For many blind people, computers are inaccess...

For many blind people, computers are inaccessible. It can cost $1,000 to purchase “screen reader” software, but two blind computer programmers from Australia have solved this problem.

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) graduate James Teh and business partner Michael Curran developed a free, open-source program, called NVDA, which provides a voice to read the words on a computer screen as the cursor(光标) moves over them. NVDA won the blind inventors an award in the grand final program of the ABC’s New Inventors, which aired on September 23. They took home the award for an invention that “might make a real difference to people’s lives or the environment.”

“A sighted person takes for granted that they can sit down at any computer and use it,” Mr Teh said. “We really are in the information age — everything is online these days. So access to computers for the blind is very important, which is why we wanted our software to be free.”

Mr Teh, who majored in software engineering at QUT, said blind students typically didn’t have the money to purchase “screen reader” technology, at the time in their life when they most needed it. Now NVDA could be downloaded on to anyone’s personal computer free of charge.

“It can also be copied to a USB stick, which can be used on any PC at school or university, with no installation required,” he said.

Mr Teh and Mr Curran have drawn on their own experience as blind computer users to develop a product which has some unique features. For example, as the mouse moves up and down the screen, a sound becomes higher and lower to let you know where the cursor is located.

NVDA has been translated into 27 languages, thanks to volunteer translators. To date, there have been over 50,000 downloads.

Mr Teh and Mr Curran have been working on the project since 2006. They worked on their product without any pay for two years. When Mozilla offered some funding in 2008, Mr Teh was able to quit his day job and work full-time developing NVDA.

1.NVDA won an award in the program of the ABC’s New Inventors because it _____.

A．causes no harm to the environment         B．influences people’ s lives

C．is aiming at blind people                  D．is easy to use

2.Why did James Teh and Michael Curran want their software to be free?

A．They got funding from Mozilla.

B．They belonged to a volunteer group.

C．They wanted to help the blind.

D．They wanted people to give up “screen reader” software.

3.What do we know about Teh and Curran?

A．They are studying at QUT.                 B．They are good at translating.

C．They know how the blind feel.              D．They began to develop NVDA in 2008.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

There are many reasons for people to study abroad. One is that you can have the chance to make yourself know about the culture of the place. Although we humans belong only to the same one species, we are divided into several races.　　 1.　　 And when countries are divided by oceans, naturally the way of life in that country is different from ours.

Once you are studying in a foreign country, you will slowly learn to speak the language of the place.　　 2.　　 If you want to ask for directions or if you are lost, it can be of great help.

3.　　　 If you study in such places as Spain and the Philippines, there are lots of foreign sights to see.

Studying abroad will also give you the chance to experience a totally different curriculum(课程).　　　 4.

Studying abroad is also a memory that can be valued for a lifetime.　　 5. Once you have made friends with your classmates, I’m pretty sure you will enjoy being with them in your hang-outs, in your parties, and even in helping out with each other’s homework.

A. This is an opportunity to make friends from other races.

B. Studying abroad also offers an opportunity to travel.

C. Different countries have different cultures.

D. A college course in the UK, for example, is not similar to the one we have here.

E. Learning the native language of the place can also greatly help you to go around.

F. English is spoken as a third language in many countries.

G. There are Africans, Europeans, Asians and etc.

高二英语信息匹配中等难度题查看答案及解析

Many people suffer from color blindness in some way. Women are luckier, only about one in two hundred is affected in this matter. Perhaps, after all, it is safer to be driven by a woman!

There are different forms of color blindness. In some cases a man can not see deep red. He may think that red, orange and yellow are all shades of green. Sometimes a person cannot tell the difference between blue and green. In rare cases an unlucky man may see everything in shades of green — a strange world indeed.

Color blindness in human beings is a strange thing to explain. In a single eye there are millions of very small things called “cones”. These help us to see in a bright light and to tell difference between colors. There are also millions of “rods” but these are used for seeing when it is nearly dark. They show us shape but no color.

Some insects have favorite colors. Mosquitoes (蚊子) like blue but do not like yellow. Red light will not attract insects, but a blue lamp will. In a similar way human beings also have favorite colors. Yet we are lucky. With the aid of the cones in our eyes we can see many beautiful colors by day, and with the aid of the rods we can see shapes at night. One day we may even learn more about the invisible(看不见的)colors around.

1.Why do some people say it is safer to be driven by women?

A. Women are more careful.

B. There are few color-blind women.

C. Women are fonder of driving than men.

D. Women are weaker but quicker in thinking

2.This passage is mainly about ________.

A. color and its surprising effects

B. women being luckier than men

C. danger caused by color blindness

D. color blindness

3.According to the passage, with the help of the “cones”， we can _____

A. tell orange from yellow

B. see in weak light

C. kill mosquitoes

D. tell different shapes

4.We can attract and kill mosquitoes by using a ________.

