J.K. Rowling set children’s imaginations on fire. Can the creator of Harry Potter do the same for a grown-up audience? The British author will find out on September 27, when more than 2 million hardcover(精裝書) copies of her first novel for adults hit bookstores in the UK and the US, along with the digital edition. Set in a little English town, The Casual Vacancy is about an election held after an unexpected death.
Michael Pietsch, Rowling’s US publisher, says the novel reminded him of Dickens “because of the humanity, the humor, the social concerns, the intensely real characters”. No magic though, apparently: “This book isn’t Harry Potter”, says Pietsch. “It is a completely different concern”. As with Harry Potter, there are no advance copies for the media, no early reviews. To date, the seven-book series has sold more than 450 million copies worldwide, and it became one of the most successful movie franchises in July 21, 2007.
Back then, fans could buy books at midnight parties hosted by bookstores. But recent years have seen a great challenge for brick-and-mortar(實體的) bookstores. People are still buying books, indeed more books than in 2007, according to figures released by the Association of American Publishers. But they are reading them in a new format(樣式)—the e-book. The Harry Potter series just became available digitally for the first time in April. It will be different for The Casual Vacancy, with the publisher simultaneously releasing an e-book. For Rowling fans who once queued up for Harry Potter, this means that instant satisfaction is now only a click away.
Moving from children’s books to adult literature is a big transition. Will Rowling’s new book be successful? Arthur Levine, the US co-editor of the Harry Potter books, seems confident: “If you read or re-read the Harry Potter books, you can see that Rowling has all the strengths she needs for great success as a fiction writer –you have great characters, an involving plot, a sense of humor and great empathy”.
小題1:In Paragraph 2, what Michael Pietsch says means that_____.
A.Dickens’ works are too impressive to forget.
B.J.K. Rowling has all the strengths of Dickens.
C.The new book is similar to Dickens’ works in some way.
D.The new book is quite different from the works of Dickens.
小題2:The underlined word “simultaneously” has the closest meaning with“______”.
A.willinglyB.meanwhileC.especiallyD.eventually
小題3:What’s the main purpose of Paragraph 3?
A.To explain why the new book will have a digital edition.
B.To show the Harry Potter series are popular with readers.
C.To compare J.K. Rowling’s old books and her new book.
D.To clarify the great challenges for brick-and-mortar bookstores.
小題4:What do the Harry Potter series and The Casual Vacancy have in common?
A.They are both intended for children.
B.They both show the author’s great talent.
C.Their characters both have magical power.
D.Both of them won’t be read on the Internet.

