American English began in the 17th century. At the beginning of the 17th century, the English language was brought to North America by colonists (殖民者) from England. They used the language spoken in England, that is, Elizabethan English, the language used by Shakespeare.
In order to exploit (开发) new resources in America, British colonists settled down there and from 1607 to 1732 set up thirteen colonies. In these thirteen areas, English was a common language used by all people. They continued to speak as they had done in England.
As time went by, the English language gradually changed on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Foreigners longing for wealth set foot on the coastal area to trade. The Americans adopted many words from foreign languages and invented lots of new words to meet their commercial (贸易的) needs.
Following American Independence, famous people like Thomas Jefferson, the president, began to consider that the country should have a language of its own. Noah Webster compiled (编纂) three elementary books on English. Later, he expressed the idea that as an independent nation, America should have a system of its own in language as well as in government. After the second half of the 19th century, many great writers such as Mark Twain helped the development of American English.
English in America has developed a character of its own, showing the life and the physical and social environment of the American people. Since the rise of the United States to a position of world importance, American English has been developing and changing. There is no doubt that American English will enrich the English language greatly. With the rapid development of modern mass media and the common needs of economic, cultural and political exchanges, American English will be more widely used in the world than British English.
1.What can we infer from paragraph 3?
A. People from the seaside were more willing to learn English.
B. The English language changed as a result of inner culture shock.
C. New words occurred in American English as a result of local invention.
D. International business contributed to the development of American English.
2.What do we know about American English according to the passage?
A. It came into being at the end of the 17th century.
B. It hardly makes contributions to the development of English.
C. Its development has a close relationship with American people’s life.
D. It has been more widely used than British English from the beginning.
3.What’s the best title for the passage?
A. The Difference between American English and British English.
B. The development of American English.
C. The Birth of American English.
D. Language and Business.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
American English began in the 17th century. At the beginning of the 17th century, the English language was brought to North America by colonists (殖民者) from England. They used the language spoken in England, that is, Elizabethan English, the language used by Shakespeare.
In order to exploit (开发) new resources in America, British colonists settled down there and from 1607 to 1732 set up thirteen colonies. In these thirteen areas, English was a common language used by all people. They continued to speak as they had done in England.
As time went by, the English language gradually changed on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Foreigners longing for wealth set foot on the coastal area to trade. The Americans adopted many words from foreign languages and invented lots of new words to meet their commercial (贸易的) needs.
Following American Independence, famous people like Thomas Jefferson, the president, began to consider that the country should have a language of its own. Noah Webster compiled (编纂) three elementary books on English. Later, he expressed the idea that as an independent nation, America should have a system of its own in language as well as in government. After the second half of the 19th century, many great writers such as Mark Twain helped the development of American English.
English in America has developed a character of its own, showing the life and the physical and social environment of the American people. Since the rise of the United States to a position of world importance, American English has been developing and changing. There is no doubt that American English will enrich the English language greatly. With the rapid development of modern mass media and the common needs of economic, cultural and political exchanges, American English will be more widely used in the world than British English.
1.What can we infer from paragraph 3?
A. People from the seaside were more willing to learn English.
B. The English language changed as a result of inner culture shock.
C. New words occurred in American English as a result of local invention.
D. International business contributed to the development of American English.
2.What do we know about American English according to the passage?
A. It came into being at the end of the 17th century.
B. It hardly makes contributions to the development of English.
C. Its development has a close relationship with American people’s life.
D. It has been more widely used than British English from the beginning.
3.What’s the best title for the passage?
A. The Difference between American English and British English.
B. The development of American English.
C. The Birth of American English.
D. Language and Business.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
“Dutch” expressions heard in American English were first used in the 17th century. That was a time of fierce competition between England and Holland. At that time, the British used “Dutch” as a word for something bad, or false.
A Dutch agreement was one made between men who had drunk too much alcohol. Dutch leave was what a soldier took when he left his base without permission.
Some of these old expressions are still used today with a little different meaning. Long ago, a Dutch treat or to go Dutch was a dinner at which the invited guests were expected to pay for their own share of food and drink. Now, Dutch treat means that when friends go out to have fun, each person pays his own share.
Another common expression heard a few years ago was “In Dutch”. If someone told you that you were in Dutch, they meant that you were in trouble.
Some of the Dutch expressions heard in American English have nothing to do with the Dutch people at all. In the seventeen hundreds, Germans who moved to the United States often were called Dutch. During the American Civil War, supporters of the northern side in the central state of Missouri were called Dutch, because many of them were German settlers. President Theodore Roosevelt once noted that anything foreign and non-English was called Dutch.
1.If one of your friends collects 60 yuan from you to go to have a meal together, you can use “_____”.
A. Go Dutch B. A Dutch C. In Dutch D. Dutch leave
2.Why does the word “Dutch” often have a negative (not good) meaning in English?
