“Dutch” expressions heard in American English were first used in the 17th century. That was a time of fierce competition between England and Holland. At that time, the British used “Dutch” as a word for something bad, or false.
A Dutch agreement was one made between men who had drunk too much alcohol. Dutch leave was what a soldier took when he left his base without permission.
Some of these old expressions are still used today with a little different meaning. Long ago, a Dutch treat or to go Dutch was a dinner at which the invited guests were expected to pay for their own share of food and drink. Now, Dutch treat means that when friends go out to have fun, each person pays his own share.
Another common expression heard a few years ago was “In Dutch”. If someone told you that you were in Dutch, they meant that you were in trouble.
Some of the Dutch expressions heard in American English have nothing to do with the Dutch people at all. In the seventeen hundreds, Germans who moved to the United States often were called Dutch. During the American Civil War, supporters of the northern side in the central state of Missouri were called Dutch, because many of them were German settlers. President Theodore Roosevelt once noted that anything foreign and non-English was called Dutch.
1.If one of your friends collects 60 yuan from you to go to have a meal together, you can use “_____”.
A. Go Dutch B. A Dutch C. In Dutch D. Dutch leave
2.Why does the word “Dutch” often have a negative (not good) meaning in English?
A. Because in the 17th century, the Dutch were timid (胆小的)
B. Because in the 17th century, the Dutch often drank a lot of alcohol.
C. Because in the 17th century, the Dutch often fought with the British.
D. Because in the 17th century, the Dutch didn’t like to pay for others.
3.Which of the following statements is true?
A. The original meaning of “Dutch” refers to the people in the British.
B. “Dutch” sometimes means all that is non-English in American English.
C. The Dutch uncles are often very severe.
D. “Dutch” expressions in English didn’t come from the Dutch at all.
4.What’s the passage mainly about?
A. Telling us that “Dutch” is not a good word.
B. Showing that “Dutch” means differently between the British and the American
C. Telling us there was fierce competition between England and Holland.
D. Helping us enlarge the knowledge about the word “Dutch”.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
“Dutch” expressions heard in American English were first used in the 17th century. That was a time of fierce competition between England and Holland. At that time, the British used “Dutch” as a word for something bad, or false.
A Dutch agreement was one made between men who had drunk too much alcohol. Dutch leave was what a soldier took when he left his base without permission.
Some of these old expressions are still used today with a little different meaning. Long ago, a Dutch treat or to go Dutch was a dinner at which the invited guests were expected to pay for their own share of food and drink. Now, Dutch treat means that when friends go out to have fun, each person pays his own share.
Another common expression heard a few years ago was “In Dutch”. If someone told you that you were in Dutch, they meant that you were in trouble.
Some of the Dutch expressions heard in American English have nothing to do with the Dutch people at all. In the seventeen hundreds, Germans who moved to the United States often were called Dutch. During the American Civil War, supporters of the northern side in the central state of Missouri were called Dutch, because many of them were German settlers. President Theodore Roosevelt once noted that anything foreign and non-English was called Dutch.
1.If one of your friends collects 60 yuan from you to go to have a meal together, you can use “_____”.
A. Go Dutch B. A Dutch C. In Dutch D. Dutch leave
2.Why does the word “Dutch” often have a negative (not good) meaning in English?
A. Because in the 17th century, the Dutch were timid (胆小的)
B. Because in the 17th century, the Dutch often drank a lot of alcohol.
C. Because in the 17th century, the Dutch often fought with the British.
D. Because in the 17th century, the Dutch didn’t like to pay for others.
3.Which of the following statements is true?
A. The original meaning of “Dutch” refers to the people in the British.
B. “Dutch” sometimes means all that is non-English in American English.
C. The Dutch uncles are often very severe.
D. “Dutch” expressions in English didn’t come from the Dutch at all.
4.What’s the passage mainly about?
A. Telling us that “Dutch” is not a good word.
B. Showing that “Dutch” means differently between the British and the American
C. Telling us there was fierce competition between England and Holland.
D. Helping us enlarge the knowledge about the word “Dutch”.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Here below we will talk about the American expressions using the word “Dutch”. Many of the “Dutch” expressions heard in American English were first used in England in the seventeenth century. Britain used to be called “empire on which the sun never sets”,which gained its supreme(至高无上的) power mostly by its naval(海军的 )military forces. The period of the Anglo-Dutch Wars was a time of fierce naval competition between England and the Netherlands. At that time, the British used “Dutch” as a word for something bad, or false, or mistaken.
