One of the traditions which is now a necessary part of Christmas is that of Father Christmas, or Santa Claus. According to the modern legend, he is a magical figure who visits all the children of the world during the night before Christmas Day, leaving presents which they find the next morning. He flies through the night sky in a sledge pulled by reindeer, and enters houses by climbing down chimneys. This strange legend is based on the life of a man called Nicholas, but in fact we know very little about him. Historians think he was a Christian bishop(主教) in Turkey in about 285-350 A. D. One of the stories about him is that he helped three poor girls. No one would marry them because they were so poor. To provide them with money for their weddings, Nicholas secretly dropped some gold coins down the chimney of their house. After Nicholas died, he was made a saint(圣人) by the church. (The name Santa Claus thus comes from St Nicholas.) His feast day was celebrated in December, and parents started giving their children secret presents from St Nicholas. Over the years, this custom became part of our Christmas traditions.
Recently, a psychologist has claimed that Father Christmas is “the perfect fantasy” for children. According to Professor Anthony Clare, children love the character of Father Christmas because he is like an ideal father: he loves children and gives them presents, but he never criticizes them, is never angry, and children do not even need to thank him for the presents. Other writers, however, point out that Father Christmas can be a frightening character to some children. Jane Bidder says that some children are terrified of this fat, bearded old man. It can certainly confuse many children. As parents, we warn our children to be careful of strangers and never to let them into the house, and yet we tell children that a strange man will come into their bedroom at night! Some children can become very worried about this idea and fear that he is a kind of burglar.
Most children, however, understand from their parents and from the media that Father Christmas is basically a benign character, and look forward to his annual visit with joy and excitement.
46. The main point of the first paragraph is that ________.
A. Father Christmas is an important part of Christmas
B. the tradition of Father Christmas is a modern idea
C. Father Christmas is a magical figure who can fly
D. the legends about Father Christmas are not true
47. The writer mentions details such as Father Christmas’s sledge, the reindeer and the way he climbs down chimneys because he/she ____________.
A. wants to make it clear that these things are impossible
B. is describing the history of St Nicholas
C. wants everyone to believe that Father Christmas is real
D. is explaining the modern legend of Father Christmas
48. Why does the writer mention the story about St Nicholas helping three poor girls?
A. It shows us that historians know very little about him.
B. This story explains why parents give secret presents to children.
C. It supports the writer’s main point that Father Christmas is based on an untrue story.
D. This story explains why we celebrate Christmas in December.
49. In the last paragraph, the word “benign”means _________.
A. religious B. friendly
C. frightening D. unreal
50. The best title for this passage would be __________.
A. Is Father Christmas Dangerous? B. The True History of St Nicholas
C. The Legend of Santa Claus D. The Traditions of Christmas
高三英语阅读理解简单题
One of the traditions which is now a necessary part of Christmas is that of Father Christmas, or Santa Claus. According to the modern legend, he is a magical figure who visits all the children of the world during the night before Christmas Day, leaving presents which they find the next morning. He flies through the night sky in a sledge pulled by reindeer, and enters houses by climbing down chimneys. This strange legend is based on the life of a man called Nicholas, but in fact we know very little about him. Historians think he was a Christian bishop(主教) in Turkey in about 285-350 A. D. One of the stories about him is that he helped three poor girls. No one would marry them because they were so poor. To provide them with money for their weddings, Nicholas secretly dropped some gold coins down the chimney of their house. After Nicholas died, he was made a saint(圣人) by the church. (The name Santa Claus thus comes from St Nicholas.) His feast day was celebrated in December, and parents started giving their children secret presents from St Nicholas. Over the years, this custom became part of our Christmas traditions.
Recently, a psychologist has claimed that Father Christmas is “the perfect fantasy” for children. According to Professor Anthony Clare, children love the character of Father Christmas because he is like an ideal father: he loves children and gives them presents, but he never criticizes them, is never angry, and children do not even need to thank him for the presents. Other writers, however, point out that Father Christmas can be a frightening character to some children. Jane Bidder says that some children are terrified of this fat, bearded old man. It can certainly confuse many children. As parents, we warn our children to be careful of strangers and never to let them into the house, and yet we tell children that a strange man will come into their bedroom at night! Some children can become very worried about this idea and fear that he is a kind of burglar.
Most children, however, understand from their parents and from the media that Father Christmas is basically a benign character, and look forward to his annual visit with joy and excitement.
