Dear Guys,
I’d like to talk to you about the shame you subjected me to last night. Let me first refresh your memory: You, a group of fit, young men, were playing soccer on the field across from my apartment building. I, a better-than-average looking young woman, was walking along the sidewalk with my groceries. That’s when your ball came flying over the fence and landed in front of me.
One of you approached and asked politely if I would throw the ball back to you. Fighting the urge to drop my bags and run screaming down the street, I reluctantly (勉強地) agreed.
Before I continue, let me explain something that I didn’t have a chance to mention last night: I hate sports. More specifically, I hate sports involving balls. This results from my lack of natural ability when it comes to throwing, catching and hitting. I’m bad at aiming too. So you can understand why I’d be nervous at what I’m sure seemed to you like a laughably simple request.
However, wanting to appear agreeable, I put my bags down, picked up the ball and, eyes half-shut, threw it as hard as I could.
It hit the middle of the fence and bounced back to me.
Trying to act casually, I said something about being out of practice, then picked up the ball again. If you’ll remember, at your command, I agreed to try throwing underhand. While outwardly I was smiling, in my head, I was praying, Oh God, oh please oh please oh please. I threw the ball upward with all my strength, terrified by what happened next.
The ball hit slightly higher up on the fence and bounced back to me.
This is the point where I start to take issue with you. Wouldn’t it have been a better use of your time, and mine, if you had just walked around the fence and took the ball then? I was clearly struggling; my smiles were more and more forced. And yet, you all just stood there, motionless.
Seeing that you weren’t going to let me out of the trouble, I became desperate. Memories of middle school softball came flooding back. I tried hard to throw the ball but it only went about eight feet, then I decided to pick it up and dash with ball in hand towards the baseline, while annoyed thirteen-year-old boys screamed at me that I was ruining their lives. Children are cruel.
Being a big girl now, I pushed those memories aside and picked up the soccer ball for the third time. I forced a good-natured laugh while crying inside as you patiently shouted words of support over the fence at me.
“Throw it granny-style!” one of you said.
“Just back up a little and give it all you’ve got!” another offered.
And, most embarrassing of all, “You can do it!”
I know you thought you were being encouraging, but it only served to deepen the shame.
Anyway, I accepted your ball-throwing advice, backed up, rocked back and forth a little, took a deep breath and let it fly.
It hit the edge of the fence and bounced back to me.
I surprised myself-and I’m sure you as well-by letting out a cry, “DAMN IT!!!” I then willed myself to have a heart attack and pass out in front of you just so I’d be put out of my misery.
Alas, the heart attack didn’t happen, and you continued to look at me expectantly, like you were content to do this all night. I had become a sort of exhibition for you. I could feel your collective thoughts drifting through the chain-link: “Can she really not do it? But I mean, really?”
Unfortunately for you, I wasn’t really game to continue your experiment. Three failed attempts at a simple task in front of a group of people in a two-minute period was just enough blow for me for one night. I picked up the ball one last time, approached the fence and grumbled, “Please just come get the damn ball.”
And you did. And thanks to you, I decided at that very moment to never throw anything ever again, except disrespectful glances at people who play sports.
Sincerely, Jen Cordery
【小題1】The writer agreed to throw the ball because ______.
