Like their ancient toga-wearing counterparts,...

Like their ancient toga-wearing counterparts, modern philosophers continue to disagree on the nature of freewill. Do we really have any control over the choices we make and the things we desire, and if so, to what degree?

Theories of freewill vary, but the ancient words of Plato still line up with our modern perceptions(概念) of temptation and willpower. The respected Greek philosopher argued that the human experience is one of constant struggle between the intellect and the body, between rationality and desire. Along these lines, true freedom is only achievable when willpower unchains us from bodily, emotional, instinctual slavery.

You can find similar thoughts throughout world religions, most of which offer a particular and often difficult path to rise above our darker natures.

And science? Well, science mostly agrees with all of this. Willpower is all about overcoming your natural desires to eat cupcakes, skip your morning workout, play games on mobile phone, hit the snooze alarm and check your e-mail during a funeral.

Your willpower, however, is limited. If life were a video game, you'd see a glowing "willpower" or "ego"(自我) meter at the top of the screen next to your "life" meter. Successfully resist one temptation, and the meter drains a little. The next temptation drains the "willpower" meter even more, until there's nothing left at all.

Our modern scientific understanding of willpower in large part stems from a 1996 research experiment involving chocolate and radishes(小红萝卜). Psychologist Roy Baumeister led a study in which 67 test subjects were presented with tempting chocolate chip cookies and other chocolate-flavored treats before a persistence-testing puzzle. Here's the catch: The researchers asked some of the participants to withdraw from sweets and snack on radishes instead.

Baumeister's results told a fascinating story. The test subjects who resisted the sweet stuff in favor of radishes performed poorly on the persistence test. They simply didn't have the willpower left to resist slacking off(松懈).

The research inspired more than a thousand additional studies discussing everything from the influence of positive messages to the ego-sapping power of daily decisions.

Studies also show that cognitive capacity also affects our ability to hold out against temptation. Cognitive capacity is essentially your working memory, which you employ when resisting a temptation ... or holding a string of numbers in your head. A 1999 study from the University of Iowa professor Baba Shiv found that people tasked with remembering a two-digit number held out better than people remembering a seven-digit number when tempted with chocolate cake.

1.What do you understand by ‘freewill’?

A.The control we have over the choices.

B.The choices we make and the things we desire.

C.The choices that philosophers force us to make.

D.Our perception of temptation.

2.According to Plato, when is true freedom available?

A.Willpower to realize one’s own ego. B.Our ability to overcome temptation.

C.Our ability to remember things. D.The desire to give in to temptation.

3.What is meant by ‘cognitive capacity’?

A.When there is a struggle between the intellect and the body.

B.When our willpower helps us to overcome our basic instincts.

C.When we desire that which we cannot achieve.

D.When we have no control over our ego.

高一英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

How did people in ancient China change their luck? Most of them would take the exam, Keju, which began during the Sui Dynasty and lasted for 1,300 years before it was ended in the Qing Dynasty.

Keju, the early “gaokao”, played a very important role in choosing qualified persons to work for the king.

The Keju exams were mainly based on classical literature(文学) and philo- sophy. Poetry was very important in earlier Keju exams, and later Keju focused more on writing.

All candidates had to write an article explaining ideas from those books, which was called Eight Part Essay. Two sentences were required at the start of the article, about the main idea of the title, which was called “to clear the topic”. The exams also focused on more practical matters.　　

Most candidates in ancient China had to go a long way to the capital city for the exam. As transportation in ancient times was not developed, they usually went to the capital on foot, and some took several months to reach the capital.

The exam was held once every three years and it was made up of four levels: the county examination, provincial examination, academy examination and palace examination. Candidates had to first pass one level in order to take part in the next level. Each examination would take from one to three days to finish, and they were locked in a small room and received cold meals.

On the exam day, candidates had to first go through safety check. They had to let their hair loose so that it could be checked and their trouser legs, shoes and socks, even bottoms were also checked.

1.Keju was held for the kings to 　　　　　　 .

A. test people’s luck

B. focus more on writing

C. choose the best people in the country

D. write an article explaining ideas from those books

2. What does the underlined word “candidates” probably mean?

A. People who take the exam.

B. People who help choose the qualified persons.

C. People who are officials in the government.

D. People who have a better understanding of the exam.

3.Candidates used to walk to the capital because 　　　　　　 .

