The word tolerance is widely used in liberal ...

The word tolerance is widely used in liberal democracies. It indicates a positive meaning. Politicians urge us to be tolerant towards minorities. Educators teach us to be tolerant towards the other. The press is full of references to the need to display tolerance when faced with individuals or groups espousing a different view or holding a different religious belief. A tolerant society is an objective sought after by anyone who believes in the values of democracy. A tolerant individual is attributed with virtuous qualities.

The question we must ask is whether we have been using the word tolerance fully aware of its meaning and whether we have applied it correctly to reflect what we really wish to convey?

The word tolerance means to bear, or to bear with. If I tolerate something or someone, I basically say that I am ready to bear it or him. I can tolerate a bad smell or a noisy neighbour. The act of toleration forces me to desist from conveying my objection to the existence of a phenomenon, which I find difficult to bear. A bad smell or a noisy neighbour is considered by me to be an objectionable phenomenon. By tolerating either of them, I am not transforming the bad smell or the noisy neighbour into positive phenomena. Let's be honest: I don't have a different taste when it comes to bad smells. I simply dislike it and wish that it disappears. I don't respect the noisy neighbour. I would rather have him stop at once the noise he is making so I can live in peace.

To try to remove the bad smell or take reasonable action in order for the noisy neighbour to stop bothering me would most probably not be considered an intolerant act by most people.

Now, let's try to apply the word tolerance in reference to a person who is law-abiding and holds a legally acceptable different view from my own. I may have a strong view, which is opposed to his. Quite frankly, I may decide to tolerate his view. By so doing, I would be attributing to it a negative characteristic. I would apply the same attitude to his view as to the bad smell or noisy neighbour. Thus, to try to take action in order to make his view disappear would be considered an intolerant act. To tolerate his view the way I would a bad smell or a noisy neighbour, could hardly be considered virtuous.

The subject tolerating is by nature not equal to the object being tolerated. If I tolerate you, I essentially say that I am above you and am prepared, although unwillingly, to bear with your presence or with your practices or opinions. That may be true in the case of an individual who is ready to tolerate the other. However, this attitude by such an individual, though empirically true, is hardly a virtue. Certainly, the fact that an individual, in reality, may merely tolerate the other or his opinion does not justify a government or any official authority promoting tolerance as a virtue. One cannot tolerate an equal being. True equality involves respect, not toleration. To respect the other as a distinctive person is hardly to tolerate him. This is the true meaning of equality: diversity existing in a mutually-respectful socio-legal setting.

The danger with tolerance is that it can lead to the acceptance of individuals or groups bent on destroying the foundations of democratic systems. We have seen such cases with regard to political parties or destructive religious groups that have been treated in a liberal manner under the guise of tolerance.

A tolerant attitude involves the grant of a favour, not a right. The question we should ask ourselves is whether we would ever wish a parliament to make laws according to us, as individuals and as part of a collective entity or a permission to pursue certain actions interpreted as a favour rather than a right? Indeed, would we ever wish anyone to listen to our views and accept us the way we are simply because he is kind enough to tolerate us?

1. The first two paragraphs are mainly intended to show that __________.

A. tolerance is a symbol of liberal democracies

B. democratic society always advocates tolerance

C. people’s understanding of tolerance is one-sided

D. tolerance can be applied to many situations

2. The example of a bad smell and a noisy neighbour is raised to indicate that _________.

A. the writer are fed up with them

B. most people find them hard to tolerate

C. the writer isn’t prejudiced against them

D. tolerating them isn’t a virtuous act

3.Which of the following will the writer probably agree with?

A. Too much tolerance will endanger the foundations of democratic systems.

B. By tolerating people can transform something negative into the opposite.

C. People tolerating others are likely to consider them as their equals.

D. Being tolerant should be regarded as a right instead of a favour

4.The best title for this passage should be “___________”.

A. Tolerance and respect　　 B. What is to be tolerated?

C. Is Tolerance a Virtue?　　 D. Should people be tolerant?

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

The word tolerance is widely used in liberal democracies. It indicates a positive meaning. Politicians urge us to be tolerant towards minorities. Educators teach us to be tolerant towards the other. The press is full of references to the need to display tolerance when faced with individuals or groups espousing a different view or holding a different religious belief. A tolerant society is an objective sought after by anyone who believes in the values of democracy. A tolerant individual is attributed with virtuous qualities(美德).

