Thomas Cheatham had planned to study Latin du...

Thomas Cheatham had planned to study Latin during his time at Hebron High School in Texas. But when he learned that the school district was going to offer a Mandarin(普通话) class, he quickly changed his mind.

“I thought Mandarin would be more beneficial than Latin,” said Cheatham, who is now in his second year of studying the language.

He speaks Mandarin to order food at Chinese restaurants and can read social media posts from his Chinese-speaking friends. While it’s a difficult language to master, the high school junior, who plans to study computer engineering, thinks it will be important for his career. “Chinese is a good language to know, especially with China becoming a growing power,” he said.

Many experts agree that proficiency(熟练) in a language spoken by a billion people worldwide will give American students an edge in the global economy.

“People are looking at China as our next economic competitor, and interest in Mandarin is growing fast,” said Marty Abbott, director of the American Council(议会) on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. “We’re seeing it in all parts of the country.”

Abbott predicts that as many as 100,000 students are now studying Mandarin in public and private schools throughout the US. She said the US government has designated (指定) Mandarin as an “important needs” language and provides professional development programs for teachers. “Our government wants to increase our language ability for national security and economic competitiveness,” Abbott added.

At the same time, the Chinese government is spreading knowledge of the Chinese language and culture through Confucius Institutes set up in many US states. For example, the Confucius Institute at the University of Texas in Dallas has been the home of a Confucius Institute for 10 years. It sponsors Confucius Classrooms at 21 local public and private schools, where tens of thousands of students are learning Mandarin.

1.Why did Thomas Cheatham decide to study Mandarin instead of Latin?

A. Mandarin was easier to learn than Latin.

B. Mandarin could be helpful to his future career.

C. Mandarin might help him learn more about China.

D. Mandarin could enable him to study computer engineering.

2.The underlined word “edge” in Paragraph 4 probably means “________”.

A. a slight advantage B. the outside limit

C. a sharp tone of voice D. an exciting quality

3.Which of the following statements might Marty Abbott agree with?

A. Mandarin should be taught in classrooms throughout the US.

B. Those skilled at Chinese will be the most competitive in the future.

C. The US government’s policy has helped popularize Mandarin in the US.

D. Americans learn Mandarin because they worry about their national security.

4.What does the author mainly talk about in this passage?

A. The rising popularity of Mandarin among American students.

B. The great benefits of learning Mandarin for American students.

C. The influence of China’s growing power on American education.

D. The effect of Confucius Institutes in promoting Mandarin in the US.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

American teenager Thomas Cheatham had planned to study Latin during his sophomore year at Hebron High School in Texas. But when he learned that the school district was going to offer a Mandarin class, he quickly changed his mind. “I thought it (Mandarin) would be more beneficial than Latin,” said Cheatham, who is now in his second year of studying the language.

He speaks Mandarin to order food at Chinese restaurants and can read Face book posts from his Chinese-speaking friends.

While it’a difficult language to master, the high school junior, who plans to study computer engineering, thinks it will be a valuable thing in his career.

“Chinese is a good language to know, especially with China becoming a growing power,” he said.

Many experts agree that proficiency in a language spoken by a billion people worldwide will give American students an edge in the global economy.

“People are looking at China as our next economic competitor, and interest in Mandarin is growing,'' said Marty Abbott, executive director of the American Council on the Teaching of　 Foreign Languages. ''We're seeing it in all parts of the country.”

The number of students studying Mandarin in public schools nationwide in grades 7 through 12 grew from 20,000 in 2004-2005 to 60,000 three years later, according to the council’s most recent survey.

Abbott estimates that as many as 100,000 students are now studying Mandarin, in public and private schools, throughout the nation.

She said the US government has considered Mandarin to be an “important needs” language and provides professional development programs for teachers.

“Our government wants to increase our language ability for national security and economic competitiveness,” Abbott said.

At the same time, the Chinese government is spreading knowledge of the Chinese language and culture through Confucius Institutes established in many states.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Texas in Dallas, founded in 2007, opens Confucius Classrooms at 11 local public and private schools where more than 700 students are learning Mandarin.

1.Why does the writer mention Thomas in the passage?