A. they were too poor

B. they didn’t have developed transportation

C. they wanted to build up their body

D. they had much time

4.What do the last two paragraphs tell us?

A. How Keju was organized.

B. Where Keju took place.

C. When people took Keju.

D. What Keju was made up of.

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

People living in the desert choose to keep their ancient lifestyles and customs, _______people in cities throw away their cultural traditions.

A．when            B．if                C．unless            D．while

高一英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

阅读理解。

The kings of ancient Egypt planned strong tombs to keep their bodies safe after death and to hold their treasure.The Great Pyramids along the Nile are on its west bank.The ancient Egyptians compared the rising of the sun to the beginning of life and the setting of the sun to the end of life.This is why their dead bodies were buried on the west bank of the Nile.

The people of Mexico also built pyramids.They did not build the pyramids for tombs.They used to build a pyramid and then a temple on top of it.The pyramids of Mexico are not as high as the pyramids of Egypt,but they are bigger.Each of the pyramids has a wide stairway(楼梯) that goes from the bottom to the top.

The biggest pyramid in Mexico is almost 2,000 years old.Scientists think it took 10,000 men more than ten years to build it.On the top they built a temple of the sun.The temple is no longer there,but people still call it the Pyramid of the Sun.Near it is another huge pyramid,the Pyramid of the Moon.

1.In ancient Egypt pyramids were built 　　 .

A.in honour of the gods

B.for the kings’ tombs

C.for visitors to see

D.as places of interest

2.All the pyramids along the Nile are on its west bank,because in ancient Egypt people thought 　　 .

A.they died in the west

B.the sun sets in the west

C.the end of their lives was like the setting of the sun

D.they would go to the west after death

3.Which of the following is TRUE?

A.The pyramids of Mexico are as big as those of Egypt.

B.The pyramids of Egypt are not higher than those of Mexico.

C.The pyramids of Mexico are just the same as those of Egypt.

D.The pyramids of Mexico are quite different from those of Egypt.

4.The pyramids in ancient Mexico were built 　　 .

A.for the kings　　　　　　　 B.for the people

C.for wars　　　　　　　　　　 D.for the gods

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

In ancient Japan, if you saved someone’s life, they would make it their duty to spend the rest of their life serving you. Nowadays, if you rescue someone’s story, he or she will feel the same kind of gratitude (感激).

It happens all the time. Someone in a group is telling a story and, just before their big point, BOOM! There’s an interruption. Someone new joins the group, a waiter with a plate of biscuits comes over, or a baby starts crying. Suddenly everyone’s attention turns to the new arrival, the food on the plate, or the “charming” little child. Nobody is aware of the interruption — except the speaker. They forget all about the fact that the speaker hasn’t made his or her point.

Or you’re all sitting around the living room and someone is telling a joke. Suddenly, just before their big punch line (妙语), little Johnny drops a dish or the phone rings. After the crash, everyone talks about little Johnny’s carelessness. After the call, the subject turns to the upcoming marriage or medical operation of the caller. Nobody remembers the great punch line got unfinished — except the joke teller. When it’s you entertaining everyone at a restaurant, have you ever noticed how you can almost set your clock by the waiter coming to take everyone’s order just before your funny punch line?

Most joke and story tellers are too shy to say, after the interruption, “Now, as I was saying …” Instead, they’ll spend the rest of the evening feeling bad they didn’t get to finish. Here’s where you come in. Rescue them with the technique I call “Lend a Helping Tongue.”

Watch the gratitude in the storyteller’s eyes as he stabilizes where his story sunk and he sails off again toward the center of attention. His expression and the appreciation of your consideration by the rest of the group are often reward enough. You are even more fortunate if you can rescue the story of someone who can hire you, promote you, buy from you, or otherwise lift your life. Big winners have excellent memories. When you do them subtle favors like Lend a Helping Tongue, they find a way to pay you back.

1.Very often, a storyteller cannot make his point because _________.

A. people are more interested in food than his story

B. many guests bring their babies to the party

C. he is interrupted by something unexpected

D. his story is easily forgotten by the listeners

2.From Paragraph 3, we know that when someone is telling a joke, _________.

