I always wanted to be extraordinary at someth...

I always wanted to be extraordinary at something. Not just as in,”Great job, Jimbo!” No, I wanted to be best-in-class, awe-inspiring, tiptop; a world-famous genius,like Michael Phelps or Mark Zuckerberg.

Unfortunately, my version of reality did not quite line up with this delusional vision. I was a good swimmer, but I peaked at the collegiate State Championships level. My academic record was pretty solid, but I never would have made it into one of those ivy-league schools.

Though I rose to above-average status in a couple of areas, the disappointing truth was that I would never amount to anything more than a mid-sized fish in a small pond. God apparently had other plans.

What drove me crazy, though, was the superstar talent thrown in my face at every turn. Some folks just seemed to get an unfair intensive dose(剂量)of it. Why couldn’t I be like Bernie William, the famed New Yorkees player who also happens to be a world-class jazz guitar virtuoso(艺术大师)?

Some say greatness is simply a function of putting in the practice time. Around ten thousand hours, to be precise, according to author Malcolm Gladwell. I don’t question the theory of devoting extraordinary efforts to developing one’s expertise, but it seems that raw talent is equally important. You either have it or you don’t.

I’ve heard that as people approach middle age, their life satisfaction increases because they begin to accept the gap between the expectations for themselves and the reality. After a few decades of frustration without the desired results, we eventually come to terms with how our lives turned out, even if it falls far short of our idealized youthful expectation.

Hope bends, it seems.

1.What does the word “delusional” in Para2 most probably mean?

A.Imaginary B.Realistic C.Abstract D.Practical

2.In the passage, the writer thinks of himself as　 .

A.a world-famous genius B.a mid-sized fish in a small pond

C.a world-class virtuoso D.a student in an ivy-league school

3.According to the writer, what makes “greatness”?

A.Extraordinary efforts B.Ten thousand hours of practice C.Raw talent D.Talent and time

4.Which of the following might be the best title ?

A.Hope Bends B.Frustrating Decades

C.Practice Works D.Youthful Expectation

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Is there something that you've always wanted to try but just never had the time? Well, make plans to try it now since you are on summer vacation. Not all vacations call for taking a tour bus to take photos of famous landmarks. Some vacations allow you plenty of opportunities to learn.

The most difficult aspect of a learning vacation may be choosing one because the possibilities are endless. If you enjoy cooking, various companies can take you to Italy, France, Spain, Mexico or even Peru. Once there, you can learn to prepare the local cuisine(烹饪). Trips are often planned to fit in with local food festivals or special events.

The term “learning vacation” often brings language to mind. The best way to learn a language is in an environment where it's spoken. Study Spanish, French or English. Or attempt a more unusual language like Polish, Estonian or Thai. You'll be able to learn about the country and absorb the culture at the same time.

If you are fond of sports, you can polish your skills or learn new ones. Golf and tennis schools welcome players of all levels. If you want a bigger thrill, you can learn to surf, go climbing or race cars. It's even possible to learn the art and techniques of bull fighting while on vacation!

You can also discover our inner artist.  Many places offer painting classes in different mediums. The scenic locations, of the schools offer plenty of subjects that provide inspiration for practice.

If you prefer capturing the world on film, take a photography vacation. Travel with a small group to photograph beautiful animals or scenery.  You can also practise your technique on people or at historical sights.

Once you decide on a vacation, choose a company carefully.  Request names of recent customers you can contact,  and then ask them for an evaluation. The more you know before you go,  the better prepared you'll be.  Then go out and learn something!

1.Why is it hard for you to decide on a learning vacation?

2.The advantage of learning a language in its native country is that ________.

3.Which of the following sports suits you if you don't like thrills?

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Is there something that you’ve always wanted to try but just never have the time? Well, make plans to try it now since you are on summer vacation. Not all vacations call for taking a tour bus to take photos of famous landmarks. Some vacations allow you plenty of opportunities to learn.

The most difficult aspect of a learning vacation may be choosing one because the possibilities are endless. If you enjoy cooking, various companies can take you to Italy, France, Spain, Mexico or even Peru. Once there, you can learn to prepare the local cuisine(烹饪). Trips are often planned to fit in with local food festivals or special events.

The term “learning vacation” often brings language to mind. The best way to learn a language is in an environment where it’s spoken. Study Spanish, French or English. Or attempt a more unusual language like Polish, Estonian or Thai. You’ll be able to learn about the country and absorb the culture at the same time.

If you are fond of sports, you can polish your skills or learn new ones. Golf and tennis schools welcome players of all levels. If you want a bigger thrill, you can learn to surf, go climbing or race cars. It’s ever possible to learn the art and techniques of bull fighting while on vacation!

