Robert F. Kennedy once said that a country’s GDP measures “everything except what makes life worthwhile.” With Britain voting to leave the European Union, and GDP already predicted to slow as a result, it is now a timely moment to assess what he was referring to.
The question of GDP and its usefulness has annoyed policymakers for over half a century. Many argue that it is a mistaken concept. It measures things that do not matter and misses things that do. By most recent measures, the UK’s GDP has been the envy of the Western world, with record low unemployment and high growth figures. If everything was going so well, then why did over 17 million people vote for Brexit, despite the warnings about what it could do to their country’s economic prospects?
A recent annual study of countries and their ability to convert growth into well-being throws some light on that question. Across the 163 countries measured, the UK is one of the poorest performers in ensuring that economic growth is translated into meaningful improvements for its citizens. Rather than just focusing on GDP, over 40 different sets of criteria from health, education and civil society engagement have been measured to get a more all-round assessment of how countries are performing.
While all of these countries face their own challenges, there are a number of common themes. Yes, there has been an economic recovery since the 2008 global crash, but in key indicators in areas such as health and education, major economies have continued to decline. Yet this isn’t the case with all countries. Some relatively poor European countries have seen huge improvements across measures including civil society, income equality and environment.
This is a lesson that rich countries can learn: When GDP is no longer regarded as the only measure of a country’s success, the world looks very different.
So what Kennedy was referring to was that while GDP has been the most common method for measuring the economic activity of nations, as a measure, it is no longer enough. It does not include important factors such as environmental quality or education outcomes — all things that contribute to a person’s sense of well-being.
1.Robert F.Kennedy is cited（引用）because he _______.
A.praised the UK for its GDP. B.identified GDP with happiness.
C.misinterpreted the role of GDP. D.had a low opinion of GDP.
2.Which of the following is true about the recent annual study?
A.Its results are inspiring. B.It is sponsored by 163 countries.
C.Its criteria are questionable. D.It removes GDP as an indicator.
3.What is the author’s attitude towards GDP as the most common measure of a country’s success?
A.Favorable. B.Indifferent.
C.Critical. D.Defensive.
高一英语阅读理解中等难度题
Robert F. Kennedy once said that a country’s GDP measures “everything except what makes life worthwhile.” With Britain voting to leave the European Union, and GDP already predicted to slow as a result, it is now a timely moment to assess what he was referring to.
The question of GDP and its usefulness has annoyed policymakers for over half a century. Many argue that it is a mistaken concept. It measures things that do not matter and misses things that do. By most recent measures, the UK’s GDP has been the envy of the Western world, with record low unemployment and high growth figures. If everything was going so well, then why did over 17 million people vote for Brexit, despite the warnings about what it could do to their country’s economic prospects?
A recent annual study of countries and their ability to convert growth into well-being throws some light on that question. Across the 163 countries measured, the UK is one of the poorest performers in ensuring that economic growth is translated into meaningful improvements for its citizens. Rather than just focusing on GDP, over 40 different sets of criteria from health, education and civil society engagement have been measured to get a more all-round assessment of how countries are performing.
While all of these countries face their own challenges, there are a number of common themes. Yes, there has been an economic recovery since the 2008 global crash, but in key indicators in areas such as health and education, major economies have continued to decline. Yet this isn’t the case with all countries. Some relatively poor European countries have seen huge improvements across measures including civil society, income equality and environment.
This is a lesson that rich countries can learn: When GDP is no longer regarded as the only measure of a country’s success, the world looks very different.
So what Kennedy was referring to was that while GDP has been the most common method for measuring the economic activity of nations, as a measure, it is no longer enough. It does not include important factors such as environmental quality or education outcomes — all things that contribute to a person’s sense of well-being.
1.Robert F.Kennedy is cited（引用）because he _______.
A.praised the UK for its GDP. B.identified GDP with happiness.
C.misinterpreted the role of GDP. D.had a low opinion of GDP.
2.Which of the following is true about the recent annual study?
A.Its results are inspiring. B.It is sponsored by 163 countries.
C.Its criteria are questionable. D.It removes GDP as an indicator.
3.What is the author’s attitude towards GDP as the most common measure of a country’s success?
A.Favorable. B.Indifferent.
C.Critical. D.Defensive.
高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Robert is said ______ abroad, but I don’t know which country he studied in.
A. to have studied B. to study C. to be studying D. to have been studying
高一英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
Robert is said _______abroad, but I don’t know which country he studied in .
A.to have studied B.to study C.to be studying D.to be studied
高一英语单项填空困难题查看答案及解析
Robert is said________ abroad, but I don’t know what country he studied in.
A．to have studied B．to study
C．to be studying D．to be studied
高一英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The visitor ____ that he ______very glad to visit our country.
A. said; was B. said; had been
C. told; was D. spoke; had been
高一英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
A scientist once said: “I have concluded that the earth is being visited by intelligently controlled vehicles from outer space.”
If we take this as a reasonable explanation for UFOs (unidentified flying objects), questions immediately come up.
“Why don’t they get in touch with us, then? Why don’t they land right on the White House lawn and declare themselves?” people asked.
In reply, scientists say that, while this may be what we want, it may not necessarily be what they want.
“The most likely explanation, it seems to me,” said Dr. Mead, “is that they are simply watching what we are up to—that responsible society outside our solar system is keeping an eye on us to see that we don’t cause a chain reaction that might have unexpected effects for the outside of our solar system.”
