In their Sunday magazine, The New York Times recently put out an interesting nature article: "Why Do We Feed Wild Animals? " It seems that quite a few people do. Between 20 and maybe as high as 35 percent of families in Australia, Europe and the United States feed birds in their apartments, according to author Helen MacDonald. She writes that "Americans spend over $3 billion each year on food for wild birds". It's a costly sum for people to find some pleasure while helping the birds find a tasty meal.
Of course Helen MacDonald rightly points out that we are finding pleasure from just certain types of “acceptable” animals that we come across as cute. Who in their right mind would put out food to draw mice or cockroaches(蟑螂)? MacDonald also writes that having a diversity(多样性) of animals in your town or community can suggest the health of your neighborhood. For example, how many people would want to move to a place where only mice and cockroaches live? Often we choose to live in places where there are plenty of parks and a diversity of animals nearby. The decrease of just one animal species may suggest the deterioration of local habitat
In the end, living in peace with others is important, whether they're humans, birds, fish or other animals, even plants. We are all connected and all part of the natural environment. AS Helen Mac Donald points out in her article，growing up as a child with birdfeeders means a lot to her because it taught her" a lot about the habits of animals and how to understand their thoughts and needs. Animals are not humans, but they are like us enough to give us a special and strong sense of family relationships
1.What does Helen MacDonald agree？
A. Feeding wild birds makes many people happy.
B. People all over the world like raising birds
C. Americans spend too much protecting birds
D. It's a waste to give wild birds food
2.What can be learnt from Paragraph 2?
A. People couldn’t accept some animals
B. Wildlife can show the environment's quality.
C. People care more about their neighborhood
D. Animals usually live in peace with each other
3.What does the underlined word "deterioration" in Paragraph 2 mean?
A. Worsening B. Use C. Influence D. Character
4.What does Helen think of her growing up as a child with birdfeeders?
A. It encouraged her to speak for birds
B. It helped her meet many birdfeeders
C. It made her learn more about animals
D. It taught her to value family relationships
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
In their Sunday magazine, The New York Times recently put out an interesting nature article: "Why Do We Feed Wild Animals? " It seems that quite a few people do. Between 20 and maybe as high as 35 percent of families in Australia, Europe and the United States feed birds in their apartments, according to author Helen MacDonald. She writes that "Americans spend over $3 billion each year on food for wild birds". It's a costly sum for people to find some pleasure while helping the birds find a tasty meal.
Of course Helen MacDonald rightly points out that we are finding pleasure from just certain types of “acceptable” animals that we come across as cute. Who in their right mind would put out food to draw mice or cockroaches(蟑螂)? MacDonald also writes that having a diversity(多样性) of animals in your town or community can suggest the health of your neighborhood. For example, how many people would want to move to a place where only mice and cockroaches live? Often we choose to live in places where there are plenty of parks and a diversity of animals nearby. The decrease of just one animal species may suggest the deterioration of local habitat
In the end, living in peace with others is important, whether they're humans, birds, fish or other animals, even plants. We are all connected and all part of the natural environment. AS Helen Mac Donald points out in her article，growing up as a child with birdfeeders means a lot to her because it taught her" a lot about the habits of animals and how to understand their thoughts and needs. Animals are not humans, but they are like us enough to give us a special and strong sense of family relationships
1.What does Helen MacDonald agree？
A. Feeding wild birds makes many people happy.
B. People all over the world like raising birds
C. Americans spend too much protecting birds
D. It's a waste to give wild birds food
2.What can be learnt from Paragraph 2?
A. People couldn’t accept some animals
B. Wildlife can show the environment's quality.
C. People care more about their neighborhood
D. Animals usually live in peace with each other
3.What does the underlined word "deterioration" in Paragraph 2 mean?
A. Worsening B. Use C. Influence D. Character
4.What does Helen think of her growing up as a child with birdfeeders?
