Almost every machine with moving parts has wheels, yet no one knows exactly when the first wheel was invented or what it was used for. We do know, however, that they existed over 5,500 years ago in ancient Asia.
The oldest known transport wheel was discovered in 2002 in Slovenia. It is over 5,100 years old. Evidence suggests that wheels for transport didn’t become popular for a while, though. This could be because animals did a perfectly good job of carrying farming tools and humans around.
But it could also be because of a difficult situation. While wheels need to roll on smooth surfaces, roads with smooth surfaces weren’t going to be constructed until there was plenty of demand for them. Eventually, road surfaces did become smoother, but this difficult situation appeared again a few centuries later. There had been no important changes in wheel and vehicle design before the arrival of modem road design.
In the mid-1700s, a Frenchman came up with a new design of road—a base layer (層) of large stones covered with a thin layer of smaller stones. A Scotsman improved on this design in the 1820s and a strong, lasting road surface became a reality. At around the same lime, metal hubs (the central part of a wheel) came into being, followed by the pneumatic tyre(充氣輪胎) in 1846. Alloy wheels were invented in 1967, sixty years after the appearance of tarmacked roads (柏油路). As wheel design took off, vehicles got faster and faster.
小題1:What might explain why transport wheels didn’t become popular for some time?
A．Few knew how to use transport wheels.
B．Humans carried farming tools just as well.
C．Animals were a good means of transport.
D．The existence of transport wheels was not known.
小題2:What do we know about road design from the passage?
A．It was easier than wheel design.
B．It improved after big changes in vehicle design.
C．It was promoted by fast-moving vehicles.
D．It provided conditions for wheel design to develop.
小題3:How is the last paragraph mainly developed?
A．By giving examples.
B．By making comparisons.
C．By following time order.
D．By making classifications.
小題4:What is the passage mainly about?
A．The beginning of road design.
B．The development of transport wheels.
C．The history of public transport.
D．The invention of fast-moving vehicles.

小題1:C
小題2:D
小題3:C
小題4:B

【語(yǔ)篇解讀】本文是一篇說(shuō)明文，題材是車(chē)輪。全文講述了車(chē)輪的發(fā)展歷程以及道路設(shè)計(jì)對(duì)車(chē)輪發(fā)展的影響。本解
小題1:推理判斷題。難度：中等。根據(jù)第二段This could be because animals did a perfectly good job of carrying farming tools and humans around.（這或許是因?yàn)閯?dòng)物在拉運(yùn)農(nóng)具人們的方面做得不錯(cuò)。）可知由于當(dāng)時(shí)動(dòng)物使用的方便讓輪子沒(méi)能夠普及。
小題2:推理判斷題。難度：較難。根據(jù)第3段 There had been no important changes in wheel and vehicle design before the arrival of modem road design.（在現(xiàn)代道路設(shè)計(jì)之前，輪子和交通工具的設(shè)計(jì)都沒(méi)有重大變化）。第4段接著講述了隨著道路設(shè)計(jì)的進(jìn)步，各種新型的輪子(包括充氣輪胎)隨之發(fā)展，而且也促進(jìn)了車(chē)輛的發(fā)展。由此可知，道路設(shè)計(jì)的發(fā)展促進(jìn)了車(chē)輪的發(fā)展。
小題3:推理判斷題。難度：較易。根據(jù)第四段時(shí)間數(shù)字，In the mid-1700s、in the 1820s、in 1846、in 1967，只有C項(xiàng)符合。
小題4:主旨大意。難度：中等。全文講述了車(chē)輪的發(fā)展歷程以及道路設(shè)計(jì)對(duì)車(chē)輪發(fā)展的影響，故選C項(xiàng)。
練習(xí)冊(cè)系列答案
相關(guān)習(xí)題