A. To tell us how changeable he is.

B. To introduce the topic of the passage.

C. To introduce his college life.

D. To tell us Latin is less popular now.

2.Many experts in America agree that _______.

A. Mandarin is becoming more beneficial than Latin

B. Mandarin is very difficult to learn for most American students

C. Mandarin will be of some help to American students in the global economy

D. China is a competitor of America in culture

3.Why does Mandarin become so popular in America?

A. Because Mandarin is more interesting than Latin.

B. Because there are many good teachers in the Confucius Institutes.

C. Because Mandarin is very helpful in the global economy.

D. Because the Chinese government has tried his best.

4.From the passage we know that the Confucius Institutes _______.

A. have trained 100,000 students to learn Mandarin in America

B. provide professional development programs for teachers

C. have been established in many states in America

D. were founded in 2007

5.What does the passage mainly talk about?

A. An increasing number of students in America are learning Mandarin.

B. Confucius Institutes have been established in many states in America.

C. Latin is less popular in America now.

D. China now is becoming a growing power.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

By the time I reached junior high, I was sure I wanted to be a nurse. If you didn’t study Latin, you couldn’t be a nurse, so I enrolled. Many Latin words were familiar to me. The hard part turned out to be the usage and creating sentences with the words that seemed so easy to pronounce. Several weeks into the course my teacher came to me, saying, “I think you should withdraw from this course. It seems to be too hard for you.”

That was the day I learned I wasn’t smart enough to become a nurse. With shame, I handed in my Latin textbook.

After high school, the years raced by. I married and had children. Then one day my husband John came home. “Carol, Max died this afternoon.” I looked at my husband with disbelief.

John was touched by this tragedy. Finally one evening he said, “Carol, Jackie has never worked and now she’s alone with four children. I've been thinking - if anything happens to me. I want you to be able to take care of yourself and the children. Why don’t you think about what you’d like to do and get the training you’ll need to do it?”

I signed up for the entrance exam for nursing programs. One day I received a letter from the schoo1. I wanted so badly to open it, but with my lack of confidence, I laid it on the kitchen counter saying, “I'm not in the mood for a rejection letter today.”

Finally I forced myself to open it. “Dear Carol,”I read. “We are pleased to inform you that you successfully passed the entrance exam.”

An insensitive teacher once stole my dream. If you have a dream, exhaust every effort to reach it. I’ve worked thirty years now as a nurse and I’ve never been more certain that this is what I was meant to be.

1.Why did John advise Carol to find a job?

A.To support the family B.To provide more money for her kids

C.To live a more colorful life D.To be able to live independently

2.From the text, we know what the teacher said____________.

A.destroyed Carol’s dream to be a nurse.

B.helped Carol find her true interest

C.saved Carol from wasting her time

D.encouraged Carol to be careful in learning

3.After receiving the letter from the schoo1, Caro1____________.

A.was uncertain about the result B.had no mood to read it then

C.didn’t take it seriously at all D.couldn’t wait to open it

4.What may be the best title for the text？

A.A dream too high to achieve. B.Too stupid to be a nurse?

C.Never too late to 1earn. D.A chance too important to miss

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

During the conversation, Mr. Li ______ that he planned to open a company of his own.

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Jack had planned to visit his grandparents last weekend, but an emergency _____ and he had to reschedule.

A.should come up B.had come up C.came up D.would come up

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

—Brain, did you have a good time during the holiday?

— ______. I had to do homework most of the time.

A. No doubt                         B. Why not                           C. Forget it                           D. Not really

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Time to us all is limited. So in the days _______, we must work out a practical plan for our study and keep to it strictly.

A. following　　 B. to follow

C. followed 　 D. being followed

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

You’re sure to make rapid progress if your plan for study ________ ahead of time.

高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析

Women had a significant part to play during World War Ⅱ，which was the time when women also made their own contributions.Some women’s great efforts and their names have been recorded in history.Here’s a look at some of the strong figures of women in World War Ⅱ.