A. something bad will surely happen just before their punch line

B. listeners’ attention is often drawn to something else

C. the only person really interested in the joke is the joke teller

D. the waiter knows when to take everyone’s order

3.How can we help the joke and story tellers when they are interrupted?

A. By giving them a chance to finish.

B. By comforting them to make them happy.

C. By going on telling the story for them.

D. By teaching them some useful techniques.

4.What is the text mainly about?

A. People should learn how to take turns in a conversation.

B. We can win someone’s heart by getting him back to his story.

C. Telling jokes will make you the center of attention.

D. It is impolite to cut in on someone’s talk.

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Developed from ideas by Confucius during the Spring and Autumn Period,Confucianism（儒家思想）is a philosophical and ethical（道德的）system which has become an1.(influence) part of Chinese culture.

Confucianism was first set up by Confucius.And later it2.(develop) by philosophers,including Mencius, Dong Zhongshun,Wang Yangming and others.After Confucianism gained a supreme（至高的）position in the Han dynasty more than 2,000 years ago,3.influence went into all walks of life and all streams of thought in Chinese society for the generations to come.Its junzi philosophy has become4.standard of many Chinese people.

Confucianism means a lot not only to China,but also to the world .Today,mottos from Confucianism5.(be) frequently used by foreign officials in their6.(speech) or talks.People around the globe can have access 7. Confucius ideas in Confucius Institutes（孔子学院）and Chinese Culture Centers abroad. The institutes and centers serve as non-profit public institutions8.(help) foreigners better understand China through language teaching and culture introduction.

Today,China has9.(successful) opened 465 Confucius Institutes in 123 countries and regions.There are also 713 Confucius Classrooms operating in middle and primary schools.Chinese Culture Center are introducing China by opening training classes,building libraries,and10.(hold) cultural activities.

高一英语短文填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Energy is very important in modern life. People use energy to run machines, heat and cool their homes, cook, give light, and transport people and products from place to place. Most energy comes from fossil fuels—petroleum, coal, and natural gas. However, burning fuels causes pollution. Also, if we don’t find new kinds of energy, we will use up all the fossil fuels in the twenty-first century. Scientists are working hard to find other kinds of energy for the future. What might these sources of energy be?

Energy from the wind

All over the world, people use the power of the wind. It turns windmills and moves sailboats. It is a clean source of energy, and there is lots of it. Unfortunately, if the wind does not blow, there is no wind energy.

Energy from water

When water moves from a high place to a lower place, it makes energy. This energy is used to create electricity. In Brittany, France, for example, waterpower produces enough energy to light a town of 40,000people. Waterpower gives energy without pollution. However, people have to build dams to use this energy. Dams cost a lot of money, so water energy is expensive.

Energy from the earth

There is heat in rocks under the earth. Scientists use this heat to make geothermal energy. San Francisco gets half of the energy it needs from geothermal power. This kind of energy is cheap, but it is possible only in a few places in the world.

Energy from the sun

Solar panels on the roofs of houses can turn energy from the sun into electricity. These panels can create enough energy to heat an entire house. Solar power is clean and there is a lot of it in sunny places. But when the weather is bad, there is no sunlight for energy.

1.What does this passage mainly talk about?

A．Advantage of the energy from nature.

B．The future of the energy.

C．Scientists have been working hard to research other kinds of energy.

D．energy is the most important power in the word.

2.From the first paragraph we know ______.

A．energy can do everything for people

B．all the energy causes pollution

C．the new kinds of energy are badly needed

D．scientists have found other kinds of energy for the future

3.What is the writer’s opinion about the energy?

A．Try to use water energy more though it costs a lot.

B．Each natural energy has its own advantages and disadvantages.

C．Solar power is environmental.

D．Wind power is the cheapest but we can’t get.

4.What can be inferred from the passage?

A．In order to protect our environment, we should try other kinds of energy.

B．All scientists in the world will unite to find energy.

C．People in modern life use energy every day.

D．Energy changes people’s lives.

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Energy is very important in modern life. People use energy to run machines, heat and cool their homes, cook, give light, and transport people and products from place to place. Most energy comes from fossil fuels—petroleum, coal, and natural gas. However, burning fuels causes pollution. Also, if we don’t find new kinds of energy, we will use up all the fossil fuels in the twenty-first century. Scientists are working hard to find other kinds of energy for the future. What might these sources of energy be?

