盐城市2021届高三年级第一学期期中考试英语试题定稿
江苏省盐城市2021届高三上学期期中考试英语答案
盐城市2021届高三年级第一学期期中考试英语试题参考答案第一部分听力（共两节，满分30分）1. A2. B3. B4. A5. A6. B7. A8. C9. B 10. C 11. C 12. A 13. A 14. C 15. B 16. C 17. C 18. B 19. B 20. A第二部分阅读(共两节，满分50分)第一节(共15小题；每小题2.5分，满分37.5分)21. D 22. C 23. D 24. B 25. A 26. A 27. C 28. D 29. B 30. B 31. D 32. B 33. C 34. A 35. B第二节(共5小题；每小题2. 5分，满分12. 5分)36. B 37. A 38. D 39. F 40. E第三部分语言运用(共两节，满分30分)第一节(共15小题；每小题1分，满分15分)41. C 42. A 43. B 44. D 45. A 46. B 47. C 48. D 49. A 50. C 51. D 52. D 53. C 54. B 55. A第二节(共10小题；每小题1. 5分，满分15分)56. whose 57. Hopefully 58. less 59. participants 60. efficiently 61. informed 62. called 63. and 64. is patterned 65. For第四部分写作(共两节，满分40分)第一节(满分15分)Sustainable DevelopmentHello, everyone!I’m privileged to have the chance to speak on behalf of my class here.As people are becoming more aware of the need to protect the environment, sustainable development has become an irreversible trend.While nearly everything we do in modern lives requires use of the Earth’s natural resources, they do have many disadvantages. They are non-renewable and burning fuels can be harmful to the environment. That’s why people are pushing for the use of alternative energy sources.Alternative energy sources, including solar energy, wind energy and hydroelectricity, can be used without running out. On top of this, they are environment-friendly and beneficial to the lives of our children and grandchildren.That’s all. Thank you.第二节(满分25分)He t hought for a moment and then asked quietly: “Do you have a suspended coffee?”The cashier smiled and nodded, poured the man a cup of hot coffee and placed it in front of him. Theman thanked him, took the glass and left. No one else seemed to take notice of this moment, which appeared to be ordinary in this café, but I could not help but be moved by this little gesture. However, to my puzzlement, what does a suspended coffee mean on earth?When he saw my expression, my friend began to explain it to me.“An yone can prepay for a cup of coffee for someone less fortunate without making them feel bad. The cup of coffee waits for anyone interested in it, and who knows better than us what a warm cup of coffee can do for a cold day.” When we got up to leave, I stopped for a moment and went back to the cash register. “I just wanted to buy another cup of coffee. Suspended.”听力原文Text 1M: I’m going swimming in the lake on Sunday. Do you want to come?W: Isn’t it going to be cloudy?M: That doesn’t matter because it will be 25 degrees.W: OK. I went swimming last Saturday when it was raining. It was funnier than swimming on a sunny day!Text 2M: Emma! What are you doing outside? Aren’t you enjoying the party?W: Parties aren’t really my thing. I’ll head home soon.M: I will go back too. I’ve got a meeting tomorrow morning.Text 3M: Hello, Maria.W: Hi, Mike. Are you having your breakfast?M: No. I’m helping my dad move the furniture in my bedroom. Then we’re going to paint the walls.W: OK. I’ll send you a text later. Have fun painting.Text 4M: Do you want to go to the concert this evening?W: Yeah. We could go and eat something first.M: All right. Why don’t I wait for you outside the bookstore at about six?W: OK. I’ll meet you there when I finish work. The n we can look for a café before the concert.Text 5W: That’s the first film I’ve seen with an interval. It was hard to work out what was happening and the break even made me forget the actors’ names.M: Indeed. They kept playing the same song, but it added to the atmosphere.Text 6W: How did your appointment go?M: Yeah, fine. They didn’t need to do anything.W: Great! So your eyes are all OK then?M: The sight test is next week, actually, Mum. I was having my teeth checked today.W: Oh, yes. Your da d made the appointments this time, so I couldn’t remember who you were seeing first. He should be back from the doctor’s any minute.M: So are you making the dinner tonight?W: I am, and it’s your favorite—noodles.M: Great!Text 7W: Ben. Did you see the program last night about the Olympic Games? It was brilliant. I learnt so much!M: Did you? I thought it was quite boring. In fact, I’m not really interested in sports programs. W: But you love sports. You play football and tennis and basketball and …M: Yes, I enjoy playing sports, but I hate watching them on TV.W: Oh, so what kind of TV programs do you like?M: To be honest, I don’t watch much TV. I prefer watching movies on my notebook computer.Text 8W: What do you think of the airport?M: Well, it’s far from downtown and when the traffic is bad, it can take an hour and a half to get there. The city really needs to build a new airport that is closer to the city.W: Do you usually drive to the airport?M: No. I usually take the airport bus. It’s clean and comfortable, and it’s a lot cheaper than driving because you don’t have to pay for parking. But my wife prefers taking the subway.W: Is there much to do there while you wait for your flight?M: Sure. There are a couple of stores that sell souvenirs and magazines. There are also a couple of fast-food places and the service there is nice.W: How long does it take to check in?M: It doesn’t take long. They’re pretty efficient.Text 9W: Hey Jack, can I ask you something?M: Sure, what’s up?W: Is something wrong with the system? I’ve been trying to get in for the past 10 minutes but it’s been kicking me out.M: It’s all fine for me. What do you mean, “kicking you out”?W: I’m putting in my password and it tells me the system’s offline. I’ve t ried every single combination I can think of but nothing works.M: That’s strange. My computer’s been fine. Have you tried calling IT?W: I did, but no one picked up the phone.M: Oh, right, they’ve got a meeting right now—but you can interrupt them if it’s an emergency. W: I know. I just didn’t want to disturb others if it’s something simple. Besides, I’ve got a couple of phone calls to make today so I can make them now while I wait.M: They’d better be long phone calls, then. From what Tom told me, their meeting’s going to lastthree hours.W: Three hours! What sort of meeting is this?M: It’s that planning meeting about the factory they mentioned, isn’t it? Yeah, you’d better go and interrupt them. They’re going to be in there all day.Text 10M:Se lling your things online helps you get rid of those you don’t need, and it can also be a great source of income.One thing you need to consider carefully is the platform on which you are going to advertise. Most big platforms in the field are so popular with sellers, not just because they can give you access to a bigger pool of potential customers, but also because they offer insurance, both to the seller and the buyer.The disadvantage, however, is that you will need to pay some money for using the platform. You can use some platforms that either charge a smaller fee for advertising or even no fee at all —but, in that case, what you will need to keep in mind is your safety, especially if the value of the product you’re selling is high. It’s always best to meet the buyer during the day at a public place such as a coffee shop, a library, or a supermarket parking lot — anywhere monitored by security cameras is good.A few more things to keep in mind: always be accurate with your descriptions of the things you are selling. The last thing you want is to be accused of cheating and banned from the website. Moreover, be careful with your personal information: do not give out your full name and don’t give out your home address or cell phone number unless you have to, and have a separate e-mail address for selling online.Remember that a smart, prepared seller is a happy seller.。
2020-2021学年江苏省盐城中学高三英语上学期期中考试试题及答案解析