A “Dutch agreement” was one made between men who had drunk too much alcohol. “Dutch courage” was the false courage produced by the effects of drinking alcohol. And “Dutch leave” was what a solider took when he left his base(基地)without permission.
Some of these old expressions are still used today with a little different meaning. “Dutch treat” is one example. Long ago, a Dutch treat was a dinner at which the invited guests were expected to pay for their own share of the food and drink. Now, Dutch treat means that when friends go out to have fun, each person pays his own share.
Another common expression heard a few years ago was “in Dutch”, which simply referred to the country then. Nowadays, if someone says to you, you are in Dutch, they are telling you that you were in trouble. An important person, a parent or teacher perhaps, is angry with you.
Some of the Dutch expressions heard in American English have nothing to do with the Dutch people at all. In the 1700s, Germans who moved to the United States often were called Dutch. This happened because of mistakes in understanding and saying the word “Deutsch”, the German word for German. Families of these German people still live in the eastern United States, many in the state of Pennsylvania. They are known as the Pennsylvania Dutch.
During the American Civil War, supporters of the northern side in the central state of Missouri were called Dutch, because many of them were German settlers. In California, during the Gold Rush, the term Dutch was used to describe Germans, Swedes, and Norwegians as well as people from the Netherlands.
President Theodore Roosevelt once noted that anything foreign and non-English was called Dutch.One expression still in use, “to talk to someone like a Dutch uncle”, did come from the Dutch.The Dutch were known for the firm way they raise their children. So if someone speaks to you like a Dutch uncle, he is speaking in a very severe way. And you should listen to him carefully.
1.According to paragraph 1, the British used “Dutch” as a word for something bad and mistaken because ___________.
A.it was the long-lasting habit of the British language. |
B.the Netherlands was the closest rival(竞争对手) for naval supremacy then. |
C.there was a close connection between “Dutch” and “Deutsch”. |
D.anything foreign and non-English was called “Dutch”. |
2.Most probably, a man with Dutch courage would _________.
A.invite his friends to dinner. |
B.beat a strange passer-by without any reason. |
C.speak to a Dutch uncle. |
D.become angry with the teacher. |
3.Which one of the following has nothing to do with the Dutch?
A.The expression “to talk to someone like a Dutch uncle”. |
B.When friends go out to have fun, they choose Dutch treat. |
C.Germans who moved to the United States were called Dutch. |
D.A solider took “Dutch leave” during wars. |
4.What is mainly talked about in the passage?
A.Language causes of the Anglo-Dutch Wars |
B.Language of the Netherlands |
C.Deutsch VS Dutch |
D.Dutch expressions in American English |
高二英语阅读理解极难题查看答案及解析
The expression “keeping up with the Joneses” was first used in 1913 by a young American Arthur Momand. He told this story about himself: he began earning $125 a week at the age of 23. That was a lot of money in those days. Young Momand was very proud of his riches. He got married and moved with his wife to Long Island, outside New York City.
But just moving there was not enough. For when Momand and his wife saw that their neighbors belonged to a country club they too joined a club. And when he saw that rich people were expected to ride horses, Momand went horseback riding every day. Momand and his wife also hired a servant and gave grand parties for their new neighbors.
It was like a race, but one could never finish this race because one was always trying to keep up. Momand and his wife could not do that.
The race ended for them when they could no longer pay for their new way of life. They moved back to an inexpensive New York City apartment.
Momand later said that his experience had been a cruel awakening for him. However, he was able to see the funny side of it. He looked around him and noticed that many people do things just to keep up with their neighbors.
He decided that this would make good stories for many papers across the country. He called it “Keeping up with the Joneses”, because “Jones” is a very common American name. “Keeping up with the Joneses” came to mean keeping up with the people around you. Momand’s stories appeared in different newspapers for over 28 years.
People never seem to tire of keeping up with the Joneses. That is one reason why they read the “right” books, go to the “right” universities and eat in the “right” restaurants. But no matter what one does, Mr. Jones always seems to be ahead.
1.The writer of this passage means to tell us ___________.
A.what Arthur Momand did to keep up with his neighbors
B.how the expression “keep up with the Joneses” came into being
C.what we should do to keep up with our neighbors
D.how we can live differently from others
2.The reason Momand moved to Long Island is that ___________.
