In January, 2016, Harry Styles made a bold decision. He left the popular boy band One Direction and went solo (单飞). Now he is making his own voice heard. The 23-year-old British singer released his first solo single called Sign of the Times. His self-titled album (个人同名专辑) is coming out on May 12.
Going solo is a journey for him to find his identity (身份). Though at the time, he was uncertain about his future, he kept a word in his mind - “honesty”. “I didn’t want to write ‘stories’,” he told Rolling Stone. “I wanted to write my stories, things that happened to me. The number-one thing was I wanted to be honest. I hadn’t done that before.”
He is indeed full of stories since beginning his solo career. Last fall, he spent two months recording on a remote island in Jamaica (牙买加).Along with some musicians, he filled a two-floor house with instruments. They hung out at the bar that looked like a tree house. Many mornings began with a swim in the river down the hill. They watched many romantic comedies. Styles always held a black notebook and looked like a college student who was studying, Rolling Stone reported.
His coming album is about rock music. In fact, he grew up with it. His father Desmond was a rock music fan. When Styles was very young, he danced to The Dark Side of the Moon, a classic song by British rock band Pink Floyd. “I couldn’t really get it. But I just remember (thinking that) this is really cool.”
Harry said, “At the very beginning, all I wanted was to be the granddad with the best stories.” Surely, now he is on the right track (轨道).
1.Why did Styles go solo?
A. He wanted to travel with his friends.
B. He was certain that he would succeed.
C. He wanted to be independent from the hand.
D. He wanted to do the things that he hadn’t done before.
2.From the article, which of the followings is true?
A. Styles，next album is about his father.
B. Styles wanted to be a man with “stories”.
C. He left the band because of its dishonesty.
D. Styles couldn’t find his identity after going solo.
3.What Styles did on the island in Jamaica didn’t include .
A. making a record B. hanging out at the bar
C. swimming in the river D. studying like a college student.
4.What is the article mainly about?
A. Styles’ “stories” about his solo career. B. Styles’ favoriate sports
C. The band One Direction D. Styles’ achievements in music.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
In January, 2016, Harry Styles made a bold decision. He left the popular boy band One Direction and went solo (单飞). Now he is making his own voice heard. The 23-year-old British singer released his first solo single called Sign of the Times. His self-titled album (个人同名专辑) is coming out on May 12.
Going solo is a journey for him to find his identity (身份). Though at the time, he was uncertain about his future, he kept a word in his mind - “honesty”. “I didn’t want to write ‘stories’,” he told Rolling Stone. “I wanted to write my stories, things that happened to me. The number-one thing was I wanted to be honest. I hadn’t done that before.”
He is indeed full of stories since beginning his solo career. Last fall, he spent two months recording on a remote island in Jamaica (牙买加).Along with some musicians, he filled a two-floor house with instruments. They hung out at the bar that looked like a tree house. Many mornings began with a swim in the river down the hill. They watched many romantic comedies. Styles always held a black notebook and looked like a college student who was studying, Rolling Stone reported.
His coming album is about rock music. In fact, he grew up with it. His father Desmond was a rock music fan. When Styles was very young, he danced to The Dark Side of the Moon, a classic song by British rock band Pink Floyd. “I couldn’t really get it. But I just remember (thinking that) this is really cool.”
Harry said, “At the very beginning, all I wanted was to be the granddad with the best stories.” Surely, now he is on the right track (轨道).
1.Why did Styles go solo?
A. He wanted to travel with his friends.
B. He was certain that he would succeed.
C. He wanted to be independent from the hand.
D. He wanted to do the things that he hadn’t done before.
2.From the article, which of the followings is true?
A. Styles，next album is about his father.
B. Styles wanted to be a man with “stories”.
C. He left the band because of its dishonesty.
D. Styles couldn’t find his identity after going solo.
3.What Styles did on the island in Jamaica didn’t include .
A. making a record B. hanging out at the bar
C. swimming in the river D. studying like a college student.
4.What is the article mainly about?
A. Styles’ “stories” about his solo career. B. Styles’ favoriate sports
C. The band One Direction D. Styles’ achievements in music.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Decision-making can be extremely difficult. Decision-making styles are significantly different in different cultures.
In any approach to a problem and in any negotiations, the Western world turns to the“I to you” approach while Japan，the “you to you” approach. The former means both sides present their arguments openly from their own point of view. Naturally, often comes a confrontation(冲突) situation, which Westerners are very skillful in dealing with. The latter is based on each side trying to understand the other person’s point of view. Thus, the direction of the meeting is a mutual(相互的) attempt to reduce confrontation and achieve harmony.
Besides, Western decision-making goes mostly from top management(管理人员) and often does not consult middle management or the worker. However, in Japan great consideration is given to the thoughts and opinions of everyone at all levels. Based on “bottom-up direction”, ideas can be created at the lowest levels, travel upward through an organization and have an effect on the final decision.
Difference in decision-making also comes from different communication styles. The Japanese business person works to achieve harmony, even if the deal falls through, and will spend whatever time is necessary to determine a “you to you” approach, communicating personal views only indirectly. They put a thorough job above the Western deadline approach. So the Japanese are thorough in their meetings. Thus Americans are often annoyed by the many meetings in many Japanese businesses. But where the American is pressing for a specific decision, the Japanese is trying to think up a rather broad direction.
On the other hand, once a given agreement is made, it is the Japanese who sometimes wonder at the slow pace in which Westerners carry out the decision. The Japanese are eager to move forward and Westerners, perhaps, lag(落后) behind as they take the time for in-depth planning.