The question we must ask is whether we have been using the word tolerance fully aware of its meaning and whether we have applied it correctly to reflect what we really wish to convey?

The word tolerance means to bear, or to bear with. If I tolerate something or someone, I basically say that I am ready to bear it or him. I can tolerate a bad smell or a noisy neighbour. The act of toleration forces me to desist from conveying my objection to the existence of a phenomenon, which I find difficult to bear. A bad smell or a noisy neighbour is considered by me to be an objectionable phenomenon. By tolerating either of them, I am not transforming the bad smell or the noisy neighbour into positive phenomena. Let's be honest: I don't have a different taste when it comes to bad smells. I simply dislike it and wish that it disappears. I don't respect the noisy neighbour. I would rather have him stop at once the noise he is making so I can live in peace.

To try to remove the bad smell or take reasonable action in order for the noisy neighbour to stop bothering me would most probably not be considered an intolerant act by most people.

Now, let's try to apply the word tolerance in reference to a person who is law-abiding and holds a legally acceptable different view from my own. I may have a strong view, which is opposed to his. Quite frankly, I may decide to tolerate his view. By so doing, I would be attributing to it a negative characteristic. I would apply the same attitude to his view as to the bad smell or noisy neighbour. Thus, to try to take action in order to make his view disappear would be considered an intolerant act. To tolerate his view the way I would a bad smell or a noisy neighbour, could hardly be considered virtuous.

The subject tolerating is by nature not equal to the object being tolerated. If I tolerate you, I essentially say that I am above you and am prepared, although unwillingly, to bear with your presence or with your practices or opinions. That may be true in the case of an individual who is ready to tolerate the other. However, this attitude by such an individual, though empirically true, is hardly a virtue. Certainly, the fact that an individual, in reality, may merely tolerate the other or his opinion does not justify a government or any official authority promoting tolerance as a virtue. One cannot tolerate an equal being. True equality involves respect, not toleration. To respect the other as a distinctive person is hardly to tolerate him. This is the true meaning of equality: diversity existing in a mutually-respectful socio-legal setting.

The danger with tolerance is that it can lead to the acceptance of individuals or groups bent on destroying the foundations of democratic systems. We have seen such cases with regard to political parties or destructive religious groups that have been treated in a liberal manner under the guise of tolerance.

A tolerant attitude involves the grant of a favour, not a right. The question we should ask ourselves is whether we would ever wish a parliament to make laws according to us, as individuals and as part of a collective entity or a permission to pursue certain actions interpreted as a favour rather than a right? Indeed, would we ever wish anyone to listen to our views and accept us the way we are simply because he is kind enough to tolerate us?

1.The first two paragraphs are mainly intended to show that __________.

A. tolerance is a symbol of liberal democracies

B. democratic society always advocates tolerance

C. people’s understanding of tolerance is one-sided

D. tolerance can be applied to many situations

2.The underlined part “desist from” in Paragraph 3 can be replaced by ________.

A. deny　　 B. dislike　　 C. stop　　 D. keep

3.The example of a bad smell and a noisy neighbour is raised to indicate that _________.

A. the writer are fed up with them　　 B. most people find them hard to tolerate

C. the writer isn’t prejudiced against them　　 D. tolerating them isn’t a virtuous act

4.The main idea of Paragraph 6 is that _________.

A. tolerance has nothing to do with respect　　 B. most people promote tolerance as a virtue

C. people should show respect for each other　　 D. tolerance shows an unequal relationship

5.Which of the following will the writer probably agree with?

A. Too much tolerance will endanger the foundations of democratic systems.

B. By tolerating people can transform something negative into the opposite.

C. People tolerating others are likely to consider them as their equals.

D. Being tolerant should be regarded as a right instead of a favour

6.The best title for this passage should be ___________.

