The Couch Surfing network is an online community stretching across the globe with over one and a half million members. The basic concept is to provide a platform for travelers to contact people who are willing to put them up free of charge. Travelers connect with potential hosts online and, if they like each other, exchange details to make farther arrangements.
Basil is one traveler from Switzerland who is currently couch surfing with a Chinese host in Beijing. "I thought staying in hostel is nice but you mostly meet foreigners and speak English. If you use Couch Surfing you have chance to meet people living here and really get a chance to know the life of the place you visit. " Basil was speaking during a regular meeting of Beijing network of Couch Surfing with a membership of almost 2,000.
Although some people may have concerns about meeting complete strangers and giving them full access to your house, Beijing group member Fred Sharp from California says that the Couch Surfing community is one that generally attracts trustworthy people.
"I have never had a problem with guests. I'd say that this Couch Surfing community worldwide is a fairly trustworthy community like I say, always be cautious, make sure that you read everyone's profile that you're considering hosting, and if it doesn't feel right just say' no', it's OK. "
Originally launched in the US as a non-profit organization in 2004, Couch Surfing is growing fast across the world. China is no exception with around 30,000 members and hundreds more signing up each week. One of them is Beijing resident Hai Yan who joined in November 2009. She says the first time she hosted a guest was a very positive experience. "My first guest was from Italy. He was very kind and helpful. He bought me a present from Italy, a handbag. It's a famous brand!"
As the organization grows from strength to strength, hotel owners across the world will be watching very closely and possibly thinking twice about raising their prices too high.
1.The Couch Surfing network is intended to __________ .
A. offer travelers convenience to find suitable hosts for free accommodations
B. provide people with a platform to contact each other
C. find potential hosts who want to supply travelers with couches
D. give reliable information about hotels
2.According to Fred Sharp, ______________.
A. couch surfers can fully rely on Couch Surfing community
B. Couch Surfing community enables you to meet different people
C. Couch Surfing community is trusted by all couch surfers
D. Hosts may form a judgment on couch surfers and make a final decision
3.We can infer from the passage that ________________.
A. Couch Surfing has a long history
B. Hai Yan is satisfied with her host
C. Couch Surfing is getting popular in China
D. Basil works at the Beijing Network
4.The last paragraph suggests that hotels will ___________ .
A. be replaced by the organization
B. probably not charge too much
C. not consider raising their prices
D. show no concern about the organization
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
The Couch Surfing network is an online community stretching across the globe with over one and a half million members. The basic concept is to provide a platform for travelers to contact people who are willing to put them up free of charge. Travelers connect with potential hosts online and, if they like each other, exchange details to make farther arrangements.
Basil is one traveler from Switzerland who is currently couch surfing with a Chinese host in Beijing. "I thought staying in hostel is nice but you mostly meet foreigners and speak English. If you use Couch Surfing you have chance to meet people living here and really get a chance to know the life of the place you visit. " Basil was speaking during a regular meeting of Beijing network of Couch Surfing with a membership of almost 2,000.
Although some people may have concerns about meeting complete strangers and giving them full access to your house, Beijing group member Fred Sharp from California says that the Couch Surfing community is one that generally attracts trustworthy people.
"I have never had a problem with guests. I'd say that this Couch Surfing community worldwide is a fairly trustworthy community like I say, always be cautious, make sure that you read everyone's profile that you're considering hosting, and if it doesn't feel right just say' no', it's OK. "
Originally launched in the US as a non-profit organization in 2004, Couch Surfing is growing fast across the world. China is no exception with around 30,000 members and hundreds more signing up each week. One of them is Beijing resident Hai Yan who joined in November 2009. She says the first time she hosted a guest was a very positive experience. "My first guest was from Italy. He was very kind and helpful. He bought me a present from Italy, a handbag. It's a famous brand!"
As the organization grows from strength to strength, hotel owners across the world will be watching very closely and possibly thinking twice about raising their prices too high.
1.The Couch Surfing network is intended to __________ .
A. offer travelers convenience to find suitable hosts for free accommodations
B. provide people with a platform to contact each other
C. find potential hosts who want to supply travelers with couches
D. give reliable information about hotels
2.According to Fred Sharp, ______________.
A. couch surfers can fully rely on Couch Surfing community
B. Couch Surfing community enables you to meet different people
C. Couch Surfing community is trusted by all couch surfers
D. Hosts may form a judgment on couch surfers and make a final decision
3.We can infer from the passage that ________________.
