“Sorry seems to be the hardest word”—that is ...

“Sorry seems to be the hardest word”—that is one of Elton Johns most popular songs. But not every public figure seems to find it so tough to say that powerful five-letter word.

In recent days public figures, from politicians to stars, have all publicly expressed remorse. But with so much remorse, how can we tell a forced apology from a heartfelt expression of remorse?

Specifically, saying sorry should be a realization that something you have said or done has hurt someone and you want to make amends. “People wants the response to be personal to them. They want to feel that they’re being listened to and taken seriously,” says Martin Stone.

Firstly, it is important to show that you understand. It is vital that any group or a person making an apology understands the focus—is it sorry for the way it’s acted or is it sorry that the complainant feels the way they do? Watch out for the speed of response. The quicker the apology comes, the better it indicates that the person making it has felt an immediate sense of guilt.

If sincere, the person making the apology will be looking for clues (线索) to see if he or she is being understood, such as eye contact and facial expressions. Performed apologies always have a sense of being “acted out”, and are often accompanied by too many unnatural gestures.

For a sincere apology, it is also important to avoid promises that can’t be kept. Don’t say that you’ll make sure that this will not happen again if you re not confident that it wont. It could come back to bite you. And do remember that the use of “but” can hugely change the tone (语气) of an apology. As Stone points out, “I’m sorry but...” sounds like you are making excuses and aren’t actually taking any form of responsibility.

1.What does the underlined word “remorse” probably mean?

A. Feelings. B. Appereciation. C. Regret. D. Sympathy.

2.Which of the following indicates it’s a performed apology?

A. Swearing it will not happen again. B. Avoiding eye contact with the listener.

C. Showing you understand his /her feelings. D. Paying attention to the listener’s reaction.

3.What is stressed in the last paragraph?

A. The attitude. B. The tone of voice.

C. The body language. D. The choice of language.

4.What is the purpose of the text?

A. To explain what a good apology is.

B. To discuss how to give a formal apology.

C. To show why we should apologize in life.

D. To teach us how to tell if an apology is sincere.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

“Sorry seems to be the hardest word”— that is one of Elton John's most popular songs. But not every public figure seems to find it so tough to say that powerful five-letter word.

In recent days public figures, from politicians to stars, have all publicly expressed remorse. But with so much remorse, how can we tell a forced apology from a heartfelt expression of remorse?

Specifically, saying sorry should be a realization that something you have said or done has hurt someone and you want to make amends (弥补). "People want the response to be personal to them. They want to feel that they're being listened to and taken seriously," says Martin Stone.

Firstly, it is important to show that you understand. It is vital that any group or a person making an apology understands the focus — is it sorry for the way it's acted or is it sorry that the complainant feels the way they do? Watch out for the speed of response. The quicker the apology comes, the better it indicates that the person making it has felt an immediate sense of guilt.

If sincere, the person making the apology will be looking for clues (线索) to see if he or she is being understood, such as eye contact and facial expressions. Performed apologies always have a sense of being "acted out", and are often accompanied by too many unnatural gestures.

For a sincere apology, it is also important to avoid promises that can't be kept. Don't say that you'll make sure that this will not happen again if you're not confident that it won't. It could come back to bite you. And do remember that the use of "but" can hugely change the tone (语气) of an apology. As Stone points out, "I'm sorry but..." sounds like you are making excuses and aren't actually taking any form of responsibility.

1.What is the purpose of the text?

A. To explain what a good apology is.

B. To discuss how to give a formal apology.

C. To show why we should apologize in life.

D. To teach us how to tell if an apology is sincere

2.Which of the following indicates it's a "performed" apology?

A. Swearing it will not happen again.

B. Avoiding eye contact with the listener.

C. Showing you understand his/her feelings.

D. Paying attention to the listener's reaction.

3.What is stressed in the last paragraph?

A. The attitude.

B. The tone of voice.

C. The body language.

D. The choice of language.

高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

[1] One of the tough things about being a high school student is that you never Seem to get enough sleep at night, which often leaves you nodding off during classes．The best amount of sleep is about seven and a half to eight hours．Spending either less than six or more than nine hours in sleeping puts your health at risk．

[2] A popular solution to a lack of sleep at night is to take a “power nap” during the day, but does this work?

