More and more Americans are showing an intere...

More and more Americans are showing an interest in healthy and locally-produced food. As the interest increases, raising chickens has been gaining popularity in some American cities.

“Look, we get three eggs this time.”

Collecting eggs is a daily pleasure for the Hurst family. Naomi Hurst says her family started to raise chickens in back of their home in Maryland a month ago.

“We have wanted to try having backyard chickens for a couple years now. And really just didn't have the time to build my own coop（鸡笼；鸡舍） and look out where to buy chickens. And then we met Rent a Coop,” said Naomi Hurst.

Rent a Coop is a chicken rental business. Tyler Phillips launched the company with a partner 18 months ago. It comes with a mobile coop on wheels, two egg-laying hens, feed, bedding, water bowl, feed bowl, and our 24-hour chicken hotline. You can call with any questions. The price is 185 dollars for four weeks.

After the four weeks passed, individuals can extend the rental agreement, return everything or purchase the animals and supplies.

Tyler Phillips designs and makes the coops. He says he wants to do as little damage as possible to the environment.

“We always try to have as many recycled materials as possible. And I want the coops to be safe for kids. I want the chickens to be comfortable and they have access to the grass while being inside the coop. I want it to be easily movable, light weight,” he said.

Some cities require people have large pieces of land, if they want to raise farm animals. Others require an agreement with neighbors, limit the number of chickens, or, even ban the birds.

Tyler Phillips expects that would change as interest in small poultry (家禽) coops grows.

“I see cities around the D. C. area changing laws almost monthly and different cities will change the law to being prochicken(赞成养鸡). That is happening all around the United States,” he said, He believes that there will be chicken rental businesses in most American cities within five years.

1.According to the passage people raise chickens probably to __________.

A. save the living cost

B. reduce farmers’ burden

C. solve the employment problems

D. get safe and healthy food

2.The Hurst family used to have trouble in ____________.

A. building a website for raising chickens

B. building the coops and buying the chickens

C. finding some place to raise the chickens

D. persuading the neighbours to accept their idea

3.We can learn from the passage that __________.

A. you can enjoy the Rent a Coop service after 18 months

B. you can search online for any questions related to raising chickens

C. you can pay for keeping the supplies and the chickens for ever

D. you can pay 185 dollars a week for renting things to raise the chickens

4.Tyler Phillips designed and made the coops ____________

A. based on the environmentally friendly concept

B. based on the government’s supporting policy

C. to help advertise the organic and local food

D. to meet his neighbors’ need of raising chickens

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

More Americans are Googling themselves ------ and many are checking out their friends, co-workers and romantic interests, too.

In a report Sunday, the Pew Internet and American Life Project said 47 percent of U.S. adult Internet users have looked for information about themselves through Google or another search engine.

That is more than twice the 22 percent of users who did in 2002, but Pew senior research specialist Mary Madden was surprised the growth wasn't higher.

"Yes it's doubled, but many Internet users have never done this simple act of plugging their name with search engines," she said.

Americans under 50 and those with more education and income were more likely to self-Google because their jobs demand a certain online persona.

Meanwhile, Pew found that 53 percent of adult Internet users admit looking up information about someone else, not including celebrities.

Often, it's to find someone they have lost touch with. But looking up information about friends, relatives, colleagues and neighbors also was common.

Although men and women equally searched for online information about themselves, women were slightly more likely to look up information about someone they are dating.

In many cases, the search is done to find someone's contact information. But a third of those who have conducted searches on others have looked for public records, such as bankruptcies(破产) and divorce （离婚）proceedings. A similar number have searched for someone else's photo.

Few Internet users say they Google themselves regularly —— about three-quarters of self-searchers say they have done so only once or twice. And most who have done so consider what they find accurate.

Pew also found that teens were more likely than adults to restrict who can see their information at an online hangout(常去之处) like Facebook or News Corp's MySpace.

1.The number of American adult Internet users______ Mary Madden.

2.What does “ they” refer to in the seventh paragraph?

3.How many people have checked others’ photos?

4.What is the best title of the passage?

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

A new research shows that in Britain more and more people are returning to the old tradition that the whole family have a meal at table. Worrying about the obesity and breakdown of a family, people change their eating habits so greatly, according to analysis. They find the number of the family having a meal together increases by 5% from 2002 to 2004, and most people who have meals with their family come from the rich social class.

