To switch or not to switch, that is the quest...

To switch or not to switch, that is the question．Google’s announcement of its Nexus One smartphone（智能手机） happened over a week ago and I’m still receiving lots of e-mails from readers asking the same question: Should they give up their iPhone for the Nexus One?

Some people with iPhones, disappointed by American Telephone&Telegraph’s inadequate service and the high monthly cost, are wondering if they have really got something to replace it．Does the Nexus One offer the functions that Apple has led them to expect?

I’m on the fence myself, even though I never thought I’d be interested in anything but the iPhone．From my experience using the Nexus One, and from talking to people who have made the change, it’s not necessarily about the differences between the iPhone and the Nexus One．The phones are extremely similar in design and general feel．Instead, the decision can be made based on the software（软件） services you use on your desktop．

My friend Chad Dickerson received a pre-launch Nexus One from Google three weeks ago．He said Google’s phone feels connected to certain services on the Web in a way the iPhone doesn’t．“Compared to the iPhone, the Google phone feels like it’s part of the Internet to me,” he said．“If you live in a Google world, you have that world in your pocket in a way that’s cleaner and more connected than the iPhone．”

Personally, the phones work perfectly with their own software, but both of them don’t make an effort to play well with other services．

1.Why are some iPhone users expecting a new type of phone?

2.What’s the author’s attitude towards the new phones in the third paragraph?

3.In Chad Dickerson’s opinion, the Nexus One is ________ the iPhone．

4.The best title of the passage might be ________．

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

To pollute or not to pollute? That is the question. In order to survive, we all need to cause pollution. Factories that process the food we eat, clothes we wear, and cars we drive have to cause pollution. The environment has the ability to absorb our waste or the pollution, but its absorption ability has its limits. If the pollution level is higher than what the environment can cope with, then that's the time when pollution is bad.

If the pollution level becomes too high, human health can be affected badly. Then, the productivity level of the sick people is low and the economy suffers. The economy suffers not only because of the lost productivity of the people, but also because the government must pay for the damage the pollution has done to its people.

This is the reason why the government prefers taxation policy. Imposing（征收）a tax on firms that pollute the environment can be considered a good strategy, as long as the tax covers all the external costs or the cost of the damage the firm has created during production.

Taxation, if enforced（执行）really well, can make firms create a technology that may reduce pollution, if they find out that it will be cheaper than continuously paying the tax. The disadvantage of this policy, however, lies in the possibility that some big firms will find the tax cheap and then they will just produce more and pollute the environment more. If other small firms find the tax expensive, thus closing down, their production will be eaten up by those firms which can afford the tax.

Therefore, it is important that lawmakers in each country, when deciding to impose a tax on pollutant emissions, first review and analyze very carefully the real cost of the damage.

1. We can infer from the first paragraph that

A. for human beings pollution is unavoidable

B. it's not easy to figure out how bad pollution is

C. humans should reduce the use of everyday products

D. we can survive without causing pollution.

2.The underlined word "absorb" here refers to”____”．

A. reduce　　 B. fit in

C. avoid　　 D. deal with

3.What is the second paragraph mainly about?

A. The effects of pollution on human health.

B. The relationship between people and their government.

C. The effects of pollution on economic development.

D. The relationship between human health and economic development.

4.Which of the following can be the result of imposing a higher tax according to Paragraph 3 ？

A. Firms may reduce the prices of their products.

B. Firms may develop some environmental technology.

C.A big firm will be broken up into small firms.

D.A small firm will try to pass the tax on to consumers.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

阅读下面短文，根据其内容写一篇60词左右的内容概要。

To pollute or not to pollute That is the question. In order to survive, we all need to cause pollution. Factories that process the food we eat, clothes we wear, and cars we drive　 have to cause pollution. The environment has the ability to absorb our waste or the pollution,　 but its absorption ability has its limits. If the pollution level is higher than what the　 environment can cope with, then that's the time when pollution is bad.　 If the pollution level becomes too high, human health can be affected badly. Then, the　 productivity level of the sick people is low and the economy suffers. The economy suffers not　 only because of the lost productivity of the people, but also because the government must pay　 for the damage the pollution has done to its people. This is the reason why the government prefers taxation policy. Imposing（征收）a tax on　 firms that pollute the environment can be considered a good strategy, as long as the tax covers　 all the external costs or the cost of the damage the firm has created during production.　 Taxation, if enforced（执行）really well, can make firms create a technology that may reduce pollution, if they find out that it will be cheaper than continuously paying the tax. The　 disadvantage of this policy, however, lies in the possibility that some big firms will find the　 tax cheap and then they will just produce more and pollute the environment more. If other　 small firms find the tax expensive, thus closing down, their production will be eaten up by　 those firms which can afford the tax.　 Therefore, it is important that lawmakers in each country, when deciding to impose a tax　 on pollutant emissions, first review and analyze very carefully the real cost of the damage.（307words）

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高三英语概要写作困难题查看答案及解析

How old is too old to go trick-or-treating? Chesapeake of Virginia says the answer to that question is anyone over the age of 12.

