We Chinese are not big huggers. A handshake or a pat on the shoulder is enough to convey our friendship or affection to one another. So when our newly-acquainted Western friends reach out in preparation for a hug, some of us feel awkward.
Many questions go through our head. Where should I put my arms? Under their armpits (胳肢窝) or around their neck? What distance should I maintain? Should our chests touch?
It’s even more difficult with friends from some European countries. Should I kiss them on the cheek while hugging? Which side? Or is it both cheeks? Which side should I start on?
But it isn’t just people from cultures that emphasize a reservedness in expressing physical intimacy(亲密) who find hugging confusing. Hugs can cause discomfort or even distress in people who value their personal space.
In a recent article for The Wall Street Journal, US psychologist Peggy Drexler said that although the US remains a “medium touch” culture — “more physically demonstrative(公开表露感情的) than Japan, where a bow is the all-purpose hello and goodbye, but less demonstrative than Latin or Eastern European cultures, where hugs are strong and can include a kiss on both cheeks”, Americans do seem to be hugging more.
From politicians to celebrities, hugs are given willy-nilly (不管愿意不愿意的)to friends, strangers and enemies alike; and the public has been quick to pick up the practice. US First Lady Michelle Obama has put her arms around icy foreign leaders like Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the Queen of England, on the latter occasion actually breaking the rule of royal manners.
But not all are grateful to be hugged, even by the most influential and famous. To them, any hug is offensive if it’s not sincere.
Amanda Hess, writing for US magazine Slate, says public figures should stop imposing hugs on everyone they meet. For them, a hug is rarely a gesture of sincere fellowship, compassion or affection. It’s all part of a show. Hugs are falsely close power plays used by public figures to establish their social dominance (统治力)over those in their grasp.
Cecilia Walden, a British journalist writing for The Telegraph who lives in New York, holds the same opinion. “Power-hugging”, as she calls it, is “an offender dressed up as kindness”. It has become a fashion in the US where “bosses are already embracing their staff (either shortly before or after firing them), men and women ,their friends or enemies, in a thousand cheating displays of unity”.
1.From the first four paragraphs, we can see that ___________.
A. we Chinese people don’t know how to hug
B. people from European countries often get puzzled about hugging
C. people in Western countries seldom use hugs to express their physical closeness
D. hugs can bring pressure to people when used improperly
2.The example of US first lady Michelle Obama is given to show that __________.
A. Americans hold a “medium touch” culture
B. public figures know hugging functions well in public
C. she is much liked by American people
D. hugs are forbidden in England
3.“Power-hugging” in the last paragraph actually means that _________.
A. hugs are only used sincerely by some people with power
B. hugging is powerful to bosses in US
C. public figures sometimes use hugging just for a show of power
D. public figures can hug anyone in their grasp freely
4.What can be the best title of this passage?
A. Hugs, vital or not?
B. Hugs, tricky affair?
C. Hugs and public figures
D. Hugs and power
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
We Chinese are not big huggers. A handshake or a pat on the shoulder is enough to convey our friendship or affection to one another. So when our newly-acquainted Western friends reach out in preparation for a hug, some of us feel awkward.
Many questions go through our head. Where should I put my arms? Under their armpits (胳肢窝) or around their neck? What distance should I maintain? Should our chests touch?
It’s even more difficult with friends from some European countries. Should I kiss them on the cheek while hugging? Which side? Or is it both cheeks? Which side should I start on?
But it isn’t just people from cultures that emphasize a reservedness in expressing physical intimacy(亲密) who find hugging confusing. Hugs can cause discomfort or even distress in people who value their personal space.
In a recent article for The Wall Street Journal, US psychologist Peggy Drexler said that although the US remains a “medium touch” culture — “more physically demonstrative(公开表露感情的) than Japan, where a bow is the all-purpose hello and goodbye, but less demonstrative than Latin or Eastern European cultures, where hugs are strong and can include a kiss on both cheeks”, Americans do seem to be hugging more.
From politicians to celebrities, hugs are given willy-nilly (不管愿意不愿意的)to friends, strangers and enemies alike; and the public has been quick to pick up the practice. US First Lady Michelle Obama has put her arms around icy foreign leaders like Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the Queen of England, on the latter occasion actually breaking the rule of royal manners.
