When Pope Francis recently told a reporter that he stopped watching television 25 years ago, it reminded me that several of my friends had gone TV-free as well. They had really quit TV? It seemed fairly unlikely.
And so it was. It turned out that most Americans who "cut the cord " are not getting rid of their TV sets. What they're doing, like my friends, is canceling their cable or satellite TV contracts. Not such a major move, but nice cost savings. You can still watch lots of TV programming these days on your computer or TV by subscribing to an online streaming service. Netflix is currently the most popular of those.
There is, however, a small group of the population that has adopted a true zero-tolerance policy when it comes to television. Listen to what was said about TV by none other than Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon professor In 2010 following his terminal cancer diagnosis, he called out TV as the enemy of productivity. "If you really want to have time back in your life," he said, "unplug you TV and put it in a closet and put a blanket over it."
My friend Laura Schiff, a former journalist, appreciates that point all too well. "Television always felt like a waste of time," she told me the other day. When her old TV failed, she decided not to replace it. "No regrets. Without TV I get a much deeper understanding of the world and what's going on around us." The amazing irony (讽刺): Schiff's late father, Arthur Schiff was the genius behind such memorable TV marketing catchphrases (广告语) as "Act now and you'll also receive...and "But wait, there's more!"
For some Americans, there is no "more". There is already too, too much 一 too much stupid programming, too much commercials for products no one needs. Most of all, “TV robs us of our precious time," as author Joshua Fields Millbum said in his book, Everything That Remains.
1.We learn from paragraph 2 that most Americans who cut the cord ______.
A.stop watching TV completely
B.get rid of their TV sets
C.canceling their TV contracts to save money
D.still watch lots of programs through cable TV
2.According to the passage, Netflix is probably ________ .
A.a popular online streaming service
B.a satellite TV station
C.a new brand of TV sets
D.a most popular TV program currently
3.Why was Randy Pausch against television?
A.It was a waste of money.
B.He had little time to spare for it.
C.It was a waste of productive time.
D.He suffered from headaches because of it.
4.We can infer from the last paragraph that some Americans _______.
A.demand changes in television
B.will never believe TV catchphrases
C.spend more time watching TV
D.will never watch TV
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
When Pope Francis recently told a reporter that he stopped watching television 25 years ago, it reminded me that several of my friends had gone TV-free as well. They had really quit TV? It seemed fairly unlikely.
And so it was. It turned out that most Americans who "cut the cord " are not getting rid of their TV sets. What they're doing, like my friends, is canceling their cable or satellite TV contracts. Not such a major move, but nice cost savings. You can still watch lots of TV programming these days on your computer or TV by subscribing to an online streaming service. Netflix is currently the most popular of those.
There is, however, a small group of the population that has adopted a true zero-tolerance policy when it comes to television. Listen to what was said about TV by none other than Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon professor In 2010 following his terminal cancer diagnosis, he called out TV as the enemy of productivity. "If you really want to have time back in your life," he said, "unplug you TV and put it in a closet and put a blanket over it."
My friend Laura Schiff, a former journalist, appreciates that point all too well. "Television always felt like a waste of time," she told me the other day. When her old TV failed, she decided not to replace it. "No regrets. Without TV I get a much deeper understanding of the world and what's going on around us." The amazing irony (讽刺): Schiff's late father, Arthur Schiff was the genius behind such memorable TV marketing catchphrases (广告语) as "Act now and you'll also receive...and "But wait, there's more!"
For some Americans, there is no "more". There is already too, too much 一 too much stupid programming, too much commercials for products no one needs. Most of all, “TV robs us of our precious time," as author Joshua Fields Millbum said in his book, Everything That Remains.
1.We learn from paragraph 2 that most Americans who cut the cord ______.
A.stop watching TV completely
B.get rid of their TV sets
C.canceling their TV contracts to save money
D.still watch lots of programs through cable TV
2.According to the passage, Netflix is probably ________ .
A.a popular online streaming service
B.a satellite TV station
C.a new brand of TV sets
D.a most popular TV program currently
3.Why was Randy Pausch against television?