小題1:C
小題2:B
小題3:A
小題4:B

試題分析: 本文講哈里波特的作者又出新書,這是關(guān)于成年人的書,預(yù)售火爆及各方對些的評論。
小題1: C 細節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)第二段提到Michael Pietsch, Rowling’s US publisher, says the novel reminded him of Dickens “because of the humanity, the humor, the social concerns, the intensely real characters”. Michael Pietsch, Rowling的出版師說她的小說讓他想到了狄更斯,因為人性,幽默,社會關(guān)心的問題,真實角色,所以說再者之間是相似的,所以選C項。
小題2:B 細節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)下方提到For Rowling fans who once queued up for Harry Potter, this means that instant satisfaction is now only a click away對于她的排除買書的粉絲來說,這意味著即時的滿足只需要輕輕一點,也就是說兩種類型的書同時上市,所以選B項。
小題3:A 細節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)第三段提到But they are reading them in a new format(樣式)—the e-book但是他們馬上要講到一種新的樣式,電子書,與紙書同步上市,所以這段用來解釋為什么新書有電子版本,故選A 項。
小題4:B 細節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)最后一段提到“If you read or re-read the Harry Potter books, you can see that Rowling has all the strengths she needs for great success as a fiction writer –you have great characters, an involving plot, a sense of humor and great empathy如果你重讀哈里波特系列書,你能看到做為一個成功小說家他所具備的優(yōu)點,偉大的人物,幽默感,同情心,所以兩本書體現(xiàn)作者良好的語言天賦,所以選B項。
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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Pride and Prejudice for the Modern Woman
Let us imagine how Pride and Prejudice,Jane Austen’s most
famous work,might be updated,200 years on.
Austen’s popularity is rooted in her intelligence.But today she would certainly have had a very different life,as would her characters.Here’s my own suggestion...
It is a truth finally and universally acknowledged that a single woman with brains deserves to have equal opportunities to men,however disadvantaged she may feel by sexism.
“My dear husband,”said his hopeful wife one day,“have you heard that the local store,standing empty for so long,is taken over by a bright young businesswoman?”
Her dull and indifferent (漠不關(guān)心的) husband replied that he had not.
“But it is,it is,”she replied excitedly.
Mr Dull­Husband made no reply.
“Don’t you want to know her plans?”she cried with some impatience.
“Well,clearly you think it matters to your silly little head...so I’d better listen.”
“Well,my dear,the rumour (傳言) is that she has already set up a string of successful businesses in northern England,though how_a_woman_can_know_anything_about_that_is_beyond_me.She will move in herself next month.”
“What is her name?”
“Bingley.”
“Is she married or single?”
“What a question! And none of your business.But her coming will be a fine thing for our five boys.”
“How so? How can it possibly affect them? ”
“My dear love:those lazy boys need something to wake them up.There are bound to be jobs going.”
“Is that her point in settling here? Surely as a woman she has simply taken a fancy to the place.”
“Nonsense,my love,how little you’ve noticed the world has changed.She’s got a first­rate degree and some sort of business qualification,I’m told.She surely needs one of our boys! Perhaps you might give her a call.”
“Me? No.Perhaps you can take an interest.You still have your looks,after all.She may even offer you a job.”
“Oh,that’s not likely.These new chances belong to the younger generation.But now you mention it,I think I’ll go along all the same.”
And Mrs Bennet went along.That was 10 years ago.She is now managing director of a FTSE­listed company.
...It would remain the case,of course,that Mrs Bennet would be one of very few women on the company board,that her salary would be lower than her male colleagues,her bonus of a more“female”dimension and her lifespan (年限) among the city’s business leaders shorter than theirs.Still,she’d no doubt have enjoyed Davos—and might even have hobnobbed (攀談) with influential figures.
小題1:Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Austen was born 200 years ago.
B.Austen rewrote Pride and Prejudice.
C.Austen’s success lies in her wisdom.
D.Austen’s updated work gains popularity.
小題2:The underlined part in the passage suggests that Mrs Bennet ________.
A.had mixed feelings of admiration and surprise about Bingley
B.felt kind of worried and doubtful about Bingley
C.was extremely anxious to meet Bingley
D.had a great curiosity about Bingley
小題3:In the eyes of Mrs Bennet,Bingley surely needed one of their boys to ________.
A.get married to
B.work for her
C.help her move in
D.take over her store
小題4:What does the writer intend to tell us?
A.Women with brains can also be as successful as men.
B.Women have to pay a high price for success.
C.A judgment must be made free from prejudice.
D.Sex discrimination still exists nowadays.

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

(2013·高考新課標全國卷Ⅱ,B)In 1947 a group of famous people from the art world headed by an Austrian conductor decided to hold an international festival of music,dance and theatre in Edinburgh.The idea was to reunite Europe after the Second World War.
It quickly attracted famous names such as Alec Guinness,Richard Burton,Dame Margot Fonteyn and Marlene Dietrich as well as the big symphony orchestras(交響樂團).It became a fixed event every August and now attracts 400,000 people yearly.
At the same time,the “Fringe” appeared as a challenge to the official festival.Eight theatre groups turned up uninvited in 1947,in the belief that everyone should have the right to perform,and they did so in a public house disused for years.
Soon,groups of students firstly from Edinburgh University,and later from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge,Durham and Birmingham were making the journey to the Scottish capital each summer to perform theatre by little­known writers of plays in small church halls to the people of Edinburgh.
Today the“Fringe”,once less recognized,has far outgrown the festival with around 1,500 performances of theatre,music and dance on every one of the 21 days it lasts.And yet as early as 1959,with only 19 theatre groups performing,some said it was getting too big.
A paid administrator was first employed only in 1971,and today there are eight administrators working all year round and the number rises to 150 during August itself.In 2004 there were 200 places housing 1,695 shows by over 600 different groups from 50 different countries.More than 1.25 million tickets were sold.
小題1:What was the purpose of Edinburgh Festival at the beginning?
A.To bring Europe together again.
B.To honor heroes of World War Ⅱ.
C.To introduce young theatre groups.
D.To attract great artists from Europe.
小題2:Why did some uninvited theatre groups come to Edinburgh in 1947?
A.They owned a public house there.
B.They came to take up a challenge.
C.They thought they were also famous.
D.They wanted to take part in the festival.
小題3:Who joined the“Fringe”after it appeared?
A.Popular writers.
B.University students.
C.Artists from around the world.
D.Performers of music and dance.
小題4:We may learn from the text that Edinburgh Festival________.
A.has become a non­official event
B.has gone beyond an art festival
C.gives shows all year round
D.keeps growing rapidly

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Every people uses its own special word to show its ideas and feelings. Some of these expressions are commonly used for many years. Others are popular for just a short time. One such American expression is “Where’s the beef? ”It is used when something is not as good as it is said to be. In the early 1980s“Where’s the beef? ”was one of the most popular expressions in the United States. It seemed as if everyone using it at the time.

