Every fall, like clockwork, Linda Krentz of Beaverton, Oregon, felt her brain go on strike. “I just couldn’t get going in the morning,” she says. “I’d get depressed and gain 10 pounds every winter and lose them again in the spring.” Then she read about seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression that occurs in fall and winter, and she saw the light-literally. Every morning now she turns on a specially constructed light box for half an hour and sits in front of it to trick her brain into thinking it’s still enjoying those long summer days. It seems to work.
Krentz is not alone. Scientists estimate that 10 million Americans suffer from seasonal depression and 25 million more develop milder versions. But there’s never been definitive proof that treatment with very bright lights makes a difference. After all, it’s hard to do a double-blind test when the subjects can see for themselves whether or not the light is on. That’s why nobody has ever separated the real effects of light therapy from placebo(安慰剂) effects.
Until now. In three separate studies published last month, researchers report not only that light therapy works better than a placebo but that treatment is usually more effective in the early morning than in the evening. In two of the groups, the placebo problem was resolved by telling patients they were comparing light boxes to a new anti-depressant device that emits negatively charged ions. The third used the timing of light therapy as the control.
Why does light therapy work? No one really knows. “Our research suggests it has something to do with shifting the body’s internal clock,” says psychiatrist Dr. Lewey. The body is programmed to start the day with sunrise, he explains, and this gets later as the days get shorter. But why such subtle shifts make some people depressed and not others is a mystery.
That hasn’t stopped thousands of winter depressives from trying to heal themselves. Light boxes for that purpose are available without a doctor’s prescription. That bothers psychologist Michael Terman of Columbia University. He is worried that the boxes may be tried by patients who suffer from mental illness that can’t be treated with light. Terman has developed a questionnaire to help determine whether expert care is needed.
In any event, you should choose a respectable manufacturer. Whatever product you use should emit only visible light, because ultraviolet light damages the eyes. If you are photosensitive, you may develop a rash. Otherwise, the main drawback is having to sit in front of the light for 30 to 60 minutes in the morning. That’s an inconvenience many winter depressives can live with.
1.What is the probable cause of Krentz’s problem?
A. An unexpected gain in body weight.
B. Unexplained impairment of her nervous system.
C. Weakening of her eyesight with the setting in of winter.
D. Poor adjustment of her body clock to seasonal changes.
2.By saying that Linda Krentz saw the light” (Line 4, Para. 1), the author means that she _______.
A. learned how to lose weight
B. realized what her problem was
C. came to see the importance of light
D. felt sleepy and blue
3.What is the CURRENT view concerning the treatment of seasonal depression with bright lights?
A. Its effect remains to be seen.
B. It serves as a kind of placebo.
C. It proves to be an effective therapy.
D. It hardly produces any effects.
4.What is psychologist Michael Terman’s major concern?
A. Winter depressives will be addicted to using light boxes.
B. No mental patients would bother to consult psychiatrists.
C. Inferior light boxes will emit harmful ultraviolet lights.
D. Light therapy could be beyond the tolerance of certain mental patients.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
Every fall, like clockwork, Linda Krentz of Beaverton, Oregon, felt her brain go on strike. “I just couldn’t get going in the morning,” she says. “I’d get depressed and gain 10 pounds every winter and lose them again in the spring.” Then she read about seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression that occurs in fall and winter, and she saw the light-literally. Every morning now she turns on a specially constructed light box for half an hour and sits in front of it to trick her brain into thinking it’s still enjoying those long summer days. It seems to work.
Krentz is not alone. Scientists estimate that 10 million Americans suffer from seasonal depression and 25 million more develop milder versions. But there’s never been definitive proof that treatment with very bright lights makes a difference. After all, it’s hard to do a double-blind test when the subjects can see for themselves whether or not the light is on. That’s why nobody has ever separated the real effects of light therapy from placebo(安慰剂) effects.
Until now. In three separate studies published last month, researchers report not only that light therapy works better than a placebo but that treatment is usually more effective in the early morning than in the evening. In two of the groups, the placebo problem was resolved by telling patients they were comparing light boxes to a new anti-depressant device that emits negatively charged ions. The third used the timing of light therapy as the control.