A.It was a waste of money.
B.He had little time to spare for it.
C.It was a waste of productive time.
D.He suffered from headaches because of it.
4.We can infer from the last paragraph that some Americans _______.
A.demand changes in television
B.will never believe TV catchphrases
C.spend more time watching TV
D.will never watch TV
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
When I told my father that I was moving to Des Moines, Iowa, he told me about the only time he had been there. It was in the 1930s, when he was an editor of the literary magazine of Southern Methodist University（SMU）in Dallas, Texas. He also worked as a professor at SMU, and there was a girl student in his class who suffered from a serious back disease. She couldn’t afford the operation because her family was poor.
Her mother ran a boardinghouse in Galveston, a seaside town near Houston, Texas. She was cleaning out the attic（阁楼）one day when she came across an old dusty manuscript（手稿）. On its top page were the words, “By O. Henry”. It was a nice story, and she sent it to her daughter at SMU, who showed it to my father. My father had never read the story before, but it sounded like O. Henry, and he knew that O. Henry had once lived in Houston. So it was possible that the famous author had gone to the beach and stayed in the Galveston boardinghouse, and had written the story there and left the manuscript behind by accident. My father visited an O. Henry expert at Columbia University in New York, who authenticated the story as O. Henry’s.
My father then set out to sell it. Eventually, he found himself in Des Moines, meeting with Gardner Cowles, a top editor at the Des Moines Register. Cowles loves the story and bought it on the spot. My father took the money to the girl. It was just enough for her to have the operation she so desperately needed.
My father never told me what the O. Henry story was about. But I doubt that it could have been better than his own story.
1.Who found the O. Henry’s manuscript?
A. The author. B. The author’s father.
C. The girl. D.The girl’s mother
2.Which of the following might explain the fact that the manuscript was found in the attic?
A. O. Henry once worked in Houston.
B. O. Henry once stayed in Galveston.
C. O. Henry once moved to Des Moines.
D. O. Henry once taught at SMU.
3. The underlined word “authenticated” in Paragraph 2 probably means __________.
A. named B. treated
C. proved D. described
4. According to the text, why did the author’s father go to Des Moines?
A. To meet the author himself.
B. To sell the O. Henry story.
C. To talk with the O. Henry expert.
D. To give money to the girl.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
When I told my father that I was moving to Des Moines, Iowa, he told me about the only time he had been there. It was in the 1930s, when he was an editor in the literary magazine of Southern Methodist University（SMU）in Dallas, Texas. He also worked as a professor at SMU, and there was a girl student in his class who suffered from a serious back disease. She couldn’t afford the operation because her family was poor.
Her mother ran a boarding house in Galveston, a seaside town near Houston, Texas. She was cleaning out the attic（阁楼）one day when she came across an old dusty manuscript（手稿）. On its top page were the words, “By O. Henry”. It was a nice story, and she sent it to her daughter at SMU, who showed it to my father. My father had never read the story before, but it sounded like O. Henry, and he knew that O. Henry had once lived in Houston. So it was possible that the famous author had gone to the beach and stayed in the Gainestown boardinghouse, and had written the story there and left the manuscript behind by accident. My father visited an O. Henry expert at Columbia University in New York, who authenticated the story as O. Henry’s.
My father then set out to sell it. Eventfully, he found himself in Des Moines, meeting with Gardner Cowles, a top editor at the Des Moines Register. Cowles loves the story and bought it on the spot. My father took the money to the girl. It was just enough for her to have the operation she so desperately needed.
My father never told me what the O. Henry story was about. But I doubt that it could have been better than his own story.
1.Who discovered the O. Henry’s manuscript?
A. The girl’s mother. B. The author’s father.
C. The girl. D. The author.
2.Which of the following might explain the fact that the manuscript was found in the attic?
A. O. Henry once worked in Houston.
B. O. Henry once stayed in Galveston.
C. O. Henry once moved to Des Moines.
D. O. Henry once taught at SMU.
3.The underlined word “authenticated” in Paragraph 2 probably means __________.
