Finland is the happiest place on Earth, accor...

Finland is the happiest place on Earth, according to the 2018 World Happiness Report of 156 nations.

The report, released Wednesday by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Solutions Network, ranks the countries of the world based on six different categories of well-being: income, freedom, trust, life expectancy, generosity and social support. This year's report also pays special attention to the happiness of each country's immigrants.

The U.S. dropped four spots from 2017 and landed in the 18th place, and last year's winner, Norway, came in second place — followed by Denmark, Iceland and Switzerland.

'' The top five countries all have almost equally high values for the six factors found to support happiness, and four of these countries—Denmark, Switzerland, Norway and now Finland — have been in first place in the six World Happiness Report rankings since the first report" in 2012, '' co-editor John Helliwell told CNN. '' In a division with such excellent teams, changes in the top spot are to be expected."

Rounding out the top 10 happiest countries was Canada in sixth place, then New Zealand, Sweden and Australia. The order of the top 10 nations changed from the 2017 list but the countries did not, according to the report. They were also 10 of the 11 top spots in the immigrant happiness category (including Mexico — 24th overall, but 10th in immigration).

'' The most striking finding of the report is the remarkable consistency between the happiness of immigrants and the locally born, '' Helliwell said in a statement. '' Although immigrants come from countries with very different levels of happiness, their reported life evaluations resemble those of other residents in their new countries. Those who move to happier countries gain, while those who move to less happy countries lose. ''

Other major world powers placed in significantly low spots on the list. Germany came in 15th, the UK was 19th — followed by Japan in 54th place, Russia in 59th and China in 86th.

The report, based on surveys completed by citizen volunteers, came just under a week before World Happiness Day on March 20, when the UN declared to recognize '' the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations inthe lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives''

1.What is the most significant finding of the report?

A.That immigrants are different from residents in the country.

B.That immigrants and locals feel the similar level of happiness.

C.That immigrants become happy when they leave the country.

D.That immigrants come from countries with different levels of happiness.

2.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A.Happiness is no less important than any other aspect in life.

B.People’s happiness and well-being should be considered when it comes to policy-making.

C.The happiness report came under a week before World Happiness Day.

D.What the UN declared was beneficial to all human beings.

3.What is the best title of the passage?

A.World Happiness Day. B.Happiness — forever pursuit.

C.The 2018 World Happiness Report. D.What's your happiness index?

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

How to save money to visit Shanghai Disneyland?

The “happiest place on earth” is a top destination on many families' bucket lists. But taking a vacation to Disney World can be difficult to do on a budget. There are some considerations that you can make to reduce the cost of your Disney World vacation.

1. Buy Souvenirs in Advance

Disney has influenced practically every industry, which makes it easy to find Disney items anywhere, from Walmart, Target, and your local grocery store to department stores and Amazon. You can save a lot of money by purchasing items before your trip at these less-expensive places than at Disneyland.

2. Make an Autograph Book

An autograph book is seen as a must-have by many Disneyland enthusiasts and is a memory you can take home with you. These books can cost anywhere from $7.95 to $19.95 at the Disney Store and up to $30 for the latest-and-greatest autograph book at Disneyland, such as the park’s 60th anniversary edition. Other choices can get the job done for under $5. For example, you can buy a small photo album; cute pads or notebooks.

3. Eat Breakfast Before You Arrive

Breakfast is almost as pricey as lunch or dinner if you eat inside the Disneyland parks. If you have a hotel with a free breakfast, take advantage of it. If you want to eat out, eat at a local restaurant that is inexpensive or has a kids’ menu, such as McDonald’s which is close to the park.

4. Take Advantage of Discounts Offered to Special Groups

Disney offers a wide variety of discounts, including for military service members, college students, teachers, and youth groups. If you think you might qualify for a special discount or group rate, call the Disneyland Resort to book tickets.

1.It may take you more money to buy souvenirs at_____.

A. Disneyland　　　　 B. Department stores

C. Walmart　 　　　 　 D. Amazon

2.How much do you pay for the park's 60th anniversary edition?

A. $7.95　　　　　　 B. $19.95　　　　　　　　　　　 C. $5　　　　　　　　 D. $30

3.What is one piece of the author’s advice on breakfast?

A. You had better eat at Disneyland.

B. You can eat at a local restaurant.

C. You should prepare it well at home .

D. You can ask the hotel to supply it for free.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

According to the UN’s World Happiness Report for 2016, Denmark is officially the happiest country on Earth.Here is a list of reasons behind the happiness：

A different view of money

Danes tend not to be concerned with “keeping up with the Joneses”. 1.. Rather than buying the fanciest cars or the most expensive houses, Danish people spend money on leisure activities such as hobbies, outings with friends, or games.