Why does light therapy work? No one really knows. “Our research suggests it has something to do with shifting the body’s internal clock,” says psychiatrist Dr. Lewey. The body is programmed to start the day with sunrise, he explains, and this gets later as the days get shorter. But why such subtle shifts make some people depressed and not others is a mystery.
That hasn’t stopped thousands of winter depressives from trying to heal themselves. Light boxes for that purpose are available without a doctor’s prescription. That bothers psychologist Michael Terman of Columbia University. He is worried that the boxes may be tried by patients who suffer from mental illness that can’t be treated with light. Terman has developed a questionnaire to help determine whether expert care is needed.
In any event, you should choose a respectable manufacturer. Whatever product you use should emit only visible light, because ultraviolet light damages the eyes. If you are photosensitive, you may develop a rash. Otherwise, the main drawback is having to sit in front of the light for 30 to 60 minutes in the morning. That’s an inconvenience many winter depressives can live with.
1.What is the probable cause of Krentz’s problem?
A. An unexpected gain in body weight.
B. Unexplained impairment of her nervous system.
C. Weakening of her eyesight with the setting in of winter.
D. Poor adjustment of her body clock to seasonal changes.
2.By saying that Linda Krentz saw the light” (Line 4, Para. 1), the author means that she _______.
A. learned how to lose weight
B. realized what her problem was
C. came to see the importance of light
D. felt sleepy and blue
3.What is the CURRENT view concerning the treatment of seasonal depression with bright lights?
A. Its effect remains to be seen.
B. It serves as a kind of placebo.
C. It proves to be an effective therapy.
D. It hardly produces any effects.
4.What is psychologist Michael Terman’s major concern?
A. Winter depressives will be addicted to using light boxes.
B. No mental patients would bother to consult psychiatrists.
C. Inferior light boxes will emit harmful ultraviolet lights.
D. Light therapy could be beyond the tolerance of certain mental patients.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Like clockwork, nearly every fourth February includes one extra day. February 29th, otherwise known as Leap Day, isn’t exactly a holiday. Instead, it’s there to keep your calendar consistent with the earth’s rotation (旋转) around the sun.
According to History, com, Roman emperor Julius Caesar is the “father” of Leap Year. Until he came along, people used a 355-day calendar, which was 10.25 days shorter than the solar year. Roman officials were supposed add an extra month every now and then to keep the seasons exactly where they should be. But that didn’t work out all that well. When special occasions started shifting into different seasons around 45 BCE, Caesar consulted with astronomers and decreed (下令) that the empire should use a 12-month, 365-day calendar, which he named after himself, Caesar’s Julian calendar included a Leap Day every four years.
Though Leap Day keeps your calendar in line with the earth’s rotation around the sun, it causes a different kind of problem for leapsters. When should these February 29th babies celebrate their birthdays during the other three-quarters of their lives? Some party on February 28th, while others prefer a two-day celebration that spans the last day of February and the first day of March.
Leap Day can be a nuisance in the legal system. In 2006, a court in Massachusetts was deciding whether criminal John Melo could be released a day early since his 10-year sentence included a Leap Day. In the case, the judge decided that since the man was sentenced to prison for years, not days. Leap Day didn’t make a bit of difference.
Though a few timekeepers have pushed for calendars that don’t include Leap Day, almost all astronomers and societies agree that Leap Day is the best method to keep the calendar on track.
1.Why was Leap Day created?
A.To celebrate special occasions. B.To honor Emperor Julius Caesar.
C.To keep pace with the solar year. D.To keep track of all the seasons.
2.What is the problem with the birthday celebration of February 29th babies?
A.It is sometimes delayed. B.It lasts at least two days.
C.It has to be held every other year. D.It may take place on different dates.
3.What does the underlined word “nuisance” in Paragraph 4 mean?
A.Joke. B.Topic.
C.Trouble. D.Mistake.
4.what is the attitude of most astronomers towards Leap Day?
