What is the most meaningless thing every Texa...

What is the most meaningless thing every Texan will do at the same time this weekend?

You guessed it. We will “fall back” when our clocks are set backward one hour in observance of daylight saving time.

This strange practice has an interesting history. In 1784, Benjamin Franklin published a critical essay in a French newspaper suggesting that Parisians could save $200 million through “the economy of using sunshine instead of candles”. Therefore ， many people owe the origin of the idea of daylight saving time to our Founding Father's writings. In the United States, the clock-changing practice began just over 100 years ago, in 1918, when Congress decided to control time by passing the Standard Time Act to save energy and create time zones. Back then, coal was our top energy source and ensuring that Americans had more daylight working hours made sense.

In 2008, the U. S. Department of Energy assessed the effect of observing daylight saving time on national energy consumption. It found that resetting our clocks amounts to a reduction in our total energy consumption of 0. 02%. The study also determined that sticking with one time could actually save about 0.5% of electricity per day nationwide. Apart from this, the risk of heart attack increases 10% in the days following springing forward, most likely caused by the interruption of biological rhythms. Studies also indicate we are more likely to get sick, we are less productive, and frankly we are just exhausted directly following the time change.

It is hard to explain why we still change our clocks. Perhaps it is due to special interests. Congress passed the Energy Act of 2005, which extended the length of daylight saving time an extra week in the fall, in large part due to an effort by candy producers to allow for an additional daylight hour on the night of Halloween for trick -or - treating.

This May, we sought to end this ancient practice. It would have allowed Texans to vote whether to stay on standard time year-round or daylight saving time year-round. Our proposal passed the House （众议院）133-9. Sadly, once the bill reached the Senate （参议院）,it was never referred to a committee. The proposal died in the Senate without even a word spoken about it on the floor.

I'm moving forward with plans to file the legislation （ 立 法） again in 2021. I urge you to contact your state legislators to move this legislation forward so that this weekend will be one of the last times we have to “fall back.”

1.The possible origin of the idea of daylight saving time is .

A.the ancient legal act B.the influence of other countries

C.the need for time zones D.the advice from a famous politician

2.What does Paragraph 4 mainly talk about?

A.The reasons for health problems. B.The downsides of setting clocks back.

C.The changes in energy consumption. D.The solutions to electricity shortages.

3.It can be inferred from the last two paragraphs that .

A.daylight saving time will last for another two years

B.the author will continue what he has been doing

C.Texans voted for standard time year-round

D.state legislators are for the proposal

4.The passage aims to .

A.analyze the practice of daylight saving time

B.explain the consequences of daylight saving time

C.convince people of the necessity of daylight saving time

D.persuade people to make efforts to stop daylight saving time

高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

_____ the right decision _____ the future is probably the most important thing we will ever do in our lives．

A．Making; concerned                      B．Make; concerning

C．To make; concerned                     D．Making; concerning

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

If you want to improve your figure and health, the most effective thing to do is to show up at the gym every time you ________ be there.

A. can　　 B. will

C. may　　 D. shall

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Being able to multitask—doing several things at the same time—is considered a welcome skill by most people. But if we consider the situation of the young people aged from eight to eighteen, we should think again.

What we often see nowadays is that young people juggle an ever larger number of electronic devices(电子产品)as they study. While working, they also surf on the Internet, send out emails, answer the telephone and listen to music on their iPods. In a sense, they are spending a significant amount of time in fruitless efforts as they multitask.

Multitasking is even changing the relationship between family members. As young people around them. They can no longer greet family members when they enter the house, nor can they cat at the family table.

Multitasking also affects young people’s performance at university and in the workplace. When asked about their opinion of the effect of modern gadgets(器具)on their performance of tasks, many young people gave a positive response(反应). However, the response from the worlds of education and business was not quite as positive. Educators feel that multitasking by children has a serious effect on later development of study skills. They believe that many college students now need help to improve their study skills. Similarly, employers feel that young people entering the job market need to be taught all over again, as modern gadgets have made it unnecessary for them to learn special skills to do their work.

1.What does the underlined word “juggle” in Paragraph 2 most probably mean?

A. Want to buy

B. Take the place of.

C. Use at the same time

D. Seek for information from.

2.In Paragraph 3, the author points out that ________.

A. family members do not cat at the family table

B. family member do not greet each other

C. young people live happily in their families

D. young people seldom talk with their family members

3.What is the main idea of the last paragraph?

