题目内容
This Christmas, maybe different from previous years, a strong desire drives me to make my own Christmas gifts. Honestly speaking, I’ve promised myself this more than once. As a crafter (工匠), I’ve frequently thought I am supposed to turn it into action. However, this year I really plan to stick to it. It’s partly because I run short of money. More importantly, I’ve recently returned from an inspiring trip around Britain, collecting some information about crafting for BBC’s Newsnight.
Actually I planned the trip couples of months ago. The idea of traveling the country — making things as I went, meeting artists and craftspeople — sounded perfect to spend the summer. I’d pack a tent and a sewing machine and I’d set off. But by the time I determined my plans and hit the road, leaves made a sighing sound under foot. It seemed crazy to camp with winter on the way; Luckily, Newsnight viewers offered me accommodations in return for help with a craft task.
My tasks ranged from sewing worn-out clothes to making trousers. Textile students in Harpenden offered to pay for my petrol in return for a talk about hats. In Derby, Amy needed help to change an old pair of curtains.
I was really struck by people’s increasing enthusiasm for making things. When I asked some people if they could sew, only a few raised their hands. But when I asked who wanted to learn, nearly everyone responded positively, hoping to learn something practical.
Craft is definitely popular at the moment. But besides fashion, we’re learning to appreciate effort and quality again. Perhaps once people rediscover the pleasure to be gained from making something unique, it may stick.
Sue is director of quilts at the V&A, where next spring she’ll be putting on the museum’s first major quilting exhibition. Sue believes the return to crafting is related to how we rethink ourselves. “People, especially women, are beginning to think about the way they live their lives. It’s 40 years since the first women’s liberation(解放) conference was held in Oxford. Since then we’ve been in the workplace, and we’ve had the opportunity of choice. Now we’re carefully choosing to go back into the home.”
Whether you agree with that or not, there’s something about Christmas that brings out the artistic flavor(气息) in everyone. Whether it’s baking bread or pies or decorating the halls or rooms, we’re all prepared to have a try at any time. So if you fancy having a different and joyful party or holiday and making a few presents, try these really simple ideas, each inspired by my recent journey there. They make small and interesting gifts, and take no longer than 30 minutes each. Enjoy Christmas songs and settle down with a cup of hot cocoa, and the cold is gone. You’ll save yourself a small quantity of money and spread a little bit of love, too!
1.Why did the author promise to make herself a Christmas gift this year?
A. She wanted to enjoy a different Christmas.
B. She wanted to make more money.
C. She was inspired by her trip for a BBC TV program.
D. She hoped to present herself with a surprise.
2.The author had her plans carried out and set out for Britain in ______.
A. spring B. summer C. fall D. winter
3.What happened during the author’s trip to Britain?
A. She met many artists and craftspeople on her way to Britain.
B. She spent a whole summer in Britain making crafts.
C. She was asked to sew clothes, and curtains and made much money.
D. Many people showed great interest in making things themselves.
4.According to the passage, people learn to ______ through crafting.
A. be grateful to what they have gained
B. keep up with fashion
C. stick to something interesting
D. know more information about craft
5.What is the author’s opinion on homemade Christmas presents?
A. Making Christmas presents can only convey a bit of your love.
B. People can find their artistic talent in making Christmas presents.
C. A cup of hot cocoa can inspire you to make a creative present.
D. It would take a long time to prepare a homemade Christmas present.
1.C
2.C
3.D
4.A
5.B
【解析】
试题分析：本文描述了作者自制圣诞礼物及感想。首段介绍作者为何下定决心给自己制作圣诞礼物；第二段描绘她的旅程；第三四段描述旅途中所发生的事情：她帮别人做手工艺品，同时也碰到了很多想学的人；第五六段阐述作者及Sue Prichard对手工制品的观点；最后一段表明作者对于自制圣诞礼物的看法：即能省钱又能表达爱意。
1.C推理判断题。对作者决定自制圣诞礼物的原因推断。根据第一段最后两句可知，作者之所以坚持今年自制圣诞礼物的真正原因是她的英国之旅(受BBC’s Newsnight一档节目之邀，到英国做某项调查)激励了她。故C是答案。
2.C 推理判断题。第二段提到，作者最终定下旅行计划，开始上路时，已是深秋(But by the time I determined my plans and hit the road, leaves made a sighing sound under foot.) 落叶已在脚下作响。C为正确答案。
3.D推理判断题。根据第四段中“I was really struck by people’s increasing enthusiasm for making things.”和“But when I asked who wanted to learn, nearly everyone responded positively, hoping to learn something practical.”我们可以推断“许多人对亲自动手制作东西表现出极大的兴趣”。 A、B是未启程之前作者自己的想象；她此行的目的不是赚钱，C错。
4.A推理判断题。根据第五段的第二句“But besides fashion, we’re learning to appreciate effort and quality again.”可知，手工艺品之所以受欢迎除了流行外，我们学会了珍惜劳动、领略手工艺品的价值。因此A符合题意。
5.B推理判断题。推断作者对自制圣诞礼物的看法。根据最后一段首句可知，作者认为自制圣诞礼物能激发个人艺术潜能，B正确。 A错在only；该段提到，有些小礼物在30分钟内便可制作完成，D与原文表述不符。C不是作者对制作圣诞礼物的看法。
考点：故事类阅读理解
Eco City Farms are becoming more popular in cities and towns around the Unites States.