A. Tolerance and respect　　 B. What is to be tolerated?

C. Is Tolerance a Virtue?　　 D. Should people be tolerant?

高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

The word tolerance is widely used in liberal democracies （自由民主）． It indicates a positive meaning． Politicians urge us to be tolerant towards minorities． Educators teach us to be tolerant towards the other． The press is full of references to the need to display tolerance when faced with individuals or groups espousing a different view or holding a different religious belief． A tolerant society is an objective sought after by anyone who believes in the values of democracy． A tolerant individual is connected with virtuous qualities．

The question we must ask is whether we have been using the word tolerance fully aware of its meaning and whether we have applied it correctly to reflect what we really wish to convey．

The word tolerance means to bear， or to bear with． If I tolerate something or someone， I basically say that I am ready to bear it or him． I can tolerate a bad smell or a noisy neighbour． The act of toleration forces me to desist from conveying my objection to the existence of a phenomenon， which I find difficult to bear． A bad smell or a noisy neighbour is considered by me to be an objectionable phenomenon． By tolerating either of them， I am not transforming the bad smell or the noisy neighbour into positive phenomena． Let's be honest： I don't have a different taste when it comes to bad smells． I simply dislike it and hope that it disappears． I don't respect the noisy neighbour． I would rather have him stop at once the noise he is making so I can live in peace．

The subject tolerating is by nature not equal to the object being tolerated． If I tolerate you， I essentially say that I am above you and am prepared， although unwillingly， to bear with your presence or with your practices or opinions． That may be true in the case of an individual who is ready to tolerate the other． However， this attitude by such an individual， though empirically true， is hardly a virtue． Certainly， the fact that an individual， in reality， may merely tolerate the other or his opinion does not justify a government or any official authority promoting tolerance as a virtue． One cannot tolerate an equal being． True equality involves respect， not toleration． To respect the other as a distinctive person is hardly to tolerate him． This is the true meaning of equality： diversity existing in a mutually-respectful socio-legal setting．

A tolerant attitude involves the grant of a favour， not a right． The question we should ask ourselves is whether we would ever wish a parliament to make laws considering us， as individuals and as part of a collective entity or a permission to pursue certain actions interpreted as a favour rather than a right？ Indeed， would we ever wish anyone to listen to our views and accept us the way we are simply because he is kind enough to tolerate us？

1.The first two paragraphs are mainly intended to show that ______ ．

A. tolerance is a symbol of liberal democracies

B. democratic society always advocates tolerance

C. people's understanding of tolerance is one-sided

D. tolerance can be applied to many situations

2.The example of a bad smell and a noisy neighbour is raised to indicate that ______ ．

A. the writer are fed up with them

B. most people find them hard to tolerate

C. the writer isn't prejudiced against them

D. tolerating them isn't a virtuous act

3.The main idea of Paragraph 4is that ______ ．

A. tolerance shows an unequal relationship

B. most people promote tolerance as a virtue

C. people should show respect for each other

D. tolerance has nothing to do with respect

4.Which can be the best title for this passage？ ______

A. Tolerance and Respect B. What Is to Be Tolerated？

C. Is Tolerance a Virtue？ D. Should People Be Tolerant？

高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

With these words, he ______a wide-mouth jar from his pocket and set it on the table in front of him.

A. pulled out   B. checked out         C. stuck out          D. dropped out

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Water is the most widely used resource in ______ industry, and plays ______ major role in energy production.

A. 不填; a         B. the; a        C. an; 不填      D. an; the

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Thanks is a common _____ used in English. You can never use it too much.

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Complete the passage with the proper words in the box. Each word can only be used once. One word is not needed.

The speeches of US President Barack Obama have become the favorite way for Japanese to study the English language. Japanese publishers have been ___1.___ the market with over a dozen language-learning titles. Companies are trying to enter a foreign-language teaching ___2.____ which was ____3.___ at $8.6 billion in 2008 by some research institutes.

Why is there such a huge Japanese market for recordings and books of Obama's speeches? Japanese say that listening to Obama speak is a good way to ____4.__ their English-speaking skills.

Most Japanese, including those studying English, would have difficulty __5._ a speech given by a native English speaker. But “Obama's English is easy to understand because he can ____6.___ words clearly and speaks at a relatively slow speed,” said Professor Tadaharu Nikaido, a communication specialist. “Movies ____7.__ to be the most difficult for Japanese, especially when actors mumble (咕哝) their words.” Obama sets his ____8.___ of vocabulary wide enough to accommodate (迎合) all levels of English speakers, Nikaido added, and at the lower end, it sometimes comes within the range of non-native speakers' comprehension.