But not all are grateful to be hugged, even by the most influential and famous. To them, any hug is offensive if it’s not sincere.
Amanda Hess, writing for US magazine Slate, says public figures should stop imposing hugs on everyone they meet. For them, a hug is rarely a gesture of sincere fellowship, compassion or affection. It’s all part of a show. Hugs are falsely close power plays used by public figures to establish their social dominance (统治力)over those in their grasp.
Cecilia Walden, a British journalist writing for The Telegraph who lives in New York, holds the same opinion. “Power-hugging”, as she calls it, is “an offender dressed up as kindness”. It has become a fashion in the US where “bosses are already embracing their staff (either shortly before or after firing them), men and women ,their friends or enemies, in a thousand cheating displays of unity”.
1.From the first four paragraphs, we can see that ___________.
A. we Chinese people don’t know how to hug
B. people from European countries often get puzzled about hugging
C. people in Western countries seldom use hugs to express their physical closeness
D. hugs can bring pressure to people when used improperly
2.The example of US first lady Michelle Obama is given to show that __________.
A. Americans hold a “medium touch” culture
B. public figures know hugging functions well in public
C. she is much liked by American people
D. hugs are forbidden in England
3.“Power-hugging” in the last paragraph actually means that _________.
A. hugs are only used sincerely by some people with power
B. hugging is powerful to bosses in US
C. public figures sometimes use hugging just for a show of power
D. public figures can hug anyone in their grasp freely
4.What can be the best title of this passage?
A. Hugs, vital or not?
B. Hugs, tricky affair?
C. Hugs and public figures
D. Hugs and power
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Not too long ago, our teacher, being a “tree-hugger”(as the kids call her), had us write an essay on an environmental issue. I was eager to start, but something made me stop.
“What is an environmental issue?” one kid asked. “What if we don’t care about the environment?” another complained. “It’s not like it affects me.”
These comments astounded me. I have always cared about the environment and assumed that others did too. From the surprised look on my teacher’s face, I could tell she felt the same way.
In no time, I finished my essay. In my essay I wrote about logging(伐木), which is an important industry, but if we continue to cut down trees without replacing, it will damage the environment.
There are so many things that we can do to save our world. Recycling, of course, is always a good thing, but not everyone has a recycling plant nearby (I don’t). There are other ways to help the environment. Plant a tree. Don’t waste water.
I can’t stand it when a person’s excuse for not caring is “Nothing is going to happen in my lifetime, so why should I care?” Sure, the chances of something terrible happening are slim, but I want people to realize that if we don’t deal with it, someone will have to eventually. Do you want that to be your children? Or your children’s children?
When my teacher told me to read my essay to my class, I was a little embarrassed because I didn’t want everyone to call me “tree-hugger”. I realize now that if being a tree-hugger means you care about the environment, I’m a tree-hugger 100 percent. I just wish more people were.
1.Why do the students call their teacher “tree-hugger”?
A. She likes hugging trees.
B. She knows a lot about trees.
C. She grew up in the countryside.
D. She cares a lot about the environment.
2.At the beginning, the author stopped writing _____ .
A. to ask some questions
B. because of other kids’ comments
C. to listen to the teacher’s instructions
D. because he had no idea about the topic
3.The underlined word “astounded” in Paragraph 3 can be replaced by “_____” .
A. helped B. changed C. shocked D. interested
4.Paragraph 5 is mainly about _____ .
A. what we can recycle
B. how we can save the earth
C. why we should protect the earth
D. what damage we are doing to the earth
5.We can infer from the passage that _____ .
A. the students don’t like the teacher
B. the teacher liked the author’s essay
C. the author is ashamed of being a tree-hugger
D. the author should have written a better essay
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Not too long ago, our teacher, being a “tree-hugger”(as the kids call her), had us write an essay on an environmental issue. I was eager to start, but something made me stop.
“What is an environmental issue?” one kid asked. “What if we don’t care about the environment?” another complained. “It’s not like it affects me.”
These comments astounded me. I have always cared about the environment and assumed that others did too. From the surprised look on my teacher’s face, I could tell she felt the same way.
