A house of cards? Sounds unbelievable, doesn’t it? Not if the architect is 31-year-old Bryan Berg. He’s made a career out of building fantastic card houses, stadiums, capitols, castles — and the world’s tallest card tower. How does he do it?
Bryan’s structures are amazing because they are made entirely of perfectly balanced, freestanding playing cards. He never uses glue, tape, or anything else to hold the cards together. Nor does he fold the cards. He’s discovered another way to make a strong house of cards, using a trick from nature.
To make plants strong, nature builds them with cells that have tough walls. Rows and rows of these cells form a grid(格子) that helps leaves and stems keep their shape. Bees use the same kind of repeating pattern to create strong honeycombs, where they live and store honey. Bryan designs similar grids, using cards to create a repeating pattern of cells.
He begins with a single cell made by balancing four cards against one another to form a box. Then he repeats the cell over and over, expanding outward to form the grid, which makes a good foundation for a strong card structure. The larger the grid, the more weight it can carry. Sometimes Bryan uses several cards, instead of just one, to construct the cell walls, making the grid even stronger. The trick, he tells kids when he speaks in classrooms, is to place your cards as tightly together as possible when laying out your grid, making sure the cards are not leaning at all.
After building this solid base, Bryan lays cards across the top to make the floor for the next “story” of the building. He may add towers, columns, steeples, or domes. Using the principle of repeating cells, Bryan builds structures of amazing strength.
In the Cards
Not surprisingly, Bryan has always been interested in building things. Growing up on a “big, old farm” in rural Iowa, he had plenty of room to play. “We were in the middle of nowhere,” Bryan remembers, “with lots of space to do whatever we wanted. I was always making something, using things like sticks or bales of hay.”
Bryan’s grandfather taught him how to stack cards. Bryan’s two interests — building and card stacking — soon combined. But stacking in his family’s farmhouse was challenging. “Our old house had wood floors that weren’t all level,” he reports. “And they weren’t very firm. When people walked around, it was like ‘earthquake action.’ It was a challenge to build something that wouldn’t fall down immediately.”
Bryan constructed tower after tower; he went through a lot of trial and error before he built anything taller than himself. When he placed a few decks of cards on top of his grid, he discovered how strong it was. Bryan’s towers began to grow taller.
How Tall Is Too Tall?
Bryan’s first Guinness World Record for the world’s tallest card tower came in the spring of 1992, when he was in high school. Learning that the world record was 12 feet 10 inches, Bryan built a slim tower that topped out at 14 feet 6 inches. Done as a project for his geometry class, it took him 40 hours and 208 decks of cards. Since then he’s gone on to win world records for even taller buildings. His latest winner measured 25 feet 3.5 inches and used about 2,400 decks of cards. The building, which tapered to a high, narrow point, had 131 stories.
Why don’t these towers fall down? The key is in a good solid base, a repeating pattern of stories, and a tapering top. Bryan likes to point out how card buildings resemble real ones. They are built cell by cell, story by story. The separate parts make one strong whole. The heavier the building, the stronger and more stable it is. But the weight can’t all be at the top.
After spending so much time building something so cool, Bryan admits it’s sometimes painful to see his structures destroyed. But he compares his work to the building of a sandcastle or an ice sculpture.
“They wouldn’t be as special if they were permanent,” he points out. “My buildings are like snowdrifts, or clouds in the sky. They can’t last forever.
1.According to the article, which natural structure is a model for Bryan’s card structures?
A. A sand dune. B. A honeycomb.
C. A snowdrift. D. A thundercloud.
2.What was Bryan’s first world record?
A. The tallest card tower. B. The widest card dome.
C. The heaviest card house. D. The sturdiest card structure.
3.Bryan’s hobby is the result of combining which two boyhood interests?
A. Plant cells and honeycombs.
B. World records and geometry.
C. Building things and stacking cards.
D. Playing cards and designing houses.
4.Why was it a challenge for Bryan to build card structures in his family’s farmhouse?
