阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。
Leaders of the World Health Organization say they are concerned about the air quality and
health efiects on citizens during a recent outbreak of heavy pollution in Beijing．Still，they said they were unsure of the exact amount the air pollution takes on any person’s body，casting doubts on local reports tying the area’s dirty air to particular cases of illness．
Speaking at a briefing(情况介绍会)on Tuesday，the WHO’s Western Pacific regional director，Shin Young—Soo，cited(列举)reports about poor air quality causing lung cancer in recent weeks. “The WHO is skeptical of the information，”she said．“We’re cautious of whether the illness is related
to air po11ution. We know it has an impact on health，but we don’t know how much．”
The officials didn’t cite particular reports．The comments follow a number of articles since late last year connecting some cases of diseases like lung cancer with pollution，．including one in November regarding an 8-year-old girl．
The health impact of Beijing’s gray skies has been on the minds of many over the past week。Local
authorities on Tuesday preserved an orange alert(警报)一the city’s second highest
pollution-warning
level—and again warned people to stay indoors．Experts widely agree that small particulates(颗粒) known as PM2.5 carry significant short-and long-term health risks，particularly with children．Other studies find a certain link between pollution and shorter life spans。
Chinese state media have noted a rise in cancer levels in Beijing,without specifying(具体说明) whether the new cases are the main result of pollution,smoking,other sources or some combination．
Bernhard Schwartlander，the organization’s China chief，said he is concerned and has been in contact with national authorities．“There is no easy solution,”Dr. Schwartlainder said，adding that solving the problem requires managing industry and the economy．WHO leaders advised citizens．to stay indoors and limit exposure to the harmful particulates．When asked if wearing a face mask has any proven efficacy in preventing health effects of air pollution，Dr. Schwartlainder said，“Whatever you do，it’s better than nothing.”
1．We can learn from the passage that .
A．in case of an orange alert, we had better not go outside
B．the case of the girl with lung cancer was little’ linked to air pollution
C．cancer levels in Beijing are rising due to heavy air pollution
D．it is widely agreed that pollution shortens life spans very slightly
2．According to Dr．Schwartlander，the ways to solve the problem include . A．contacting the national authorities B．being exposed less to harmful particulates C．managing the enterprise and economy D．preventing health effects of pollution
3．What would be the best title of this passage?
A．The dangers of heavy pollution
B．The impacts of pollution on health
C．The importance of protecting the environment
D．The uncertainty of relationship between pollution and health
【参考答案】1—3、ACD
Passage Eight (The Improving Economic Situation In Greece)
Greece, economically, is in the black. With very little to export other than such farm products as tobacco, cotton and fruit, the country earns enough from ‘invisible earnings’ to pay for its needed, growing imports. From the sending out of things the Greeks, earn only $285 million; from tourism, shipping and the remittances of Greeks abroad, the country takes in an additional #375 million and this washes out the almost $400 million by which imports exceed exports.
It has a balanced budget. Although more than one drachma out of four goes for defense, the government ended a recent year with a slight surplus -- $66 million. Greece has a decent reserve of almost a third of a billion dollars in gold and foreign exchange. It has a government not dependent on coalescing incompatible parties to obtain parliamentary majorities.
In thus summarizing a few happy highlights, I don’t mean to minimize the vast extent of Greece’s problems. It is the poorest country by a wide margin in Free Europe, and poverty is widespread. At best an annual income of $60 to $70 is the lot of many a peasant, and substantial unemployment plagues the countryside, cities, and towns of Greece. There are few natural resources on which to build any substantial industrial base. Some years ago I wrote here: “Greek stat esmanship will have to create an atmosphere in which home and foreign savings will willingly seek investment opportunities in the back ward economy of Greece. So far, most American and other foreign attempt have bogged down in the Greek government’s red ta pe and shrewdness about small points.”
Great strides have been made. As far back as 1956, expanding tourism seemed a logical way to bring needed foreign currencies and additional jobs to Greece. At that time I talked with the Hilton Hotel people, who had been examining hotel possibilities, and to the Greek government division responsible for this area of the economy. They were hopelessly deadlocked in almost total differences of opinion and outlook.