A. red light　　 B. yellow light

C. blue light　　 D. green light

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

It is very important for people to drink water in our everyday life. Many people believe they are supposed to drink eight glasses of water a day, or about two liters. Why? Because that is what they have been told all their life. But a recent report offers some different advice. Experts say people should obey their bodies; they should drink as much water as they feel like drinking. The report says most healthy people meet their daily needs for liquid by letting thirst be their guide. The report is from the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academies. The report contains some general suggestions. The experts say women should get about 2.7 liters of water daily. Men should get about 3.7 liters. But wait——in each case, that is more than eight glasses.

There is one important difference. The report does not tell people how many glasses of water to drink. In fact, the experts say it may be impossible to know how many glasses are needed to meet these guidelines. This is because the daily water requirement can include the water content in foods. People do not get water only by forcing themselves to drink a set number of glasses per day. People also drink fruit juices and sodas and milk. They drink coffee and tea. These all contain water. Yet some also contain caffeine. This causes the body to expel(排出)more water. But the writers of the report say this does not mean the body loses too much water.

As you might expect, the Institute of Medicine says people need to drink more water when they are physically active. The same is true of those who live in hot climates. Depending on heat and activity, people could need two times as much water as others do. All this, however, does not answer one question. No one seems sure why people have the idea that good health requires eight glasses of water daily.

It may have started with a misunderstanding. In 1945, the National Academy of Sciences published some guidelines. Its Food and Nutrition Board(营养膳食) said a good amount of water for most adults was 2.5 liters daily. This was based on an average of one milliliter(毫升)for each calorie of food eaten. But that was only part of what the board said. It also said that most of this amount is contained in prepared foods.

1.In experts’ opinion, every day a person should drink ____.

A. as much water as he can                 B. more than eight glasses of water

C. according to actual need for his body           D. when he comes in sight of water

2.What is mainly described in the second paragraph?

A. People know about the daily water requirement.

B. People need water instead of all kinds of drink.

C. People get daily water not only from drinking.

D. People drink all kinds of drink every day.

3.Who might drink less water according to the third paragraph?

4.The main purpose of writing the texts is to _______.

A. make a good suggestion of drinking daily  B. make clear the requirements to drink daily

C. tell the importance of drinking water daily     D. figure out a good amount of water daily

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Shyness is the cause of much unhappiness for a great many people. Shy people are anxious and self-conscious; that is, they are concerned with their own appearance and actions too much. Negative thoughts are constantly occurring in their minds: What kind of impression am I making? Do they like me? Do I sound stupid? Am I wearing unattractive clothes?

It is obvious that such uncomfortable feelings must affect people unfavorably. A person's self-concept is reflected in the way he or she behaves and the way a person behaves affects other people's reactions. In general, the way people think about themselves has a deep effect on all areas of their lives.

Shy people, who have low respect, are likely to be passive and easily influenced by others. They need faith that they are doing "the right thing". Shy people are very sensitive to criticism. It makes them feel inferior（自卑）.They also find it difficult to be pleased by praises because they believe they are unworthy of praise. A shy person may respond to a praise with a statement like this one: "You're just saying that to make me feel good, I know it's not true.” It is clear that, while self-awareness is a healthy quality, overdoing it is harmful.

Can shyness be completely got rid of, or at least reduced? Fortunately, people can overcome shyness with determination since shyness goes hand in hand with lack of self respect. It is important for people to accept their weakness as well as their strengths. Each one of us has his or her own characteristics. We are interested in our own personal ways. The better we understand ourselves, the easier it becomes to live up to our chances for a rich and successful life.

1.The first paragraph is mainly about______.

A. the cause of shyness　　 B. the effect of shyness on people

C. the feelings of shy people　　 D. the questions in the minds of shy people

2.According to the writer, self-awareness is______.

A. harmful to people　　 B. a weak point of shy people

C. the cause of unhappiness　　 D. a good characteristic

3.What is the shy people's reaction to praise?

A. They are pleased by it.　　 B. They feel it is not true.

C. They are very sensitive to it.　　 D. They feel they are worthy of it.

4.We can learn from the passage that shyness can ______.

A. block our chances for a successful life

B. help us to live up to our full development

C. enable us to understand ourselves better

D. have nothing to do with lack of self respect

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Shyness is the cause of much unhappiness for a great many people. Shy people are anxious and self-conscious; that is, they are concerned about their own appearance and actions too much. Negative thoughts are constantly occurring in their minds: What kind of impression am I making? Do they like me? Do I sound stupid? Am I wearing unattractive clothes?

It is obvious that such uncomfortable feelings must affect people unfavorably. A person's self-concept is reflected in the way he or she behaves and the way a person behaves affects other people's reactions. In general, the way people think about themselves has a deep effect on all areas of their lives.

Shy people, who have low respect, are likely to be passive and easily influenced by others. They need faith that they are doing "the right thing". Shy people are very sensitive to criticism. It makes them feel inferior（自卑）. They also find it difficult to be pleased by praises because they believe they are unworthy of praise. A shy person may respond to a praise with a statement like this one: "You're just saying that to make me feel good, I know it's not true.” It is clear that, while self-awareness is a healthy quality, overdoing it is harmful.