An enjoyable job climate

2.. They also work, on average, 1,522 hours per year, which is lower than most countries. Not only does this give them more leisure time, it is not detrimental, as the average yearly income is $59,850. Besides, Denmark has the lowest income inequality and highest minimum wage in the world.

3.

The importance placed on human communication fosters a belief in one’s neighbors and a trust that if something bad were to happen, the community would come to help them. 94% of Danes report that they have somebody they could rely on in time of need.

A clean environment

The government encourages green policies，such as bicycling in cities, in order to cut　 down　 on harmful emissions. Like bicycling, many of these measures also have other benefits. 4.. In Denmark, levels of air pollution, water pollution, and agricultural pollution are also lower than most other countries.

5..

A.Somebody to lean on

B.Somebody to seek advice from

C.Danes have lower unemployment rates than most countries in the world

D.Instead, they view money as a kind of means to connect with other people

E.Cities where bicycling is common have less traffic, less noise, and healthier citizens

F.Looking over all these factors, it becomes apparent that almost anybody would love living in Denmark

G.Parks, neighborhoods, and cities can be enjoyed without worry of pollution－related illnesses like asthma or allergies

高二英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析

Denmark is one of the happiest nations on earth with some of the best quality of life. You don’t need statistics to understand the Dane’s happy lot. Walk around any Danish town and you’ll experience some of the most harmonious civic spaces anywhere. Their intimate scales and perfect transport systems combine the rich history and bold modern lines of the built environment to delight the eye, and the locals’ manners and sense of humor is refreshing.

Denmark’s capital Copenhagen is a remarkable city with well-preserved medieval streets, renowned art galleries, Michelin-starred restaurants and a healthy business center. Finding something to do is never a problem and if all else fails, just admiring the streets with a hotdog in hand is an enjoyable way to spend a few hours .

Beyond the capital and the bigger cities, Denmark offers a mix of lively towns such as Ribe and Odense plus rural countryside, medieval churches , Renaissance castles and tidy 18th-century villages.

The coastline of Denmark with its sand dunes and greenery is a sight that always attracts visitors. So, no matter what time of year you’re in Denmark, you shouldn’t miss out on a trip to the nearest beach .

It’s hard , in short , to find fault with the place. The visitor’s most heartfelt complaint is usually the cost of visiting Denmark. True, it is not a cheap destination , but no more so than the UK, and which nation’s public transport system would you rather use?

Cheer yourself up by thinking of the country’s remarkable organization and clockwork railway timetable as being financed by the extremely high taxes paid by your hosts. When viewed in this way , this first-rate destination seems like good value, and you get the fairy tales thrown in for free: the Danish royal family is genuinely loved and respected by the vast majority of its citizens, not least handsome Prince Frederik , his beautiful Australian-born princess-bride, Mar, and their young family.

1.Which of the following words can best describe Danes ?

A. Polite and humorous .                        B. Happy and romantic.

C. Kind and friendly.                             D. Out-going and humorous .

2.The writer implies in the last two paragraphs that __________ .

A. Visiting the U.K. will cost less than travelling in Denmark .

B. The transport system in the UK can’t equal that in Denmark .

C. People in Denmark pay high taxes to welcome visitors .

D. The Danish royal family plays an important role in politics .

3. How does the passage mainly develop ?

A. By providing examples.                        B. By making comparisons.

C. By giving descriptions.                        D. By following time order.

4.What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage ?

A. To introduce Danish culture .                　

B. To show the attractions of Denmark .

C. To share experiences of travelling in Denmark .

D. To describe the happy life people live in Denmark .

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

________ is known to us all is that Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth.

A. It       B. As      C. What       D. That

高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析

The deep sea is one of the most mysterious places on earth. Scientists rarely go there. Those few do discover new species all of the time. Many places of the deepest parts of the ocean, where it's forever dark, can light up. Now, a teen's research has shown new light on how one of these swimming animals behaves in darkness.

The giant flashlight fish lives in the Indian Ocean as well as in tropical parts of the central and western Pacific. It lives at depths of up to 400 meters, (about 1,300 feet). But not always. Sometimes it lives in coral reefs in shallow waters. In those shallow waters, the blackish-blue fish comes out only at night. Reef-dwelling members of this species tend to be smaller than those living in deeper waters. Those biggies can grow to lengths of 35meters (14inches). That may not sound like a giant, but they are the largest of their type of fish.

The giant flashlight fish gets its name from a small glow-in-the-dark patch found in a packet of tissue under each eye, explains Caroline Edmonds. She is a 13- year-old student from Fountain Valley, Calif. There, she attends Talbert Middle School. She said that the eye pockets in these fish contain light-producing bacteria.