A. It encouraged her to speak for birds
B. It helped her meet many birdfeeders
C. It made her learn more about animals
D. It taught her to value family relationships
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
In 1996, John Tierney suggested in the New York Times Magazine article that “recycling is garbage.” He wrote, “The money spent on recycling programs should have been spent on real social and environmental problems. Recycling programs not only increase energy use and pollution, but also cost more money than the disposal (处理) of plain old garbage. Recycling may be the most wasteful activity in modern America.”
Environmental groups were quick to express their disagreement. They wrote reports on how recycling programs in cities can reduce pollution and cost less than regular garbage pickup and disposal. Michael Shapiro, an official of the US Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), said that “recycling can be good value for money, although there’s still room for improvements.”
But in 2002, New York City, a pioneer of recycling, found that its recycling program was losing money, so it stopped glass and plastic recycling. Other major cities watched closely to see how New York was dealing with its remaining program (the city never stopped paper recycling). But then it closed its last landfill (垃圾填埋地), and private companies out of New York raised prices due to the increased workload of carrying away and disposing New York’s garbage. As a result, glass and plastic recycling became profitable for the city again, and New York brought the program back. According to Cecil Adams of The Chicago Reader, the lessons learned by New York are relevant everywhere. He believes that, if managed correctly, recycling programs should cost cities less than garbage disposal.
Even though the benefits of recycling over disposal are many, keep in mind that it better serves the environment to “reduce and reuse” before recycling is even considered as a choice.
1.Why did John Tierney think “recycling is garbage”?
A. Because he considered recycling a wasteful activity.
B. Because he didn’t think recycling was a new idea.
C. Because he found few people would like to recycle.
D. Because he didn’t like the environmental groups.
2.Which argument was put forward by the environmental groups?
A. Recycling technologies are mature.
B. Recycling programs save money.
C. Recycling programs cause pollution.
D. Recycling technologies are valueless.
3.Why did other cities watch closely to see how New York was doing?
A. Because New York was doing extremely well.
B. Because they didn’t want to have a recycling program
C. Because they felt worried about the waste of money.
D. Because New York was running a new recycling program.
4.Which of the following would the author most probably recommend?
A. Always bring your own shopping bag when you go shopping.
B. Always put your shopping bag into the dustbin after use.
C. Never go shopping where shopping bags are offered for free.
D. Never use a shopping bag which is not recycled.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The New York Times published an article recently that shows great regret for the “death of conversation”. It suggests that while technology such as cell phones, emails, and Internet posting makes us feel more ____ than ever, they're also driving us ____ from people around us.
Users get final connectivity ____ the price of ____ facetoface conversation. Sherry Turkle, author of the article in The New York Times says people are ____ to a different way of being “alone together”．
Actually, ____ text messages or wring microblogs allows us to ____ thoughts. _______ bits and pieces of online cannot _______ a “real conversation.” Lan Guo, 19, a freshman English major from Changsha University, said that she would like to hear people's tone of voice and see their faces in a(n) _______. “The give and take of ideas in a conversation sharpens our minds.” she said. She also mentions that _______ ourselves in mobile technology reduces our chance of starting conversations with strangers and ______ people.
Turkle mentioned the popular ________ of “I share, therefore I am” among this generation. Liu Xuan, a young writer from Taiwan and psychology graduate from Harvard University, thinks it's a mindset adopted by most young people. They are so busy creating or polishing their online persona (网络人格) that they forget how to live a(n) ______ life. For example, they may ________ more about blogging about attending a party rather than enjoying being _______.
________， experts remind us that it's unfair to blame mobile technology. Chen Chen, a sociology expert at China Youth & Children Research Center, points out that it is still owners of gadgets, such as cell phones and tablets, who're avoiding personal _______. We take advantage of these devices to hide ourselves _______ others. Texting messages or calling may be a(n) ________ to avoid contact with others, such as having eye contact. “Only by strengthening conversation can we understand each other. Simply throwing away the mobile gadgets is not a solution.” she said.