46. The main point of the first paragraph is that ________.
A. Father Christmas is an important part of Christmas
B. the tradition of Father Christmas is a modern idea
C. Father Christmas is a magical figure who can fly
D. the legends about Father Christmas are not true
47. The writer mentions details such as Father Christmas’s sledge, the reindeer and the way he climbs down chimneys because he/she ____________.
A. wants to make it clear that these things are impossible
B. is describing the history of St Nicholas
C. wants everyone to believe that Father Christmas is real
D. is explaining the modern legend of Father Christmas
48. Why does the writer mention the story about St Nicholas helping three poor girls?
A. It shows us that historians know very little about him.
B. This story explains why parents give secret presents to children.
C. It supports the writer’s main point that Father Christmas is based on an untrue story.
D. This story explains why we celebrate Christmas in December.
49. In the last paragraph, the word “benign”means _________.
A. religious B. friendly
C. frightening D. unreal
50. The best title for this passage would be __________.
A. Is Father Christmas Dangerous? B. The True History of St Nicholas
C. The Legend of Santa Claus D. The Traditions of Christmas
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
One of the hardest parts of planning a trip to Hawaii is deciding which of the major Hawaiian Islands you should visit. Each has its own personality and offers unique adventures and activities.
Oahu
Oahu has a bit of everything, packed in 597 square miles. You can hike into thick rainforests, and when you need a break, relax on powdery white sand beaches and stay at luxury resorts.
Oahu has become a great destination for families. The urban core (核 心)of Honolulu and Waikiki has historic sites, museums and bustling (熙熙攘攘的)and nightlife scenes. The island lives up to its nickname of the Gathering Place.
Maui
Maui is a great island for honeymooners. The Valley Isle has top-class resorts and golf courses, adjacent (毗邻)to some of the state's best beaches. A large dormant (休眠)volcano in east Maui at sunrise or sunset is a serene experience, as well as driving the Road to Hana, famed for its thundering waterfalls.
Kauai
Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. The island gets a lot of rain, but that's what makes it so lively, you'll come across flowers and plants you've never seen before. For some of the best views on the island, visit Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, and the Na Pali coast, boasting some of the world's highest sea cliffs.
Big Island
The Big Island is the only Hawaiian island still growing. Witness the power of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, wind, lightning and volcanoes with a visit to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It's one of the few spots in the world where you can see lava flow. In fact, the Big Island has 10 of the world's sub-climate zones, from the snow-covered mountain of Mauna Kea, green forests of Waipio Valley to stretches of barren desert.
1.Which is young couples' favorite?
A. Oahu. B. Maui.
C. Kauai. D. Big Island.
2.How is Oahu different from the other places?
A. It belongs to Hawaii. B. It offers the best beaches.
C. It has variety of plants. D. You can experience city life on it.
3.What do Maui and Big Island have in common?
A. They are both covered with snow. B. You can have a look at a volcano.
C. Weather is changeable. D. There is plenty of rain.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The film was set in a town _____ is now part of Jiangsu Province.
A.where | B.which | C.what | D.it |
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
________ our foreign policy, we now have multiple threats, very few of which involve the traditional battles of the past.
A.In honour of B.In terms of
C.In the form of D.In defence of
高三英语完型填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Tea is an important part of Chinese tradition. The practice of drinking tea has 1. long history in China, having originated there. Nowadays, Chinese tea generally represents tea leaves which have been processed 2. (use) methods inherited from ancient China.
According to popular legend, tea 3. (discover) by Chinese Emperor Shen Nong in 2737 BC 4. a leaf from a nearby shrub fell into the water the emperor was boiling. The Emperor was interested in the new liquid, 5. (drink) some carefully, and found it very refreshing. And so, tea was said to be created in 2737 BC.
Tea is deeply woven into the history and culture of China. The beverage(饮料) is considered one of the seven 6. (necessity) of Chinese life, along with firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar. Around 771 BC—476 BC the Chinese tea was used 7. (help) treat some diseases.
Most Chinese teas are cultivated and consumed in China. Tea shops and tea houses in the street are easily found in China. Meanwhile, they are also exported internationally due 8. a rise in the 9. (popular) of Chinese cuisine worldwide. Tea has become one of Chinese specific drinks in the world. It is 10. (common) available in Chinese restaurants and grocery shops world wide.