1. The text mainly tells us that Japan and the Western world ________.
A. face great difficulty in making decisions
B. are different in decision-making styles
C. have all members contribute to a decision
D. have two approaches: “I to you” and “you to I”
2.Which of the following is TRUE of the Westerners?
A. They carry out the decision once it is made.
B. There are many meetings in their businesses.
C. They work to achieve harmony in doing business.
D. They are good at handling confrontation situation.
3.The author’s attitude towards Japanese decision-making is ________.
A. positive B. critical C. negative D. casual(无所谓的）
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
In January, British actor Eddie Redmayne made headlines around the world as he became the latest member of smartphone refuser. “It was a reaction against being glued permanently to my iPhone during waking hours,” he explained, turning instead to an old-fashioned “dumb phone” handset that could only make and take calls.
He is not alone. There is a small but busy market for phones that are simple and cheap at a time when smartphones are becoming ever more complex and expensive. Basic phones — handsets with some basic functions such as playing music and accessing the Internet — are gradually being replaced by low cost smartphones, according to Francisco Jeronimo, research director for European mobile devices at IDC, the research group. But there is still a significant demand for older-style phones.
Strategy Analytics, a research group, estimates that 44,000,000 basic phones were sold in 2015, accounting for 2 percent of the global market. Some phonemakers, such as Sony and LG, have already turned their back on the market. But others like Microsoft and Samsung are still producing devices every year aimed at the basic phone market.
Many smartphone users beef about having to buy devices that are easily broken, require daily recharging and which will be replaced by a new, better version within a year. Even basic smartphones offer more functions that not many people need.
Some users buy phones with limited or no Internet connections in a conscious attempt to keep away from the modern digital world. Analysts say that there is a growing number of “second phoneys” who use an expensive smartphone during the day, but turn to cheaper, pocket-sized devices when they go out in the evening.
Light Phone founder Joe Hollier falls into this camp. He has developed a credit card-sized phone without a data connection and no extra functions other than to make calls. He describes a feeling of huge relief when the ability to check emails or status updates is removed. Light Phone functions as a companion device to a smartphone but Mr Hollier hopes it will also encourage people to unplug from the modern Internet world.
1.What is the function of paragraph 1?
A. To lead to the topic. B. To summarize the whole passage.
C. To analyze the situation of phone usage. D. To deepen the theme.
2.The expression “beef about” may be replaced by “________” in the passage.
A. care about B. approve of
C. complain of D. think over
3.Joe Hollier developed the new card-sized phone to ________.
A. save money B. relax the mind
C. save time D. keep healthy
4.What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Some people prefer basic phones to smart phones.
B. What are the functions of basic phones.
C. The old-fashioned phones have many advantages.
D. The future of smartphones is gloomy.
高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
He left his hometown with the ______ of finding a good job in Shanghai.
A. decision B. intention C. permission D. determination
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The actor pretends to be a fierce, bold man, but _____ he is timid and shy.
A. in action B. in addition C. in reality D. in short
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
In January 2015,I left my hometown and family in Virginia and moved to Iowa so I could be coached by Jackson. I'd been dreaming of an Olympic gold medal since I was eight—but gradually, that dream seemed like a million miles away.
On February 2,2016,while Mom was visiting me in Iowa, I told her," I don't like swimming any more. I want to try dancing, or become a singer. I can get a job in Virginia. I just want to come home."
Mom's eyes narrowed and her expression turned to stone." You're breaking my heart! Brie," she said. "You've been doing swimming for ten years, and now you want to quit? Have you lost your mind?"
I hadn't lost my mind, but I had lost my fire. It's an entirely different thing to push toward that dream when you feel alone.
"I'm not trying to break your heart, Mom,"I said." I just don't want to do it any more."
"I know you miss home. But you've signed a contract that says you will represent your country to the best of your ability. You've got a responsibility to your teammates. And now you just want to walk away? I will not let you be dishonorable. If you don't like swimming, then at the very least, you'll finish the season."
The next afternoon as I dragged myself into Jackson's swimming center, I thought of the efforts Mom had made in order to pay for my training. I thought of my two sisters: Arielle, who gave up ballroom dancing, and Joyelle, who stopped ice skating so that our single mom could afford to keep me in swimming.
For now, here's what you need to know: Exactly 210 days before I ever attempted my first event（赛事）in the Rio Summer Olympics, my leap(飞跃，跳跃) of faith came this close to ending in a crash of disaster.
1.How did the author's mother feel toward her intention to quit swimming?
A.Heart-broken B.Dishonorable C.Helpless D.Calm
2.We can infer from the passage that the author .
A.changed her mind in the end
B.realized her Olympic dream
C.loved singing and dancing more
D.was so overcome with homesickness that she gave up her dream
3.What would be the best title for the passage?
A.My Dream B.My Mother
C.My Leap of Faith D.Responsibility
4.Who will be interested in the passage?
A.Those who are graduating from university. B.Those who want to give up dreams.
C.Those who are looking for customers. D.Those who dislike swimming.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The general manager thought _______ of these problems before he made the final decision.
A. a good many B. a great deal
C. lots D. a plenty
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The general manager thought _______ of these problems before he made the final decision.
A. a good many B. a great deal
C. lots D. a plenty
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
In ________ Chinese culture, marriage decisions were made by parents for their children.
A. traditional B. historic C. remote D. origin
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
I have already made a decision what attitude to adopt _________ this matter.
A．of B．to C．on D．in
高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析