Landscapes are not only the setting for histo...

Landscapes are not only the setting for history; they are also a major source of our sense of history and identity. Read them right, and historical landscapes can be more informative than any other kind of source. This is even more the case with sacred landscapes, which were reflection of our ancestors’ beliefs about their relation to the cosmos and can still today seem to hold a spiritual influence.

Over the years, I’ve had the good fortune to have spent time in many historical landscapes, hoping to picture something of the spirits of the people who shaped them over the centuries. I still remember years ago walking along the Inca sacred lines around Cusco, Peru. In this ancient landscape, old sites that once belonged to Incan royals had become torn Spanish mansions. Or many years ago, before the Gulf Wars, I took a journey through south Iraq, the heart land of civilization, where the desert is still crossed by dried-up riverbeds of the Euphrates and canals that once sustained the world’s first cities.

Britain also has its own magical ancient landscapes. From the Mesolithic to the Bronze and Iron Ages, rich layers of the past are still present in the landscape surrounding Stonehenge, even as traffic rushes down the A303. It is the A303 that is the problem. As the main road to the south west from the home counties, the road runs right past Stonehenge. One of humanity’s most famous monuments, Stonehenge is an archaeological landscape without parallel in Europe, and perhaps the world. The first circle at Stonehenge was made 5,000 years ago, and the great stone circle itself in a round 2,500 BC — the age of the pyramids! And the mysteries of this amazing monument and the complex prehistoric societies that produced it are by no means exhausted, as new discoveries continue to show.

All the more worrying to me then, this unique landscape is currently at the centre of a projected plan by Highways England, which aims to relieve congestion on the A303 by creating a four-lane road with a 1.8-mile tunnel, and an expressway interchange 1.5 miles to the west. While the National Trust and English Heritage have offered qualified support for the plan, UNESCO has expressed its opposition. Meanwhile, the Stonehenge Alliance, a group of archaeologists and environmental campaigners, says the plan is based on inadequate and obsolete information. In the end, the argument is about the totality of an ancient landscape, and that includes the ancient astronomical alignment that was purposefully chosen by our ancestors, and that will, in my view, be wrecked by the expressway interchange. Time perhaps for a rethink in the name of future generations?

1.What can historical landscapes offer us?

A.Details of ancient lifestyle. B.Sacred writings

C.Rich historical information D.Breathtaking sights.

2.What did the author want to explore when touring historical landscapes?

A.Different architecture. B.His sense of belonging.

C.The rise of ancient cities. D.The spirits of ancestors.

3.Which of the following is True about Stonehenge?

A.The first stone circle has a longer history than the pyramids.

B.New discoveries have solved the mysteries of the monument.

C.The ancient monument must have been the heart land of civilization.

D.The landscape surrounding Stonehenge has rich layers of the present.

4.What is the author’s attitude towards the projected plan by Highways England?

A.He is for it because it will benefit the future generations.

B.He keeps cool but believes a better solution could be adopted.

C.It should be stopped because it will destroy the totality of the monument.

D.It is rather practical especially with qualified support from the government.

高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

Believe it or not, school uniforms are absolutely not only clothes for students. They stand for the culture or beauty appreciation standard of a country. Let’s take a look at school uniforms in different nations.

School Uniforms in England

Style of English school uniforms is rather classic, simple and elegant. Boys wear conventional western-style clothes, regular leather shoes and must wear neckties. Girls also wear western-style clothes, regular leather shoes and must wear bow-ties. This classic clothing style unconsciously affects English students’ temperament (气质) and also sense of beauty.

School Uniforms in Korea

Do you still remember the classic scenes in My Sassy Girl? If you’ve watched it, you will know how stylish Korean students’ uniforms are. Boys wear nice white shirts and western-style trousers. Girls wear white shirts, lovely skirts of latest design and bow knots.

School Uniforms in Malaysia

Students in Malaysia obey rather strict rules. Girls’ dresses must be long enough to cover the knees. Shirts must cover the elbows. Compared with Thai students, they are much more conservative.

School Uniforms in Japan

For students, school uniforms in Japan are not only symbols for schools, but also symbols for the current fashion trends, even affecting students when choosing a school. Japanese school uniforms for girls originate in sailor suits. So they are also called sailor suits or sailor uniforms. Cartoon elements are used on them. Japanese school uniforms for boys are classic dark-colored clothes with stand-up collars, similar to Chinese tunic suits.

1.What are the English school uniforms like?

A.Fashionable. B.Conservative.

C.Traditional. D.Cute.

2.In which way are Korean and Japanese school uniforms similar?

A.Both of them are fashionable. B.Both of them are eastern-style.

C.Both of them are affected by Chinese. D.Both of them are dark-colored.

3.Who might choose schools based on school uniforms?

A.English Students. B.Korean students.

C.Malaysian students. D.Japanese students.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Summer is the season of mosquitoes. And mosquito bites are truly the worst-not only are they huge and painful, but they itch(发痒) like nothing else. And once you start scratching (挠), it’s hard to stop.