Can shyness be completely got rid of, or at least reduced? Fortunately, people can overcome shyness with determination since shyness goes hand in hand with lack of self respect. It is important for people to accept their weaknesses as well as their strengths. Each one of us has his or her own characteristics. We are interested in our own personal ways. The better we understand ourselves, the easier it becomes to live up to our chances for a rich and successful life.

1.The first paragraph is mainly about______.

A. the cause of shyness

B. the effect of shyness on people

C. the feelings of shy people

D. the questions in the minds of shy people

2.According to the writer, self-awareness is______.

A. harmful to people

B. a weak point of people

C. the cause of unhappiness

D. a good characteristic

3.What is the shy people's reaction to praise?

A. They are pleased by it.

B. They feel it is not true.

C. They are very sensitive to it.

D. They feel they are worthy of it.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

People who can’t ____between colours are said to be colour -blind.

高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析

It is sometimes said that the English are polite people. This can make life difficult for foreigners. Suppose a foreign boy asks an English girl to go out with him and she says, “If I finish my work, I’ll meet you in the cafe at 7 o’clock.” Is she saying “yes” or “no” to his invitation?

In grammatical terms, she is using the conditional structure (表示条件的句式). By using the conditional, speakers of English can avoid giving a “yes” or “no” answer to a question. It enables people to be diplomatic (婉转的). If the girl doesn’t want to go out with the boy, she won’t turn up at the cafe. She will let him understand she is still working. If she wants to go out with him, but doesn’t want to appear too easy to catch, she has achieved that with her reply. But in this case, as she uses the first conditional which shows probability, she is quite likely to turn up at the cafe. Being polite can make life very difficult!

The conditional is often used by people in the news -- politicians, for example -- who wish to avoid speaking out their ideas. This is very important if they are on their way to discuss an agreement. No one wants to give away his or her points before he or she starts. A government spokesman might say to a group of workers, “If we could pay you more, we would.” The use of the conditional here makes room for argument although the speaker is using the second conditional form, which shows improbability. So it is unlikely the workers will get their rise.

“If ” is a small word, which appears often in the English language. It can show politeness, reported speech and conditionals such as the First -- probability -- if I can come to your party, I will; the Second -- improbability -- if I saw you tomorrow, I’d give you the book; and the Third -- impossibility (meaning it is too late to change something that has happened ) -- if you have told me, I would have helped you.

60. The using of the conditional can make a speech _________.

A. clearer            B. quicker                   C. more polite           D.more exciting

61. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A. Language used in the news should make room to argue.

B. Usually English girls are not easy to catch.

C. English people never speak out their ideas in public.

D. The word “ if ” can show different meanings.

62. In the passage, “If we could pay you more, we would.” probably means __________.

A. the workers will make more money

B. the spokesman doesn’t give any promise

C. the spokesman keeps his word

D. the workers’ problems aren’t difficult

63. This passage is mainly talking about _________.

A. the conditional in communication

B. how to invite a girl in Britain

C. British people and their life

D. some language points in daily English

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

A European Union program is letting blind people experience famous paintings for the first time. It uses three dimensional (3-D) printing to re-create famous paintings so they can be touched.

One painting printed with the new technology is Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss.” It is a popular attraction at the Belvedere Museum in Vienna, Austria. The painting shows a man and a woman standing in a field filled with flowers. They are wearing gold robes and have their arms around each other. The man leans down to kiss the woman.

Klimt finished the painting in 1908. Until now, people who had trouble seeing could not appreciate the artwork. But thanks to the reproduction they can touch the piece and feel the ridges and depressions. Andreas Reichinger started making 3-D versions of artwork in 2010. He said this reproduction was his most difficult project because the couple’s robes are so detailed.

Dominika Raditsch is a blind museum visitor. She touched the reproduction. As she moved her hands around it she said, ”Exactly, can you see these? There are so many details.“ Raditsch said she can imagine what the original painting looks like when she touches the reproduction. “It’s somehow round. You can feel it. It comes with it. And in many places it’s so smooth. And then I think to myself: it probably shines too!” Raditsch said.

The Belvedere is not the only museum to have 3-D versions of its artwork. Some of the pieces at the Prado, in Madrid, Spain, have reproductions that can be touched. But the piece in Vienna has one special part: it is made with widely available 3-D printing technology. That means one day, blind art fans anywhere in the world could download the source files and print the reproductions themselves.

1.What is ”The kiss”?

A. A European Union project.　　 B. A popular painting.

C. A 3-D technology.　　 D. A famous museum.

2.Why did Reichinger say this reproduction was difficult to finish?

A. The painting was reproduced detailedly.

B. The original artwork was made in 1908.

C. Blind art fans can’t download the source.

D. The 3-D technology is not available.

3.How did Raditsch feel when she first touched the reproduction?

A. Awkward.　　 B. Puzzled.

C. Excited.　　 D. Nervous.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A. A European Union Program for Museum Visitors

B. 3-D Printing Lets Blind Experience Famous Painting

C. How to Reproduce the World-famous Paintings

D. A Special Museum for Art Fans in Vienna, Austria

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

_____ on computers for storing information that people are unable to remember basic things.

A. Such is the dependence　　 B. Such dependence does　

C. So they are dependent　　　 D. So do they depend

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析