Have you ever wondered why people drive on a ...

Have you ever wondered why people drive on a different side of the road? It might seem bizarre that U. K. drivers stay on the left, but they’re not the only ones. Around 35 percent of the world population do the same, including people in Ireland, Japan, and some Caribbean islands.

Originally, almost everybody traveled on the left side of the road. However their way of transport was quite different from today: Think about four legs instead of four wheels. For Medieval swordsmen on horseback, it made sense to keep to the left to have their right arms closer to their enemies. Getting on or off was also easier from the left side of the horse, and safer done by the side of the road than in the center.

So why did people stop traveling on the left? Things changed in the late 1700s when large wagons (货车) pulled by several pairs of horses were used to transport farm products in France and the United States. The wagon driver sat behind the left horse, with his right arm free to use his whip to keep the horses moving. Since he was sitting on the left position, he wanted other wagons to pass on his left, so he kept to the right side of the road.

The British Government refused to give up their left-hand driving ways, and in 1773 introduced the General Highways Act, which encouraged driving on the left. This was later made law thanks to The Highway Act of 1835.

When Henry Ford showed his Model T in 1908, the driver’s seat was on the left, meaning that cars would have to drive on the right hand side of the road to allow front and back passengers to exit the car onto the roadside. However, British drivers remain on the left, and this is highly unlikely to change.

1.What does the underlined word “bizarre” in Paragraph 1 mean?

A. Funny.　　 B. Strange.

C. Wrong.　　 D. Difficult

2.Why did people riding the horse travel on the left in history?

A. It was safer to keep on the left

B. It was easier to carry goods.

C. It was easier for them to fight

D. It was necessary to control the horse.

3.What made drivers of large wagons travel on the right?

A. Their sitting position.

B. The road conditions.

C. The number of horses.

D. The products in the wagons.

4.Which of the following may be the best title for the text?

A. UK Drivers Still Go On The Left

B. Why People Like Sitting On The Left Side

C. The History Of Transportation Means

D. The Reasons For Different Driving Sides

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Do you ever wonder why the English have one word for some animals and a different one for their meat? Why do they use pig and pork, cow and beef, and sheep and mutton? To find it out, we have to go back to 1066, when the Norman French invaded England and put a French king on the English throne (王位), which not only changed the government but also changed the language. French became the language of the upper classes of society. And it remained that way for 300 years. Only these high society people could afford to eat meat. As a result, French words like porc (pork) and beouf (beef) came into the English language. However, poor English farmers raised the animals. So the English language retained the words pig and cow from the Native Anglo-Saxon.

The Norman French added about 10,000 French words to the English language. Seventy-five percent of them are still in use today.

In French grammar, nouns have either a male or female gender (性别), so adjectives (形容词) take different forms for each. English has only one adjective that does this, and it came from French. The word “blond” describes someone with light-colored hair. “Blond” is used for men, and “blonde” describes women. And they are also nouns.

Some French words that entered the English language have taken on completely different meanings. The French phrase “a la mode” means “in style”. In English, the phrase means “with the ice cream”. Someone must have decided something eaten with ice cream was in style!

Now, as you learn English, you’re on your way to learning French!

1.French was once popular among the upper classes of the UK because_____.

A. too many French moved to Britain

B. French brought animals with them　　　

C. the king and his officials spoke French

D. the king allowed French to be spoken

2.Which word can replace the word “retained” in Paragraph 1?

A. Chose　　　　     B. Kept　　　　     C. Introduced　　　　     D. Give up

3.Why does an English speaker find French easy to learn?

A. Because English and French share similar pronunciations.

B. Because English grammar and French grammar are similar.

C. Because a large number of English words have French origins.

D. Because English has great influences on the French language.

4.French grammar is very different from English grammar because ______.

A. no words have the same pronunciation

B. all words have the same pronunciation

C. English nouns have a male or female gender

D. French nouns have different adjective forms

5.What conclusion can we draw from the text?

A. Language is closely related to history and culture.

B. French and English words have nothing in common.

C. Language is controlled by the upper classes of society.

D. English combines French and the Native Anglo-Saxon.

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Do you ever wonder why the English have one word for some animals and a different one for their meat?

Why do they use pig and pork, cow and beef, and sheep and mutton?

To find out, we have to go back to 1066, when the Norman French invaded England and put a French king on the English throne (王位), which not only changed the government but also changed the language. French became the language of the upper classes of society. And it remained that way for 300 years. Only these high society people could afford to eat meat. As a result, French words like porc（pork）and beouf （beef） came into the English language. However, poor English farmers raised the animals. So the English language retained the words pig and cow from the Native Anglo-Saxon．

The Norman French added about 10,000 French words to the English language. Seventy-five percent of them are still in use today.

