HOUSTON (Reuters) — Houston tops a U.S. magazine’s annual fattest cities list for the fourth time in five years, with four other Texas cities in the top 25.
Fast food restaurants — Houston has twice the national average number — are partly to blame for the dishonor, Men’s Fitness editor-in-chief Neal Boulton said.
“Americans work long hours, don’t take vacations, and when they’re faced with the worst food choices, they indulge (沉溺于) in those,” he said.
High humidity, poor air quality and some of the nation’s longest commute (每天去上班的路程) times also helped Texas’ most populous city unseat Detroit, the 2003 heavy weight champion, the magazine said.
Houston Mayor Bill White, who has worked with a major food company to develop healthy food products and the city’s public schools to improve lunch menus, called the report “mostly ungrounded and nonsense.”
“On the other hand, it calls attention to real issues the mayor is trying to deal with,” his spokesman, Frank Michel, said.
The magazine said it looked at factors such as the number and types of restaurants, park space, air quality, weather and the number of health clubs.
Philadelphia, Detroit, Memphis, Tennessee, and Chicago followed Houston on the seventh edition of the fat list. Texas cities Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth and El Paso were in the top 14, which Boulton said was no surprise.
“It’s pure big indulgence, just living big, and that’s part of the culture,” said Boulton.
Seattle ranked as the fittest city. Austin and Arlington, a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb, were the only Texas cities on the fit list. Austin was 19th and Arlington 22nd out of 25.
1.What decides the magazine’s annual fattest list?
A.The size of fat population. | B.The number of fast food restaurants. |
C.The economic growth rate of the state. | D.Things related to unhealthy ways of life. |
2.Which city topped 2003 fattest cities list?
A.Houston. | B.Dallas. | C.Detroit. | D.Philadelphia. |
3.By saying “living big” (in Paragraph 9), Boulton means people _________.
A.are growing fatter | B.are living wastefully | C.eat too many fatty foods | D.are spending too much time working |
4.Which of the following is best supported by the text?
A.Texas has the most fat cities in the U.S. |
B.Bill White is happy with the newspaper report. |
C.People in Texas are the most hardworking in the U.S. |
D.Most school children in Houston have weight problems. |
高二英语阅读理解简单题
HOUSTON (Reuters) — Houston tops a U.S. magazine’s annual fattest cities list for the fourth time in five years, with four other Texas cities in the top 25.
Fast food restaurants — Houston has twice the national average number — are partly to blame for the dishonor, Men’s Fitness editor-in-chief Neal Boulton said.
“Americans work long hours, don’t take vacations, and when they’re faced with the worst food choices, they indulge (沉溺于) in those,” he said.
High humidity, poor air quality and some of the nation’s longest commute (每天去上班的路程) times also helped Texas’ most populous city unseat Detroit, the 2003 heavy weight champion, the magazine said.
Houston Mayor Bill White, who has worked with a major food company to develop healthy food products and the city’s public schools to improve lunch menus, called the report “mostly ungrounded and nonsense.”
“On the other hand, it calls attention to real issues the mayor is trying to deal with,” his spokesman, Frank Michel, said.
The magazine said it looked at factors such as the number and types of restaurants, park space, air quality, weather and the number of health clubs.
Philadelphia, Detroit, Memphis, Tennessee, and Chicago followed Houston on the seventh edition of the fat list. Texas cities Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth and El Paso were in the top 14, which Boulton said was no surprise.
“It’s pure big indulgence, just living big, and that’s part of the culture,” said Boulton.
Seattle ranked as the fittest city. Austin and Arlington, a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb, were the only Texas cities on the fit list. Austin was 19th and Arlington 22nd out of 25.
1.What decides the magazine’s annual fattest list?
A.The size of fat population. | B.The number of fast food restaurants. |
C.The economic growth rate of the state. | D.Things related to unhealthy ways of life. |
2.Which city topped 2003 fattest cities list?
A.Houston. | B.Dallas. | C.Detroit. | D.Philadelphia. |
3.By saying “living big” (in Paragraph 9), Boulton means people _________.
A.are growing fatter | B.are living wastefully | C.eat too many fatty foods | D.are spending too much time working |
4.Which of the following is best supported by the text?
A.Texas has the most fat cities in the U.S. |
B.Bill White is happy with the newspaper report. |
C.People in Texas are the most hardworking in the U.S. |
D.Most school children in Houston have weight problems. |
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
HOUSTON (AP) --- A 10-year-old boy fatally(致命地) shot his father Friday, striking him several times as he sat in the front seat of a SUV to pick up the boy from his mother's home for a weekend visit.