1.A. received B．shared C．connected D．respected
2.A. off B．back C．away D．down
3.A. beyond B．at C．for D．above
4.A. having B．risking C．sacrificing D．sharing
5.A. related B．committed C．devoted D．accustomed
6.A. sending B．getting C．reading D．taking
7.A. change B．exchange C．deliver D．raise
8.A. So B．And C．Or D．But
9.A. indicate B．replace C．cover D．involve
10.A. conversation B．computer C．party D．Internet
11.A. abandoning B．joining C．burying D．attaching
12.A. interviewing B．introducing C．knowing D．meeting
13.A. feeling B．concept C．fact D．truth
14.A. colorful B．interesting C．real D．meaningful
15.A. worry B．care C．ask D．debate
16.A. there B．out C．down D．in
17.A. Therefore B．Altogether C．Instead D．However
18.A.information B．space C．contact D．management
19.A. from B．of C．behind D．under
20.A. approach B．source C．result D．excuse
高二英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
New York Times---( DINITIA SMITH )Tomorrow is the 433d anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. A recent survey shows that more people are watching him, reading him and studying him than ever before.
Consider the recent yearly conference of the Shakespeare Association of America in Washington, where more than 600 people who study or admire Shakespeare from 18 countries took in topics like ‘‘Whither Attribution Studies,’’ ‘‘Unpopular Shakespeare’’ and ‘‘Sex Me Here,’’ a talk on breast-feeding and Lady Macbeth.
‘‘The national media is saying that fewer students’ taking Shakespeare,’’ Barbara Mowat, the editor of The Shakespeare Quarterly, observed in a speech at the conference. ‘‘But Shakespeare is thriving.’’ The association’s membership has increased by a third since 1990.
The Shakespeare business is so good these days that W. W. Norton is introducing a huge new collections of the plays into the already crowded field just in time for tomorrow’s birthday anniversary. Priced at $44.95, ‘‘The Norton Shakespeare: Based on the Oxford Edition’’ runs for 3,420 pages, offering introductions, illustrations and notes and three versions(版本) of ‘‘King Lear.’’
Today, movies and videos have made the plays even more accessible. Last year, ‘‘William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet’’ was No. 1 at the box office when it opened, and it grossed nearly $50 million. In New York in January, crowds lined up in the freezing cold to see Kenneth Branagh’s four-hour ‘‘Hamlet.’’ The students select a scene and then have a violent discussion about it.’’ Influenced by films, professors are increasingly teaching students by having them perform the plays.
1.Why people from 18 countries came to Washington this year?
A. To celebrate Shakespeare’s 433d birth day only.
B. To watch some plays by Shakespeare as planned.
C. To celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday and study his works.
D. To discuss how to teach students using Shakespeare’s plays.
2.What does the underlined word “ field” in the fourth paragraph refer to?
A. Washington D.C. B. Shakespeare Association.
C. The birthday anniversary. D. The Shakespeare business.
3.Which of the many plays by Shakespeare was most popular the year before?
A. King Lear. B. Hamlet.
C. Macbeth. D. Romeo and Juliet.
4.What does the author want to prove by using so many examples about Shakespeare?
A. More and more people are becoming interested in Shakespeare.
B. Shakespeare business is being run well in America nowadays.
C. Plays by Shakespeare can be used at school for more studies.
D. Shakespeare belongs not only to Britain but also to the USA.
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
To protect the environment, many firms in downtown New York encourage their employees to use ____means of transportation, rather than the car.
A. primitive B. alternative C. reliable D. adequate
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Here at the New York magazine offices, not far from where I sit, is a very long walkway. When you see someone at the other end of it whom you barely know, you may feel quite awkward, at least if you’re an awkward person (which I am). For the next 15-20 seconds, you know you’ll be walking toward this person. Do you nod? Smile? Ignore? Some combination of the above? It’s strangely, deeply unpleasant.