科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

The bedroom door opened and a light went on, signaling an end to nap time．The toddle（初學(xué)走路的嬰兒）, sleepy-eyed, clambered to a swinging stand in his crib．He smiled, reached out to his father, and uttered what is fast becoming the cry of his generation: "iPhone!"
Just as adults have a hard time putting down their iPhones, so the device is now the Toy of Choice for many 1-, 2- and 3-year-olds．The phenomenon is attracting the attention and concern of some childhood development specialists．
Natasha Sykes, a mother of two in Atlanta, remembers the first time her daughter, Kelsey, now 3 but then barely 2 years old, held her husband's iPhone．"She pressed the button and it lit up．I just remember her eyes．It was like 'Whoa!' "The parents were charmed by their daughter's fascination．But then, said Ms．Sykes （herself a Black Berry user）, "She got serious about the phone．" Kelsey would ask for it．Then she'd cry for it．"It was like she'd always want the phone," Ms．Sykes said．
Apple, the iPhone's designer and manufacturer, has built its success on machines so user-friendly that even technologically blinded adults can figure out how to work them, so it makes sense that sophisticated children would follow．Tap a picture on the screen and something happens．What could be more fun?
The sleepy-eyed toddler who called for the iPhone is one of hundreds of iPhone-loving toddlers whose parents are often proud of their offspring's ability to slide fat fingers across the gadget's screen and pull up photographs of their choice．
Many iPhone apps on the market are aimed directly at preschoolers, many of them labeled "educational," such as Toddler Teasers: Shapes, which asks the child to tap a circle or square or triangle; and Pocket Zoo, which streams live video of animals at zoos around the world．
Along with fears about dropping and damage, however, many parents sharing iPhones with their young ones feel guilty．They wonder whether it is indeed an educational tool, or a passive amusement like television．The American Academy of Pediatrics is continually reassessing its guidelines to address new forms of "screen time．" Dr．Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, a member of the academy's council, said, "We always try to throw in the latest technology, but the cellphone industry is becoming so complex that we always come back to the table and wonder- Should we have a specific guideline for them?"
Tovah P. Klein, the director of a research center for Toddler Development worries that fixation on the iPhone screen every time a child is out with parents will limit the child's ability to experience the wider world.
As with TV in earlier generations, the world is increasingly divided into those parents who do allow iPhone use and those who don't. A recent post on UrbanBaby.com, asked if anyone had found that their child was more interested in playing with their iPhone than with real toys. The Don't mothers said on the Website: "We don't let our toddler touch our iPhones ... it takes away from creative play." "Please ... just say no. It is not too hard to distract a toddler with, say ... a book."
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a psychology professor who specializes in early language development, sides with the Don'ts. Research shows that children learn best through activities that help them adapt to the particular situation at hand and interacting with a screen doesn't qualify, she said.
Still, Dr. Hirsh-Pasek, struck on a recent visit to New York City by how many parents were handing over their iPhones to their little children in the subway, said she understands the impulse (沖動(dòng)). "This is a magical phone," she said. "I must admit I'm addicted to this phone."
小題1:The first paragraph in the passage intends to ______.
A．get us to know a cute sleepy-eyed child in a family
B．show us how harmful the iPhone is
C．lead us to the topic of the toddlers' iPhone-addict
D．explain how iPhone appeals to toddlers
小題2:According to the author, iPhones are popular with both adults and young kids because they are______.
A．easy to useB．beautiful in appearance
C．cheap in priceD．powerful in battery volume
小題3:The underlined word "them" in the seventh paragraph refers to ______.
A．televisionsB．cellphonesC．iPhonesD．screens
小題4:The tone of the author towards parents sharing iPhones with their children is ______.
A．negativeB．subjectiveC．objectiveD．supportive
小題5:The passage mainly tells us ______.
A．children's iPhone addict is becoming a concern
B．iPhone is winning the hearts of the toddlers
C．Apple is developing more user-friendly products
D．ways to avoid children's being addicted to iPhone games