Today most of the incredibly varied, beautiful, historical sights of Greece have new, if in many cases modest, tourist facilities. Tourism itself has jumped from approximately $31 million to over $90 million. There is both a magnificent new Hilton Hotel in Athens and a completely modernized, greatly expanded Grande Bretagne, as well as other first-rate new hotels. And the advent of jets has made Athens as accessible as Paris or Rome – without the sky-high prices of traffic-choked streets of either.
1.The title below that best expresses the ideas of this passage is
[A] Greek income and expenditures.
The improving economic situation in Greece.
[C] The value of tourism.
[D] Military expenditures.
2.Many peasants earn less than
[A] $60 a week.
$2 a week.
[C] $1 a day.
[D] $10 a month.
3.The Greek Government spends
[A] more than 25%of its budget on military terms.
More than its collects.
[C] A third of a billion dollars in gold.
[D] Less than 25% of its budget on military terms.
4.According to the passage, Greece has
[A] a dictatorship.
a monarchy.
[C] a single majority party.
[D] too much red tape.
5.Greece imports annually goods and materials
[A] totaling almost $700 million.
that balance exports.
[C] that are paid by tourists.
[D] costing $66 million.
Vocabulary
1.remittance 汇款（额）
2.wash out 洗掉，取消、告吹、冲掉、筋疲力尽
3.drachma 古希腊银币德拉克马（现代希腊货币单位）
4.lot 份额
5.incompatible 水火不相容的，不能共存的
6.coalesce （政党）联合，愈合，接合
7.highlight 光线最强处，最重要部分，最精彩场面
8.margin （成本和售价的）差额，空白，边缘
9.bog down 陷于困境，使停顿
10.red tape 官样文章，烦琐和拖拉的公务程序
11.shrewdness 清明，机灵
12.deadlock 僵局，僵持；使陷于僵局
难句译注
1. Greece, economically is in the black.
【参考译文】希腊经济上说是赢利/富裕的
2. With very little export other than such farm products as tobacco, cotton and fruit, the country earns enough from invisible earnings to pay its needed, growing imports.
【参考译文】除了农产品，如烟草、棉花和水果之外，希腊没有什么出口货，但它从“无形的收益”中挣不少，足够致富所需的一切――日益增长的进口货。
3. This washes out almost $400 million by which imports exceed exports.
【参考译文】这笔钱冲掉了进口超过出口近4亿美元的差额。
4. So far most American and other foreign attempts have bogged down in the Greek government’s red tape and shrewdness about small points.
【参考译文】到目前为止由于希腊政府那种繁琐而又拖拉的公务程序和对小事的精明，大多数美国和其他国家的尝试的工作都陷入困境。
5. They were hopelessly deadlocked in almost total differences of opinion and outlook.
【参考译文】他们绝望地陷于意见和观点完全分歧的僵局之中。
6. And the advent of jets has made Athens as accessible as Paris and Rome –without the sky-high prices of traffic chocked streets of either.