[3] Generally speaking, it can be beneficial．Research shows that a nap in the middle of the day—even a brief one as Short as five or 10minutes—can clear your mind and leave you with increased energy and improved productivity．

[4] But here are some things you need to know to do it correctly．To start with, every time you doze off （打瞌睡） during the day does not count as a “power nap”．The best time to take a power nap is in the mid-afternoon, when your energy level tends to decrease．

[5] But how long should a power nap be? Ideally, it should be kept to between 10 and 30 minutes．Nodding off for five minutes does not really provide established sleep．If you, however, go into the deeper stage you will wake up feeling weak．

[6] However, refreshing as it might be, if you get adequate sleep at night, taking a power nap isn’t such a wise choice．The reason is that sleeping during the day can interfere with your body’s biorhythms．The brain gets used to going to bed and getting up at roughly the same time each day, and you don’t want to disturb this routine．

[7] One more thing to keep in mind is that a power nap should never be used as a replacement for a good night’s sleep．A power nap during the day is not like a tablet which will definitely work．An hour’s sleep before midnight is worth a couple of hours’ sleep after midnight．

1.What is the main idea of the passage? （no more than 5 words）

_____________________________________________________________________

2.What if a person spends less than six or more than nine hours in sleeping?

（no more than 9 words）

_____________________________________________________________________

3.According to Paragraph 3, what benefits can we get from a nap in the middle of the day?

（no more than 4 words）

_____________________________________________________________________

4.When is the best time to take a power nap? （no more than 5 words）

_____________________________________________________________________

5.Why is it sometimes unwise to take a nap? （no more than 8 words）

_____________________________________________________________________

高三英语其他题中等难度题查看答案及解析

There is one word that is on the lips of Americans , day and night , “Sorry”.

One time as I was walking on the street , a young man ran by hurriedly , brushing against my handbag . Even as he continued on his way , he turned back and said “sorry” to me . Even in a rush , he didn’t forget to apologize .

One day , after I bought some apples , the salesman was giving me the change , but I wasn’t ready for it , and a coin dropped on the ground, “I’m sorry ,” he said while bending down to pick it up . I was puzzled —why would he apologize when it was my fault ?

Another time , I stepped on a man’s foot in an escalator . At the same time , we both said “sorry” . I thought it interesting : was it really necessary for him apologize ?

Later on , an American friend explained to me that according to the American ideas, the escalator is public place which everyone should be able to stand in . After someone occupies a position in the escalator , making it difficult for someone else to find a place to stand in , isn’t it necessary to express an apology ?

During my stay in America , I gradually realized that when friction (摩擦) occurs in daily life , Americans don’t care much about who is responsible . If someone is troubled , a “sorry” is always necessary . Even if the other person is hurt , the “sorry” would cool tempers . Perhaps this is why I never saw anyone quarreling on the buses , subways or streets in America .

1.When I was walking in the street , ____ .

2.When the salesman gave me the change , _____

3.The man on whose feet I stepped apologized to me because ____ .

4.In this passage , the author seems to feel _____ the Americans’ “sorry”.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

“Sorry” is the hardest word to say sometimes. _______ you know you’ve done something wrong, or something inappropriate, it takes courage to say sorry.

A. Only if    B. Even if

C. If only    D. As if

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

“Sorry” is the hardest word to say sometimes. _______ you know you’ve done something wrong, or something inappropriate, it takes courage to say sorry.

A. Only if       B. Even if                       C. If only                       D. As if

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

One of the statements that many experts seem to agree on is the fact that the great things starts to happen the minute you step outside of your comfort zones. As soon as you decide that you are willing to go beyond what is safe, the possibilities are endless. For me, one of the most important things that we should always keep in mind is the fact that growth and comfort can’t coexist.

Personal development author Napoleon Hill once said: “Whatever the mind can understand and believe, the mind can achieve. Regardless of how many times you may have failed in the past or how lofty(崇高的) your aims and hopes may be.” This statement is especially powerful because it reminds us that we are the only ones who can be responsible for how far we will go. However, stepping outside of our comfort zone is probably the most important step to experiencing real change.

For a long time, I knew that I wanted to live in Argentina, so halfway through my bachelor’s degree, I bought a one-way ticket there. While in Argentina, I finished the last two years of my degree online before flying back home for graduation. I currently still live in Argentina, and I can proudly say that taking the necessary steps to make it a reality was one of the most important things I could have done.

This, of course, by no means at all applies to everyone, and I’m not implying we should all buy one-way tickets to foreign countries and see what happens. But it’s important to know that we should recognize what we desire and try to bring our dreams to life.

Living in a comfort zone can trick us into believing that we have an abundant amount of time when, in reality, we all know that years can fly by without us having accomplished much of what we really wanted to do. So why wait? I’m thankful that I didn’t put off my move until a later date because I would have missed out on a lot of amazing life experiences that have shaped me as a person. If we want to experience even a small amount of change, we will have to step outside of it.

1.Why do people prefer staying in comfort zone?

A. It makes people feel safe.

B. It leads to great things.

C. It is important for growth.

D. It helps make wise decisions.

2.What does Napoleon Hill’s statement mean?

A. Time and tide wait for no man.

B. The higher you fly, the harder you fail.

C. Failure is the mother of success.

D. Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.

3.Which matters most to the author in his/her story?

A. Moving to Argentina.

B. Getting the bachelor’s degree.

C. Studying online.

D. Flying back for graduation.

4.The author used his/her story to ________.