This isn’t a problem unique to our office. I’m sure at some point you have been walking down the street, noticed an acquaintance—that is, someone you’re not going to stop and chat with—and then dealt with the awkwardness of walking toward the person but having no idea exactly how to handle the approach. Eye contact is the worst part of these situations. Basic etiquette(礼节)says we should make eye contact with others when we notice them, but basic etiquette, not to mention common sense, also says that maintaining eye contact with someone you’re not engaged in a conversation with is unpleasant.
Can anything be done about this? I emailed a couple of eye-contact experts to find out. It’s useful to realize that this isn’t as big a problem everywhere as it is here in New York. Ronald Riggio, a professor at Claremont McKenna College, pointed out that cultural factors may worsen the horrordor(horror corridor走廊眼神交流恐惧). “New York culture is different from my Californian culture, and in New York the cultural norm is to not make eye contact on the street, ” says Ronald Riggio. “ But in California people usually make firm eye contact and smile warmly.”
Cultural or not, this is a problem for many of us. Jeremy Nicholson, a psychologist from Yale University, says preparation is part of the battle against eye-contact awkwardness. “Before entering a long hallway, or walking on the street, take a moment to center yourself,” says Jeremy Nicholson. “Take a breath and be mindful of the world around you ( not just the thoughts in your head or the things in your pocket).” He also suggests trying to scowl(怒视) less in general before any hallway or street encounters( This is a piece of advice that might be a challenge for New Yorkers). “Develop the habit of softening your eyes and keeping a smile on your face in public,” says Jeremy Nicholson. “Most of us stare intently at screens most of the day and scowl, which becomes our typical expression. But human interaction is easier with a more positive expression.”
So what should you do when you’re actually walking toward someone? “ It seems dishonest to avoid any eye contact if you know someone,” says Ronald Riggio. He offers what is a pretty straightforward system: “Make eye contact at 30 ft., and then break eye contact. Next, make brief eye contact again at 10 ft., and then look straight ahead.”
This approach makes a certain sort of sense: You acknowledge the person when you first notice him. Then you break off eye contact, so the situation doesn’t become awkward. And then you make eye contact again when you’re passing the person, because to pass the person without another acknowledgement would also feel strange.
Jeremy Nicholson suggests that getting better at these sorts of encounters could bring other benefits as well—not just the avoidance of awkwardness. “In fact, some of those interactions may end up being pleasant coincidences, promotion opportunities, or reunions with old friends,” says Jeremy Nicholson. “So, breaking the habits of hiding in our phones and tuning the world out with music may be the best thing we can do for both our social lives and professional careers.”
1.What is the author afraid of in the workplace?
A. Greeting his colleagues on the walkway.
B. Communicating while working in his office.
C. Coming across acquaintances and reacting badly.
D. Pretending to be friendly towards everyone at work.
2.The awkwardness of horrordor mainly lies in ________.
A. what topic to speak on B. how to make eye contact
C. what expression to put on D. how to avoid other’s attention
3.What does Jeremy Nicholson mean by saying “take a moment to center yourself”?
A. Have your attention concentrated. B. Try to be self-centered for a while.
C. Make yourself the center of the crowd. D. Regard yourself as the most important.
4.What does the author think of Ronald Riggio’s straightforward system?
A. Absolutely ideal. B. Highly complex. C. Hardly practical. D. Reasonable enough.
5.What does Jeremy Nicholson suggest doing to deal with horrordor?
A. Always wearing a happy smile. B. Taking every chance to avoid it.
C. Improving communication skills. D. Being open to your surroundings.
高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
The New York Times is now better than ever－All the more reasons to order home delivery now.
NEW－Separate sections（版面）for the Arts, Monday through Thursday, and Sports 7 days a week that you can pull out, take with you or pass along.
NEW－The Dinning In, Dinning Out section, Wednesday, a banquet（宴会）of great meals you can make yourself order up or eat out.
NEW－The House & Home section, Thursday, filled with useful, interesting features（特别报道）and articles about making the most of all sorts of living spaces.
