科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解
The striving of countries in Central Europe to enter the European Union may offer an unprecedented chance to the continent’s Gypsies (or Roman) to be recognized as a nation, albeit one without a defined territory. And if they were to achieve that they might even seek some kind of formal place—at least a total population outnumbers that of many of the Union’s present and future countries. Some experts put the figure at 4m-plus; some proponents of Gypsy rights go as high as 15m.
Unlike Jews, Gypsies have had no known ancestral land to hark back to. Though their language is related to Hindi, their territorial origins are misty. Romanian peasants held them to be born on the moon. Other Europeans (wrongly) thought them migrant Egyptians, hence the derivative Gypsy. Most probably they were itinerant metal workers and entertainers who drifted west from India in the 7th century.
However, since communism in Central Europe collapsed a decade ago, the notion of Romanestan as a landless nation founded on Gypsy culture has gained ground. The International Romany Union, which says it stands for 10m Gypsies in more than 30 countries, is fostering the idea of “self-rallying”. It is trying to promote a standard and written form of the language; it waves a Gypsy flag (green with a wheel) when it lobbies in such places as the United Bations; and in July it held a congress in Prague, The Czech capital. Where President Vaclav Havel said that Gypsies in his own country and elsewhere should have a better deal.
At the congress a Slovak-born lawyer, Emil Scuka, was elected president of the International Tomany Union. Later this month a group of elected Gypsy politicians, including members of parliament, mayors and local councilors from all over Europe (OSCE), to discuss how to persuade more Gypsies to get involved in politics.
The International Romany Union is probably the most representative of the outfits that speak for Gypsies, but that is not saying a lot. Of the several hundred delegates who gathered at its congress, few were democratically elected; oddly, none came from Hungary, whose Gypsies are perhaps the world’s best organized, with some 450 Gypsy bodies advising local councils there. The union did, however, announce its ambition to set up a parliament, but how it would actually be elected was left undecided.
So far, the European Commission is wary of encouraging Gypsies to present themselves as a nation. The might, it is feared, open a Pandora’s box already containing Basques, Corsicans and other awkward peoples. Besides, acknowledging Gypsies as a nation might backfire, just when several countries, particularly Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, are beginning to treat them better, in order to qualify for EU membership. “The EU’s whole premise is to overcome differences, not to highlight them,” says a nervous Eurocrat.
But the idea that the Gypsies should win some kind of special recognition as Europe’s largest continent wide minority, and one with a terrible history of persecution, is catching on . Gypsies have suffered many pogroms over the centuries. In Romania, the country that still has the largest number of them (more than 1m), in the 19th century they were actually enslaved. Hitler tried to wipe them out, along with the Jews.
“Gypsies deserve some space within European structures,” says Jan Marinus Wiersma, a Dutchman in the European Parliament who suggests that one of the current commissioners should be responsible for Gypsy affairs. Some prominent Gypsies say they should be more directly represented, perhaps with a quota in the European Parliament. That, they argue, might give them a boost. There are moves afoot to help them to get money for, among other things, a Gypsy university.
One big snag is that Europe’s Gypsies are, in fact, extremely heterogeneous. They belong to many different, and often antagonistic, clans and tribes, with no common language or religion, Their self-proclaimed leaders have often proved quarrelsome and corrupt. Still, says, Dimitrina Petrova, head of the European Roma Rights Center in Budapest, Gypsies’ shared experience of suffering entitles them to talk of one nation; their potential unity, she says, stems from “being regarded as sub-human by most majorities in Europe.”
And they have begun to be a bit more pragmatic. In Slovakia and Bulgaria, for instance, Gypsy political parties are trying to form electoral blocks that could win seats in parliament. In Macedonia, a Gypsy party already has some—and even runs a municipality. Nicholas Gheorge, an expert on Gypsy affairs at the OSCE, reckons that, spread over Central Europe, there are now about 20 Gypsy MPS and mayors, 400-odd local councilors, and a growing number of businessmen and intellectuals.
