A quarter of US adults say they read no books at all in the past year, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos survey. The typical person said that he / she read four books in the last year and, excluding those who had not read any books at all, the usual number of books read was seven.
Of those who did read, women and pensioners (領養(yǎng)老金者) were the most eager readers, and religious works and popular fiction were the top choices. The number of books read was nine books for women and five for men. The number also showed that those with college degrees read the most, and people aged 50 and over read more than those who are younger.
People from the West and Midwest are more likely to have read at least one book in the past year. Southerners who do read tend to read more books — mostly religious books and romance novels — than people from other regions.
Those who said they never attend religious services read nearly twice as many books as those who attend frequently, but the Bible and religious works were read by two thirds of the people in the survey, more than all the other categories. Popular fiction, histories, biographies and mysteries took up about half, while one in five read romance novels. Politics, poetry and classical literature were named by fewer than 5% of readers. More women than men read every major category of books except for history and biography books. Men tend to prefer non-fiction.
Book sales in the US have been flat in recent years and are expected to stay that way, which, experts think, results from competition from the Internet and other media, and the unsteady economy.
【小題1】The passage mainly tells us ______.
A.the number of Americans who read books last year dropped |
B.the book sales in the US have been dropping in recent years |
C.the reasons why one in four Americans read no books last year |
D.about region differences in the number and kind of books read last year |
A.Older men with college degrees from the South. |
B.Older women with college degrees from the South. |
C.Younger educated men from the Midwest. |
D.Younger educated women from the West. |
A.Religious works. | B.Popular fiction. |
C.Poetry. | D.History. |
A.①②③ | B.②③⑤ | C.①③⑤ | D.②③④ |
【小題1】A
【小題2】B
【小題3】A
【小題4】A
解析試題分析:一項調查顯示,美國成年人讀書量在下降,有四分之一的美國人根本不讀書。造成讀書量下降的原因主要是來自互聯網的競爭,其它媒介的競爭和經濟波動。
【小題1】根據第一段“A quarter of US adults say they read no books at all in the past year ...he / she read four books in the last year ...the usual number of books read was seven”可知,調查結果顯示,去年每人的讀書量是4本,低于常規(guī)讀書量6本。故選A。
【小題2】根據第二段“Of those who did read, women and pensioners (領養(yǎng)老金者) were the most eager readers
The number also showed that those with college degrees read the most”和第三段“Southerners who do read tend to read more books”可知,南部地區(qū)擁有大學學歷的女性讀的書最多,故選B。
【小題3】根據第四段“but the Bible and religious works were read by two thirds of the people in the survey, more than all the other categories”可知,讀的最多的書籍是宗教書籍,故選A。
【小題4】根據最后一段“which, experts think, results from competition from the Internet and other media, and the unsteady economy.”可知,讀書量的下降是由互聯網的競爭,其它媒介的競爭和不穩(wěn)定的經濟造成的,故選A。
考點:社會類短文閱讀
科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
When I was 12,all I wanted was a signet(圖章) ring.They were the “in” thing and it seemed every girl except me had one.On my 13th birthday,my Mum gave me a signet ring with my initials(姓名首字母) carved into it.I was in heaven.
What made it even more special was that it was about the only thing that wasn’t being “replaced”.We’d been burnt out in fires that swept through our area earlier that year and had lost everything—so most of the “new” stuff(東西) we got was really just to replace what we’d lost.But not my ring.My ring was new.
Then,only one month later,I lost it.I took it off before bed and it was missing in the morning.I was sad and searched everywhere for it.But it seemed to have disappeared.Eventually,I gave up and stopped looking for it.And two years later,we sold the house and moved away.
Years passed,and a couple of moves later,I was visiting my parents’ when Mum told me that she had something for me.It wasn’t my birthday,nor was it Easter or Christmas or any other giftgiving occasion.Mum noticed my questioning look.“You’ll recognize this one,” she said,smiling.