【参考译文】喷气式飞机的发展使雅典和巴黎、罗马一样很容易到达，却没有那两个城市的交通堵塞的接到的高昂代价。
写作方法与文章大意
这是一篇以过去和现在对比的手法，论述了希腊经济，主要是旅游业的发展。过去，希腊以无形资产赢得之利润，来消除赤字，还可稍有节余。但贫穷、事业情况严重，政府办事拖拉、繁琐也影响国外的投资，虽然早在1956年就准备扩展旅游业，但意见分歧。现在，情况大变，就旅游一项年收入由3100万增至9000万美元。
答案详解
1. B 希腊经济形式的改善。文章围绕这一中心而写。文章一开始就提出希腊出口除了农产品之外，没有什么东西，而无形资产如旅游、运输和国外的汇款等可挣得37500万美元。两项加在一起来抵消入超赤字近4亿美元，稍有结余。第三段指出，希腊是自由欧洲最穷的国家，许多农民年收入为60－70美元。失业现象席卷城市乡镇，建立工业基地的自然资源极少。政府的繁琐事务程序，关注琐事等情况使美国和其他国家试图展开工作陷于停滞状态。第四段开始指出1956年起开拓旅游业，不过意见还是分歧。第五断提出今天惊人的变化，美丽的历史古城呈现新貌，就旅游一项收入由3100万增至9000万美元。旅馆面貌大变。
A.希腊的收支。C.旅游的价值。D.军事费用。
2. B少于2美元一星期。文章第三段第三句：最佳情况，年收入为60－70美元使大多数
农民的份额。所以B项最接近年收入。
A.60美元一星期。C.一天一美元。D.一个月10美元。
3. A百分之25以上用于军事。第二段：虽然四个德拉克马中有一个用于国防，政府最终还稍有结余――6600万美元。
B.比收入的还多。
C.十亿金子中的三分之一。
D.少于百分之25。
4. C单一大党。第二段：希腊的政府不依靠水火不相容的政党之间的合作来取得一会的多数席位，这说明是单一大党。
A.独裁、专政。
B.君主政体。D.太多的繁琐程序。
5. A总计几乎在7亿美元左右。第一段中提到希腊出口商品价值28500万美元，而进口超出出口4亿美元。两者相加为6亿2千5百万美元，相当于几乎在7亿美元左右。
B.和出口平衡。
C.由旅游者支付。
D.花费6600万美元。
【2013界上海市宝山区质量监测】阅读理解
We Are Now Open Daily thru Columbus Day
The museum and store are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the season. Trolley rides start with the first departure at 10:05 a.m. and continue until the end of the day with the last ride being at 4:15 p.m.. We are open Rain or Shine!
Ice Cream & Sunset Trolley Ride Special ( $3.50 per person )
At 7:30 p.m., every Wednesday and Thursday evening in July and August, join us for a special sunset trolley ride with ice-cream included. Bring the whole family!
Regular Fares
Admission includes unlimited trolley rides, access to the Museum Grounds and Exhibits, and use of our picnic areas to enjoy your own picnic lunch.
69. From now on to Columbus Day, the museum is open _____.
A. only on Sundays and Saturdays
B. on sunny days
C. every day
D. all of the above
70. If a family of 4 persons — one senior, a couple and a 12-year-old boy — are taking a sunset trolley ride, how much is the total admission fee?
A. $18.
B. $25.5.
C. $33.
D. $39.5.
71. Which one of the following is NOT included in the admission?
A. Unlimited sunset trolley ride.
B. Access to the Museum Grounds.
C. A visit to the Museum Exhibits.
D. A use of the museum picnic areas.
【参考答案】69—71 CBA
【2013界上海市宝山区质量监测】
Discoveries in science and technology are thought by “untaught minds” to come in blinding flashes or as the result of dramatic accidents. Sir Alexander Fleming did not, as legend would have it, look at the mold ( 霉) on a piece of cheese and get the idea for penicillin there and then. He experimented with antibacterial substances for nine years before he made his discovery. Inventions and innovations almost always come out of tough trial and error. Innovation is like soccer; even the best players miss the goal and have their shots blocked much more frequently than they score.
The point is that the players who score most are the ones who take most shots at the goal—and so it goes with innovation in any field of activity. The prime difference
between innovation and others is one of approach. Everybody gets ideas, but innovators work consciously on theirs, and they follow them through until they prove practicable or otherwise. What ordinary people see as fanciful abstractions, professional innovators see as solid possibilities.
“Creative thinking may mean simply the realization that there’s no particular goodness in doing things the way they have always been done.” Wrote Rudolph Flesch, a language authority. This accounts for our reaction to seemingly simple innovations like plastic garbage bags and suitcases on wheels that make life more convenient: “How come nobody thought of that before?”
The creative approach begins with the proposal that nothing be as it appears. Innovators will not accept that there is only one way to do anything. Faced with getting from A to B, the average person will automatically set out on the best-known and apparently simplest route. The innovator will search for alternate courses, which may prove easier in the long run and are sure to be more interesting and challenging even if they lead to dead ends. Highly creative individuals really do march to a different drummer.
