高考英语阅读理解冲刺训练Day 23.docx

1、高考英语阅读理解冲刺训练Day 23高考英语阅读理解冲刺训练Day 23Passage 1During the period from 1660 through 1800, Great Britain became the worlds leader. Language itself became submitted to rules during this period. This need to fix the English language is best illustrated (描述) in the making of The Dictionary of the English L

2、anguage by Samuel Johnson. Guides to the English language had been in existence before Johnson began his project in 1746. These, however, were often little more than lists of hard words. When definitions of common words were supplied, they were often unhelpful. For example, a “horse” was defined in

3、an early dictionary as “a beast well known”.Johnson changed all that, but the task was not an easy one. Renting a house at 17 Gough Square, Johnson began working in the worst of conditions. Supported only by his publisher, Johnson worked on the Dictionary with five assistants. Compared to the French

4、 Academys dictionary, which took forty workers fifty-five years to complete (1639-1694), Johnsons dictionary was completed by very few people very quickly.Balanced on a chair with only three legs, Johnson sat against a wall in a room filled with books. Johnson would read widely from these books, mar

5、k passages illustrating the use of a particular word, and give the books to his assistants so that they could copy the passages on slips of paper. These slips were then stuck to eighty large notebooks under the key words that Johnson had selected. Fixing the word by this method, Johnson could record

6、 a word，s usage and its definition.How many passages were used? According to Johnsons modern biographer Walter Jackson Bate, the original total number could have been over 240,000. How many words were defined by the lexicographer? Over 40,000 words appeared in two large books in April of 1755. Did J

7、ohnson fully understand the huge task he was undertaking when he began? As he told his contemporary biographer James Boswell, “I knew very well what I was undertaking and very well how to do it and have done it very well.”1. What is the problem of early English dictionaries?A. They only offer simple

8、 pictures.B. They list just a few foreign words.C. They simply give some translations.D. They add no more than some big words.2. What does the underlined word “lexicographer” in paragraph 4 refer to?A. A publisher. B. A biographer.C. A maker of dictionaries. D. An assistant.3. What can we infer abou

9、t Samuel Johnson from the text?A. He standardized English.B. He cared about authority a lot.C. He gained much financial support.D. He complained of working conditions.4. What is the purpose of this passage?A. To discuss the problems of dictionaries.B. To encourage people to work on a project.C. To p

10、ersuade people to buy the new dictionary.D. To introduce how Johnson complete his dictionary.Passage 2“Dont answer it,” I said to Sam. Our door in the inner city is constantly knocked on; our previous door in the suburbs rarely so. Sam has a full-time job and cannot spend his days answering requests

11、 to fix leaking baths or carry cash to the bank.Sam opened the door and it was Mervin.“Theres a bird on the second floor,” he said. “Its in trouble.”Sam followed Mervin upstairs. Mervin pointed and turned to let Sam look. It was a pigeon, the most common of all birds, the bird most likely to foul (弄

12、脏) your newly washed car. Andit wasnt flying away. It was stamping in circles. As Sam bent to look, Mervin coughed, “Number two.”Sam asked him to repeat that. “Number two,” Mervin said. The pigeon has been sitting in his own number two, and now its stuck to his foot.”It had rained for five days, and

13、 the bird was young. It could have been sheltering in a wet nest of its own waste, which had then dried on its foot, preventing it from flying away. The pigeon moved in a few more circles. Sam bent to take another look. Mervin said, “All right, then.” and walked away.“Why does everyone think you mus

14、t solve the problems around here?” I said to Sam when he returned with his story. “Its a bird. Just leave it on the stairs, and let nature take its course.” Sam didnt agree. Then he went to the garage and emptied the cardboard box containing our imported camping mats. He returned with the gray pigeo

15、n in the box. He showed the bird to our children and they decided to keep it.They put its foot in the warm water bath and got rid of its waste. Immediately the pigeon erupted in a bomb offeathers and began flying.1. How did the author feel about the knocks?A. She felt bored. B. She was frightened.C.

