Work is a very important part of life in the United States. When the early Protestant immigrants came to this country, they brought the idea that work was the way to God and heaven. This attitude, the Protestant Work Ethic(道德规范), still influences America today. Work is not only important for economic benefits, the salary, but also for social and psychological needs, the feeling of doing something for the good of the society. Americans spend most of their lives working, being productive. For most Americans, their work defines them: they are what they do. What happens then, when a person can no longer work? Almost all Americans stop working at age sixty-five or seventy and retire. Because work is such an important part of life in this culture, retirement can be very difficult. Retirees often feel that they are useless and unproductive. Of course, some people are happy to retire; but leaving one’s job, whatever it is, is a difficult change, even for those who look forward to retiring. Many retirees do not know how to use their time or they feel lost without their jobs. Retirements can also bring financial problems. Many people rely on Social Security checks every month. During their working years, employees contribute a certain percentage of their salaries to the government. Each employer also gives a certain percentage to the government. When people retire, they receive this money as income. These checks do not provide enough money to live on, however, because prices are increasing very rapidly. Senior citizens, those over sixty-five, have to have savings in the bank or other retirement plans to make ends meet. The rate of inflation is forcing prices higher each year; Social Security checks alone cannot cover these growing expenses. The government offers some assistance, Medicare(health care)and welfare(general assistance), but many senior citizens have to change their life styles after retirement. They have to spend carefully to be sure that they can afford to buy food, fuel and other necessities.
Of course, many senior citizens are happy with retirement. They have time to spend with their families or enjoy their hobbies. Some continue to work part time, others do volunteer work. Some, like those in the Retired Business Executives Association, even help young people to get started in new business. Many retired citizens also belong to “Golden Age” groups. These organizations plan trips and social events. There are many chances for retirees.
American society is only beginning to be concerned about the special physical and emotional needs of its senior citizens. The government is taking steps to ease the problem of limited income. They are building new housing, offering discounts in stores and museums and on buses, and providing other services such as free courses, food service, and help with housework. Retired citizens are a rapidly growing percentage of the population. This part of the population is very important and we must meet their needs. After all, every citizen will be a senior citizen some day.
1.The author believes that work first became important to Americans because of _______.
A. religion B. economy C. psychology D. family
2.The passage is mainly about _______.
A. money and check
B. senior and junior
C. work and retirement
D. Protestants and Americans
3.When Americans stop work, it’s difficult for them to _______.
A. get Social Security checks
B. feel productive
C. enjoy themselves
D. be religious
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
Work is a very important part of life in the United States. When the early Protestant immigrants came to this country, they brought the idea that work was the way to God and heaven. This attitude, the Protestant Work Ethic(道德规范), still influences America today. Work is not only important for economic benefits, the salary, but also for social and psychological needs, the feeling of doing something for the good of the society. Americans spend most of their lives working, being productive. For most Americans, their work defines them: they are what they do. What happens then, when a person can no longer work? Almost all Americans stop working at age sixty-five or seventy and retire. Because work is such an important part of life in this culture, retirement can be very difficult. Retirees often feel that they are useless and unproductive. Of course, some people are happy to retire; but leaving one’s job, whatever it is, is a difficult change, even for those who look forward to retiring. Many retirees do not know how to use their time or they feel lost without their jobs. Retirements can also bring financial problems. Many people rely on Social Security checks every month. During their working years, employees contribute a certain percentage of their salaries to the government. Each employer also gives a certain percentage to the government. When people retire, they receive this money as income. These checks do not provide enough money to live on, however, because prices are increasing very rapidly. Senior citizens, those over sixty-five, have to have savings in the bank or other retirement plans to make ends meet. The rate of inflation is forcing prices higher each year; Social Security checks alone cannot cover these growing expenses. The government offers some assistance, Medicare(health care)and welfare(general assistance), but many senior citizens have to change their life styles after retirement. They have to spend carefully to be sure that they can afford to buy food, fuel and other necessities.
