Fading beauty

She is widely seen as proof that good looks can last for ever. But, at nearly 500 years of age, time is catching up with the Mona Lisa.

The health of the famous picture, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1505, is getting worse by the year, according to the Louvre Museum(盧浮宮博物館) where it is housed.

“The thin, wooden panel on which the Mona Lisa is painted in oil has changed shape since experts checked it two years ago,” the museum said. Visitors have noticed changes but repairing the world’s most famous painting is not easy. Experts are not sure about the materials the Italian artist used and their current chemical state(化學(xué)狀態(tài)).

Nearly 6 million people go to see the Mona Lisa every year, many attracted by the mystery of her smile. “It is very interesting that when you’re not looking at her, she seems to be smiling, and then you look at her and she stops,” said Professor Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University. “It’s because direct vision (視覺) is excellent at picking up detail, but less suited to looking at shadows. Da Vinci painted the smile in shadows.”[

However, the actual history of the Mona Lisa is just as mysterious as the smile. Da Vinci himself loved it so much that he always carried it with him, until it was eventually sold to France’s King Francis I in 1519.

In 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louvre by a former employee, who took it out of the museum hidden under his coat. He said he planned to return it to Italy. The painting was sent back to France two years later.

During World War II, French hid the painting in small towns to keep it out of the hands of German forces.

Like many old ladies, the Mona Lisa has some interesting stories to tell.

1.What does the writer mean by “time is catching up with the Mona Lisa”?

A. The painting woman is not so beautiful any more.

B. Ageing is something that affects us all.

C. The painting needs repairing.

D. At such an old age, she is no longer popular.

2.What makes the repair work difficult?

A. The wooden panel is thin and old.

B. No one knows exactly what materials were used to create the painting and how it might respond to treatment.

C. The health of the painting is suffering.

D. Experts can’t agree on how to carry out repairs.

3.What makes her so mysterious according to Professor Livingston?

A. The materials the Italian artist used. B. The way she smiles.

C. The way Da Vinci painted the smile. D. It plays a trick upon the human eyes

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科目：高中英語 來源：廣西省桂林市、崇左市2017屆高三聯(lián)合調(diào)研考試英語試卷 題型：完形填空

We were standing at the top of a tower. My father had______ me to this spot in a small town not far from our home.1 wondered______.

“Look down, Elsa," Father said. I gathered all my_____and looked down. I saw the square in the center of the village. And I saw the crisscross of twisting, turning streets leading to the ____．

“See, my dear." Father said gently." There is more than one way to a square .Life is like that. If you can't get to the place where you want to go ____ 0ne road, try another."

Now I understood why l was there. Earlier that day I had ______my mother to do something about the awful school lunches. But she ______because she could not believe the lunches were as ____as I said.

When I turned to Father, he would not help. Instead, he brought me to this high tower to give me a_____—the value of the open, searching mind. By the time, we reached home. I had a_____．

At school the next day,1______poured my lunch soup into a bottle and brought it home. Then I talked the cook into serving it to Mother at dinner. Everything went on smoothly. She swallowed one ______and spat it out．Quickly I t01d her what I had done，and Mother stated__that she would take up the matter of lunches at school the next day!

In the years that followed I often remembered what Father taught me. I began to work as a fashion designer two years ago.1 was busy getting ready to show my winter fashions. But just 13 days before presentation the sewing girls all stopped working.1 was as______as my models.” Well never make it.” one of them cried.

Accept the failure? __use wisdom to find another mad to my goa17 Then a great idea flashed through my mind———why not _______ the clothes unfinished?

And-exactly 13 days later, our showing turned out to be so______that it was a great success. Our different showing caught the_____ of the public, and orders for the clothes ____ in. Father's wise words had______me once again,” There is always more than one way to thesquare．

1.A. sent B. brought C. directed D. welcomed

2.A. who B. how C. what D. why

3.A. thoughts B. strength C. courage D. spirits

4.A. square B. tower C. town D. village

5.A. in B. on C. by D. across

6.A. persuaded B. begged C. encouraged D. ordered

7.A. failed B. agreed C. promised D. refused

8.A. bad B. expensive C. delicious D. hot

9.A. 1esson B. chance C. shock D. ride

10.A. goal B. result C. plan D. choice

11.A. skillfuUy B. actively C. carelessly D. secretly

12.A. cupful B. spoonful C. handful D. bagful

13.A. thoughtfully B. simply C. firmly D. repeatedly

14.A. positive B. cheerful C. calm D. hopeless

15.A. Or B. And C. But D. So

16.A. show B. buy C. change D. sell

17.A. famous B. poor C. unusual D. ordinary

18.A. notice B. attention C. desire D. impression

19.A. turned B. handed C. stepped D. poured

20.A. suggested B. guided C. corrected D. defeated

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科目：高中英語 來源：四川省2017屆高三下學(xué)期第二次適應(yīng)性考試英語試卷 題型：閱讀理解

There’s no doubt that our character has a profound effect on our future. What we must remember, however, is not merely how powerful character is in influencing our fate (命運), but how powerful we are in shaping our own character and, therefore, our own fate. Character may determine our fate, but character is not determined by fate.