The new discovery makes doctors and the people struggling against obesity extremely excited. Giving up the tradition that the whole family have a meal together is exactly one of the reasons for a series of problems including children’s overweight. If a child has a meal in front of the television or the computer alone, he will often eat some fast food.

Jason Collins is one of the persons returning to the old tradition. Collins is a manager of a bake(烘面包) house. He finds after he gets used to having a meal at home with his child, the child becomes much more obedient(听话的). Dr. Jin is a child psychologist, and she expresses welcome to this result of the study.  She says it can make parents have a very good chance to chat with the child when the whole family have a meal together.

1. What makes people change their eating habit back to the old tradition in Britain?

2. We can infer from the passage that _______.

3. How do the people who hope to lose weight feel about the new discovery?

4. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Americans are buying more products and services than ever before through the Internet, and the popularity of online sales is likely to spread to other countries. Online sales now represent as much as one-tenth of all retail(零售) sales in the United States，which has led traditional stores to seek new ways to keep their customers loyal.

Lynne Shaner used the Internet to buy everything she needed for her wedding and holiday gifts for her husband. Other than food, 90 percent of her purchases(购买的东西) were made on her home computer. “I find that, by being able to go online and opt for the things that I need to select and have them delivered to me right at my doorstep, I’m free from all the driving, all the crowds, all the noise, and I usually get a better selection.”

There are a lot of people like her. Experts say American online shopping hit records in both November and December. Fifty-seven percent of Americans have bought something electronically. Store owners worry that this growing amount of online sales will hurt their business. Cornell University marketing professor Ed McLaughlin says, “They should be worried. Anything that can move online will be sold online. And it's just a matter of time. However, traditional stores can keep their customers by selling goods like clothing, which buyers may want to see and try on before purchasing. The stores could also offer things that are difficult to ship. ”

Bill Martin, whose business helps stores learn about their customers, says, “Traditional stores offer a social experience that some people enjoy. There is still a lot of emotion in the buying decision that takes place, and you can't always get that on-line. It's a rather cold process. Traditional stores can provide goods for buyers more quickly than online stores. And some retailers are using websites to persuade people to visit their stores. ”

While online shopping worries some business owners, the only worry for delivery services like FedEx and UPS is keeping up with the number of packages. UPS Manager Dana Kline says her company is very busy at this time of year. UPS is so busy that it has filled 55,000 temporary worker positions during the holiday season.

1.According to Lynne Shaner, shopping online ________.

A. helps choose things she needs most

B. will replace traditional shopping soon

C. offer many benefits to customers

D. seldom provides a better selection

2.What does the underlined phrase “opt for” in the second paragraph mean?

A. choose           B. sell           C. design         D. purchase

3.Professor Ed McLaughlin thinks that _________.

A. online shopping has little effect on traditional stores

B. it is time for store owners to be anxious about their business

C. traditional stores can do nothing to stop challenges from online shopping

D. traditional stores should sell more things that are difficult to ship

4.What can we know from the fourth paragraph?

A. Online sales fail to offer customers sense of emotion.

B. Customers enjoy social experience when shopping online.

C. Traditional stores can help customers decide what to buy.

D. Customers can buy goods more quickly after visiting websites.

5.From the passage we can infer _______.

A. UPS has filled more worker positions than FedEx

B. business owners are concerned about delivery services

C. FedEx is keeping up with UPS on the number of packages

D. delivery services are facing more and more pressure from online sales

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Americans are proud of their variety and individuality, yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform. Why are uniforms so 　 in the United States?

Among the arguments for uniforms, one is that in most people’s eyes they look more professional than civilian clothes. A television repairman who appears in a uniform inspires more trust than one who doesn’t. Faith in the skill of a mechanic is　 　 　 by a uniform. What easier way is there for a nurse, a policeman, or a barber to lose professional　 　　 than stepping out of uniform?

Uniforms also have many practical 　　　 . They save on other clothes and laundry bills. They are often more durable than civilian clothes.

Primary among the arguments 　　 uniforms is their lack of individuality. While there are many types of uniforms, the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it, without change, until retirement. When people look alike, they tend to think, speak, and act 　　 , on the job at least.