A. Couch Surfing has a long history
B. Hai Yan is satisfied with her host
C. Couch Surfing is getting popular in China
D. Basil works at the Beijing Network
4.The last paragraph suggests that hotels will ___________ .
A. be replaced by the organization
B. probably not charge too much
C. not consider raising their prices
D. show no concern about the organization
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
A while back I caught a news report on something called ―couch surfing‖ and the network of trusting souls who make this phenomenon possible. They offer to put up travelers free of charge and help them on their ways. At first, it sounded unbelievable. I mean, inviting strangers into one’s home for one or two nights? Give me a break.
However, I was intrigued. I decided to investigate. The only way to truly learn about this phenomenon was to dive in. So I planned a trip to Finland, a country I’ve always wanted to explore. I would couch surf at every stop there.
If ever any anxiety existed when stepping into the unknown, it disappeared when my first host met me at the train station. Ari looked like my idea of a typical Finn: tall and blue-eyed. Finns were also supposed to be famously reserved (寡言少语的). Ari was anything but. He was a live wire, giving me an enthusiastic welcome and hiking with me to his apartment, where he showed me the sleeper sofa, served me tea, and engaged me in warm conversations. He also handed me a key to come and go as I pleased.
If this was what couch surfing was all about - trust and friendship - then I had gotten off to a good start. As I boarded my next train to continue my journey, I began to think about this couch-surfing idea. What urged these people to open their homes to strangers? I concluded that there was a desire to lend a hand to like-minded folks who might enrich their own lives.
Seven cities in 14 days. Seven hosts. Seven new friends. If couch surfing taught me anything, it’s this: Most people are good and generous. Where will couch surfing take me next? Who knows? But I can’t wait to find out.
1.Which of the following best explains ―intrigued‖ underlined in the second paragraph?
A. Relaxed. B. Disgusted.
C. Interested. D. Embarrassed.
2.What can we know about Ari?
A. He was reserved like most Finns. B. He talked less but he was friendly.
C. He treated the author as a friend. D. He saw off the author at the train station.
3.Why did people offer couch surfing to strangers?
A. To take an adventure with strangers.
B. To exchange houses for a short time.
C. To learn more about others’ family lives.
D. To enrich their own lives by helping others.
4.What can be the suitable title for the text?
A. Travel on Trust and Couches B. A Free Travel in Finland
C. Experiences in Strangers’ Houses D. A Plan for Couch Surfing
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
Yoga is an age-old practice that stretches (伸展) the body and calms the mind. By performing a series of poses(体式), called asanas, you will feel more relaxed. This results in lower blood pressure, a decrease in stress and healthy muscles. 1. With poses ranging from simple to challenging, yoga gives your mind something to think about. So get started by trying simple poses.
Mountain Pose
Stand barefoot on a no-slip mat and put your feet side-by-side, 2. Stretch your leg muscles and feel your knee caps lift. Practice holding your head and neck in a straight line. Relax your shoulders. Breathe in and out, and focus on your breathing.
Triangle Pose
Begin in Mountain Pose. As you breathe out, move your left foot about three or four feet to the left side. Lift your arms until they’re parallel with the floor. Stretch your fingertips outward. Then turn your left foot 90 degrees to the left, and turn your right foot about 45 degrees toward your left. 3.
Cat to Cow Pose
This is a great way to loosen a tight back, neck or shoulders. Begin with your palms(手掌) under your shoulders and your knees under your hips(臀部). 4. Then drop the head and neck toward your mat, pull your stomach muscles tight, and round your back up toward the ceiling. Hold that pose and breathe in and out.
5. Gradually add more asanas to your practice. Before long, you’ll notice a positive change in your body and your mind.
A. Continue moving back and forth.
B. It can be hard to balance in this way.
C. Perform these poses every day, if you can.
D. Hold your back and neck in a straight line.
E. Adjust your feet till they feel good against the mat.
F. But beyond its health benefit yoga brings a lot of fun!
G. The heels of both feet should be in line underneath your arms.
高三英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析
The networked computer is an amazing device. It is the first media machine that serves as the mode of production (you can make stuff), means of distribution (you can upload stuff to the network), site of _____ (you can download stuff and interact with it), and place of praise and criticism (you can comment on the stuff you have downloaded or uploaded). _____, the computer is the 21st century’s culture machine.
But for all the reasons there are to _____ the computer, we must also act with caution. This is because the networked computer has started a secret war between downloading and uploading—between passive consumption and active _____—whose outcome will shape our collective future in ways we can only begin to imagine.