It’s a common mistake to think of character as something that is fully formed and fixed very early in life. It calls to mind old proverbs like “A leopard can’t change its spots” and “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

This perspective that our character is “etched in stone” is supported by a great deal of modern psychology emphasizing self-acceptance. As Popeye says, “I am what I am.” The hidden message is: Don’t expect me to be more, better, or different.

Finally, these views of humanity totally undervalue the lifelong potential for growth that comes with the power of reflection and choice.

How depressing it would be to believe that we can’t choose to be better, more honest, more respectful, more responsible, and more caring. None of us should give up the personal seeking to improve our character. Not because we’re bad, we don’t have to be sick to get better, but because we’re not as good as we could be.

There are so many things in life we can’t control, whether we’re beautiful or smart, whether we had good parents or bad, whether we grew up with affirmation or negation. It’s inspiring to remember that nothing but moral will power is needed to make us better.

No, it isn’t easy. But if we make a great effort to become more aware of the habits of heart and mind that drive our behavior, we can begin to place new emphasis on our higher values so that we become what we want our children to think we are.

1.What is the best title of the passage?

A. We shape our own character

B. Character determines our fate

C. Character is fully formed and fixed

D. We must meet what our children need

2.The author agrees that ________.

A. a leopard can't change its spots

B. in life we must attach importance to self-acceptance

C. we shouldn’t expect us to be more different

D. character is not fully formed and fixed very early

3.In the author’s opinion, which of the following is TRUE?

A. We can’t choose to be better.

B. We should seek to improve our character for we’re bad enough.

C. We should value our lifelong potential for growth.

D. We should make choices constantly.

4.What can we infer from the passage?

A. It is not difficult to improve ourselves.

B. We must try our best to be as good as possible.

C. Our children should copy our behavior.

D. We should control as many things as possible in life.

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科目：高中英語 來源：河北省卓越聯(lián)盟2016-2017學(xué)年高二下學(xué)期第三次月考英語試卷 題型：短文填空

When we were kids,my little sister Madison and I were the M & Ms—my parents' two daughters.1.So it was quite a surprise when my mom and dad sat us down to let us know that baby number three was on the way when I was 10 years old.However,as soon as my brother Mac was born,he completely stole my heart and I have learned a few things from having a young brother.

2.

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You watch a child grow up.

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You teach your brother life lessons.

From a young age,my brother watched my sister and me overcome personal challenges,go to high school,and, worst of all,get our hearts broken.4.Watching his sisters go through life's difficulties has taught him how he should act when he gets older.

Now Mac is 11 years old.I have no shame in telling people that one of my best friends is an 11-year-old boy.In fact,our family without him is unimaginable.5.

A.You stay in the know.

B.You learn about responsibility early on.

C.We received a lot of attention,and we liked it that way.

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E.I remember the first time Mac crawled,walked,and said my name.

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G.Nothing makes Mac more upset than a mean guy who hurts a girl's feelings.

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1.Even though she is old, she is still a________ in physical training.

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8.I’m sure Tom is quite________（勝任） to the task.

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A little boy wanted to meet God. He thought it was a long trip to where God lived, _______ he packed his suitcase with lots of food and drinks and he started his_________

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The man________it and smiled at the boy. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he ________him another one.

The man ________smiled at him. They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

As it grew dark, the boy ________it was time to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he______, ran back to the man, and gave him a hug. The man________him his biggest smile ever.

When the boy_______home a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of ________on his face. She asked him what made him so happy.

He replied, “I had lunch with God, and God’s got the most beautiful ________I’ve ever seen!”

Meanwhile, the elderly man returned to his home. His son was________by the look of joy on his face and asked him the ________question as the little boy’s mother. The elderly man replied, “I ate and drank in the park with God.” However, he _______, before his son responded, “You know, he’s much _________ than I expected.”

Too often we underestimate the_______of a touch, a smile, a kind word, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. We should treat the people we meet________; they come into our lives for a reason. Embrace all equally!