City officials recently announced that doorbell-ringing candy seekers over the age of 12 could face a charge, up to six months in jail, and $25 to $100 fines. They're far from alone. Meridian of Mississippi, Bishopville of South Carolina, and Boonsboro of Maryland, also have set the age at 12. The phenomenon isn't limited to the US: In 2017, Bathurst, a town in Canada, banned anyone older than 16.

Officials say they won't be actively looking to catch teenage trick-or-treaters in the act. The age limits are part of a broader push to limit pranks and tricks. Some parents think that preventing older kids from participating in Halloween traditions will have the opposite effect. A Facebook post last year argued that all kids, regardless of age, should be allowed to take part in trick-or-treating. It was shared more than 4,000 times, with close to 700 comments.

Some parents argued that kids shouldn't be spoiled. Others argued that even older kids should be encouraged to take part in it in the sense of wonder and excitement, and most said they were willing to give candy to whoever dressed up. That seems consistent with the scientific studies that play is essential to help children develop into healthy, well-adapted people, and that play encourages kids to develop collaboration and creativity.

Given how over-scheduled, anxious, and unhappy today's teens are, maybe a little Halloween magic is exactly in order.

1.How many American cities that have set the limit of going trick-or-treating are mentioned?

A. One city.　　 B. Two cities.

C. Three cities.　　 D. Four cities.

2.Why did the officials decide to prevent teens from going trick-or-treating?

A. Because the teens are too old to go trick-or-treating..

B. Because it is thought that the teens will do something harmful.

C. Because some parents are afraid that kids can be spoiled.

D. Because that seems consistent with the scientific studies.

3.What may most people agree with according to the passage?

A. All people should take part in the Halloween traditional activities.

B. Halloween tradition is no longer as attractive as before.

C. It's not a good idea to limit the age of going trick-or treating.

D. Play is necessary to help children develop into healthy and well-adapted people.

4.What is the author's attitude towards the age limit of going trick-or-treating?

A. disapproving　　 B. objective

C. favorable　　 D. indifferent

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Why read, and sometimes even write poetry? That question is not difficult to answer if we change the word poetry to songs.

I sing when I feel good. When I sing my favorite songs, I feel even better. Sometimes when I am listening to music and to the song words, I feel that it was written for me. A good song always makes me feel something. There are songs that I sing in my head between classes and songs that I want to sing when the school bell rings by the end of the day. They help me get through the day.

They are like bright and warm colors in the middle of grays and shades. I like songs about love and friendship. The extraordinary thing is that my feelings are more special when I sing my favorite songs in English.

I also like reading. I used to avoid poetry until an e-friend told me I should recite poems and not look up the meaning of the words. Poetry uses many difficult words and idioms, but the best thing is to just forget about them. In the beginning I felt quite strange. Now I always lock the door. Reading aloud gives you a strange feeling, but when you have some practice and fall into the rhythm, and the sounds of the words, it is really a special experience.

I started with small poems, but now I think I most like long poems. I have different feelings with different poems. When I have had a bad day at school, I read Keats and forget everything. When I am sad I read Wordsworth by the light of a candle. When the poem is finished, I close the book and my sadness is gone.

1.According to the writer, _______.

A. people like poems the same way they enjoy songs

B. poetry is the same form of art as songs

C. people always feel the same while reading poems

D. the meaning of words is the key to appreciating poetry

2.Which of the following statements is closest in meaning to the underlined sentence?

A. Songs are like different colors in different times.

B. Songs can help people better understand colors.

C. Songs can describe a mixture of different colors.

D. Songs can bring people warmth and comfort.

3.What we can infer from the passage is that______.

A. the writer likes singing songs aloud at any time

B. songs and poems can help get over bad emotions

C. the writer’s native language is English

D. the writer like songs better than poems

4.What can we know about the poems of Keats and Wordsworth through the passage?

