The outstanding biography — from the same author who brought us Steve Jobs and Einstein —portrays the life of the complicated Renaissance (文艺复兴时期的) artist with details. We come to see da Vinci as not only an inventor of musical instruments and early flying machines, but also a notebook keeper and vegetarian (素食者), who had trouble finishing many of the projects and paintings he started.
Yet what is most thrilling is getting to know da Vinci the scientist. Isaacson explains how loving science and applying the scientific method to observing the world was really what made da Vinci a great artist and, Isaacson argues, a genius.
Da Vinci was fascinated with observing and understanding phenomena in nature, from the proportions of the human body to how the muscles of the lips moved. He wanted to know about everything around him, in minute detail, Isaacson writes. He wondered about questions “most people over the age of ten no longer puzzle about”— for instance, how the tongue of a woodpecker works.
To learn about the world, da Vinci combined his own observations with experimentation. Never formally schooled, “he preferred to induce from experiments rather than deduce from theoretical principles,” Isaacson explains. He recorded his observations, looked for patterns among them, and then tested those patterns through additional observation and experimentation.
When he became fascinated with the idea that he could invent flying machines, three and a half centuries before the Wright brothers flew the first airplane, he observed various birds and filled notebooks with the function and speed at which their wings flapped. That’s why Isaacson calls da Vinci an exemplar of this scientific method.”He goes on:“Galileo, born 112 years after Leonardo, is usually credited with being the first to develop this kind of approach and is often regarded as the father of modern science,” the historian Fritjof Capra wrote. “There can be no doubt that this honor would have been bestowed (赐予) on Leonardo da Vinci had he published his scientific writings during his lifetime, or had his notebooks been widely studied soon after his death.”
Da Vinci’s emphasis on empirical observation also helped him improve his art. First, he was able to use what he learned from looking at nature to paint and draw. His studies of the body, animals, motion, shadow and light, perspective and proportion helped him better understand what he was seeing in front of him, and render it in art more accurately and finely than anyone else of his time. He also used his observations of nature to make connections among phenomena. A recorder (竖笛) was like a larynx (喉管) in the throat. Here’s Isaacson again: What Leonardo probably began as four distinct elements ended up woven together in a way that illustrates a fundamental theme in his art and science: the interconnectedness of nature, the unity of its patterns, and the similarity between the workings of the human body and those of the earth.
Most importantly, his curiosity-driven explorations, and ability to connect art and science, helped him innovate in his work. They helped him think differently, Isaacson argues. Da Vinci made surprisingly diverse series of discoveries, including conceptualizing the helicopter and solar power and advancing knowledge about everything from the reproductive organs to botany. This genius is also what drew Isaacson to Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs as subjects: They’re all innovators who were inspired by and drew connections between art and science.
“Leonardo da Vinci is the ultimate example of the main theme of my previous biographies: how the ability to make connections across disciplines — arts and sciences, humanities and technology — is a key to innovation, imagination, and genius,” Isaacson writes. And this wonderful book is a reminder, in a time of increasingly narrow specialization and focus, that the methods of Renaissance men like da Vinci are as relevant as ever.
1.What is the highlight of da Vinci’s biography?
A.His unfinished paintings.
B.His preference for vegetables.
C.His spirit of exploring science.
D.His opposition to formal education.
2.What made da Vinci’s thinking different from others?
A.He was used to skipping school.
B.He kept his childhood’s sense of curiosity.
C.He was filled with ambition to become an artist and inventor.
D.He developed a fascination with historical novels.
3.Why does Isaacson mention Galileo in the book?
A.To introduce his important findings.
B.To memorize the father of modern science.
C.To show the prejudice faced by da Vinci during his lifetime.
D.To illustrate the significance of da Vinci’s research method.
4.The underlined word “render” in Paragraph 6 can be replaced by“_____”.
A.express B.mix C.confirm D.associate
5.What does Isaacson think of the methods of Renaissance men?
A.They are too complicated to understand.
B.They focus on the workings of the human body.
C.They are more accurate than modern methods.
D.They still apply to contemporary scientific research.
6.What might be the best title for the passage?