2020-2021学年江苏省盐城中学高三英语上学期期中考试试题及答案解析第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项APeople in the Middle Ages did eat with their hands. Personal utensils (餐具) were mostly unheard of, especially forks. There were spoons to help serve, but only special guests would receive a knife from the host. Everyone else would be expected to bring their own. Of course, eating with one's hands can be quite a sticky situation, so towels were provided to help diners stay at least somewhat clean as they ate.Still, dining was often a messy affair. At special occasions in the wealthiest households, women tended to dine alone, separate from the men. Women were expected to uphold a quality of grace. Eating greasy meat by hand would certainly not help! Once the men and women had finished their meals, they would come together to socialize.Dietary scholars of the Middle Ages believed that the foods in a meal needed to be served and eaten in order of heaviness. The lightest and most easily digested foods, such as fruits and cheeses, were eaten first to help the digestive (消化) system get started. Once digestion was underway, greens and light meats, such as lettuce, cabbage and chicken, could be eaten. Last came the heavier vegetables and meats, such as carrots, beans, beef, pork, and mutton. This method was considered the most healthful way to eat.The main and largest meal of the day was supper, and it was eaten at midday. Dinner was a light meal, and many of those in nobility (贵族) -the highest levels of the Middle Ages society-skipped breakfast altogether. Breakfast was considered unnecessary for those who did not perform physical work. Snacks and any other eating during the day were viewed the same way. Commoners, or the working class, were allowed to eat breakfast and small meals throughout the day.1. What did people in the Middle Ages usually do at the dinner table?A. They cleaned hands before meals.B. They used personal utensils.C. They had to use knives at dinner.D. They ate mostly with hands.2. What is the third paragraph mainly about?A. The order of eating foods.B. The weight of various foods.C. The principles of digesting foods.D. The list of healthy foods.3. Why did the nobility avoid eating breakfast?A. Breakfast was wasted for the nobility.B. Breakfast was viewed as unnecessary.C. Breakfast was considered as a light meal.D. Breakfast was saved for commoners.BMark Twain,the famous American writer,was once traveling in France.He went by trainto Dijon.He was very tired and wanted to sleep.He therefore asked the conductor to wake him up when the train came to Dijon.But first he explained he was a very heavy sleeper,“I may possibly protest(抗议)loudly when you try to wake me up,” he said to the conductor.“But don’t take any notice of what I say.Just put me off the train anyway.”Then Mark Twain went to ter,when he woke up it was night time and the train had reached Paris already.He realized at once that the conductor had forgotten to wake him up at Dijon.He was so angry that he ran to the conductor and began to shout at him.“I have never been so angry in my life,” Mark Twain said.The conductor looked at him calmly(平静地).“You are not half so angry as the American whom I put off the train atDijon,” he said.4. Mark Twain knew that he was a heavy sleeper,so ________.A. he protested loudly to the conductorB. he did not sleep before he arrived inDijonC. he told the conductor to wake him up no matter how loudly he might protestD. he slept lightly that time5. The conductor didn’t wake up Mark Twain atDijonbecause ________.A. he didn’t take Mark Twain’s words seriouslyB. he forgot Mark Twain’s words when the train came toDijonC. he did not want to bear his protestD. he mistook another American traveler for Mark Twain6. The American whom the conductor put off the train ________.A. did not want to get off atDijonB. wanted to get off atParisC. wanted to get off atDijonD. did not want to get off atParis7. Which of the following is TRUE?A. The conductor didn’t take Mark Twain’s words seriously.B. The conductor did take Mark Twain’s words seriously.C. The conductor was a heavy sleeper.D. Mark Twain must get off atParis.CRock and pop hitmaker Jim Steinman, who wrote and composed music for Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, Celine Dion, and more, died Monday in Danbury, Connecticut. He was 73. Steinman's brother Billconfirmed that the cause of death was kidney (肾) failure.A statement posted on Steinman's Facebook page read, “It's with a heavy heart that I can confirm Jim's passing. There will be much more to say in the coming hours and days as we prepare to honor this giant of a human being and his glorious legacy.”Steinman's wholly unique career found him working as a composer, lyricist, and producer for many artists in a variety of styles. According to a biography on his website, the records he's worked on have sold more than 190 million copies worldwide. He was nominated (提名) for four Grammys, and won Album of the Year for his work on Dion's 1996 smash,Falling Into You.Steinman began his career in a musical theater while in college, writing and starring in a rock musical calledThe Dream Engine, which gained the attentionof New York theatrical producer Joe Papp. After graduating, Steinman worked at the Public Theater (which was established by Papp). In 1973, Yvonne Elliman recorded Steinman's song “Happy Ending”, which became Steinman's first commercially released tune. That same year, the Public Theater staged his musicalMore Than You Deserve.One of the actors who auditioned forMore Than You Deservewas Meat Loaf, and he and Steinman soon struck up a close personal and professional relationship. The two began working on Meat Loaf's solo album,Bat Out of Hell, in the early 70s, but it wouldn't be released until 1977. It wasn't until about one year later — after Meat Loaf performed onSaturday Night Live— that the album became a hit.“There is no other songwriter ever like him,” Meat Loaf said. “I can never repay him. He has been such an influence, in fact, the biggest influence on my life, and I learned so much from him that there would be no way I could ever repay Mr. Jim Steinman.”8. What caused Jim Steinman's death?A. A hit on the head.B. A kidney problem.C. A failed operation.D. A lack of blood supply.9. What is the correct order of the following events?a. Meat Loaf performed onSaturday Night Live.b. Jim released his first commercial tuneHappy Ending.c. Jim and Meat Loaf released the albumBat Out of Hell.d. Jim starred in a rock musical calledThe Dream Engine.e. Jim's musicalMore Than You Deservewas put on show.f. Jim won Album of the Year for his work onFalling Into You.A. dbecafB. dbcfaeC. fdcaebD. fbceda10. Why was Jim Steinman important to Meat Loaf?A. Because Jim was an extraordinary songwriter.B. Because Jim allowed him not to repay his debt.C. Because Jim was influential in the music industry.D. Because Jim gave him friendship and career support.11. What do we learn about Jim Steinman?A. He mainly focused his career on acting in musicals.B. He is a well-known and widely respected musician.C. His closest friends were Bill, Papp and Meat Loaf.D. He won four Grammys in the course of his career.DA study has found that a lifetime of regular exercise and activity can slow down the aging process (衰老过程). Researchers say that getting older should not necessarily mean becoming more weak or sick. Their research shows that a devotion to a life of movement and exercise may help us live not only longer, but also healthier.For their study, the researchers looked at two groups. The first group was made up of 125 non-professionalcyclists between the ages of 55 to 79. This group included 84 healthy men and 41 healthy women. We will call this group the “cyclists”.Researchers then found 130 people to make up a second group. Within this group, 75 people were aged from 57 to 80. The other 55 were between the ages of 20 and 36. The people in this group were also healthy, but they did not exercise regularly. We will call this group the “non-exercisers”. Smokers, heavy drinkers of alcohol and people with other health issues were not included in the study.Then, researchers gave both groups a series of tests. They tested their muscle mass (肌肉质量), muscular strength, percentage of body fat and the strength of their immune (免疫的) systems. Then the researchers compared the results of the two groups.Results showed that the cyclists did not experience body changes usually regarded as a normal aging process. For example, they did not lose muscle mass or muscular strength. Also, their body fat did not increase with age.The researchers also found something they had not expected. The study showed that the immune systems of the cyclists did not age either.The researchers advise us all to find an exercise that we like in our lives.12. How did the researchers carry out the study?A. By comparing.B. By discussing.C. By imagining.D. By reasoning.13. Which of the following is a result of the research?A. The cyclists kept a thin body shape.B. The non-exercisers gained weight easily.C. The cyclists’ muscles remained strong with age.D. The non-exercisers usually had health problems.14. Which is an unexpected result for the researchers?A. The cyclists had normal aging process.B. The cyclists’ immune systems didn’t age.C. The cyclists lost nearly all their fat.D. Everyone needed an exercise in their lives.15. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?A. Healthy People Need More ExerciseB. Take an Exercise, the Harder, the BetterC. Cycling Is the Best Way to Prevent AgingD. A Lifetime of Exercise Slows Aging Process第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
江苏省盐城市2021届高三上学期中考试英语试卷及答案
盐城市2021届高三年级第一学期期中考试英语试题第一部分听力（共两节，满分30分）做题时，先将答案标在试卷上。
录音内容结束后，你将有两分钟的时间将试卷上的答案转涂到答题卡上。
第一节（共5小题；每小题1.5分，满分7.5分）听下面5段对话。
每段对话后有一个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项，并标在试卷的相应位置。
听完每段对话后，你都有10秒钟的时间来回答有关小题和阅读下一小题。
每段对话仅读一遍。
例：How much is the shirt?A.£19.15.B.£9.18.C.£9.15.答案是C.1.How was the weather last Saturday?A. Rainy.B.Sunny.C.Cloudy.2.What will the man probably do next?A.Return to the party.B.Go home.C.Attend a meeting.3. What is the man doing?A.Sending a text.B.Moving the furniture.C.Painting the walls.4.Where will the speakers meet this evening?A.Outside a bookstore.B.In a cafe.C.In a concert hall.5.What are the speakers mainly talking about?A.A film.B.A song.C.An actor.第二节（共15小题；每小题1.5分，满分22.5分）听下面5段对话或独白。
每段对话或独白后有几个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项，并标在试卷的相应位置。
听每段对话或独白前，你将有时间阅读各个小题，每小题5秒钟；听完后，各小题将给出5秒钟的作答时间。
江苏省2021届高三上学期期中英语试卷精选汇编：阅读理解专题
阅读理解专题江苏省盐城市2021届高三上学期中考试英语试卷第一节（共15小题；每小题2.5分，满分37.5分）阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。
AHot ScienceTea Jokes21. Tea is unable to help preventA.heart attacksB.bad teethC.weak bonesD.iron shortage22.The underlined word "dispel" in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning toA.confirmB.conveyC.removeD.raise23.According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?A. Tea is used to cure different diseases.B.Strong tea cannot relieve human thirst.C.Tea jokes only work for the tea lovers.D.Tea bushes are cut short for easy harvest.BI've been writing since before I could write. As a kid, I dictated stories to my parents.About 12 years ago,I was living in New York City and pursuing a master in creative writing. For years I'd been suffering vision disorder,but in New York my symptoms worsened. I became unable to read or write for any considerable length of time. I tried vision therapy(疗法），an overhead projector,a special pair of glasses-all in vain.Eventually,I discovered a computer program for the visually challenged. As I typed,my words were read aloud by an automated voice. With my screen dimmed to black,I relied entirely on audio feedback to know what I had written.Facing the blank page is worrying,but facing the black page is worse. The dark screen is a sinkhole that swallows creative hope. Sentences disappear into it like an astronaut into a black hole. I managed to complete my master degree, but it took me years to adapt to my new reality. The greatest barrier seemed to be the automated voice, which was like a robot parrot on my shoulder, and I wanted nothing more than to drive it away. If a pianist were forced to practice on an untuned piano,would it corrupt his ear over time?Of course,I could have quit writing and stopped making myself suffer.But it honestly never occurred to me-and I'm glad it didn't. Last year, after I told my story on the radio,I was contacted by VocaliD,a Massachusetts-based company that created a voice modeled on my own.The first time I heard the voice they created, it is so close to my own that the two are nearly indistinguishable. I've only just begun using this new voice. My hope is that this will restore a sense of solitude(孤独）to my writing process,allowing me easier access to that inner space where the imagination can take over, and I can forget myself, and the real work can begin.The black screen still exists-it always will-but the robot parrot has taken wing.24.What happened to the author when pursuing a master degree in New York?A.His sight started to fail due to much reading.B.His eyes couldn't sustain long hours of reading.C.He had to drop out due to his vision disorder.D.He successfully overcame his vision problem.25.What still bothered the author after he got his master degree?A. The untuned automated voice.B.The pet parrot on his shoulder.C.The computer with a dark screen.D.The noise from a neighboring pianist.26.How did the author feel when first hearing the voice created by VocaliD?A. Excited.B.Annoyed.C.Unmoved.D.Relaxed.27.What can we infer from the last paragraph?A. The automated voice is too annoying to bear.B.The author can restore his sight to normal.C.The author starts to enjoy his writing again.D.It is likely that the technology will improve.CAs a CEO of a startup, you get used to hearing"no".You also face an endless continuation of what feels like shocking crises, like nearly running out of cash, losing a key customer,discovering a widespread product failure, or having to shut down operations because of a global pandemic. But it tums out that these disasters can actually be good for you. In fact,I'm not sure whether you can innovate without them. Here's what all our crises have taught me.It's good to be uncomfortable. We once had a key customer request-a battery capability that we'd never developed before. The customer made it clear that if we couldn't develop this capability, they'd be less confident in our product. We wrestled with the risks, not least of which was the potential embarrassment if we couldn't meet the customer's needs. We knew we'd face many technical problems if we tried to go into operation. Yet we decided to try to satisfy the customer, even if it wasn't obvious at first how we could get it done. A few weeks later we delivered something beyond what the customer had asked for, and we've since grown thiscapability into a powerful sales tool and potential revenue stream-not to mention it strengthened our relationship with the customer.Short-term failure is good. A few years ago, our company began to expand our manufacturing output in response to a customer's need. In the process we discovered something unusual we hadn't seen during smaller-scale production. Our team dived into failure analysis, and we finally put the problem down to a single material within the battery. We'd