A.Critical. B.Supportive.
C.Doubtful. D.Cautious.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
There he was, turning the corner of Hawley and Main Street like clockwork. His red hair seemed to catch the sunlight, giving his head a soft candle-flame glow. He caught my eye, and up went his arm in his usual wave. As usual, I _______back and gave him a warm smile. I didn’t know his name, but he was very _______to everybody. No matter the weather, I saw him walking out there almost every day.
Having moved from a larger city, I wasn’t used to waves from _______. Actually, wherever we were, people hardly_______each other. We simply passed by each other, heads down, minding our own_______.
Perhaps that’s why I enjoyed these daily waves. It felt great to be _______and receive that message of “Hello!”. On days when we didn’t _______ to pass each other, I missed him and wondered if he was all right. The next day, I’d find myself driving with one eye on the _______. It was a happy reunion when I spotted him, and I’d wave first in my _________.
One night I was walking in the street, my thoughts traveled to “The Waver”, wondering if I could be________enough to wave at people I didn’t know. Just at the point.
I heard a car ________. I made eye contact with the person in the car, smiled and waved at her. The woman’s face____________, and she waved back. I was a little surprised. I reminded myself, “It’s okay. It’s actually kind of ________!” I waved to everyone I saw the rest of the way home.
Everyone at some point in their lives wonders if they’ve made any ________on the world. I can tell you that you don’t have to change the world ________. It’s enough to help sweeten it a little, even simply by a heart-warming wave.
1.A.waved B.took C.saluted D.glanced
2.A.cautious B.reliable C.friendly D.thankful
3.A.strangers B.relatives C.colleagues D.employers
4.A.informed B.encouraged C.encountered D.acknowledged
5.A.behaviors B.business C.appearance D.manners
6.A.worried B.noticed C.relieved D.checked
7.A.agree B.attempt C.promise D.happen
8.A.pedestrians B.buildings C.street D.children
9.A.mildness B.kindness C.eagerness D.brightness
10.A.brave B.mature C.lucky D.crazy
11.A.attacking B.escaping C.following D.approaching
12.A.lengthened B.softened C.worsened D.tightened
13.A.cool B.tough C.fresh D.curious
14.A.comment B.impact C.decision D.sense
15.A.accurately B.slightly C.thoroughly D.generally
高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Cool temperatures, golden colors of autumn and dramatic events are just three reasons to visit Oregon’s Washington County this fall. The season brings a large number of places to see and things to do. We’ve collected some of the best reasons why you should plan a trip here in the coming months.
It’s a Harvest Season
Autumn marks the height of the agricultural season, which not only means a variety of autumn fruits and vegetables at the farmers’ markets, but also means that the season is heating up with fun, family farm events. Three apple festivals this fall will celebrate the diversity and deliciousness of Oregon-grown apples.
The Colors Are Changing
On a cool, autumn day, the rural, agricultural and forested scenery of Oregon’s Washington County comes alive with bright red, orange and yellow leaves --- a stark contrast to the deep, dark green of the trees that share these landscapes.
Bird Migration Season Is in High Season
September and October are busy months for bird watchers. Migratory and native birds call Washington County “home”, whether it’s for the winter or they’re just visiting on their southern voyage.
Wine Harvest Season Brings Signature Tasting Events
Celebrate the splendor of Oregon wine at two of the region’s biggest wine events, which happen annually in the fall. The North Willamette Harvest Trail and Grand Tasting is a full-day guided bus tour to three wineries featuring hands-on experiences, vineyard exploration, a wine country lunch, and wine tastings.
Experience Tree-to-Tree Adventures at Sunset
Enjoy the crisp temperatures and rich colors of the season at Tree to Tree Adventure Park, an aerial ropes course with six challenging courses and zip-line park, all rolled into one. These are the final months to enjoy this fun and exciting attraction until it closes for the season in November.
Plan your own Oregon’s Washington County autumn getaway. Read this great digital visitor guide for ideas and inspiration.
1.When you go to the farmers’ markets ______.