 Energy from the wind

All over the world, people use the power of the wind. It turns windmills and moves sailboats. It is a clean source of energy, and there is lots of it. Unfortunately, if the wind does not blow, there is no wind energy.

Energy from water

When water moves from a high place to a lower place, it makes energy. This energy is used to create electricity. In Brittany, France, for example, waterpower produces enough energy to light a town of 40,000people. Waterpower gives energy without pollution. However, people have to build dams to use this energy. Dams cost a lot of money, so water energy is expensive.

Energy from the earth

There is heat in rocks under the earth. Scientists use this heat to make geothermal energy. San Francisco gets half of the energy it needs from geothermal power. This kind of energy is cheap, but it is possible only in a few places in the world.

Energy from the sun

Solar panels on the roofs of houses can turn energy from the sun into electricity. These panels can create enough energy to heat an entire house. Solar power is clean and there is a lot of it in sunny places. But when the weather is bad, there is no sunlight for energy.

1.What does this passage mainly talk about?

A．Advantage of the energy from nature.

B．The future of the energy.

C．Scientists have been working hard to research other kinds of energy.

D．Energy is the most important power in the word.

2.From the first paragraph we know ______.

A．energy can do everything for people

B．all the energy causes pollution

C．the new kinds of energy are badly needed

D．scientists have found other kinds of energy for the future

3.What is the writer’s opinion about the energy?

A．Try to use water energy more though it costs a lot.

B．Each natural energy has its own advantages and disadvantages.

C．Solar power is environmental.

D．Wind power is the cheapest but we can’t get.

4.What can be inferred from the passage?

A．In order to protect our environment, we should try other kinds of energy.

B．All scientists in the world will unite to find energy.

C．People in modern life use energy every day.

D．Energy changes people’s lives.

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

In ancient Egypt，the pharaoh(法老)treated the poor message runner like a prince when he arrived at the palace，if he brought good news. However，if the exhausted runner had the misfortune to bring the pharaoh unhappy news，his head was cut off.

Shades of that spirit spread over today’s conversations. Once a friend and I packed up some peanut butter and sandwiches for an outing. As we walked light-heartedly out the door，picnic basket in hand，a smiling neighbor looked up at the sky and said，“Oh boy，bad day for a picnic. The weatherman says it’s going to rain.” I wanted to strike him on the face with the peanut butter and sandwiches. Not for his stupid weather report，for his smile.

Several months ago I was racing to catch a bus. As I breathlessly put my handful of cash across the Greyhound counter，the sales agent said with a broad smile，“Oh，that bus left five minutes ago.” Dreams of head cutting!

It’s not the news that makes someone angry. It’s the unsympathetic attitude with which it’s delivered. Everyone must give bad news from time to time，and winning professionals do it with the proper attitude. A doctor advising a patient that she needs an operation does it in a caring way. A boss informing an employee he didn’t get the job takes on a sympathetic tone. Big winners know，when delivering any bad news，they should share the feeling of the receiver.

Unfortunately，many people are not aware of this. When you’re tired from a long flight，has a hotel clerk cheerfully said that your room isn’t ready yet？When you had your heart set on the toast beef，has your waiter merrily told you that he just served the last piece？It makes you as traveler or diner want to land your fist right on their unsympathetic faces.

Had my neighbor told me of the upcoming rainstorm with sympathy，I would have appreciated his warning. Had the Greyhound salesclerk sympathetically informed me that my bus had already left，I probably would have said，“Oh，that’s all right. I’ll catch the next one.” Big winners，when they bear bad news，deliver bombs with the emotion the bombarded(被轰炸的)person is sure to have.

1.In Paragraph 1，the writer tells the story of the pharaoh to________.

A. make a comparison　　 B. introduce a topic

C. describe a scene　　 D. offer an argument

2.In the writer’s opinion，his neighbor was________.

A. friendly　　 B. warm-hearted　　 C. not helpful　　 D. not considerate

3.What is the main idea of the text?

A. Helping others sincerely is the key to business success.

B. Delivering bad news properly is important in communication.

C. Receiving bad news requires great courage.

D. Learning ancient traditions can be useful.

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

The book will give you an idea _______ life was like in ancient Greece.

高一英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析