72. What does the author probably mean by “untaught mind” in the first paragraph?
A. An individual who often comes up with new ideas by accident.
B. A person who has had no education.
C. A citizen of a society that restricts personal creativity.
D. A person ignorant of the hard work involved in experimentation.
73. According to the author, what differs innovators from non-innovators?
A. The way they present their findings.
B. The way they deal with problems.
C. The intelligence they possess.
D. The variety of ideas they have.
74.The phrase “march to a different drummer” (the last line of the passage) suggests that highly creative individuals are _____.
A. unwilling to follow common ways of doing things
B. diligent in pursuing their goals
C. concerned about the advance of society
D. devoted to the progress of science
75.The most suitable title for this passage might be _____.
A. The Relation Between Creation and Diligence
B. To Be a Creative Expert in the Study of Human Creativity
C. What Are So Special about Creative Individuals
D. Discoveries and Innovation
【参考答案】72—75 DBAC
阅读理解训练50篇（1） 1 Doctors say anger can be an extremely damaging emotion, unless you learn how to deal with it. They warn that anger can lead to heart disease, stomach problems, headaches, emotional problems and possibly cancer. Anger is a normal emotion that we all feel from time to time. Some people express anger openly in a calm reasonable way. Others burst with anger, and scream and yell.But other people keep their anger inside. They can not or will not express it. This is called repressing anger. For years many doctors thought that repressing anger was more dangerous to a person's health than expressing it. They said that when a person is angry, the brain releases the same hor- mones (荷尔蒙).They speed the heart rate, raise blood pressure, or sugar into the blood, etC．In general the person feels excited and ready to act. Some doctors say that both repressing and expressing anger can be dangerous. They believe that those who express anger violently may be more likely to develop heart disease, and they believe that those who keep their anger inside may face a greater danger of high blood pressure. Doctors say the solution is learning how to deal with anger. They say the first step is to admit that you are angry and to recognize the real cause of the anger, then decide if the cause is serious enough to get angry about. If it is, they say, “Do not express your anger while angry. Wait until your anger has cooled down and you are able to express yourself calmly and reasonably.” Doctors say that a good way to deal with anger is to find humor in the situation that has made you angry. They said that laughter is much healthier than anger. 1．“Damaging emotion” means t hat _________. A．the emotion is harmless B．the emotion is harmful C．the feeling is very strong D．the feeling is hard 2．What statement is right? A．Were you angry, you would be cancered (得癌症). B．Once you are angry, you must be cancered. C．Angry as you are often, you can't be cancered, D．Anger may cause you a cancer. 3．Expressing anger violently _________ repressing it according to some scientists. A．is just the same as B．is more harmful than C．is no better than D．is much better than 4．According to the author, you'd better _________. A．never be angry B．cool it down before you express it C．laugh and laugh when you get angry D．admit you are wrong when you are angry 二