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

Risk of death is 3.5 t0 5 times greater for obese smokers than it is for people who have never smoked and are at a normal weight, according to a study published in the November, 2006 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
The study, which began with a self-administered questionnaire taken between 1983 and 1989, asked more than 80,000 radiologic technologists aged 22 t0 92 questions about age, height, weight and smoking behavior.
BMI (body mass index) was calculated, with a BMI of 30 t0 34.9 being considered obese, and 35 and over being very obese. Smoking behavior was analyzed by looking at a person's tobacco consumption level, number of years smoked, and current smoking status. Researchers then followed participants through December of 2002, noting the number of deaths that occurred.
The study involved researchers from the National Cancer Institute, the University of Minnesota and the American Registry of Radiolegic Technologists.
Key Findings:
20 percent of obese adults in the United States smoke.
Obese smokers face a greater risk of death from cancer and circulatory disease.
Current smoking is a greater risk factor for death by cancer than obesity is, generally speaking.
The higher a person's pack-years (number of packs smoked per day times the number of years smoked) are, the greater the risk of death.
Men and women of all ages faced an elevated risk of death due to circulatory disease as BMI increased. And for those who were both obese and currently smoking, risk of circulatory disease increased 6 to 11 times under the age of 65, as compared to their never-smoking, normal weight counterparts.
While it's not surprising that obesity coupled with smoking is a recipe for trouble, it is important to highlight this growing health concern in America today.
Taking Charge of Your Health
Making healthy choices can be difficult when we're constantly bombarded with products that are hazardous to our health, but it's not impossible. With education and some motivation, we all have the ability to make lasting changes for the better. If you're an overweight smoker worried about gaining weight due to quitting, take heart. It's never too late to change your course and even reverse damage to some extent.
小題1:What is the probably the best title of the text?
A. Obese smoking and death             B. Key findings about smoking
C Taking charge of your health           D. Obesity and smoking
小題2:Which of the following is true according to the text?
A．Obese smokers are less likely to suffer from cancer
B．Obese smokers are more likely to suffer from cancer
C．Obese smokers .tend to gain fewer body mass index.
D．Obese smokers tend to get heavier than those Who never smoke
小題3:According to the  author, it is________to get rid of smoking.
A．easy and possibleB．difficult and impossible
C．easy ant worthwhileD．difficult but worthwhile
小題4: What is the American Journal of Preventive Medicine?
A. An medical institute.                  B A research center.
C. A medical magazine                   D. A TV station
小題5: What is the purpose of the text?
A．To inform the readers of the findings about obese smoking.
B．To warn the readers of the danger of obese smoking.
C．To tell us what obese smoking is.
D．To call on the obese smolkers to quit smoking.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：完形填空

Teenagers at one German school are learning how to achieve happiness alongside other traditional   35  such as maths and languages.
The class sits in a circle with their eyes shut and they count from one to ten: someone starts, the   36  voice comes from the far right, a third from the other side.
The aim of the game is to   37  for an opportunity to shout out the   38  without clashing (相撞) with another voice or leaving a pause. On the first try,  39  of the young Germans try to be first, while a few are too shy to join in. But by the fifth   40  , they develop a rhythm (節(jié)奏) . The message gives other people space but also claims your own. This is a requirement for social well-being.
Unlike schools in other nations, German schools do not usually have school sports teams or seek to build school spirit. Many teens admit they are   41  and confused, but school is not usually the place to find relief.
The Willy Hellpach School in Heidelberg is the first in the nation to develop a happiness   42  It is   43  for 17-19years old students to prepare for university entrance exams. "The course isn't there to make you happy," Ernst Fritz-Schubert, the school principal, warned pupils, "   44  rather to help you discover the ways to become happy. "
Cooking a meal together will be one of the class   45  , along with improving body language under the   46  of two professional actresses.
The course is taught for three periods a week. Despite the happy subject, the pupils themselves insist it is no laughing matter.
"In the first period, we had to each say something   47  about another member of the class and about ourselves. No laughing at people or teasing," said Fanny, 17.
The message is that self-esteem (自尊) improves   48  too.
Research by the school shows it is not the first to start happiness classes and they also exist at some US universities, but are mainly based on positive thinking, using   49  from studies of depression.
"That would be too one-sided for us. We want to show how decent (好的) food or exercise can help too," the principal said.
小題1:
A．subjectsB．objectsC．customsD．habits
小題2:
A．sweetB．nextC．lastD．loud
小題3:
A．lookB．seeC．findD．listen
小題4:
A．nameB．personC．numberD．treasure
小題5:
A．a(chǎn)llB．fewC．mostD．none
小題6:
A．roundB．limitC．sheetD．zone
小題7:
A．happyB．lonelyC．curiousD．pleased
小題8:
A．movementB．classC．courseD．a(chǎn)pproach
小題9:
A．intendedB．madeC．managedD．a(chǎn)pplied
小題10:
A．a(chǎn)ndB．butC．soD．or
小題11:
A．testsB．examsC．exercisesD．homework
小題12:
A．guidanceB．lookoutC．permissionD．cooperation
小題13:
A．backwardB．positiveC．negativeD．rude
小題14:
A．a(chǎn)tmosphereB．a(chǎn)chievementC．happinessD．score
小題15:
A．inspectionsB．instructionsC．motivesD．findings