A.he wanted to live in a rich neighborhood
B.there was a country club for him to join
C.it was outside the city and good for horseback riding
D.his wife came from that area
3.By saying “It was like a race”(in Para 3), the writer means ____________.
A.it was just a suitable place for the horse race
B.Momand and his wife kept themselves busy
C.Momand’s neighbors also gave parties one after another
D.Momand tried to compete with their neighbors in his way of life
4.The funny side Momand saw in his experience was _________.
A.he moved back to a cheap place
B.he was not alone in keeping up with his neighbors
C.he made a mistake in following other people’s examples
D.he cared too much about what others thought of him
5.Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
A.Momand earned a lot of money when he got married
B.Momand was always very interested in riding horses
C.Momand found there was something wrong with his way of life
D.Momand wrote stories for newspapers about himself and his neighbors
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
There are so many expressions in American English that sound good but are not.
“Face the music” is a good example. When someone says they have to face the music, it does not mean they are going to a musical show or concert. To face the music means to accept the bad results of an action.
Imagine a friend asks you to take care of her beautiful red sports car. She gives you the keys and says, “Thanks so much for watching my car while I’m away. But please do not drive it. It is a very fast car and you are not on the insurance (保险).”
But you do not listen. You want to show it to some friends and pretend (假装) the car is yours. So, you drive it around town one night. As bad luck would have it you lose control of the car and drive it into a stop sign. The damage is serious. When your friend returns you must tell her what you have done and “face the music”.
The “music” here is the result of your actions. It could be losing her friendship or paying for repairs to her sports car or both. Whatever the music is, you must face it.
There are other American expressions that mean the same as “face the music”.
To “take your medicine” means to accept the results from something bad you have done. And if someone says, “You made your bed. Now lie in it.” He means you created a bad situation and now you will experience the results, or as we say in American spoken English, you must deal with it!
“Pay the piper” also means the same as “face the music”. But, that expression has its own very interesting beginning. We will talk about that in the next Words and Their Stories.
1.What’s the main idea of this text?
A.To invite a friend to go to a musical performance.
B.To tell people how to deal with a bad situation.
C.To give people a lesson on an action.
D.To introduce some expressions.
2.Which action belongs to “take your medicine”?
A.You broke the traffic rules and caused an accident.
B.You worked hard but failed in the exam.
C.You caught a cold and took some medicine.
D.You moved to a new city and lost touch with your old friends.
3.What may the next programme talk about?
A.Other words and their stories.
B.The beginning of “pay the piper”.
C.The wider use of “face the music”.
D.An example of “take your medicine”.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
In Germany, English expressions are used in conversations and increasingly in written form. Advertisements are often expressed completely in English. When I go to the gym, there are “aerobic-classes (增氧健身法课程)”. We “warm up”. We go “jogging.” In business, we attend a “meeting” and we have “good connections.”
Other nations, like France, have taken action to protect their language from the influence of “Americanization”. In Germany, however, there is concern that those rules could be connected with Hitler’s Third Reich (帝国), when the language had to be pure. If the government curbed(限制)the use of English words now, this could be considered by some as a return to that terrible past.
Some German citizens are now trying to stop the use of English vocabulary in German. However, I think generally it is not a big deal to use some common English expressions as they often describe things more directly. But we should know that it is important to use English correctly. All too often, bad English is spoken or even written instead of good German. The proper use of the German language would be the better choice. However, there are some fields that require the use of English words, for example, in the high-tech communication and the Internet fields, there is no alternative to English. Also, I think sometimes I have to speak English when I introduce some scenic places to tourists.
I think you have to find a balance and decide when it is better to use good German in place of bad English or when the use of correct English words is more suitable. Languages have always changed naturally, and I disagree with a restriction by law. Some nice expressions borrowed from other languages can make a conversation more vivid.
1.By giving many examples in the first paragraph, the writer shows that __________.
A. most Germans have no difficulty in understanding English
B. English is more and more widely used in Germany
C. it is more convenient to use English in some situations
D. English has completely replaced German in Germany
2.From the passage, we can learn that when Hitler was in power, _________ in Germany.
A. all languages except English could be used
B. some foreign languages could be used
C. only the upper class could speak English
D. only the German language could be used
3.What job does the writer probably do?