A. Multitasking is harmful to young people’s development.

B. Young people benefit a lot from modern gadgets

C. Multitasking is an important skill to young people.

D. Young people must learn skills for future jobs.

4.The author develops the passage mainly by ________.

A. providing typical examples

B. following the natural time order

C. comparing opinions from different fields

D. presenting a cause and analyzing its effects

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

C

Being able to multitask—doing several things at the same time—is considered a welcome skill by most people. But if we consider the situation of the young people aged from eight to eighteen, we should think again.

What we often see nowadays is that young people juggle an ever larger number of electronic devices(电子产品)as they study. While working, they also surf on the Internet, send out emails, answer the telephone and listen to music on their iPods. In a sense, they are spending a significant amount of time in fruitless efforts as they multitask.

Multitasking is even changing the relationship between family members. As young people around them. They can no longer greet family members when they enter the house, nor can they cat at the family table.

Multitasking also affects young people’s performance at university and in the workplace. When asked about their opinion of the effect of modern gadgets(器具)on their performance of tasks, many young people gave a positive response(反应). However, the response from the worlds of education and business was not quite as positive. Educators feel that multitasking by children has a serious effect on later development of study skills. They believe that many college students now need help to improve their study skills. Similarly, employers feel that young people entering the job market need to be taught all over again, as modern gadgets have made it unnecessary for them to learn special skills to do their work.

1.What does the underlined word “juggle” in Paragraph 2 most probably mean?

2.In Paragraph 3, the author points out that ________.

3.What is the main idea of the last paragraph?

4.The author develops the passage mainly by ________.

高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Things to Do in Atlanta

Need a run-down of the top things to do this weekend? Here is what's on in Atlanta.

In the Mood

Date: May 22 through May 26, 2018

Time: 2:00 pm—5:30

Phone: 770-916-2800

If you love the music of the 1940s, then here’s what you need to do this Sunday. Go to a 1940s musical show at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The music of Glenn Millet has a distinctive sound. No need to ask me twice. Are you "In the Mood"?

Party With the Penguins(企鹅)

Date: May 20 through May 25, 2018

Time: 11:30 am—2:00 pm

Phone: 404-581-4000

Celebrate Penguin Awareness Day at Georgia Aquarium's annual Party with the Penguins. The party will feature fun activities, including the chance to see an African penguin up close and team how to help protect this in-danger species.

Callanwolde Arts Festival

Date: May 21 to May 22, 2018

Time: 10:30am—5:30pm

Phone: 404-872-5338

Located at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, this event is a festival for artists and by artists, letting them have a voice in the creation and operations of the festival. If you are of the artistic persuasion or enjoy a creative scene, don't miss out.

Foollio's Hoodilly Storytime

Date: May 21 through May 27, 2018

Time: 1:00 pm—4:30 pm

Phone: 404-523-3141

We make up a brand-new story every week. Come and enjoy a new story each tithe at Dad's Garage Theatre. Little ones will get to help provide key parts of the story and even add in their own jokes. Interactive and out-of-the-ordinary fun for kids and parents！

1.Where should you go if you are a music fan?

A. Georgia Aquarium. B. Dad's Garage Theatre.

C. Callanwolde Fine Arts Centre. D. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

2.Which event appeals to animal lovers?

A. In the Mood. B. Party with the Penguins.

C. Callanwolde Arts Festival. D. Foollio's Hoodilly Storytime.

3.Which number helps sign up for an opportunity if you are crazy about painting?

A. 770-916-2800. B. 404-581-4000.

C. 404-872-5338. D. 404-523-3141.

4.In what way is Foollio's Hoodilly Storytime unique from the other events?

A. It provides books as gifts. B. It is a charge-free event.

C. It runs the shortest hours. D. It is very child-friendly.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Do you know what your child is going to do when the school bell rings at the end of the day? More than 14 million students leave school every afternoon and have nowhere to go, since they do not have access to affordable after-school opportunities. According to the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center (NYVPRC), nine out of ten Americans think all youths should have access to after-school programs, but two-thirds of parents say they have trouble finding programs locally. The bad news is that situation may be getting worse.

After-school hours are the peak time for juvenile crimes and risky behaviors, including alcohol and drug use. The NYVPRC states that children who do not spend any time in after-school activities are 49 percent more likely to use drugs and 37 percent more likely to become a teen parent. Kids are also at the highest risk of becoming a victim of violence after school, particularly between the hours of 2p.m. and 6p.m.. The highest amount of juvenile crime occurs between 3p.m. and 4p.m. , when most children are dismissed from school.