A. Because in the 17th century, the Dutch were timid (胆小的)
B. Because in the 17th century, the Dutch often drank a lot of alcohol.
C. Because in the 17th century, the Dutch often fought with the British.
D. Because in the 17th century, the Dutch didn’t like to pay for others.
3.Which of the following statements is true?
A. The original meaning of “Dutch” refers to the people in the British.
B. “Dutch” sometimes means all that is non-English in American English.
C. The Dutch uncles are often very severe.
D. “Dutch” expressions in English didn’t come from the Dutch at all.
4.What’s the passage mainly about?
A. Telling us that “Dutch” is not a good word.
B. Showing that “Dutch” means differently between the British and the American
C. Telling us there was fierce competition between England and Holland.
D. Helping us enlarge the knowledge about the word “Dutch”.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Before the 17th century, most of the native English speakers lived in England. After the 17th century, British people began to move to other 1. (country). Gradually, English was spoken there. At present 2. (many) people speak English as their first, second or a foreign language than ever before. 3. (luck), native English speakers can understand each other even if they don’t speak the same kind of English.
English 4. (change) and developed when cultures met and communicated with each other over the past centuries. The English 5. (speak) in England between about AD450 and 1150 was very different 6. the modern English we speak today. It was the new settlers that enriched the English language and 7. (especial) its vocabulary. The English language was settled by the 19th century 8. two big changes in English spelling happened. English now is also spoken as a foreign 9.second language in South Asia. China may have the 10. (large) number of English learners.
高二英语短文填空简单题查看答案及解析
People from Great Britain brought the English language to North America in the 16th and 17th centuries. And in the __________ 300 years, there were so many __________ in both places that now people can easily __________ an English person from an American in the __________ he or she talks.
Many old words __________ in England but were kept in America. For example, 300 years ago people in Great Britain got their water from something they __________ either a “faucet”, “spigot”, or a “tap”. All these words are __________ heard in different parts of America, but only “tap” is still __________ in England. Americans often make __________ new words or change old ones. “Corn” is one kind of plant in America and __________ in England.
Also, over the last three centuries the English language has __________ thousands of new words for things that weren't __________ before. And often, American and English people used two __________ names for them. A tin can is called “tin” for short in English, but a “can” in America. The word “radio” is __________ all over the world, including America. But many English people call it a “wireless”. And almost anything __________ something to do with cars, railroads, has different __________ in British and American English.
But now American and British English may be __________ closer together. One thing is that __________ people can hear a large amount of American speech daily in __________, on television, or from travelers. Because of this, Americans __________ to be influencing the British more and more. So some day, English may even be the same on both sides of the Atlantic.
1.A. past B. recent C. oldest D. latest
2.A. citizens B. inventions C. changes D. advances
3.A. pick B. tell C. take D. judge
4.A. voice B. place C. language D. way
5.A. disappeared B. stayed C. returned D. formed
6.A. said B. talked C. spoke D. called
7.A. then B. hardly C. clearly D. still
8.A. necessary B. native C. common D. lively
9.A. of B. into C. up D. out
10.A. another B. the other C. none D. something
11.A. discovered B. added C. improved D. learned
12.A. accepted B. known C. introduced D. understood
13.A. new B. short C. different D. surprising
14.A. produced B. made C. developed D. used
15.A. having B. bringing C. getting D. making
16.A. types B. names C. degrees D. parts
17.A. putting B. staying C. living D. growing
18.A. British B. American C. educated D. ordinary
19.A. families B. buses C. movies D. newspapers
20.A. need B. expect C. seem D. happen
高二英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
People from Great Britain brought the English language to North America in the 16th and 17th centuries. And in the __________ 300 years, there were so many __________ in both places that now people can easily __________ an English person from an American in the __________ he or she talks.
Many old words __________ in England but were kept in America. For example, 300 years ago people in Great Britain got their water from something they __________ either a “faucet”, “spigot”, or a “tap”. All these words are __________ heard in different parts of America, but only “tap” is still __________ in England. Americans often make __________ new words or change old ones. “Corn” is one kind of plant in America and __________ in England.
Also, over the last three centuries the English language has __________ thousands of new words for things that weren't __________ before. And often, American and English people used two __________ names for them. A tin can is called “tin” for short in English, but a “can” in America. The word “radio” is __________ all over the world, including America. But many English people call it a “wireless”. And almost anything __________ something to do with cars, railroads, has different __________ in British and American English.
But now American and British English may be __________ closer together. One thing is that __________ people can hear a large amount of American speech daily in __________, on television, or from travelers. Because of this, Americans __________ to be influencing the British more and more. So some day, English may even be the same on both sides of the Atlantic.
