56­year­old becomes 1st woman to swim Atlanti...

56­year­old becomes 1st woman to swim Atlantic

(AP)－Jennifer Figge pressed her toes into the Caribbean sand, excited and exhausted as she touched land this week for the first time in almost a month. Reaching a beach in Trinidad, she became the first woman on record to swim across the Atlantic Ocean—a dream she'd had since the early 1960s,when a stormy trans­Atlantic (飞越大西洋) flight got her thinking she could wear a life vest and swim the rest of the way if needed.

The 56­year­old left the Cape Verde Islands off Africa's western coast on Jan.12,2009, swimming 19 out of 25 days battling waves of up to 30 feet.The distance from Cape Verde to Trinidad is about 700 miles.Crewmembers are still computing exactly how many miles she swam.

The original plan was for her to swim to the Bahamas—a distance of about 2,100 miles—but inclement (恶劣的) weather forced her to change her plans and she arrived at Trinidad on Feb.5.She now plans to swim from Trinidad to the British Virgin Islands,ending her voyage at the Bitter End Yacht Club in late February.

Her journey came a decade after French swimmer Benoit Lecomte made the first known solo trans­Atlantic swim,covering nearly 4,000 miles from Massachusetts to France in 73 days.No woman on record had made the crossing.

Figge wore a red cap and wet suit,with her only good­luck charm (护身符) underneath:an old,red shirt to guard against chafing (磨痛),signed by friends,relatives and her father,who recently died.The other cherished (珍惜) possession she kept onboard was a picture of Gertrude Ederle,an American who became the first woman to swim across the English Channel.“We have a few things in common,”Figge said,“She wore a red hat and she was of German descent (血统).We both talked to the sea,and neither one of us wanted to get out.”

1.When did Jennifer Figge want to swim across the Atlantic Ocean？

A．After she reached a beach in Trinidad.

B．After she pressed her toes into the Caribbean sand.

C．After her stormy trans­Atlantic flight in the early 1960s.

D．After her graduation from a university.

2.Jennifer Figge had to change her plans 　　　.

A．because she wanted to shorten her voyage

B．because of bad weather conditions

C．because she wanted to end her voyage in late February

D．because she wanted to set a new world record

3.When did Benoit Lecomte probably make the first known solo trans­Atlantic swim？

A．In 1999.          B．In 1988.           C．In 1978 .          D．In 1968.

4.For what purpose did Jennifer Figge keep a photo of Gertrude Ederle？

A．Figge would like to follow her example.

B．She had the same red cap as Figge always wore.

C．Figge also wanted to swim across the English Channel.

D．They were both born in Germany.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Just two years before her 100th birthday, Sensei Keiko Fukuda has become the first woman to achieve a tenth-degree black belt --- the highest rank in the martial art and combat sport judo(柔道). Fukuda is now one of only four living people who’ve earned the tenth-degree (or dan) black belt. Throughout history, only sixteen people have ever achieved this honor.

Fukuda began practicing judo in 1935 and is the only surviving student of its founder, Kano Jiguro. Urged by her teacher, she learned English to help spread judo internationally.

During a time when getting married, building a family, and becoming a housewife was the standard, Fukuda went against tradition, opting out of marriage to pursue the martial art.

“All I did was judo ... this was my marriage,” Fukuda reflected tearfully to the San Francisco Chronicle. “This is when my life destiny was set. I just never imagined how long this road would be.”

She described the Jiguro’s school, known as the Kodokan, as “old-fashioned and sexist(性别歧视的) about belts and ranks”. In fact, an order that prevented women from achieving any higher than a fifth-degree black belt kept Fukuda at that level for thirty years. She was finally promoted to sixth dan in 1972 when a woman’s division was created.

Fukuda said she approached judo and her life with the intention to “be gentle, kind and beautiful, yet firm and strong, both mentally and physically”. Fukuda said this kind of beauty is decidedly not external (外部的). “ A kind soul is inner beauty,” she explained to the paper. “I believe this is true beauty … All my life this has been my dream.”

Dream realized, the 98-year-old Sensei Keiko Fukuda continues to teach judo three times a week at a woman’s judo.

1.It can be learned from the passage that ____________.

A. Fukuda achieved the tenth-degree black belt at 97.

B. four people earned the tenth-degree black belt in history.

C. nearly all of Kano Jiguro’s students were dead.

D. the Kodokan was founded in 1935.

2.The underlined part “opting out of” in the 3rd paragraph is closest in meaning to _________.

