When families gather for Christmas dinner, some will stick to formal traditions dating back to grandma’s generation. Their tables will be set with the good dishes and silver, and the dress code will be Sunday best.
But in many other homes, this china-and-silver elegance has given way to a stoneware (粗陶)-and-stainless informality, with dresses assuming an equally casual-Friday look. For hosts and guests, the change means greater simplicity and comfort. For makers of fine china in Britain, it spells economic hard times.
Last week Royal Doulton, the largest employer in Stoke-on-Trent, announced that it is eliminating 1,000 jobs—one-fifth of its total workforce. That brings to more than 4,000 the number of positions lost in 18 months in the pottery (陶瓷) region. Wedgwood and other pottery factories made cuts earlier.
Although a strong pound and weak markets in Asia play a role in the downsizing, the layoffs in Stoke have their roots in earthshaking social shifts. A spokesman for Royal Doulton admitted that the company “has been somewhat slow in catching up with the trend” toward casual dining. Families eat together less often, he explained, and more people eat alone, either because they are single or they eat in front of television.
Even dinner parties, if they happen at all, have gone casual. In a time of long work hours and demanding family schedules, busy hosts insist, rightly, that it’s better to share a takeout pizza on paper plates in the family room than to wait for the perfect moment or a “real” dinner party. Too often, the perfect moment never comes. Iron a fine-patterned tablecloth? Forget it. Polish the silver? Who has time?
Yet the loss of formality has its down side. The fine points of etiquette (礼节) that children might once have learned at the table by observation or instruction from parents and grandparents (“Chew with your mouth closed.” “Keep your elbows off the table.”) must be picked up elsewhere. Some companies now offer etiquette seminars for employees who may be able professionally but inexperienced socially.
1. Why do people tend to follow the trend to casual dining?
A. Family members need more time to relax.
B. Busy schedules leave people no time for formality.
C. People prefer to live a comfortable life.
D. Young people won’t follow the etiquette of the older generation.
2. It can be learned from the passage that Royal Doulton is ______.
A. a seller of stainless steel tableware B. a dealer in stoneware
C. a pottery chain store D. a producer of fine china
3. The main cause of the layoffs in the pottery industry is ______.
A. the increased value of the pound B. the worsening economy in Asia
C. the change in people’s way of life D. the fierce competition at home and abroad
4. Formal table manners, though less popular than before in current social life, ______.
A. are still a must on certain occasions B. are certain to return sooner or later
C. are still being taught by parents at home D. can help improve personal relationships
高三英语阅读理解简单题
When families gather for Christmas dinner, some will stick to formal traditions dating back to grandma's generation. Their tables will be set with the good dishes and silver, and the dress code will be Sunday best.
But in many other homes, this china-and-silver elegance has given way to a stoneware (粗陶) and stainless informality, with dresses assuming an equally casual-Friday look. For hosts and guests, the change means greater simplicity and comfort. For makers of fine china in Britain, it spells economic hard times. Last week Royal Doulton, the largest employer in Stoke-on-Trent, announced that it is eliminating 1,000 jobs -- one-fifth of its total workforce. That brings to more than 4, 000 the number of positions lost in 18 months in the pottery (陶瓷) region. Wedgwood and other pottery factories made cuts earlier.
Although a strong pound and weak markets in Asia play a role in the downsizing, the layoffs in Stoke have their roots in earthshaking social shifts. A spokesman for Royal Doulton admitted that the company "has been somewhat slow in catching up with the trend" toward casual dining. Families eat together less often, he explained, and more people eat alone, either because they are single or they eat in front of television. Even dinner parties, if they happen at all, have gone casual. In a time of long work hours and demanding family schedules, busy hosts insist, rightly, that it's better to share a takeout pizza on paper plates in the family room than to wait for the perfect moment or a "real" dinner party.
Too often, the perfect moment never comes. Iron a fine-patterned tablecloth? Forget it. Polish the silver? Who has time? Yet the loss of formality has its down side. The fine points of etiquette (礼节) that children might once have learned at the table by observation or instruction from parents and grandparents (" Chew with your mouth closed." "Keep your elbows off the table. ") must be picked up else-where. Some companies now offer etiquette seminars for employees who may be able professionally but inexperienced socially.