A.she needed to have a relax carrying the heavy groceries |
B.she wanted to refresh her childhood memories |
C.she could not refuse the polite request from the young man |
D.she had fallen in love with the young man at first sight |
A.To explain why she failed the attempts to throw the ball back. |
B.To complain that she had not mastered the ball throwing skills. |
C.To show how cruel those 13-year-old boys were. |
D.To express her dislike towards softball. |
A.inspired | B.encouraged | C.embarrassed | D.depressed |
A.The writer managed to throw the ball back. |
B.The boy got the ball back by himself. |
C.The writer threw the ball away out of anger. |
D.The boys got angry and left without the ball. |
【小題1】C
【小題2】A
【小題3】C
【小題4】B
解析試題分析:文章大意:這是一個女士寫給一些男孩的信,因為男孩不小心把球打到女士的家,女士答應(yīng)把球扔回來給男孩,但是因為這個女士一直不擅長運動,所以扔了幾次都沒有扔回來,這使她很尷尬,最后還是男孩自己把球取回的。
【小題1】細節(jié)題:從第二段的句子:One of you approached and asked politely if I would throw the ball back to you. Fighting the urge to drop my bags and run screaming down the street, I reluctantly (勉強地) agreed.可知作者覺得不能拒絕禮貌的請求,所以同意扔球。選C
【小題2】推理題:從第三段的內(nèi)容和句子:So you can understand why I’d be nervous at what I’m sure seemed to you like a laughably simple request.可知作者提到中學的記憶是為了接受為什么不能把球扔回來。選
A
【小題3】細節(jié)題:從文章的句子:And, most embarrassing of all, “You can do it!”可知男孩說的話是作者感到尷尬。選C
【小題4】細節(jié)題:從最后兩段的句子:“Please just come get the damn ball.”和 And you did. And thanks to you, 可知最后是男孩自己去拿的球。選B
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
The Man was very sad. He knew that the Cat's days were numbered. The doctor had said there wasn’t anything more that could be done, and that he should take the Cat home and make him as comfortable as possible.
A tear rolled down the Man’s cheek and landed on the Cat’s forehead, The Cat gave him a slightly annoyed look. “Why do you cry, Man?” the Cat asked. “Because you can’t bear the thought of losing me? Because you think you can never replace me?” The Man nodded “yes”.
“Pick up that piece of string from the floor~~there, my ‘toy’ The Man reached over and picked up the string. It was about two feet long and the Cat had been able to entertain himself for hours with it. “Now take each end of the string in one hand,” the Cat ordered. The Man did so.
“The end in your left hand is my birth and the end in your right hand is my death. Now bring the two ends together,” the Cat said. The man did so. Then the Cat continued, “You have made a continuous circle. Does any point along the string appear to be different, worse or better than any other part of the string?” The Man inspected the string and then shook his head.
“Close your eyes.” the Cat said. “Now lick your hand.” The Man widened his eyes in surprise. “Just do it,” the Cat said. “Lick your hand, think of me in all my familiar places, and think about all the pieces of string.”
Licking his hand, he discovered what a cat must know, that licking a paw is very calming and allows one to think more clearly. He continued licking and the corners of his mouth turned upward into the first smile he had shown in days. He waited for the Cat to tell him to stop, and when he didn’t, he opened his eyes. The Cat’s eyes were closed. The Man stroked the warm, brown fur, but the Cat was gone.
One day, not long after, there was a new cat on his lap. She was a lovely calico and white.
It is very different from his earlier beloved Cat and very much the same.
【小題1】Why did the Cat give the man a slightly annoyed look?
A.Because the man’s tears made the Cat really anxious. |
B.Because the Cat didn’t know what made the man burst into tears. |
C.Because the Cat couldn’t go to sleep when the man was in low spirits. |
D.Because the man didn’t have to be so sad and concerned. |
A.Licking paws can make a cat remain calm and have a clear mind. |
B.Licking paws will make a cat happy and energetic. |
C.Licking paws will make a cat find out many unknown secrets. |
D.Licking paws can make a cat stay tidy and healthy. |
A.Life. | B.Birth. | C.Hope. | D.Power. |
A.Pets play an important part in our life. |
B.Life has no end and death is just a new beginning. |
C.We should take a positive attitude towards life and live life to its fullest. |
D.It gives us some suggestions on how to relieve ourselves when a pet passes away. |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her three-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They find out that the new baby is going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sings to his sister in Mommy's tummy.
The pregnancy progresses normally for Karen. But complications arise during delivery. Finally, Michael's little sister is born. But she is in serious condition. With siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushes the infant to the intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital.
The little girl gets worse. The doctor tells the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst." Karen and her husband have fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby — now they plan a funeral.
Michael, keeps begging his parents to let him see his sister, "I want to sing to her," he says. But kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. However, Karen makes up her mind. She will take Michael whether they like it or not. “If he doesn't see his sister now, he may never see her alive.” She dresses him in an oversized scrub suit and marches him into ICU. The head nurse recognizes him as a child and bellows, "Get that kid out of here now! " The mother, the usually mild-mannered lady glares steel-eyed into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!" Karen tows Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazes at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. And he begins to sing.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray”
Instantly the baby girl responds. The pulse rate becomes calm and steady.