A.you can get kinds of apples for free
B.you can make friends with farmers
C.you can join in the celebrations
D.you can feel satisfied with fun
2.The bird watchers go to Washington County ______.
A.because they are attracted by colorful leaves
B.because the native birds leave their home
C.because they can see different kinds of birds
D.because the birds start their southern voyage
3.It can be inferred from the fifth paragraph that ______.
A.the wine event is to be held in the coming winter
B.farmers are good at growing grape in Oregon
C.the three wineries are most famous in America
D.few tourists like tasting the wine in wineries
4.If you love the aerial ropes course ______.
A.you must face six competitions in Oregon
B.you should have experience in rolling
C.you must take ropes course in advance
D.you can visit Oregon in the fall season
5.Which is the best title for the passage?
A.Reasons to Visit Oregon’s Washington County
B.Washington County Welcomes its Best Season
C.Charm of the Colorful Season
D.Take Adventures in the Coming Autumn
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Niagara Fall is a great tourist _______ , drawing millions of visitors every year.
A. attention B. attraction C. appointment D. arrangement
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Niagara Fall is a great tourist________,drawing millions of visitors every year.
A.attention B.attraction C.appointment D.arrangement
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Alone in the wilderness. Nothing but jungle. A world of shadow with the rays of light falling like blonde hair from the crowns of the giant trees. Jungle in the midday sun. Everything motionless. Not a sound from sky or earth. Complete silence. Only some coconuts falling, at long intervals, very far away. The world reduced to the soft touch of cool grass along my naked back, and a sweet smell of rich soil and vegetation. Stretched out with closed eyes beside my heavy burden of fruit and firewood, I enjoyed the feeling of fresh blood streaming through every part of my body and fresh jungle air filling every corner of my lungs.
Resting motionless, I could see the sun through my closed eyelids, alone in the sky, as lonely as I, and as motionless and silent as everything else. The earth had surely stopped turning and somewhere on this planet there was supposed to be roaring traffic in busy streets. What a crazy, unbelievable thought!
Another coconut fell, to make the world come to a complete standstill. I had to roll over onto my stomach to feel that at least I could move and make noises. Then I found company. A little brown ant was struggling to find its way with a bit of dry straw through the jungle of leaves and grass below my nose. I wondered if I could give the little fellow a lift with its burden, but it showed not the slightest sign of tiredness and struggled on with all six legs, head first or head last, waving its feelers energetically as if the trip had just started. Who ever saw a tired ant? Tiredness, disagreeable tiredness, is restricted to hunted animals, slaves and modern man. It is as great an effort for an office clerk to walk five blocks with a loaded brief-case as it is for a jungle-dweller to cross a valley with a goat on his back. It is as hard to get up and climb or run when you have been seated for years as it is to get up and walk when you have been in bed for months. The body is strange. Spare it, and you get really tired for almost nothing; use it, and almost nothing makes you really tired.
I rose to my feet. I had heard a horse neighing down in the valley. Above me, on the open highland plains, there were wild horses. But down in the valley there was never a horse unless there was a man on it. Somebody was making his way up the valley and my wife was alone.
71.The author mentions coconuts’ falling to .
A.show his loneliness B.add beauty to the jungle
C.express his love of nature D.stress the absolute silence
72. What’s the right order of the following events?
① I heard a horse neighing down in the valley.
② I went to the jungle.
③ I found an ant carrying a bit of dry straw.
④ I lay on the ground to have a break.
⑤ I picked fruits and chopped firewood.
A. ②③⑤①④ B. ⑤③②④① C. ②⑤④③① D. ⑤④③②①
73.How does the author feel about the ant?
A.He admired its attitude toward work.
B.He was amazed at its tireless efforts.
C.He showed sympathy for the little ant.
D.He was content to have it as a companion.
74.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that the author would probably .
A.work harder than before B.talk to the man on the horse
C.make his way home D.stay in the valley
75.We can learn from the passage that the author .