A. A travel guide B. A lawyer C. A computer engineer D. A teacher
4.What is the writer’s attitude towards the use of English in Germany?
A. There should be a law to protect the German language
B. It is foolish for Germans to worry about their native language
C. Germans should be encouraged to speak more English
D. Proper use of English can make conversations more colorful
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
In Germany, English expressions are used in conversations and increasingly in written form. Advertisements are often expressed completely in English. When I go to the gym, there are “aerobic-classes (增氧健身法课程)”. We “warm up”. We go “jogging.” In business, we attend a “meeting” and we have “good connections.”
Other nations, like France, have taken action to protect their language from the influence of “Americanization”. In Germany, however, there is concern that those rules could be connected with Hitler’s Third Reich (帝国), when the language had to be pure. If the government curbed(限制)the use of English words now, this could be considered by some as a return to that terrible past.
Some German citizens are now trying to stop the use of English vocabulary in German. However, I think generally it is not a big deal to use some common English expressions as they often describe things more directly. But we should know that it is important to use English correctly. All too often, bad English is spoken or even written instead of good German. The proper use of the German language would be the better choice. However, there are some fields that require the use of English words, for example, in the high-tech communication and the Internet fields, there is no alternative to English. Also, I think sometimes I have to speak English when I introduce some scenic places to tourists.
I think you have to find a balance and decide when it is better to use good German in place of bad English or when the use of correct English words is more suitable. Languages have always changed naturally, and I disagree with a restriction by law. Some nice expressions borrowed from other languages can make a conversation more vivid.
69. By giving many examples in the first paragraph, the writer shows that __________.
A. most Germans have no difficulty in understanding English
B. English is more and more widely used in Germany
C. it is more convenient to use English in some situations
D. English has completely replaced German in Germany
70. From the passage, we can learn that when Hitler was in power, _________ in Germany.
A. all languages except English could be used
B. some foreign languages could be used
C. only the upper class could speak English
D. only the German language could be used
71. What job does the writer probably do?
A. A travel guide B. A lawyer C. A computer engineer D. A teacher
72. What is the writer’s attitude towards the use of English in Germany?
A. There should be a law to protect the German language
B. It is foolish for Germans to worry about their native language
C. Germans should be encouraged to speak more English
D. Proper use of English can make conversations more colorful
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
In Germany, English expressions are used in conversations and increasingly in written form. Advertisements are often expressed completely in English. When I go to the gym, there are “aerobic-classes (增氧健身法课程)”. We “warm up”. We go “jogging.” In business, we attend a “meeting” and we have “good connections.”
Other nations, like France, have taken action to protect their language from the influence of “Americanization”. In Germany, however, there is concern that those rules could be connected with Hitler’s Third Reich (帝国), when the language had to be pure. If the government curbed the use of English words now, this could be considered by some as a return to that terrible past.
Some German citizens are now trying to stop the use of English vocabulary in German. However, I think generally it is not a big deal to use some common English expressions as they often describe things more directly. But we should know that it is important to use English correctly. All too often, bad English is spoken or even written instead of good German. The proper use of the German language would be the better choice. However, there are some fields that require the use of English words, for example, in the high-tech communication and the Internet fields, there is no alternative to English. Also, I think sometimes I have to speak English when I introduce some scenic places to tourists.
I think you have to find a balance and decide when it is better to use good German in place of bad English or when the use of correct English words is more suitable. Languages have always changed naturally, and I disagree with a restriction by law. Some nice expressions borrowed from other languages can make a conversation more vivid.
1.By giving many examples in the first paragraph, the writer shows that _____.
A. most Germans have no difficulty in understanding English
B. English is more and more widely used in Germany
C. it is more convenient to use English in some situations
D. English has completely replaced German in Germany
2.From the passage, we can learn that when Hitler was in power, ______ in Germany.
A. all languages except English could be used
B. only some foreign languages could be used
C. only the upper class could speak English
D. only the German language could be used
3.What job does the writer probably do?
A. A travel guide. B. A lawyer.
C. A computer engineer. D. A teacher.
4.What is the writer’s attitude towards the use of English in Germany?
A. There should be a law to protect the dominance of German.
B. It is foolish for Germans to worry about their native language.
C. Germans should be encouraged to speak more English.
D. Proper use of English can make conversations more colorful.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Webster ________ his American Dictionary of the English Language, which first appeared in 1828.