"You never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away "
The ragged, strained breathing becomes as smooth as a kitten's purr.
Keep on singing, Michael. Tears conquer the face of the bossy head nurse as well as Karen.
Funeral plans are scrapped. The next, day — the very next day — the little girl is well enough to go home!
NEVER GIVE UP THE ONE WE LOVE!
【小題1】How did Michal’s feel when he knew that he was going to have a sister?
A.indifferent. | B.worried. | C.expectant. | D.disappointed. |
A.get ready for the worst result. |
B.wait for the hope in the near future. |
C.prepare much more money for the infant. |
D.prepare for another chance in other hospitals. |
A.pointed. | B.yelled. | C.whispered. | D.ignored. |
A.The little baby responded to his song and woke up immediately. |
B.The baby heard the song and burst into tears. |
C.The baby’s physical signs disappeared eventually. |
D.The baby recovered from the dangerous state of coma gradually. |
A.An unexpected gift. | B.A miracle of love. |
C.A iron-mother. | D.A medical success. |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Last winter ,when I was heavily pregnant , I was visiting my sister and brother-in –law’s house and had to park in a nearby parking lot because they didn’t have accessible parking .The snow was extremely heavy and there was lots of ice on the ground –not many people had ventured out that evening !
When I returned to my car around 11pm, I noticed that I was the only car left. Nervously, I hopped into the car and let it warm up a bit. When I finally tried to drive away, my wheels began to spin. I was stuck! I spun and spun and wondered what to do.
All of a sudden, in my rear view mirror, I saw four teen-aged boys approaching my car. They were walking side by side in a line and dressed a bit like gang members --- at least I thought that's what they looked like. My car was in a very isolated area and I began to panic. I was certain they were coming to my car to harm me. Terrified, I just froze. One of the young men tapped on my window and said "Excuse me, Ma'am, can we help you? You seem stuck." Still afraid and fearing the worst, I said "I am stuck." And the young man said "It's okay, stay in your car and we'll push you out of the snow." And they did!
When they finally got me out of the snow, they smiled and waved. I rolled down my window and thanked them, embarrassed to have judged them so poorly.
【小題1】Why did the author just freeze when the four young men walking toward her car?
A.Because she was afraid of being harmed. |
B.Because she sat in her car for too long a time. |
C.Because she was cold indeed in that freezing evening. |
D.Because she knew they would rob her of the car. |
A.Impolite |
B.Ill-mannered |
C.Unfriendly |
D.Warm-hearted. |
A.One of the four teenagers was a gang member. |
B.The kids wanted to help the author out of trouble. |
C.The author would have a baby in her car. |
D.The young men enjoyed pushing cars out of the snow. |
A.Every man has his faults |
B.Fortune favors those who use their judgment |
C.Don't judge a book by its cover |
D.Think twice before you do |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Hank Viscardi was born without legs. He had—not legs but stumps(殘肢) that could be fitted with a kind of special boots, People stared at him with cruel interest. Children laughed at him and called him ‘Ape Man’ (猿人) because his arms practically dragged on the ground.
Hank went to school like other boys. His grades were good and he needed only eight years to finish his schooling instead of the usual twelve. After graduating from school, he worked his way through college. He swept floors, waited on table, or worked in one of the college offices. During all this busy life, he had been moving around on his stumps. But one day the doctor told him even the stumps were not going to last much longer. He would soon have to use a wheel chair.
Hank felt himself get cold all over. However, the doctor said there was a chance that he could be fitted with artificial legs(假腿). Finally a leg maker was found and the day came when Hank stood up before the mirror. For the first time he saw himself as he has always wanted to be—a full five feet eight inches tall. By this time he was already 26 years old.
Hank had to learn to use his new legs. Again and again he marched the length of the room , and marched back again. There were times when he fell down on the floor, but he pulled himself up and went back to the endless marching. He went out on the street. He climbed stairs and learned to dance. He built a boat and learned to sail it.
