附中月考英语-2015.10.8

阅读理解

A

I sat in my seat as my new classmates found theirs. At the front of the class our new math teacher stood watching us. ―Come on. We don’t have all day.Get settled,please.‖The bell rang.

―Welcome to a new school year. I’m Mr. Stevens and I’m sure I’ll learn all your names in no time.‖ He walked around the class handing out math books. When he was done, he returned to the front of the class and looked at us.We started back. ―What are you waiting for? Get started?‖ he said.

We looked at him and were confused. Wasn’t he going to teach us?

―Is there something wrong with your ears? You’re not all deaf, are you?‖

A brave boy at the back of the class asked what we all wanted to know. ―Mr. Stevens, aren’t you going to teach us?‖

Mr. Stevens said, ―You’re smart kids. Open your books and get to it. If you have any trouble or any questions, raise your hand, and I’ll help you.‖

My friend Paul and I exchanged glances and opened our books to the first chapter.A competition began.Paul and I spent all our free time at home working through the lessons.Mr. Stevens,keeping,his word,helped anyone who was stuck in a problem.We worked hard and finished two and one half math books the first year.It was a turning point in my life. Mr. Stevens made me realize I was good at math and also able to reach the top of any class I attended.

Monty Python’s Flying Circus was a popular television show back then. The actors brought the best British humor into our Canadian lives. Mr. Stevens would often act out one of their skirts in front of the class. Some thought he was strange, and I guess he was, but he knew how to make a math lesson interesting.

21. What was special about Mr. Stevens,according to the author?

A. He was strict with the students.

B. He treated each student equally.

C. He taught the students to learn on their own..

D. He brought English humor into class.

22. Why did the author believe being taught by Mr. Stevens was a turning point in his life?

A. Because he came to like school from them on.

B. Because he realized he could be a top student.

C. Because he began to show interest in math.

D. Because he changed his attitude towards life.

23. The author’s attitude towards Mr. Stevens is that of ___________.

A. respect

B. doubt

C. misunderstanding

D. disappointment

24.The underlined word ―skits‖ in the last paragraph probably means ―___________‖

A. important lessons

B. wild animals

C. famous actors

D. funny performances

B

An upper class British lady once declared：―Anyone seen on a bus after the age of 30 has been a failure in life.‖I guess she meant that if you're middle aged and don't have a car then you are a loser.Some wealthy folk in the West look down on buses and forget how many years it has been since they last traveled by one.

How sad is that? Our roads are packed with cars and the air is full of the pollution.they.But still, many car users are unwilling to get on a bus or a bike or a train to take themselves to work.It's convenient(方便的) to drive, they'll say.Buses are so unreliable, they'll claim .And trains are expensive,--- at least in the UK.It's an attitude which may have to change.It doesn't make sense to drive a car in a city where there's a public transport system.Also, these rush hour commuters (往返上班者) usually travel alone.

As a result, transport authorities in the UK are looking at solutions to the traffic jam in the city center．One is to increase the number of parking spaces at out-of-town railway stations.More motorists (乘汽车的人) can then leave their cars and travel into the city by train.Light rail or tramways are another environmentally friendly solution.Many cities across Europe have installed light rail or tramway systems.The subway in London is used by everyone, rich and poor.It's the quickest way of getting around the city, whatever your bank balance.And then there are the cycle hire schemes you find in many modern cities.In London and Paris, you can hire a bike by the hour to get you where you need to go.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is often pictured cycling to work. David Cameron ,the British prime minister, cycled to the House of Commons before he became leader.

25. What’s the implied meaning of the underlined sentence in the first paragraph?

A．If a person above 30 can travel on a bus, he was successful.

B．If you are middle-aged and don’t have a car, then you are a loser.

C．If a person above 30 cannot travel on a bus, he has failed in his life.

D．If the middle-aged often travel by bus, they will be losers.

26．Which of the following is NOT the reason why some car users are unwilling to change their way of transport?

A．Driving cars has little effect on environment.

B．They cannot depend depend on buses.

C．It costs then much money to take trains.

D. It’s convenient to drive around the city.

27．How many solutions to the traffic jam have been mentioned in the article?

A. 4

B. 5

C. 6

D. 7

28．What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A. More people are taking different methods to better the environment.