You can also discover your inner artist. Many places offer painting classes in different mediums. The scenic locations of the schools offer plenty of subjects that provide inspiration for practice.

If you prefer capturing the world on film, take a photography vacation. Travel with a small group to photograph beautiful animals or scenery. You can also practice your technique on people or at historical sights.

Once you decide on a vacation, choose a company carefully. Request names of recent customers you can contact, and then ask them for an evaluation(评价). The more you know before you go, the better prepared you’ll be. Then go out and learn something!

1.Why is it hard for you to decide on a learning vacation?

A. Because it is hard for you to make plans.

B. Because the possibilities are unlimited.

C. Because there are many good foods from abroad.

D. Because there’s too many food festivals or events.

2.The advantages of learning a language in its native country is that 　　 .

A. the environment is fit for you to use the language

B. you are able to learn the original foreign language

C. native speakers offer you a lot of chances to practice

D. you can learn the language and experience its culture

3.Which of the following sports suits you if you don’t like thrills?

A. Car racing.　　　 B. Playing tennis.

C. Rock climbing.　 D. Surfing.

4.The purpose of writing the text is to 　　　 .

A. advertise some popular summer programmes

B. encourage readers to have a good time relaxing

C. offer some tips on how to enjoy a learning vacation

D. attract more readers to spend summer time learning

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Katie always felt there had to be something more to life than just partying, buying clothes and driving a cool car. She finally discovered what she was missing out on when she traveled halfway around the world to help poor kids.

When she was 14, she discovered a club at school called Operation Smile, an organization that supports free operation for facially deformed kids in developing countries. At that time, she joined Operation Smile just to satisfy her school's community service requirement.

After working with Operation Smile for a while, she learned different countries have different deformities (畸形). The more she learned about what affects kids around the world, the more she wanted to go abroad with Operation Smile.

At 15, she was chosen to go abroad. She was so happy – even though she didn't realize what she was getting herself into. Before her trip, she attended a weekend "mission training". That's when she was told she'd be going to the Philippines. Although she was excited, one night during training, she broke down in tears. She didn't know if she was prepared to see all these unfortunate kids. She was put to work three days after her arrival in the Philippines. Her first day was at the hospital, where she met those kids waiting for operation, and they were running around and happy, it seemed normal. Her job was to play with the kids before their operation to help them feel more at ease. She also went to nearby schools to hand out toothbrushes and teach students how to brush their teeth.

When their operation was over, the kids were always overjoyed, but their parents were blown away. Sometimes they couldn't even recognize their kids because their appearances had improved so much. They'd cry and hug the doctors and nurses and give them presents--they were so grateful.

1.Why did the author join the Operation Smile?

A. To help poor kids in developing countries,  B. To satisfy her own curiosity.

C. To do what was required by the school.           D. To operate on those unfortunate kids.

2.According to the passage, Operation Smile ____.

A. is a club popular with students          B. is an organization founded by students

C. helps those unfortunate kids learn how to smile

D. offers operation for those unfortunate kids free of charge

3.Why did the author play with those kids in hospital?

A. To make them happy.                 B. To learn more shout them.

C. To teach them how to brush their teeth.

D. To make them feel relaxed about the operation.

4.After the operation, parents felt surprised for their kids' had improved so much.

A. health condition         B. looks        C. smile            D. mood

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Imagine looking at something and being able to move it just by using your brain!That is exactly what the new technology called BrainGate can do —with the help of a robotic arm,anyway.

BrainGate is the idea of Professor John Donoghue and his team of researchers at the Brown Institute for Brain Science,USA. BrainGate is attached directly to the brain. First of all,gold wires are put into the part of the brain that controls movement. These are then connected to a small computer chip(芯片) . When the person thinks about different movements,this creates electrical signals,which are picked up by the chip. After this,the signals that are created by the brain are sent back to a computer,which changes the signals into movements. Finally,the computer uses the robotic arm to carry out these movements. BrainGate can already be used to write an e-mail or play computer games,just by brain power.

The technology has already cost millions of dollars to develop and when it is available for use,it will probably cost thousands of dollars per person. There are still many challenges ahead for Donoghue and his team. They are currently planning a mini wireless version,which will allow people to be connected to the computer at all times. Donoghue also dreams of using this technology to help disabled people who can't move their arms or legs. He plans to connect BrainGate directly to their own paralysed limbs(瘫痪的胳膊或腿) .This will mean that the person can control their own body again,without relying on a robotic arm.

This research is attracting the military's (军方的) attention as well. However,it is easy to understand why scientists might be concerned about how thought-controlled machines could be used by the military.

1.What does the underlined word “These” refer to?