A. The floors of the house were uneven.
B. The ceilings in the house were too low.
C. The floors of the house were slippery.
D. The windows in the house were windy.
5.In the underlined sentence, the word “tapered” means the top of the building was_________.
A. older B. shinier C. stronger D. thinner
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
A house of cards? Sounds unbelievable, doesn’t it? Not if the architect is 31-year-old Bryan Berg. He’s made a career out of building fantastic card houses, stadiums, capitols, castles — and the world’s tallest card tower. How does he do it?
Bryan’s structures are amazing because they are made entirely of perfectly balanced, freestanding playing cards. He never uses glue, tape, or anything else to hold the cards together. Nor does he fold the cards. He’s discovered another way to make a strong house of cards, using a trick from nature.
To make plants strong, nature builds them with cells that have tough walls. Rows and rows of these cells form a grid(格子) that helps leaves and stems keep their shape. Bees use the same kind of repeating pattern to create strong honeycombs, where they live and store honey. Bryan designs similar grids, using cards to create a repeating pattern of cells.
He begins with a single cell made by balancing four cards against one another to form a box. Then he repeats the cell over and over, expanding outward to form the grid, which makes a good foundation for a strong card structure. The larger the grid, the more weight it can carry. Sometimes Bryan uses several cards, instead of just one, to construct the cell walls, making the grid even stronger. The trick, he tells kids when he speaks in classrooms, is to place your cards as tightly together as possible when laying out your grid, making sure the cards are not leaning at all.
After building this solid base, Bryan lays cards across the top to make the floor for the next “story” of the building. He may add towers, columns, steeples, or domes. Using the principle of repeating cells, Bryan builds structures of amazing strength.
In the Cards
Not surprisingly, Bryan has always been interested in building things. Growing up on a “big, old farm” in rural Iowa, he had plenty of room to play. “We were in the middle of nowhere,” Bryan remembers, “with lots of space to do whatever we wanted. I was always making something, using things like sticks or bales of hay.”
Bryan’s grandfather taught him how to stack cards. Bryan’s two interests — building and card stacking — soon combined. But stacking in his family’s farmhouse was challenging. “Our old house had wood floors that weren’t all level,” he reports. “And they weren’t very firm. When people walked around, it was like ‘earthquake action.’ It was a challenge to build something that wouldn’t fall down immediately.”
Bryan constructed tower after tower; he went through a lot of trial and error before he built anything taller than himself. When he placed a few decks of cards on top of his grid, he discovered how strong it was. Bryan’s towers began to grow taller.
How Tall Is Too Tall?
Bryan’s first Guinness World Record for the world’s tallest card tower came in the spring of 1992, when he was in high school. Learning that the world record was 12 feet 10 inches, Bryan built a slim tower that topped out at 14 feet 6 inches. Done as a project for his geometry class, it took him 40 hours and 208 decks of cards. Since then he’s gone on to win world records for even taller buildings. His latest winner measured 25 feet 3.5 inches and used about 2,400 decks of cards. The building, which tapered to a high, narrow point, had 131 stories.
Why don’t these towers fall down? The key is in a good solid base, a repeating pattern of stories, and a tapering top. Bryan likes to point out how card buildings resemble real ones. They are built cell by cell, story by story. The separate parts make one strong whole. The heavier the building, the stronger and more stable it is. But the weight can’t all be at the top.
After spending so much time building something so cool, Bryan admits it’s sometimes painful to see his structures destroyed. But he compares his work to the building of a sandcastle or an ice sculpture.
“They wouldn’t be as special if they were permanent,” he points out. “My buildings are like snowdrifts, or clouds in the sky. They can’t last forever.
1.According to the article, which natural structure is a model for Bryan’s card structures?
A. A sand dune. B. A honeycomb.
C. A snowdrift. D. A thundercloud.
2.What was Bryan’s first world record?
A. The tallest card tower. B. The widest card dome.
C. The heaviest card house. D. The sturdiest card structure.
3.Bryan’s hobby is the result of combining which two boyhood interests?
A. Plant cells and honeycombs.
B. World records and geometry.
C. Building things and stacking cards.
D. Playing cards and designing houses.
4.Why was it a challenge for Bryan to build card structures in his family’s farmhouse?