B. David Cameron keeps driving to work all the time.

C. Prime Minister is a good example.

D. Cycling to work grows in popularity in the UK.

C

Have you ever thought of taking a train and having an adventure?Riding the train can be a real adventure.That is how I feel every time I take Amtrak.I often take a four-hour trip to visit my children.Every time I take this trip I never know what will happen.

Last week when I was on the train and over an hour into the train ride,there was a man sitting by himself in the back of the train carrying on a mobile phone conversation——in another language.It was loud and disturbed most of the people on the train.I think it was annoying.

Fortunately I sat next to a wonderful old lady who was taking a two-day trip by train.She said her two daughters were worried at the thought of her driving for three days to reach her home,although she had no trouble driving.The train ride was the only choice for her.She loved to look out of the window and watch the world go by on the train.

She was fun to talk to and asked me when my children started being parents.That is a very good question.Both of us are old and have children.She asked that same question from time to time.

There are always many people on the train from all walks of life,different countries,and many languages.Riding the train is a great way to increase your knowledge and take in all kinds of cultures.If you get hungry,you can buy food in the food car at any time.If you need to use the restroom there is always one available.

It sure beats driving the car,which has to stop for food and restrooms.And it is better than taking the bus.

29．According to the passage,the purpose of the author's train ride was_____.

A．to do business B．to visit places of interest

C．to see her children D．to see her old friends

30．Which of the following is TRUE about the old lady sitting next to the

author?

A．Her daughters live far away from her home.

B．She does not like to take trains.

C．Although she is old,she has a good memory.

D．She is too old to drive now.

31．In the author's opinion,on the train Amtrak________.

A．all the passengers are polite B．the food is terribly expensive

C．the services are quite good D．all the passengers are American

32．What is the best title for this passage?

A．A painful experience on the train B．Train ride-a cultural experience

C．The history of Amtrak D．A wonderful lady

D

A person’s name is very important. Some names have special meanings in popular American expressions.

One day, an average Joe was walking down the street and lost. An average Joe is a common person – either male or female. He did not know Jack about where he was going. By this, I mean he did not know anything about where to find things in the city.

So average Joe asked John Q. Public, also a common person---male or female, for directions to the nearest bank.

"Jeez Louise," said John Q. Public. This is an expression of sur prise. "Jeez Louise, don’t you know that all banks are closed today? It is Saturday."

"For Pete’s sake. I do not believe you," said average Joe. This is also an expression used to show a feeling like surprise or disappointment. He was being doubting Thomas, someone who not believe anything he is told.

At that moment, Joe Blow was walking down the street with a woman. Joe Blow is also an expression for a common man. Now this Joe Blow was not walking next to a plain Jane. A plain Jane is a woman who is neither ugly nor pretty. The woman with Joe Blow was a real Sheila – a beautiful woman.

Average Joe asked the woman if all banks were closed on Saturday. "No way, Jose," she answered. This is a way of saying "no." "No way, Jose. Many banks are open on Saturdays."

Average Joe did not know either of these two people from Adam. That is, he did not know them at all. But he followed their directions to the nearest bank.

When he arrived, he walked to the desk of the chief bank employee. Now this man was a true Jack of all trades. He knew how to do everything.

"I am here to withdraw some money so I can pay my taxes to Uncle Sam," said average Joe. Uncle Sam represents the United States government. The banker produced some papers and told average Joe to sign his John Hancock at the bottom. A John Hancock is a person’s signed name –a signature. Historically, John Hancock was one of the signers of t he United States Declaration of Independence. Hancock had a beautiful signature and signed his name larger than all the others.

As average Joe left the bank he began to sing. But sadly, average Joe was not a good singer. He was a Johnny One Note. He could only sing one note.

33. Which of the expressions mentioned in the passage have the same meaning?

A. An average Joe & a true Jack of all trades

B. Joe Blow & John Hancock

C. A plan Jane & a real Sheila

D. An average Joe & John Q. Public

34. Which of the following can stand for the government of the USA?

A. John Q. Public

B. Joe Blow

C. Uncle Sam

D. John Hancock

35. The passage is developed mainly by______________.

A. raising questions and answering

B. making up a story and giving examples

C. comparing one thing with another

D. analyzing and solving problems