Uniforms also 　 practical problems. Though they are long-lasting, often their initial cost is greater. Some uniforms are also 　　 to maintain, requiring professional dry cleaning　　 rather than the home laundering possible with many types of civilian clothes.

1.A. special 　　 B. fashionable C. popular　　 D. common

2.A. increased B. created 　　 C. reduced 　　 D. presented

3.A. popularity B. ability　　 C. stability　 D. identity

4.A. benefits　 B. characters　 C. functions　 D. purposes

5.A. about 　　　 B. with 　　　　 C. against　　 D. over

6.A. honestly 　 B. similarly 　 C. confidently D. differently

7.A. bring up 　 B. come up withC. result from D. give rise to

8.A. expensive B. easy 　　　　 C. complex 　　 D. cheap

高二英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Americans are proud of their variety and individuality, yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform, whether it is the uniform of 1.　 　　 　 elevator operator or the uniform of a five-star general. Why are uniforms so popular there?

Among the arguments for uniforms is that most uniforms look more 　 2.　 　　 (profession) than civilian (百姓的) clothes. People expect superior quality from a man 3.　 　　 wears a uniform. The television repairman wearing a uniform tends 4.　 　　 (inspire) more trust. Faith 　 5.　 　　 the skill of a garage worker is increased by a uniform. Uniforms also have many practical 6.　 　　 (benefit). They save on other clothes and laundry bills. They are often 7.　 　　 　 (comfortable) than civilian clothes.

Among the arguments against uniforms 8.　 　　 　 (be) their lack of variety and the loss of individuality. 9.　 　　 　 there are many types of uniforms, the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it, without change. When people look alike, they will think, speak, and act 10.　 　　 (similar).

高二英语语法填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Americans are proud of their variety- and individuality, yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform. whether it is the uniform of an elevator operator or the uniform of a five-star general. Why are uniforms so popular in the United States?

Among the arguments for uniforms, one of the first is that in the eyes of most people they look more professional than civilian (百姓的) clothes. People have become conditioned to expect superior quality from a man who wears a uniform. The television repairman who wears uniform tends to inspire more trust than one who appears in civilian clothes. Faith in the skill of a garage mechanic is increased by a uniform. What easier way is there for a nurse, a policeman, a barber, or a waiter to lose professional identity (身份) than to step out of uniform ?

Uniforms also have many practical benefits. They save on other clothes.  They save on laundry bills.  They are tax- deductible ( 可减税的). They are often more comfortable and more durable than civilian clothes.

Primary among the arguments against uniforms is their lack of variety and the consequent loss of individuality experienced by people who must wear them. Though there are many types of uniforms, the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it, without change, until retirement. When people look alike, they tend to think, speak, and act similarly, on the job at least.

Uniforms also give rise to some practical problems. Though they are long-lasting, often their initial expense is greater than the cost of civilian clothes. Some uniforms are also expensive to maintain, requiring professional dry cleaning rather than the home laundering possible with many types of civilian clothes.

1.It is surprising that Americans who worship variety and individuality ___________.

A. still judge a man by his clothes

B. hold the uniform in such high regard

C. enjoy having a professional identity

D. will respect an elevator operator as much as a general in uniform

2. The chief function of a uniform is to ___________.

A. provide practical benefits to the wearer

B. make the wearer catch the public eye

C. inspire the wearer's confidence in himself

D. provide the wearer with a professional identity

3. According to the passage, people wearing uniforms _____________.

A. are usually helpful             B. have little or no individual freedom

C. tend to lose their individuality   D. enjoy greater popularity

4.The best title for this passage would be ____________.

A. Uniforms and Society

B. The Importance of Wearing a Uniform

C. Practical Benefits of Wearing a Uniform

D. Advantages and Disadvantages of Uniforms

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Americans are proud of their variety and individuality，yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform，whether it is the uniform of an elevator operator or the uniform of a five­star general. Why are uniforms so popular in the United States?

Among the arguments for uniforms，one of the first is that in the eyes of most people they look more professional than civilian(百姓的)clothes. People have become conditioned to expect superior quality from a man who wears a uniform. The television repairman who wears a uniform tends to inspire more trust than one who appears in civilian clothes. Faith in the skill of a garage mechanic(技工) is increased by a uniform. What easier way is there for a nurse，a policeman，a barber，or a waiter to lose professional identity（身份）than to step out of uniform?