A. The floors of the house were uneven.
B. The ceilings in the house were too low.
C. The floors of the house were slippery.
D. The windows in the house were windy.
5.In the underlined sentence, the word “tapered” means the top of the building was_________.
A. older B. shinier C. stronger D. thinner
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
—Sally, do you mind if I take off my jacket?
—Of course not. .
A.It doesn't matter B.Make yourself at home
C.Enjoy yourself D.Forget it
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
—Sally, do you mind if I take off my jacket?
—Of course not. .
A.It doesn't matter B.Make yourself at home
C.Enjoy yourself D.Forget it
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The popular US drama series “House of Cards”, which has already started its second season, features Chinese elements in its storyline. Traditional heroes are no longer sought after anymore. Today, it’s unconventional leading figure -like Francis J. Underwood from “House of Cards” who are winning audiences’ hearts.
The political drama, which airs on the Internet service Netflix, has won the applauses of viewers around the world since its debut(首次亮相) on February 1, 2013. And it has caught the attention of real politicians, including US President Barack Obama.
Kevin Spacey plays Francis J. Underwood, a cold-blooded Democrat who moves his way up the political ladder by any means necessary. He often uses his under-exposure in media to carry out misdeeds that will later benefit him.
The revenge(报仇) theme plays a heavy role throughout the storyline, Underwood, who had high hopes for an appointment as Secretary of State in the first season, was betrayed by the US President and his former colleagues. He and his wife then conducted a plan of revenge and swore to unseat those who turned their backs against him. Through their plan, Underwood’s own hunger for power grew and empowered him to get rid of whoever stood in his Way.
The release of the trailer(预告片) of the second season excited millions of viewers around the world, including US President Barack Obama, who has been a loyal fan since the series debuted. Obama expressed his admiration for Underwood. “This guy’s getting a lot of stuff done,” he said. Although the President is anxious to watch the story unfold, he’d like to do it at his own pace. After the release of the second season on February 14, 2014, Obama sent words on his Twitter account, “Tomorrow: @HouseOfCards. No spoilers , please.”
The second season has promised to be darker, with more unexpected turnouts, and is to include more Chinese elements. “Perhaps the team, including myself, has realized that in the next decade, Asia will be an extensively important region, and China will play an active role in its transition and change,” says Spacey.
1.The second season is different in that _____.
A. it is a political drama
B. more Chinese elements are involved
C. it has caught the attention of US President Barack Obama
D. Kevin Spacey, a cold-blooded Democrat, plays Francis’J. Underwood
2.The 3rd and 4th paragraph mainly deal with ______.
A. the plot of the drama series
B. the background of the drama series
C. the characters of the drama series
D. the popularity of the drama series
3.The author may agree that ______.
A. the second season is expected to be darker with more deaths
B. audiences lose their heart to traditional heroes in the drama
C. the drama is the reflection of politics of America in real life
D. the drama has won the recognition of viewers since its first season
4.The message sent by Obama on his Twitter account proves that he_______.
A. doesn’t wish to be told what to do as a drama fan
B. adores the drama so much that he wants to watch it in advance
C. doesn’t want to be disturbed while watching the drama
D. hopes nobody will inform him of the plot of the drama in advance
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
It was Monday.Mrs.Smith’s dog was hungry,but there was not any meat in the house.
Considering that there was no better way,Mrs.Smith took a piece of paper,and wrote the following words on it “Give my dog half a pound of meat.” Then she gave the paper to her dog and said gently,“Take this to the butcher,and he’s going to give you your lunch today.”
Holding the piece of paper in its mouth,the dog ran to the butcher’s.It gave the paper to the butcher.The butcher read it carefully,recognized that it was really the lady’s handwriting and soon did it as he was asked to.The dog was very happy,and ate the meat up at once.
At noon,the dog came to the shop again.It gave the butcher a piece of paper again.After reading it,he gave it half a pound of meat once more.