In no time, I finished my essay. In my essay I wrote about logging(伐木), which is an important industry, but if we continue to cut down trees without replacing, it will damage the environment.
There are so many things that we can do to save our world. Recycling, of course, is always a good thing, but not everyone has a recycling plant nearby (I don’t). There are other ways to help the environment. Plant a tree. Don’t waste water.
I can’t stand it when a person’s excuse for not caring is “Nothing is going to happen in my lifetime, so why should I care?” Sure, the chances of something terrible happening are slim, but I want people to realize that if we don’t deal with it, someone will have to eventually. Do you want that to be your children? Or your children’s children?
When my teacher told me to read my essay to my class, I was a little embarrassed because I didn’t want everyone to call me “tree-hugger”. I realize now that if being a tree-hugger means you care about the environment, I’m a tree-hugger 100 percent. I just wish more people were.
1.Why do the students call their teacher “tree-hugger”?
A. She likes hugging trees.
B. She knows a lot about trees.
C. She grew up in the countryside.
D. She cares a lot about the environment.
2.At the beginning, the author stopped writing _____ .
A. to ask some questions
B. because of other kids’ comments
C. to listen to the teacher’s instructions
D. because he had no idea about the topic
3.The underlined word “astounded” in Paragraph 3 can be replaced by “_____” .
A. helped B. changed
C. shocked D. interested
4.Paragraph 5 is mainly about _____ .
A. what we can recycle
B. how we can save the earth
C. why we should protect the earth
D. what damage we are doing to the earth
5.We can infer from the passage that _____ .
A. the students don’t like the teacher
B. the teacher liked the author’s essay
C. the author is ashamed of being a tree-hugger
D. the author should have written a better essay
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
We are humans, and we all make mistakes. The mistakes that we make are not usually on purpose, whether it is breaking a vase, or not completing a task. 1. This article will provide you with ideas as to what to do once a mistake has been made.
Admit that you make a mistake as soon as you discover it. Delaying it longer will only make you feel worse, or may drive you toward making the wrong decision to try and cover it up.
2. Do not play the “blame game”. Most people are smart enough to realize that this is just a poor attempt to protect yourself. Perhaps you gave a task to another person and it was never completed. But is it really the entire fault of the person you gave the task to or is it partially your fault for not following up? Keep this in mind before placing the blame on someone else.
3. Maybe you broke your mother’s favorite vase, or even forgot a friend's birthday. Just an apology can sometimes be viewed as a “quick fix”, and apologizing and asking to be forgiven gives the person opportunity to forgive you.
Offer some compensation(补偿) for loss, damage, or injury caused. 4. By doing this, it may soften the blow to the person we've disappointed.
Learn from your mistakes. In the case of a job or a task, write a "to-do" list with the deadline before leaving the meeting. As for forgetting a birthday, put the birthday on an electronic calendar for next year.
Do better next time. 5. We should try to understand what happened and try to make sure that it won’t happen again.
A. Take responsibility.
B. Never repeat your mistakes.
C. Apologize and ask for forgiveness.
D. People’s faith in us can reduce quickly.
E. So sometimes it is necessary to write a letter to say sorry.
F. But not everyone knows how to admit making a mistake.
G. Offer to immediately complete the late task or pay for the vase.
高二英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析
— Shall we stay at home or go fishing?
— ______.
A. That’s not the point. B. So what?
C. Oh, come on! D. It’s up to you.
高二英语单词拼写中等难度题查看答案及解析
They say there are three ways to experience the Grand Canyon; on foot, on mules(骡子) or by air. We chose the first. Up early, my husband and I and our three children couldn't wait to get started. We decided to walk along a lovely path named Bright Angel Trail.
As we set out, I was shocked at how narrow the path was. And I couldn't help noticing that the other tourists weren't like us. They had heavy backpacks, water bottles, and hats. But as usual we were dressed. As the sun rose higher, Arizona's famous heat seemed to roast us. There was no shade and our legs were aching. We decided to go back, with the girl on my back and the boys far behind. By the time we finally got back, our legs were like jelly.
The next day, after we'd had a long rest and a good breakfast, we were ready for another view of the Canyon—by air. After our last walk, this would be the easiest thing in the world.