That is far from saying that they have the people or the cash to forge a nation. But, with the Gypsy question on the EU’s agenda in Central Europe, they are making ground.
1. The Best Title of this passage is
[A]. Gypsies Want to Form a Nation. [B]. Are They a Nation.
[C]. EU Is Afraid of Their Growth. [C]. They Are a Tribe
2. Where are the most probable Gypsy territory origins?
[A]. Most probably they drifted west from India in the 7th century.
[B]. They are scattered everywhere in the world.
[C]. Probably, they stemmed from Central Europe.
[D]. They probably came from the International Romany Union.
3. What does the International Romany lobby for?
[A]. It lobbies for a demand to be accepted by such international organizations as EU and UN.
[B]. It lobbies for a post in any international Romany Union.
[C]. It lobbies for the right as a nation.
[D]. It lobbies for a place in such international organizations as the EU or UN.
4. Why is the Europe Commission wary of encouraging Gypsies to present themselves as a nation?
[A]. It may open a Pandora’s Box.
[B]. Encouragement may lead to some unexpected results.
[C]. It fears that the Basgnes, Corsicans and other nations seeking separation may raise the same demand.
[D]. Gyspsies’ demand may highlight the difference in the EU.
5. The big problem lies in the fact that
[A]. Gypsies belong to different and antagonistic clans and tribes without a common language or religion.
[B]. Their leaders prove corrupt.
[C]. Their potential unity stems from “being regarded as sub-human”.
[D]. They are a bit more pragmatic.
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科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解
We have been providing performing arts information for over 14 years. Here you can search for plays, musicals, concerts and operas across the UK.
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Children will be happy to see and sing along with their favorite characters. Bob, with his hard-working team, builds a new eco-centered wind farm in Sunflower Valley. This show is full of fun, and provides an educational message to help children learn about caring about the environment, recycling and, of course, teamwork. [Kids show] Dates: From 1st November, 2009 to 8th May, 2010, at 19:00. Price information: ￡20.00 to ￡40.00 |
| The Lion King at Sunny Theatre
Dates: From 24th September, 1999 to now. Tuesday to Saturday at 14:00. Sunday at 15:00. Not on show on Monday. Price information: ￡22.5 to￡65.00 |
| Mother Courage and Her Children at National Theatre Mother Courage sells food and clothing to soldiers and tries to keep her business and children alive at all costs during the war. Her encouraging story is told through humor and song. [Play]
Price information: ￡10.00 |
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Full of curiosity, Judith persuades her husband to give her the keys only to discover a glowing jewel house, a garden of flowers, a kingdom, and a lake of tears. But what is behind them? [Opera] Dates: From 6th November, 2009 to 28th November, 2009 Nov 6, 10, 12, 20, 25 at19:30. Nov 14, 28 at 18:30 Price information: ￡22.00 to ￡50.00 |
The main purpose of the text is to inform readers of____.
A. film posters
B. performance information
C. the theatre’s advice
D. picture exhibitions
Which performance will be on show for the shortest period of time?
A. Bob the Builder—Spud’s Big Mess
B. The Lion King
C. Mother Courage and Her Children
D. Duke Bluebeard’s Castle
What can we learn from the text?
A. The first three shows are inspiring.
B. The shows are intended for children.
C. All of them have won many awards.
D. The characters in the shows are brave.
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科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解
I told my friend Graham that I often cycle two miles from my house to the town centre but unfortunately there is a big hill on the route．He replied, “You mean fortunately．”He explained that I should be glad of the extra exercise that the hill provided．
My attitude to the hill has now changed．I used to grumble as I approached it but now I tell myself the following．This hill will exercise my heart and lungs．It will help me to lose weight and get fit．It will mean that I live longer．This hill is my friend．Finally I comfort myself with the thought of all those silly people who pay money to go to a gym and sit on stationery exercise bicycles when I can get the same value for free．I have a smile of satisfaction as I reach the top of the hill．
Problems are there to be faced and overcome．We cannot achieve anything with an easy life．Helen Keller was the first deaf and blind person to gain a university degree．Her activism and writing proved inspirational．She wrote，“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet．Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened，vision cleared，ambition inspired and success achieved.”
