When Frida Kahlo's paintings were on show in ...

When Frida Kahlo’s paintings were on show in London, a poet described her paintings as “ a ribbon（丝带）around a bomb”. Such comments seem to suggest Kahlo had a big influence on the art world of her time. Sadly, she is actually a much bigger name today than she was during her time.

Born in 1907 in a village near Mexico City , Kahlo suffered from polio（小儿麻痹症） at the age of seven. Her spine（脊柱） became bent as she grew older. Then, in 1925, her back was broken in several places in a school-bus accident. Throughout the rest of her life, the artist had many operations, but nothing was able to cure the terrible pain in her back. However, the accident had an unexpected side effect. While lying in her bed recovering, Kahlo taught herself to paint.

In 1929, she got married to Diego Rivera, another famous Mexican artist. Rivera’s strong influence on Kahlo’s style can be seen in her early works, but her later works from the 1940s, known today as her best works, show less influence from her husband.

Unfortunately, her works did not attract much attention in the 1930s and1940s, even in her home country. Her first one-woman show in Mexico was not held until 1953. For more than a decade after her death in 1954, Kahlo’s works remained largely unnoticed by the world, but in the 1970s her works began to gain international fame at last.

1.What does the phrase “a much bigger name” in Paragraph 1 most nearly mean?

A. a far better artist

B. a much more famous person

C. a much stronger person

D. a far more gifted artist

2.The terrible pain Kahlo suffered was caused by 　　　　　 .

A. back injuries　　　　　　　 B. her bent spine

C. polio　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. the operations she had

3.Kahlo’s style had become increasingly independent since the 　　　　　 .

A.1930s　　　　　　　　 B. 1970s　　　　　　　　 C. 1950s　　　　　 D. 1940s

4.What is the author’s attitude toward Kahlo?

A. Devotion.　　　　　 B. Encouragement.

C. Worry.　　　　 　　 D. Sympathy.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

When Frida Kahlo's paintings were on show in London, a poet described her paintings as “ a ribbon （丝带）around a bomb”. Such comments seem to suggest Kahlo had a big influence on the art world of her time. Sadly, she is actually a much bigger name today than she was during her time.

Born in 1907 in a village near Mexico City , Kahlo suffered from polio（小儿麻痹症）at the age of seven. Her spine （脊柱）became bent as she grew older. Then, in 1925, her back was broken in several places in a school-bus accident. Throughout the rest of her life, the artist had many operations, but noting was able to cure the terrible pain in her back. However, the accident had an unexpected side effect. While lying in her bed recovering, Kahlo taught herself to paint.

In 1929, she got married to Diego Rivera, another famous Mexican artist. Rivera’s strong influences on Kahlo’s style can be seen in her early works, but her later works from the 1940s, known today as her best works, show less influence from her husband.

Unfortunately, her works did not attract much attention in the 1930s and1940s, even in her home country. Her first one-woman show in Mexico was not held until 1953. For more than a decade after her death in 1954, Kahlo’s works remained largely unnoticed by the world, but in the 1970s her works began to gain international fame at last.

1.What does the phrase “a much bigger name” in paragraph 1 most nearly mean?

A. a far better artist 　　 B. a much more famous person

C. a much stronger person　 D. a far more gifted artist

2. The terrible pain Kahlo suffered was caused by　　　　　　 .

A. back injuries　　 B. her bent spine

C. polio　 　　　　　　 D. the operations she had

3. Kahlo’s style had become increasingly independent since the　　　　　　　 .

A.1930s　　　　　　　　　　 B. 1970s　　　　　　　　 C. 1950s　　　　　 D. 1940s

4. What is author’s attitude toward Kahlo?

A. Devotion　　　　 B. Encouragement

C. Worry　　 D. Sympathy

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Saber Miresmailli was on vacation in London when, caught in a bit of traffic on London Bridge, he decided to take a photo of Tower Bridge.

“I noticed the couple,” he said. “At that moment, I did not see anyone from the wedding party or a photographer with the couple, so I took several pictures. Usually, my pictures are not very good given the fact that I don’t use flash and I don’t stop to compose (构图)—so when I got back after two weeks, I was very surprised to find this one turned out so well.”

Miresmailli said, “I thought to myself, if it was me getting married, I would have wanted the picture.”

So he posted the photo on Facebook and attached a few friends with the hope of finding the couple and passing them the picture. What happened next, he said, “was crazy.”

“I received more than 2,000 requests from perfect strangers and lots of positive and negative emails.” Until this afternoon, almost 230,000 people had shared his Facebook post on the photo.