The incident happened about 3pm on a cul-desac(死胡同)in the 1700 block of Cedar Cove Court, said Sgt. Williams of the Harris County Sheriff's Department.
An investigation found that Rick James Lohstroh, 41, was shot by his son, who was sitting in the back seat of the man's Toyota 4-Runner, said Sgt. Williams. The shooting took place outside the home of Lohstroh's ex-wife, where the boy lives with his mother and a 7-year-old brother.
"We're not certain of anything until we finish our investigation," Williams said. "The information we have at this time is that the 10-year-old did fire the weapon."
The mother and the 7-year-old were inside the house when the shooting occurred, said Williams.
Williams said the gun belonged to the boy's mother. After firing shots through the back seat, the boy exited (离开) the back of the vehicle and continued to fire at the car.
The man died on the way to Memorial Herman Hospital.
Lohstroh was a doctor at the University of Texas Medical Branch.
The man and woman shared custody(监护)of the children.
Williams said the mother and the boy were still in the home talking to investigators Friday night.
Neighbors described the family as being quiet and keeping to themselves.
Justin Gray, 17, was walking in the neighborhood when he heard gunshots. "We've had a suicide in this neighborhood once, but never anything like this," Gray said.
1.The best title for the news should be __________.
A. A Boy Shot His Father
B. Shooting Kill a Father
C. An Unbelievable Tragedy(悲剧)
A Ten-Year-Old Boy's Cruelty
2.What can we infer from the text?
A. The tragedy happened because the boy had seen too many films showing violence.
B. The boy killed his father because he hated it that he deserted his mother.
C. Such things often occurred in this neighbourhood.
D. The boy's parents got divorced(=separated).
3.The reason why the boy shot his father __________.
A. is clear B. can't be made out
C. is unknown D. is quite simple
4.The underlined word "suicide" most probably means __________.
A. the act of killing the lives of a whole family
B. an instance ( example ) of deliberately killing oneself
C. the situation of getting on smoothly with others
D. the peaceful surroundings
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Whitney Houston’s sudden death suggests that drug abuse is such a serious problem ___we should deal with properly.
A.as B.that C.which D.where
高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
A storm hit Houston, Texas, on Tuesday. It brought heavy rains and rising flood-waters. By Tuesday night, some parts of the city had received 10 inches of rain. Police and firefighters helped people move to safe places. They also saved people from cars and buses that were stuck on roads.
Certain areas around Houston were hit really hard. In just four hours, more than seven inches of rain fell in Sugar Land in the southwest of Houston. Cars could not pass through any of the areas main roadways. On Twitter, Sugar Land city officials asked people to get to high ground.
Tuesday’s rain hit parts of Texas that Hurricane Harvey had already damaged almost two years ago. Hurricane Harvey in August, 2017 was the second most costly hurricane in US history. It caused $125 billion worth of damage in Texas. In the Houston area, 36 people died and about 150, 000 homes were flooded.
A spokesman for the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management spoke with the Houston Chronicle. The spokesman said that this week’s rain is “not in any way a Harvey-level event.”
But the worst may not be over yet. People will have a break from the heavy rain on Wednesday. According to the National Weather Service, the Texas Gulf Coast will continue to experience heavy rain later in the week. "Today should be our quietest over the next few days for rainfall,” said Don Oettinger, a National Weather Service meteorologist (气象学家).
Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peia warned, “As there is too much water on the ground, these are perfect conditions for flash floods, so we hope people are careful of what they’re doing and encourage them to stay home. There’s no sense in putting yourself, firefighters or anybody in danger needlessly.”
1.What are Paragraphs 1 and 2 mainly about?
A.Flood damage in Houston. B.Flood prevention in Houston.
C.Heavy floods hitting Houston. D.People fighting floods in Houston.
2.What do we know about Hurricane Harvey?
A.It caused no deaths or injuries. B.It did a lot of damage to Texas.
C.It was less serious than this week’s rain. D.It was the biggest hurricane on record.
3.What can we learn from the weather report of the National Weather Service?
A.Fine days are coming. B.It will rain a little non-stop.
C.A hurricane is unavoidable. D.Floods will continue.
4.What did Samuel suggest local people do?
A.Stay indoors. B.Join firefighters.
C.Give up needless things. D.Comfort those who lost homes.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
We were on our way home from Houston one Saturday morning. We decided to stop at a local gas station to get coffee and something to snack on since it was a good hour and a half before we got home.
When we were done, we got back into our car and before I started it, we noticed a man standing outside in front of the building. He was a homeless man with worn clothes and it looked like he had gone in and gotten himself some coffee or something warm to drink since it was cold this time of the year. He must have not had enough money to get something to eat.
