题目内容

The USA is a land of immigrants. Between 1815 and 1914, the world witnessed the greatest peaceful migration in its history: 35 million people, mostly Europeans, left their homelands to start new lives in America. Why did these people risk everything by leaving their homes and families?

First, what forced emigrants to make the decision to leave? One major cause for European farmers to leave was the rise in population which in turn led to land hunger. Another was politics. There was an increased taxation(税收) and the growth of armies, and many young men fled eastern Europe to avoid being forced to join the army.

Physical hunger provided another pressing reason. Following the collapse (衰退)of the economy of southern Italy in the 1860s, hundreds of thousands decided to start a new life in America. Religion also encouraged millions to leave the Old World.

In short, people chose to leave their homes for social, economic and religious reasons. As a result, by 1890 among a total population of 63 million, there were more than nine million foreign-born Americans.

But what were the attractions? First of all, there was the promise of land which was so scarce in Europe. Next, factories were calling for workers, and pay conditions were much better than back home. Men were needed to open up the West and build the long railroads, and new towns needed settlers to live in and to develop business. There was the space for religious people to practice their faith in peace.

This immigration meant that by around the 1850s Americans of non-English had started to be more than those of English. As we know, there were losers. To start with, there were those unwilling immigrants, the slaves who had been used as a source of cheap labour. Nor should we forget the equally unlucky American Indians. By 1860 there were 27 million free whites, four million slaves and a mere 488,000 free blacks.

Nowadays, the USA is still seen by millions as the Promised Land. As always, it remains an attractive place to those who think it will offer them a second chance.

1.What is not the cause for people to leave their homeland?

A. The search for religious freedom.

B. The search for adventure.

C. Unwillingness to join the army.

D. Economics.

2.Why was life of the 19th Century European farmers difficult?

A. There was no land.

B. There was no peace.

C. The population had gone down.

D. There were too many of them.

3. Which of the following was not an attraction of the USA?

A. Employment                                                               B. A healthy life

C. freedom of religion                                          D. Business opportunities

4.What is the topic of this passage?

A. The USA is still seen by millions as the Promised Land.

B. The USA is a land of immigrants.

C. Religion encouraged millions to leave the Old World.

D. About one-eighth of non-native born Americans live in the USA in 1890.

5. The American Indians __________.

A. were as fortunate as the slaves    

B. were more unfortunate than the slaves

C. were the most unfortunate  

D. were as unfortunate as the slaves

 

【答案】

 

1.B

2.D

3.B

4.B

5.D

【解析】

试题分析: 本文叙述了在 1815 和 1914之间,美国成了移民最好的去处,由于政治,经济、宗教信仰等的原因,欧洲的一些人开始向美国迁移,因为在这里人们有更多的就业机会、有商机有宗教自由,现在美国仍然是许多人的想去的乐土。

1.细节理解题。根据many young men fled eastern Europe to avoid being forced to join the army.

In short, people chose to leave their homes for social, economic and religious reasons. 他们由于社会经济,宗教自由,不愿入伍等原因离开了自己的家乡,不是为了冒险,故选B。

2.细节理解题。根据One major cause for European farmers to leave was the rise in population which in turn led to land hunger. 农民人数的增加,而相对土地的平均少了,故选D。

3.细节理解题。根据First of all, there was the promise of land which was so scarce in Europe. Next, factories were calling for workers, and pay conditions were much better than back home. Men were needed to open up the West and build the long railroads, and new towns needed settlers to live in and to develop business. There was the space for religious people to practice their faith in peace.在美国有就业机会,有商机还有宗教自由吸引了外国的移民,没有提到健康的生活,故选B。

4.主旨大意题。根据The USA is a land of immigrants.文章开始点题,短文主要论述了美国为什么会成为外国移民的主要去向,故选B。

5.细节理解题。根据Nor should we forget the equally unlucky American Indians.美洲的印第安人与奴隶一样地不幸,故选D。

考点:历史类短文阅读。

 

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"Colour" and "color","favourite" and "favorite"... Have you ever wondered why Americans spell those words without a "u"? Is it because they are lazy?
Of course not. In fact,the difference in spelling was created by Noah Webster (1758-1843). He is a teacher who reformed English to make American identity stronger. Linguists (语言学家) celebrated his 250th birthday on October 16. After the Revolutionary War (1775~ 1783),Webster believed that Americans should have their own dictionary,rather than rely on British versions (版本). He dropped the British "u" in some words. And he changed "centre" into "center" for children to learn English by spelling words more like they sounded.
Webster wasn't shy about expressing his opinions. In defining (定义) preposterous (unreasonable),he wrote: "A republican government in the hands of females is preposterous."
Webster spent 28 years on the project before completing the 70,000-word dictionary in 1828 with his American-style spellings. He also added local words. His dictionary was widely used in schools. Linguists believed it helped a new nation achieve unity and cultural independence at a time when most were focused on political freedom.
"He was the shaper of our language and the shaper of American identity,"said Joshua Kendall,who is working on a biography (传记) about Webster. "He at last bonded (联合)us through our language."
【小题1】Which of the following would probably be the best title for the passage?