A. named B. treated C. proved D. Described
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
When someone told 85-year-old Johnny Long that he was called a living legend, he replied, “I don’t know about that, but I’m living, and that’s important.”
Starting in 1949 as a high school band director and later as director of the Troy University band, Johnny Long became known as one of the most inspirational band directors in America. More than three hundred of his students went on to become band directors them-selves. “I have been a band director for more than 60 years and all I know about the word band is that you spell it F-U-N,” Long said. “And if you change that, it’s over.”
Long retired 14 years ago to spend more time with his wife Mary Lynn. But his passion (热情) for bands never went away. He dreamed of forming a top-notch (拔尖的) community band in Troy. But Troy is a small town — with not a ton of top-notch talent. “I didn’t think it would work, I really didn’t,” Long said.
Fortunately, there was one thing Johnny hadn’t considered: the devotion of his former students. Now, once a week during the concert season, they drive in from all over the south and across the decades.
65-year-old Bobby Johnson was in Long’s first college class. He lives in Atlanta and drives 3 hours to practice. Johnson said he does it because Long’s “such a unique character and I just admire him so much.”
Many people do it for the same reason. “He’s the single biggest influence on my career.” “He was a father figure to me. He’s just a genuine person.”
Long said he wanted to be remembered as a teacher. “I think ‘teacher’ is the greatest word in the English language, next to ‘mother’.”
1.What Long got most from bands was ______.
A. pleasure B. health C. wealth D. honor
2.Why did Long retire 14 years ago?
A. Because he found no band talent in Troy.
B. Because he was tired of working as a director.
C. Because he hoped to spend more time with his wife.
D. Because he found his students were not devoted to music.
3.The words of Long’s students show that ______.
A. Long treated his students like a father
B. Long was born to be a good teacher
C. Long influenced his students greatly
D. Long was very special as a teacher
4.What’s the main idea of the text?
A. Johnny Long still teaches at the age of 85.
B. A band director had more than 300 students.
C. A band lover organized a band in a small town.
D. 85-year-old band director still inspires others.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
When he was told that only a few apartments were still __________, he hurriedly took out all of his bank savings to place an order for a flat.
A. empty B. hollow C. convenient D. vacant
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
A passenger told an air hostess that he needed a cup of water to take his medicine when the plane just took off. She told him that she would _______the water in ten minutes.
Thirty minutes later, when the passenger’s ring for _______ sounded, the air hostess realized it at once. She was kept so _______ that she forget to deliver him the _______ . As a result, the passenger was _______ to take his medicine. She hurried over to him _______ a cup of water, but to her surprise he _______ it.
In the following hours on the _______ , each time the air hostess passed by the _______ , she would ask him with a ________ whether he needed help or not. But the passenger ________ paid attention to her words.
When he was going to get ________ the plane, the passenger asked the air hostess to ________ him the passenger’s booklet(意见簿). She was very ________ . She knew that he would write down ________ words, which might result in the loss of her job. ________ with a smile she handed it to him.
Off the plane, she ________ the booklet and cracked a smile, ________ the passenger put it, “On the flight, you asked me whether I needed help or not for twelve times ________ . How can I refuse your twelve sincere smiles?”
That’s ________ ! Who can refuse twelve sincere smiles from a person?