There’s also been an uncertain identification of the couple. It’s likely that their names are Laura and James. “If it’s the right couple,” Miresmailli said, “they are on their honeymoon in Bali and have no idea about the photo. I believe they will be shocked to find out about their fame”.

Miresmailli said he’s been drowned by the interest in the photo.

“I just want to give them their picture and go back to work and tend my tomatoes,” he said.

1.Saber Miresmailli is seeking for a couple who ________.

A. held the wedding party in Bali

B. were looking for their wedding pictures

C. were taken a photo by him without knowing it

D. became famous for their honeymoon experience

2.Why are Miresmailli’s photos usually not satisfactory?

A. They are not developed in time.

B. He is not good at finding views.

C. He doesn’t take enough pictures.

D. He doesn’t care much about photograph skills.

3.What is the right order of the whole story?

a. received requests and emails

b. posted the photo on Facebook

c. noticed a couple

d. took a photo

e. was caught in traffic

f. attached some friends

A. e, d, c, b, a, f　　 B. e, c, d, b, f, a　　 C. c, d, e, b, f, a　　 D. c , e, d, b, a, f

4.Miresmailli said the words in the last paragraph with a sense of ________.

A. pride　　 B. duty　　 C. appreciation　　 D. humour

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Charlie Chaplin was born on April 16, 1889 in London. Both his father and mother were entertainers and although not of big names, they were doing very well. While the family was by no means rich, the music hall provided the Chaplins with a comfortable living. Unfortunately happy life didn’t last long. Father’s alcoholism was slowly, but surely destroying his marriage. Finally it ended in divorce. His mother managed to keep Charlie and his brother Syney clean and warm, clothed and fed. She would sit at the window watching the passers-by and guess at their characters from the way they looked and behaved, making up tales to delight Charlie and Syney. Charlie took in her skills and went on using them all his life.

Charlie had always believed, even in the worst times, that he had something special locked away inside him. He took his courage and went to one of the top theater agents. With no experience at all, he was offered a plum part (意外得到的好角色) in a new production of “Sherlock Holmes”, which opened on July 27, 1903 at the famous “Pavilion Theatre”. Charlie seemed to change overnight. It was as if he had found the thing he was meant to do. By 1910, Charlie had become “one of the best pantomime (哑剧) artists ever seen ”.

Cinema was born in the same year as Charlie thought people still believed it was a passing fashion, and would never replace live shows. But after using several weeks to watch and to learn, he was determined to master this new medium. It offered him the chance of money and success—and it would set him free from the unpredictability of live audience.

Charlie’s first film, released in February 1914, was called “Making a living”. After that he made another ten. The public loved him and producers were demanding more and more Chaplin films. In an incredibly short time, Charlie had become a very important man in motion picture.

1.Which of the following is NOT true about Charlie Chaplin?

A. Mother had much influence on Charlie Chaplin’s career.

B. “Sherlock Holmes” made Charlie rise to fame overnight.

C. Charlie had been famous when the cinema became a fashion.

D. Charlie’s work in both the theater and the cinema was welcomed.

2.What can you infer from the passage?

A. Charlie Chaplin’s belief in his potential led to his success.

B. Charlie Chaplin got his first role in a film at 14.

C. Cinema was a form of art showing live performance.

D. Motion picture was a passing fashion lasting a short time.

3.The underlined word “unpredictability” in Paragraph 3 means____________.

A. low spirits       B. opposing attitude

C. successful performance    D. changing state

4.What is the passage mainly about?

A. Charlie Chaplin made the cinema industry popular.

B. Charlie Chaplin’s early success in his career.

C. Charlie Chaplin was a best pantomime artist.

D. Charlie Chaplin’s determination to do what he liked.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

As US President Barack Obama _____London, fresh figures showed US house prices were falling at their fastest pace on record.

A. set up for　　 B. set in to

C. set off for　 D. set down to

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Both of Omar's parents were poets. For as long as Omar could remember, his parents spent at least one evening each week at a poetry reading, which usually took place at a small coffee house.

Omar had very fond memories of the coffee house on Sixth Street where the people's personalities were as colorful as the coffee cups. He loved going to early evening poetry readings at Cody's Coffee Shop. He would sit in the audience next to his parents, the smell of coffee floating through the air and the gentle voices of the poets removing his childish worries with the rhythm of their poems.

There was one woman who came to Cody's every week just as his parents did. Her name was Mrs. Aboud. She never read, but she had a bright smile for everyone, and she would clap (手) loudly after each reading.