According to language experts, English speakers who have never studied French may already know 15,000 French words! Between one-third and two-thirds of all English words have French origins. Some words such as “possible” and “avenue” are the same in French and English; only the pronunciations change. Other words such as “ballet” keep their French pronunciations in both languages.

In French grammar, nouns have either a male or female gender (性别), so adjectives take different forms for each. English has only one adjective that does this, and it came from French. The word “blond” describes someone with light-colored hair. “Blond” is used for men, and “blonde” describes women. And they are also nouns.

Some French words that entered the English language have completely different meanings. The French phrase “a la mode” means “in style”. In English, the phrase means “with the ice cream”. Someone must have decided something eaten with ice cream was in style!

Now, as you learn English, you’re on your way to learning French!

1.French was once popular among the upper classes of the UK because __________.

A. too many French moved to Britain

B. French brought animals with them

C. the king and his officials spoke French

D. the king allowed French to be spoken

2.Why does an English speaker find French easy to learn?

A. Because English and French share similar pronunciations．

B. Because English grammar and French grammar are similar．

C. Because a large number of English words have French origins．

D. Because English has great influences on the French language．

3.What conclusion can we draw from the text?

A. Language is closely related to history and culture.

B. French and English words have little in common.

C. Language is controlled by the upper classes of society.

D. French combines English and the Native Anglo-Saxon.

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Have you ever wondered why you sometimes take an almost immediate liking to a person you have just met? We often get the first impression of a person based on the color of a person’s skin or the manner in which he or she dressed. Meaning is conveyed not only by words or verbal languages but also by nonverbal communication systems, such as body behaviors.

Nonverbal communication is important because we use the actions of others to learn about their affective emotional states .Our emotions are reflected in our posture, face, and eyes—be it fear, joy, anger, or sadness—so we can express them without ever saying a word .For this reason, most of us rely heavily on what we learn through our eyes.

Nonverbal communication is significant in human interaction because it is usually responsible for the first impressions. More importantly, those first messages usually influence the perception(感知) of everything else that follows. Even how we select friends and sexual partners is grounded in first impressions with nonverbal communication.

Nonverbal communication is important because it is culture-related. It is based on different beliefs, religions, values and customs in different cultures. When, where, how, and to whom people display his or her specific nonverbal behaviors is greatly affected by culture and context. Culture determines what the appropriate nonverbal behavior is. For example, feelings of friendship exist everywhere but their expression varies. It may be appropriate in some countries for men to embrace each other and for women to hold hands; in other countries these displays of affection may be shocking. Each culture has its own specific interpretation on nonverbal communication. What is acceptable in one culture may be completely unacceptable in another. One culture may determine that snapping fingers to call a waiter is acceptable; another may consider this gesture rude.

1.What is the best title of the passage?

A. Nonverbal communication and first impression

B. Nonverbal communication is culture-related

C. Nonverbal and verbal communication

D. The importance of nonverbal communication

2.We can know a person’s feeling through our eyes because________.

A. we can see a person’s feeling on his face.

B. a person’s emotions can be reflected through eyes.

C. a person’s feeling can be reflected through his body languages

D. we can see a person’s feeling through his posture

3.Which of the following statements is not True?

A. Meaning can be conveyed both by words and body language.

B. We can use nonverbal communication to learn about a person’s emotional states.

C. We often get the first impression by what a person says.

D. The first impression can affect what we will do in the following.

4.How many reasons are mentioned in the text to show nonverbal communication is important?

A. 2　　 B. 3

C. 4　　 D. 5

5.What can we conclude from the last paragraph?

A. we can use different ways to express friendship

B. each culture has its own specific interpretation on nonverbal communication

C. snapping fingers to call a waiter is acceptable

D. learning a country’s culture is very important.

高一英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

"Colour" and "color"，"favourite" and "favorite"... Have you ever wondered why Americans spell those words without a "u"? Is it because they are lazy?

Of course not. In fact，the difference in spelling was created by Noah Webster (1758-1843). He is a teacher who reformed English to make American identity stronger. Linguists (语言学家) celebrated his 250th birthday on October 16. After the Revolutionary War (1775~ 1783)，Webster believed that Americans should have their own dictionary，rather than rely on British versions (版本). He dropped the British "u" in some words. And he changed "centre" into "center" for children to learn English by spelling words more like they sounded.

Webster wasn't shy about expressing his opinions. In defining (定义) preposterous (unreasonable)，he wrote: "A republican government in the hands of females is preposterous."