These bacteria and their host fish have built a relationship that helps both. The fish use the bacteria as a way to communicate with creatures around them. The bacteria gain nutrients from the fish and a safe place to live. When a fish wants to “ flash” its light, it turns the bacteria-filled pocket toward the outside of its body, Caroline explains. When a fish wants to hide its light, it turns the pocket back toward the inside. According to her data, the fish flash most often when they are being fed. They flash least often late at night, when they are resting.

1.The deep sea is dark and mysterious, but _________

A. a teen's research is going to light it up.

B. in the deepest part, lives a swimming animal.

C. scientists are looking for a new species to light up.

D. a kind of glowing fish has been found there.

2.What do we know about the giant flashlight fish?

A. It doesn't like living in warm places.

B. It can be found in coral reefs at times.

C. It doesn't like moving around at night.

D. It always lives at depths of up to 400 meters.

3.From where does the giant flashlight fish produce light?

A. Between its wings.

B. Inside its body.

C. Inside its back.

D. Near its eyes.

4.We can infer from the passage that Caroline Edmonds _________

A. is probably on a research team.

B. has learned about the fish in the library.

C. has always focused on her studies at school.

D. is one of the most famous American scientists.

5.What is implied in the last paragraph?

A. The light is usually on when the fish is excited.

B. The fish is sometimes troubled by the light.

C. The fish can decide when to “flash” its light.

D. The light is usually on when the fish is resting.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

The African elephant, which is the largest land animal remaining on earth, is of great importance to African ecosystem. Unlike other animals, the African elephant is to a great extent the builder of its environment. As a big plant-eater, it largely shapes the- forest-and-savanna (大草原) surroundings in which it lives, therefore setting the terms of existence for millions of other animals that live in its habitat.

It is the elephant's great desire for food that makes it a disturber of the environment and an important builder of its habitat. In its continuous search for the 300 pounds of plants it must have every day, it kills small trees and under-bushes, and pulls branches off big trees. This results in numerous open spaces in both deep tropical forests and in the woodlands that cover part of the African savannas. In these open spaces are numerous plants in various stages of growth that attract a variety of other plant-eaters.

Take the rain forests for example. In their natural state, the spreading branches overhead shut out sunlight and prevent the growth of plants on the forest floor. By pulling down trees and eating plants, elephants make open spaces, allowing new plants to grow on the forest floor. In such situations, the forests become suitable for large hoofed plant-eaters to move around and for small plant-eaters to get their food as well.

What worries scientists now is that the African elephant has become an endangered species. If the elephant disappears, scientists say, many other animals will also disappear from vast areas of forest and savanna, greatly

changing and worsening the whole ecosystem.

1.What is the passage mainly about?

A. Disappearance of African elephants.

B. The effect of African elephants' search for food.

C. Forests and savannas as habitats for African elephants.

D. The eating habit of African elephants.

2.What does the underlined phrase "setting the terms" most probably mean?

A. Fixing the time.　　 B. Deciding the conditions.

C. Improving the quality.　　 D. Worsening the state.

3.What do we know about the open spaces in the passage?

A. They result from the destruction of rain forests.

B. They provide food mainly for African elephants.

C. They are attractive to plant-eating animals of different kinds.

D. They are home to many endangered animals.

4.The passage is developed mainly by_____

A. giving examples

B. pointing out similarities and differences

C. describing the changes in space order

D. showing the effect and then explaining the causes

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

The African elephant, which is the largest land animal remaining on earth, is of great importance to African ecosystem. Unlike other animals, the African elephant is to a great extent the builder of its environment. As a big plant-eater, it largely shapes the forest-and-savanna (大草原) surroundings in which it lives, therefore setting the terms of existence for millions of other animals that live in its habitat.

It is the elephant's great desire for food that makes it a disturber of the environment and an important builder of its habitat. In its continuous search for the 300 pounds of plants it must have every day, it kills small trees and under-bushes, and pulls branches off big trees. This results in numerous open spaces in both deep tropical forests and in the woodlands that cover part of the African savannas. In these open spaces are numerous plants in various stages of growth that attract a variety of other plant-eaters.

Take the rain forests for example. In their natural state, the spreading branches overhead shut out sunlight and prevent the growth of plants on the forest floor. By pulling down trees and eating plants, elephants make open spaces, allowing new plants to grow on the forest floor. In such situations, the forests become suitable for large hoofed plant-eaters to move around and for small plant-eaters to get their food as well.