You can blame female mosquitoes for the trouble we all face. There is something that enters the skin while the mosquito is enjoying its blood meal. This is the protein that leads to the allergic reaction and itching. Basically, our immune systems see the protein as an enemy. This causes the local reaction we see as the bug bite. Our bodies are just particularly sensitive to mosquito bites. Other bug bites may not have the same effect on your immune system. Bees for example, are likely to produce more pain than an itch.

Scratching a mosquito bite is a double-edged sword. It feels so good, but it also makes the itch way worse. When you scratch, you may release more local histamine, the chemical in the skin that causes the itching, and you may also be spreading the allergen under the skin. If you tend to scratch until you bleed you’re putting yourself at risk for skin infections.

You’re not imagining it -mosquito bites do itch more at night. Most people itch more at night because we are less distracted as we try to fall asleep.

If you’ve ever wondered why some mosquito bites itch more than others, it totally depends on your body. Everyone responds differently to mosquito bites. While some people may have a minimal reaction, others may experience serious reaction. It just depends on your body’s immune system. People with so-called atopic traits, who are highly sensitive, are more likely to develop more serious local reactions after the mosquito bites.

1.What accounts for the itch you feel after a mosquito bite?

A.The blood type. B.The sensitivity of our skin.

C.The change of temperature. D.The protein from mosquitoes.

2.Why do mosquito bites itch more when scratch them?

A.Scratching them helps the blood to flow quicker.

B.Your skin will be infected after you scratch them.

C.Scratching them causes a special chemical to let out.

D.You focus more on mosquito bites when you are scratching them.

3.Why are some people bothered less by mosquito bites than others?

A.Their body’s immune system is less sensitive to the bites.

B.They pay less attention to the mosquito bites.

C.Their skin is thicker than others.

D.They get used to the bites.

4.What is the text mainly about?

A.The cure for mosquito bites. B.The itch caused by mosquito bites.

C.Why mosquito bites itch less than bee bites. D.How people respond to mosquito bites differently.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

For the most part, schools are designed to produce people who fit into society, not people who set out to change it. However, schools, particularly universities, may not only spread culture; they may add to the cultural heritage(遗产). Today American society places a good deal of emphasis on the development of new knowledge, especially in the physical and biological sciences , medicine, and engineering. In the recent years, the nation’s leading universities have increasingly become research centers.

An emphasis（强调）on research has led universities to judge professors not by abilities as teachers, but as researcher. promotions(提升), salary increases , and other benefits have long been dependent on research and publication. However, the most important is no longer publishing. To be successful these days, professors have to bring in money provided by government and private industry. Critics claim that academic(学术) success is most likely to come to those who have learned to“ignore”their teaching duties to pursue research activities. Defenders say that even when students themselves are not involved in research projects they benefit from such an emphasis on research.

Major research universities like the Massachustts Institute of Technology have also cooperated with industrial companies to develop technology and products with commercial potential(潜能).With university-industry ties continuing to grow, debate（辩论）has increased about the consequences for basic science, academic openness, the control of information, the direction of research, and the influence on students.

1. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT emphasized by today’s American society?

A. Physical science.          B. Biological science.

C. Engineering.            D. Computer science.

2. In the present standard, a successful professor is one who can____.

A. teach well

B. get financial support for research

C. get the highest salary

D. have many publications

3. Supporters of the present emphasis on research argue that_____.

A. it involves more students in it.

B. it does good to students anyway.

C. it has a direct good effect on teaching

D. it earns a lot of money for a university

4. The author seems to be_____ the move of emphasis to research.

A. totally against   B. sorry to see      C. in favor of    D. neutral (中立) about

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Don’t take examinations too seriously; they are not the only means of __________someone’s ability.

A. predicting                     B. assessing              C. admiring                       D. praising

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

A common misconception (误解) -about scholarships is that they are only available for the smartest students with the highest GPAs. However, this just isn't even close to true. There are scholarships out there for every type of student seeking a college education. Let's take a look at each type a bit more in depth.

Academic Scholarships

Academic scholarships are also often referred to as merit (优点) scholarships, though a merit scholarship can mean anything that has some level of contest to it. These are fox; the students with the 4.0 GPAs, the years as a part of several extracurricular (课外的) activities and the well- rounded applications. They typically have the highest payouts and are considered very well- known as they are often national awards.

Athletic Scholarships

For students with strong academics (学业的) and physical skills, athletic scholarships are the way to go. There is practically a scholarship for every single sport, from volleyball to football; gymnastics to cheerleading. So, if you are good at anything physical, you should definitely pursue an athletic scholarship.

Scholarships for Minorities

There are also many scholarships for minorities available. Some of these are general and for "all minorities as a collective whole, while others are intended for individual ethnic (种族的) groups. It is also a good idea to apply for a minority scholarship if you are part of fully of a certain ethnicity. You will get to represent your culture and possibly win money -- what more could you ask for?