used this material for years, but now we needed a replacement. Once we made that change,the battery quality and reliability greatly improved.It's okay to show weakness. One of my hardest days as CEO.was the day when I found out I was pregnant.We were in the middle of raising a funding round, and I had been traveling nonstop for a year. Until that day,I had assumed that my role as CEO was to display strength and confidence. With the mounting pressure I was harder on myself than I needed to be, and now I had the added stress of being pregnant.I decided to acknowledge to my team that I was breaking down. They united together and found ways to operate more smoothly and communicate more effectively, supporting me to focus my time on most pressing goals. This gave me not only the space to plan for the company’s future,but also to prepare for my own new normal: leading while becoming a first-time mother.28. What does the underlined word "then" in Paragraph 1 refer to?A:Frequent rejections.B.Financial crises.C.Global pandemics.D.Endless disasters.29.What does the author want to convey in Paragraph 27A. Customers' requests should be carefully evaluated.B.Meeting challenges can bring about extra benefits.C.The company should keep launching new products.D.Innovation is the only way to win fierce competition.30. How does the author prove short-term failure is beneficial?A. By drawing a comparison.B.By giving an example.C.By challenging assumptions.D.By doing an experiment.31. Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?A.Learn to let goB.Make it as a CEOC.Think deep sometimesD.Make friends with crisesDWorried about the effect reality TV is having on your child? You aren't being overprotective-there's increasing evidence that these programmes can have a big impact on youngpeople.When our children are young,we tend to give careful thought to how much TV they're watching and whether or not it's good for them. But as they grow up, most parents let their kids make more independent choices about their viewing.However, if you've got children, you may want to stay attentive. A research indicates that some reality TV shows can be every bit as damaging for teenage girls as too many cartoons.are for kids－perhaps even worse.The truth is that reality TV is anything but reality-but that's not necessarily what our childrenbelieve.A study for the Girl Scout Research Institute in the US found that eight out of ten girls aged between 11 and 17 who regularly watch reality shows believe these programmes describe real life.In fact,much of reality TV is a heavily manipulated(操控）view of what's really happening, and the worst of it strengthens the sort of female stereotypes(刻板印象）women have spent decades trying to remove.Many of the women on reality TV shows are acting out lives as teenage mothers or drama queens.Strong,hard-working,purposeful young women with ambitions beyond their looks are rarein these programmes.There's a widespread emphasis on the value of women being about how they look and dress,which gives young viewers the message that being a woman is all about style andappearance, not what you do or stand for.Cultural critic and writer Jennifer Pozner describes reality TV as "the contemporary backlash（抵制）against feminism".Imran Siddiguee,Director of Social Media and Outreach, is concerned that these programmes show the worst stereotypes of womanhood and “normalize" them in what appear to be everyday settings."They offer such a limited view of what it is to be a woman, and all over the world young girls are addicted to it,"he says.Siddiquee does recognize, however,that many girls themselves value reality TV.Some say it encourages them to think about situations different from their own. They also point out that some shows feature women running their own successful businesses.＂It's important to acknowledge that there are some useful elements in reality TV,"Siddiquee says."But many girls need to be inspired to think more critically about some aspects of these shows so they're not manipulated by them and so their behaviour doesn't change because of them."We should encourage our children to be critical thinkers and help them develop their medialiteracy. Whether reality TV is changing our children's views, or whether they are attracted to programmes that agree with their beliefs, it's vital we recognize that their viewing habits could strengthen these unbalanced ideals.32.Who are likely to be the prime victims of reality TV shows?A.Small children.B.Teenage girls.C.New parents.D.Random audience.33. What is the problem with a reality TV show?A. It is too true to life for viewers to believe in.B. Actors in them lack a sense of innovation.C. Its contents and views are rather artificial.D.It can hardly cater for teenage girls' taste.34.As far as the author is concerned, what should reality TV shows present?A.Genuine accounts of females and their work.B.Ways to gain more popularity among peers.C.Distinction between true life and TV dramas.D.Tips on how to become ambitious young girls.35.Imran Siddquee believes that.A. it is normal to include stereotypes of females in reality TV showsB.teens need guidance on how to critically assess the contents of such showsC.parents should leave children to make independent choices when viewingD.there are more useful elements than bad stereotypes in reality TV shows第一节(共15小题；每小题2.5分，满分37.5分)21. D 22. C 23. D 24. B 25. A 26. A 27. C 28. D 29. B 30. B 31. D 32. B 33. C 34. A 35. B江苏省泰州市2021届高三上学期期中英语试题第一节（共15小题；每小题2.5分，满分37.5分）阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
2021届江苏省盐城市高三上学期英语期中试题
2021届江苏省盐城市高三上学期英语期中试题第二部分阅读理解（共两节，满分50分）第一节（共15分；每小题2.5分，满分37.5分）阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
AHot ScienceThe BenefitsExperts have found that there are clear health benefits of drinking tea.Research has led to the discovery that chemicals found in tea can help prevent cell damage.And there is clear evidence that drinking three to four cups of tea a day will reduce the chances of heart attacks and certain cancers.Other health benefits include bone strengthening and protection against bad teeth. “Drinking tea is actually better for you than drinking water, ”said one doctor.Re-hydrationThere was also some interesting information on the qualities of tea.The research dispels the fear that tea is dehydrating（脱水）. “Everyone assumes that caffeine-containing drinks such as tea dehydrate, ”a leading expert explained. “But even if you had a really strong cup of tea, you would still have a gain of fluid（液体）.In terms of fluid intake, we recommend1.5to2litres per day, and that can include tea.Tea is not dehydrating.It’s a healthy drink.”The Negative SideThere was only one bit of bad news about tea. Research suggests that tea can affect the body’s ability to absorb iron from food.This means that people at risk of anaemia（贫血）should avoid drinking tea around mealtimes.Tea JokesWhy was the teacher angry with the Teapot?Because he was“naughtea”.What did the teapot wear to bed?A “nightea”.Tea FactsHere are some truly amazing tea facts.Tea comes from the leaves of a tree called camellia sinensis. The tree can grow over10metres tall.However, it is cut short so that the leaves can be taken easily.Tea is grown in India, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, Argentina, Kenya, Japan, Bangladesh, Uganda, Malawi, Turkey, Iran, Brazil and Tanzania. India is the world’s largest tea producer.Eighty percent of the caffeine in tea can be removed by pouring hot water over the leaves.21. Tea is unable to help prevent________.A.heart attacksB.bad teethC.weak bonesD.iron shortage22. The underlined word"dispel"in Paragraph2is closest in meaning to________.A.confirmB.conveyC.removeD.raise23. According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE？A.Tea is used to cure different diseases.B.Strong tea cannot relieve human thirst.C.Tea jokes only work for the tea lovers.D.Tea bushes are cut short for easy harvest.BI’ve been writing since before I could write.As a kid, I dictated stories to my parents. About12years ago, I was living in New York City and pursuing a master in creative writing.For years I’d been suffering vision disorder, but in New York my symptoms worsened.I became unable to read or write for any considerable length of time.I tried vision therapy（疗法）, an overhead projector, a special pair of glasses-all in vain.Eventually, I discovered a computer program for the visually challenged.As I typed, my words were read aloud by an automated voice.With my screen dimmed to black, I relied entirely on audio feedback to know what I had written.Facing the blank page is worrying, but facing the black page is worse.The dark screen is a sinkhole that swallows creative hope.Sentences disappear into it like an astronaut into a black hole.I managed to complete my master degree, but it took me years to adapt to my new reality.The greatest barrier seemed to be the automated voice, which was like a robot parrot on my shoulder, and I wanted nothing more than to drive it away.If a pianist were forced to practice on an untuned piano, would it corrupt his ear over time?Of course, I could have quit writing and stopped making myself suffer. But it honestly never occurred to me-and I’m glad it didn’st year, after I told my story on the radio, I was contacted by VocaliD, a Massachusetts-based company that created a voice modeled on my own.The first time I heard the voice they created, it is so close to my own that the two are nearly indistinguishable.I’ve only just begun using this new voice.My hope is that this will restore a sense of solitude（孤独）to my writing process, allowing me easier access to that inner space where the imagination can take over, and I can forget myself, and the real work can begin.The black screen still exists-it always will-but the robot parrot has taken wing.24. What happened to the author when pursuing a master degree in New York？A.His sight started to fail due to much reading.B.His eyes couldn’t sustain long hours of reading.C.He had to drop out due to his vision disorder.D.He successfully overcame his vision problem.25. What still bothered the author after he got his master degree？A.The untuned automated voice.B.The pet parrot on his shoulder.C.The computer with a dark screen.D.The noise from a neighboring pianist.26. How did the author feel when first hearing the voice created by VocaliD？A.Excited.B.Annoyed.C.Unmoved.D.Relaxed.27. What can we infer from the last paragraph？A.The automated voice is too annoying to bear.B.The author can restore his sight to normal.C.The author starts to enjoy his writing again.D.It is likely that the technology will improve.CAs a CEO of a startup, you get used to hearing“no”. You also face an endless continuation of what feels like shocking crises, like nearly running out of cash, losing a key customer, discovering a widespread product failure, or having to shut down operations because of a global pandemic.But it turns out that these disasters can actually be good for you.In fact, I’m not sure whether you can innovate without them.Here’s what all our crises have taught me.It’s good to be uncomfortable.We once had a key customer request-a battery capability that we’d never developed before.The customer made it clear that if we couldn’t develop this capability, they’d be less confident in our product.We wrestled with the risks, not least of which was the potential embarrassment if we couldn’t meet the customer’s needs.We knew we’d face many technical problems if we tried to go into operation.Yet we decided to try to satisfy the customer, even if it wasn’t obvious at first how we could get it done.A few weeks later we delivered something beyond what the customer had asked for, and we’ve since grown this capability into a powerful sales tool and potential revenue stream-not to mention it strengthened our relationship with the customer.Short-term failure is good.A few years ago, our company began to expand our manufacturing output in response to a customer’s need.In the process we discovered something unusual we hadn’t seen during smaller-scale production.Our team dived into failure analysis, and we finally put the problem down to a single material within the battery.We’d used this material for years, but now we needed a replacement.Once we made that change, the battery quality and reliability greatly improved.It’s okay to show weakness.One of my hardest days as CEO was the day when I found out I was pregnant. We were in the middle of raising a funding round, and I had been traveling nonstop for a year.Until that day, I had assumed that my role as CEO was to display strength and confidence.With the mounting pressure I was harder on myself than I needed to be, and now I had the added stress of being pregnant. I decided to acknowledge to my team that I wasbreaking down.They united together and found ways to operate more smoothly and communicate more effectively, supporting me to focus my time on most pressing goals.This gave me not only the space to plan for the company’s future, but also to prepare for my own new normal:leading while becoming a first-time mother.28. What does the underlined word“them”in Paragraph1refer to？A.Frequent rejections.B.Financial crises.C.Global pandemics.D.Endless disasters.2. What does the author want to convey in Paragraph2？A.Customers’requests should be carefully evaluated.B.Meeting challenges can bring about extra benefits.C.The company should keep launching new products.D.Innovation is the only way to win fierce competition.30. How does the author prove short-term failure is beneficial？A.By drawing a comparison.B.By giving an example.C.By challenging assumptions.D.By doing an experiment.31. Which of the following might be the best title of the passage？A.Learn to let goB.Make it as a CEOC.Think deep sometimesD.Make friends with crisesDWorried about the effect reality TV is having on your child?You aren’t being overprotective-there’s increasing evidence that these programmes can have a big impact on young people.When our children are young, we tend to give careful thought to how much TV they’re watching and whether or not it’s good for them.But as they grow up, most parents let their kids make more independent choices about their viewing.However, if you’ve got children, you may want to stay attentive.A research indicates that some reality TV shows can be every bit as damaging for teenage girls as too many cartoons are for kids-perhaps even worse.The truth is that reality TV is anything but reality-but that’s not necessarily what our children believe. A study for the Girl Scout Research Institute in the US found that eight out of ten girls aged between11and17who regularly watch reality shows believe these programmes describe real life.In fact, much of reality TV is a heavily manipulated（操控）view of what’s really happening, and the worst of it strengthens the sort of female stereotypes（刻板印象）women have spent decades trying to remove.Many of the women on reality TV shows are acting out lives as teenage mothers or drama queens. Strong, hard-working, purposeful young women with ambitions beyond their looks are rare in these programmes. There’s a widespread emphasis on the value of women being about how they look and dress, which gives young viewers the message that being awoman is all about style and appearance, not what you do or stand for.Cultural critic and writer Jennifer Pozner describes reality TV as"the contemporary backlash（抵制）against feminism". Imran Siddiguee, Director of Social Media and Outreach, is concerned that these programmes show the worst stereotypes of womanhood and“normalize”them in what appear to be everyday settings. “They offer such a limited view of what it is to be a woman, and all over the world young girls are addicted to it,”he says.Siddiquee does recognize, however, that many girls themselves value reality TV. Some say it encourages them to think about situations different from their own.They also point out that some shows feature women running their own successful businesses.