Beef, of course, is the meat from a cow, and this kind of food is more popular in America than a hamburger made from beef. In the 1960s a businessman named Ray began building small restaurants that sold hamburgers at a low price. Ray called this “McDonald’s”. Ray became one of the richest businessmen at last in America.
Other business people watched his success. Some of them opened their own hamburger restaurants. One company called “Wendy’s” said its hamburgers were bigger than those sold by McDonald’s or anyone else. The Wendy’s Company began to use the expression “Where’s the beef ? ”to make people know that Wendy’s hamburgers were the biggest. The Wendy’s television advertisement showed three old women eating hamburgers. The bread that covered the meat was very big, but inside there was only a bit of meat. One of the women said she would not eat a hamburger with such a little piece of beef. “Where’s the beef? ”she shouted in a funny way. The advertisement for Wendy’s hamburger restaurants was success. As we said, it seemed everyone began using the expression “Where’s the beef? ”.
小題1:    started McDonald’s restaurant.
A.RayB.McDonald
C.WendyD.Three old women
小題2: Other people wanted to open hamburger restaurants because they thought
    .
A.they could sell hamburgers at a low price
B.hamburgers were easy to make
C.beef was very popular in America
D.they could make a lot of money
小題3:Wendy’s made the expression known to everybody    .
A.with many old women eating hamburgers
B.by a television advertisement
C.while selling bread with a bit of meat in it
D.a(chǎn)t McDonald’s restaurant
小題4: We can learn from the passage that the expression “Where’s the beef ? ” means    .
A.The beef in hamburgers is not as much as it is said to be
B.The hamburgers are not as good as they are said to be
C.It is used when something is not as good as it is said to be
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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Art museums are places where people can learn about various cultures. The increasingly popular "design museums" that are opening today, however, perform quite a different role. Unlike most art museums, the design museum shows objects that are easily found by the general public These museums sometimes even place things like fridges and washing machines in the center of the hall
Pele have argued that design museums are often made use of as advertisements for new industrial technology. But their role is not simply a matter of sales-it is the honoring of excellently invented products. The difference between the window of a department store and the showcase in a design museum is that the first tries to sell you something, while the second tells you the success of a sale.
One advantage of design museums is that they are places where people feel familiar with the exhihits. Unlike the average art museum visitors, design museum visitors seldom feel frightened or puzzled. This is partly because design museums clearly show how and why mass-produced products work and look as they do, and how design has improved the quality of our lives. Art museum exhibits, on the other hand, would most probably fill visitors with a feeling that there is something between their understanding.
In recent years, several new design museums have opened their door. Each of these museums has tried to satisfy the public’s growing interest in the field with new ideas. London's Design Museum, for example, shows a collection of mass-produced objects from Zippo lighters to electric typewriters to a group of Italian fish-tins. The choices open to design museums seem far less strict than those to art museums, and visitors may also sense the humorous part of our society while walking around such exhibits as interesting and unusually attractive toys collected in our everyday life.
小題1:Showcases in design museums are different from store windows because they_.
A.show more technologically advanced products
B.help increase the sales of products
C.show why the products have sold well
D.a(chǎn)ttract more people than store windows do
小題2:The author believes that most design museum visitors_.
A.do not admire mass-produced products
B.a(chǎn)re puzzled with technological exhibits
C.dislike exhibits in art museums
D.know the exhibits very well
小題3:The choices open to design museums_
A. are not as strict as those to art museums
B, are not aimed to interest the public
C. may fail to bring some pleasure to visitors
D. often contain precious exhibits
小題4:The best title for this passage is“_”
A.The Forms of Design Museums
B.The Exhibits of Design Museums
C.The Nature of Design Museums
D.The Choices Open to Design Museums