When World War II came , he talked the Red Cross into giving him a job. He took the regular training. He marched and drilled along with the other soldiers. Few knew that he was legless. This was the true story of Hank Viscardi, a man without legs.
【小題1】Children laughed at Hank and called him ‘Ape Man’ because ______.
A.he didn’t talk to them |
B.he kept away from them |
C.his arms touched the ground when he moved |
D.he couldn’t use his arms |
A.a(chǎn)n average height for a fully grown person |
B.too tall for an average person |
C.too short for an average person |
D.none of the above |
A.did everything the other soldiers did |
B.did nothing the other soldiers did |
C.did some of the things the other soldiers did |
D.took some special training |
A.had no friends |
B.never saw himself as different from others |
C.was very shy |
D.was too proud to accept help from others |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
A mother isdevastated, crying, yelling all she can in that dark corner. There was nobody tohear her yell and not a soul to calm her, because outside her house is a long winding lonely road.The wind was at rest and the leaves didn't rustle, silence filling the air. Loneliness was alreadykilling her, but no one knows what made her cry?
Losing something you love with all your heart isn't really the pain you can ever overcome.Radha lost her baby, her only means to live. She saw her child getting killed and the accidentwas terrible. One lonely night, she was walking down the street to get a breath of fresh air withher child hugged tight in her arms.
The whole time she walked with her child in her arms, the only thing that worried her wasAryan's future. She was imagining and feeling every day of the child's growthand figuringwhat she would have in store for him. But who knows what's in store for us tomorrow, life canchange in a second.
On that deserted road, were a few streetlights barely enough? It was this one light that couldbe seen from a distance,but as it came closer it got brighter and brighter. That light changedRadha's life into darkness forever. A speeding car came down that road. The driver came with a full speed throwing beer bottles out of his half open window. He was definitely drunk,and the speed took, everything in its path. Just then, there was a loud cry, and silence set in again.
But the mother wasn't hurt. She opened her eyes, unable to focus her eyes, and didn't seeAryan. After a few minutes when her sight cleared up she looked all over in a panic for her baby,but alas! ... The child hadn't even seen life.
Simple, don't drink and drive.You could take a life, but kill a number of people.
【小題1】The word "devastated" in Paragraph 1 would probably mean .
A.worried | B.scared | C.heart-broken | D.weather-beaten |
A.She had expected much of Aryan. |
B.She got her eyes injured in the accident. |
C.She was hit by one bottle on the arm. |
D.She had everything ready for Aryan's future. |
A.drunk driving is absolutely forbidden |
B.drunk driving is certain to kill a lot of people |
C.the driver killed Aryan and his mother |
D.there is more than one victim in a car accident |
A.The Death of a Miserable Child |
B.A Sad Mother on a Windy Night |
C.The Price for Another Man's Mistake |
D.Overspeeding from Drunk Driving |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
To win an Oscar is an achievement at any age. To do so at 22, as Jennifer Lawrence has, is just amazing. Recently, the American star won Best Actress at this year's Academy Awards for her role in the film The Silver Linings Playbook. According to Time magazine's Richard Corliss, Lawrence is that rare young actress who "lends a mature intelligence to any role".
Though Lawrence has found great success through her big screen work, Lawrence wasn't sure what she really liked doing before the age of 14. She thought she'd go to college and maybe find a career as a doctor or a travel agent.
Lawrence's two brothers were star athletes and one of them was a straight-A student. Unlike them, she suffered through school, never quite finding where she belonged. However, during a trip to New York, Lawrence suddenly realized that she wanted to be an actress. When she was enjoying the beautiful city, a model seeker asked if he could take her picture, and the next day he called her in for an audition (試鏡).
"I read the script and it was the first time I had that feeling like I understand this," Lawrence said. "Within 20 minutes, in the cab ride from the hotel room, I decided I didn't want to be a model. In fact, I wanted to be an actress." Having appreciated this young lady's performance, the agency was so impressed with her reading that they signed her on the spot. But she insisted on finishing high school so she could give her full attention to her acting career.