All animals download, but only a few upload anything besides faces and their own bodies. Humans are _____ in their capacity to not only make tools but then turn around and use them to create superfluous( 过 剩 的 ) material goods (paintings, sculpture and architecture) and superfluous experiences (music, literature, religion and philosophy). _____, it is precisely these superfluous things that define human culture and ultimately what it is to be human. Downloading and consuming culture requires great skills, but _____ to move beyond downloading is to rob oneself of a defining ingredient of humanity.
Despite the possibilities of our new culture machines, most people are still _____ download mode, brought about by television watching. Even after the _____ of widespread social media, a pyramid of production remains, with a small number of people uploading material, a slightly larger group commenting on or modifying that content, and a huge percentage remaining satisfied to just _____.
The networked computer offers the first chance in 50 years to _____ the flow caused by TV viewing, to encourage thoughtful downloading and, even more importantly, meaningful uploading. The computer offers the opportunity to bring about a complete _____ from the culture of television and a shift from a consumption model to a production model. This is a historic opportunity. Fifty years of television dominance has given birth to an unhealthy culture. The _____ is now in our collective grasp. It involves controlling our intake, or downloading, and _____ our levels of activity—uploading.
Of course people will still download. Nobody uploads more than a tiny percentage of the culture they consume. But using the networked computer as a download-only device, or even a download-mainly device, is a _____ opportunity that history affords us. Therefore, the goal must be to establish a balance between consumption and production.
1.A.celebration B.conversations C.reception D.ceremonies
2.A.Without doubt B.In return C.In particular D.By contrast
3.A.liberate B.celebrate C.concern D.reject
4.A.request B.support C.defense D.creation
5.A.unique B.familiar C.efficient D.loyal
6.A.In addition B.In fact C.For instance D.By the way
7.A.striving B.comparing C.failing D.attempting
8.A.optimistic about B.unfamiliar with C.stuck in D.ashamed of
9.A.transformation B.emergence C.encounter D.maintenance
10.A.consume B.neglect C.combine D.innovate
11.A.enhance B.quicken C.reverse D.extend
12.A.outcome B.exposure C.break D.evolution
13.A.puzzle B.cure C.regret D.favor
14.A.analyzing B.maintaining C.featuring D.increasing
15.A.wasted B.treasured C.multiplied D.revised
高三英语完形填空困难题查看答案及解析
With the rapid social development, the Internet now provides social networks that include online movies and videos.The major television networks have much less control over your mind and their broadcasts for entertainment and, more importantly, advertising.It has long been known that television’s audience will spend more time on the Internet than watching TV.People have found another means of entertainment by going to websites which seem to satisfy their specific interests more completely.This isn’t very good news for the television networks.
The influence of people using DVRs (Digital Video Recorder) also has led to fewer and fewer viewers watching television commercials.Market research indicates the effectiveness of TV ads is getting weaker as a result.Many DVR owners are fast forwarding and skipping television commercials.With viewers now spending an average of four times longer on the Internet and more viewers avoiding commercials, this trend isn’t good for television’s advertising revenues(收益).
Major TV advertisers know full well that their advertising dollars on TV aren’t as an effective investment as they once were.The major players in advertising have been moving towards the Internet as a serious alternative means of advertising.
For thousands of people involved in Internet marketing, it’s history-making to share the revenue that previously all went to major television networks.There’s already a group of Internet marketers being paid a larger amount of advertising revenue.These are everyday people that work usually from home on their own.Advertisers can direct their advertising to websites where viewer types are more likely to be interested in their product or service.
The development of the Internet and its role and change in our lives cannot be compared to any other form of media created throughout the history of mankind.
1.People are going to websites for entertainment because _______.
A.they’d like to follow the last trend |
B.there are fewer commercials |
C.there are more movies and videos |
D.they can choose what meets their particular needs |
2.We can learn from the second paragraph that ______.
A.viewers are bored with television commercials |
B.the television viewing time should be limited |
C.many television commercials are of poor quality |
D.there are more commercials on DVRs than on TV |
3.It can be inferred from the passage that _____.
A.people spend time on the Internet mainly for entertainment |
B.most people prefer to work at home nowadays |
C.the Internet will attract more and more advertisers |
D.the appearance of TV changed our lives |
4.The passage mainly tells us ________.