高考英语阅读理解专项训练100篇 (名师传授解题技巧+实战练习，值得下载) 一、阅读理解解题技巧 阅读理解题是考查学生对活的语言材料的理解能力，即通过阅读材料获得信息的能力。具体说来，阅读理解能力测试的主要要求是：（1）掌握所读材料的主旨大意，以及用以说明主旨大意的事实和细节；（2）既理解具体事实，也理解抽象的概念；（3）既理解字面意思，也理解深层含义，包括作者的态度、意图等；（4）既理解某句、某段的意义，也理解全篇的逻辑关系，并能根据文章进行推理和判断；（5）既能根据材料所提供的信息去理解，也能结合中学生应有的常识去理解。根据这几项能力测试的要求，试题中常采用如下几种题型：事实询问题、推理判断题、数据推算题、识图解意题和主旨大意题。根据这一测试要求和题型设计，答题时可以采取如下解题技巧和对策。 1．首先解题时要充满自信。由于平时有些同学对做阅读理解时存在一种畏惧心理，因此考试做题时心理就难免会产生紧张感，特别是阅读时再遇到几个生词就头脑发胀，从而使自己的思路更加模糊不清。其实这是完全没有必要的，因为阅读中遇到几个生词或几个难以理解的句子是常有的事，也是正常现象。因为按大纲要求，试卷中允许有不超过3%的生词，只要认真分析，仔细阅读，这些生词和句子很可能并不影响你的解题。所以答题之前首先要有必胜的信心。 2．扫读全文，理解全文主旨大意。拿到一篇文章，首先要快速扫读全文，虽为扫读，但不可漫不经心，阅读时也应聚精会神，力求可能多地获取材料信息，只是这次遇到生词和难句先不必去处理，不要因纠缠文中的个别生词和难句而影响了对全文的主旨大意的了解。
3．对症下药，各个击破。了解全文的大概意思之后，再把短文的问题简单看一遍，弄懂题意，然后带着问题再去寻读全文。这次阅读过程中要善于抓文章中的关键词句。寻读也就是迅速的查找需要了解的信息，是为某些特定的问题而阅读，因此阅读时要有较强的针对性，对与问题有关的数据，词句等仔细阅读，认真理解，同时结合不同考查内容的题型，采取如下解题对策： （1）事实询问题：这类试题通常是以疑问词what，who，when，where，why，how 等引起的特殊问句，就文章中某一词语、某一句子、某一段落或某一具体细节和事实进行提问。解答此类试题首先要弄清题目和每一个选项的含义，然后按题目要求寻找与之相关的细节，正确估计答案来源，同时注意题目和文章中的暗示作用。特别注意辨别各种信息，确认各种信息。 （2）推理判断题：此题要求我们通过表面文字信息去推测文章隐含的意思，对文章的发展情节及作者的态度、意图等做出合乎逻辑的的推理判断。这种题要求我们在阅读时要抓住文章的主题和细节、从分析文章的结构入手，根据上下文的内在联系，充分挖掘文章的深层含义。对暗含在文章中事件的因果关系，人物的动机，以及作者未言明的倾向、态度、意图、观点进行合乎逻辑的推理、分析和判断。同时善于抓住文中实质性的东西，不要被带假象的表面信息或似是而非的东西所迷惑。并且注意推断作者态度时要力求从作者的态度、观点去思考，切勿想当然，凭个人的观点习惯看法来回答的问题。 （3）数据推算题：此题要求我们就文章提供的数据，以及数据与文章中其他信息的关系做出计算和推断，然后做出选择。这就要求我们解题时，要在理解好题意的前提下去对与数据有关的信息认真分析，若数据信息较多，还要注意弄清数据之间的关系，同时分清有用与无用信息，最终作出正确判断。 （4）主旨大意题：此题用以考查我们对文章主题或中心思想的领会和理解能力。在解答此类试题时要注意每段的中心句，抓住每一段的主题句。一般主题句都用来表达一段主旨大意，因此，只要找准每段的主题句，文章的中心思想和文章的最佳标题也就不难确定了。
高考英语阅读理解真题汇编及答案解析（11） 摘要：阅读理解题的“三步法”：1．略读。目的是了解短文的主旨大意和便于迅速掌握短文的语篇结构。2．查读。同学们要先通读题干，做到胸中有数；再将短文读第一遍，锁定某些特定信息进行快速阅读，迅速选出最佳答案；先易后难，先做细节题，后做推论题。3．重读短文重点。核查。同学们做题的关键是看清题目的要求，读准的关键是分清句子的结构和确认词性词义。 When Andrea Peterson landed her first teaching job,she faced the daunting task of creating a music program with almost no money for equipment or supplies in a climate where standards-based learning was the focus and music just provided a break for students and teachers. For her drive and creativity in overcoming those challenges,she’s been named national teacher of the year. Principal Waynes Kettler said he’s worked with many outstanding teachers in his22years as an educator,but Peterson is“just that one step above anybody I’ve ever worked with before.” Kettler and others at Monte Cristo Elementary School talk about the ways she has introduced the learning from other classrooms into her music program and her creativity in working around things such as the lack of money for new music. When students were reading S.E.Hinton’s novel The Outsiders in their regular classroom, Peterson helped them write a30-minute play with scenes from the book.Then they chose three Broadway tunes that focused no race,equality and social justice,the themes of the book.Peterson composed two other songs herself after classroom discussions about the play and the book. The honor means a lot to residents of Granite Foils.It’s inspiring to know that people from small towns own even win national honors. As national teacher of the year,Peterson will spend the next year outside the classroom, as a national and international spokeswoman for education. Not surprisingly,She is a big believe in the value of arts education.She said it’s essential for schools to offer classes such as art or music and physical education because for some kids one of those subjects is the only thing that motivates them to come back to school day after day. 65.The underlined word“daunting”in Paragraph1most probably means__________. A. discouraging B.interesting C.creative D.unbearable
