题目内容

Being Left-handed in a Right-handed World

The world is designed for right-handed people, but a tenth of the population prefer the left. 1. The answer to it remains a bit of a mystery. Since scientists have noticed that left-handedness tends to run in families, it’s assumed that left-handedness has a genetic(基因的)component to it. 2. In fact, identical twins, who share the same genes, can sometimes prefer to use different hands. There are also plenty of theories on what else might determine which hand you write with, but many experts believe that it’s kind of random.

Historically, the left side and left-handedness have been considered a negative thing by many cultures. 3. In some areas, the left hand became known as the “unclean” hand. In many religions, the right hand of God is the favored hand. For example, Jesus sits at God’s right side. Various activities and experiences become rude or even signs of bad luck when the left hand becomes involved. In some parts of Scotland, it is considered bad luck to meet a left-handed person at the start of a journey. 4. A person giving directions will put his left hand behind him and try to point with his right hand if necessary. In some Asian countries, eating with the left hand is considered impolite.

5. People come to realize that left-handedness is natural. People even noticed that many famous people are left-handed, including Benjamin Franklin, Leonardo Da Vinci and Charlie Chaplin. Some researchers find out that lefties are more creative and can deal with abstract thinking better. The left-handedness is more easily adaptable to the right-handed world as well. Being left-handed is no longer a sad story now; instead, it is a wonderful gift or maybe it is something you should take pride in.

A. In other words, left-handers are born that way.

B. Left-handedness used to be regarded as a disability.

C. The unfavorable associations of the use of the left hand among cultures are varied.

D. Why do they prefer to use their left hand rather than their right hand for routine activities?

E. Why do some parents force their left-handed children to become right-handed when writing?

F. In Ghana, pointing, gesturing, giving or receiving items with the left hand is considered rude.

G. Fortunately, nowadays most societies and cultures no longer reject left-handedness like before.

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Little John invited his mother to attend his school’s first teacher-parent meeting. To the little boy’s __ , she said she would go. This __ be the first time that his classmates and teacher_____ his mother and he felt _____of her appearance. Although she was a beautiful woman, there was a severe scar that ____ nearly the entire right side of her face. The boy never wanted to ____ why or how she got the scar.

At the meeting, the people were ____ by the kindness and natural beauty of his mother ____ the scar, but the little boy was still embarrassed and_____ himself from everyone. He did, however, get within ____ of a conversation between his mother and his teacher.

The teacher asked _____, “How did you get the scar on your face?”

The mother replied, “____ my son was a baby, he was in a room that caught fire. Everyone was ____ afraid to go in because the fire was ____ , so I went in. As I was running toward his bed, I saw a long piece of wood coming down and I placed myself over him trying to protect him. I was knocked____ but fortunately, a fireman came in and saved both of us.” She ____ the burned side of her face. “This scar will be ____, but to this day, I have never ____what I did.”

At this point, the little boy came out running toward his mother with tears in his eyes. He held her in his arms and felt a great_____of the sacrifice(牺牲) that his mother had made for him. He held her hand _____for the rest of the day.

1.A. enjoyment B. disappointment C. surprise D. excitement

2.A. Would B. could C. should D. must

3.A. noticed B. greeted C. accepted D. met

4.A. Sick B. ashamed C. afraid D. tired

5.A. included B. passed C. covered D. shaded

6.A. talk about B. think about C. care about D. hear about

7.A. impressed B. surprised C. excited D. comforted

8.A. in sight of B. by means of C. by way of D. in spite of

9.A. hid B. protected C. separated D. escaped

10.A. understanding B. reminding C. hearing D. learning

11.A. carefully B. seriously C. nervously D. anxiously

12.A. As B. When C. Since D. While

13.A. so B. much C. quite D. too

14.A. out of control B. under control C. in control D. over control

15.A. helpless B. hopeless C. senseless D. useless

16.A. pointed B. showed C. wiped D. touched

17.A. ugly B. lasting C. serious D. frightening

18.A. forgot B. recognized C. considered D. regretted

19.A. honor B. sense C. happiness D. Pride

20.A. quietly B. slightly C. tightly D. Suddenly

If you want to learn a new language, the very first thing to think about is why. Do you need it for a __________ reason, such as your job or your studies?_________ perhaps you’re interested in the _________ ,films or music of a different country and you know how much it will help to have a _________ of the language.

Most people learn best using a variety of _________, but traditional classes are an ideal(理想的)start for many people. They _______ an environment where you can practice under the ________ of someone who’s good at the language. We all lead ________ lives and learning a language takes _______. You will have more success if you study regularly, so try to develop a ________. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got long. Becoming fluent in a language will take years, but learning to get by takes ________.

Many people start learning a language and soon give up. “I’m too _______,” they say. Yes, children do learn languages more _______ than adults, but research has shown that you can learn a language at any ________. And learning is good for the health of your brain, too. I’ve also heard people ________ about the mistakes they make when ________. Well, relax and laugh about your mistakes ________ you’re much less likely to make them again.

Learning a new language is never ________. But with some work and devotion, you’ll make progress. And you’ll be _________ by the positive reaction of some people when you say just a few words in ________ own language. Good luck!