A.the rapid social development |
B.the fast development of the Internet advertising |
C.the way to advertise on the Internet |
D.the influence of television commercials |
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Each day the online community reports on countless social justice issues around the world. From climate change and gun violence to natural disasters, readers come across a story, learn about an issue and often feel compelled to help. However, without any guidance on how to make a difference, many abandon the attempt and move on with their day.
Ideal Impact, a new Web-based app (应用程序), sees that as a lost opportunity. The app is designed to connect news stories with efficient ways to help make a difference in the real world. Let’s say, for example, you recently read an article, “The heartbreaking, world of captive (被抓的) exotic birds” and felt moved by the stories of the often sad lives those birds are forced to live. Once installed on your phone or browser, Ideal Impact would show you opportunities to volunteer, donate or get involved to help captive exotic birds.
Founder, Olivier Kamanda, explains in the company’s video, “What would happen when you come across a story that makes you want to get involved in? That arouses a fundamental question, ‘How can I help?’ Unfortunately there is no platform that takes you from that moment of inspiration to a meaningful service opportunity. So every year 90 million people are inspired to get involved to do something with their time and they don’t know how. And that comes at a cost of 207 billion dollars in lost volunteer time and donations.” Kamanda said in an interview with the Smithsonian, “Our app bridges the gap between people who are inspired to make a difference and organizations that need support.”
Once the app is installed as a browser plugin (插件) on a desktop or mobile device, you can read the news as you normally would. And then, when you come across a story that inspires you to take action, you can click on the Ideal Impact button that appears in the main menu of your browser. That will load the app and show you opportunities to get involved with non-profit organizations that are working to deal with the issue you just read about.
1.What is Ideal Impact?
A. Its software. B. It’s a charity group.
C. It’s a computer company. D. It’s a non-profit organization.
2.How does the author explain the function of Ideal Impact?
A. By making comparisons. B. By giving figures.
C. By giving quotations. D. By giving an example.
3.What can Ideal Impact do?
A. It can help people make a contribution.
B. It can help people search for exotic birds.
C. It can help people read news stories more easily.
D. It can help people make a difference to their career.
4.What will happen after you click on the Ideal Impact button?
A. You will have fun news to read.
B. You will find a solution to a problem.
C. You may get access to a related charity.
D. The main menu of your browser will appear.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia (百科全书), is the largest encyclopedia ever. An encyclopedia is a collection of informative articles about various things. Encyclopedias used to be printed as books. 1.
“Wiki”is an internet term that means”a website that can be edited by the public. “It comes from”wikiwiki”,a Hawaiian word for”quick”. Two Americans, Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, created Wikipedia in 2001.2.It has about 6 million articles in 300 languages and is visited by billions of people each day,who want to find information on just about anything-science, math, languages, art, cultureand company histories. There are articles on sports stars, too, and even long-forgotten soap operas from the 1970s.
3.Except for a small number of pages, anyone can edit articles, anonymously (匿名地) or with a user account, and registered users can create their own articles. Editing is unpaid, although Wikipedia does employ a small staff. Wikipedia is freely available to anyone with an internet connection. Its founders hoped that the model would make use of humanity’s collective knowledge.
4.Many Wikipedia pages contain errors, although the organization has a content review system that works to fix this problem. Several studies have concluded that Wikipedia is as accurate as most print encyclopedias. Indeed, a 2005 report in the journal Nature found it to be only slightly less reliable than Encyclopedia Britannica.
Today Wikipedia faces many challenges. It does not rely on advertising. 5.Perhaps more importantly, the number of its volunteer editors is shrinking.
Despite these difficulties, Jimmy Wales says he will still stick to his dream. He has big plans for the future. He wants Wikipedia available in all of the world’s languages.
A.Instead, all of its funds come from donations.
B.Wikipedia employs an open editing model.
C.It allows users to get information within seconds.
D.It is now the fifth-most visited website on the Internet.
E.Most of its editors are volunteers.
F.Now,they are mostly found online.
G.However,some people doubt the accuracy of Wikipedia's content.
高三英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析
It encouraged us to visit Quora.com, the online question and answer community, to find out how users get the most out of every tank of gas.
Light makes right
Alex Elderfield noted that excess weight prevents an engine from burning fuel efficiently. "Only carry what is essential in your car, clean out any junk or necessary items otherwise you are paying for the fuel to cart these from place to place," he wrote.
Driving smoothly — that is, not mashing the gas and then slamming the brakes later down the road — was a fixture of many responses. Quora user Clint Law agreed on that advice, who wrote, "Every little bit of kinetic energy that your brakes lose, your engine burned in fuel to build up." Overbraking should consequently be viewed as wasted acceleration. "That's really what kills your fuel economy," he argued.