高考英语阅读理解专项训练及答案及解析 一、高中英语阅读理解 1．阅读理解 Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is gaining global popularity. According to a government white paper, TCM has been introduced in 183 countries and regions around the world. Westerners' understanding of TCM, however, may be limited to acupuncture, cupping and massage(针灸，拔罐和按摩). For instance, the purple, injury-like marks left on U. S. swimmer Michael Phelps，back from cupping for the purpose of relaxing his muscles and reducing pain became the center of attention during the Rio Olympics in 2016. As a matter of fact, Chinese herbs play a more important role in getting rid of diseases and keeping the body in good condition in the TCM treatment system than physical treatment. It is therefore disheartening to know that while 103 World Health Organization member countries have given approval to the practice of acupuncture, not many recognize Chinese herbal medicine. TCM falls far behind Western medicine owing partly to the slow development of Chinese herbs. Herbs are made into pills, powder and soup, and the kind of herbs used, their quality and quantity, and the processing of the ingredients (原材料) jointly determine the effectiveness of the prescription. Compared with Western medicine, which has standardized drug production processes and treatment methods, TCM lacks standardization, with the chemical composition and functions of its medicines being unclear and their effects being unstable. Fortunately, standardization has improved in recent decades, with an increasing number of factories producing patented TCM drugs. Another factor that has prevented the development of TCM prescription drugs is the lack of creativity. While Western medicine-making companies come up with new products every year, TCM drug producers tend to make medicines according to prescriptions handed down from the past. Chinese chemist Tu Youyou's winning the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her research into malaria (疟疾) treatment may drive creativity to some extent in China's TCM industry. However, the current state of affairs cannot be changed within a short time. （1）Why does the author mention the example of Michael Phelps? A. Because he was injured in his swimming. B. Because cupping is a kind of important TCM treatment. C. Because westerners know a little about TCM. D. Because westerners attach great importance to TCM. （2）Why don't some member countries of WHO recognize Chinese herbal medicine? A. Because Chinese herbs can get rid of diseases. B. Because they only approve the practice of acupuncture. C. Because Western medicine is more effective. D. Because medicine made out of Chinese herbs develops slowly. （3）Compared with Western medicine, what is the weak point of TCM in Paragraph 4? A. The methods of planting herbs. B. The effectiveness of prescription. C. Lacking in standardization. D. Its stable functions.