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

The Beatles were the most influential band in pop history. In their 8-year, 12-album history, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr altered popular culture dramatically. It wasn't just the suits and changing lengths of hair the four Liverpool boys wore that had such an impact, but what they seemed to stand for. The world saw them as the voice of a new generation, one with a very different attitude to life.
Their influence was at its height in the 1 960s.but their music continues to stir listeners today.However, up until recently one aspect of the Beatles was struck in Yesterday:The music had never been remastered (重新灌錄).But on September 9 that situation came to an end,with the release of the entire band’s music in a digital makeover.It is probably the biggest reissue(重新發(fā)行)in pop music history, said British newspaper the Financial Times.
The albums were to be remastered at Abbey Road Studios in London, the location where the band produced much of their work.The cover of their 1ast album,Abbey Road of 1969.featured the four young men striding(大步行走)across a zebra crossing on Abbey Road itself.It is one of the most famous Of a11 Beatles images.
Recently, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the album, hundreds of Beatles lovers gathered there to show their appreciation.
Pop groups come and go.The boy band pursued by screaming fans one year will be forgotten the next.But the Beatles are one Of the few groups whose music seems to have endured.Why? Paul McCartney’s biographer Barry Miles has an explanation:“They were the first rock band…and they just happened to be the best.They were the first band to play stadiums,to have their own products.They were ground—breaking in every way.”he says.
小題1:Why did the Beatles change popular culture?
A.Because of the suits of the four Liverpool boys.
B.Because of changing lengths of hair the four Liverpool boys wore.
C.Because of their different attitude to life.
D.Because of their albums.
小題2:Which of the following statements is FALSE according to the second paragraph?
A.The Beatles influenced people at its height in the 1 960s.
B.111eir music Yesterday had never been remastered.
C.The entire band’s music in a digital makeover will be remastered.
D.On September 9,their music came to an end.
小題3:What is their last album?
A.Yesterday.B.Abbey Road of l969.C.Come Together.D.In My life.
小題4:What is NOT the reason why their music can endure?
A.They were the first rock band.
B.They were the best one.
C.They were the first band to have their own works.
D.They wore special suits.
小題5:What does the author mean by“They were ground-breaking in every way.”
A.They broke the ground to find away.
B.They broke the rules while driving on the way.
C.They did what other bands had never done before.
D.They play their hits at every concert.

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Dr.Ferguson energetically pushed the preparations for his departure,and in person directed the construction of his balloon.For a long time past he had been applying himself to the study of the Arab language and the various Mandingoe idioms,and,thanks to his talents in language,he had made rapid progress.

In the meanwhile,his friend,the sportsman,never let him out of
his sight-afraid,no doubt,that the doctor might take his departure,without saying a word to anybody.On this subject,he tried to discourage him with the most persuasive arguments,which,however,did NOT persuade Samuel Ferguson,and wasted his breath,by which the latter seemed to be but slightly moved.In fine,Dick felt that the doctor was slipping through his fingers.
The poor Scot was really to be pitied.He could not look upon the
blue sky without a wild terror: when asleep,he felt dizziness(眩暈)that made his head turn around;and every night he had visions of crashing down from immeasurable heights.
We must add that,during these nightmares,he once or twice fell out of bed. His first care then was to show Ferguson a severe bump(腫塊)that he had received on the fall.“And yet,”he
would add,with warmth,“that was at the height of only three feet一not an inch more一and such a bump as this! Only think,then!”
This appeal,full of sad meaning as it was,did not seem to touch the doctor's heart.Not even the shadow of a doubt was ever suggested;and Samuel made an intolerable misuse of the first person plural:“‘Our’balloon,‘our’ car ;‘our’expedition.”
Dick trembled at them,although he was determined not to go ; he did not want to annoy his friend.Let us also disclose the fact that,without knowing exactly why himself,he had sent to Edinburgh for a certain selection of heavy clothing,and his best hunting-tools and fire-arms.
小題1:Why did Dr.Ferguson start to learn new languages?
A.To keep himself occupied.
B.To get ready for the departure.
C.To show his talent in language.
D.To Know more about balloon construction.
小題2:We Call infer from the passage that Dick ____.
A.suffered from a disease during the nights
B.got hurt in a fall from the balloon in the evening
C.decided to take the adventure with the doctor at last
D.equipped himself with arms to frighten his friend
小題3:Which word best describes Dr.Ferguson’s attitude towards his balloon flight?
A.Excited.B.Optimistic.C.Worried.D.Determined
小題4:What’s the writing pattern of the passage?
A.News.B.Fiction.C.Journal.D.Biography.