The Obama speech phenomenon has given way to more books and magazines that focus on how Obama's communication skills might be ___9.___ in Japan for business and political purposes. At least half a dozen books and magazine covers of this kind have appeared in the past several months in Japan.

高三英语其他题中等难度题查看答案及解析

The French word renaissance means rebirth. It was first used in 1855 by the historian Jules Michelet in his History of France, and then adopted by historians of culture, by art historians, and eventually by music historians, all of whom applied it to European culture during the 150 years spanning 1450-1600. The concept of rebirth was appropriate to this period of European history because of the renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman culture that began in Italy and then spread throughout Europe. Scholars and artists of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries wanted to restore the learning and ideals of the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome. To these scholars this meant a return to human—as opposed to spiritual-values. Fulfillment in life—as opposed to concern about an afterlife—became a desirable goal, and expressing the entire range of human emotions and enjoying the pleasures of the senses were no longer frowned on (不赞同). Artists and writers now turned to secular (非宗教的) as well as religious subject matter and sought to make their works understandable and appealing.

These changes in outlook deeply affected the musical culture of the Renaissance period—how people thought about music as well as the way music was composed, experienced, discussed, and disseminated. They could see the architectural monuments, sculptures, plays, and poems that were being rediscovered, but they could not actually hear ancient music—although they could read the writings of classical philosophers, poets, essayists, and music theorists that were becoming available in translation. They learned about the power of ancient music to move the listener and wondered why modern music did not have the same effect. For example, the influential religious leader Bernardino Cirillo expressed disappointment with the learned music of his time. He urged musicians to follow the example of the sculptors, painters, architects, and scholars who had rediscovered ancient art and literature. The musical Renaissance in Europe was more a general cultural movement and state of mind than a specific set of musical techniques. Furthermore, music changed so rapidly during this century and a half—though at different rates in different countries—that we cannot define a single Renaissance style.

1.What is the passage mainly about?

A. The musical compositions that best illustrate the developments during the European Renaissance.

B. The musical techniques that were in use during the European Renaissance.

C. The European Renaissance as a cultural development that included changes in musical style.

D. The ancient Greek and Roman musical practices used during the European Renaissance.

2.According to the passage, Renaissance artists and writers had all of the following intentions EXCEPT _______.

A. to use religious themes

B. to express only the pleasant parts of human experience

C. to produce art that people would find attractive

D. to create works that were easily understood

3.The word "disseminated" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to _______.

A. played                     B. documented          C. spread                              D. ignored

4.What can be inferred about the music of ancient Greece and Rome?

A. It expressed different ideals than classical sculpture, painting and poetry.

B. It was played on instruments that are familiar to modern audiences.

C. It had the same effect on Renaissance audiences as it had when originally performed.

D. Its effect on listeners was described in a number of classical texts.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

It is widely believed that inner beauty is the most impressive in the world.

On the outskirts of a town in England lies a nice cottage with a large garden where there lives an old and aged man. The old man is __________ pruning（修剪）, watering or fertilizing his flowers all the time. The garden __________ bees and butterflies dance and colorful flowers blossom all year around is so well-tended（被照顾地好）that every passer-by cannot but stop for a _____________ with admiration.

One day a young ___________ went by the old man’s garden. He stopped and gazed at the splendid garden and the special cottage, totally ___________ the admiration at the beauty of these sceneries, ____________ how happy he could be ___________ he lived in such a beautiful place. Then, all of a sudden he found the old gardener was _________.

Greatly shocked, the young painter ___________ that old man, asking “why are you busy ______________ these flowers every day which you can’t see?” The blind gardener gave a wide smile, explaining “First, I was a gardener when I was young, and I _________ like this job. Second, while I can’t see these flowers I can _______ them. Third, I can smell the sweetness of them. ___________ the last one, that’s you.”

“Me? But you don’t know me.” responded the young painter.