Then she handed me a small ring box.I took it from her and opened it to find my beautiful signet ring inside.
The family who had bought our house 13 years earlier had recently decided to do some redecorations,which included replacing the carpets.When they pulled the carpet up in my old bedroom,they found the ring.As it had my initials carved into it,they realized who owned the ring.They’d had it professionally cleaned up by a jeweler before sending it to my mother.
And it still fits me. (2013·福建,A)
【小題1】The underlined word “in” in the first paragraph probably means “________”.
A.fashionable | B.available |
C.practical | D.renewable |
A.13 years old | B.15 years old |
C.26 years old | D.28 years old |
A.The writer’s family moved several times. |
B.The writer never stopped looking for her ring. |
C.The writer’s ring was cleaned up by the new house owner. |
D.The writer lost her ring in the morning when she took it off. |
A.My New Ring | B.Lost and Found |
C.Lost and Replaced | D.An Expensive Ring |
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Chinese Dinner Table
Of course, the main difference on the Chinese dinner table is chopsticks instead of knife and fork, but that’s only superficial. Besides, in decent restaurants, you can always ask for a pair of knife and fork, if you find the chopsticks not helpful enough. The real difference is that in the West, you have your own plate of food, while in China the dishes are placed on the table and everyone shares. If you are being treated to a formal dinner and particularly if the host thinks you’re in the country for the first time, he will do the best to give you a taste of many different types of dishes.
The meal usually begins with a set of at least four cold dishes, to be followed by the main courses of hot meat and vegetable dishes. Soup then will be served (unless in Guangdong style restaurants) to be followed by staple food ranging from rice, noodles to dumplings. If you wish to have your rice to go with other dishes, you should say so in good time, for most of the Chinese choose to have the staple food at last or have none of them at all.
Perhaps one of the things that surprise a western visitor most is that some of the Chinese hosts like to put food into the plates of their guests. In formal dinners, there are always “public” chopsticks and spoons for this purpose, but some hosts may use their own chopsticks. This is a sign of genuine friendship and politeness. It is always polite to eat the food. If you do not eat it, just leave the food in the plate.
People in China tend to over-order food, for they will find it embarrassing if all the food is consumed. When you have had enough, just say so. Or you will always overeat!
【小題1】The real difference on dinner table between China and West is that___________.
A.You’re treated to a formal dinner for the first time. |
B.On Chinese dinner table, chopsticks replace knife and fork. |
C.The host will do the best to give you a taste of many different types of dishes. |
D.You have your own plate of food in West while in China everyone shares the dishes. |
A.badc | B.cabd | C.bdac | D.cdab |
A.taste different dishes |
B.consume the food in the plate |
C.show the friendship and politeness |
D.put food into the plates of their guests |
A.critical | B.objective | C.negative | D.positive |
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
In December,2010,many American newspapers publish a list of the best books of the year. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen is one of the most repeatedly praised books on this year’s list of favorites. It tells about the ups and downs of the Berglund family over many years. Mr.Franzen fills the book with sharp observations about American politics, culture and society.
Jennifer Egan’s book A Visit from the Goon Squad takes place in 13 chapters over 40 years. The story moves back and forth in time,from different viewpoints. One main character is former rock musician Bennie Salazar who works for a record company. The other main character is a troubled young woman named Sasha who works for Bennie. The reader learns about their pasts and those of their friends.
The main character in The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman is a failing English Language newspaper published in Rome,Italy. Each chapter of the book tells about a reporter or editor working for this paper. Their stories are filled with intelligence and great personality.
Two of the most popular nonfiction books of 2010 were about rock and roll stars. Just Kids is by rock singer Patti Smith. It tells about her friendship with the artist Robert Mapplethorpe in the 1960s and 1970s before they became famous. Life is the autobiography of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. It is an honest and exciting look at the development of rock and roll and the wild times this famous band has experienced.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand tells about a man named Louis Zamperini. She tells about his extraordinary survival story after his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean during Would War Two.