1. Why do people tend to follow the trend to casual dining?
A. Busy schedules leave people no time for formality
B. Family members need more time to relax.
C. People prefer to live a comfortable life.
D. Young people won't follow the etiquette of the older generation.
2.It can be learned from the passage that 'Royal Doulton is .
A. a seller of stainless steel tableware
B. a dealer in stoneware
C. a pottery chain store
D. a producer of fine china
3.The main cause of the layoffs in the pottery industry is .
A. the increased value of the pound
B. the worsening economy in Asia
C. the change in people's way of life
D. the fierce competition at home and abroad
4.Formal table manners, though less popular than before in current Social life,___________.
A. are still a must on certain occasions
B. are certain to return sooner or later
C. are still being taught by parents at home
D. can help improve personal relationships
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
When families gather for Christmas dinner, some will stick to formal traditions dating back to grandma’s generation. Their tables will be set with the good dishes and silver, and the dress code will be Sunday best.
But in many other homes, this china-and-silver elegance has given way to a stoneware (粗陶)-and-stainless informality, with dresses assuming an equally casual-Friday look. For hosts and guests, the change means greater simplicity and comfort. For makers of fine china in Britain, it spells economic hard times.
Last week Royal Doulton, the largest employer in Stoke-on-Trent, announced that it is eliminating 1,000 jobs—one-fifth of its total workforce. That brings to more than 4,000 the number of positions lost in 18 months in the pottery (陶瓷) region. Wedgwood and other pottery factories made cuts earlier.
Although a strong pound and weak markets in Asia play a role in the downsizing, the layoffs in Stoke have their roots in earthshaking social shifts. A spokesman for Royal Doulton admitted that the company “has been somewhat slow in catching up with the trend” toward casual dining. Families eat together less often, he explained, and more people eat alone, either because they are single or they eat in front of television.
Even dinner parties, if they happen at all, have gone casual. In a time of long work hours and demanding family schedules, busy hosts insist, rightly, that it’s better to share a takeout pizza on paper plates in the family room than to wait for the perfect moment or a “real” dinner party. Too often, the perfect moment never comes. Iron a fine-patterned tablecloth? Forget it. Polish the silver? Who has time?
Yet the loss of formality has its down side. The fine points of etiquette (礼节) that children might once have learned at the table by observation or instruction from parents and grandparents (“Chew with your mouth closed.” “Keep your elbows off the table.”) must be picked up elsewhere. Some companies now offer etiquette seminars for employees who may be able professionally but inexperienced socially.
1. Why do people tend to follow the trend to casual dining?
A. Family members need more time to relax.
B. Busy schedules leave people no time for formality.
C. People prefer to live a comfortable life.
D. Young people won’t follow the etiquette of the older generation.
2. It can be learned from the passage that Royal Doulton is ______.
A. a seller of stainless steel tableware B. a dealer in stoneware
C. a pottery chain store D. a producer of fine china
3. The main cause of the layoffs in the pottery industry is ______.
A. the increased value of the pound B. the worsening economy in Asia
C. the change in people’s way of life D. the fierce competition at home and abroad
4. Formal table manners, though less popular than before in current social life, ______.
A. are still a must on certain occasions B. are certain to return sooner or later
C. are still being taught by parents at home D. can help improve personal relationships
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
When families gather for Christmas dinner, some will stick to formal traditions ______ Grandma’s generation.
A. objecting to B. splitting off from C. adding to D. dating back to
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
One day I went to a store to get some needed items for my family. I gathered up my goodies and headed for the ________ counter, only to be ________ in the narrow aisle (通道) by a young man who ________ to be about sixteen years old. I wasn’t in a hurry, so I ________ waited for the boy to realize that I was there. It was obvious now, he was mentally ________ and a little shocked as he turned and saw me standing so ________ to him, waiting to ________. I said, “Hey Buddy, what’s your name?”
“My name is Denny and I’m ________ with my Mommy,” he responded proudly.
“Wow,” I said, “that’s a(n) ________ name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Steve. How old are you Denny?”
“How old am I now, Mommy?” he asked his mother as she slowly ________ from the next aisle. “You’re fifteen years old, Denny”. Then he headed toward the toy section.
Denny’s mom ________ me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn’t ________ look at him, much less talk to him.