1.A.take B.bring C.carry D.hold
2.A.food B.drink C.service D.medicine
3.A.tired B.silent C.calm D.busy
4.A.water B.help C.milk D.warning
5.A.held on B.held up C.held out D.held down
6.A.for B.about C.with D.in
7.A.refused B.accepted C.liked D.hated
8.A.seat B.air C.floor D.flight
9.A.customer B.passenger C.guest D.visitor
10.A.glance B.look C.smile D.cry
11.A.never B.often C.always D.seldom
12.A.on B.to C.off D.from
13.A.hand B.take C.throw D.lend
14.A.glad B.angry C.curious D.sad
15.A.important B.sharp C.polite D.nice
16.A.So B.Because C.And D.But
17.A.hid B.tore C.opened D.closed
18.A.if B.for C.after D.when
19.A.in all B.above all C.or else D.or so
20.A.wrong B.wonderful C.impossible D.right
高二英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Mu Yumin had no idea that when he stopped by the computer club as a freshman looking for something fun, it would decide his career four years later. The 22-year-old biology major at Huazhong University of Science and Technology found a job as an IT technician in Shanghai. “My experience in the club gave me another ‘diploma’,” said Mu. “ More importantly, I found something I am good at and can make a living from. ”
Now campuses around the country have started recruiting (招收) fresh faces for all kinds of clubs. Upperclassmen and experts suggest a hobby-based choice of clubs, which might have a lasting impact on one' s life and career. Zhang Ling did not get many chances to write stories as an environmental protection major at Jiangxi University of Science and Technology. But this changed when she joined the university broadcasting station. Her daily interviews with students and teachers expanded her horizons. Now she is determined to become a journalist on environmental issues with her degree in environmental protection.” “Journalism changed my life track,” said the 22-year-old girl. “I only wanted to be a science teacher in a local senior high school. But now I am applying for a graduate school in journalism. ”
Lan Yujie, a professor at Anhui University of Technology, regards Mu and Zhang as good examples of choosing “what I like” instead of “what is practical” in finding jobs and seeking further study. “Some freshmen don't know what to choose,” said Lan. “Just following a hobby and doing something you like can easily give you the experiences that make you happy and special. ”
Lan further says that joining clubs should not necessarily have a purpose. As part of campus life, a club experience will impact one's life and career in one way or another. “The point of clubs is to have as many diverse experiences as possible so that students can explore more of their life,” said Lan.
1.Why did Mu Yumi join the computer club?
A．To have a good time.
B．To change his major.
C．To find a good job.
D．To get another diploma.
2.According to the text, joining the campus club has many advantages EXCEPT .
A．offering you many pleasures
B．making you plan your career better
C．helping you get more life experiences
D．helping you make more friends
3.What can we learn from Lan Yujie's words in the last paragraph ?
A．Students should be practical in finding jobs.
B．Club experiences will affect students' life and career.
C．Joining clubs should have a clear goal.
D．Students will have a colorful campus life by joining clubs.
4.What is the main idea of the text ?
A．How to change your major.
B．Joining a campus club for a diploma.
C．Joining a club to explore more of your life.
D．How to find a job after graduation.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Mu Yumin had no idea that when he stopped by the computer club as a freshman looking for something fun, it would decide his career four years later.The 22 -year -old biology major at Huazhong University of Science and Technology found a job as an IT technician in Shanghai." My experience in the club gave me another 'diploma' ," said Mu." More importantly, I found something I am good at and can make a living from."
Now campuses(校园) around the country have started recruiting（吸收某人为新成员） fresh faces for all kinds of clubs.Upperclassmen and experts suggest a hobby-based choice of clubs, which might have a lasting impact（影响）on one' s life and career Zhang Ling did not get many chances to write stories as an environmental protection major at Jiangxi University of Science and Technology.But this changed when she joined the university broadcast station.Her daily interviews with students and teachers expanded her horizon.Now she is determined to become a journalist on environmental issues with her degree in environmental protection."Journalism changed my life track," said the 22 –year-old girl."I only wanted to be a science teacher in a local senior high school.But now I am applying for a graduate school in journalism."
Lan Yujie, professor at Anhui University of Technology, regards Mu and Zhang as good examples of choosing "what I like" instead of " what is practical" in finding jobs and seeking further study. "Some freshmen don't know what to choose," said Lan."Just following a hobby and doing something you like can easily give you the experience that makes you happy and special."
Lan further says that joining clubs should not necessarily have a purpose, As part of campus life, a club experience will impact one's life and career m one way or another."The point of clubs is to have as many diverse（多样的）experiences as possible so that students can explore more of their life," said Lan.
1.Why did Mu Yumin join the computer club?
A.To get another diplomA. B.To change his major.
C.To find a good joB. D.To have a good time.
2.Which of the followings is true about Zhang Ling?
A.She didn't intend to be a journalist.
B.She changed her major to journalism.
C.She now works as a science teacher
D.She's graduated from the university.