1.A. if B. so C. but D. or

2.A. work B. study C. journey D. exploration

3.A. came across B. picked up C. learned from D. took away

4.A. hid B. opened C. examined D. ignored

5.A. worried B. anxious C. thirsty D. tired

6.A. refused B. avoided C. received D. accepted

7.A. lent B. bought C. made D. offered

8.A. again B. still C. only D. just

9.A. imagined B. realized C. announced D. pretended

10.A. played around B. sat around C. turned around D. got around

11.A. gave B. promised C. supplied D. begged

12.A. left B. called C. missed D. returned

13.A. joy B. confidence C. disappointment D. horror

14.A. drink B. food C. face D. smile

15.A. sad B. nervous C. amazed D. excited

16.A. same B. strange C. unique D. unusual

17.A. replied B. added C. reminded D. thought

18.A. braver B. shorter C. younger D. cleverer

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科目：高中英語 來源：江蘇省丹陽市2016-2017學(xué)年牛津譯林版Module 5 Unit 1 Test4單元測試英語試卷 題型：單項填空

—Christina, you had a wonderful time at your birthday party, didn’t you?

—______, and ______.

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科目：高中英語 來源：陜西省2016-2017學(xué)年高二下學(xué)期期中考試英語試卷 題型：閱讀理解

Below are four ads on the website.

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It's an artful experience even if you're artistically challenged.Adults,teens,and children of all ages are welcome at Contemporary Art studio.We provide everything: stamps,idea books,a little coaching,and a lot of encouragement. Drop in anytime.It's creative fun for everyone to paint your own pottery（陶器）!No experience needed.Our studio will show you how.It's as easy as 1-2-3!sumplastpl@hotmail.com

Chinese-English Translator

This is an excellent opportunity for recent graduates looking to put their Chinese skills to use.

Requirements: native speaker of English;business translation experience is preferred but not a must;able to fulfill several projects on time;excellent reading skills in Chinese.If interested,please email staff@young.com or call 453-268-130.

Ancient Object Market

Here you rind a large variety of old European furniture,statues and paintings.We also offer a large selection of clocks in bronze,wood,white metal.Organizing buying tours based on the needs of our clients is something else we do.We pick you up from the airport,make hotel reservations and drive you around to the best wholesale（批發(fā)）dealers.Our email is artworkdeal@hotmail.corn.

We are delighted to offer you an efficient and reasonably priced service of high-class car rentals（租賃）with qualified drivers.Suitable for your journeys to and/or from Rome's airports or other destinations.We will be there to meet you on your arrival at the airport and drive you to your destination in complete safety and comfort.If you need the service,please call 668-556429.

1.Contemporary Art studio is a place where .

A. one can enjoy many kinds of artworks

B. one can learn how to paint on pottery

C. one can make pottery by himself/herself

D. one can improve his/her painting skills greatly

2.Who may be suitable for a Chinese-English translator?

A. An American graduate who is good at Chinese.

B. A Chinese graduate who majored in business.

C. A Chinese college student who has good English writing skills.

D. An American college student who is interested in English translation.

3.If Mr.Black wants to buy a painting,he can .

A. send an email to sumplastpl@hotmail.com

B. send an email to artworkdeal@hotmail.com

C. call 453-268-130

D. call 668-556-429

4.Which of the following can be the best title for the fourth advertisement?

A. Nice Rome trips.

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科目：高中英語 來源：黑龍江省大慶市2016-2017學(xué)年高一下學(xué)期開學(xué)考試英語試卷 題型：完形填空

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I ______ the flowers, said goodbye, and headed for the ______ line.

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1.A .wrong B. earl C. perfect D. free

2.A. kindness B. bravery C. guilt D. pride

3.A. policeman B. clerk C. secretary D. waiter

4.A. give B. pay C. charge D. owe

5.A. frightened B. disappointed C. Confused D. bored

6.A. move down B. fall of C. leave ou D. cheer up

7.A. refused B. responded C. nodded D. agreed

8.A. remember B. tell C. choose D. notice

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10.A. stranger B. passenger C. beggar D. failure

11.A. courage B. mone C. knowledge D. chance

12.A. secretly B. reall C. hardl D. anxiously

13.A. flower B. card C. fish D. mud

14.A. leave B. hide C. plan D. bury

15.A. helps B. suffers C. travels D. comes

16.A. impossible B. natural C. clear D. important

17.A. request B. price C. praise D. story

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19.A. security B. passenger C. front D. fire

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