A.How a Genius Changed the World
B.The Features of Renaissance Art
C.How Science Shaped His Art
D.The Comparison between Induction and Deduction
高三英语阅读理解困难题
The outstanding biography — from the same author who brought us Steve Jobs and Einstein —portrays the life of the complicated Renaissance (文艺复兴时期的) artist with details. We come to see da Vinci as not only an inventor of musical instruments and early flying machines, but also a notebook keeper and vegetarian (素食者), who had trouble finishing many of the projects and paintings he started.
Yet what is most thrilling is getting to know da Vinci the scientist. Isaacson explains how loving science and applying the scientific method to observing the world was really what made da Vinci a great artist and, Isaacson argues, a genius.
Da Vinci was fascinated with observing and understanding phenomena in nature, from the proportions of the human body to how the muscles of the lips moved. He wanted to know about everything around him, in minute detail, Isaacson writes. He wondered about questions “most people over the age of ten no longer puzzle about”— for instance, how the tongue of a woodpecker works.
To learn about the world, da Vinci combined his own observations with experimentation. Never formally schooled, “he preferred to induce from experiments rather than deduce from theoretical principles,” Isaacson explains. He recorded his observations, looked for patterns among them, and then tested those patterns through additional observation and experimentation.
When he became fascinated with the idea that he could invent flying machines, three and a half centuries before the Wright brothers flew the first airplane, he observed various birds and filled notebooks with the function and speed at which their wings flapped. That’s why Isaacson calls da Vinci an exemplar of this scientific method.”He goes on:“Galileo, born 112 years after Leonardo, is usually credited with being the first to develop this kind of approach and is often regarded as the father of modern science,” the historian Fritjof Capra wrote. “There can be no doubt that this honor would have been bestowed (赐予) on Leonardo da Vinci had he published his scientific writings during his lifetime, or had his notebooks been widely studied soon after his death.”
Da Vinci’s emphasis on empirical observation also helped him improve his art. First, he was able to use what he learned from looking at nature to paint and draw. His studies of the body, animals, motion, shadow and light, perspective and proportion helped him better understand what he was seeing in front of him, and render it in art more accurately and finely than anyone else of his time. He also used his observations of nature to make connections among phenomena. A recorder (竖笛) was like a larynx (喉管) in the throat. Here’s Isaacson again: What Leonardo probably began as four distinct elements ended up woven together in a way that illustrates a fundamental theme in his art and science: the interconnectedness of nature, the unity of its patterns, and the similarity between the workings of the human body and those of the earth.
Most importantly, his curiosity-driven explorations, and ability to connect art and science, helped him innovate in his work. They helped him think differently, Isaacson argues. Da Vinci made surprisingly diverse series of discoveries, including conceptualizing the helicopter and solar power and advancing knowledge about everything from the reproductive organs to botany. This genius is also what drew Isaacson to Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs as subjects: They’re all innovators who were inspired by and drew connections between art and science.
“Leonardo da Vinci is the ultimate example of the main theme of my previous biographies: how the ability to make connections across disciplines — arts and sciences, humanities and technology — is a key to innovation, imagination, and genius,” Isaacson writes. And this wonderful book is a reminder, in a time of increasingly narrow specialization and focus, that the methods of Renaissance men like da Vinci are as relevant as ever.
1.What is the highlight of da Vinci’s biography?
A.His unfinished paintings.
B.His preference for vegetables.
C.His spirit of exploring science.
D.His opposition to formal education.
2.What made da Vinci’s thinking different from others?
A.He was used to skipping school.
B.He kept his childhood’s sense of curiosity.
C.He was filled with ambition to become an artist and inventor.
D.He developed a fascination with historical novels.
3.Why does Isaacson mention Galileo in the book?
A.To introduce his important findings.
B.To memorize the father of modern science.
C.To show the prejudice faced by da Vinci during his lifetime.
D.To illustrate the significance of da Vinci’s research method.
4.The underlined word “render” in Paragraph 6 can be replaced by“_____”.
A.express B.mix C.confirm D.associate
5.What does Isaacson think of the methods of Renaissance men?
A.They are too complicated to understand.
B.They focus on the workings of the human body.
C.They are more accurate than modern methods.
D.They still apply to contemporary scientific research.
6.What might be the best title for the passage?
A.How a Genius Changed the World
B.The Features of Renaissance Art
C.How Science Shaped His Art
D.The Comparison between Induction and Deduction
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
A good book is indeed the best friend sf a person. The same goes for outstanding CEOs of world recognized companies as well. Let’s have a look at the favorite books of some of the world-famous CEOs of the globe.