Keep the pressure up
Keeping the recommended tire pressure for your car was another mantra among Quora users. Marlyn Rosent said she checked her tire pressure every time she filled up her SUV. Quora user Doug Dingus checks his tire pressure every weekend. “Less tire contact means reduced rubbing, requiring less fuel,” he said.
Air conditioning or windows
Though the summer heat get many drivers to roll up the windows and turn on the air conditioning, some people argued that running the A/C wastes too much gas. In between were many shades of grey.
Achilleas Vortselas said it would depend largely on a car’s speed. He wrote that as a general rule, people should drive with the windows down around the city and turn the air conditioning on when hitting the highway, where a car’s aerodynamic(空气动力的) characteristics would be influenced by opened windows.
More seriously minded people, however, said to travel as much as possible with windows up and the A/C off. Eddie Xue gets by with just a wisp of outside air. “Use the fan and open your windows every now and then at lower speeds," he wrote.
1.What can we learn from what Clint Law wrote?
A. Overbraking is a waste of gas.
B. Carry what we need in the car.
C. Build up energy to drive smoothly.
D. Stepping on the gas freely can keep a balance.
2.What do we know from Doug Dingus’ words?
A. Checking tire pressure will require less fuel.
B. Filling up the SUV leads to reduced rubbing.
C. Keeping the recommended tire pressure is necessary.
D. Braking fiercely can keep wasting acceleration.
3.The author says “In between were many shades of grey” to indicate that ________.
A. rolling up the windows and turning on the air conditioning waste too much gas
B. people should try their best to travel with windows up and the A/C off
C. when a car approaches higher speeds, the A/C should come on
D. there’s balance between the air conditioning and windows usage
4.Which is the suitable title of the passage?
A. Fuel efficiency, straight from source
B. Driving with the windows down and using the A/C
C. How to save at the pump this summer
D. Reducing the weight and increasing the vehicle’s fuel economy
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
An exercise method (Gyrotonics) designed to stretch muscles and improve strength and balance is becoming popular in the United States. Here's more about Gyrotonics and the man who invented this special form of exercise.
Gyrotonics is a kind of exercise that combines the movements of dancing and swimming with the mental and physical practice called yoga. It helps lengthen muscles, improve balance, and exercise the joints, the parts of the body where bones are joined.
A Hungarian dancer named Juliu Horvath developed this special form of exercise. After he was injured in dancing, Mr. Horvath studied yoga intensely. In the 1980s, he developed a new exercise method as a special kind of yoga to strengthen dancers.
According to Mr. Horvath, his method was based on the octopus(章鱼),monkey and cat. He says these animals have no restrictions. They can move in any direction the Gyrotonic movements to help the human body move more freely.
A special machine made of wood and weights(砝码) helps guide the body through the Gyrotonics exercises. You sit or lie on a flat board. You put your legs or hands through special cloth handles attached to a line with weights. With the tension created by the weights, you must try to move through the exercises.
Seven kinds of backbone movements form the base of Gyrotonics. For example, you can stretch your back to the left and right or forward and backward. While moving your back, you can also work on arm or leg motions. These movements must be done in a smooth way. Often the motions are circular(圆形的)。
When Juliu Horvath first developed Gyrotonics, he was the only teacher. Since then, he has taught almost 70 trainers. Now, there are more then 800 official schools in the world where you can learn Gyrotonics.
1.This passage mainly focuses on _____.
A.A successful life of Horvath B.A popular kind of exercise
C.Some advice on health care D.Some uses of a special machine
2.According to the passage, what made it possible for Horvath to develop Gyrotonics?
A.His dancing-related injury. B.His failure in practicing yoga.
C.His good skills of dancing D.His wish to be a Gyrotonics trainer.
3.What do you think inspired Horvath in developing Gyrotonics?
A.His experience in dancing. B.His use of a special machine.
C. The movements of some animals. D.The ideas from many trainers.
4.What can we learn from the passage?
A.Many Americans have improved their health through Gyrotonics.
B.In a way, Gyrotonics is an exercise that comes from yoga.
C.You only have to move your backbone when doing the exercise.
D.Gyrotonics courses can be found in most countries worldwide.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
It is not until May, 2013________the online consultation comes to an end________the draft will be officially in force.
A. when; that B. that; that
C. that; when D. before; that
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析