A.The shaper of American English.
B.American identity.
C.Webster's dictionary.
D.Spelling differences between American and British English.
【小题2】According to the passage,when he worked on his dictionary, Noah Webster did all of the following EXCEPT        .
A.voicing his opinion B.changing "centre" into "center"
C.adding local words D.dropping "u" in all the British words
【小题3】Which of the following word can best describe Noah Webster’s work?
A.Interesting. B.Meaningful. C.Unfinished. D.Boring.
【小题4】Why did Noah Webster create these differences in his dictionary?
A.Because he wanted to make English simple and easy.
B.Because he wanted to show that the USA is stronger than the UK.
C.Because he wanted to achieve political freedom.
D.Because he wanted American English to have its own characteristics.
【小题5】When did Noah Webster probably begin his project of the dictionary?
A.In 1758. B.In 1783. C.In 1800.D.In 1828.

"Colour" and "color","favourite" and "favorite"... Have you ever wondered why Americans spell those words without a "u"? Is it because they are lazy?

Of course not. In fact,the difference in spelling was created by Noah Webster (1758-1843). He is a teacher who reformed English to make American identity stronger. Linguists (语言学家) celebrated his 250th birthday on October 16. After the Revolutionary War (1775~ 1783),Webster believed that Americans should have their own dictionary,rather than rely on British versions (版本). He dropped the British "u" in some words. And he changed "centre" into "center" for children to learn English by spelling words more like they sounded.

Webster wasn't shy about expressing his opinions. In defining (定义) preposterous (unreasonable),he wrote: "A republican government in the hands of females is preposterous."

Webster spent 28 years on the project before completing the 70,000-word dictionary in 1828 with his American-style spellings. He also added local words. His dictionary was widely used in schools. Linguists believed it helped a new nation achieve unity and cultural independence at a time when most were focused on political freedom.

"He was the shaper of our language and the shaper of American identity,"said Joshua Kendall,who is working on a biography (传记) about Webster. "He at last bonded (联合)us through our language."

1.Which of the following would probably be the best title for the passage?

A.The shaper of American English.

B.American identity.

C.Webster's dictionary.

D.Spelling differences between American and British English.

2.According to the passage,when he worked on his dictionary, Noah Webster did all of the following EXCEPT        .

A.voicing his opinion

B.changing "centre" into "center"

C.adding local words

D.dropping "u" in all the British words

3.Which of the following word can best describe Noah Webster’s work?

A.Interesting.

B.Meaningful.

C.Unfinished.

D.Boring.

4.Why did Noah Webster create these differences in his dictionary?

A.Because he wanted to make English simple and easy.

B.Because he wanted to show that the USA is stronger than the UK.

C.Because he wanted to achieve political freedom.

D.Because he wanted American English to have its own characteristics.

5.When did Noah Webster probably begin his project of the dictionary?

A.In 1758.

B.In 1783.

C.In 1800.

D.In 1828.

 

三、完形填空(共20小题;每小题1.5分,满分30分)

阅读下面短文,掌握其大意,然后从36—55各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

Everyone knows that a favorite food of people in the USA is the hamburger.

The favorite place to buy 36 is a fast-food restaurant. In these 37  , people 38 their food, wait just a few minutes, then when the food is ready they carry it to their tables by  39 . They can either 40 it in the restaurant or take the food out 41 a plastic box and eat it 42 home, at work, or in a park. At some restaurants people can drive up 43 a window. They 44 the food, and a worker hands it to them 45 the window. Then they 46 off and eat in their cars or 47 they like.

Hamburgers are not the 48 kind of food that fast-food restaurants 49 . 50 serve fish, or sandwiches, and also 51 , coffee, and so on.

Fast-food 52 are very popular because the service is 53 and the food is not expensive. For many people, this is very important. In the United States, about 50% of all married women with children work outside. They are often too busy or too tired to 54 dinner for the family at night, and fast-food restaurants are a 55 help to help.

Now there are fast-food restaurants all over the world.

36. A. hot dogs           B. hamburgers      C. bread            D. cakes

37. A. cafes                B. shops              C. restaurants    D. stores

38. A. need              B. order                  C. require      D. want

39. A. yourself           B. yourselves        C. themselves    D. oneself

40. A. eat                 B. get                  C. take           D. bring

41. A. on                B. in                   C. at           D. of

42. A. in                B. of                  C. at              D. on

43. A. before               B. to                 C. beside          D. under

44. A. bring                B. order                C. eat             D. have

45. A. beside          B. through                C. near                D. throughout

46. A. go            B. take                 C. drive            D. walk

47. A. whatever          B. wherever         C. whichever      D. whoever

48. A. only              B. any                  C. one           D. some

49. A. take            B. work              C. serve          D. do

50. A. Another         B. Other              C. Some               D. Anyone

51. A. wine                B. orange juice          C. soft drinks    D. beer

52. A. meals             B. restaurants        C. markets        D. shops

53. A. kind              B. well                  C. fast           D. strange

54. A. have          B. take               C. cook          D. eat

55. A. large          B. best                  C. great          D. importan

 

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