Microsoft CEO(Former)-Bill Gates, The Catcher in the Rye bu J.D. Salinger
A few themes explored in the novel are rebellion(叛逆), anxiety and confusion. It acknowledges that young people are a little confused, but can be smart about things and see things that adults don’t really see. Gates said, “ I didn’t actually read The Catcher in the Rye until I was 13, and ever since then I’ve said that’s my favorite book.”
OWN CEO-Oprah Winfrey, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This book talks about how a little girl observes the people around her. Winfrey said, “I read it in eighth or ninth grade, and I was trying to recommend the book to other kids. So it makes sense to me that now I have a book club, because I have been doing that probably since I read this book.”
Apple CEO-Tim Cook, Competing A gainst Time by George Stalk Jr. And Thomas M. Hout
This book is based on 10 years of precious research done by the authors. It talks about how newer concepts of managing time in new product development, production and sales and distribution provide companies with the edge to succeed in this highly competitive world.
1.Which may be chosen by parents to learn about kids disobeying rules?
A. Competing A gainst Time.
B. The Catcher in the Rye.
C. Napoleon.
D. To Kill a Mockingbird.
2.Who enjoys reading the life story of a great person?
A. Tim Cook.
B. Bill Gates.
C. Larry Ellison.
D. Oprah Winfrey.
3.What can be inferred from Winfrey’s words?
A. She loved reading when young.
B. She read the book with other kids.
C. The book has an influence on her career.
D. The book is about a girl’s thoughts.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Too high house prices can be brought under control the authorities introduce a series of regulatory policies.
A. even if B. as if
C. so that D. provided that
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Too high house prices can be brought under control,________the authorities introduce a series
of regulatory policies.
A.even if B.as if C.so that D.provided that
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Too high house prices can be brought under control, ________ the authorities introduce a series of regulatory policies.
A. even if B. as if
C. so that D. provided that
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The great thing about libraries is that they house all types of books—from mysteries to biographies to dramas—all in one location. The bad thing about libraries is that they house all types of books in one location, and if it’s a location you can’t get to, you’re out of luck. Now, mobile library solutions are appearing quickly around the country to bring books to people who need them.
A few years ago, when the Little Free Libraries Movement launched, more people of all ages could have access to books. Now, more than 15,000 free book stands can be found around the world, bringing books to unexpected places. But many folks simply can’t get to the places where the books are. Bookmobile buses are a good solution, but they can be expensive to fund and to operate.
Books on bikes programs are popping up(出现)in areas where there is a strong bike culture, such as Seattle, or a strong need to bring books to the masses, such as in San Francisco.
The Seattle Public Library’s Books on Bikes program is made up of three bike/trailer combos(复合)that librarians bring to community events. The trailers are even Wi-Fi enabled so that visitors can sign up for a library card and browse(浏览)the library’s card catalog on the spot.
“Seattle has a really strong bike culture so we want to tap into that and provide full service library programs but do it in a way that is quick and smart.” librarian Jared Mills said in an interview.
San Francisco’s program, called Bibliobicicleta, was launched in 2013 by librarian Alicia Tapia. Her trailer can hold about 100 books and attracts readers of all ages and income levels. It’s an independent, donation—based library—ike a Little Free Library, but on wheels.
When asked why she would launch a free library on a bike, Tapia answers, “Why not? Bikes are cool, and can go anywhere.”
1.According to the writer, the traditional libraries .
A.are popular among the readers
B.are large enough to hold any book
C.are not very convenient to the readers
D.can bring books to people who need them
2.Which of the following may be the disadvantage of the bookmobile buses?
A.They are full of many travelers.
B.They cost a large amount of money.
C.They hold the limited number of books.
D.They bring books to unexpected places.
3.The writer mentions Seattle to tell us that .
A.bikes are popular in it
B.visitors can use free Wi-Fi in it
C.it is the same as the city of San Francisco
D.the library card is useful to the visitors
4.Tapia’s answer suggests that she .
A.enjoys showing off by bike
B.shows impatience to the readers
C.is eager to make the readers happy
D.thinks libraries on bikes are practical
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
You may hear about 12 people who have walked on the moon. Of the outstanding astronauts listed below, who do you think was the most influential in Humans’ history?