Of course, many senior citizens are happy with retirement. They have time to spend with their families or enjoy their hobbies. Some continue to work part time, others do volunteer work. Some, like those in the Retired Business Executives Association, even help young people to get started in new business. Many retired citizens also belong to “Golden Age” groups. These organizations plan trips and social events. There are many chances for retirees.
American society is only beginning to be concerned about the special physical and emotional needs of its senior citizens. The government is taking steps to ease the problem of limited income. They are building new housing, offering discounts in stores and museums and on buses, and providing other services such as free courses, food service, and help with housework. Retired citizens are a rapidly growing percentage of the population. This part of the population is very important and we must meet their needs. After all, every citizen will be a senior citizen some day.
1.The author believes that work first became important to Americans because of _______.
A. religion B. economy C. psychology D. family
2.The passage is mainly about _______.
A. money and check
B. senior and junior
C. work and retirement
D. Protestants and Americans
3.When Americans stop work, it’s difficult for them to _______.
A. get Social Security checks
B. feel productive
C. enjoy themselves
D. be religious
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Rich, heavy food is a major part of the end of the year holidays in the United States. People in the U. S. celebrate Thanksgiving on the third Thursday of November. People around the world celebrate Christmas on December 25. Both holidays involve(包含) traditions of cooking very large meals. The food at these meals usually has lots of sugar, salt, and butter in it. Turkey and pie are some of the most common foods in these holidays.
Terri Price has hosted a holiday party on the last Saturday before every Christmas for 30 years. It started when her children were very, very small. She has been preparing many of the dishes for most of the 30 years.
But over time, some traditions do change. The Neveldines are a family who hope to be healthier by changing what they eat. Mick Fury, the Neveldine’s oldest child, said this change is important during the holidays and the rest of the year, too.
Mick and his wife, Michelle, try to eat only organic food. Organic food is any plant or animal food product made without the use of unnatural chemicals or processes. But, Mick is not the only Neveldine who changed their diet. Felicia Neveldine, Mick’s sister, decided nine years ago to become a vegan. A vegan is a person who does not eat or use animal products of any kind.
Felicia became a vegan because of her concern for the treatment of animals and the environmental effects of animal farming. She said that her change in diet also improved her health.
Choosing these special diets means the Neveldines choose their foods carefully. Mick grows a garden behind his house where he gets fresh vegetables.
Holiday traditions may not change, but the way these traditions happen just might.
1.Which of the following best describes the food in American traditional holidays?
A.Delicious to eat and welcome by all.
B.Traditional in holidays but too wasteful.
C.Too rich in nutrition and large in quantity.
D.Good in taste and beneficial to health.
2.What do we learn about the Neveldines’ holiday diets?
A.They have turned healthier. B.They have become less tasty.
C.They have remained the same. D.They have grown unhealthy.
3.What do Mick and his wife concern most about their food?
A.Convenience. B.Safety.
C.Cost. D.Taste.
4.What does the underlined word “vegan” in paragraph 4 mean?
A.健康 B.志愿者
C.语言 D.素食主义者
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
There are many stereotypes( 定型 ) about the character of people in various parts of the United States. In the Northeast and Midwest, people are said to be closed and private. In the South and West, however, they are often thought of as being more open and hospitable . Ask someone from St. Louis where the nearest sandwich shop is, and he or she will politely give you directions. A New Yorker might eye you at first and after deciding it is safe to talk to you, might give you a rather unexpected explanation. A person from Georgia might be very kind about directing you and even suggest some different places to eat. A Texan just might take you to the place and treat you to lunch.
American stereotypes are abundant. New Englanders are often thought of as being friendly and helpful. Southerners are known for their hospitality and warmth. People from the western part of the United States are often considered very outgoing. These differences in character can be traced to different factors such as climate, living conditions, and historical development.
When travelling from place to place, Americans themselves are often surprised at the differing degrees of friendliness in the United States.
1.The main idea of the passage is _____________.
