really started to live a(n)____life.He needn't write me any more to tell me that.
Maybe I gave David something.At least I____a lot from him.For example,David showed me____one—without any words—can reach out to another person.All it____is a hug,a shoulder to cry on,a friendly touch and an ear that listens.
1.A. turned out B. showed up C. stood out D. called up
2.A. led B. drove C. reminded D. referred
3.A. disappointed B. dissatisfied C. concerned D. confused
4.A. medicine B. answer C. method D. hope
5.A. closely B. regretfully C. pitifully D. tearfully
6.A. remembered B. suggested C. announced D. demanded
7.A. refused B. nodded C. allowed D. admitted
8.A. silence B. excitement C. turn D. time
9.A. although B. because C. but D. if
10.A. humor B. experience C. wisdom D. company
11.A. firstly B. simply C. similarly D. hardly
12.A. found B. doubted C. thought D. predicted
13.A. on B. off C. down D. over
14.A. fault B. time C. way D. tum
15.A. promises B. letters C. opinions D. choices
16.A. remained B. continued C. stopped D. lost
17.A. normal B. comfortable C. poor D. rich
18.A. saw B. learnt C. asked D. expected
19.A. when B. whether C. how D. why
20.A. matters B. takes C. leaves D. gets
高二英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析