“It’s important to acknowledge that there are some useful elements in reality TV,” Siddiquee says. “But many girls need to be inspired to think more critically about some aspects of these shows so they’re not manipulated by them and so their behaviour doesn’t change because of them.”We should encourage our children to be critical thinkers and help them develop their media literacy.Whether reality TV is changing our children’s views, or whether they are attracted to programmes that agree with their beliefs, it’s vital we recognize that their viewing habits could strengthen these unbalanced ideals.32. Who are likely to be the prime victims of reality TV shows？A.Small children.B.Teenage girls.C.New parents.D.Random audience.33. What is the problem with a reality TV show？A.It is too true to life for viewers to believe in.B.Actors in them lack a sense of innovation.C.Its contents and views are rather artificial.D.It can hardly cater for teenage girls’taste.34. As far as the author is concerned, what should reality TV shows present？A.Genuine accounts of females and their work.B.Ways to gain more popularity among peers.C.Distinction between true life and TV dramas.D.Tips on how to become ambitious young girls.35. Imran Siddquee believes that________.A.it is normal to include stereotypes of females in reality TV showsB.teens need guidance on how to critically assess the contents of such showsC.parents should leave children to make independent choices when viewingD.there are more useful elements than bad stereotypes in reality TV shows第二节（共5小题；每小题2.5分，满分12.5分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。
2021年盐城市第一高级中学高三英语上学期期中试题及参考答案
2021年盐城市第一高级中学高三英语上学期期中试题及参考答案第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项AConservation Volunteering in New ZealandWhether you are a student, professional or a retiree (退休者), anyone is welcome to make a difference and contribute to protecting some of the most beautiful islands in the world. Choose a suitable city and travelout to your conservation (保护) site to work with local people!Duration: 1-12 weeks Dates: Throughout the yearArrival day: Friday Return day: FridayRequirement: General level of fitness Age: 18+What will I be doing?Volunteer in New Zealand and enjoy conserving the environment through activities such as:·Tree planting·Walking trail construction·Protect native birds, insects, fish and penguins·Seed collection·Weed controlYou, and a group of up to 10 volunteers, will work under the guidance of a conservation team leader. Your team leader will give you regular safety instructions, inform you of the project aims and assist you with working effectively.No previous experience is necessary to join the project. All you need is a love of the environment and a fairly good level of fitness to help out!1.Who can sign up for this conservation volunteering project?A.A retired maths teacher.B.A primary school student.C.A scientist with heart disease.D.A businessman in a wheelchair.2.What can you do on the volunteer trip?A.Protect cultural sites and go shopping.B.Enjoy local sightseeing and go fishing.C.Protect weeds and build roads.D.Collect seeds and plant trees.3.From which is the text probably taken?A.A history book.B.A travel magazine.C.A research paper.D.A novel.BConducting interviews for news stories is an important skill for any journalist. To start, do as much research as you can and prepare a list of questions to ask. Once the interview starts, try to develop a rapport(融洽的关系) with your "source"—anyone a journalist interviews, but don't waste your time. If your source starts to talk about things that are clearly of no use to you, don't be afraid to gently but firmly turn the conversationback to the topic at hand.It's an old debate among journalists: Which works better when interviewing a source, taking notes (the old-fashioned way) or using a cassette or digital voice recorder? Both have their advantages and disadvantages. A reporter's notebook and a pen or pencil are the easy-to-use, time-honored tools of the interviewing trade, while recorders enable you to get everything someone says word for word. Which works better? It depends on what kind of story you're doing.Many beginning reporters complain that with a notepad and pen, they can never take down everything a source says in an interview. But you don't have to note everything down. Keep in mind that you're probably not going to use everything they say in your story. So don't worry if youlet slipa few things.So you've done a long interview with a source, you have pages of notes, and you're ready to write. But chances are you'll only be able to choose a few quotes from that information collected directly from the source. Which ones should you use? Reporters often talk about using only "good" quotes for their stories, but what does this mean? Broadly speaking, when someone says something interesting, and says it in an interesting way, that can make a good quote.4. What is a journalist advised to do during an interview?A. Be gentle with the source.B. Carry on a long conversation.C. Make the conversation interesting.D. Prevent the conversation being off-topic.5. What do the underlined words "let slip" in Paragraph 3 mean?A. give awayB. leave outC. get rid ofD. take up6. What is considered as a good quote for a reporter?A. A direct quote.B. An important point of view.C. A piece of basic information.D. Something funny a source says interestingly.7. What is the text mainly about?A. The job of a journalist.B. The process of interviewing.C Some facts about interviewing. D. The relationship between a journalist and a source.CCuckoos don’t bother building their own nests—they just lay eggs that perfectly imitate those of other birds and take over their nests. But other birds are wishing up, evolving some seriously impressive tricks to spot the cuckoo eggs.Cuckoos are often know asparasites, meaning that they hide their eggs in the nest of other species. To avoid detection, the cuckoos have evolved so that eggs seem reproduction of those of their preferred targets. If the host bird doesn’t notice the strange egg in its nest, the little cuckoo will actually take the entire nest for itself after it comes out, taking the other eggs on its back and dropping them out of the nest.To avoid this unpleasant fate for their young, the other birds have evolved a few smart ways to spot the fakes, which we’re only now beginning to fully understand. One of the most amazing finds is that birds have an extra colour-sensitive cell in their eyes, which makes them far more sensitive to ultraviolet wavelengths and allows them to see a far greater range of colours than humans can. This allows cautious birds to detect a fake egg which might be exactly the same to our eyes.Fascinatingly, we’re actually able to observe different bird species at very different points in their evolutionary war with the cuckoos. For instance, some cuckoos lay their eggs in the nests of the redstarts. The blue eggs these cuckoos lay are practically alike to those of the redstarts, and yet