高三英语语法填空困难题查看答案及解析
Folklore is the branch of the study of man which deals with local customs, tales and traditions. Everybody is a storehouse of folklore, though not everybody realizes it. Often, in deed, those who have never heard the word folklore have the greatest store of it, for the people with least book education commonly cherish most firmly old ideas and superstitions (迷信) which have been passed on by word of mouth for generations. Everyone has heard stories of ghosts, witches, fairies, and giants. We all know some proverbs and have come across such ideas as, for example, that it is lucky to see black cat and unlucky to see a single magpie (喜鹊). We keep certain seasons of the year as festivals, such as Christmas, and we are familiar with the special customs connected with weddings and funerals. All such things are of interest to those who study folklore.
People who study folklore won’t criticize the old beliefs and practices they come across as silly, childish, or old-fashioned. Instead, they will try to collect accurate records of them and then see how these are connected with other ideas and customs of other places or times. By comparing with what is known of olden times or the folklore of other countries, they try to discover how certain beliefs and practices came into being, and what purpose they serve now or used to serve in the past.
Often we find that the beliefs which seem most peculiar and unreasonable, and the customs which appear least practical, are of the greatest interest and importance because they are commonly the oldest. Sometimes they were part of an ancient ritual (惯例) or served a useful purpose when people’s way of life was different from what it is now. So we not only learn about what people thought and did in the past but are better able to understand present customs. People often keep up customs when they have forgotten the original reason for them, and in the course of time a fresh reason gets attached to the custom. Thus, when some joker ties an old shoe to the back of the taxi taking the bride and bridegroom to the station for their honeymoon, he would say it was “for luck”, but actually a shoe is an old fertility (繁殖力) symbol and has a place in the wedding customs of China and Palestine.
1.The underlined word “they” (in Para.2) most probably refers to _________.
A. practices and beliefs B. customs and traditions
C. records and tales D. places or times
2.It is most unlikely for people who study folklore to _________.
A. collect as many records of old beliefs and practices as possible
B. compare the present customs with those of the olden times
C. criticize the old beliefs and superstitions as silly or childish
D. find out the purpose the certain beliefs and practices serve or used to serve
3.Which of the following statements is true about customs?
A. The customs which do not appear practical mean nothing to most people.
B. The reasons for certain customs may change in the course of history.
C. People who practice customs are quite familiar with their origins.
D. The wedding customs in China and Palestine are of great similarity.
4.What would be the best title for the passage?
A. What Does Folklore Really Mean?
B. How Do People Keep Up Customs?
C. Who Studies Tales And Traditions?
D. When Did Some Old Beliefs Begin?
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
There are many customs and traditions connected to yearly celebrations which are part of Britain’s folklore (民俗). Lughnasadh is a celebration at the beginning of August. A custom connected with it is to make corn dolls with corn from the last of the harvest. The doll is saved until the following spring when it is put back into the earth with new seeds. People believe that the doll contains the spirit of the corn and will bring a good harvest. Christmas too is full of ancient customs. The traditions of lighting a fire and decorating the home with an evergreen have their roots in times long before Christianity. The fire is to keep away evil spirits and fill the home with light and the evergreen is valued because it is a sign that life continued during those cold, dark days.
Not all the origins of ancient traditions are remembered, however. The roots of Morris dancing, for example, are not known. This is a dance in which men (and sometimes women ) dressed in white dance together. Some people think the dance may be from pre-Christmas times, and others say it was introduced into Britain in the late 15th century and that it comes from Moorish dancing. In any case, it is interesting to see that Morris dancing is not a dying tradition. There are Morris dancing groups in places as far away as New Zealand and San Francisco!
Although these customs have been passed down to us from forgotten generations, they themselves have not been forgotten and continue to play a part in our modern lives. Every week groups of individuals regularly meet to sing, play instruments or practice ancient dances and this month people all over Britain shall be preparing their homes for the ancient celebration we now call Christmas, lighting fires and putting up Christian trees, just as their great-great–grandfathers once did.
1.Why are corn dolls used to celebrate Lughnasadh? (no more than 14 words)(2分)
___________________________________________
2.How do people celebrate Christmas according to the passage?(no more than 10 words)(2分)
___________________________________________
3.What idea does the underlined sentence try to support ? (no more than 11words)(3分)
___________________________________________
4.What’s the main idea of the passage? ( no more than 9 words) (3分)
___________________________________________
高三英语其他题中等难度题查看答案及解析
High school graduation—the bittersweet feelings are as much a part of me now as they were twenty-one years ago.