Lawrence burst onto the Hollywood scene last year with The Hunger Games, which established her as the highest-grossing (票房最高的) female action hero of all time. Rolling Stone called her “the most talented young actress in America".
【小題1】What can we know about Jennifer Lawrence from Paragraph 3?
A.Her parents were really strict with her. |
B.She seemed not to fit in with her school days well. |
C.Her school performance made her today's fame. |
D.Her two brothers were doing well in all school subjects. |
A.a(chǎn) model interview |
B.her brothers' examples |
C.the taxi-ride to her hotel room |
D.the beautiful scenery of New York |
A.confidence | B.a(chǎn)mbition | C.independence | D.talent |
A.Choosing Right | B.Acting Wisely |
C.Winning Young | D.Following Dreams |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
A man was on the side of the road hitchhiking(搭便車)on a very dark night in the middle of a terrible rainstorm, with no cars on the road.The storm was so strong that the man could hardly see a few feet ahead of him.Suddenly, he saw a car come towards him and stop.The man, without thinking about it, got in the car and closed the door and only then did he realize that there was nobody behind the steering wheel(方向盤)!
The car started to move very slowly.The man looked at the road and saw a curve (拐彎處)coming his way.Terrified, he started to pray, begging for his life.He had not come out of shock when, just before the car hit the curve, a hand suddenly appeared through the window and moved the wheel.The man, paralyzed with fear, watched how the hand appeared every time the car was drawing near a curve.Finally, although terrified, the man managed to open the door and jump out of the spooky car.Without looking back, the man ran through the storm all the way to the nearest town.In a state of complete horror, the man walked into a nearby bar and asked for two glasses of Scotch whisky.
Then, still shaking with fright, he started telling everybody in the bar about the horrible experience he just went through in the spooky car.Everyone in the bar listened in silence and became frightened, with hair standing on end, when they realized the man was telling the truth because he was crying and he was certainly not drunk!
About half an hour later, two other young men walked into the same bar and one said to the other, “Hey, there’s a stupid man who jumped into the car while we were pushing it!”
【小題1】When the car was first drawing near a curve, the man ________
A.felt very curious | B.was extremely frightened |
C.cried for help | D.remained as calm as possible |
A.His reasonable behavior. | B.His vivid description |
C.His plain appearance. | D.His honest attitude |
A.it is unsafe for people to take a free ride |
B.the man was telling a lie to his listeners |
C.the car probably broke down on the way |
D.the two young men were familiar with the man |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
The following are letters to the editor of a school newspaper.
Dear editor,
I’d like to express my opinion about grades. Students should be allowed to study without worrying about grades. Fortunately, most educators are becoming aware of the fact that students have different interests and abilities. I understand that grades are useful, but grades often limit creativity. Competing for better grades causes many students to turn down opportunities to pursue music, dramatics and sports. Grades force an arbitrary(武斷的) standard of success on everyone. I do not demand as some extremists do, that grades be removed immediately. However, I do believe that less emphasis should be placed on grades. I hope that someday grades will become optional at Village High School.
Magdalena Smith
Drama Club
Dear editor,
I’d like to say something about grades. Let’s face the facts about grades. Grades perform three basic functions. First, grades motivate(激發(fā)) students to work at their highest level of competence(能力). Second, they act as a reward for hardworking students and as a punishment to students who do not work hard. Finally, grades are used as an effective standard by which to measure students’ achievement. Good grades help students to get jobs and to get into university. I've spoken with a number of students who have jobs, and most of them say that they were hired primarily on the basis of their grades. My grades helped me land a part-time job and will help me get into university next year. I think grades are extremely important at Village High School.
Simon Harper
Science Club
【小題1】Which of the following is not Magdalena Smith’s opinion?
A.Grades should not be used to measure a person’s success. |
B.Students may give up the chance to learn music and sports for grades. |
C.Students’ creativity may not be developed for grades. |
D.Grades should be taken away at once. |
A.is concerned about students' creativity |
B.believes in the benefits of good grades |
C.doesn't work too hard at his studies |
D.supports students' interests and abilities |
A.student | B.teacher |
C.headmaster | D.a(chǎn)dvertiser |
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