A. is best known for B. is most known for
C. is best known as D. is most known as
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
I am an American living in France for twenty years. I used to complain about how the French were ______ for friendship. I had a(n)______ time making a living here.
When I came I felt a need to meet people,______ I went to the cinema night for women’s day. I was excited about the way to connect to French women through the ______ we would have after the film, perhaps to make friends and get more chance of ______.
Outside the cinema was a woman with long gray hair who had a slightly ______ smell and was asking for money. I ______ my wallet to give her a Euro and then something made me stop and enter into ______ with her. I said, “Look, people are seeing a film that could ______ your life. I’d rather buy you a ticket than give you money.”
So she came in,______ behind me because she said people ______ the theater didn't like her. She sat next to me in the cinema. Then I noticed some women were looking at me, with expressions of ______.
I encouraged the women to come the following night to an event. I ______ her to an agency that helped women in her ______. Then, a woman came towards me and said, “Did you buy a ticket for the woman?” When I said yes, she said, “Please come to the community center to ______ other employees there.”
This was the ______ of a deep friendship and colleague relationship. The woman I took to the cinema that night wasn’t ______. Actually, she was a secretary and spoke English.
For me, though, she was ______ my angel. I made a great friend ______ reaching out to her, also got a great job, and ______ myself of many previous negative judgments about the French.
1.A. suitable B. unavailable C. comfortable D. accessible
2.A. easy B. simple C. good D. hard
3.A. still B. so C. though D. but
4.A. argument B. puzzle C. discussion D. revision
5.A. work B. income C. friendship D. communications
6.A. strong B. delicious C. sweet D. strange
7.A. picked up B. put away C. handed out D. reached for
8.A. conversation B. research C. assistance D. collision
9.A. defend B. lead C. transform D. challenge
10.A. watching B. stepping C. hiding D. failing
11.A. coining B. running C. noticing D. building
12.A. excitement B. disappointment C. pride D. surprise
13.A. directed B. invited C. explained D. suggested
14.A. name B. place C. situation D. honor
15.A. introduce B. hire C. train D. meet
16.A. result B. end C. beginning D. case
17.A. homeless B. alone C. wealthy D. lonely
18.A. rather than B. more than C. other than D. less than
19.A. beyond B. except C. through D. from
20.A. warned B. reminded C. accused D. rid
高二英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Almost everyone has heard the expression, “the calm before the storm”. It is usually used to describe a peaceful period just before a very stressful situation or a tense argument. British sailors coined the phrase in the late 1600s; they noted that before certain storms the seas would seem to become static and the winds would drop.
But why is it often so calm before a storm?
Science has given us the answer. According to US infotainment (资讯娱乐) website HowStuffWorks, a calm period occurs because many storms, such as tornadoes and hurricanes, draw in all the warm and humid air from the surrounding area. As this air rises into the storm clouds, it cools and acts as “fuel for the storm, like petrol in a car”. Once the storm has taken all the energy it can from the air, it is pushed out from the top of the storm clouds and falls back down to ground level. As the air descends, it becomes warm and dry. Warm, dry air is stable, so once it covers an area, it causes a calm period before the storm. This same process also causes the “eye of the storm” in hurricanes and tornadoes. In these conditions, the calm occurs in the center of the storm because of the strong rotating (旋转的) winds.
The Weather Network has a tip for working out how far away a storm is. First, count how many seconds there are between a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder. Roughly three seconds equal one kilometer. So, for example, if you count nine seconds, the storm is about 3 kilometers away. A good gauge (评估) is that if your count is below 30 seconds, you should seek shelter straight away.
However, due to the complexity of storm system, not all storms are preceded(先于) by calm. Given the right conditions, some storms announce themselves with heavy rain and chilling winds.
So, your best bet is to keep yourself updated with weather reports for any predictions regarding a coming storm in your area. That’s the most reliable and sensible way to predict the next display of nature’s temper.
1.The underlined word “static” in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ______.
A.violent B.quiet
C.fast-changing D.warm
2.If there are 15 seconds between a flash of lightning and a thunder clap, how far away is the storm?
A.Three kilometers. B.Four kilometers.
C.Five kilometers. D.Six kilometers.
3.What can we learn from the last two paragraphs?
A.It is not always quiet before a storm.
B.Storms have a big influence on life.
C.Heavy storms don’t usually last for a long time.
D.Weather reports may fail to predict a storm.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析