they are still sometimes rejected. Compare that with cuckoos who target dunnocks. While those birds lay perfectly blue eggs, their cuckoo invaders just lay white eggs with brown irregular shaped spots. And yet dunnocks barely ever seem to notice the obvious trick.Biologists suspect these more easily fooled species like the dunnocks are on the same evolutionary path as the redstarts, but they have a long way to go until they evolve the same levels of suspicion. What’s remarkable is that the dunnocks fakes are so bad and the redstart ones so good, and yet cuckoos are still more successful with the former than the latter.It speaks to just how thoroughly a species’ behavior can be changed by the pressures of natural selection, or it might just be a bit of strategic cooperation on the part of the dunnocks. Biologists have suggested that thesebirds are willing to tolerate a parasite every so often because they don’t want to risk accidentally getting rid of one of their own eggs.8. This passage can be most likely found in a ________.A. science surveyB. nature magazineC. zoo advertisementD. travel journal9. What does the underlined word “parasite” in paragraph 2 most probably refer to?A. Animals that work together to raise young.B Small harmful animals such as worms or mice.C. Animals that can adapt to changing environments.D. Animals which live on or inside other host animals.10. Which of the following is TRUE about the dunnock according to the passage?A. It is colour-blind and therefore cannot identify foreign eggs in the nest.B. It can easily remove cuckoo eggs from the nest because fakes are so bad.C. It is a host bird that is more likely to raise a cuckoo chick than the redstart.D. It is unable to evolve and hence accepts cuckoo eggs that appear in the nest.11. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?A. Dunnocks may eventually learn to recognise foreign eggs.B. Redstarts seem to be less suspicious compared to dunnocks.C. Cuckoo birds are good at taking responsibility for their own young.D. It is very easy for cuckoos to imitate the colouring of the dunnock’s egg.DBlood donations save lives. But blood can only be stored by freezing for up to six weeks. “Because of that limitation, people have to continually donate blood to meet the needs. But also, in places where freezing may not be available, that can also be a challenge. It’s difficult to have blood available when needed.”“Thedisruptionsto regular blood donations due to COVID-19 have put stress on the blood supply, and the pandemic emphasizes the need for more reliable long-term storage methods.” UniversityofLouisvillebioengineer Jonathan Kopechek said.Kopechek’s team has developeda method of preserving blood so it can be stored in a dehydrated state at room temperature. They turned to an unusual preservative: a sugar called trehalose（海藻糖）, which is a common ingredient in donuts... to help make them look fresh even when they mightbe months old, and you wouldn’t knowthe difference.The researchers chose trehalose because, in nature, it’s made by hardy animals like tardigrades and sea monkeys—aka brine shrimp—famous for their ability to survive dehydration.So these animals can dry out completely for a long period of time and then be rehydrated and resume normal function. First, the researchers had to get trehalose into blood cells. They used ultrasound（超声波）to drill temporary holes in the cell membranes—which let some trehalose get in. And they need to have sufficient levels of trehalose on both the inside and the outside of the cell in order to survive the dehydration and rehydration process. At that point, the blood could be dried and made into a powder. And then we can rehydrate the blood and have it return back to normal.“The technique could be ready for clinical test in three to five years. If successful, it could be used to create stores of dried blood in case of future pandemics or natural disasters. Maybe medicine bag on the Red Planet will include dried red blood cells.” Kopechek said.12. Why do people have to continually donate blood to meet the needs?A. Because blood donations aren’t popular.B. Because the blood needs can’t be met.C. Because blood storage by freezing has time limit.D. Because blood freezing is a challenge in many places.13. What does the underlined word “disruptions” in paragraph 2 mean?A. pauseB. damageC. endD. distribution14. According to the research of Kopechek’s team, what can we learn about?A. Blood can be preserved in a dehydrated state by freezing.B. Trehalose is only made by hardy animals like tardigrades.C. Trehalose can help make donuts look fresh for a long time.D. The technique of blood dehydration has been applied in clinical test.15. How did trehalose get into blood cell?A. By the process of dehydration and rehydration.B. By being dried and made into a power.C. By rehydrating the blood returning back to normal.D. By the temporary holes drilled by ultrasound.第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
2021届江苏省盐城中学高三英语期中考试试题及参考答案
2021届江苏省盐城中学高三英语期中考试试题及参考答案第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项AAlex Palmer says he'll never forget his 13th birthday, not because of a gift or a party, but fire. “It made me realize how valuable life is,” said Alex, a seventh grader atMonroeDemonstrationSchoolinTulsa,Oklahoma.On April 18, Alex and many other kids from his school were riding home on a school bus when they suddenly saw smoke coming from the bus’ engine. “It was jaw-dropping,” he told reporters.By the time Alex and some other kids made it out the bus’ back door, the bus was already on fire. And some of their schoolmates were still inside. So he and some of the other older kids took action.“One little kid was slowing everyone down with his big backpack, ” eighth grader Destiny Fain said, “so I got it off and threw it to the side and helped to make sure all the little kids weren’t fighting or pushing. ”As that was going on, sixth grader Marketez Doyle-Smith reportedly helped another classmate who had trouble in breathing because of the smoke. “We saw our friend lying on the ground,” he said, “so we took our shirts off and waved them to get him some air to breathe.”Marketez also reportedly stopped a younger kid trying to get back on the bus to search for something he’d left behind. “We're all a family,” he told reporters. “So I went back to help the little kid.”Finally everyone made it off safely, thanks to Alex, Destiny, Marketez and several other kids. By later that day, they were already being called heroes. “I really don’t see it as being a hero,” Alex said, according to The World. “I see it as the right thing to do—helping others before you help yourself.”1. What happened on Alex’ s way home?A. The school bus was on fire suddenly.B. There was a party for Alex’s birthday.C. He received a gift from his classmate.D. Some classmates quarreled with each other.2. By saying "We're all a family.” Marketez probably meantA. We’re brothers in the same family.B. It’s our duty to help each other.C. We’re classmates in the same class.D. The thing left on the bus is mine.3. According to the last paragraph, Alex thought that heA. was not a brave student.B. had the right to do anything.C. had just done what he should do.D. hated to be called a hero by others.BFlying someone one-way fromLondontoNew Yorkproduces nearly a ton ofcarbon dioxide or CO2. That's alot of this climate-warming greenhouse gas. But there are ways to cut the climate impact of flying, one of which is to ask planes to surf high-altitude winds every chance they get.It's not something they've been allowed to do. But that may change—and soon.Most jets crossing the Atlantic Ocean follow one of several fixed paths