（英语）高三英语阅读理解专项训练及答案 一、高中英语阅读理解 1．阅读理解 The setting was a packed gymnasium just before the start of a game against another school. There were five girls who were members of the Danville High School basketball team—all of them starters. They were not in uniform to play that night and would not be on the team for the rest of this season. They were there to admit their breaking of team rules. They were there to support their coach's decision to take them off the team. They were there to let the town know there was a problem in their little community that needed to be addressed. And they did it with sincere regret rather than defensiveness. While the school had been out for the New Year's holiday, the five girls had gone to the party with several of their friends. There was alcohol there. And they all drank some. Coach Rainville has a zero tolerance rule on drugs and alcohol for her members though it was a hard decision to make. When classes resumed and accounts of holiday parties were shared, rumors about the five girls began closing in on them. The coach said she couldn't back down on her rules. And the players—two junior students and three senior students—agreed. That night in the gym was part of their public support of the coach's decision. “We hope you will understand that we are not bad kids. What we did was definitely not worth it. We hope this event will make everyone realize that there is a big drug and alcohol problem in our community,” one of the senior students said, “And if you work with us to try to solve this problem, you will help us feel that we have not been thrown off our basketball team for nothing.” The five left the floor to deafening applause. The team may not win another game this year. But they've learnt something about personal responsibility, the effect of one's action on others, and honesty that will serve them well throughout life. （1）It can be inferred from the passage that the five girls who were kicked off the team were ________. A. very good players on the team B. addicted to alcohol and drugs C. three junior students and two senior students D. scolded by their parents for drinking alcohol （2）What did the girls do to support their coach's decision? A. They didn't fight for Danville High School any more. B. They all gave speeches to apologize in the local press. C. They admitted their mistake in public in the gymnasium. D. They would never drink any alcohol throughout their life. （3）Which word best describes the coach Rainville? A. Indifferent. B. Strict. C. Stubborn. D. Cruel. （4）Which would be the best title for the passage? A. Growing up with pain B. A bad mistake C. Team rules are everything D. Basketball girls in high school 【答案】（1）A
【英语】高考英语阅读理解练习题及答案 一、高中英语阅读理解 1．阅读理解 There might be as many as 10 million species of complex life on this planet today —— a huge number. But add up all of the complex species that ever lived and some biologists think the grand total would be about five billion. The estimate leads to an astonishing conclusion: a staggering 99% of species are not around any more. They have been driven to extinction. More species are joining the ranks of the extinct every year. Many scientists believe we are living through an episode of remarkably rapid extinction, on a scale that has been seen only five times in the last half a billion years. They call this current episode the sixth mass extinction —— a large, global decline in a wide variety of species over a relatively short period of time. And they tend to agree that humans are the main cause. Over-hunting, overfishing, and human-driven habitat loss are pushing many species to the brink. In fact, we have changed the planet so much that some geologists are now suggesting that we have entered a new phase in Earth's history; an epoch they call the ＂Anthropocene＂. By 2100, it is expected that humans will have caused the extinction of up to half of the world's current species. Because we are living through this extinction, it is relatively easy for us to study the driving forces behind it. But how do we determine what caused other mass die-offs that happened long ago? To do so we have to look at what archaeologists, palaeontologists, geologists and other scientists have concluded from the evidence they have gathered. The trouble is, those scientists do not always agree with one another —— even about the most recent extinction event. As well as the five-or six- mass extinctions, there have also been many smaller extinctions. One of these mini extinction events happened towards the end of the Pleistocene, a few tens of thousands of years ago. It is sometimes called the ＂megafaunal＂ extinction because many of the species it claimed were particularly large animals, weighing more than 97lb (44kg). However, its cause remains a debate amongst scientists. （1）What can we learn about the sixth mass extinction？ A. Humans are the main cause of it. B. It means a global decline over a long time. C. It occurred towards the end of the Pleistocene. D. Scientists still disagree about the cause of it. （2）What can be inferred from the text about species？ A. 99% of species will not be around any more by 2100. B. By the 22nd century, there will probably be about five million on this planet. C. About eight years later we will enter what is called the ＂Anthropocene＂. D. It is not easy for us to figure out causes behind the＂Anthropocene＂. （3）Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word in the last paragraph ? A. Land animals. B. Marine life. C. Huge animals. D. Flesh-eating creatures.