16、 She got excited. D. She was surprised.2. Why was the pigeon moving in circles?A. It was learning to fly.B. It was badly injured.C. It got caught in the rain.D. It was trapped by its waste.3. What did Sam use the cardboard box to do?A. Shelter from rain.B. Give it to Mervin.C. Wash camping mats.D. M

17、ake a nest for the bird.4. What can we learn about Sam from the text?A. He was brave. B. He was clever.C. He was warm-hearted. D. He was easy-going.Passage 3Vancouver ToursVancouver Stanley Park TourIf you want to see the major sights in Vancouver and come home with amazing photographs, this 3-hour

18、photography tour is the way to go. Walk through Vancouvers top sightseeing locations; get guidance on photography basics and find the best spots to photograph the city. From Stanley Parks totem poles and old-growth trees to the most popular beaches and dining spots, you leave with beautiful mementos

19、 of the city.Historical Chinatown Walking TourExplore the colorful past of Canadas oldest Chinatown, in Victoria, British Columbia. This guided walking tour will lead you through the streets and storied allies of the historic neighborhood, as your guide tells you the interesting, sometimes sad tales

20、 of the people who helped build the city and shape Canada as well as modem China.Small Group Sea to Sky TourThe Sea to Sky Highway is one of the worlds most beautiful and celebrated roadways. You dont have to take your eyes off the scenery on this small group tour because someone else is doing the d

21、riving. Tour stops include a short hike to impressive Shannon Falls, the gorgeous Sea to Sky gondola, and award-winning Britannia Mine Museum.Eagle Viewing River Float TourDress warmly under a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate for a winter float on the river. The area is the winter habitat of bald

22、 eagles, and this trip gives you the opportunity to learn about the birds as you float through their area. After the boat ride, return to dry land just in time for a free, hearty meal before heading back to Vancouver.1. In which tour will you get instruction in photo-taking?A. Small Group Sea to Sky

23、 Tour.B. Vancouver Stanley Park Tour.C. Eagle Viewing River Float Tour.D. Historical Chinatown Walking Tour.2. What will you do on the Chinatown Walking Tour?A. Build modern China. B. Tell interesting stories.C. Learn about its history. D. Enjoy boat sightseeing.3. Which of the following does the Ea

24、gle Viewing River Float Tour provide?A. A free eagle hunt. B. A free and hearty meal.C. A hike in the woods. D. A cup of black coffee.Passage 4The Maltese Islands are rich in Neolithic (新石器时代的) sites. Ggantija in Gozo, Tarxien, and the Hagar Qim/Mnajdra Complex here on Maltas south coast are perhaps

25、 the most well-known. These piles of stones are some of the earliest known manmade structures in the world. They are showing their age a bit but what would you expect for buildings that are five and a half thousand years old. My house was built in the year 2000 and is already in bad condition round

26、the edges. These temples are older than the pyramids!In my opinion the temples are best seen after the visitors have left. Come with me for a late afternoon walk down the hill past Hagar Qim towards the Mnajdra Complex. There are chain link fences around the temples now but we can ignore those and t

27、ry to image why Maltas earliest people went to the trouble of building these structures on this windy and poor hillside.Of course the temples would have looked rather different when they were constructed. They may have been decorated with pigments and possibly even roofed with animal skins or other

28、materials. Who knows? We do know that they were changed and added to over a 1,000-year period or so.Getting to Mnajdra and Hagar Qim is easiest if you have a car. Or if you dont mind a hike, you could get a bus to Qrendi(3 km away) or Zurrieq (5 km away) and walk from there. Warning: although the di

29、stances are not too great, walking several kilometers in the Maltese sun can be very hard and possibly dangerous. Take water and sunscreen. 1. What makes the writer wonder about the temples?_A. Their history. B. Their appearance.C. How they were built.D. When they were built.2. What are we aware of

30、about the construction of the temples?_A. They have been transformed.B. They look the same as before.C. They were carefully designed.D. They are not what they used to be.3. How can we admire the sites getting least sunburn?_A. By hiking there. B. By riding a car. C. By taking water. D. By taking a b

31、us.4. Where can we possibly find this article?_A. In a political speech.B. In a historical fiction.C. Ina travel magazine. D. In a geography text book.Passage 5Bees play a vital role in the world. Unfortunately, bees are dying by the second.The main purpose of bees is to make honey. Honey, shockingl

32、y, does not exist for human consumption, it is essential to the insects. Honeybees store honey in their hives(蜂巢) in order for the bees to have energy for their flight muscles and for heating the hive during the winter period. They collect pollen(花粉) which supplies protein for young bees to grow.According to H, the increased production and quality of agricultural crops as a result of honey bee pollination is valued at more than