I told her that it was my ________ and that there are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in God’s Garden; ________, “Blue Roses” are very ________ and should be appreciated ________ their beauty and distinctiveness.
You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and ________ someone doesn’t stop and ________ that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they’ve ________ a blessing from God. So, the next time you see a BLUE ROSE, don’t turn your head and walk off. ________ to smile and say Hello.
1.A. customer B. checkout C. salesman D. office
2.A. blocked B. troubled C. met D. found
3.A. pretended B. appeared C. declared D. tended
4.A. slowly B. slightly C. kindly D. patiently
5.A. torn B. broken C. challenged D. wounded
6.A. close B. friendly C. next D. happily
7.A. steal away B. hurry out C. squeeze by D. break in
8.A. swimming B. shopping C. singing D. travelling
9.A. cool B. bad C. ordinary D. old
10.A. went away B. walked by C. came over D. turned up
11.A. thanked B. stared at C. praised D. chatted with
12.A. ever B. still C. yet D. even
13.A. courage B. pleasure C. habit D. faith
14.A. therefore B. besides C. meanwhile D. however
15.A. rare B. big C. bright D. colorful
16.A. with B. by C. for D. in
17.A. unless B. if C. before D. after
18.A. smell B. pick C. buy D. see
19.A. wanted B. forgotten C. missed D. invited
20.A. Be brave B. Be proud C. Take it easy D. Take the time
高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
My family was gathered for a barbecue when the discussion arose about a celebrity who earned a large amount of money. The major criteria for receiving millions of dollars seem to be determined by how much the audience will pay to watch the performer achieve.
The discussion led to a sudden self-questioning. Why did I choose teaching for a career? I half-listened to their conversation as I pondered the answer.
I remembered my three children watching me spend nights planning for my class. I remembered how they intently listened to my frustrations concerning materials, procedures and the amount of responsibility that seemed to endlessly be thrust into the laps of classroom teachers. I remembered when it came time for each of my own children to choose a profession. How I waited to hear if any had plans to follow Mom into teaching. Long considerations held no mention of anyone becoming a teacher.
Dessert was being served, and everyone was still involved in the discussion of the enormous salary of one individual, when the phone rang. My husband handed the phone to me.
“Hello, this is Bonnie Block,” I said.
“Is this the Bonnie Block who used to teach kindergarten?”
A nervous sensation swelled in me, and my mind raced with memories of those days long ago.
“Yes!” I exclaimed with a lump in my throat. It seemed like forever as I waited anxiously to hear what the caller would say next.
“I am Danielle—Danielle Russ. I was in your kindergarten class.”
Tears of surprise and joy rolled down my flushed cheeks.
“Yes,” I uttered softly as I remembered that darling, wonderful child.
“Well, I am graduating from high school this year, and I have been trying to find you. I wanted you to know what a difference you made in my life.”
She proceeded to give details. My influence on her wasn’t limited to kindergarten but remained a strong motivating force when she needed a coach to help her meet a challenge. “I pictured you praising and encouraging me all the way.”
Why choose teaching?
The pay is great!
1.The author’s children were not willing to be a teacher as their profession because ________.
A. they didn’t like the profession
B. they would give a lot but gain a little
C. they wanted to try different careers
D. their mother rejected it
2.Danielle rang the author mainly to ________.
A. express gratitude
B. make complaints
C. keep in touch
D. show off her achievements
3.When the author received the call, she felt ________.
A. embarrassed but delighted
B. confused but pleasant
C. unexpected but moved
D. astonished but regretful
4.The last sentence “The pay is great!” implies that the author ________.
A. suffers a lot as a teacher
B. pays a lot for teaching
C. is well-paid as a teacher
D. has her work recognized
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Christmas in the United States is traditionally a time of gift-giving and family gatherings. But small towns across the country have their own traditions.
Middleburg,a small town in the state of Virginia,is known for its horses. For more than 50 years, Middleburg has organized a yearly Christmas parade(游行). Men and women ride horses through the woods and fields.They follow hunting dogs as they search for a wild fox.But first,these hunters ride in the yearly parade, wearing their bright red hunting clothes and hats.