The NYVPRC defines after-school programs as safe and structured activities that offer children opportunities to learn new skills. The skills students learn can range from technology and math to reading and art. Some programs also offer opportunities for internship(实习), community services , or mentoring. These programs have been shown to improve academic achievements, as well as relieve the stresses on working families. A report by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of justice shows that students in after –school programs have fewer behavioral problems and more self-confidence , and can handle conflicts better than students who are not involved with these programs. In addition, according to the Harvard Family Research Project, after-school programs help students from low-income families overcome the inequities (不公平) they face in the school system.

1.What is the theme of the passage?

A．Prevention of juvenile crimes.

B．Risks kids face after school.

C．A research report on the stresses of students.

D．The benefits of after-school programs.

2.Which of the following is TRUE according to the first paragraph?

A．Most parents don’t believe in after-school programs.

B．Students are not willing to attend after-school programs.

C．It’s difficult for parents to find after-school programs for their children.

D．Parents don’t care about where their children go after school.

3.We learn from the second paragraph that __________________ .

A．the teachers should watch over kids after school

B．children are dismissed from school too late

C．after-school hours are a risky time for children

D．children should go home immediately school is over

4.The author of the passage probably __________.

A．fully support after-school programs

B．doubts the effects of after-school programs

C．believes structured activities are useless for children

D．thinks students today are too stressed

5.The underlined word “juvenile” in Paragraph 2 has a similar meaning to “_____” .

A．student           B．teenager          C．adult             D．campus

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

--- What do you think of the plan ____ at the meeting?

--- Very good. But the most important is to put it into ______.

高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析

听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1.What do we know about Mary?

A. She is working at the sports center.

B. She is in the blue.

C. She doesn’t want to eat anything.

2.What does the woman speaker want to do now?

A. Ask her friends for help.

B. Take Mary out for a big meal.

C. Look for ads in the papers.

3.What is the relationship between the two speakers?

A. Husband and wife.　　 B. Brother and sister.

C. Father and daughter.

高三英语长对话简单题查看答案及解析

D

While most of us are happy to take the credit when things go well, few of us are willing to take the blame when things go wrong. Rather than trying to hide our shame or embarrassment, experts found that we are simply less aware when our actions result in a negative outcome.

The research may explain why we often feel it hard to take the blame for our actions. “Our result suggests that people may really experience less responsibility for negative than for positive outcomes,” said Patrick Haggard, leading researcher and professor of the institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London.

In a series of tests, participants were asked to press a key. A sound then followed, either disapproving, neutral or approving, and they were then asked to estimate the time between the action and when they had heard the sound.

Researchers found that individuals experienced different levels of responsibility depending on the outcomes. They also discovered they were significantly slower to recognize if their actions had resulted in a bad consequence, compared to when they had done well.

“Effectively, we have found that we experience a negative outcome differently, not just retell it differently. We make a weaker connection when there is a bad result. And respond much more strongly when something good happens,” said Professor Haggard. When something goes right, everyone wants to take the credit, and when things go wrong, nobody is interested in putting their hands up.

The researchers said our brain is “very much concerned” with reward, as good results are key to survival. Although our own perception (认知) of whether we are guilty of something or not is changed by the outcomes, this does not provide a defense if we have done something wrong. “Our experience of our own responsibilities can be misleading and can be strongly colored by the outcomes of our actions,” said Professor Haggard. “We have to take responsibility for what we actually do, not just for how we experience things.”

1.People who don’t take the blame for their actions _______.

A. always try to hide their shame or embarrassment.

B. are only willing to take the credit when things go well

C. feel less responsible for negative than for positive outcomes

D. are less aware of what to do when a negative outcome happens

2.Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. Our level of responsibility can be strongly affected by the outcomes of our actions.

B. When something bad happens, nobody is interested in dealing with the problem.

C. People were quicker to recognize if their actions had resulted in a bad consequence.

D. Participants were asked to count the time between pressing a key and hearing the sound.

3.How is the passage developed?

A. By giving examples.

B. By quoting research findings.

C. By making comparison.

D. By providing data.

4.According to the passage, a person who is concerned with reward is _______.

A. awkward　　 B. natural　　　　 C. absurd　　 D. stubborn

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析