Thanks
to the huge success of Harry Potter, many teenagers dream about living in an
ancient castle (城堡). These
dreams may include beautiful silk dresses, delicious food, servants(仆人) 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. 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 (铁匠) 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
raise poultry (家禽) and
livestock (家畜).
B. To
provide a working place for blacksmiths.
C. To
defend the city or country against enemies.
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.
Supper was eaten before sunset.
C. The
wife spent much of the day at home.
D.
Dinner was eaten in the middle of the day.
4. We can infer that the writer____.
A.
wants teens to drop the dream of living in a castle
B.
wants to change our unrealistic ideas about castles
C.
blames Harry Potter for misleading people about life in a castle
D.
doesn't like the life in ancient castles
5. 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
I’m a
newcomer here of a small town. I would
1. _________
describe myself as shy and quietly. Before my classmates, 2. _________
it seems always difficult for me to do things well as
3. _________
them. I’m sure they will laugh to me and see me as
4. _________
a fool. So I feel unhappy every day.
5. _________
Besides,
I have few friends. I don’t know that they 6. _________
don’t like to talk with me. Sometimes, we talked to each other 7. _________
very well in class, but after class we become stranger at 8. _________
once. I am trying to improve the situation since it doesn’t 9. _________
seem to work. Can you tell me about what I should do? 10. _________
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