A. choosing or welcoming　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. longing for or desiring

C. keeping out of or avoiding　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. missing or having no chance of

3.Why did Fukuda remain at fifth-degree black belt for so long a time?

A. It was hard for her to improve her level.　　　　

B. She suffered from a foolish rule.

C. Her family life took up too much of her time.　

D. She didn’t want to improve her level.

4.Which of the following is the main idea of the passage?

A. The only surviving student of Kano Jiguro remains single.

B. The tenth-degree black belt is the highest rank in judo.

C. Sensei Keiko Fukuda spreads judo throughout the world.

D. 98-year-old woman becomes the first woman ever to earn judo’s highest-degree black belt.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming lake behind his house.

In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind his shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swan toward the middle of the lake, an alligator(鳄鱼) was swimming toward the shore.

His mother in the house was looking out the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer. In extreme fear, she ran toward the water, yelling(大叫) to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him.

From the dock(码头)，the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched(夺取) his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-water(拔河). The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate(有感情的). A farmer happened to drive by, took aim and shot the alligator.

After weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. The newspaper reporter asked if he would show him his scars(伤疤). The boy lifted his legs, then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, “but look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mum wouldn’t let go. ”

Some scars have caused us deep regret, but some scars are because of love.

1.From the second paragraph we can infer that_____.

2.The incredible tug-of-water is between _______.

3.Which of the following statements is true?

4.Why was the boy proud when he showed the scars on his arms？

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

How to become a conservation officer: Jade’s story

Part 1: Jade’s story

Hi, I’m Jade. I’m 20 years old and I’m an apprentice conservation officer.

Conservation is protecting the natural environment and trying to make it thrive and flourish as much as possible. My job really is to try and get as many people engaged in nature as possible and doing an apprenticeship like this, which is so diverse, really means that I can try every different area of this job out and see which fits me the best. And it means that I also get paid at the same time. I’ve always been a massive animal lover. I love being so close to them and observing the behaviours and I love the enthusiasm.

This job has helped me vastly from day-to-day stress and anxiety, to just general happiness, I’m in such a better place because of it. I’m working with so many amazing supportive people and I really couldn’t be happier right now!

Part 2: What to expect if you want to be a conservation officer

When Jade finishes her apprenticeship, she will be a conservation officer. A role similar to Jade’s is a countryside officer.

Countryside officer salary: £18,000 to £50,000 per year

Countryside officer working hours: 39 to 41 hours per week

Typical entry requirements: To do an advanced apprenticeship in environmental conservation like Jade’s, you’ll usually need 5 General Certificates of Secondary Education or equivalent at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and Maths. Paid or unpaid work experience can be very useful when applying for jobs. Organisations like the Conservation Volunteers, the National Trust and the Wildlife Trusts offer training for volunteers.

1.In what ways does the job help Jade?

A.By providing her with one-on-one training.

B.By improving her confidence in protecting nature.

C.By helping her relieve the pressure and stress.

D.By training her in finding different types of jobs.

2.Why does the text mention the countryside officer salary?

A.Because it can attach importance to the job.

B.Because it can call on people to apply for the job.

C.Because it can show the popularity of the job.

D.Because it can remind people to protect nature.

3.How can you become a conservation officer?

A.Grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English or Maths.

B.Have paid or unpaid work experience.

C.Get 5 General Certificates of Secondary Education.

D.Volunteer in organisations like the Wildlife Trusts.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

An 18-year-old student has won a local election to become mayor of his hometown in the US state of Michigan. Michael Sessions won by the slenderest of margins - just two votes put him ahead of his only rival, the incumbent 51-year-old mayor. Mr. Sessions attributed his electoral success to the votes cast by his parents. He will now have to juggle schedules between attending school and fulfilling his civic duties. He will attend his school classes between 8am to 3pm and carry out his new job as the elected mayor of Hillsdale before dinner at 6pm. He aims to deliver on his campaign pledges of increasing the contingent (小分队) of full-time fire-fighters from three to four, revitalizing (使恢复元气) the local economy and enabling townsfolk to air their views and grievances on town life.