What worries scientists now is that the African elephant has become an endangered species. If the elephant disappears, scientists say, many other animals will also disappear from vast areas of forest and savanna, greatly changing and worsening the whole ecosystem.

1.What is the passage mainly about?

A. Disappearance of African elephants.

B. The effect of African elephants’ search for food.

C. Forests and savannas as habitats for African elephants.

D. The eating habit of African elephants.

2.What does the underlined phrase “setting the terms” most probably mean?

A. Fixing the time.

B. Deciding the conditions.

C. Improving the quality.

D. Worsening the state.

3.What do we know about the open spaces in the passage?

A. They result from the destruction of rain forests.

B. They provide food mainly for African elephants.

C. They are attractive to plant-eating animals of different kinds.

D. They are home to many endangered animals.

4.The passage is developed mainly by ______.

A. giving examples

B. pointing out similarities and differences

C. describing the changes in space order

D. showing the effect and then explaining the causes

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

The African elephant, the largest land animal remaining on the earth, is of great importance to African ecosystem(生态系统). Unlike other animals, the African elephant is to a great extent the builder of its environment. As a big plant-eater, it largely shapes the forest-and-savanna(大草原) surroundings in which it lives, therefore setting the terms of existence for millions of other animals that live in its habitat.

It is the elephant’s great desire for food that makes it a disturber of the environment and an important builder of its habitat. In its continuous search for the 300 pounds of plants it must have every day, it kills small trees and underbushes, and pulls branches off big trees. This results in numerous open spaces in both deep tropical forests and in the woodlands that cover part of the African savannas(热带草原). In these open spaces are numerous plants in various stages of growth that attract a variety of other plant-eaters.

Take the rain forests for example. In their natural state, the spreading branches overhead shut out sunlight and prevent the growth of plants on the forest floor. By pulling down trees and eating plants, elephants make open spaces, allowing new plants to grow on the forest floor. In such situations, the forests become suitable for large hoofed plant-eaters to move around and for small plant-eaters to get their food as well.

What worries scientists now is that the African elephant has become an endangered species. If the elephant disappears, scientists say, many other animals will also disappear from vast areas of forest and savanna, greatly changing and worsening the whole ecosystem.

1.What is the passage mainly about?

2.What does the underlined phrase “setting the terms” most probably mean?

3.According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?

4.The passage is developed mainly by ________.

高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

The largest land animal remaining on the earth, the African elephant is of much importance to African ecosystem. Unlike other animals, the African elephant is to a great extent the builder of its environment. As a giant plant-eater, it significantly shapes the forest-and-savanna(大草原) surroundings in which it lives, therefore deciding the conditions of existence for millions of other animals that live in its habitat.

It is the elephant’s great desire for food that makes it both a disturber of the environment and an important builder of its habitat. In its continuous search for the 300 pounds of plants it must have every day, it kills small trees and under-bushes, as well as pulls branches off big trees. This results in numerous open spaces in not only deep tropical forests but also the woodlands that cover part of the African savannas. In these open spaces are numerous plants in various stages of growth, which attract a variety of other plant-eaters.

Take the rain forests for example. In their natural state, the spreading branches overhead shut out sunlight and prevent the growth of plants on the forest floor. By pulling down trees and eating plants, elephants create open spaces, allowing new plants to grow on the forest floor. In such situations, the forests become suitable for large-hoofed plant-eat-ers to move around and for small-sized plant-eaters to obtain their food as well.

Scientists are worried now that the African elephant has become an endangered species. If the elephant dies out, scientists say, many other animals will also disappear from vast areas of forest and savanna, greatly changing and worsening the whole ecosystem.

1. It can be inferred from the passage that the African elephant 　　　 .

A. is now the largest animal on the earth

B. determines life and death of millions of other animals in its habitat

C. has far-reaching impact on its habitat as a giant animal-eater

D. makes great contributions to its environment like other animals

2.The African elephant influences the ecosystem in the following ways except that 　　 .

A. it creates open areas in deep tropical forests as well as woodlands

B. it pulls off the branches and leaves, shutting out the sunshine

C. its eating habit can be made use of by large-hoofed and small-sized animals

D. it encourages some kinds of plants growing in an indirect way

3.According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?

A. Numerous grown plants are the favorites of plant-eaters.

B. The extinction of the African elephant has nothing to do with the ecosystem.

C. Quantities of plants are consumed by African elephants, including branches and under-bushes.

D. The forest floor in rain forests is scarcely dotted with new shoots.

4.The passage is developed mainly by　　　　　 .

A. presenting the changes in time order

B. making comparisons and giving examples

C. classifying similarities and differences

D. showing the effect and then explaining the reasons

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析