Disease, poverty, hate, love-Charles Dickens’ stories opened his readers eyes to the most important themes of his age. Two hundred years on, stories still speak volumes(含义很深) across the world, proving that Dickens’ legacy(遗产)was far greater than just “great-literature”.

February 7 marks the 200th anniversary of the writer’s birthday. To mark this date, BBC writer Alex Hudson listed six things Dickens gave the modern world. Let’s take a look at two of them.

A White Christmas

Dickens is described as “the man who invented Christmas” - not the religious festival, but the cultural aspects that we associate with the festive season today.

In the early 19th century, Christmas was barely worth mentioning, according to critic and writer Leigh Hunt. The committee which ran the Conservative Party even held ordinary business meetings on Christmas Day-unthinkable in the West nowadays, when everyone but the most necessary workers takes at least three days off.

Many people believe that Dickens’ popular descriptions of the festive period became a blueprint for generations to come. In his classic novel, A Christmas Carol, he not only put forward the idea of snow at Christmas, but also painted a picture of glowing warmth-“home enjoyments, affections and hopes”.

In his biography of Dickens, Peter Ackroyd wrote: “Dickens can be said to have almost single-handedly created the modern idea of Christmas.”

“Dickens” poverty

Dickens was one of the first to take an honest look at the underclass and the poor of Victorian London.

He helped popularize the term “red tape” to describe situations where people in power use amounts of bureaucracy(官僚作风) in a way that particularly hurts the weaker and poorer members of society.

“Dickensian” has now become a powerful word for describing an unacceptable level of poverty. In 2009, when the president of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers in the UK wanted to talk about poverty in some areas of Britain, she did not use words like “terrible” or “horrific”, but rather described it as “life mirroring the times of Dickens”.

68. The article is mainly about           .

A. a brief introduction to Charles Dickens

B. the characters in Charles Dickens’ stories

C. Charles Dickens’ impact on the world

D. Charles Dickens’ achievements in literature

69. Why is Dickens called “the man who invented Christmas”?

A. Because he created both religious and culture festival.

B. Because one of his novels helped to shape Christmas celebrations.

C. Because his novels have something to do with Christmas.

D. Because he was the first man to have suggested celebrating Christmas.

70. We can learn from the passage that           .

A. Dickensian is widely used to describe the Christmas

B. Charles Dickens’ novels reflect the true life at his age

C. Every person can take three days off for Christmas

D. The theme of Charles Dickens’ stories is about poverty

71. According to the passage the phrase “red tape” refers to           .

A. conflict between people in power and weaker people

B. regulations that are required to finish a task 

C. a situation where poor people are punished

D. agreements made by the underclass of society

We all know what it is like to be unable to turn your head because of a cold in the muscles (肌肉) of your neck, or because an unexpected twist(扭曲)has made your neck ache. The slightest move makes you jump with pain. Nothing could be worse than a pain in the neck.

That is why we use the phrase to describe some people who give you the same feeling. We have all met such people.

One is the man who always seems to be clapping his hands—often at the wrong time—during a performance in the theater. He keeps you from hearing the actors.

Even worse are those who can never arrive before the curtain goes up and the play begins. They come hurrying down to your row of seats. You are comfortably settled down, with your hat and heavy coat in your lap. You must stand up to let them pass. You are proud of yourself-control after they have settled into their seats…Well, what now…God, one of them is up again. He forgot to go to the men’s room, and once more you have to stand up, hanging on to your hat and coat to let him pass. Now, that is “a pain in the neck”.

Another, well—known to us all, is the person sitting behind you in the movies. His mouth is full of popcorn (爆米花); he is chewing loudly, or talking between bites to friends next to him. None of them remain still. Up and down, back and forth, they go—for another bag of popcorn, or something to drink.

Then, there is the man sitting next to you at lunch, smoking. He wants you to enjoy it too, and blows smoke across your food into your mouth.

We must not forget the man who comes into a bus or subway and sits down next to you, just as close as you will let him. You are reading the newspaper and he gets closer so that he can read the paper with you. He may even turn the paper to the next page before you are ready for it.

We also call such a person a “rubber neck”, always getting close to where it does not belong, like neighbors who watch all your visitors. They enjoy learning about your personal business. People have a strong dislike for “rubber necks”. They hate being watched secretly.

64. According to the passage, how do you feel when late comers walk back and forth in front of you in a cinema?

A. bored.             B. disturbed.              C. ignored.       D. relaxed.

65. A “rubber neck” often __________________ .

A. quarrels face to face with neighbors.           B. asks about other people’s business.

C. bargains with salespeople over the price      D. says bad words behind people.

66. Which of the following persons CANNOT be described as a “pain in the neck”?

A. Someone who often claps at the wrong time during a performance.

B. Someone who keeps eating or talking all through the movies.

C. Someone who sits next to you smoking, which you never enjoy.

D. Someone who feels ache in his neck due to a cold in the muscles.

67. What is the main purpose of the author?

A. To show anger to those who are described as a “pain in the neck”.

B. To criticize the people who might be a “pain in the neck”

C. To tell people what might be bad manners in public.

D. To tell people how to stop the pain in the neck.

The Original London Sightseeing Tour-Hop On Hop Off

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life, for there is in London all that life can afford. ——Dr Samuel Johnson 1709-1784.”