A. persuade others to follow his/her example

B. encourage others to take immediate action

C. inform people of different foreign culture

D. remind people to be thankful in life

5.Which one could be the best title?

A. Identify your comfort zone.

B. Value your precious time.

C. Always try something new.

D. Make the best decisions.

高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

What seems to be a simple idea always turns out _____ that is hard to put into practice．

A．the one　　　　　　　　　 B．one　　　　 　　　　　　　　　 C．ones　　　 　　　　　　　　　 D．another

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

One of the hardest parts of planning a trip to Hawaii is deciding which of the major Hawaiian Islands you should visit. Each has its own personality and offers unique adventures and activities.

Oahu

Oahu has a bit of everything, packed in 597 square miles. You can hike into thick rainforests, and when you need a break, relax on powdery white sand beaches and stay at luxury resorts.

Oahu has become a great destination for families. The urban core （核 心）of Honolulu and Waikiki has historic sites, museums and bustling （熙熙攘攘的）and nightlife scenes. The island lives up to its nickname of the Gathering Place.

Maui

Maui is a great island for honeymooners. The Valley Isle has top-class resorts and golf courses, adjacent （毗邻）to some of the state's best beaches. A large dormant （休眠）volcano in east Maui at sunrise or sunset is a serene experience, as well as driving the Road to Hana, famed for its thundering waterfalls.

Kauai

Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. The island gets a lot of rain, but that's what makes it so lively, you'll come across flowers and plants you've never seen before. For some of the best views on the island, visit Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, and the Na Pali coast, boasting some of the world's highest sea cliffs.

Big Island

The Big Island is the only Hawaiian island still growing. Witness the power of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, wind, lightning and volcanoes with a visit to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It's one of the few spots in the world where you can see lava flow. In fact, the Big Island has 10 of the world's sub-climate zones, from the snow-covered mountain of Mauna Kea, green forests of Waipio Valley to stretches of barren desert.

1.Which is young couples' favorite?

A. Oahu. B. Maui.

C. Kauai. D. Big Island.

2.How is Oahu different from the other places?

A. It belongs to Hawaii. B. It offers the best beaches.

C. It has variety of plants. D. You can experience city life on it.

3.What do Maui and Big Island have in common?

A. They are both covered with snow. B. You can have a look at a volcano.

C. Weather is changeable. D. There is plenty of rain.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

It is one of the most annoying words in the English language and it seems there is no escaping it. The word "huh?”is in worldwide use, a study found.

Researchers discovered that languages spoken in countries from Ghana and Laos to Iceland and Italy all include "huh?", or something that sounds very like it. They said that while the study may sound silly. The word is an absolutely necessary part of speech. Without it and similar words, it would be impossible to show that we haven't heard or understood what had been said and this would lead to constant misunderstandings.

But while other words used in the same context, such as “sorry” or “what”, vary widely across languages, “huh?” remains unchanged.

The Dutch researchers carefully studied ten languages from around the world, including Siwu, which is spoken in Ghana, and an Australian Aboriginal language, as well as Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Mandarin Chinese.

They analyzed tapes of recorded conversations for words that sounded like “huh?” and were used to request that whatever had just been said be repeated. All contained a version of “huh?”. The word was also found in another 21 languages. While there were subtle differences in each country, all sounded basically the same.

This is surprising because normally unrelated languages will use very different words to describe the same thing. For instance, the Japanese for dog is “inu”, while the French is “chien”.It is thought that

languages around the world have developed their own version of “huh?” because the sound is quick and simple to form, as well as being easily understood.

The researchers, said that it might seem unimportant to carry out scientific research into a word like “huh?” but in fact this little word is an essential tool in human communication. They also have an answer for those who claim that “huh?” isn't a word. They say that it qualifies because of the small differences in its pronunciation in different languages. It also can be considered a word because it's something we learn to say, rather than a grunt or cry that we are born knowing how to make.

1.According to researchers, the word “huh?” is very important in speech because of　　 .

A. its stable meaning in language development.

B. its important function in communication

C. its simple and easy sound and spelling

D. its popularity in every language

2.What is the natural response if you hear the lady you're speaking to say "huh?"?

A. You should ask her to repeat what she says before that.

B. You should apologize to her for speaking in a low voice.

C. You should invite her to share her different views politely.

D. You should try to repeat what you've just said in a clearer way.

3.The main method used in the research of "huh?”was　　　 .

A. interviewing language experts in universities.

B. talking with people from ten different countries.

C. analyzing the recorded conversations in different languages.

D. comparing different words with the same meaning in different languages.

4.What is the purpose of the passage?

A. To inform readers about research on the worldwide used word "huh?"

B. To argue that “huh?” is the most important word in every language

C. To entertain readers by relating similar idioms in different languages

D. To instruct readers of the differences of "huh?”in different languages

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析