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

College is a lifetime investment (投資) — the gift of a college education can open the door to a world of opportunity for your child or grandchild. Savings（儲(chǔ)蓄）, even not so many at a time, can make a big difference.
With the cost of a college education continuing to rise, the key is to start saving early and regularly. By saving a set amount at set times, your money can grow as your child does. According to the College Board, the average cost for four-year public colleges has increased by nearly 51% over the last 10 years and these costs will almost certainly continue to rise. Saving for college can help with the increasing cost of a college education and help you be well prepared when your child is ready for college.
Saving for your child’s college education is an investment in their future. The savings you make today will pay off in increased earnings in the future. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, college graduates earn an average of $1 million more than high school graduates during their careers. The value of your investment in a college education will continue to grow for a lifetime.
Set your college saving goals realistically. You may not be able to save enough for all four years’ fees, but you could save enough to give your child the right start.
More and more families depend on student loans(貸款) to pay for college. By saving for college, families will have less burden of paying off loans and help their children leave school without worrying about paying off loans.
小題1:From the second paragraph we can learn that_______________.
A．the College Board increased public college costs
B．public college costs will increase by 51% in the next ten years
C．it’s not too late to start saving when your child is ready for college
D．saving can help deal with the rising cost of college education
小題2:Savings for college education _____________.
A．will increase in the value in the futureB．make one earn a lot
C．help create good jobsD．a(chǎn)re wise for businessmen to invest
小題3:Which of the following is TRUE about saving for college?
A．You should save to help children get scholarships more easily.
B．It’s better to increase the savings as the child grows.
C．It’s better to save early and regularly.
D．You should set a further and bigger saving goal.
小題4:Who are the expected readers of the passage?
A．Parents.B．High school students.C．EducatorsD．Bankers.
小題5:Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A．When to Save for Children’s College Costs
B．How to Make a Good Investment
C．Why We Should Save for Children’s College Costs
D．How Much Four-Year College Costs

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

Here is an astonishing and signficant fact:Mental work alone can’t make us tired. It sounds absurd. But a few years ago, scientists tried to find out how long the human could labor without reaching a stage of fatigue(疲勞). To the amazement of these scientists, they discovered thett blood passing through the brain, when it is active, shows no fatigue at all! If we took a drop of blood from a day labourer, we could find it full of fatigue toxins(毒素) and fatigue products. But if we took blood from the brain of Albert Einstein, it would show no fatigue toxing at the end of the day.
So far as the brain is concerned, it can work as well and swiftly at the end of eight or even twelve hours f efforts as at the beginning. The brain is totally tireless. So what makes us tired.
Some scientists declare that most of our fatigue come from our mental and emotional(情感的) attitudes. One of England’s most outstanding scientists. J. A. Hadfield,says,“The greater part of the fatigue from which we suffer is of mental origin. In fact,fatigue of purely physical origin is rare.” Dr. Brill, a famous American scientist, goes even further. He declares,“One hundred percent of the fatigue of a sitting worker in good health is due to emotional problems.”
What kinds of emotions make sitting workers tired?Joy?Satifaction?No!A feeling of being bored,anger,anxiety,tenseness,worry,a feeling of nt being appreciated---those are emotions that tire sitting workers.Hard work by itself seldom causes fatigue.We get tired because our emotions produce nervousness in the body.
小題1:What surprised the scientists a few years ago?
A．Fatigue toxinscould hardly be found in a labour’s blood.
B．Albert Eistein didn’t feel worn out after a day’s work.
C．The brain could wrk for many hours without fatigue.
D．A mental worker’s blood was filled with fatigue toxins.
小題2:According to the authour,which of the following can make sitting worker tired？
A．Challenge mental work.
B．Unpleasant emotions.
C．Endless tasks.
D．Physical labor.
小題3:What’s the authour’s attitude towards the scientists’ ideas?
A．He agrees with them.
B．He doubts them
C．He argues against them.
D．He hesitates to accept them.
小題4:We can infer from the passage that in order to stay energic, sitting workers need to ______.
A．have some good blood
B．enjoy their work
C．exercise regularly
D．discover fatigue toxin