A. even Americans are surprised at the differences among themselves
B. there are many differences in character in different parts of the USA.
C. there are many reasons for the differences
D. stereotypes about people are not necessarily true
2.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. New Yorkers are usually open with strangers.
B. People from the South are usually considered good
C. The friendliest Americans travel from place to place.
D. Different parts have different customs and habits.
3.The differences lie in the following except ______ of the parts.
A. the weather B. the history C. geography D. the names
4.The word "abundant" in the second paragraph may probably mean _________.
A. plentiful B. normal C. curious D. strange
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
There are many stereotypes( 定型 ) about the character of people in various parts of the United States. In the Northeast and Midwest, people are said to be closed and private. In the South and West, however, they are often thought of as being more open and hospitable(好客的) . Ask someone from St. Louis where the nearest sandwich shop is, and he or she will politely give you directions. A New Yorker might eye you at first and after deciding it is safe to talk to you, might give you a rather unexpected explanation. A person from Georgia might be very kind about directing you and even suggest some different places to eat. A Texan just might take you to the place and treat you to lunch.
American stereotypes are abundant. New Englanders are often thought of as being friendly and helpful. Southerners are known for their hospitality and warmth. People from the western part of the United States are often considered very outgoing. These differences in character can be traced to different factors such as climate, living conditions, and historical development.
When traveling from place to place, Americans themselves are often surprised at the differing degrees of friendliness in the United States.
43. The main idea of the passage is _____________.
A. even Americans are surprised at the differences among themselves
B. there are many differences in character in different parts of the USA.
C. there are many reasons for the differences
D. stereotypes about people are not necessarily true
44. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. New Yorkers are usually open with strangers.
B. People from the South are usually considered good
C. The friendliest Americans travel from place to place.
D. Different parts have different customs and habits.
45. The differences lie in the following except ______ of the
parts.
A. the weather B. the history
C. geography D. the names
46. The word "abundant" in the second paragraph may probably mean _________.
A. plentiful B. normal C. curious D. strange
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Almost everyone likes to eat apples.Apples grow in nearly every part of the world.The United States produces more apples than any other country except France.The states of Washington and New York grow the most apples.1. New York is on the east coast and Washington is on the west near Canada.
Apples are red, yellow or green.They are very popular in the United States.2. Most American people are often too busy or too tired to cook dinner, so they often have their dinners very simply.Apple juice is also a popular drink and apple pie is the favorite sweet dish for many Americans.
3. The trees there produce nearly five billion apples every year—one apple for every man, woman and child in the whole world.
4. For example, “You are the apple of my eye.” means “You are actually the one I love best and care most.” In China, it is a custom in some places for the marrying couple to hold an apple in each one’s hand, promising that their marriage will be “safe” without anything bad and that their marriage will never be broken.“To apple polish” often refers to a man who fawns (奉承) on somebody for the purpose of getting some benefits.So you can easily get “apple polisher”.However, “in apple-pie order” usually has the same meaning as “in good order”. 5. In fact, it’s another saying about “compare two things that can’t be compared”.
A.The state of Washington is proud of its apples
B.Apples play an important part in people’s health
C.There are many stories and sayings about apples
D.Perhaps this is why “New York” is often called “Big Apple” by some people
E.The apples in France are better than those in America
F.Many people like to carry apples to work or to school to eat with their lunches
G.It is likely that you hear about “compare apples and oranges”
高二英语信息匹配简单题查看答案及解析
Popular culture often shows alcohol as a big part of the college experience in the United States. Television programs and movies about American college life have images of wild parties with young people either drinking alcohol or holding a drink.
Now, a new study of alcohol use suggests that some college students may be missing meals so they can have more drinks or get drunk faster. Researchers are calling this kind of behavior "drunkorexia".
The study involved 1,184 college students between the ages of 18 and 26. Researchers found that 80 percent of those studied had demonstrated some kind of drunkorexia in the past three months. They had performed heavy physical exercise, eaten low calorie meals or even missed meals for up to a full day before drinking alcohol.