A.enjoyed being alone B.experienced a world of quietness
C.missed his busy life in the city D.had an unforgettable adventure
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Alone in the wilderness. Nothing but jungle. A world of shadow with the rays of light falling like blonde hair from the crowns of the giant trees. Jungle in the midday sun. Everything motionless. Not a sound from sky or earth. Complete silence. Only some coconuts falling, at long intervals, very far away. The world reduced to the soft touch of cool grass along my naked back, and a sweet smell of rich soil and vegetation. Stretched out with closed eyes beside my heavy burden of fruit and firewood, I enjoyed the feeling of fresh blood streaming through every part of my body and fresh jungle air filling every corner of my lungs.
Resting motionless, I could see the sun through my closed eyelids, alone in the sky, as lonely as I, and as motionless and silent as everything else. The earth had surely stopped turning and somewhere on this planet there was supposed to be roaring traffic in busy streets. What a crazy, unbelievable thought!
Another coconut fell, to make the world come to a complete standstill. I had to roll over onto my stomach to feel that at least I could move and make noises. Then I found company. A little brown ant was struggling to find its way with a bit of dry straw through the jungle of leaves and grass below my nose. I wondered if I could give the little fellow a lift with its burden, but it showed not the slightest sign of tiredness and struggled on with all six legs, head first or head last, waving its feelers energetically as if the trip had just started. Who ever saw a tired ant? Tiredness, disagreeable tiredness, is restricted to hunted animals, slaves and modern man. It is as great an effort for an office clerk to walk five blocks with a loaded brief-case as it is for a jungle-dweller to cross a valley with a goat on his back. It is as hard to get up and climb or run when you have been seated for years as it is to get up and walk when you have been in bed for months. The body is strange. Spare it, and you get really tired for almost nothing; use it, and almost nothing makes you really tired.
I rose to my feet. I had heard a horse neighing down in the valley. Above me, on the open highland plains, there were wild horses. But down in the valley there was never a horse unless there was a man on it. Somebody was making his way up the valley and my wife was alone.
1.The author mentions coconuts’ falling to ________.
A.show his loneliness B.add beauty to the jungle
C.express his love of nature D.stress the absolute silence
2.What’s the right order of the following events?
① I heard a horse neighing down in the valley.
② I went to the jungle.
③ I found an ant carrying a bit of dry straw.
④ I lay on the ground to have a break.
⑤ I picked fruits and chopped firewood.
A. ②③⑤①④ B. ⑤③②④① C. ②⑤④③① D. ⑤④③②①
3.How does the author feel about the ant?
A.He admired its attitude toward work.
B.He was amazed at its tireless efforts.
C.He showed sympathy for the little ant.
D.He was content to have it as a companion.
4.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that the author would probably ________.
A.work harder than before B.talk to the man on the horse
C.make his way home D.stay in the valley
5.We can learn from the passage that the author ________.
A.enjoyed being alone B.experienced a world of quietness
C.missed his busy life in the city D.had an unforgettable adventure
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Alone in the wilderness. Nothing but jungle. A world of shadow with the rays of light falling like blonde hair from the crowns of the giant trees. Jungle in the midday sun. Every- thing motionless. Not a sound from sky or earth. Complete silence. Only some coconuts falling, at long intervals, very far away. The world reduced to the soft touch of cool grass along my naked back, and a sweet smell of rich soil and vegetation. Stretched out with closed eyes beside my heavy burden of fruit and firewood, I enjoyed the feeling of fresh blood streaming through every part of my body and fresh jungle air filling every corner of my lungs.
Resting motionless, I could see the sun through my closed eyelids, alone in the sky, as lonely as I, and as motionless and silent as everything else. The earth had surely stopped turning and somewhere on this planet there was supposed to be roaring traffic in busy streets. What a crazy, unbelievable thought!