We called to each other excitedly as the plane took off and circled around the Canyon. But the smiles on our faces disappeared as the pilot tossed(翻转) the plane around, pretending he was going to hit the ground. I shouted, "STOP, TAKE US BACK!" When we finally arrived back on land, once again our legs were like jelly. We hardly spoke as we drove back.
As I said, there are three ways to view the Grand Canyon. We never tried the mules, but personally I'd suggest a fourth: buy yourself a good magazine like National Geographic. That way, you can see the Canyon, without fear or tiredness.
1.Which of the following is true according to the second paragraph?
A.They made a careful preparation before the trip.
B.The children were more joyful than their parents.
C.Bright Angel Trail was not as lovely as they expected.
D.The summer heat prevented them from enjoying the view.
2.The underlined expression "Our legs were like jelly" probably means ______.
A.we were weak B.we were unhappy
C.we were dissatisfied D.we were disappointed
3.Which of the following best describes their Canyon trip by air?
A.It proved to be frightening. B.It was more comfortable.
C.It turned out to be exciting. D.It made each of them tired.
4.We can infer from the passage that ____.
A.experiencing the Canyon on mules would be the best way
B.one needs to dress less when visiting the Grand Canyon
C.the writer was not serious when she made the suggestion
D.the whole family narrowly escaped from the air accident
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
You have the ability to decide if you are happy or not. Happiness is a choice.
You can't depend on someone else to make you happy. That is a lesson I learned early on in my marriage. I realized that I couldn't rely on my husband as my source of happiness. I learned that my happiness depended on me and not my husband's actions. I learned that you have to choose to be happy.
You can choose your emotions. True happiness comes from within; it can't be forced by outside forces. So how do you choose happiness? The same way you choose to smile or choose to wear a certain outfit. You choose it because that's what you want to experience in your life.
You want to buy a new pair of shoes so you choose a pair that you like and feel good. You wouldn't buy a pair of shoes that you don't like or that don't fit well, right? So why do we keep choosing emotions and feelings that don't make us feel good?
Choosing to be happy after you realize your anger has shown up (or even choosing to be calm) can be beneficial. We choose our feelings; no one can do that for us. If we let others get to us, influence our emotions ---we are giving them power over us. When others cause us anger or pain, we are giving them our power.
We need to keep our feelings in check and not react automatically to what is thrown at us. We need to think our actions out instead of just reacting to what someone says or does.
Remember that we can always choose happiness. At first it will be difficult to just switch your thoughts and feelings from anger, self-doubt, or fear to joy and happiness. But it is only a thought away. Don't dwell on what happens to you unnecessarily but realize what is causing you to feel that way. Realize that thoughts, feelings and emotions can change. Then move on and choose to be happy.
1.What’s the best title of this passage?
A. Choose to Be Happy B. Pretend to Be Happ
C. Choose Your Emotions D. Find Happiness
2.The lesson the writer learned in her marriage is ________.
A. balancing the relationship between the husband and wife is an art
B. one can’t rely on someone else to make himself or herself happy
C. she can depend on her husband to find happiness
D. happiness can be influenced by outside forces
3.Why did the writer mention buying shoes?
A. To offer advice on how to choose comfortable shoes.
B. To compare choosing shoes and choosing an outfit.
C. To help to move to the next paragraph easily.
D. To use it as an example to show the importance of choosing to be happy.
4.The writer suggests that we should ________.
A. hold back our feelings properly
B. let others control our feelings
C. respond immediately to others’ words
D. pay more attention to words than actions
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
You have the ability to decide if you are happy or not. Happiness is a choice.
You can't depend on someone else to make you happy. That is a lesson I learned early on in my marriage. I realized that I couldn't rely on my husband as my source of happiness. I learned that my happiness depended on me and not my husband's actions. I learned that you have to choose to be happy.
You can choose your emotions. True happiness comes from within; it can't be forced by outside forces. So how do you choose happiness? The same way you choose to smile or choose to wear a certain outfit. You choose it because that's what you want to experience in your life.
You want to buy a new pair of shoes so you choose a pair that you like and feel good. You wouldn't buy a pair of shoes that you don't like or that don't fit well, right? So why do we keep choosing emotions and feelings that don't make us feel good?