NEW－An Enlarged, two-part Weekend section, Friday with more ideas about movies, shows, art exhibitions, outdoor and indoor recreation.
Latest news and sports results daily. And of course, daily world and national news, Sunday’s special sections and all the other great features you’ll continue to find in the Times.
Find out just how much you can obtain from the Times every day.
Call 1－800－311－1969 or use the postage-paid order card to order convenient home delivery at 50％ OFF our regular price.
56. If you want to find out the more information of films you should _________.
A. call 1-800-311-1969 B. go over the House and Home section
C. read the Art section D. read Weekend section
57. From the passage we know that _______.
A. the Times sells at a lower price than before
B. the Times has improved a great deal and everyone likes to read it
C. many of the good features of the Times remain unchanged
D. you will learn everything by reading the Times every day
58. The owner of the passage advertises ________.
A. to introduce the new sections
B. to announce the new sections of the Times
C. to make known his new plan of the Times
D. to persuade people to buy the Times
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
A world of opportunity
The New York Times is now better than ever.
All the more reasons to order home delivery now.
NEW—Separate sections for The Arts, Monday through Thursday, and Sports 7 days a week that you can pull out, take with you or pass along.
NEW—The House & Home section. Thursday, filled with useful, interesting features and articles about making the most of all sorts of living spaces.
NEW—An expanded,two-part Weekend section.Fridays,with more ideas about movies, shows, art exhibitions, outdoor and indoor recreation.
Latest news and sports results daily. And of course,daily world and national news, Sunday’s special sections and all the other great features you’ll continue to find in The Times.
Find out just how much YOU can benefit from The Times everyday.
Call I-800-331-1969 or use the postage-paid order card convenient home delivery at 50% off our regular price.
1. This is one of the advertisements put for a ______.
A. book store B. newspaper
C. magazine D. restaurant
2. Detailed information about films can be found in ______ section.
A. The Arts B. The Dining In,Dining Out
C. The House & Home D. Weekend
3. The advertisement tells us The Times is ______.
A. of great benefit B. of little use
C. paid D. priceless
4. The main idea of this advertisement is ______.
A. many opportunities will be provided just to those who order home delivery
B. several new sections have been printed separately from now on
C. readers can be well informed of the latest news and sports results
D. people can pick up all the information they are interested in
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
A new study reported in a medical magazine concludes that even smokers who reach their 70s are likely to live longer if they stop smoking. Researchers say that they have got some of the strongest evidence (证据) that it's never too late to stop smoking.
The study was based on a five-year follow-up of 7, 178 people over the age of 65 who lived in Boston, New Haven and Washington counties in Iowa. The report showed former smokers ran about the same risk of death from heart disease as those who never smoked. Women who stopped smoking faced about the same cancer-death risk as those who never smoked, but men who gave up smoking still had a 50% higher risk. The men's extra risk of cancer largely disappeared if they had not smoked for more than 20 years. The discovery does not agree with the widely-known belief that by the time smokers reach old age, their habit has already hurt them, and those who continue to live healthily are probably immune (有免疫力的) to the dangers of cigarettes.
1.The conclusion of the new study is that _________.
A. one can plan to give up smoking at any age for the sake (理由) of one's health
B. it's late to stop smoking when one is getting old
C. it's no use for young people stopping smoking
D. smokers over the age of 70 are expected to live longer
2.A former smoker is a person who _________.
A. smokes once in a while
B. is going to give up smoking
C. used to smoke
D. smokes a lot
3.Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE according to the passage?
A. Women who stop smoking face about the same cancer-death risk as non-smokers.
B. Men who stop smoking are facing the same risk of death from cancer as non-smokers.
C. Women who stop smoking face about the same cancer-death risk as men who gave up smoking 20 years ago.
D. Men who stop smoking face about the same risk of death from heart trouble as non-smokers.
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Tonny wanted to be___ copy editor, so he found a job at___ New York Times after graduation.
A．a, the B．the, X C．a，X D．the, the
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析