Another coconut fell, to make the world come to a complete standstill. I had to roll over onto my stomach to feel that at least I could move and make noises. Then I found company. A little brown ant was struggling to find its way with a bit of dry straw through the jungle of leaves and grass below my nose. I wondered if I could give the little fellow a lift with its burden, but it showed not the slightest sign of tiredness and struggled on with all six legs, head first or head last, waving its feelers energetically as if the trip had just started. Who ever saw a tired ant? Tiredness, disagreeable tiredness, is restricted to hunted animals, slaves and modern man. It is as great an effort for an office clerk to walk five blocks with a loaded briefcase as it is for a jungle-dweller to cross a valley with a goat on his back. It is as hard to get up and climb or run when you have been seated for years as it is to get up and walk when you have been in bed for months. The body is strange. Spare it, and you get really tired for almost nothing; use it, and almost nothing makes you really tired.
I rose to my feet. I had heard a horse neighing down in the valley. Above me, on the open highland plains, there were wild horses. But down in the valley there was never a horse unless there was a man on it. Somebody was making his way up the valley and my wife was alone.
1.The author mentions “coconuts falling” in the first paragraph to ________.
A. show his loneliness B. add beauty to the jungle
C. express his love of nature D. stress the absolute silence
2.How does the author feel about the ant?
A. He admired its attitude toward work.
B. He was shocked at its tireless efforts.
C. He showed sympathy for the little ant.
D. He was content to have it as a companion.
3.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that the author would probably _______.
A. work harder than before B. talk to the man on the horse
C. make his way home D. stay in the valley
4.We can learn from the passage that the author ________.
A. enjoyed being alone B. had an unforgettable adventure
C. missed his busy life in the city D. experienced a world of quietness
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Alone in the wilderness. Nothing but jungle. A world of shadow with the rays of light falling like blonde hair from the crowns of the giant trees. Jungle in the midday sun. Everything motionless. Not a sound from sky or earth. Complete silence. Only some coconuts falling, at long intervals, very far away. The world reduced to the soft touch of cool grass along my naked back, and a sweet smell of rich soil and vegetation. Stretched out with closed eyes beside my heavy burden of fruit and firewood, I enjoyed the feeling of fresh blood streaming through every part of my body and fresh jungle air filling every corner of my lungs.
Resting motionless, I could see the sun through my closed eyelids, alone in the sky, as lonely as I, and as motionless and silent as everything else. The earth had surely stopped turning and somewhere on this planet there was supposed to be roaring traffic in busy streets. What a crazy, unbelievable thought!
Another coconut fell, to make the world come to a complete standstill. I had to roll over onto my stomach to feel that at least I could move and make noises. Then I found company. A little brown ant was struggling to find its way with a bit of dry straw through the jungle of leaves and grass below my nose. I wondered if I could give the little fellow a lift with its burden, but it showed not the slightest sign of tiredness and struggled on with all six legs, head first or head last, waving its feelers energetically as if the trip had just started. Who ever saw a tired ant? Tiredness, disagreeable tiredness, is restricted to hunted animals, slaves and modern man. It is as great an effort for an office clerk to walk five blocks with a loaded brief-case as it is for a jungle-dweller to cross a valley with a goat on his back. It is as hard to get up and climb or run when you have been seated for years as it is to get up and walk when you have been in bed for months. The body is strange. Spare it, and you get really tired for almost nothing; use it, and almost nothing makes you really tired.
I rose to my feet. I had heard a horse neighing down in the valley. Above me, on the open highland plains, there were wild horses. But down in the valley there was never a horse unless there was a man on it. Somebody was making his way up the valley and my wife was alone.
1.What’s the right order of the following events?
① I heard a horse neighing down in the valley.
② I went to the jungle.
③ I found an ant carrying a bit of dry straw.
④ I lay on the ground to have a break.
⑤ I picked fruits and chopped firewood.
A. ②③⑤①④ B. ⑤③②④① C. ②⑤④③① D. ⑤④③②①
2.How does the author feel about the ant?
A.He admired its attitude toward work.
B.He was amazed at its tireless efforts.
C.He showed sympathy for the little ant.
D.He was content to have it as a companion.
3.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that the author would probably .
A.work harder than before B.talk to the man on the horse
C.make his way home D.stay in the valley
4.We can learn from the passage that the author .
A.enjoyed being alone
B.experienced a world of quietness
C.missed his busy life in the city
D.had an unforgettable adventure
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析