Eco City Farms in Edmonton, Maryland, is located near shopping centers, car repair shops and homes. The neighborhood is a working-class community. People do not have very much money. And they have limited access to fresh food in markets.
Over the past two years, the farm has attracted volunteers form the community like Marcy Clark. She schools her four children at home. On a recent day she brought them to Eco City Farms for a lesson, her son Alston Clark thinks his experience is very valuable. “I like coming out here,” he says, “You know, you connect with the earth, where your food comes from. You appreciate the food a little bit more.”
Margaret Morgan started Eco City Farms. She thinks of it as a place where people can learn to live healthier lives. “Growing food in a community brings people together, ”she continues, “Every piece of what we do here is a demonstration (范例) to show people everything about how to have an eco-friendly community.” she says. From the Eco City Farms people come to know that they are not only growing food and raising chickens and bees, but improving the soil with compost (肥料) made from food waste.
Eco City Farms is an experimental operation. The farm gets its power not from the local electricity networks, but from the sun with solar panels (板). In winter, the green house use a geothermal (地热) system.
Vegetables can be grown all year. So once a week, all winter long, neighbors like Chris Moss and her three children bike to the farm to pick up a share of the harvest.
“I like eating the vegetables” say five-year-old Owen Moss.
【小题1】What is mainly talked about in the passage?
| A．Eco City Farms save a lot of energy. |
| B．Eco City Farms are influencing community life. |
| C．Eco City Farms helps the working-class live better. |
| D．Eco City Farms are gaining popularity. |
| A．Enthusiastic. | B．Disappointed. |
| C．Surprised. | D．Doubtful. |
| A．shopping centers |
| B．car repair shops |
| C．fast-food restaurants |
| D．working-class community |
| A．People. | B．Travel. |
| C．Environment. | D．Education. |
I read Alison Burnham’s review of When We were 12, and I do not agree with her. I thought the programme was wonderful — I found the old news pictures really interesting — they helped to bring to life the stories the people were telling.
People across America are lining up at doctor’s offices, hospitals, and even shopping streets hoping to receive a flu shot .However, many of them have returned home without one.
This year’s flu season is starting early and it’s already spreading quickly .Officials said that the flu has now spread to 50states.That’s why the flu shot isn’t easy to find.
Help will soon be on its way .A manufacturer of the will ship 100,000 doses for adults, and 150,000for children soon. Although this could be one of the worst flu outbreaks in years, experts say that the flu is not a very serious disease for most people.
“We don’t need to fear or worry that something very bad will happen,” said the director of Centers for Disease control and Prevention.” Most of us will get through this fine.”
|
Gerberling also reminds people to use common sense during flu season. People should cover their mouths and noses when they cough ,and wash their hands often .children who have symptoms of the flu should stay home from school, and adults who develop the symptoms shouldn’t go to work .This simple prevention could prevent the illness from spreading .
Of course, there is always chicken soup to make you feel better. Scientific studies show that chicken soup actually does help people breathe better when they are sick. Scientists say that any hot liquid will help, but for some reason, soup does it best .they say that the soup’s smell may be important, but they are not completely sure why. And if you don’t like chicken, keep in mind that the healing effect comes from the soup ,not the chicken.
57．What is mainly discussed in the passage?
A．Preventing the flu by people themselves B．The lack of the vaccine
C．the spread of flu in America D．Ways to deal with the flu
58．Which statement is correct according to the passage?
A．Help in the form of vaccine has arrived
B．Chris Rikon’s case is used to prove the shortage of the shot
C．Eating more chicken can help keep the flu away
D．The reason why chicken soup is helpful is clear now
59．Chicken soup can help people with flu in the way that ____
A．chicken smell makes you feel better B．it’s delicious and makes you eat better
C．its smell gives you comfortable breath D．the chicken provides you a better mind
60．Why most of the people can’t get the flu shot?
A．Because it is expensive B．Because the manufacturer of the vaccine closed down
C．Because the flu has spread widely ,there isn’t enough vaccine
D．because only children and the elderly are given vaccine.
lives. Now its author Spence Johnson has written a book just for teens（青少年）. The book tells us that when facing change in our lives, like a new school or new friends, don't be afraid. Instead, use this change to make a better life. The book gives an example of a change at school. A school is changing from having two terms to three terms b
ecause there are too many students.
are in a maze looking for the cheese. Here, cheese means something important in life, like moving to a new class or getting into college. But they find the cheese is gone. The mice realize that they can’t change what has happened and have to find more cheese. This means finding different dreams. The little people, however, can’t do this. They are afraid of change so they find no cheese.