One of the main determinants of success in life is our attitude towards adversity(逆境)．From time to time we all face hardships，problems．a(chǎn)ccidents、afflictions and difficulties．Some are of our making but many confront us through no fault of our own．While we cannot choose the adversity we can choose our attitude towards it．
Douglas Bader was 21 when in 193l he had both legs cut off following a flying accident．He was determined to fly again and went on to become one of the leading flying aces in the Battle of Britain with 22 aerial victories over the Germans．He was an inspiration to others during the war．He said, “Don't listen to any-one who tells you that you can’t do this or that．That's nonsense．Make up your mind，you'll never use crutches(拐杖)or a stick，then have a go at everything．Go to school，join in all the games you can．Go anywhere you want to．But never，never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible.”
The biographies（傳記）of great people are full of examples of how they took steps to overcome the difficulties they faced．The common thread is that they did not become depressed．They chose their attitude．They chose to be positive．They took on the challenge．They won．
Nevertheless．there is still the problem of how you change your attitude towards adversity．
Which of the following is true according to the author of the passage?
A．Climbing hills on bicycles is the best way to take exercise．
B．People are silly to pay to go to the gym．
C．Those who want to achieve success can't expect to live all easy life．
D．People's attitude towards adversity is the only factor that determines whether they will succeed．
By quoting what Douglas Bader said，the author intends to tell us“ ．”
A．Failure is the mother of Success．
B．A fall into the pit，a gain in your wit．
C．If you venture nothing，you will have nothing．
D．Nothing is difficult to the man who will try．
Following this passage，the author will further talk about ．
A．how his friend helped him to change his attitude towards the adversity he faced
B．what steps to take to change your attitude towards the adversity you face
C．what great people have in common
D．why it is important to keep optimistic in face of adversity
Which of the following can best function as the title of the passage?
A．Face adversity with a smile B．Different attitudes towards adversity
C．Nothing is impossible D．Life is full of adversity
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科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解
Last year, I was speaking at a gathering of wealthy male investors. The organizers posted the 1 of a survey showing that only a small percentage of wealthy men believed their wives spent too much.
'What?' 2 one participant. 'Those guys have to be lying.'
There is no reliable 3 of who spends more among the rich: men or women. Both will say the other is the 4 spender.
A recent survey by Wilmington Trust, Campden Research and Relative Solutions proves the 5 . The companies polled 40 women (I know, that is more like a show of hands than 'survey'), each with a net worth of $25 million or more.
About half the respondents（受調(diào)查者） inherited（.繼承） their 6 , a quarter 7 it from their husbands and the other quarter earned it 8 . That is roughly in line with other surveys of 9 women and the source of their money. One interesting note: among the self-made women, 90% got their money from owning a business, rather than 10 a salary.
As for 11 , almost all the women (90%) described their spending habits as 'below their means.' The report on the survey said that is 'possibly 12 they do not view their extreme wealth as defining their success.
'Women tend not to spend as much as 13 and splash（潑灑得使到處是） their names all over the place,' said one woman in the survey, describing her spending as conservative and he lifestyle as 'below the radar.'
Many women also worried about wealth having 14 effects on their children and didn't want to spend lavishly（揮霍） to 15 a bad example.
At the same time, 70% of the women said they 'buy nice things when 16 .' And 93.5% of the women said they were responsible for making 17 on major purchases, which 18 that they do a lot of the big spending.
Of course, for truly major purchases a house in Aspen, Colo., a Gulfstream, a Feadship the couple probably makes the decision 19 .