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

Multitasking
People who multitask all the time may be the worst at doing two things at once, a new research suggests. The findings, based on performances and self-evaluation by about 275 college students, indicate that many people multitask not out of a desire to increase productivity, but because they are easily distracted (分心) and can’t focus on one activity. And “those people turn out to be the worst at handling different things,” said David Sanbonmatsu, a psychologist at the University of Utah.
Sanbonmatsu and his colleagues gave the students a set of tests and asked them to report how often they multitasked, how good they thought they were at it, and how sensation-seeking (尋求刺激) or imperative (沖動(dòng)) they were. They then evaluated the participants’ multitasking ability with a tricky mental task that required the students to do simple mathematical calculations while remembering a set of letters.
Not surprisingly, the scientists said, most people thought they were better than average at multitasking, and those who thought they were better at it were more likely to report using a cellphone while driving or viewing multiple kinds of media at once. But those who frequently deal with many things at the same time were found to perform the worst at the actual multitasking test. They also were more likely to admit to sensation-seeking and impulsive behavior, which connects with how easily people get bored and distracted.
“People multitask not because it’s going to lead to greater productivity, but because they’re distractible, and they get sucked into things that are not as important.” Sanbonmatsu said.
Adam Gazzaley, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, who was not a member of the research group, said one limitation of the study was that it couldn’t find out whether people who start out less focused   toward multitasking or whether people’s recognizing and understanding abilities change as a result of multitasking.
The findings do suggest, however, why the sensation-seeker who multitask the most may enjoy risky distracted driving. “People who are multitasking are generally less sensitive to risky situations.” said Paul Atchley, another researcher not in the group. “This may partly explain why people go in for these situations even though they’re dangerous.”
小題1: The research led by Sanbonmatsu indicates that people who multitask       .
A．seek high productivity constantly
B．prefer handling different things when getting bored
C．a(chǎn)re more focused when doing many things at a time
D．have the poorest results in doing various things at the same time
小題2:When Sanbonmatsu and his colleagues conducted their research, they          .
A．a(chǎn)ssessed the multitasking ability of the students
B．evaluated the academic achievements of the students
C．a(chǎn)nalyzed the effects of the participants’ tricky mental tasks
D．measured the changes of the students’ understanding ability
小題3:According to Sanbonmatsu, people multitask because of their        _.
A．limited power in calculationB．interests in doing things differently
C．inability to concentrate on one task D．impulsive desire to try new things
小題4: From the last paragraph, we can learn that multitaskers usually____  .
A．drive very skillfully
B．go in for different tasks
C．fail to react quickly to potential dangers
D．refuse to explain the reasons for their behavior