The next day,the dog came again exactly at noon.And as usual,it brought a piece of paper in the mouth.This time,the butcher did not take a look at paper,and gave the dog its meat,for he had regarded the dog as one of his customers (顾客).
But,the dog came again at four o’clock.And the same thing happened once again.To the butcher’s more surprise,it came for the third time at six o’clock,and brought with it a third piece of paper.The butcher felt a bit puzzled.He said to himself,“This is a small dog.Why does Mrs.Smith give it so much meat to eat today?”
Looking at the piece of paper,he found that there were not any words on it!
1.The little dog went to the butcher’s altogether during the two days.
A.three times B.four times C.five times D.six times
2.The butcher did not give any meat to the dog .
A.before he felt sure that the words were really written by Mrs.Smith on Monday
B.when he found that the words on the paper were not clear
C.because he had sold out all the meat in his shop
D.until he was paid enough by Mrs.Smith
3.From the story,we can know that the dog was very .
A.kind B.clever C.honest D.foolish
4.At the end of the story,you’ll find that .
A.the dog was clever enough to write on the paper
B.the dog dared not go to the butcher’s any more
C.the butcher was told not to give any meat to the dog
D.the butcher found himself cheated(欺骗) by the dog
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Energy independence. It has a nice ring to it. Doesn’t it? If you think so, you’re not alone, because energy independence has been the dream of American president for decades, and never more so than in the past few years, when the most recent oil price shock has been partly responsible for kicking off the great recession(经济衰退).
“Energy independence” and its rhetorical (修辞的) companion “energy security” are, however, slippery concepts that are rarely though through. What is it we want independence from, exactly?
Most people would probably say that they want to be independent from imported oil. But there are reasons that we buy all that old from elsewhere.
The first reason is that we need it to keep our economy running. Yes, there is a trickle(涓涓细流)of biofuel(生物燃料)available, and more may become available, but most biofuels cause economic waste and environmental destruction.
Second, Americans have basically decided that they don’t really want to produce all their own oil. They value the environmental quality they preserve over their oil imports from abroad. Vast areas of the United States are off-limits to oil exploration and production in the name of environmental protection. To what extent are Americans really willing to endure the environmental impacts of domestic energy production in order to cut back imports?
Third, there are benefits to trade. It allows for economic efficiency, and when we buy things from places that have lower production costs than we do, we benefit. And although you don’t read about this much, the United States is also a large exporter of oil products, selling about 2 million barrels of petroleum products per day to about 90 countries.
There is no question that the United States imports a great deal of energy and, in fact, relies on that steady flow to maintain its economy. When that flow is interrupted, we feel the pain in short supplies and higher prices, At the same time, we derive massive economic benefits when we buy the most affordable energy on the world market and when we engage in energy trade around the world.
1.What does the author say about energy independence for America?
A. It sounds very attractive.
B. It will bring oil prices down.
C. It ensures national security.
D. It has long been everyone’s dream.
2.What does the author think of biofuels?
A. They keep America’s economy running healthily.
B. They prove to be a good alternative to petroleum.
C. They do not provide a sustainable energy supply.
D. They cause serious damage to the environment.
3.Why does America rely heavily on oil imports?
A. It wants to expand its storage of crude oil.
B. Its own oil reserves are quickly running out.
C. It wants to keep its own environment undamaged.
D. Its own oil production falls short of demand.
4.What is the author’s purpose in writing the passage?
A. To justify America’s dependence on oil imports.
B. To arouse Americans’ awareness of the energy crisis.
C. To stress the importance of energy conservation.
D. To explain the increase of international oil trade.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
E
Energy independence. It has a nice ring to it. Doesn't it? If you think so, you're not alone,because energy independence has been the dream of American president for decades, and never more so than in the past few years, when the most recent oil price shock has been partly responsible for kicking off the great recession(经济衰退).
"Energy independence"and its rhetorical(修辞的) companion"energy security"are, however,slippery concepts that are rarely though through. What is it we want independence from, exactly?
Most people would probably say that they want to be independent from imported oil.But there are reasons that we buy all that old from elsewhere.