高考英语阅读理解真题汇编(含答案) 一、高中英语阅读理解 1．阅读理解 Mexico sites on an island plateau (高原) surrounded by volcanic peaks, which makes air quality a constant concern for people who live there. In April, the country took a decisive step toward improving air quality by enacting a temporary ban on private and Federal vehicles in the city. The rule forbids people from driving in the city one day each week and one Saturday each month. Electric vehicles, government service vehicles, public transport options and school buses are not included in the ban. Mexico City isn't the first urban center to be involved in car-free living. But the ban is more than an awareness-raiser. It was enacted with the direct aim of solving air pollution. In March, the city sank into a deep brown haze of smog when the pollution levels passed the 200 mark. The city ordered some 1.1m of the area's 4.7m cars off the streets and also offered free bus and subway rides. Mexico City's temporary vehicle ban raises questions about the best ways to improve urban air quality. India, whose citizens breathe some of the world's dirtiest air, has tried a variety of solutions. Earlier this year, the Indian government started a 4% sales tax on new-car purchases. Beijing also has experience with cleaning the air. The city introduced alternate-day rules in advance of the 2008 Olympic Games, which produced good results. And then there is the London congestion (拥挤) charge, introduced in 2003. The charge has had a measurable effect on air quality. For now, Mexico City — named by the United Nations as the most polluted city on the planet in 1992 — can look forward to the start of the region's rainy season, when daily showers will help lo clean the air. （1）How did Mexico ban vehicles in the city? A. By banning private and Federal vehicles one day a week. B. By forbidding private and public vehicles every Saturday. C. By limiting the number of new cars. D. By prohibiting the vehicles except public ones.（2）What did the government of Mexico do when carrying out the ban on vehicles? A. Raised the number of public vehicles. B. Offered free bus and subway rides. C. Introduced more travel options. D. Encouraged citizens to leave the city. （3）What may contribute to improving the air quality in Mexico? A. Alternate-day rules. B. Tax rises. C. Congestion charge. D. The rainy season.（4）What's the best title for the passage? A. Mexico —an Island Plateau B. A Variety of Bans on Vehicles in Mexico C. Should Cities Be Car-free Zones D. How to Improve Air Quality 【答案】（1）A （2）B （3）D （4）C
高考英语阅读理解练习题及答案及解析 一、高中英语阅读理解 1．阅读理解 I was born on the 17th of November 1828, in the village of Nam Ping, which is about four miles southwest of the Portuguese Colony (殖民地) of Macao, and is located on Pedro Island lying west of Macao, from which it is separated by a channel of half a mile wide. As early as 1834, an English lady, Mrs. Gutzlaff, wife of a missionary to China, came to Macao. Supported by the Ladies' Association in London for the promotion of female education in India and the East, she immediately took up the work of starting a girls' school for Chinese girls, which was soon followed by the opening of a boys' school. Mrs. Gutzlaff's comprador(买办) happened to come from my village and was actually my father's friend and neighbor. It was through him that my parents heard about Mrs. Gutzlaff's school and it was doubtlessly through his influence and means that my father got me admitted into the school. It has always been a mystery to me why my parents should put me into a foreign school, instead of a traditional Confucian school, where my big brother was placed. Most certainly such a step would have been more suitable for Chinese public opinion, taste, and the wants of the country, than to allow me to attend an English school. Moreover, a Chinese belief is the only avenue in China that leads to political promotion, influence, power and wealth. I can only guess that as foreign communication with China was just beginning to grow, my parents hoped that it might be worthwhile to put one of their sons to learning English. In this way he might become an interpreter and have a more advantageous position to enter the business and diplomatic world. I am wondering if that influenced my parents to put me into Mrs. Gutzlaff's School. As to what other sequences it has eventually brought about in my later life, they were entirely left in the hands of God. （1）How was the author admitted to Mrs. Gutzlaff's school? A. Through his father's friend's help. B. Through his own efforts to exams. C. Through his father's request. D. Through Mrs. Gutzlaff's influence. （2）Why did the author's parents put him into an English school？ A. An English school was more influential. B. Foreign trade with China was developing fast. C. It met with Chinese public opinion. D. He could become a successful interpreter. （3）What did the author think of his parents' decision to put him into an English school? A. It was skeptical. B. It was mysterious. C. It was thoughtful. D. It was wonderful.【答案】（1）A （2）D （3）B 【解析】【分析】本文是一篇记叙文，小时候父亲送作者去英语学校而不是中文学校，并分析了具体原因。 （1）考查细节理解。根据第三段中的“Mrs. Gutzlaff's comprador(买办) happened to come from my village and was actually my father's friend and neighbor. It was through him that my parents heard about Mrs. Gutzlaff's school”可知，作者是通过父亲朋友的帮助进入到Mrs.