Choosing to be happy after you realize your anger has shown up (or even choosing to be calm) can be beneficial. We choose our feelings; no one can do that for us. If we let others get to us, influence our emotions - we are giving them power over us. When others cause us anger or pain, we are giving them our power.
We need to keep our feelings in check and not react automatically to what is thrown at us. We need to think our actions out instead of just reacting to what someone says or does.
Remember that we can always choose happiness. At first it will be difficult to just switch your thoughts and feelings from anger, self-doubt, or fear to joy and happiness. But it is only a thought away. Don't dwell on what happens to you unnecessarily but realize what is causing you to feel that way. Realize that thoughts, feelings and emotions can change. Then move on and choose to be happy.
1.What’s the best title of this passage?
A.Choose to Be Happy B.Choose Your Emotions
C.Pretend to Be Happy D.Find Happiness
2.The lesson the writer learned in her marriage is ________.
A.she can depend on her husband to find happiness
B.balancing the relationship between the husband and wife is an art
C.one can’t rely on someone else to make himself or herself happy
D.happiness can be influenced by outside forces
3.Why did the writer mention buying shoes?
A.To use it as an example to show the importance of choosing to be happy.
B.To offer advice on how to choose comfortable shoes.
C.To compare choosing shoes and choosing an outfit.
D.To help to move to the next paragraph easily.
4.The writer suggests that we should ________.
A.let others control our feelings
B.respond immediately to others’ words
C.pay more attention to words than actions
D.hold back our feelings properly
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Everyone has a dream. We are on the way to achieve it whether the way is smooth or toughly. As senior 3 student, I have the same dream as my classmates that I can be admitted to an ideal university. In the past three years, I have done everything I can to equip myself with that I have learnt from my teachers. Not only have I enjoyed the pleasure of study but also I have got closer to my dream. Anxious and pressure did discourage from me at times. Besides, with the encouragement of my teachers and classmates, I think I’ll make it. I’m sure that there has still a long way to go to achieve my dream. No matter how challenged it is, I’ll make it come true. As the proverb said, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
高二英语短文改错中等难度题查看答案及解析
We’ve all been there: in a lift, in line at the bank or on an airplane, surrounded by people who are, like us, deeply focused on their smartphones or, worse, struggling with the uncomfortable silence.
What’s the problem? It’s possible that we all have compromised conversational intelligence. It’s more likely that none of us start a conversation because it’s awkward and challenging, or we think it’s annoying and unnecessary. But the next time you find yourself among strangers, consider that small talk is worth the trouble. Experts say it’s an invaluable social practice that results in big benefits.
Dismissing small talk as unimportant is easy, but we can’t forget that deep relationships wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for casual conversation. Small talk is the grease(润滑剂) for social communication, says Bernardo Carducci, director of the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University Southeast. “Almost every great love story and each big business deal begins with small talk,”he explains. “The key to successful small talk is learning how to connect with others, not just communicate with them.”
In a 2014 study, Elizabeth Dunn, associate professor of psychology at UBC, invited people on their way into a coffee shop. One group was asked to seek out an interaction(互动) with its waiter; the other, to speak only when necessary. The results showed that those who chatted with their server reported significantly higher positive feelings and a better coffee shop experience. “It’s not that talking to the waiter is better than talking to your husband,” says Dunn. “But interactions with peripheral(边缘的) members of our social network matter for our well-being also.”
Dunn believes that people who reach out to strangers feel a significantly greater sense of belonging, a bond with others. Carducci believes developing such a sense of belonging starts with small talk. “Small talk is the basis of good manners,”he says.
1.What phenomenon is described in the first paragraph?
A. Addiction to smartphones.
B. Impatience with slow service.
C. Inappropriate behaviours in public places.
D. Absence of communication between strangers.
2.What is important for successful small talk according to Carducci?
A. Showing good manners. B. Focusing on a topic.
C. Relating to other people. D. Making business deals.
3.What does the coffee-shop study suggest about small talk?
A. It improves family relationships. B. It makes people feel good.
C. It matters as much as a formal talk. D. It raises people’s confidence.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A. Benefits of Small Talk B. Ways of Making Small Talk
C. Conversation Counts D. Uncomfortable Silence
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析