Stacy Schiff has received great praise for her book Cleopatra: A Life. It tells about one of the most misrepresented and famous women in his story, Cleopatra. She ruled ancient Egypt about 2,000 years ago. One critic said Ms. Schiff has brought Cleopatra to life again by unearthing her story from centuries of lies.
【小題1】The following books are related to music EXCEPT________.
A.The Imperfectionists | B.A Visit from the Goon Squad |
C.Just Kids | D.Life |
A.Freedom by Jonathan Franzen |
B.Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand |
C.The Imperfections by Tom Rachman |
D.Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff |
A.Life | B.Cleopatra: A Life |
C.Freedom | D.A Visit from the Goon Squad |
A.Stacy Schiff is an archaeologist |
B.the critic finds the character in the book very real |
C.the critic speaks highly of Cleopatra in history |
D.Stacy Schiff tells a story about an imaginary Egyptian queen |
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
London has always been known for its "black fogs". In the winter of 1952, a milky white fog rolled into the city. As the smoke poured into the air, it was so hard to see that people had to walk in front of the buses to guide them. In this way, the most serious air pollution disaster in history began. When it was over, more than 4,000 people had been killed by the thick black smog.
New York City has had several London-type smogs since 1950. Each time, 100 to 400 deaths were caused by the smog. Although these smogs were not as deadly as London's, New York City has the worst air pollution problem in the United States.
In all the killer smogs, factories and homes poured smoke and fumes into the air from the furnaces. The chemical fumes combined with the water droplets in the fog to form harmful substances. These substances caused the illness of those who breathed the polluted air.
Usually, such harmful fumes rise into the upper air and are blown away by the wind. But sometimes there is an unusual weather condition called a temperature inversion. A layer of cold air remains near the ground as smoke and fumes pour into it. This is covered by an upper layer of warm air that acts like a lid. It prevents the polluted cooler air from rising. The harmful fumes pile up and make people ill. The smog may be so thick that airports are closed and chains of collisions occur on the highways.
Another type of smog occurs in Los Angeles. Here the weather may be clear and sunny. But stinging eyes and dry coughs show that harmful chemicals fill the air. The smog is due to invisible gases, mostly from automobile exhaust. Because these chemicals are changed by the sun high up in the air, it is called photochemical smog. It contains automobile exhaust fumes and nitrogen oxides changed by the sun's rays. Added to these are sulfur dioxide and other fumes from factories and oil refineries. Photochemical smog is found in many large cities all over the world.
Killer smogs don't happen very often, fortunately. But in Beijing, a combination of automobile exhaust fumes, home furnace smoke, and factory waste gases pours into the air. This may also happen in the suburbs, or out in the country, where large factories have been built. A number of harmful substances have been found in the air there. When these substances are breathed in day after day, the health of the population is affected.
【小題1】Why do people call this phenomenon "black fog"?
A.It is black and dirty. |
B.It can affect the health. |
C.It can kill people. |
D.It is too thick for people to see something. |
A.Water. | B.Wind. | C.The sun. | D.Cold air. |
A.many people will be killed |
B.black smoke may pour into the air |
C.the weather may be fine |
D.people have to walk to work |
A.London | B.New York | C.Los Angeles | D.Beijing |
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Mothers and daughters go through so much—yet when was the last time a mother and daughter sat down to write a book together about it all? Perri Klass and her mother, Sheila Solomon Klass, both gifted professional writers, prove to be ideal co-writers as they examine their decades of motherhood, daughterhood, and the wonderful ways their lives have overlapped (重疊).
Perri notes with amazement how closely her own life has mirrored her mother’s: both have full-time careers; both have published books, articles, and stories; each has three children; they both love to read. They also love to travel—in fact, they often take trips together. But in truth, the harder they look at their lives, the more they acknowledge their big differences in circumstance and basic nature.