A. Keats’ poems are full of bad feelings.

B. Wordsworth’s poems contain much sad description.

C. Both of their poetry can create positive feelings.

D. The themes of their poems are not different at all.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Dolphin or not a dolphin? That is the question! You see，there are several types of dolphins．Some are saltwater dolphins while others are river dolphins．

“What are the 32 types of dolphins?”When people are asking the question，they are actually referring to the saltwater dolphins in oceans and seas．The river dolphins living in fresh water are not included in these species．But what would be the answer in this case if we ask．“Dolphin or not a dolphin?”The answer would obviously be yes．River dolphins still belong to the dolphin family．

Among the 32 types of dolphins do not actually wear the word“dolphin”in their names，such as the tucuxi，while others actually have the word“whale”as part of their names even if they are not whales but in fact，belong to the dolphin family，for example，the melon-headed whale and the killer whale．So what would be the answer to the question“Dolphin or not a dolphin?”in these cases? It would’be yes．All these species do belong to the dolphin family．

Another question that people ask is．“Are the sea animals that perform at aquariums(水族馆)all dolphins?”So，it always seems to come back to the question，“Dolphin or not a dolphin?”Well the answer is no in this case．The sea animals that perform there are not all dolphins．The beluga which people tend to think belong to the dolphin family because they show what seems like a smile，like most dolphins，are in fact a species of the whale family．

Now that you read these facts about dolphins，you probably realize that certain sea animals may appear to be part of the dolphin species and that others seem to be part of the whale family but in either case，it is not obvious and can be surprising when you identify a sea animal as being a dolphin or not a dolphin．That is the question ！

1.Which of the following statements about dolphins is RIGHT according to the passage?

A. The tucuxi is a type of dolphin living in rivers．

B. There are 32 types of dolphins in the world altogether．

C. All the sea animals that perfom at aquariums are dolphins．

D. The melon-headed whale and the killer whale actually belong to the dolphin family．

2.What do we know about the majority of the dolphins?

A. They appear friendly．　　 B. They perform for audience．

C. They look like whales．　　 D. They live in fresh water．

3.What could be added about dolphins before the last paragraph if you were the author?

A. The living areas of dolphins．

B. Training of dolphins at aquariums．

C. The eating habits of dolphins．

D. Further identification of dolphins．

4.This article can be classified as_________．

A. a news report　　 B. 1iterary fiction

C. popular science　　 D. a travel diary

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

To have a second child or not, this is a question.

A concern about only one child is whether one child necessarily means a lonely child. Many parents of only child feel guilty of their decision to have only one child. There are no other children in the family for the child to associate with, which may lead to the child feeling lonely at times.

Another common argument against having just one child may be more spoiled than one with siblings. Many people believe that a single child will not have learned to negotiate with others, and respect the give-and-take involved in many relationships. Some think this may leave the child less capable of interacting well with people his or her own age.

Despite these arguments, the number of parents choosing to have only one child is increasing in the world. For some single-child parents, the pressures of devoting time and energy to a second child can result in them selecting have no more children. For other parents, the financial burden of having a second child may be the major consideration. Another important consideration is the increasing age at which women give birth to children.

Advocates of single-child families argue that there are advantages for the child as well as the parents. With just one child, the parents can give, and the child can receive, more quality time and attention.

However, there is no simple answer to the question of whether or not to have a second child. The circumstances affecting each set of parents are unique. The important thing, in the end, is to make a decision that both the wife and the husband feel confident.

1.What are the advantages of children with brothers or sisters?

A. Less pressure and better energy

B. More respect and greater family wealth

C. Higher intelligence and more attention

D. Less loneliness and better social competence

2.What prevent some parents from having a second child according to the passage?

A. Work pressures

B. Limited time, energy and money

C. The health and wealth of the first child

D. The negotiations between parents and children

3.What can we learn from the passage?

A. The birth of a second child makes many parents guilty

B. The number of single-child parents is decreasing

C. Nowadays women delay giving birth to children

D. Family circumstances have little effect on parents’ decision

4.How is the passage developed?

A. By providing examples　　　　　　　　　 B. By listing suggestions

C. By offering descriptions　　　　　　 D. By analyzing reasons

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

It is theability to do the job _____ matters not where you come from or what you are.

高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析

The question was________at the meeting whether or not the company should employ  more workers to increase production.

A．put forward        B．taken up          C．given out          D．passed on

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Kleptomania is an illness of the mind that gives a person the desire to steal. Such a person is not really a thief. They are sick and cannot help themselves. All small children act naturally and as they grow up they normally learn to control their actions. People with Kleptomania for certain medical reasons have failed to develop control over their desire to take things that do not belong to them. With medical help they may become normal citizens again. The things that a Kleptomaniac steals are seldom of great value. They often give away what they have stolen or collect things without using them.

1.What is the topic of the text?

A. Young thieves.                        B. An unusual illness

C. Reasons for stealing     D. A normal child's actions

2.From the text we learn that small children _______.

A. have little control over themselves              B. usually steal things but grow up honest

C. are usually Kleptomaniacs            D. like to give things away

3.Which of the following word can best replace the word "desire" in the first sentence?

A. chance                   B. power          C. right             D. wish

4.Kleptomaniacs usually steal things that

A. are valuable                   B. are unimportant

C. their friends like          D. they themselves need

高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析