Uniforms also have many practical benefits. They save on other clothes. They save on laundry(洗衣店）bills. They are tax­deductible(可减税的)．They are often more comfortable and more durable than civilian clothes.

Primary(主要的) among the arguments against uniforms is their lack of variety and the consequent loss of individuality experienced by people who must wear them. Though there are many types of uniforms，the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it，without change，until retirement. When people look alike，they tend to think，speak，and act similarly，on the job at least.

Uniforms also give rise to some practical problems. Though they are long­lasting，often their initial(最初的)expense is greater than the cost of civilian clothes. Some uniforms are also expensive to maintain（维持，维护），requiring professional dry cleaning rather than the home laundering(洗涤) possible with many types of civilian clothes.

1. It is surprising that Americans who worship variety and individuality______.

A. still judge a man by his clothes

B. hold the uniform in such high regard

C. enjoy having a professional identity

D. will respect an elevator operator as much as a general in uniform

2. People are accustomed to think that a man in uniform ____.

A. suggests quality work                   B. discards(丢弃)his social identity

C. appears to be more practical              D. looks superior to a person in civilian clothes

3.The chief function of a uniform is to ____.

A. provide practical benefits to the wearer     B. make the wearer catch the public eye

C. inspire the wearer ' s confidence in himself  D. provide the wearer with a professional identity

4.According to the passage, people wearing uniforms ____.

A. are usually helpful                     B. have little or no individual freedom

C. tend to lose their individuality            D. enjoy greater popularity

5.The best title for this passage would be ____.

A. Uniforms and Society                  B. The Importance of Wearing a Uniform

C. Practical Benefits of Wearing a Uniform   D. Advantages and Disadvantages of Uniforms

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Americans like to travel during their holidays. Today, more and more travelers in the United States are spending nights at small houses or inns instead of hotels. They get a room for the night and the breakfast for the next morning.

Rooms for the night in private (私人的) homes with breakfast have been popular with travelers in Europe for many years. In the past five to ten years, these bed-and-breakfast places have become popular in the United States. Many of these American bed-and-breakfast places have only a few rooms. Some bed-and-breakfast inns are old historic buildings. Some inns do not provide telephones or television in the room while others do.

Staying at a bed-and-breakfast inn is much different from staying in a hotel. Usually the cost is much lower. Staying at an inn is almost like visiting someone’s home. The owners are glad to tell about the interesting places to visit in the area. Many vacationers say they enjoy the chance to meet local families.

1.Nowadays more and more travelers in the USA prefer to spend nights ________.

A.at small inns B.at hotels

C.in the open air D.in their cars

2.What does the word “inn” in the passage mean?

A.房间 B.客栈

C.建筑 D.饭店

3.Which is NOT true according to the passage?

A.Some Americans now stay in a bed-and-breakfast inn instead of in a hotel.

B.The bed-and-breakfast inns are private homes open to vacationers.

C.The owners provide a morning meal for their visitors and a room for the night.

D.The bed-and-breakfast inns have been popular in America for a long time.

4.One reason why American travelers are beginning to stay at bed-and-breakfast inns is that_________.

A.these inns are big and quiet

B.they don’t have to pay for the telephone

C.they can meet and talk with the local people

D.they can be shown around the area

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Americans like to travel on their yearly holiday. Today, more and more travelers in the United States are spending nights at small houses or inns(客栈)instead of hotels. They get a room for the night and the breakfast the next morning.

Rooms for the night in private(私人的)homes with breakfast have been popular with travelers in Europe for many years. In the past five to ten years, these bed-and-breakfast places have become popular in the United States. Many of these America’s bed-and-breakfast inns have only a few rooms; others are much larger. Some inns do not provide telephones or televisions in the rooms, others do.

Staying at a bed-and-breakfast inn is much different from staying at a hotel. Usually the cost is much less. Staying at an inn is almost like visiting someone’s home. The owners are glad to tell about the areas and the interesting places to visit. Many vacationers say that they enjoy the chance to meet local families.

1.Americans take a holiday trip_________.

2.According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?

3.Staying at the bed-and-breakfast inns, __________.

4.Which is TRUE according to the passage?

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析