Then a dog walked up to the front of the building. I could tell she was a “she”, because you could tell that she had baby dogs. She was terribly in need of something to eat and I felt so bad for her. I knew if she didn’t eat soon, she and her baby dogs would not make it.
I and my wife sat there and looked at her. We noticed that people walked by and didn’t even pet her, like most people do when they walk by an animal in front of a store. We still did not do anything. But the homeless man, who I thought did not buy himself anything to eat, went back into the store. And what he did brought tears to me and my wife. He had gone into the store and with what money he may have had, bought a can of dog food and fed that dog.
This story plays a great part in our lives. You see, that was Mother’s Day weekend. And a lot of people forget that some animals are parents too.
It took a homeless man, to show me what I should have done. He make me a better man that day.
1. The homeless man only had something to drink because _______.
A. he didn’t have enough money for food B. he was thirsty only
C. the store only provided drinks D. he felt cold that day
2. Seeing what the poor man did for the dog, the author and his wife ________.
A. were puzzled B. were greatly moved
C. regretted they hadn’t done anything D. were indifferent
3. If the homeless man hadn’t given the dog food to eat, she and her babies would ________.
A. not survive B. have to attack people
C. not have to die D. lose their homes
4.Which of the following is the most suitable title for this passage?
A. A kind Homeless Man B. A Lucky Mother Dog
C. Mother Day’s Weekend D. Animals Are Parents Too
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Whitney Houston’s sudden death suggests that drug abuse is such a serious problem ______ we should deal with properly.
A. as B. that C. which D. where
高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
In a room at Texas Children Cancer Center in Houston, eight-year-old Simran Jatar lay in bed with a drip (点滴) above her to fight her bone cancer. Over her bald (秃的) head, she wore a pink hat that matched her clothes. But the third grader’s cheery dressing didn’t mask her pain and weary(疲倦的) eyes.
Then a visitor showed up. “Do you want to write a song?” asked Anita Kruse, 49, rolling a cart equipped with an electronic(电子) keyboard, a microphone and speakers(扬声器). Simran stared. “Have you ever written a poem?” Anita Kruse continued. “Well, yes,” Simran said.
Within minutes, Simran was reading her poem into the microphone. “Some bird soaring through the sky,” she said softly. “Imagination in its head…” Anita Kruse added piano music, a few warbling (鸣, 唱) birds, and finally the girl’s voice. Thirty minutes later, she presented Simran with a CD of her first recorded song.
That was the beginning of Anita Kruse’s project, Purple Songs Can Fly, one that has helped more than 125 young patients write and record songs. As a composer(作曲家) and pianist who had performed at the hospital, Kruse said that the idea of how she could help “came in one flash”.
The effect on the kids has been great. One teenage girl, curling (蜷缩) in pain in her wheelchair, stood unaided to dance to a hip-hop song she had written. A 12-year-old boy with Hodgkin’s disease who rarely spoke surprised his doctors with a song he called I Can Make It.
“My time with the kids is heartbreaking because of the severity of their illnesses,” says Anita Kruse. “But they also make you happy, when the children are smiling, excited to share their CD with their families.”
Simran is now an active sixth grader and cancer-free. From time to time, she and her mother listen to her song, Always Remembering, and they always remember the “really sweet and nice and loving” lady who gave them a shining moment in the dark hour.
1. Simran Jatar lay in bed in hospital because ______.
A. most of her hair had fallen out
B. she was receiving treatment for cancer
C. she felt depressed(沮丧的) and quit from school
D. she was suffering from a pain in her back
2.What do we know about Anita Kruse’s project?
A. It helps young patients record songs.
B. It is supported by singers and patients.
C. It aims to replace the medical treatment.
D. It offers patients chances to realize their dreams.
3.What does the case(实例) of a 12-year-old boy suggest?
A. Most children are naturally fond of music.
B. He was brave enough to put up performance.
C. The project has positive effect on young patients.
D. Singing is the best way to treat some illnesses.
4. What is probably the best title for the passage?
A. Purple Songs Can Fly
B. Singing Can Improve Health
C. A Shining Moment in Life
D. A Kind Woman—Anita Kruse
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
In a room at Texas Children Cancer Center in Houston, eight-year-old Simran Jatar lay in bed with a drip (点滴) above her to fight her bone cancer. Over her bald (秃的) head, she wore a pink hat that matched her clothes. But the third grader’s cheery dressing didn’t mask her pain and weary eyes.
Then a visitor showed up. “Do you want to write a song?” asked Anita Kruse, 49, rolling a cart equipped with an electronic keyboard, a microphone and speakers. Simran stared. “Have you ever written a poem?” Anita Kruse continued. “Well, yes,” Simran said.