Tatiana Nikolaevna Baramzina was born in Glazov of Russia on December 12,1919.In 1943，she was sent to the Central Women’s Sniper Training School and upon her graduation in April，she was further sent to the front.She managed to kill around 16 enemies in the first three months！Unfortunately，she was captured(俘虏) by the enemies and was killed on the fifth of July in 1944.Today，the street where she grew up has been renamed in her memory.

Anne Frank was a German­born Jewish girl who was well­known for the publication of her diary that described all her experiences when the Germans occupied Holland in World War Ⅱ.Anne was born on June 12,1929 and she，along with her family，went into hiding in July 1942.Two years later，her family was captured and seven months from her arrest，Anne Frank died of illness in early March 1945.

Margaret Ringenberg was born on 17 June,1921，in Indiana of America.She began her career during World War Ⅱ when she became a ferry pilot for the Women Airforce Service Pilots.After that she turned a flight instructor in 1945.She even wrote her own book named Girls Can’t Be Pilots.She passed away on 28 July,2008，after flying for 40,000 hours in the air.

Hannah Szenes was born on 17th July,1921 and was trained to parachute(用降落伞空投) by the British army into Yugoslavia during World War Ⅱ.This task was given in order to save the Jews of Hungary.Her secret mission was not revealed even when she was tortured(折磨) following her arrest at the Hungarian border.Hannah Szenes had to brave immense tortures，yet she did not lose heart.She bravely battled it out and tried to sing to keep her spirits high！She also kept a record of events in her diary till 7th November,1944，when she was finally killed.

These names are just a few of the women who played a significant part in World War Ⅱ.Their stories go a long way in showing the kind of lifestyles they led and their struggles and sacrifices.

1. What is mainly discussed in the text?

A．Women were braver than men in World War Ⅱ.

B．Women and men made equal contributions in World War Ⅱ.

C．Women played a significant role in World War Ⅱ.

D．Women’s death rate was high in World War Ⅱ.

2.Which of the four women heroes died the youngest?

A．Tatiana Baramzina.

B．Anne Frank.

C．Margaret Ringenberg.

D．Hannah Szenes.

3. Who were killed by the enemy in the war?

A．Tatiana Baramzina and Anne Frank.

B．Hannah Szenes and Tatiana Baramzina.

C．Anne Frank and Margaret Ringenberg.

D．Margaret Ringenberg and Hannah Szenes.

4. It can be learned from the text that ________.

A．Tatiana Baramzina was once a flight instructor

B．Margaret Ringenberg was the best at writing about the war experiences

C．Anne Frank and her family were arrested by Germans in 1944

D．Hannah Szenes was arrested by Germans because of her diary

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Is there something that you've always wanted to try but just never had the time? Well, make plans to try it now since you are on summer vacation. Not all vacations call for taking a tour bus to take photos of famous landmarks. Some vacations allow you plenty of opportunities to learn.

The most difficult aspect of a learning vacation may be choosing one because the possibilities are endless. If you enjoy cooking, various companies can take you to Italy, France, Spain, Mexico or even Peru. Once there, you can learn to prepare the local cuisine(烹饪). Trips are often planned to fit in with local food festivals or special events.

The term “learning vacation” often brings language to mind. The best way to learn a language is in an environment where it's spoken. Study Spanish, French or English. Or attempt a more unusual language like Polish, Estonian or Thai. You'll be able to learn about the country and absorb the culture at the same time.

If you are fond of sports, you can polish your skills or learn new ones. Golf and tennis schools welcome players of all levels. If you want a bigger thrill, you can learn to surf, go climbing or race cars. It's even possible to learn the art and techniques of bull fighting while on vacation!

You can also discover our inner artist.  Many places offer painting classes in different mediums. The scenic locations, of the schools offer plenty of subjects that provide inspiration for practice.

If you prefer capturing the world on film, take a photography vacation. Travel with a small group to photograph beautiful animals or scenery.  You can also practise your technique on people or at historical sights.

Once you decide on a vacation, choose a company carefully.  Request names of recent customers you can contact,  and then ask them for an evaluation. The more you know before you go,  the better prepared you'll be.  Then go out and learn something!

1.Why is it hard for you to decide on a learning vacation?

2.The advantage of learning a language in its native country is that ________.

3.Which of the following sports suits you if you don't like thrills?

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析