Webster spent 28 years on the project before completing the 70,000-word dictionary in 1828 with his American-style spellings. He also added local words. His dictionary was widely used in schools. Linguists believed it helped a new nation achieve unity and cultural independence at a time when most were focused on political freedom.

"He was the shaper of our language and the shaper of American identity，"said Joshua Kendall，who is working on a biography (传记) about Webster. "He at last bonded (联合)us through our language."

1.Which of the following would probably be the best title for the passage?

A．The shaper of American English.

B．American identity.

C．Webster's dictionary.

D．Spelling differences between American and British English.

2.According to the passage，when he worked on his dictionary, Noah Webster did all of the following EXCEPT________.

A．voicing his opinion                      B．changing "centre" into "center"

C．adding local words                       D．dropping "u" in all the British words

3.Which of the following word can best describe Noah Webster’s work?

A．Interesting.        B．Meaningful.        C．Unfinished.        D．Boring.

4.Why did Noah Webster create these differences in his dictionary?

A．Because he wanted to make English simple and easy.

B．Because he wanted to show that the USA is stronger than the UK.

C．Because he wanted to achieve political freedom.

D．Because he wanted American English to have its own characteristics.

5.When did Noah Webster probably begin his project of the dictionary?

A．In 1758.           B．In 1783.           C．In 1800.           D．In 1828.

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

"Colour" and "color"，"favourite" and "favorite"... Have you ever wondered why Americans spell those words without a "u"? Is it because they are lazy?

Of course not. In fact，the difference in spelling was created by Noah Webster (1758-1843). He is a teacher who reformed English to make American identity stronger. Linguists (语言学家) celebrated his 250th birthday on October 16. After the Revolutionary War (1775~ 1783)，Webster believed that Americans should have their own dictionary，rather than rely on British versions (版本). He dropped the British "u" in some words. And he changed "centre" into "center" for children to learn English by spelling words more like they sounded.

Webster wasn't shy about expressing his opinions. In defining (定义) preposterous (unreasonable)，he wrote: "A republican government in the hands of females is preposterous."

Webster spent 28 years on the project before completing the 70,000-word dictionary in 1828 with his American-style spellings. He also added local words. His dictionary was widely used in schools. Linguists believed it helped a new nation achieve unity and cultural independence at a time when most were focused on political freedom.

"He was the shaper of our language and the shaper of American identity，"said Joshua Kendall，who is working on a biography (传记) about Webster. "He at last bonded (联合)us through our language."

1.Which of the following would probably be the best title for the passage?

2.According to the passage，when he worked on his dictionary, Noah Webster did all of the following EXCEPT________.

3.Which of the following word can best describe Noah Webster’s work?

4.Why did Noah Webster create these differences in his dictionary?

5.When did Noah Webster probably begin his project of the dictionary?

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

“Colour” and “color”, “favourite” and “favorite”···Have you ever wondered why Americans spell those words without a “u”? Is it because they are lazy?

Of course not. In fact, the difference in spelling was created by Noah Webster (1758—1843). He is a teacher who reformed English to make American identity stronger. Linguists（语言学家） celebrated his 250^th birthday on October 16. After the Revolutionary War(1775—1783), Webster believed that Americans should have their own dictionary, rather than rely on British versions（版本）. He dropped the British “u” in some words. And he changed “centre” into “center” for children to learn English by spelling words more like they sounded.

Webster wasn’t shy about expressing his opinions. In defining（定义） preposterous, he wrote: “A republican government in the hands of females is preposterous.”

Webster spent 28 years on the project before completing the 70,000-word dictionary in 1828 with his American-style spellings. He also added local words. His dictionary was widely used in schools. Linguists believed it helped a new nation achieve unity and cultural independence at a time when most were focused on political freedom.

“He was the shaper of our language and the shaper of American identity,” said Joshua Kendall, who is working on a biography（传记） about Webster. “He at last bonded（联合） us through our language.”

1.          According to the passage, when he worked on his dictionary, Noah Webster did all of the following EXCEPT______.

2.          When did Noah Webster probably begin his project of the dictionary?

3.          Why did Noah Webster create these differences in his dictionary?

4.          Which of the following word can best describe Noah Webster’s work?

5.          Which of the following would probably be the best title for the passage?

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Have you ever wondered why birds sing? Maybe you thought that they were just happy. After all, you probably sing or whistle(吹口哨) when you are happy.

Some scientists believe that birds do sing some of time just because they are happy. However, they sing most of the time for a very different reason. Their singing is actually a warning to other birds to stay out of their territory.

Do you know what a “territory” is? A territory is an area that an animal, usually the male, claims as its own. Only he and his family are welcome there. No other families of the same species(物种) are welcome. Your yard and house are your territory where only your family and friends are welcome. If a stranger should enter your territory and threaten you, you might shout. Probably this would be enough to frighten him away.