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

In the U.S. Mother’s Day is a holiday celebrated on second Sunday in May. It is a day when children honor their mothers with cards, gifts and flowers. First observance in Philadelphia in 1907,it is based on suggestions by Julia Ward Howe in 1872 and by Anna Jarvis in 1907.
Although it wasn’t celebrated in the U.S. until 1907,there were days honoring mothers even in the days of ancient Greece. In those days, however, it was Rhea, the Mother of the gods that was given honor. Later,in the 1600’s,in England there was an annual celebration called “Mothering Sunday.” It was celebrated during June, on the fourth Sunday ,the servants, who generally lived with their employers, were encouraged to return home and honor their mothers. It was traditional for them to bring a special cake along to celebrate the occasion.  
In the U.S., in 1907 Ana Jarvis, from Philadelphia, began a campaign to establish a national Mother’s Day. Jarvis persuaded her mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia to celebrate Mother’s Day on the second anniversary of her mother’s death, the 2ed Sunday of May. The next day Mother’s Day was also celebrated in Philadelphia, Jarvis and others began a letter-writing campaign to ministers, businessmen, and politicians asking to establish a national Mother’s Day. They were successful. President Woodrow Wilson, in 1914,made the official announcement recognizing Mother’s Day as a national celebration that was to be held each year on the 2nd Sunday of May.
Many other countries of the world celebrate their own Mother’s Day at different times throughout the year. Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, and Belgium celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May, as in the U.S.
小題1:.Mother’s Day in the U.S. was first celebrated         .
A.in 1872B.in 1907C.in the 1600’sD.in 1914
小題2:The underlined word “observance” in the first paragraph probably means  “      ”.
A.celebrationB.principleC.holidayD.campaign
小題3:According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A.All the mothers were given honor in the days of ancient Greece.
B.Only the servants’ mothers were given honor on Mothering Sunday in England.
C.President Woodrow Wilson announced Mother’s Day as a national celebration.
D.Ana Javis’s mother probably died on the 2nd Sunday of May in 1907.
小題4:What could be the best title for this passage?
A.Mother’s Day of the U.SB.Mother’s Day of the world
C.Ana Jarvis and Mother’s DayD.Styles of Mother’s Day

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

American and British use different greetings. In the USA the commonest greeting is “Hi”. In Britain it is “Hello!” or “How are you?”. “Hi!” is creeping(不知不覺的)into British, too. When they are introduced to someone, the Americans say, “Glad to know you.” The British say, “How do you do?” or “Pleased to meet you.” When Americans say “Good­bye”, they nearly always add, “Have a good day,” or “Have a good trip,” etc. to friends and strangers alike. Britons are already beginning to use “Have a good day”。
The British usually use “got”in the sense of “have”. The Americans hardly ever do.
Am.E: Do you have a car, room,etc.?Yes, I do.
Br.E: Have you got a car, room, etc.? Yes, I have.
Finally, there are a number of differences between American and British English in the spelling of words, e.g.check(US)/cheque(UK); center(US)/centre(UK). Many American words ending in “or”, e.g. honor, vigor, labor are spelt in British English with an “our”, e.g. honour, vigour, labour. Many verbs in American English with “ize”or “izing” forms, e.g. organize, realizing are spelt in Br.E “ise”or “ising”,e.g.organise,realising.In American English, “practice”is used both for the verb and noun.In Br.E, the verb is spelt “practise”, and the noun “practice”. In the main, American English  avoids the doubling up of consonants(輔音字母)in nouns and verbs while British English does not.In American English, for example, one writes “travel, traveled, traveling, traveler,” while in British English, one writes  “travel, travelled, travelling, traveller”.
It was once predicted that British and American English would became separate languages finally. But the opposite has happened. The links(連接)between the two countries are so strong that linguistically(語言上的), and probably culturally(文化上的)too, they are closer together than ever.
小題1:The Americans hardly say________.
A.Good­bye.Have a good day!B.Glad to know you!
C.Hi!D.Have you got a car?
小題2:A British writes________.
A.cheque;centerB.honor;organise
C.traveled;practice D.labour;traveller
小題3:What does the fifth paragraph talk about?
A.There are lots of differences in spelling between Am.E.and Br.E.
B.Why do the Americans and the British use different spellings?
C.There are few differences in spelling between Am.E.and Br.E.
D.The different usages of words in Am.E and Br.E
小題4:Which of the following is TRUE?
A.The two languages will become separate languages.
B.American English will be used more and more.
C.The two languages will be closer and closer.
D.British English will be used more and more.

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