Duration: 24 hours pass

Welcome to London and welcome to The Original Tour. Providing more than just a great way to travel around the capital, founded nearly 60 years ago at the time of The Festival of Britain, The Original Tour is now the largest and most popular sightseeing operator in the world.

The Original Tour has become set up as the basic introduction to London. You are invited to experience all the magical sights and sounds of London in a comfortable and safe environment.

There is a full commentary(讲解)in English and a choice of six other languages on selected routes. Live English speaking guides appear on the yellow route service. Your tour tickets are completely unrestricted(无限制的). Each route makes frequent stops-simply hop off where want to and return to the same stop to continue your tour.

You can relax and enjoy the tour while your children (and everyone else’s) are entertained and informed by the highly praised “Kids’ Club” commentary and their free London activity packs. “Kids’ Club” is featured on the red route service.

Your ticket includes a free Thames River cruise(巡游).You can choose between a 24 hour river cruise hopper pass OR the 50-minute circular tour depending on the time you have available.

60.The Original London Sightseeing Tour is            .

       A.a tourist guides organization                  B.a bus tour company

       C.a travel magazine                                 D.a public transport system      

61.Dr. Samuel Johnson’s words are put at the beginning of the advertisement to            .

       A.draw the reader’s attention

       B.show the excellence of the Original London Tour.

       C.tell the readers about the bright side of London

       D.prove the writer’s opinion

62.The underlined words hop off means            .

       A.take off               B.put off                C.get off                D.turn off

63.Among the following descriptions about The Original Tour,            is correct.

      A.There is a commentary in 7 languages on all the routes offered.

       B.Tourists with children had better choose the yellow route.

       C.There are not English-speaking guides on all the routes.

       D.A ticket holder can take either a 24-hour or 50-minute cruise for free.

Astronaut Mark Kelly announced today that he is retiring from NASA in order to focus on the recovery of his wife, Gabrielle Giffords.

Kelly, who is 47, began his NASA career in 1996. He has traveled to the International Space Station four times and served aboard space shuttles (航天飞机) Endeavour and Discovery. Most recently he was commander of Endeavour's final voyage, which ended on June l.

“After 25 years of service to our country, I am retiring from the United States Navy and leaving NASA. My retirement will take effect on October l.” he said.

“This was no easy decision. Words cannot express my deep gratitude for the opportunities I have been given to serve our great nation. And I have always been proud to be a member of the NASA. Public service has been more than a job for me and for my family. My brother continues to serve in NASA and in the Navy. My parents are retired police officers. And my wife Gabrielle proudly serves in the US House of Representatives.” he continued.

“As life takes unexpected turns we frequently come to a crossroads. I am at this point today. Gabrielle is working hard every day on her way to recovery. I want to be by her side. Stepping aside from my work in the Navy and at NASA will allow me to be with her and with my two daughters. I love them all very much and there is no doubt that we will move forward together. After some time off, I will look for new opportunities and I'm hopeful that one day I will again serve our country.” Kelly said.

On Jan 8, Giffords was shot in the head and was severely injured while meeting with her supporters. She returned to her Tucson home last week for the first time since then.

56. Mark Kelly must have been __________ when he announced his decision.

A. cheerful                   B. regretful          C. peaceful           D. meaningful

57. Mark Kelly decides to retire from NASA mainly because __________ .

A. he is tired and hopes for a good rest

B. he has been offered a better position

C. he hopes to spend more time with his family

D. he was commander of Endeavour's final voyage

58. We can learn from the passage that_____________.

A. Mark Kelly has already retired from NASA

B. Mark Kelly is proud of his wife and his family

C. Gabrielle Griffons is now being treated in hospital

D. Gabrielle Griffons will come back to work soon

59. What is the passage mainly about?

A. The true love between Mark Kelly and Gabrielle Giffords.

B. The recovery of Gabrielle Giffords

C. Mark Kelly’s career as an astronaut in NASA.

D. The unusual experience of Mark Kelly and Gabrielle Giffords.

 0  44646  44654  44660  44664  44670  44672  44676  44682  44684  44690  44696  44700  44702  44706  44712  44714  44720  44724  44726  44730  44732  44736  44738  44740  44741  44742  44744  44745  44746  44748  44750  44754  44756  44760  44762  44766  44772  44774  44780  44784  44786  44790  44796  44802  44804  44810  44814  44816  44822  44826  44832  44840  151629 

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网