Eventually, Omar began writing his own poetry. Mrs. Francis, Omar's English teacher, advised him to enter a poetry contest ( 比赛). At first Omar was proud and excited. However, when he read the contest rules, he became concerned. The contest was an oral(口头的) reading. Omar had no doubt that he could write high-quality poetry, but he was a very shy young man. He doubted that he could stand in front of a large group to read his poems calmly.

“It would make me very proud”, his father said, and Omar knew that he had to go through with it somehow.

So on the day of the contest, he selected his favorite poem, put on his best clothes, and appeared at the auditorium (会堂).

When he stepped onto the stage, though, something wonderful happened! There in the audience, right beside his parents, was Mrs. Aboud. Omar could almost smell the coffee at Cody's Coffee Shop. He focused on his parents and Mrs. Aboud and tuned out everyone else. Now it was easy to read his poem in a clear, calm voice. When he finished, everyone in the auditorium applauded.

1.What is the second paragraph mainly about?

A.Poetry B.A coffee house

C.Omar's parents D.Omar's worries

2.Which word best describes Mrs. Aboud?

A.Clever. B.Patient

C.Creative D.Supportive.

3.Why did Omar feel that he had to enter the contest?

A.He wanted to win a prize.

B.He wanted to face his fears.

C.He wanted to please his teacher.

D.He wanted to surprise his father.

4.The underlined phrase “tuned out” in the last paragraph can be replaced by______.

A.ignored B.attracted

C.forgot D.impressed

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Benjamin West, the father of American painting, showed his talent for art when he was only six years of age. But he did not know about brushes before a visitor told him he needed one. In those days, a brush was made from camel’s hair. There were no camels nearby. Benjamin decided that cat hair would work instead. He cut some fur from the family cat to make a brush.

The brush did not last long. Soon Benjamin needed more fur. Before long, the cat began to look ragged (蓬乱). His father said that the cat must be sick. Benjamin was forced to admit what he had been doing.

The cat’s lot was about to improve. That year, one of Benjamin’s cousins, Mr. Pennington, came to visit. He was impressed with Benjamin’s drawings. When he went home, he sent Benjamin a box of paint and some brushes. He also sent six engravings (版画) by an artist. These were the first pictures and first real paint and brushes Benjamin had ever seen.

In 1747, when Benjamin was nine years old, Mr. Pennington returned for another visit. He was amazed at what Benjamin had done with his gift. He asked Benjamin’s parents if he might take the boy back to Philadelphia for a visit.

In the city, Mr. Pennington gave Benjamin materials for creating oil paintings. The boy began a landscape (风景) painting. William Williams, a well-known painter, came to see him work. Williams was impressed with Benjamin and gave him two classic books on painting to take home. The books were long and dull. Benjamin could read only a little, having been a poor student. But he later said, “Those two books were my companions by day, and under my pillow at night.” While it is likely that he understood very little of the books, they were his introduction to classical paintings. The nine-year-old boy decided then that he would be an artist.

1.How did Benjamin get the brushes at first?

A.He cut a camel’s air. B.He cut some fur from a cat.

C.He asked his father to buy them. D.An artist offered a hand to him.

2.What does the underlined sentence in paragraph 3 suggest?

A.The cat would be closely watched.

B.Benjamin would leave his home shortly.

C.Benjamin would have real brushes soon.

D.The cat would get some medical care.

3.What did Pennington do to help Benjamin develop his talent?

A.He took him to see painting exhibitions.

B.He sent him to a school in Philadelphia.

C.He provided him with painting materials.

D.He taught him how to make engravings.

4.Williams’ two books helped Benjamin to ______.

A.make up his mind to be a painter

B.appreciate landscape paintings

C.get to know other painters

D.master the use of paints

5.What is the passage mainly about?

A.The friendship between Benjamin and Pennington.

B.The beginning of Benjamin’s life as an artist.

C.Williams’ influence on Benjamin.

D.Benjamin’s visit to Philadelphia.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

B

（2017·浙江）Benjamin West, the father of American painting, showed his talent for art when he was only six years of age. But he did not know about brushes before a visitor told him he needed one. In those days, a brush was made from camel’s hair. There were no camels nearby. Benjamin decided that cat hair would work instead. He cut some fur from the family cat to make a brush.

The brush did not last long. Soon Benjamin needed more fur. Before long, the cat began to look ragged （蓬乱）. His father said that the cat must be sick. Benjamin was forced to admit what he had been doing.