As graduation day approached, excitement increased. Being out of high school meant I was finally coming of age. Soon I would be on my own, making my own decisions, doing what I wanted without someone looking over my shoulder and it meant going to school with boys—a welcome change coming from an all-girl high school. There was never any question in my mind that I would go to a college away from home. My mother’s idea, on the other hand, was just the opposite. Trying her best not to force her preferences on me, she would subtly ask whether I had considered particular schools—all of which happened to be located in or near my hometown of Chicago. Once it was established that, as long as the expenses would not be too heavy a burden on the family budget, I would be going away anyway, my family’s perspective changed. Their concern shifted from whether I was going away to how far. The schools I was considering on the East Coast suddenly looked much more attractive than those in California. But which college I would attend was just one of what seemed like a never-ending list of unknowns: What would college be like? Would I be unbearably lonely not knowing anyone else who was going to the same school? Would the other students like me? Would I make friends easily? Would I miss my family so much that I wouldn’t be able to stand it? And what about the work—would I be able to keep up? (Being an A student in high school seemed to offer little assurance I would be able to survive college.) What if the college I selected turned out to be a horrible mistake? Would I be able to transfer to another school?
Then panic set in. My feelings took a 180-degree turn. I really didn’t want to leave high school at all, and it was questionable whether I wanted to grow up after all. It had been nice being respected as a senior by the underclass students for the past year; I didn’t enjoy the idea of being on the bottom rung of the ladder again.
Despite months of expectation, nothing could have prepared me for the impact of the actual day. As the familiar melody of “Pomp and Circumstance” echoed in the background, I looked around at the other figures in white caps and gowns as we seriously lined into the hall. Tears welled up uncontrollably in my eyes, and I was consumed by a rush of sadness. As if in a daze(恍惚), I rose from my seat when I heard my name called and slowly crossed the stage to receive my diploma. As I reached out my hand, I knew that I was reaching not just for a piece of paper but for a brand-new life. Exciting as the future of a new life seemed, it wasn’t easy saying good-bye to the old one—the familiar faces, the familiar routine. I would even miss that chemistry class I wasn’t particularly fond of and the long travel each day between home and school that I hated. Good or bad, it was what I knew.
That September, I was fortunate to attend a wonderful university in Providence, Rhode Island. I needn’t have worried about liking it. My years there turned out to be some of the best years of my life. And as for friends, some of the friendships I formed there I still treasure today. Years later, financial difficulties forced my high school to close its doors for good. Although going back is impossible, it’s comforting to know I can revisit my special memories any time.
1. In this article the author mainly describes ________.
A. the great excitement during the months leading up to the big event—the graduation ceremony
B. her mixed feelings during the months leading towards graduation and on the actual graduation day
C. her happiness to be admitted to a wonderful university
D. her eagerness to go to a wonderful university far away from home
2.The author’s mother ________.
A. did not care very much which college her daughter went to
B. was greatly disappointed at her decision to go to a college on the East Coast
C. willingly allowed her to go to a college of her own choice
D. wished that she would study at a college or university close to home
3.Expectation and excitement suddenly changed into anxiety and fear. Which of the following did the author NOT include as a reason for that change?
A. Growing homesick might seriously affect her academic performance at college.
B. She might make a wrong choice and enter a university she did not like at all.
C. Her being a top student at high school did not mean a successful academic career for her.
D. It might be hard for her to make friends under new circumstances.
4. On the actual graduation day, ________.
A. the familiar tune “Pomp and Circumstance” brought tears to her eyes
B. she went through the whole ceremony in a daze
C. she came to realize that she had a passion for her old school
D. reaching out for diploma, she was aware of a new stage in life ahead of her
5.The author adopts a(n)________ tone in writing this article.
A. matter-of-fact B. serious
C. emotional D. indifferent
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Show respect for parents is one of the Chinese traditional moral value. As most of the students today are “the only child” in their family, they often regard them as the “centre” of the family, without caring many about their parents. Our school start a programme when the new year came. It is “Respecting parents programme”. Ten “Do’s” have worked out for the students to follow clearly and easily. They include: “Remember your parents’ birthdays and express your the best wishes to them; tell “hello” to your parents see them returning home; and tell your parents where you go when you leave home.” The programme has been successfully.
高三英语短文改错中等难度题查看答案及解析
改错
Show respect for parents is one of the Chinese traditional moral value. As most of the students today are “the only child” in their family, they often regard them as the “centre” of the family, without caring many about their parents. Our school start a programme when the new year came. It is “Respecting parents programme”. Ten “Do’s” have worked out for the students to follow clearly and easily. They include: “Remember your parents’ birthdays and express your the best wishes to them; tell “hello” to your parents see them returning home; and tell your parents where you go when you leave home.” The programme has been successfully.
高三英语短文改错中等难度题查看答案及解析