Neil Armstrong (Space Flight: Apollo 11; Time on Moon: 21h 31m 20s)
Armstrong’s biggest moment came in 1969, when he was chosen for NASA’s first manned lunar mission (任务). On July 21, 1969, he set foot on the surface of the moon, which made him the first human to do so. After returning, Armstrong became an international icon(偶像) and was honored worldwide. His words also impressed the world.
Pete Conrad (Space Flight: Apollo 12; Time on Moon: 31h 31m 12s)
•During his childhood, Pete suffered from dyslexia (读写困难). He failed in the 11th grade and had to leave school. Then he joined Darrow School, where he performed so well that he won a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship. Before joining NASA, Pete was a fighter pilot. He was chosen as the commander of Apollo 12, and landed on the moon on Nov 19, 1969.
Edgar Mitchell (Space Flight: Apollo 14; Time on Moon: 1d 9h 30m 29s)
Edgar was selected by NASA, in 1966, and was later made the lunar module (分离舱) pilot of Apollo 14. He followed his commander Alan Shepard onto the moon, becoming the sixth person to do so. Edgar has expressed his firm belief that UTOs belong to other planets. He also firmly believes that the US government is in possession of some “recovered alien bodies”, and is covering up this issue so that the truth doesn’t come out.
John Young (Space Flight: Apollo 16; Time on Moon: 2d 23h 02m 13s)
Young was made the commander of Apollo 16, which landed on the moon on April 16, 1972. He was the ninth person to set foot there. John was chosen as the commander of the first space shuttle flight in 1981. Young retired from NASA after serving for around 42 years, which made him the man ever to work for NASA for the longest time.
1.What was Neil Armstrong noted for in history?
A. Being a famous international hero.
B. Being the first to walk on the moon.
C. Being the first astronaut of NASA.
D. Being respected the people worldwide.
2.What was Edgar Mitchell’s firm belief?
A. America has known some secrets of aliens.
B. Humans should be cautious about UFOs.
C. Much truth about aliens should be made public.
D. UFOs had set foot on the moon before humans’ arrival.
3.Who stayed on the moon for the longest time?
A. Neil Armstrong. B. Pete Conrad.
C. Edgar Mitchell. D. John Young.
4.What do the four astronauts have in common?
A. They were honored all over the world.
B. They all set foot on the moon in the 1960s.
C. They were members of NASA’s Apollo program.
D. They retired shortly after they returned to the earth.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
If you are the kind of tourist who likes to visit places with outstanding landscapes and multicultural cities,then Asia is the place to go.Take a cruise(巡游)to Asia and you will not be disappointed.
The Finest Asian Cruise Explorations
Tourists who want to visit several Asian countries understand that cruising there is the best alternative.You can decide to take a two-week cruise,starting from Sri Lanka to Thailand.There’s also a three-week cruise that starts off in China all the way to Japan.A most popular voyage is one that starts from Hong Kong to Singapore.
The Best Time to Travel
When touring Asia.it’s best to understand that different cruise lines have different travelling timelines.You can be caught in the rain during your tour(October to December in Malaysia and December to February in Indonesia).Most cruises take place from December to the end of March.
Booking Cruise-ship Tours
Given that you’ll probably be taking long flights to get to South Asia and the Far East,the budget will be large,especially if you are visiting as a family.In addition,many people tour this region,so it would be best if you book early when the prices are more appealing.
Activities
There are so many ports in Asia and this might bring a challenge if you want to get somewhere in time.Make sure you plan your day-trips in advance and follow the cruise line tours to avoid missing the boats.Apart from visiting the cities,you could also go to Borneo,Indonesia to see the orangutans(猩猩).You can also hop across several islands from Bali,appreciate the colorful floats as well as the cherry blossoms in Japan and visit the floating fish farms in Vietnam.
1.In the author’s opinion,which cruise is the most welcoming one?
A. From Hong Kong to Singapore.
B. From Sri Lanka to Thailand.
C. Flying to the Far East.
D. From China to Japan.
2.When is the best time available on tours in Indonesia?
A. January. B. February.
C. December. D. March.
3.Where can you appreciate the colorful floats?
A. Bali. B. Vietnam.
C. Japan. D. Indonesia.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Linda British was an outstanding teacher who felt that if she had the time, she would like to create great art and poetry. When she was 28, however, she began to get severe 36. Her doctors discovered that she had an enormous brain tumor (瘤). They told her that her 37 of surviving an operation were about 2 percent. Therefore, 38 operate immediately, they chose to wait for six months.