Dipali Rinker organized the study and presented its findings to the Research Society on Alcoholism in June. She says students see drunkorexia as a way to keep their body weight down while drinking alcohol. And it causes them to feel the effects of alcohol quickly and with more intensity(强度). Rinker says unhealthy eating habits are only one of the reasons why this type of behavior is dangerous. Heavy drinking is linked to drunk driving, unprotected sex, and alcohol poisoning.
George Koob, who directs a U.S. governmental agency that studies alcohol related problems, says that the percent of students using alcohol has not increased in recent years. But what worries him is that the number of students drinking to the point of "blacking out" has increased. Blacking out is when a person drinks so much alcohol they have no memory of their actions while drunk.
Koob notes that college students in Canada and Europe also face issues with alcohol. But he feels a big part of the problem is that Americans do not fully understand alcohol's effects. Most people do not know the part of the brain where decisions are made is not fully developed until age 25 and that alcohol harms the development of that part of the brain, he adds.
1.What is the purpose of the behavior "drunkorexia"?
A. To get drunk. B. To drink more alcohol.
C. To take exercise. D. To lose weight.
2.What can heavy drinking result in?
A. Unhealthy eating habits. B. Drunkorexia.
C. Alcohol poisoning. D. Quick response.
3.Which of the following is the result of blacking out?
A. Missing meals. B. Forgetting something one did.
C. Having unprotected sex. D. Operating a vehicle while drunk.
4.By writing the passage, the writer aims to ________.
A. show heavy drinking and its harm B. show America college life
C. introduce American culture D. explain harmful behaviors
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
May the first is an important date in the college admission process in the United States.This is the last day for high school seniors to accept or reject offers of admission in the fall.But according to a recent report, there is a great change. Acceptance rates at the top colleges this year were lower than ever.1.
These days, college applicants are applying to more colleges because online and common applications make the process easier.2.On the other hand, deciding students for top colleges to accept can be difficult because it takes much time. Students may not like being put on waiting lists. Also, common colleges work more to get the students they accept to accept them. Some colleges hold visiting days that offer a chance to attend classes and stay overnight. Some universities send gifts.3.
For many families, the most important thing colleges can do is show them the money, especially this year; the weak economy makes parents nervous.4.The recent problems that spread from the housing market to credit markets have even affected student’s loans. So lately, top schools have to spare lots of money to increase their financial aid for students.
5.The Education Department expects the number of high school graduates to start to go down. This will happen as the last of the children of the baby boom generation finishes high school. The number is not expected to start rising again until 2015.
A.Besides, top colleges are facing changes in the population. |
B.What contributes to it? |
C.But a mistake can be costly if it happens. |
D.But top colleges ignore them. |
E. They have international students who know English.
F. It can mean several acceptances to choose from.
G. They cannot afford college as planned.
高二英语七选五困难题查看答案及解析
July 4th, the Independence Day, is an important holiday of the United States of America. It’s the ________1.________ (nation) holiday to celebrate the anniversary of their declaration of independence from Britain. The first Independence Day celebration took place on July 4, 1777 ________2.________ the thirteen colonies in America gained independence from Britain. In ________3.________ early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way ________4.________ (celebrate) America’s birthday. And although fireworks ________5.________ (ban) in most places because of their danger, most towns and cities usually have big firework displays ________6. all to see and enjoy. Today families often celebrate Independence Day by ________7.________ (host) or attending a picnic or barbecue and take the day off and gather with relatives. ________8.________ (decorate) are generally colored red, white, and blue, the colors of the American flag. Parades are often in the morning,
________9.________ firework displays occur in the evening at such places as parks or town squares. The year of 2010 marked the 234th anniversary of the United States declaring ________10.________ independence from Britain. Hundreds of thousands of visitors took part in the celebrations in the nation’s capital.
高二英语其他题中等难度题查看答案及解析
In the United States, it is important to be on time , or punctual , for an appointment , a class, a meeting, etc. However, this may not be true in all countries. An American professor discovered the difference while teaching a class in a Brazilian (巴西的) university. The two-hour class was scheduled to begin at 10 A.M. and end at 12. On the first day , when the professor arrived on time, no one was in the classroom. Many students came after 10:30 A.M. Two students came after 11 A.M. Although all the students greeted the professor as they arrived, few apologized for their lateness.Were these students being rude? He decided to study the students’ behavior.