Within minutes, Simran was reading her poem into the microphone. “Some bird soaring through the sky,” she said softly. “Imagination in its head…” Anita Kruse added piano music, a few warbling (鸣, 唱) birds, and finally the girl’s voice. Thirty minutes later, she presented Simran with a CD of her first recorded song.
That was the beginning of Anita Kruse’s project, Purple Songs Can Fly, one that has helped more than 125 young patients write and record songs. As a composer and pianist who had performed at the hospital, Kruse said that the idea of how she could help “came in one flash”.
The effect on the kids has been great. One teenage girl, curling (蜷缩) in pain in her wheelchair, stood unaided to dance to a hip-hop song she had written. A 12-year-old boy with Hodgkin’s disease who rarely spoke surprised his doctors with a song he called I Can Make It.
“My time with the kids is heartbreaking because of the severity of their illnesses,” says Anita Kruse. “But they also make you happy, when the children are smiling, excited to share their CD with their families.”
Simran is now an active sixth grader and cancer-free. From time to time, she and her mother listen to her song, Always Remembering, and they always remember the “really sweet and nice and loving” lady who gave them a shining moment in the dark hour.
1.Simran Jatar lay in bed in hospital because ______.
A.most of her hair had fallen out |
B.she was receiving treatment for cancer |
C.she felt depressed and quit from school |
D.she was suffering from a pain in her back |
2.What do we know about Anita Kruse’s project?
A.It helps young patients record songs. |
B.It is supported by singers and patients. |
C.It aims to replace the medical treatment. |
D.It offers patients chances to realize their dreams. |
3.What does the case of a 12-year-old boy suggest?
A.Most children are naturally fond of music. |
B.He was brave enough to put up performance. |
C.The project has positive effect on young patients. |
D.Singing is the best way to treat some illnesses. |
4.What is probably the best title for the passage?
A.Purple Songs Can Fly |
B.Singing Can Improve Health |
C.A Shining Moment in Life |
D.A Kind Woman—Anita Kruse |
高二英语阅读理解极难题查看答案及解析
The story of Whitney Houston is a good example of how drugs and bad relationships can _______ even the most talented stars.
A. murder B. present C. ruin D. suspect
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
完形填空
I was in Houston a few weeks ago, and needed to be back home in Austin by the early morning the next day. So I ______ to leave that morning. ______ my tire blew out on the way. I ______ a small parking lot. Then I ______ the doors and picked up my phone to call a tow truck (拖车). Soon a man ______ on my driver’s side window and asked if he could help me. From his ______ and behavior, I knew he was far more ______ to rob (抢劫) than help me, so I ______refused and told him the tow truck was due any minute. He asked again, but again I gently shook my head. He finally said, “ Ma’am, you need ______. A tow truck in Houston will arrive anywhere between 45 minutes and approximately ______(which I knew was true), and you are not going anywhere until you have that tire______.”
I looked hard, straight into his _____, and instinctively (凭直觉) saw someone different from the ______ person he appeared to be at first glance. So, against all reasonable ______, but trusting my instincts, I got out. He looked______, but got right to work, trying to find the ______ tire. It took a while since it was stored under the van (车厢).
He changed the tire, ______ the seat to its place and said, “Thank you for letting me help you. You gave me a ______ when most people would never open the door to someone like me. Would it be okay if I gave you a hug?” When I______, I gave him a giant hug. I left with a new tire and a renewed ______ in human nature.
1.A. wanted B. happened C. hoped D. had
2.A. Expectedly B. Unfortunately C. Strangely D. Undoubtedly
3.A. pulled into B. walked around C. broke into D. looked around
4.A. opened B. fixed C. locked D. broke
5.A. hit B. knocked C. climbed D. checked
6.A. words B. personality C. height D. appearance
7.A. willing B. anxious C. likely D. pleased
8.A. politely B. stubbornly C. repeatedly D. hurriedly
9.A. money B. water C. gas D. help
10.A. forever B. now C. never D. already
11.A. balanced B. changed C. moved D. sold
12.A. mind B. eyes C. head D. heart
13.A. violent B. intelligent C. cold-hearted D. hurriedly
14.A. arguments B. judgments C. decisions D. expectations
15.A. surprised B. disappointed C. touched D. depressed
16.A. flat B. free C. spare D. worn
17.A. showed B. left C. held D. returned
18.A. lesson B. job C. gift D. chance
19.A. recovered B. discovered C. awoke D. wondered
20.A. pride B. delight C. faith D. interest
高二英语完形填空困难题查看答案及解析