The first reason is that we need it to keep our economy running. Yes, there is a trickle(涓涓细流)of biofuel(生物燃料)available, and more may become available, but most biofuels cause economic waste and environmental destruction.
Second, Americans have basically decided that they don't really want to produce all their own oil. They value the environmental quality they preserve over their oil imports from abroad. Vast areas of the United States are off-limits to oil exploration and production in the name of environmental protection. To what extent are Americans really willing to endure the environmental impacts of domestic energy production in order to cut back imports?
Third, there are benefits to trade. It allows for economic efficiency, and when we buy things from places that have lower production costs than we do, we benefit. And although you don't read about this much, the United States is also a large exporter of oil products, selling about 2 million barrels of petroleum products per day to about 90 countries.
There is no question that the United States imports a great deal of energy and, in fact, relies on that steady flow to maintain ite economy. When that flow is interrupted, we feel the pain in short supplies and higher prices. At the same time, we derive massive economic benefits when we buy the most affordable energy on the world market and when we engage in energy trade around the world.
1.From the passage, we know that biofuels .
A.keep America's economy running healthily
B.prove to be a good alternative to petroleum
C.do not provide a sustainable energy supply
D.cause serious damage to the environment
2.Why does America rely heavily on oil imports?
A.Its own oil production falls short of demand.
B.Its own oil reserves are quickly running out.
C.It wants to keep Its own environment undamaged.
D.It wants to expand its storage of crude oil.
3.What can we conclude from the last paragraph?
A.America doesn't have enough oil supplies.
B.People can benefit more from importing oil.
C.Energy independence is significant for Americans.
D.Short of energy may cause economic depression.
4.What is the author's purpose in writing the passage?
A.To justify America's dependence on oil imports.
B.To stress the importance of energy conservation.
C.To arouse Americans' awareness of the energy crisis.
D.To explain the increase of international oil trade.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Energy independence. It has a nice ring to it. Doesn’t it? If you think so, you’re not alone, because energy independence has been the dream of American president for decades, and never more so than in the past few years, when the most recent oil price shock has been partly responsible for kicking off the great recession.
“Energy independence” and its rhetorical (修辞的) companion “energy security” are, however, slippery concepts that are rarely through, though. What is it that we want independence from, exactly?
Most people would probably say that they want to be independent from imported oil. But there are reasons that we buy all that oil from elsewhere.
The first reason is that we need it to keep our economy running. Yes, there is a trickle(涓涓细流)of biofuel(生物燃料)available, and more may become available, but most biofuels cause economic waste and environmental destruction.
Second, Americans have basically decided that they don’t really want to produce all their own oil. They value the environmental quality they preserve over their oil imports from abroad. Vast areas of the United States are off-limits to oil exploration and production in the name of environmental protection. To what extent are Americans really willing to endure the environmental impacts of domestic energy production in order to cut back imports?
Third, there are benefits to trade. It allows for economic efficiency, and when we buy things from places that have lower production costs than we do, we benefit. And although you don’t read about this much, the United States is also a large exporter of oil products, selling about 2 million barrels of petroleum products per day to about 90 countries.
There is no question that the United States imports a great deal of energy and, in fact, relies on that steady flow to maintain its economy. When that flow is interrupted, we feel the pain in short supplies and higher prices, at the same time, we derive massive economic benefits when we buy the most affordable energy on the world market and when we engage in energy trade around the world.
1.What does the author think of biofuels?
A. They keep America’s economy running healthily.
B. They prove to be a good alternative to petroleum.
C. They do not provide a sustainable energy supply.
D. They cause serious damage to the environment.
2.Why does America rely heavily on oil imports?
A. It wants to expand its storage of crude oil.
B. Its own oil reserves are quickly running out.
C. It wants to keep its own environment intact.
D. Its own oil production falls short of demand.
3.What does the author say about oil trade?
A. It proves profitable to both sides.
B. It improves economic efficiency.
C. It makes for economic prosperity.
D. It saves the cost of oil exploration.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Energy independencehas a nice ring to it.Doesn't it? If you think so,you're not alone,because energy independence has been the dream of American president for decades,and never more so than in the past few years,when the most recent oil price shock has been partly responsible for kicking off the great recession.