John Hale, a citizen of Middleburg says many city people visit his town. “We have a lot of people from an urban area that come to visit,but it involves a lot of the old traditions.” The nighttime hay ride is one such tradition.Small groups gather under the moonlight on an open wagon filled with hay. The passengers sing as farm horses pull the wagon slowly across the fields.
There are some newer traditions, too. Trey Matheu works at the nearby Salamander Resort. He says a visit to Middleburg is a chance to slow down for a day. He says Middleburg can be a calming, peaceful place without tension.
“Middleburg is an opportunity to take a step back, to take a deep breath, and understand that even though life is moving on at a very fast pace, there’s really an opportunity where you’re allowed to step off for a little bit.”
Parade organizers say more than 13,000 people attend even in below-freezing weather. But if you ask,you will hear many different reasons why people come to watch the parade:
“I come here because I’m from a small town. I like how everybody comes together.”“I live right down that street; right there. And that’s my dog.”
Middleburg looks its best at Christmastime. That may be why so many people return each year.
1.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A. Middleburg Christmas parade
B. A small town known for horses
C. Christmas traditions in Middleburg
D. Newer traditions at Christmastime
2.At Christmas, people in Middleburg usually ___________.
A. visit friends and families
B. feed farm horses with hay
C. hunt for dogs in the woods
D. ride in the yearly parade
3.According to Trey Matheu, why do people visit Middleburg?
A. To relax themselves.
B. To enjoy the fresh air.
C. To escape competition.
D. To challenge themselves.
4.What do we know about the small town Middleburg?
A. It makes a large profit from tourism.
B. It attracts many people each year.
C. It is a good place for family gatherings.
D. It doesn’t respect Christmas traditions.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
-–When will you come home for dinner? I will prepare it for you.
--Don’t ______it. I’ll eat out with my friends.
A.care about B.bother about C.worry about D.talk about
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
–When will you come home for dinner? I will prepare it for you.
--Don’t ______it. I’ll eat out with my friends.
A. care about B. bother about C. worry about D. talk about
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
Following Christmas dinner, my family was relaxing around the table. We had all enjoyed traditional turkey and sweet potatoes lightly shining with brown sugar. The good cooking smells still filled the air; and the oven remained warm. My sister, our chef, was enjoying the admiration.
My nephew, never one to sit still for long, began dribbling (运球) his basketball around the table. Upon nearing Dad, he stopped — almost uncertainly. With shaking wrinkled hands, Dad had reached out for the ball. The boy, confused, looked up and over at us.
I watched my father closely to see what he would do. The twinkle in his eyes shone brighter than any Christmas lights. Holding the ball and reaching forward with a playful smile, Dad bounced it and then caught it.
This action was repeated. Gently throwing the ball away, Dad began a game of catch. The ball continued to be passed through eager pairs of outstretched hands. Cries of “Over here!” rang through the warm kitchen. Dad’s active participation was remarkable to me, for he had advanced Alzheimer’s disease, which had robbed him of many memories and the recognition ability. Despite this, Dad clearly recognized the ball and what you could do with it.
In my younger years, playing with Dad was rare. To his credit, Dad worked hard and provided for us. He was very private and never showed nor shared much emotion; his game of choice was chess, which he did eventually teach me how to play. As an adult, I had become a caregiver as Dad declined. Connecting moments between father and son had been few and far between before he took the basketball.
I’m not sure how long we played catch. What I do know is that our game ended all too soon, and it was time to face the reality of dirty dishes piled high on countertops. The moment, though, will certainly last forever.
1.What can we know about the family’s Christmas dinner?
A.Dishes were cleaned up. B.All food was sugar-free.
C.It was a sweet moment. D.It was disturbed by the game.
2.Why was Dad’s active participation in the game remarkable to me?
A.He rarely played basketball. B.He had severe Alzheimer’s disease.
C.He had astonishing skills. D.He played with family members.
3.How was Dad getting along with kids in earlier years?
A.He often accompanied kids. B.He was willing to share feelings.
C.He forced kids to learn chess. D.He seldom interacted with kids.
4.What can be the best title for the passage?
A.A game of catch B.A devoted father
C.A dinner of reunion D.A bond between father and son
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
--When will you come home for dinner? I’ll prepare it for you.
--Don’t ________ it. I’ll eat out with my friends.
A. care about B. worry about C. bother about D. talk about
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析