1.A. technical B. political C. practical D. physical

2.A. After B. So C. Though D. Or

3.A. literature B. transport C. agriculture D. medicine

4.A. view B. knowledge C. form D. database

5.A. paintings B. regulations C. methods D. computers

6.A. protect B. change C. respect D. provide

7.A. control B. command C. guidance D. pressure

8.A. busy B. happy C. simple D. normal

9.A. courage B. time C. energy D. place

10.A. theory B. business C. routine D. project

11.A. some risks B. a lot less C. some notes D. a lot more

12.A. old B. nervous C. weak D. tired

13.A. closely B. quickly C. privately D. quietly

14.A. age B. speed C. distance D. school

15.A. worry B. hesitate C. think D. quarrel

16.A. singing B. working C. bargaining D. learning

17.A. if B. and C. but D. before

18.A. tiresome B. hard C. interesting D. easy

19.A. blamed B. amazed C. interrupted D. informed

20.A. their B. his C. our D. your

April 23 marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. Organizations in Britain have planned numerous events to honor him.

In Stratford-upon-Avon, his birthplace, the tourism organization has a great number of free events, including performances of Shakespeare’s plays, and a dazzling fireworks display. And the BBC is broadcasting a live show from Stratfore-upon-Avon, celebrating Shakespeare’s widespread influence on the world. In England’s capital, the London Shakespeare Centre is holding a series of public performances, exhibitions and activities. It isn’t just England that honors the anniversary of the death of this extraordinary writer. In Washington, D.C., the Folger Shakespeare Library, which houses the world’s largest collection of documents relating to William Shakespeare, is displaying a series of exhibitions.

Shakespeare is probably one of the most famous authors and is considered a genius. He wrote around 37 plays and 154 sonnets(十四行诗), and his work has been translated into over one hundred languages! He penned beautiful metaphors(暗喻), serious dramas and amusing tales.

Shakespeare also invented many new terms and phrases. If someone’s behavior suggested they were not being honest and should not be trusted, Shakespeare called their actions suspicious. If someone was being silly and perhaps looking like a fool, Shakespeare found their actions laughable. And Shakespeare called people who offered their opinions on the quality of something critics. Today, for instance, food critics and film critics give audiences their opinions of foods and films. The familiar phrase “break the ice” comes from Shakespeare’s play The Taming of the Shrew. “The ice is broken” when a difficult conversation or meeting is calmed by some basic introduction, such as a simple game. More common words coined by Shakespeare include road, gossip, lonely, bump and hurry.

Four hundred years after his death, Shakespeare surely lives on,in everyday speech, as the most famous writer of all time!

1.The passage is mainly about ______.

A. the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death

B. the influence Shakespeare has on written English

C. the friends of William Shakespeare

D. Shakespeare’s colorful and fruitful life

2.Shakespeare is honored in the following ways except ______.

A. a great number of free events in Stratford-upon-Avon

B. a series of activities in the London Shakespeare Centre

C. a series of exhibitions in the Folger Shakespeare Library

D. a live show of Shakespeare in Washington, D.C.

3.According to the text, a simple game to make a difficult conversation easy is called ______.

A. an ice-breaker B. a suspicious man

C. a critic D. a laughable man

Food serves as a form of communication in two basic ways. Sharing bread or other foods is a common human tradition that can promote unity and trust. Food can also have a special meaning, and play an important role in a family or culture’s celebrations or traditions. The foods we eat—and when and how we eat them—are often unique to a particular culture or may even differ between rural(郊区的) and urban(市区的) areas within one country.

Sharing bread, whether during a special occasion(时刻) or at the family dinner table, is a common symbol of togetherness. Many cultures also celebrate birthdays and marriages with cakes that are cut and shared among the guests. Early forms of cake were simply a kind of bread, so this tradition has its roots in the custom of sharing bread.

Food also plays an important role in many New Year celebrations. In the southern United States, pieces of corn bread stand for blocks of gold for prosperity(兴旺) in the New Year. In Greece, people share a special cake called vasilopita. A coin is put into the cake, which signifies(预示) success in the New Year for the person who receives it.

Many cultures have ceremonies to celebrate the birth of a child, and food can play a significant role. In China, when a baby is one month old, families name and welcome their child in a celebration that includes giving red-colored eggs to guests. In many cultures, round foods such as grapes, bread, and moon cakes are eaten at welcome celebrations to represent family unity.

Nutrition(营养) is necessary for life, so it is not surprising that food is such an important part of different cultures around the world.

1.According to the passage, sharing food _______.

A. indicates a lack of food.

B. has its roots in birthday celebration.

C. is a custom unique to rural areas.

D. can help to develop unity and trust.

2.What does the coin in vasilopita signify for its receiver in the New Year?

A. Success B. Trust

C. Health D. Togetherness

3.The author explains the role of food in celebrations by _______.

A. making comparisons B. analyzing causes

C. using examples D. describing processes

4.What is the passage mainly about?

A. The custom of sharing food.

B. The importance of food in different cultures.

C. The specific meaning of food.

D. The role of food in ceremonies.

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