1.A.past B.recent C.oldest D.latest
2.A.citizens B.inventions C.changes D.advances
3.A.pick B.tell C.take D.judge
4.A.voice B.place C.language D.way
5.A.disappeared B.stayed C.returned D.formed
6.A.said B.talked C.spoke D.called
7.A.then B.hardly C.clearly D.still
8.A.necessary B.native C.common D.lively
9.A.of B.into C.up D.out
10.A.another B.the other C.none D.something
11.A.discovered B.added C.improved D.learned
12.A.accepted B.known C.introduced D.understood
13.A.new B.short C.different D.surprising
14.A.produced B.made C.developed D.used
15.A.having B.bringing C.getting D.making
16.A.types B.names C.degrees D.parts
17.A.putting B.staying C.living D.growing
18.A.British B.American C.educated D.ordinary
19.A.families B.buses C.movies D.newspapers
20.A.need B.expect C.seem D.happen
高二英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
People from Great Britain brought the English language to North America in the 16th and 17th centuries. And in the __36__ 300 years, there were so many___37__ in both places that now people can easily___38__ an English person from an American in the___39__ he or she talks.
Many old words___40__ in England but were kept in America．For example,300 years ago people in Great Britain got their water from something they__41__either a“faucet”,“spigot”,or a“tap”.All these words are___42__ heard in different parts of America, but only “tap”is still___43_ in England．Americans often make___44__ new words or change old ones. “Corn”is one kind of plant in America and__45__ in England．
Also, over the last three centuries the English language has___46__ thousands of new words for things that weren’t___47__ before. And often, American and English people used two__48__ names for them. A tin can is called“tin”for short in English, but a “can”in America．The word “radio”is__49__all over the world, including America．But many English people call it a “wireless”.And almost anything___50__ something to do with cars, railroads, etc．has different___51__ in British and American English.
But now American and British English may be___52__ closer together. One thing is that__ 53_ people can hear a large amount of American speech daily in___54__, on television, or from travelers. Because of this, Americans___55__ to be influencing the British more and more. So some day, English may even be the same on both sides of the Atlantic．
1.A. past B．recent C．oldest D．latest
2.A. citizens B．inventions C．changes D．advances
3.A. pick B．tell C．take D．judge
4.A. voice B．place C．language D．way
5.A. disappeared B．stayed C．returned D．formed
6.A. said B. talked C．spoke D．called
7.A. then B．hardly C．clearly D．still
8.A. necessary B．native C．common D．lively
9.A. of B．into C．up D．out
10.A. another B．the other C．none D．something
11.A. discovered B．added C. improved D．learned
12.A. accepted B．known C．introduced D．understood
13.A. new B．short C．different D．surprising
14.A. produced B．made C．developed D．used
15.A. having B．bringing C．getting D．making
16.A. types B．names C．degrees D．parts
17.A. putting B．staying C．living D．growing
18.A. British B．American C．educated D．ordinary
19.A. families B．buses C．movies D．newspapers
20.A. need B．expect C．seem D．happen
高二英语完型填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
About five to seven million people who lived in England spoke English at the end of the 16th century. Later in the next century, people from England overcame other parts of the world and because of that, English began to be spoken in many other countries. Today, more people speak English as their first, second or a foreign language than ever before.
Look at this example:
British Betty: Would you like to see my flat?
American Amy: Yes. I’d like to come up to your apartment.
So why has English changed over time? All languages change and develop when cultures meet. At first the English spoken in England between about AD 450 and 1150 was very different from the English spoken today. It was based more on German than the English we speak at present. Then between about AD 800 and 1150, English became less like German because those who ruled England spoke first Danish and later French. These new settlers improved the English language and especially its vocabulary. So by the 1600’s Shakespeare was able to make use of a wider vocabulary than ever before.
Finally by the 19th century the language was settled. At that time two big changes in English spelling happened: first Samuel Johnson wrote his dictionary and later Noah Webster wrote The American Dictionary of the English Language. The latter gave a separate identity to American English spelling.
English now is also spoken as a foreign or second language in South Asia. For example, India has a very large number of fluent English speakers because Britain ruled India from 1765 to 1947. During that time English became the language for government and education. Today the number of people learning English in China is increasing rapidly.
1.When did English begin to be spoken in many other countries?
A. In 16th century.
B. In 17th century.
C. In 18th century.
D. In 19th century.
2.Shakespeare could use a wider vocabulary than ever before because English_______.
A. developed when new settlers came to Britain
B. was based on Germany during the 5th century
C. became the language for government and education
D. was spoken wide all over the world
3.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. British settlers moved to America in the 18th.
B. It’s easy for Chinese people speak fluent English.
C. English once became the official language in India.
D. English was influenced by Danish invaders in AD 450 .
4.What showed the differences of American English spelling?