A child of the Depression (大蕭條), Sheila was raised in Brooklyn by parents who considered education a luxury for girls. Starting with her college education, she has fought for everything she’s ever accomplished. Perri, on the other hand, grew up privileged in the New Jersey suburbs of the 1960s and 1970s. For Sheila, wasting time or money is a crime, and luxury is unthinkable while Perri enjoys the occasional small luxury, but has not been successful in trying to persuade her mother into enjoying even the tiniest thing she likes.
Each writing in her own unmistakable voice, Perri and Sheila take turns exploring the joys and pains, the love and bitterness, the minor troubles and lasting respect that have always bonded them together. Sheila describes the adventure of giving birth to Perri in a tiny town in Trinidad where her husband was doing research fieldwork. Perri admits that she can’t sort out all the mess in the households, even though she knows it drives her mother crazy. Together they compare thoughts on bringing up children and working, admit long-hidden sorrows, and enjoy precious memories.
Looking deep into the lives they have lived separately and together, Perri and Sheila tell their mother-daughter story with honesty, humor, enthusiasm, and admiration for each other. A written account in two voices, Every Mother Is a Daughter is a duet (二重奏) that produces a deep, strong sound with the experiences that all mothers and daughters will recognize.
【小題1】Why does Perri think that her own life has mirrored her mother’s?
A.They both have gone through difficult times. |
B.They have strong emotional ties with each other. |
C.They have the same joys and pains, and love and bitterness. |
D.They both have experiences as daughter, mother and writer. |
A.something rare but not pleasant |
B.something that cannot be imagined |
C.something expensive but not necessary |
D.something that can only be enjoyed by boys |
A.The content of the book. | B.The purpose of the book. |
C.The influence of the book. | D.The writing style of the book. |
A.In a musical form. | B.Through field research. |
C.With unique writing skills. | D.From different points of view. |
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
The secret in re-remembering is to allow the full power of your memory to flow freely without “trying” to remember any one specific (特定的) thing.
I recently sat down to a relaxed and enjoyable dinner with some friends. At the beginning of the meal, a friend told us that his car had just been broken into and his briefcase (公文包) had been stolen. He was frustrated (懊惱的) because his diary and a number of other items important to him were in the briefcase. He said he could remember only four items that were in his stolen briefcase, that he knew there were many more, that he had to give a full report to the police within two hours, and that the more he tried to remember the more blocked he became.
Several of us at the table who were familiar with Memory Principles (規(guī)則) then took him through the following exercise; instead of continuing to allow him to think of what he could not remember, we asked him when he had last had his briefcase open. It turned out that it was at the office just before he left work, at which point he suddenly remembered that he had put two important magazine articles in the briefcase. We then asked him when he had last had the briefcase open before leaving home for work. It turned out to have been the night before, and he remembered having put in two more articles as well as a tape recorder, in preparation for the following morning. Finally we asked him to describe the inner (內部的) design of his briefcase, and as he went through a detailed description, he remembered pens, pencils, letters and a number of other items that he had completely “forgotten” before.
Within 20 minutes, he remembered 18 additional items. The secret is to “forget about” whatever you are trying to remember and “relive” all experiences that connect in any way with the item you are trying to remember. This method works at once almost in all cases, and takes the form of a created Mind Map around the “missing” center.
This memory method, like the others, improves your memory as well as your creativity, and in addition gives you confidence when you realize that, no matter what you have forgotten, there is still a chance to solve any memory mystery (謎團)!
【小題1】Which of the following shows how the man remembered the items according to the passage?
【小題2】What does the underlined word “relive” mean in the passage?
A.go through again | B.get out of | C.get used to again | D.pay attention to |
A.Forgetting — You can never really forget |
B.Drawing — The better way to remember things |
C.Re-remembering — Remember what you have forgotten |
D.Replacing — Forgetting something instead of remembering |
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
The New York Philharmonic(愛樂樂團) came to an unexpected stop on Tuesday night when an audience member’s cell phone started ringing and wouldn’t stop.