If so, you have actually frightened the stranger away without having to fight him. A bird does the same thing. But he expects an outsider almost any time, especially at nesting(筑巢) season. So he is screaming all the time, whether he can see an outsider or not. This screaming is what we call a bird’s song, and it is usually enough to keep an outsider away.

Birds sing loudest in the spring when they are trying to attract a mate（配偶）and warn others not to enter the territory of theirs.

You can see that birds have a language all their own. Most of it has something to do with attracting mates and setting up territories.

1. Some scientists believe that most of the time birds singing is actually ______.

A. an expression of happiness　　　　　 B. a way of warning

C. an expression of anger　　　　　　　　 D. a way of greeting

2.What is a bird’s “territory”?

A. A place where families of other species are not accepted.

B. A place where a bird may shout at the top of its voice.

C. An area for which birds fight against each other.

D. An area which a bird considers to be its own.

3. Why do birds keep on singing at nesting season?

A. Because they want to invite more friends.

B. Because their singing helps keep outsiders away.

C. Because they want to find outsiders around.

D. Because their singing helps get rid of their fears.

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Have you ever wondered why birds sing? Maybe you thought that they were just happy. After all, you probably sing or whistle when you are happy.

Some scientists believe that birds do sing some of the time just because they are happy. However they sing most of the time for a very different reason. Their singing is actually a warning to other birds to stay out of their territory.

Do you know what a territory is? A territory is an area that an animal, usually the male, claims as its own. Only he and his family are welcome there. No other families of the same species are welcome. Your yard and house are your territory where only your family and friends are welcome. If a stranger should enter your territory and threaten you, you might shout. Probably this would be enough to frighten him away.

If so, you have actually scared the stranger away without having to fight him. A bird does the same thing. But he expects an outsider almost any time, especially at nesting(筑巢) season. So he is screaming all the time, whether he can see an outsider or not. This screaming is what we call a bird’s song, and it is usually enough to keep an outsider away.

Birds sing loudest in the spring when they are trying to attract a mate and warn others not to enter the territory of theirs.

You can see that birds have a language of their own. Most of it has to do with attracting mates and setting up territories.

1.Some scientists believe that most of the time bird’s singing is actually ________.

A.an expression of happiness B.a way of warning

C.an expression of anger D.a way of greeting

2.What does the underlined word “territory’’ mean?

A.A place where families of other species are not accepted.

B.A place where a bird may shout at the top of its voice.

C.An area for which birds fight against each other.

D.An area which a bird considers to be its own.

3.Why do birds keep on singing at nesting season?

A.Because they want to invite more friends.

B.Because their singing helps frighten outsiders away.

C.Because they want to find outsiders around.

D.Because their singing helps get rid of their fears.

4.How does the writer explain bird’s singing?

A.By comparing birds with human beings.

B.By reporting experiment results.

C.By describing birds’ daily life.

D.By telling a bird’s story.

高一英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Have you ever wondered why birds sing? Maybe you thought that they were just happy. After all, you probably sing when you are happy.

Some scientists believe that birds do sing some of the time just because they are happy. However they sing most of the time for a very different reason. Their singing is actually a warning to other birds to stay out of their territory.

Do you know what a ‘territory’ is? A territory is an area that an animal, usually the male, claims as its own. Only he and his family are welcome there. No other families of the same species are welcome. Your yard and house are your territory where only your family and friends are welcome. If a stranger should enter your territory and threaten you, you might shout. Probably this would be enough to frighten him away.

If so, you have actually scared the stranger away without having to fight him. A bird does the same thing. But he expects an outsider almost any time, especially at nesting(筑巢) season. So he is screaming all the time, whether he can see an outsider or not. This screaming is what we call a bird’s song, and it is usually enough to keep an outsider away.

Birds sing loudest in spring when they are trying to attract a mate and warn others not to enter the territory of theirs.

You can see that birds have a language of their own. Most of it has to do with attracting mates and setting up territories.

1.Some scientists believe that most of the time bird’s singing is actually _____________.

A．an expression of happiness                B．a way of warning

C．an expression of anger                   D．a way of greeting

2.What does the underlined word“territory”mean?

A．A place where families of other species are not accepted.

B．A place where a bird may shout at the top of its voice.

C．An area for which birds fight a against each other.

D．An area which a bird considers to be its own.

3.Why do birds keep on singing at nesting season?

A．Because they want to invite more friends.

B．Because their singing helps frighten outsiders away.

C．Because they want to find outsiders around.

D．Because they want to express their happiness.

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析