3.According to the text, joining the campus club has many advantages EXCEPT .
A.helping you know what you really like
B.making you plan your career better
C.helping you to make more friends
D.obtaining more life experiences
4.What can we learn from Lan Yujie's words in the last paragraph?
A.Club experiences will affect students' life and career
B.Students should be practical in finding jobs
C.Joining clubs should have a clear goal.
D.Students will have a colorful campus life by joining clubs.
5.What is the main idea of the text?
A.How to change your major.
B.Joining a campus club for a diploma.
C.How to find a job after graduation
D.Joining a club to explore more of your life.
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
As one comes to some crossroads, he or she sees a sign which says that drivers have to stop when they come to the main road ahead. At other crossroads, drivers have to go slow, but they do not actually have to stop unless, of course, there is something coming along the main road; and at still others, they do not have either to stop or to go slow, because they are themselves on the main road.
Mr. Williams, who was always a very careful driver, was driving home from work one evening when he came to a crossroad. It had a “SLOW” sign. He slowed down when he came to the main road, looked both ways to see that nothing was coming, and then drove across without stopping completely.
At once he heard a police whistle, so he pulled into the side of the road and stopped. A policeman walked over to him with a notebook and a pen in his hand and said, “You didn’t stop at that crossing.”
“But the sign there doesn't say ‘STOP’.” answered Mr. Williams, “It just says ‘SLOW’, and I did go slow.”
The policeman looked around him, and a look of surprise came over his face. Then he put his notebook and pen away, scratched his head and said, “Well, I’m in the wrong street!”
1.When he was stopped by a policeman, he ____.
A. was driving at a high speed B. was driving onto the main road
C. was going to stop his car D. was pulled into the crossroad
2.Though slowly, Mr. Williams continued driving at the crossing because________ .
A. he saw a “STOP” sign in the opposite street
B. he paid no attention to the traffic rules
C. he didn't have to stop
D. he was eager to get home
3.Looking round Mr. Williams, the policeman was surprised because__________ .
A. he met a mad man
B. he realized that he himself was mistaken
C. Mr. Williams dared to speak to him like that
D. Mr. Williams would not apologize to him
4.What does “scratch” in the last paragraph mean?
A. to rub the skin of (the head) for uncertainty
B. to strike (the head ) for regret
C. to nodded for sure
D. to look back to search for something
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
As one comes to some crossroads, he or she sees a sign which says that drivers have to stop when they come to the main road ahead. At other crossroads, drivers have to go slow, but they do not actually have to stop unless, of course, there is something coming along the main road; and at still others, they do not have either to stop or to go slow, because they are themselves on the main road.
Mr. Williams, who was always a very careful driver, was driving home from work one evening when he came to a crossroad. It had a “SLOW” sign. He slowed down when he came to the main road, looked both ways to see that nothing was coming, and then drove across without stopping completely.
At once he heard a police whistle, so he pulled into the side of the road and stopped. A policeman walked over to him with a notebook and a pen in his hand and said, “You didn’t stop at that crossing.”
“But the sign there doesn't say ‘STOP’.” answered Mr. Williams, “It just says ‘SLOW’, and I did go slow.”
The policeman looked around him, and a look of surprise came over his face. Then he put his notebook and pen away, scratched his head and said, “Well, I’m in the wrong street!”
1.When he was stopped by a policeman, he ____.
A. was driving at a high speed B. was driving onto the main road
C. was going to stop his car D. was pulled into the crossroad
2.Though slowly, Mr. Williams continued driving at the crossing because________ .
A. he saw a “STOP” sign in the opposite street
B. he paid no attention to the traffic rules
C. he didn't have to stop
D. he was eager to get home
3.Looking round Mr. Williams, the policeman was surprised because__________ .
A. he met a mad man
B. he realized that he himself was mistaken
C. Mr. Williams dared to speak to him like that
D. Mr. Williams would not apologize to him
4.What does “scratch” in the last paragraph mean?
A. to rub the skin of (the head) for uncertainty
B. to strike (the head ) for regret
C. to nodded for sure
D. to look back to search for something
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析