题目内容
Thanks to the huge success of Harry Potter, many teenagers dream about living in an ancient castle. These dreams may include beautiful silk dresses, delicious food, servants and of course, magic. However, real life in an English castle was not easy. With thick stonewalls and high towers, castles were built for defence(防御). So they were not good places to live in. In medieval times, castles must have been noisy and smelly places. Horses, cattle, chickens and sheep walked free, blacksmiths did ironwork, soldiers practised sword (剑) fights, and children of all ages played around them. Castles did not have central heating; the only heat came from the fireplace. Even in summer the castle was cool. People living in the castles had to use blankets to keep warm while at work.
Life during the Middle Ages began at sunrise. Servants lit the fire, swept the floor and cooked the morning meal. The mid-morning meal was the main meal of the day and often included three or four courses (一道菜). After dinner, everyone continued his or her work. The owner of the castle, the lord, sometimes took his guests hunting or shooting. His wife, the lady, spent much of the day watching the maids (女仆) work, as well as people working in the kitchen. She also kept an eye on the weavers and embroiderers who made clothes for the family. Supper was simple and eaten late, just before bedtime.
You may find some old magic books in a castle as Harry Potter once did. Read them before you go to bed, because when you fall asleep the magic of castle life may appear before your eyes.
1. For what purpose were the castles built in England?
A. To defend the city or country against enemies.
B. To provide a working place for blacksmiths.
C. To raise poultry (家禽) and livestock (家畜).
D. To provide a place for teenagers to learn magic.
2. Why were the ancient castles noisy?
A. Because soldiers practiced sword fights there.
B. Because blacksmiths did ironwork there.
C. Because children of all ages played around them.
D. All of the above.
3. Which of the following about family life in castles is true according to the passage?
A. The servants in castles lived an easy life.
B. The wife spent much of the day at home.
C. Supper was eaten before sunset.
D. Dinner was eaten in the middle of the day.
4.The main idea of this passage is ______.
A. castles were not good places to live in
B. castles in novels are different from those in history
C. Harry Potter's story in a castle affected people
D. what real life was like in an ancient castle
1.A
2.D
3.B
4.D
【解析】 略
_____his timely help , Kate overcame the hardship at last.
A.For |
B.Thanks to |
C.As a result |
D.Because |
Dear Economist,
My newly-wedded wife and I are deeply in love.There is, however, one issue that threatens the happiness of our marriage.I absolutely insist on shopping at Walmart.My wife, meanwhile, would rather avoid Walmart at all costs.
I have recently tried to convince her that not only does Walmart offer the lowest prices known to man, but that the chain is also a force for good―lower prices mean better standards of living for all consumers, increased global trade means a tighter-knit(紧密团结的) international community, and efficient operations translate into higher productivity growth for the economy.My wife complains about poor labour policies, the “fact” that Walmart squeezes suppliers, and that it puts local shops out of business.
Who is right? Will our marriage survive?
Brian Gee
Dear Brian,
I have to agree with you about Walmart.Jason Furman, then an economist at New York University, now an adviser to President Obama, famously argued in 2005 that Walmart was unwittingly (不知不觉地) a progressive success story.The chain’s prices don’t much affect me (I prefer Whole Foods) but Furman estimated that they benefited low-and-middle-income Americans to the sum of around $250 billion a year.
Walmart does not pay much, so it may depress wages.Then again, it may increase wages by offering jobs to the otherwise-unemployed.Either way, the benefits of low prices to Walmart shoppers far outweigh any seemingly reasonable costs to Walmart employees.And while it is true that Walmart employees tend to be poor, the same is true of Walmart shoppers.
Armed with this information you can face your wife with confidence.You are sure to win the conversation.The divorce is likely to be more argued.
Economist
1.What concerns Brian Gee so much that he wrote the letter?
A.His wife refuses to shop at Walmart. |
B.They are faced with a divorce. |
C.They can’t afford the costs of shopping at Walmart. |
D.They are in conflict about shopping at Walmart. |
2.Brian Gee’s wife tends to hold the opinion that _________.
A.it is wrong for Walmart to depress its employees’ wages |
B.consumers’ lives have improved thanks to Walmart |
C.Walmart’s business operation increases productivity in economy |
D.Walmart’s business increases global trade |
3.What can be inferred from the reply letter?
A.Some employees accept the low pay to keep the job. |
B.Walmart appeals to only poor consumers and poor employees. |
C.Employees suffer from Walmart’s low prices more than consumers. |
D.Jason Furman, a New York University economist, spoke highly of Walmart. |