But what about other 20 ? Do you think men or women do most of the high-end spending?
( ) 1. A. results B. reasons C. times D. directions
( ) 2. A. cried B. sighed C. shouted D. laughed
( ) 3. A. data B. measure C. division D. news
( ) 4. A. biggest B. bigger C. smaller D. worse
( ) 5. A. matter B. message C. point D. report
( ) 6. A. spirit B. money C. habit D. cost
( ) 7. A. bought B. robbed C. got D. earned
( ) 8. A. itself B. herself C. ourselves D. themselves
( ) 9. A. wealthy B. poor C. ordinary D. honest
( ) 10. A. making B. earning C. taking D. spending
( ) 11. A. buying B. wasting C. spending D. saving
( ) 12. A. when B. if C. whether D. because
( ) 13. A. women B. youth C. adults D. men
( ) 14. A. serious B. good C. bad D. various
( ) 15. A. send B. set C. do D. give
( ) 16. A. necessary B. possible C. pleased D. anxious
( ) 17. A. plans B. decisions C. appointments D. suggestions
( ) 18. A. notices B. stresses C. implies D. intends
( ) 19. A. away B. together C. as well D. out
( ) 20. A. purchases B. effects C. differences D. Examples
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科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解
All sorts of items become litter(垃圾) but two of the most common and most dangerous are cigarette butts（煙頭) and plastic bags. Litter is a big problem for our environment but it is a problem that individuals can easily do something about. Not littering at all or cleaning up litter, such as cigarette butts and plastic bags, greatly improves the quality of our environment.
Although cigarette butts, are small, they are bad for the environment. Over 1,600 billion cigarette are smoked each year in China and large quantities of the butts are thrown away. Worldwide, about 4. 5 trillion butts are littered every year. Apart from the fact that butts spoil the beauty of the environment, they contain some very toxic chemicals. These find their way into the water supply where they decrease the quality of the water and endanger plants and animals that live there. So, if people have to smoke, they shouldn't throw away the butts but put them in the rubbish bin instead.
Plastic bags are another common form of litter that is a danger to the environment. There areseveral reasons for this. They are made from oil and gas, which are non—renewable resources. If they are not recycled, these resources are lost to us. In China, 2 billion plastic bags are used every day. An enormous number of these become litter. This is a huge problem because they last from 20 to 1,000 years in the environment. They float easily in the air and water and travel long distances. They find their way to rivers, parks, beaches and oceans. Plastic bags kill up to one million seabirds, 100, 000 sea mammals and countless fish each year worldwide. It is up to people not to let plastic bags become litter. It would be better if they used fewer and recycled them.
Cleaning up your cigarette butts and plastic bags would improve the environment. And we would know that we were doing something to look after our planet. However, I believe the best solution would be not to smoke or use plastic bags at all.
Which of the following best shows the structure of the passage?
A B. C. D.
( ①= paragraph 1; ②= paragraph 2; ③= paragraph 3; ④a paragraph 4 )
The word “toxic” in the paragraph 2 most probably mean “________”
A. precious B. extra C.poisonous D. useless
From the text. we know the fact that_________
A. Chinese smokers litter up to 4. 5 trillion butts every year
B. people in the world use 2 billion plastic bags in a single day
C. plastic bags cause 1 million deaths of seabirds each year worldwide
D. the butts can last 20 to 1,000 years in the environment of China
What's probably the best title of the passage?. Clean Up Your
A. Say Goodbye to Smokin B. Protect the Endangered Sea Animals . C.Use Paper Bags Now D.Clean Up Your Butts and Bags
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Bob the Builder—Spud’s Big Mess at Apollo Theatre
It is taken from an African story. A young lion grows up and learns that taking over the pride requires wisdom. [Musical]
Dates: From 9th September, 2009 to 8th December, 2009
Duke Bluebeard’s Castle at Coliseum Theatre