A. Samuel Johnson’s dictionary B. Shakespeare’s books
C. French ruler’s language D. Noah Webster’s dictionary
5.For what purpose does the author write the passage?
A. To settle English in many countries.
B. To understand English-speaking people.
C. To describe the development of English.
D. To tell people changes of American English.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The idea of progress started to flower in the 17th century． At that time， many wise thinkers believed that man liberated（解放） by reason would rise to greater heights of achievement． The many expressions of human nature would be the engines of progress： language， business， science， and moral sensibility （道德感）． Unfortunately， most of those engines have failed to bring the desired human progress．
The modern age has belonged to material progress and its main source has been science． Science gives people huge power to change the world． But can people be trusted to use it always for good？ Think of biotechnology and information technology． And it is not just that scientific progress does not deliver the emotional good． People also fear that mankind is failing to manage science properly． The forests are disappearing； the ice is melting； privacy is leaking； life is becoming a depressing march in an ugly world．
The point is not that science is harmful， but that scientific progress needs to be mapped tidily onto human progress． That relies on moral sensibility in its widest sense． This liberal force offers hope for a better future． The very idea of moral sensibility probably sounds out﹣of﹣date． Bur researchers find that people desire a sense of moral purpose which would give life dignity （尊严）． People want to determine how the world works， not always to be determined by it． Moral sensibility is why people will suffer from their beliefs， and why acts of noble self﹣sacrifice are so powerful．
It is admitted that our moral ideals will never be realized completely． But sometimes， however imperfectly， we can make progress． Human dignity requires the love of ideals for their own sake， but nothing requires that the love be returned．
Human progress is neither guaranteed nor hopeless． Instead， it is up to us．
1.What do we know about human progress from Paragraph 1？
A. Human beings were greatly liberated by the idea of progress．
B. Language failed to serve as an expression of human progress．
C. People began to think about human progress in the 17th century．
D. Many thinkers in the 17th century were optimistic about human progress．
2.Why does science fail to bring the desired human progress？
A. Scientific progress does not give people dignity．
B. Proper governing is not guaranteed in the use of science．
C. Science is misunderstood because of improper management．
D. The engine of progress is sensitive and unreliable．
3.What does the underlined phrase in Paragraph 3 refer to？
A. Depressing life
B. Harmful science
C. Human progress
D. Moral sensibility
4.What is the main purpose of the passage？
A. To stress the function of the idea of progress．
B. To express concern about the death of moral sensibility．
C. To show the importance of moral sensibility in human progress．
D. To blame the harm of material progress to human development．
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
At the beginning of the 20th century there were more than a million lions worldwide.Today there are less than 30,000 in the wild.The remaining lions are increasingly threatened by habitat loss，hunting activities to protect farms and cattle.
For generations，Masai tribesmen on the large African plains in southeastern Kenya have hunted lions—to protect their farms and cattle.Today they celebrate the lions’ life.
Noah is an elder in the Masai community.“We have decided as a community of the Masai to lay down our spears，and there will be no more killing of lions in our community.” He is part of a group of Masai visiting the United States promoting (推广) the Predator (捕食性动物) Compensation Program.
Conservation International’s Frank Hawkins explains，“The Masai have been living with wildlife for many generations and it has been a conflicting relationship in many ways.They compete with the animals for food as lions eat their cattle.We’re trying to find ways in which the wildlife will become something useful to them.” They had the Predator Compensation Fund founded in 2003.After much discussion，a group of Masai farmers agreed to protect lions.In turn，if lions or other predators kill their cattle，the Masai owner will be paid market value for the dead animals from the fund.
One man said that in the past，when a lion killed cattle，they killed it on the spot.And now，after the start of the program，the Masai see the lion population growing.Since 2003，only four lions have been killed here.
1.What is this passage mainly about?
A. The wildlife in the world.
B. Lions and the Masai.
C. The reason why lions are killed.
D. The living ways of the Masai.
2.What is the aim of the Predator Compensation Program?
A. To protect people in the wild.
B. To help the Masai protect their farms and cattle.
C. To protect lions only.
D. To protect the wildlife.
3.Masai tribesmen killed lions before 2003 ______.
A. because lions were dangerous for people there
B. because dead lions were worth a lot of money
C. because they wanted lions’ meat
D. because they wanted to protect their farms and cattle
4.According to the passage，why haven’t Masai tribesmen killed many lions since 2003?
A. Because lions don’t eat their cattle any more.
B. Because they will be fined if they kill lions there.
C. Because if a lion kills their cattle，they will be paid for the dead animals from the fund.
D. Because there are less than 30,000 lions in the wild now.
5.What do you think of the Masai?
A. Reasonable. B. Cruel.
C. Poor. D. Stupid.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
_____the beginning of the 19th century did scientists know that all matter is made up of atoms.
A,At B,By C,Up to D,Not until
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析