The professor talked to American and Brazilian students about lateness in both an informal and a formal situation:at a lunch with a friend and in a university class, respectively.He gave them an example and asked them how they would react, If they had a lunch appointment with a friend,the average American student defined lateness as 19 minutes after the agreed time. On the other hand, the average Brazilian student felt the friend was late after 33 minutes.
In an American university, students are expected to arrive at the appointed hour.In contrast, in Brazil,neither the teacher nor the students always arrive at the appointed hour.Classes not only begin at the scheduled time in the United States,but also end at the scheduled time.In the Brazilian class, only a few students left the class at 12:00;many remained past 12:30 to discuss the class and ask more questions.While arriving late may not be very important in Brazil , neither is staying late.
1.The word‘punctual’ most probably means________.
A.leaving soon after class B.coming early
C.arriving a few minutes late D.being on time
2.Why did the professor study the Brazilian students’ behavior?
A.He felt puzzled at the students’ being late.
B.He felt angry at the students' rudeness.
C.He wanted to make the students come on time later.
D.He wanted to collect data for one of his studies.
3.It can be inferred from the professor’s study of lateness in the informal situation that ________.
A.American students will become impatient if their friend is five minutes late
B.neither Brazilian nor American students like being late in social gatherings
C.being late in one culture may not be considered so rude in another culture
D.Brazilian students will not come thirty-three minutes after the agreed time
4.What is the main idea of this passage?
A.It is important to be on time for class in the United States.
B.The importance of being on time differs among cultures.
C.People learn the importance of time only from their own culture.
D.Students being late for class should explain the reason to their teacher.
高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
In the United States, it is important to be on time , or punctual , for an appointment , a class, a meeting, etc. However, this may not be true in all countries. An American professor discovered the difference while teaching a class in a Brazilian(巴西的) university. The two-hour class was scheduled to begin at 10 A.M. and end at 12. On the first day , when the professor arrived on time, no one was in the classroom. Many students came after 10:30 A.M. Two students came after 11 A.M. Although all the students greeted the professor as they arrived, few apologized(道歉)for their lateness.Were these students being rude? He decided to study the students’ behavior.
The professor talked to American and Brazilian students about lateness in both an informal and a formal situation:at a lunch with a friend and in a university class, respectively.He gave them an example and asked them how they would react, If they had a lunch appointment with a friend,the average American student defined lateness as 19 minutes after the agreed time,On the other hand.the average Brazilian student felt the friend was late after 33 minutes.
In an American university, students are expected to arrive at the appointed hour.In contrast, in Brazil,neither the teacher nor the students always arrive at the appointed hour.Classes not only begin at the scheduled time in the United States,but also end at the scheduled time.In the Brazilian class, only a few students left the class at 12:00;many remained past 12:30 to discuss the class and ask more questions.While arriving late may not be very important in Brazil , neither is staying late.
36. The word‘punctual’most probably means________.
A.1eaving soon after class B.coming early
C.arriving a few minutes late D.being on time
37. Why did the professor study the Brazilian students’behavior?
A.He felt puzzled at the students’ being late.
B.He felt angry at the students' rudeness.
C.He wanted to make the students come on time later.
D.He wanted to collect data for one of his studies.
38. It can be inferred from the professor’s study of lateness in the informal situation that____.
A.American students will become impatient if their friend is five minutes late
B.neither Brazilian nor American students like being late in social gatherings
C.being late in one culture may not be considered so in another culture
D.Brazilian students will not come thirty-three minutes after the agreed time
39. From the last paragraph we know that in Brazil____.
A. it is important to arrive at the appointed time
B.it is rude to keep the professor staying after class
C.it is normal for students to leave during lectures
D.it is acceptable for professors to be late for class.
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析