Conductor Alan Gilbert was nearing the end of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony(交響樂) when the interruption began. As eh New York Times writes, the symphony, “contains some of the most spiritual and peaceful music ever written.”
As the cell phone continued to ring, the iPhone’s signature ringtone, Gilbert stopped the entire performance. And yet shockingly the phone continued to ring. “Nothing happened,” Gilbert told the Times, “Nobody was to blame for it. It was unbelievable.”
Gilbert said minor cell phone interruptions have become common and rarely interfere with a live performance. The Philharmonic does what it can to remind to audience to turn off their cell phones before the performance begins. But the audience and performers stood by in astonished silence as Gilbert asked the offender(肇事者) to silence the phone, only to hear it continue.
Mr Gilbert said audience pointed out two people sitting where the sound was coming from. “They were staring at me firmly,” he said of the couple. Eventually, the man put his hand in his pocket and the ringing stopped.
The conductor said he asked the man if he was sure the phone was quieted. “Then he nodded his head,” Mr Gilbert said.
People in the hall had been shouting for the sound to stop. Mr Pelkonen reported that they yelled: “Thousand-dollar fine!” “Kick him out!” “Get out!”
Once the phone was finally silenced, Gilbert apologized to the audience. They responded with cheers and applause(掌聲). And the performance continued.
【小題1】The underlined words “interfere with” in the third paragraph means “ ”.
A.enjoy | B.attend | C.disturb | D.complete |
A.He silenced the phone the moment he was reminded to. |
B.He enjoyed the ringtone so he kept the phone ringing. |
C.He quieted the phone after hearing people’s angry shouts. |
D.He didn’t like the music so he wouldn’t silence the phone. |
A.It’s not acceptable to carry an iPhone to a concert. |
B.It’s rude to attend a concert with the phone ringing. |
C.It’s necessary to quiet the phones when the performance is over. |
D.It’s common for a conductor to make an apology to the audience. |
A.iPhone ringtone bring New York Philharmonic to a stop |
B.iPhone signature ringtone defeats New York Philharmonic |
C.New York Philharmonic puts on a successful performance |
D.New York Philharmonic stops the audience using iPhone |
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
There are a great number of people in the world while few people are great.I think there is probably only one great person out of 10,000 at best,and most probably much less than that.
The reason why there are only few of them is that most people do not pay the price of greatness.There are so many people who want to be great,why only very few of them actually pay the price? The answer to the question explains the difference between the almost 100% people who want to be great and the much less than 0.01% who actually be so.The reason is that the road to greatness is full of pains.
Greatness requires sacrifices and there is no sacrifice without pain.The kind of sacrifices required for greatness is the ones that make the process continuously painful for long time.If you only want to be good it may be painful just every now and then,and many people can still handle it.But being great is a total difference.The pain is much deeper and it is continuous,so very few people can endure this kind of pain.Most people naturally choose things that bring pleasures to them.It's unnatural to choose pain over pleasure,let alone doing it continuously for long time.But that's what I believe is the secret to greatness: The secret to greatness is choosing pain over pleasures continuously for long time.
【小題1】What is the purpose of Paragraph 1?
A.To compare. | B.To list statistics. |
C.To lead up to the topic. | D.To give information. |
A.Occasional pains. | B.Continual work. |
C.Constant pains. | D.Various difficulties. |
A.Pleasures mean greatness. |
B.Greatness equals sacrifices. |
C.What's greatness. |
D.Greatness lies in continuous pains. |
查看答案和解析>>
湖北省互聯網違法和不良信息舉報平臺 | 網上有害信息舉報專區(qū) | 電信詐騙舉報專區(qū) | 涉歷史虛無主義有害信息舉報專區(qū) | 涉企侵權舉報專區(qū)
違法和不良信息舉報電話:027-86699610 舉報郵箱:58377363@163.com