“Energy independence”and its rhetorical (修辞的) companion“energy security” are,however,slippery concepts that are rarely though through.What is it we want independence from,exactly?
Most people would probably say that they want to be independent from imported oil.But there are reasons that we buy all that old from elsewhere.
The first reason is that we need it to keep our economy running.Yes,there is a trickle(涓涓细流)of biofuel(生物燃料)available,and more may become available,but most biofuels cause economic waste and environmental destruction.
Second,Americans have basically decided that they don't really want to produce all their own oil.They value the environmental quality they preserve over their oil imports from abroad. Vast areas of the United States are off-limits to oil exploration and production in the name of environmental protection.To what extent are Americans really willing to endure the environmental impacts of domestic energy production in order to cut back imports?
Third,there are benefits to trade.It allows for economic efficiency,and when we buy things from places that have lower production costs than we do,we benefit.And although you don't read about this much,the United States is also a large exporter of oil products,selling about 2 million barrels of petroleum products per day to about 90 countries.
There is no question that the United States imports a great deal of energy and,in fact,relies on that steady flow to maintain its economy.When that flow is interrupted,we feel the pain in short supplies and higher prices.At the same time,we obtain massive economic benefits when we buy the most affordable energy on the world market and when we engage in energy trade around the world.
1.What does the author say about energy independence for America?
A. It sounds very attractive.
B. It ensures national security.
C. It will bring oil prices down
D. It has long been everyone’s dream.
2.Why does America rely heavily on oil imports?
A. It wants to expand its storage of crude oil(原油).
B. Its own oil reserves are quickly running out.
C. It wants to keep its own environment undamaged.
D. Its own oil production falls short of demanD.
3.What does the author say about oil trade?
A. It proves profitable to both sides.
B. It improves economic efficiency.
C. It makes for economic prosperity.
D. It saves the cost of oil exploration.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Energy independence has a nice ring to it.Doesn’t it? If you think so, you’re not alone, because energy independence has been the dream of American president for decades, and never more so than in the past few years, when the most recent oil price shock has been partly responsible for kicking off the great recession.
“Energy independence” and its rhetorical (修辞的) companion “energy security” are, however, slippery concepts that are rarely though through.What is it we want independence from, exactly?
Most people would probably say that they want to be independent from imported oil.But there are reasons that we buy all that old from elsewhere.
The first reason is that we need it to keep our economy running.Yes, there is a trickle(涓涓细流)of biofuel(生物燃料)available, and more may become available, but most biofuels cause economic waste and environmental destruction.
Second, Americans have basically decided that they don’t really want to produce all their own oil.They value the environmental quality they preserve over their oil imports from abroad.Vast areas of the United States are off-limits to oil exploration and production in the name of environmental protection.To what extent are Americans really willing to endure the environmental impacts of domestic energy production in order to cut back imports?
Third, there are benefits to trade.It allows for economic efficiency, and when we buy things from places that have lower production costs than we do, we benefit.And although you don’t read about this much, the United States is also a large exporter of oil products, selling about 2 million barrels of petroleum products per day to about 90 countries.
There is no question that the United States imports a great deal of energy and, in fact, relies on that steady flow to maintain its economy.When that flow is interrupted, we feel the pain in short supplies and higher prices.At the same time, we obtain massive economic benefits when we buy the most affordable energy on the world market and when we engage in energy trade around the world.
1.What does the author say about energy independence for America?
A.It sounds very attractive.
B.It ensures national security.
C.It will bring oil prices down
D.It has long been everyone’s dream.
2.Why does America rely heavily on oil imports?
A.It wants to expand its storage of crude oil(原油).
B.Its own oil reserves are quickly running out.
C.It wants to keep its own environment undamaged.
D.Its own oil production falls short of demand.
3.What does the author say about oil trade?
A.It proves profitable to both sides.
B.It improves economic efficiency.
C.It makes for economic prosperity.
D.It saves the cost of oil exploration.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析