The cat’s lot was about to improve. That year, one of Benjamin’s cousins, Mr. Pennington, came to visit. He was impressed with Benjamin’s drawings. When he went home, he sent Benjamin a box of paint and some brushes. He also sent six engravings（版画） by an artist. These were the first pictures and first real paint and brushes Benjamin had ever seen. In 1747, when Benjamin was nine years old, Mr. Pennington returned for another visit. He was amazed at what Benjamin had done with his gift. He asked Benjamin’s parents if he might take the boy to Philadelphia for a visit.

In the city, Mr. Pennington gave Benjamin materials for creating oil paintings. The boy began a landscape(风景) painting. William Williams, a well-known painter, came to see him work. Williams was impressed with Benjamin and gave him two classic books on painting to take home. The books were long and dull. Benjamin could read only a little, having been a poor student. But he later said,＂Those two books were my companions by day, and under my pillow at night.＂While it is likely that he understood very little of the books, they were his introduction to classical paintings. The nine-year-old boy decided then that he would be an artist.

1.What is the text mainly about?

A. Benjamin’s visit to Philadelphia.

B. Williams’ influence on Benjamin.

C. The beginning of Benjamin’s life as an artist.

D. The friendship between Benjamin and Pennington.

2. What does the underlined sentence in paragraph 3 suggest?

A. The cat would be closely watched.

B. The cat would get some medical care.

C. Benjamin would leave his home shortly.

D. Benjamin would have real brushes soon.

3.What did Pennington do to help Benjamin develop his talent?

A. He took him to see painting exhibitions.

B. He provided him with painting materials.

C. He sent him to a school in Philadelphia.

D. He taught him how to make engravings.

4. Williams’ two books helped Benjamin to ________.

A. master the use of paints　　

B. appreciate landscape paintings

C. get to know other painters　　

D. make up his mind to be a painter

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

When first seeing Masaccio’s paintings, people were convinced they were looking through _____ hole in _____ wall at _____ real scene.

A. the; a; the　 B. a; a; a

C. a; the; the　 D. a; the; a

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

There were many famous poets from different periods of time in Chinese history, and thousands of their poems are still read and appreciated today.

To arouse people’s interest in those classic Chinese poems and promote cultural heritage, China Central Television (CCTV) produced a TV show—Chinese Poetry Competition. The finale (终场) of the hit show’s second season was shown on Feb.7 this year.

Wu Yishu，16，who studies at the High School Affiliated to Fudan University in Shanghai, came out on top. In an earlier episode (一集), Wu wowed the audience when performing in a section entitled “Feihualing”. The game’s theme was “yue”, meaning “moon” or “month” in Chinese. She recited the lines from the Classic of Poetry, the earliest collection of poems in China: “In July, the crickets (蟋蟀) are in the field. In August, they are in the yard. In September, they are at the door. In October, they enter and crawl under our beds.”

“I really admire her knowledge of poems,” said Huang Zijin, 16, a Senior 2 student from Ningbo High School in Zhejiang province, “The first time I saw her wearing traditional Han clothing on TV, I was very impressed by her classical looks. She fulfills all my fantasies for classic Chinese women’s talents. What’s more, she always appears so calm throughout the show, which is very unusual for her age.”

As the old saying goes, “One who is filled with knowledge always behaves with elegance.” “Learning poems isn’t about winning or losing. The power of poetry lies in shaping one’s view of life and developing one’s inner world,” said Li Bo, an expert guest at the Chinese Poetry Competition’s second season.

When it comes to teaching people about poetry, Li Dingguang, the show’s academic advisor, suggested that teachers should explain more about the beauty of the poetry from both the aesthetic (审美的) and emotional sides, and guide the students to lose themselves in the poems’ rhythmic (有节奏的) and rhyming lines.

“Although the amount of ancient Chinese poetry in the textbooks of primary and secondary schools has increased, many students still learn them for exams,” Li Dingguang told China.org.cn. “Therefore, it’s important to help students truly appreciate the artistry and fun of poetry. ”

1.What’s one of the purposes of the TV show Chinese Poetry Competition?

A. To entertain people by enjoying Chinese poems.

B. To see who can recite the most classic Chinese poems.

C. To fulfill people’s fantasies for Chinese women’s talents.

D. To make more people interested in classic Chinese poetry.

2.From Paragraphs 3 and 4, what can we infer about Wu Yishu?

A. She is a talented and elegant Chinese teenager.

B. She has learned a large amount of poetry from textbooks.

C. She is always calm in the show like other competitors of her age.

D. She amazed the audience with the lines from the Classic of Poetry in the finale.

3.According to Li Bo, why do people learn poetry?

A. To get good marks in examinations.

B. To help build up their inner world.

C. To win the Chinese Poetry Competition.

D. To appreciate the beauty of rhythm and rhyme.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析