Scholarships for Women

As with the scholarships for minorities above, there are also scholarships specifically for women. Since colleges were dominated (主宰) by men for many years, scholarships have been created for strong, career-minded women that need assistance paying for college expenses. If you are female, it is strongly recommended you pursue a scholarship for women. Moreover, scholarships for women are typically available in just about any field. Be specific!

1.In the author's opinion, ______.

2.Tom does well in his lessons and is especially good at sports. The best scholarship he can apply for ______.

3.Alice is an Indian -American. She prefers to study her own culture and something about ethnology (民族学). Then she'd better apply for ______.

4. How many scholarships are intended for all ethnic students?

高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

Flowers only bloom(开花) when they are planted in the right soil. That is also true for me.

I first moved to Foxboro, Massachusetts, as a single mother with my baby daughter, Darcy. I was drawn to its New England beauty, friendly people and rich history. It happened that there were a lot of forsythia(连翘) bushes around the house in which I lived just like my childhood home. I joined St. Mark’s Episcopal Church where I taught the Sunday school. At church, I met my second husband, Dean. For more than 25 years, I bloomed in Foxboro, and I had another two children.

Then, when Darcy was a few years out of college, she moved to Alameda, California, to be near friends. I missed her badly. A year later my beloved husband Dean had deadly cancer. He only made it eight months. My heart was broken. Later I moved to Alameda with my children. It was a beautiful Victorian island, and I was grateful to spend more time with Darcy. I even attended a church and made a few friends there. Still, I couldn’t help but miss Foxboro. It had everything and everyone I loved.

One spring day, when I was walking by a school, something yellow caught my eyes. Forsythia bushes! They made me homesick and I kept back my tears. “I miss you, Foxboro,” I whispered. Then I went into a shop and looked at some ceramic(陶瓷的) pots lined up on a shelf. A large white one seemed to catch my attention. “That’ll be perfect in my living room,” I thought.

I turned it over to look at the price. Instead I found these words: “New England Pottery, Foxboro, Massachusetts.” A piece of artwork, from my second hometown, was right here. It was able to spread across the country and so were forsythia bushes. I took it as a sign that I can bloom, right where I am.

1.From the text we learn that the author ____.

A．gave birth to three children in Foxboro

B．planted forsythia bushes around her house

C．got to know her second husband at church

D．worked as a middle school teacher in Foxboro

2.The author moved to Alameda so that she could ____.

A．have more time together with Darcy

B．forget the sorrow at her husband’s death

C．visit her children at Alameda College frequently

D．enjoy the beautiful scenery on the Victorian island

3.When the author saw forsythia bushes at a school she _____.

A．wanted to buy a ceramic pot to put them in

B．thought of her life in Foxboro

C．felt they would look great in her living room

D．believed they were real art work

4.Why does the author compare herself to flowers?

A．Because she wanted to show she likes flowers.

B．Because she can live in any place that is right like flowers.

C．Because she moved across the country just like flowers.

D．Because girls are like flowers that are blooming.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

–Is it all right if I sit here?

–______, sir. The seats are for elderly people only.

A. Better not　　 　　 B. Go ahead

C. As you please　　 D. No way

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

The heart is ____ intelligent than the stomach, for they are both controlled by the brain.

A. not so B. not much

C. much more D. no more

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Many foreigners who have not visited Britain call all the inhabitants(居民) English, for they are used to thinking of the British Isles as England. In fact, the British Isles contain a variety of peoples and only the people of England call themselves English. The others refer to themselves as Welsh, Scottish, or Irish, as the case may be; they are often slightly annoyed(苦恼) at being classified as 'English'.

In Scotland the sound denoted by the letter 'R' is generally a strong sound, and 'R' is often pronounced in words in which it would be silent in southern English. In the Highlands and the Western Isles the ancient Scottish language, Gaelic, is still heard. The Scots are said to be a serious, cautious, thrifty(节约的) people, rather inventive(善于创造的) and somewhat mystical. All the Celtic peoples of Britain (the Welsh, the Irish, the Scots) are often described as being more 'fiery(暴躁的)' than the English. They are often of a race that is quite different from the English.

The Welsh have protected their language to a remarkable extent. The English generally look upon the Welsh as an emotional(易动感情的) people who are, however, somewhat difficult to get to know easily.

Ireland is divided into two parts. The six countries of Northern Ireland are still part of Great Britain, though, in normal circumstances(环境), they have their own Parliament. The Irish are known for their charm and vivacity(活泼), as well as for the beauty of the Irish girls. Irish, often calls Erse, is a form of Gaelic. It was in danger of dying out, but when the territory(地域) of the Republic became independent, Erse was received, and is now the official first language of the Republic, English being the second. The Irish are known for their charm and vivacity, as well as for the beauty of the Irish girls.

1.Why do many foreigners call the inhabitants English?

2.Today we still can hear Gaelic--the ancient Scottish language in __________.

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

4.Irish is a form of ________, and is now the official ______ language of the Republic.

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析