Mr. Sessions was too young to enter the election when it was first announced – he turned 18 only in September, which meant he had just four weeks of campaigning. Although he is the youngest elected official in America, he cannot celebrate his success with champagne because he would be arrested for underage drinking. He ran for office with a budget of $700, which he made from his summer job of selling toffee apples. His position is largely ceremonial and he will not get his own office. Instead, he will receive an annual stipend of $3,600 to cover basic expenses. He starts his four-year position on November 21. Mr. Sessions has become an overnight celebrity since his victory and has already done the circuit of television chat show interviews.

1. When did the election probably take place?

A. August.        B. September.         C. October.       D. December.

2. How long will Mr. Sessions be the mayor of Michigan State?

A. One year.           B. Two years.         C. Four years.     D. Not mentioned.

3. Which of the following statements is correct?

A. Mr. Sessions won the election by two votes.

B. Mr. Sessions had many competitors during the election.

C. The new mayor will get an office after the election.

D. The new mayor doesn’t have to attend the school any more.

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Lisa, a middle-aged woman, went to prepare lunch, leaving her 3-year-old son, Barney, playing by himself in the backyard.

All of a sudden, a sharp cry of Barney came into the mother's ears, and Lisa rushed into the backyard and found a big snake entwining（纠缠） the little child with its body and trying to swallow the boy. Lisa was terrified and quite angry. She made up her mind to save her son from the snake's mouth.

It was a fearless mother's love that made Lisa forget what she faced. She took up an old hatchet （斧头）from the ground and struck the snake with all her strength.

One...two... With the hatchet, Lisa hit the snake again and again, but she felt as if she were striking a mass of solid(坚固的) rubber. The little boy's voice and breath were getting weaker and weaker. Lisa's heart was broken and she nearly went mad.

Suddenly Lisa put aside the hatchet and threw herself on to the snake, opened her mouth and bit into its back, as if tearing a tough steak（牛排）. Lisa was really mad.

A small piece of flesh was bitten off. Lisa picked up the hatchet again and hit at the wound in the snake's back madly and savagely.

Stinking blood was spraying out of the snake's body. The snake was so badly wounded that it let go of Barney and moved back into the forest. It had never imagined that human beings had such terrible, sharp teeth. Halfway home, the snake died.

1.Why did Lisa fail in killing the snake at first?

A. Because she was afraid that what she did would hurt her son.

B. Because the hatchet was not sharp enough and the snake's skin was too hard.

C. Because the snake was even stronger than Lisa.

D. Because she was too astonished to do anything.

2.________, so she bit the snake.

A. Lisa was really driven mad

B. Lisa thought her teeth were much sharper than the hatchet

C. Lisa couldn't refuse the temptation of the snake's meat

D. Lisa had not got any other way to deal with the snake

3.From the story, we learned that it was a mother's love that made___________ .

A. Barney brave　　 B. the snake frightened

C. Lisa mad and angry　　 D. the woman fearless

4.What does “made up her mind” in the second paragraph probably mean?

A. was determined　　 B. presented　　 C. wandered　　 D. was shocked

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

A young woman carrying a three-year-old child got on a bus. The conductor hurried to give her a warm welcome and then kindly asked the other passengers to make more room for the woman and her child. On seeing this, people began to talk. “You know this conductor used to be very rude. Now suddenly he has changed his bad behavior,” said a middle-aged man.

“Yes, he should be praised and we must write a letter to the company,” said a second passenger. “That's right,” another lady said, “I wish a newspaper reporter were here so that more people could learn from this conductor.” Just then a gentleman who looked like a teacher turned to the conductor and said , “Excuse me, but can I know your name, please? Your excellent service must be praised.”

Before he could open his mouth, the three-year-old child sitting on the young woman's lap interrupted, “I know his name. I call him Dad.”

1.The passengers were ______ to see the conductor's kindness to the woman and the child.

A. excited　　 B. pleased　　 C. interested　　 D. surprised

2.One passenger suggested writing a letter to the company to ______.

A. make a demand for more buses

B. thank the conductor for his good service

C. criticize the conductor for his rude behavior

D. invite a newspaper reporter to write about the conductor

3.It is clear from the story that the conductor _______.

A. has changed his attitude towards his work

B. has now been kind and polite to all passengers

C. has not changed his rude behavior to passengers

D. has now been kind and polite to women with children

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

A young woman carrying a three-year-old child got on a bus. The conductor hurried to give her a warm welcome and then kindly asked the other passengers to make more room for the woman and her child. On seeing this, people began to talk. "You know this conductor used to be very rude. Now suddenly he has changed his bad behavior." said a middle-aged man.