“Yeah. But I know flowers are angels which everyone knows and would never _________. I know a great many people who show ______________ for life would stop by and the beauty of my garden will get them into a good ____. In the meantime, it also gives a _____________ to me to have a word with you here and to enjoy the happiness these flowers have brought us.”

The old man can’t see the beauty he’s created. ___________, every flower has eyes ____________ which they can see the beauty and kindness of the old man’s heart and the sweetness of his soul.

The blind man grows flowers in his heart. Failing the sight of the beauty of blossoming, he surely can ______ the voice of it, I suppose.

1.A. left　　 B. kept　　 C. seen　　 D. made

2.A. where　　 B. which　　 C. that　　 D. what

3.A. chat　　 B. return　　 C. discussion　　 D. glance

4.A. painter　　 B. neighbor　　 C. photographer　　 D. traveler

5.A. faced with　　 B. lost in　　 C. devoted to　　 D. moved by

6.A. thinking　　 B. wondering　　 C. picturing　　 D. believing

7.A. when　　 B. if　　 C. even if　　 D. since

8.A. particular　　 B. special　　 C. blind　　 D. energetic

9.A. approached　　 B. reached　　 C. watched　　 D. prevented

10.A. planting　　 B. watering　　 C. fertilizing　　 D. tending

11.A. easily　　 B. really　　 C. accidentally　　 D. eventually

12.A. get rid of　　 B. give a touch to　　 C. come up with　　 D. have fun with

13.A. Without　　 B. In spite of　　 C. And for　　 D. Even so

14.A. pick them up　　 B. turn them down　　 C. let them down　　 D. give them up

15.A. enthusiasm　　 B. calmness　　 C. kindness　　 D. caution

16.A. mood　　 B. condition　　 C. place　　 D. life

17.A. way　　 B. time　　 C. chance　　 D. hand

18.A. Therefore　　 B. Anyway　　 C. However　　 D. Besides

19.A. for　　 B. in　　 C. from　　 D. with

20.A. change　　 B. hear　　 C. remind　　 D. accept

高三英语完形填空困难题查看答案及解析

The trend in everyday conversation is to use grandiose(夸大的)words．“Outstanding” is the

new “good,”  “amazing” is the new “OK, ” and “huge” is the new “big.”

I was in a restaurant in Washington D．C．last weekend and every question I asked was answered with exaggeration．

Me：How is the salmon?

Sever：Fantastic!

Me：Does it come with rice?

Sever：Absolutely!

Would a “good” and a “yes” have been enough? Of course!

My father is an average-sized man．He hasn’t gained weight or height for the past 30 years. Therefore, his size remains the same．However，in the same amount of time，his T-shirt size has gone from small to medium to large to extra large．

The reason for the exaggerated word is clear：we are bored with our lives. We want the next

—next thing now．Immediately!

And we also want others to think that we still care，that we can still be delighted，that we know that everything is just great．Even when deep inside we know it can’t be．Everything can’t be great．

I’m not a scientist，so many methods of proof leave little to be desired，or a lot to be desired，or an immensity(无限)．

Listen to the voices around you．Listen to your own voices．There is nothing on the radio that is good or bad，weather is either beautiful or horrible．

Listen，the next time when someone asks you something and you agree，because when you

could simply say “yes”, instead you will say “absolutely’’ or “without doubt ” or “Oh，yeah，unquestionably ---- absolutely without doubt."

Have people forgotten what it is like to be OK? Simply OK with what they have and who they are? If everything is outstanding，if everything is the most amazing thing ever，is anything ever amazing at all?

1.By telling his experience in the restaurant，the author intends to ________．

A. show his interest in exaggerated words

B. prove that exaggerated words are widely used

C. blame the restaurant for using exaggerated words

D. tell us the food in the restaurant is extremely good

2.What do we know about the author’s father?

A. He has gained height and is now a tall man．

B. He likes following the fashion in clothing．

C. His weight is getting greater and greater．

D.The size of his T-shirt is described in exaggerated words．

3.．So many people like using exaggerated words because_________．

A. they are not satisfied with being normal

B. they don’t want to be looked down upon by others

C. they want to be different from others

D. they are brave in telling their true feelings

4.According to the passage，if you approve of something，you’d better say “________”．

A. fantastic    B. perfect    C. OK          D. absolutely

高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析