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

Although man has known asbestos （石棉） for many hundreds of years, it was not until 160 years ago that it was mined for the first time on the North American continent. H.W.Johns, owner of a New York City Supply Shop for roofers, was responsible for the opening of that first mine．
Mr.Johns was given a piece of asbestos which had been found in Italy． He experimented with the material and then showed its surprising powers to his customers. After putting on a pair of asbestos gloves, which looked much like ordinary work gloves, he took red-hot coals from the fireplace and played with them in his hands.How astonished the customers were to discover that he was not burned at all．You can well imagine that he had increasing business in asbestos roofing materials． However, because it was very expensive to transport them from Italy to the United States, Mr.Johns sent out a young scientist to seek a source nearer home. This young man found great vein（巖脈）, in the province of Quebec in Canada．
Ever since 1881 Quebec has led the world in the production of this unusual mineral, which is made up of magnesium, silicon, iron, and oxygen．When it is mined, the asbestos is heavy, just as you would expect a mineral to be．When it is separated, a strange thing happens: the rock breaks down into fine, soft, soapy fibres．
Scientists do not know why the rock can be separated easily into threads, but they have found thousands of uses of this fireproof material, of the so-called “cloth of stone”．
小題1:Which title best expresses the main idea of this passage?
A．Asbestos mined in Canada B．Fireproof matter
C．A “wonder” mineral D．A new roofing material
小題2:Johns proved his ability as a salesman by_______．
A．going into roofing businessB．carrying asbestos from Italy
C．sending a trained scientistD．showing the use of asbestos gloves
小題3:Which is the most important characteristic of asbestos that the author wants to show us?
A．It is like thread．B．It feels soapy．
C．It burns easily．D．It is unusually heavy．
小題4:The author’s main purpose in writing this passage was to _______．
A．show the need for more scientists
B．compare asbestos with other minerals
C．increase the sales of asbestos
D．present facts about asbestos

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

“Why should I care about the environment?” some people ask. There is a very simple reason: We live on the earth, and it is the only place we can live on right now, as we cannot live in space yet. If we treat the earth like a garbage dump, it will become dirty and unlivable. If we treat it well by being eco-conscious, the earth will stay clean and suitable for living, for ourselves and for our children.
What is “being eco-conscious”?
Being eco-conscious means being aware of your actions, and what you do to the environment. For example, you might think, “Using hairspray is great for fixing my hair.” However, if you are eco-conscious, you would ask, “Does this hairspray have CFCs in it? Could I be destroying the earth by using hairspray?”
How can I be eco-conscious?
You can find many simple ways to help the environment in your everyday life.
When you go shopping, bring a bag or a basket with you. Please try not to use plastic bags as much as you can.
You can go to work by bike or on foot if it is not far from your home.
You can put your rubbish into different bags, which makes it convenient for recycling.
You can eat less chewing gum.
You can use your own chopsticks instead of the disposable ones in your company or in restaurants.
You can put batteries in a special box instead of in garbage bins.
You can use the water which has been used for washing vegetables or fruits to clean the floor and the toilet or to water your garden.
You can turn off the decorative lights in your room when watching TV.
You can turn down your air conditioner by one degree, as this will cause a 10% reduction in energy use.
You can use recycled paper. Every ton of recycled office paper saves 380 gallons of oil. You can also use recycled glass instead of glass made from raw materials. This will reduce the related air pollution by 20%, and the related water pollution by 50%.
Please believe that. If you do a little, it will make a big difference.
小題1:Human beings should care about the environment because _________ .
A．if we make the earth unlivable, we’ll have to live in space
B．it can help our children live better
C．if we don’t, the earth will become a garbage dump
D．it will help to make the world a good living place
小題2:If your deskmate is an eco-conscious person, he should __________.
A．be aware of the importance of protecting the environment
B．use plastic bags when he buys something
C．know nothing about CFCs
D．turn his air conditioner to a higher degree
小題3:If you want to help the environment, you should do all the following EXCEPT ________.
A．share a car with your colleagues
B．use paper bags instead of plastic bags
C．use hairspray containing CFCs
D．use recycled glass instead of glass made from raw materials
小題4:It can be inferred from the passage that _________.
A．it’s very hard for human beings to keep the earth clean and comfortable
B．protecting the environment is the duty of everybody
C．we should protect the environment together, as it’s no use doing it individually
D．it’s very easy to be eco-conscious
小題5:According to the author, which of the following statements is WRONG?
A．Being eco-conscious means you should know much about the environment.
B．The more we care, the better the environment will be.
C．If each of us just does a little, we can’t make any difference.
D．If we treat the earth badly, we’ll make a lot of trouble for ourselves.

查看答案和解析>>

同步練習(xí)冊(cè)答案