The night before the operation after six months, she 39 to give herself away. She made a 40, in which she would donate all of her body parts to those who needed them in 41of her death.
42, Linda died after the operation. Afterwards, her eyes went to an eye 43 in Bethesda, Maryland, and from there to a recipient in South Carolina. A young man, aged 28, went from darkness to 44. That young man was so 45 that he wrote to the eye bank thanking them for existing.
46, he said he wanted to thank the parents of the donator. They must 47 be magnificent people to have a child who would 48 her eyes. He was given the 49 of the British family on Staten Island. He arrived unannounced and rang the doorbell. After hearing his introduction, Mrs. British 50 and hugged him. She said, “Young man, if you’ve got 51 to go, my husband and I would love you to spend your weekend with us.”
He stayed, and 52 he was looking around Linda’s room, he saw that she’d read Hegel. He’d read Hegel in Braille as well.
The next morning Mrs. British was looking at him and said, “You know, I’m sure I’ve seen you somewhere before.” All of a sudden she 53. She ran upstairs and pulled out the last picture Linda had drawn. It was a portrait of her ideal man.
The picture was almost the same as this young man who had received Linda’s eyes.
Then her mother read the 54 poem Linda had written on her deathbed. It 55:
Two hearts passing in the night
Falling in love
Never able to gain each other’s sight.
1. A.heartaches B.headaches C.stomachaches D.backaches
2. A.risks B.happenings C.chances D.moments
3. A.more than B.other than C.better than D.rather than
4. A.decided B.suggested C.prepared D.liked
5. A.will B.letter C.notice D.poem
6. A.spite B.case C.charge D.view
7. A.Actually B.Unbelievably C.Surprisingly D.Unfortunately
8. A.hospital B.center C.school D.bank
9. A.silence B.daytime C.sight D.delight
10. A.excited B.joyful C.grateful D.proud
11. A.However B.Therefore C.Furthermore D.Yet
12. A.partly B.hardly C.seldom D.indeed
13. A.give up B.give away C.give off D.give out
14. A.news B.address C.gift D.hometown
15. A.ran out B.stood out C.reached out D.turned out
16. A.somewhere B.anywhere C.everywhere D.nowhere
17. A.as B.after C.until D.since
18. A.shouted B.laughed C.waked D.remembered
19. A.last B.first C.past D.recent
20. A.wrote B.spoke C.said D.talked
高三英语完型填空困难题查看答案及解析
Money Matters for Students
GETTING A GRANT(补助)
Who pays?
The local education authority (LEA) for the area in which the student is living.
Who can get this money?
Anyone who gets a place on a first degree course,although a student who has already attended a course of advanced further education may not.Students must also have been resident in the UK for at least three years,which can exclude (排除) some students from overseas.
SPECIAL CASES
If a student has worked before going to college:
A student who is 26 or more before the course starts and who has worked for at least three of the previous six years will get extra money—£ 155 a year if 26,increasing to a maximum of £ 615 at 29 or more.
If a student is handicapped:
LEAs will give up to £ 500 to help meet extra expenses—such as buying a tape recorder for a blind student,extra heating or special food.
Banking:
Most of the big banks offer special services to students who open accounts (in the hope that they will stay with the bank when they become rich officials).A student won't usually have to pay bank charges as long as the account stays in credit.Some banks allow students to overdraw by £ 100 or so,and still don't make charges (though they do charge interest).
1.A student from Japan who has been staying in England for a year and intends to go to college in a few months will ________.
A.get money if he is taking a first degree course
B.be unable to get money from any LEA
C.get money from any LEA when he has finished his course
D.have to open a bank account before he gets any money
2.A 31yearold nurse wishes to qualify as a doctor at a university.She has worked
since she was 25.How much extra money will she get a year?
A.None. B.£ 155.
C.£ 615. D.£ 515.
3.A student who cannot walk has to buy a wheelchair costing £ 750 to go to
classes.How much of the cost will he have to pay himself?
A.£ 150. B.£ 250.
C.£ 500. D.£ 750.
4.You are a new student.Why may a bank welcome you as a customer?
A.They know you receive money regularly.
B.They charge students extra.
C.They hope you will be rich in the future.
D.They need students accounts in term-time.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析