Opinions from other scientists might go like this: “Why should they want to get in touch with us? We may feel we’re more important than we really are! They may want to observe us only and not interfere(干涉) with the development of our civilization. They may not care if we see them but they also may not care to say ‘hello’.”
Some scientists have also suggested that Earth is a kind of zoo or wildlife reserve. Just as we set aside wilderness areas and wildlife reserves to allow animals and growing things to develop naturally while we observe them, so perhaps Earth was set aside ages ago for the same purpose.
Are we being observed by intelligent beings from other civilizations in the universe? Are they watching our progress in space travel? Do we live in a huge “zoo” observed by our “keepers,” but having no communication with them?
Never before in our history have we had to face ideas bravely like these. The simple fact is that we, who have always regarded ourselves as supreme in the universe, may not be so. Now we have to recognize that, among the stars in the heavens, there may very well be worlds lived by beings who are to us as we are to ants.
1.People who ask the question “Why don’t they get in touch with us then ?” think that ________.
A. there are no such things as UFOs
B. UFOs are visitors from solar system
C. there’s no reason for UFOs to contact us
D. we are bound to see UFOs sooner or later
2.According to Dr. Mead, the beings from outer space ________.
A. hope to keep in touch with us
B. want to keep watch on us
C. try to protect us from dangers
D. get ready to help others
3.What’s the writer’s attitude towards the existence of other intelligent beings in space?
A. Doubtful B. Neutral C. Negative D. Positive
4.The passage is mostly taken from a(n) ________.
A. commercial advertisement B. science fiction novel
C. newspaper column D. travel leaflet
高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
.
Premier Wen said, “I once again emphasize that it is absolutely unacceptable to sacrifice people’s life and health ________ the economic development in any case.”
| A．in the hope of | B．in return for | C．in the face of | D．in exchange for |
高一英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
The physics teacher once said that we first _____the lightning followed by thunders because light ______ faster than sound.
A. see; traveled B. saw; traveled
C. saw; travels D. see; travels
高一英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
As Victor Hugo once said, "Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face", and up to now nobody has been able to do this better than Charlie Chaplin. He brightened the lives of Americans and British through two world wars and the hard years in between. He made people laugh at a time 1., so they could feel more content with their lives.
Charlie Chaplin wrote, directed and produced the films he starred in. In 1972 he was given a special Oscar for his outstanding work in films. He lived in England and the USA but spent his last years in Switzerland, where he was buried in 1977. He is loved and remembered as a great actor who could 2. .
Which theme park would you like to visit? There are 3. theme parks, with a different park for almost everything: food, culture, science, cartoons, movies or history. Some parks are famous for having the biggest or longest roller coasters, others for 4. and sounds of a culture. 5. , there is a theme park for you!
高一英语根据课文内容填空困难题查看答案及解析
Poet William Stafford once said that we are defined more by the detours(绕行路)in life than by the narrow road toward goals. I like this image. But it was quite by accident that I discovered the deep meaning of his words.
For years we made the long drive from our home in Seattle to my parents’ home in Boise in nine hours. We traveled the way most people do: the fastest, shortest, easiest road, especially when I was alone with four noisy, restless kids who hate confinement(限制)and have strong opinions about everything.
Road trips felt risky, so I would drive fast, stopping only when I had to. We would stick to the freeways and arrive tired.
But then Banner, our lamb was born. He was rejected by his mama days before our planned trip to Boise. I had two choices: leave Banner with my husband, or take him with me. My husband made the decision for me.
That is how I found myself on the road with four kids, a baby lamb and nothing but my everlasting optimism to see me through. We took the country roads out of necessity. We had to stop every hour, let Banner shake out his legs and feed him. The kids chased him and one another. They’d get back in the car breathless and energized, smelling fresh from the cold air.
We explored side roads, catching grasshoppers in waist-high grass. Even if we simply looked out of the car windows at baby pigs following their mother, or fish leaping out of the water, it was better than the best ride down the freeway. Here was life. And new horizons.
We eventually arrived at my parents’ doorstep astonishingly fresh and full of stories.
I grew brave with the trip back home and creative with my disciplining technique. On an empty section of road, everyone started quarreling. I stopped the car, ordered all kids out and told them to meet me up ahead. I parked my car half a mile away and read my book in sweet silence.
Some road trips are by necessity fast and straight. But that trip with Banner opened our eyes to a world available to anyone adventurous enough to wander around and made me realize that a detour may uncover the best part of a journey----and the best part of yourself.
1.Why did the author use to take freeways to her parents’ home?
A. She needn’t stop on the way.
B. It would be faster and easier.
C. Her kids would feel less confined.
D. She felt better with other drivers nearby.
2.What does the author discover from the trip according to Paragraph 6 ?
A. Freeways are where beauty hides.
B. Getting close to nature adds to the joy of life
C. Enjoying the beauty of nature benefits one’s health
D. One should follow side roads to watch wild animals
3.Why did the author ask the kids to get out of the car on their way back home
A. To give herself some time to read
B. To order some food for them
C. To play a game with them.
D. To let them cool down
4.What could be the best title for the passage
A. Charm of the Detour
B. The Road to Bravery
C. Creativity out of Necessity
D. Road trip and Country Life
高一英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析