"Yes, he should be praised and we must write a letter to the company," said a second passenger. "That's right," another lady said, "I wish a newspaper reporter were here so that more people could learn from this conductor."

Just then a gentleman who looked like a teacher turned to the conductor and said, "Excuse me, but can I know your name, please? Your excellent service must be praised..."

Before he could open his mouth, the three-year-old child sitting on the young woman's lap interrupted, "I know his name. I call him Dad."'

1.One passenger suggested writing a letter to the company to ______.

A. make a demand for more-buses

B. thank the conductor for his good service

C. criticize the conductor for his rude behavior

D. invite a newspaper reporter to write about the conductor

2.What was the gentleman?

A. Not known from the story.

B. A newspaper reporter.

C. A doctor.

D. The conductor's friend from his company.

3.The word "him" in the last paragraph refers to ______.

A. the gentleman　　　 　　 B. the conductor

C. the middle-aged man　　 D. the three-year-old child

4.It is clear from the story that the conductor______.

A. has changed his attitude towards his work

B. has now been kind and polite to all passengers

C. has not changed his rude behavior to passengers

D. has now been kind and polite to women with children

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

A young woman carrying a three-year-old child got on a bus. The conductor hurried to give her a warm welcome and then kindly asked the other passengers to make more room for the woman and her child. On seeing this, people began to talk. "You know this conductor used to be very rude. Now suddenly he has changed his bad behavior , "said a middle-aged man.

"Yes, he should be praised and we must write a letter to the company," said a second passenger. "That's right," another lady said, "I wish a newspaper reporter were here so that more people could learn from this conductor."

Just then a gentleman who looked like a teacher turned to the conductor and said, "Excuse me, but can I know your name, please? Your excellent service must be praised..."

Before he could open his mouth, the three-year-old child sitting on the young woman's lap interrupted, "I know his name. I call him Dad."

1. The passengers were ________ to see the conductor's kindness to the woman and the child.

A. excited　　 B. pleased

C. interested D. surprised

2. One passenger suggested writing a letter to the comp­any to ______ .

A. make a demand for more buses

B. thank the conductor for his good service

C. criticize the conductor for his rude behavior

D. invite a newspaper reporter to write about the conductor

3. What was the gentleman?

A. A teacher.

B. A newspaper reporter.

C. Not known from the story.

D. The conductor's friend from his company.

4. The word "he" in the last paragraph refers to _______.

A. the gentleman　　　　　　 B. the conductor

C. the middle-aged man　　 D. the three-year-old child

5. It is clear from the story that the conductor ______.

A. has changed his attitude towards his work

B. has now been kind and polite to all passengers

C. has not changed his rude behavior to passen­gers

D. has now been kind and polite to women with children

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

A young woman carrying a three-year-old child got on a bus. The conductor hurried to give her a warm welcome and then kindly asked the other passengers to make more room for the woman and her child. On seeing this, people began to talk. “You know this conductor used to be very rude. Now suddenly he has changed his bad behavior,” said a middle-aged man.

“Yes, he should be praised and we must write a letter to the company,” said a second passenger. “That’s right,” another lady said, “I wish a newspaper reporter were here so that more people could learn from this conductor.”

Just then a gentleman who looked like a teacher turned to the conductor and said, “Excuse me, but can I know your name, please? Your excellent service must be praised...”

Before he could open his mouth, the three-year-old child sitting on the young woman’s lap interrupted, “I know his name. I call him Dad.”

64. One passenger suggested writing a letter to the company to ______    .

A. make a demand for more buses

B. thank the conductor for his good service

C. criticize the conductor for his rude behavior

D. invite a newspaper reporter to write about the conductor

65. What was the gentleman?

A. A teacher.

B. A newspaper reporter.

C. Not known from the story.

D. The conductor's friend from his company.

66. The word “him” in the last paragraph refers to _______.

A. the gentleman           B. the conductor

C. the middle-aged man     D. the three-year-old child

67. It is clear from the story that the conductor _______.

A. has changed his attitude towards his work

B. has now been kind and polite to all passengers

C. has not changed his rude behavior to passengers

D. has now been kind and polite to women with children

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析