A. Movements.　　 B. Thoughts.

C. Brains　　 D. Wires.

2.What is one of BrainGate's disadvantages?

A. It needs improvement.　　 B. It produces few movements.

C. It is too expensive.　　 D. It is difficult to control.

3.How will Donoghue help disabled people?

A. By developing a wireless version.

B. By replacing their limbs with robotic ones.

C. By making BrainGate smaller.

D. By attaching BrainGate to their bad limbs.

4.What does the military think of thought-controlled machines?

A. They could lead to disasters.　　 B. They would face fierce competition.

C. They could be useful.　　 D. They would be in mass production.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

——What sort of house do you want to have?  Something big?

——Well, it ________be big--that’s not important.

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

–What sort of house do you want to have?  Something big?

--Well, it ________be big--that’s not important.

A. mustn’t    B. needn’t    C. can’t      D. won’t

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Vincent van Gogh was not always an artist. In fact, he wanted to be a(n) __21 and was even sent to the Belgian __22 community of Borinage. He discovered that the miners there __23 deplorable(悲惨的) working conditions and poverty-level wages. Their families  __24__ simply to survive. He felt concerned that the small amount of money he received from the church __25 him a moderate life-style, which, __26, seemed to him unfair.

One cold February evening, while he watched the miners trudging(步履艰难)home, he __27 an old man staggering(蹒跚)toward him across the fields, __28in a burlap sack for warmth. Van Gogh laid his own clothing out on the bed, __29enough for one change, and decided to give__30away. He gave the old man a suit of clothes and gave his overcoat to a pregnant woman whose __31had been killed in a cave-in.

He lived on starvation rations and spent his money on __32 for the miners. When children in one family had fever, though __33 himself, he packed up his bed and took it to them.

A (an) __34 family in the community offered him free room and board. Van Gogh __35__the offer, stating that it was the final temptation he must reject if he was to __36 serve his community of poor miners.

He believed that if he wanted them to __37 him, he must become one of them. And if they were to learn of love through him, he must love them enough to __38 with them.

He was aware of the wide chasm(鸿沟)between words and actions. He knew that our lives always __39 louder and clearer than words.

Others are “ __40” carefully to your actions. What are you saying to them?

高三英语完型填空困难题查看答案及解析

Vincent Van Gogh was not always an artist. In fact, he wanted to be a church minister and was even sent to the Belgian mining community of Borinage in 1879. He discovered that the miners there endured terrible working conditions and poverty-level wages. Their families were skin-and-bone and struggled simply to survive. He felt concerned that the small pay he received from the church allowed him a reasonable lifestyle, which, in contrast, seemed to him unfair.

One cold February evening, while he watched the miners trudging home, he spotted an old man staggering toward him across the fields, wrapped in a burlap(粗麻布) bag for warmth. Van Gogh laid his own clothing out on the bed, set aside enough for one change, and decided to give the rest away. He gave the old man a suit of clothes and he gave his overcoat to a pregnant woman whose husband had been killed in a cave-in.

He lived on starvation food and spent his salary on food for the miners. When children in one family caught typhoid fever, though feverish himself, he packed up his bed and took it to them.

A wealthy family in the community offered him free room and board, Van Gogh declined the offer, stating that it was the final temptation (诱惑) he must reject if he was to faithfully serve his community of poor miners. He believed that if he wanted them to trust him, he must become one of them. And if they were to learn of the love of God through him, he must love them enough to share with them.

He was acutely aware of the big difference between words and actions. He knew that our lives always speak louder and clearer than our words. Maybe that is why Francis of Assisi often said to his monks, “Wherever you go, preach(讲道). Use words if necessary.”

Others are “listening” carefully to your actions. What are you saying to them?

1. We can infer form the passage ____________.

A. our lives always speak louder and clearer than our words

B. the miners there worked under excellent working conditions

C. the ministers lived a much better and easier life than the miners at the time

D. Van Gogh himself offered to work in the Belgian mining community of Borinage in 1879.

2. What does the underlined word “trudging” in the second paragraph mean?

A. Moving very quickly              B. Moving with quick light steps

C. Walking slowly for pleasure.         D. Walking with slow heavy steps.

3. According to the passage, which of the following words can best describe Van Gogh?

A. Ambitious and aggressive.          B. Considerate and sympathetic

C. Greedy and selfish.                D. Determined and grateful

4. What does the last paragraph want to tell us?

A. Use words if necessary             B. Actions speak louder than words

C. Rome was not built in a day.         D. Where there is a will there is a way.

高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

— I find it astonishing that John ____ be so rude to me.

— Not astonishing at all. He is always rude to others.

高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析