that are widely spaced because radar (雷达) had not been able to track aircraft everywhere above the Atlantic. But a new network of satellites could soon change that.Wells was part of a team inEnglandthat calculated the fastest possible routes for passenger planes. According to them , traveltime a plane takes when flying across theAtlanticvaries with the winds that a plane meets. For instance, eastbound (向东的) flights can get a powerful push. Westbound routes miss that benefit. Faster flights burn less fuel. And less burning gives off fewergreenhouse gases.The airline industry knows it has a high " carbon footprint." But it takes decades and many billions of dollars to design, test and fly new planes. Changing a flight path, in contrast, can cut costs and energy right away.The new study doesn't show how well such wind surfing would work for all planes, in all skies and the world over. Bui it does suggest that making flight routes more flexible could cut both fuel use and CO2in some places.However, if flight times vary depending on the wind, scheduling connecting flights and managing runways and gates would become more complicated. The researchers would have to work out the best flight paths that take such scheduling issues into consideration. They may also want to see if flying at different altitudes gives a wider choice of flexible routes at the times most people want to fly.National Air Traffic Services (NATS) which provides air-traffic control for theUnited Kingdomsaid it would temporarily disband its flight-paths system and work to allow airlines to choose flexible routes that would best limit their fuel use.4. What happens to east bound flights when crossing theAtlantic?A. They consume more fuel.B. They use less time and energy.C. They produce more greenhouse gases.D. They are against a stronger wind.5. What should be done to make adopting flexible flight routes possible?A. Calculating the flight time.B. Finding the best flight paths.C. Adjusting the size of jets.D. Adding more runways and gates.6. Which word can best replace the underlined word "disband” in the last paragraph?A. Stop.B. Copy.C. Handle.D. Restore.7. What can we infer from the text?A. Planes are producing the most carbon dioxide.B. New fuel is benefiting airline industries greatly.C. Carbon footprint is a serious problem in theUK.D. Surfing the winds can make air travel greener.CAs summer approaches, many kids and teenagers may find that they have more time in hand. One great way to make use of the extra time is to go on an adventure and travel. Clearly, I am not a naturally adventurous person, but I have found that takingthe risk and challenging myself to explore and travel to unfamiliar places can be a very rewarding experience.Because I am usually quite busy during the school year, most of my travels take place during the summer. Over the past few summers, I have hiked in the Grand Canyon, explored Niagara Falls, and camped out in upstate New York. Although these experiences are varied, they are similar in that they instill (灌输) a sense of appreciation for nature and a more balanced view on life. When I hiked in the Grand Canyon, for example, I was in awe(敬畏) of the geological influences that shaped the canyon.Adventures, of course, are not limited to hiking. There are many other choices, such as camping, volunteering in a foreign environment and travelling to different countries. In my opinion, adventures are more enjoyable with family or a few friends. There is a sense of bonding that one only gets through spending time together in outdoor adventures. For example, when I was in Boy Scouts, I often went on weekend camping trips with my friends. When I came back from a Boy Scouts camping trip, I often was eager to go outside more and explore the parks and nature around me.Next fall, I will attend college. In the meantime though, I hope to make the most of my summer to explore and travel. Now, I am planning on hiking and camping out in Maine.When I visited Maine last fall, I was amazed by how beautiful it was and the tall trees and coasts that exist, and I really hope to enjoy the beauty of nature there this summer.8. We can learn from the first paragraph about the author?A. He is an adventurous person by natureB. He likes challenging himself by travellingC. He enjoys travelling with other adventurersD He needs others’ help when going on an adventure9. Which of the following can make people’s adventure more enjoyable according to the author？A. Going to different countries.B. Going to unfamiliar places.C. Travelling withtheir family or friends.D. Travelling to distant places by themselves.10. What will the author do this summer？A. Explore Niagara Falls.B. Hike in the Grand Canyons.C. Camp out in upstate New York.D. Hike and camp out in Maine.11. Who is probably the author?A. A high school student.B. A college student.C. A friendly guide.D. A warm-hearted teacher.DNASA has flown an aircraft on another planet for the first time. On Monday, April 19, Ingenuity, a 1. 8-kilogram drone (无人机) helicopter, took off from the surface of Mars, flew up about threemeters, then hovered for 40 seconds and took photos above with one of its two cameras. The historic moment was livestreamed on YouTube. “We can now say that human beings have flown a drone helicopter on another planet,” said MiMi Aung, the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter project manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, at a press conference. “We, together, flew at Mars, and we, together, now have our Wright brothers moment,” she added, referring to the first powered airplane flight on Earth in 1903.The details: The flight was a significant technical challenge, thanks to Mars' s bone-chilling temperatures (nights can drop down to -130 °F / -90 °C) and its incredibly thin atmosphere — just 1% the density of Earth' s. That meant Ingenuity had to be light, with rotor blades (螺旋桨) that were bigger and faster than would be needed to achieve liftoff on Earth (although the gravity on Mars, which is only about one-third of Earth's, worked in its favor). The flight had originally been scheduled to take place on April 11 but was delayed by software issues.Why it's significant: Beyond being a significantmilestonefor Mars exploration, the flight will also pave the way for engineers to think about new ways to explore other planets. Future drone helicopters could help astronauts by scoping out locations, exploring inaccessible areas, and capturing images. Ingenuity will also help inform the design of Dragonfly, a car-size drone that NASA is planning to send to Saturn's moon Titan in 2027.What's next: In the next few weeks, Ingenuity will conduct four more flights, each lasting up to 90 seconds.Each one is designed to further push the limits of Ingenuity's capabilities. Ingenuity is only designed to last for 30 Martian days, and is expected to stop functioning aroundMay 4. Its final resting place will be in the Jezero Crater as NASA moves on to the main focus of its mission: Getting the Perseverance rover (毅力号火星探测器) to study Mars for evidence of life.12. Why does MiMi Aung mention Wright brothers?A. To honor the historic contribution of Wright brothers.B. To make a comparison between Wright brothers and herself.C. To highlight the importance of Ingenuity's Martian exploration.D. To remind the public of the first powered airplane flight on Earth.13. What caused challenges for Ingenuity designers?A. The delay of software tests.B. The force of gravity on Mars.C. Mars's temperatures and atmosphere.D. Technical difficulty in liftoff on Earth.14. What does the underlined word “milestone” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?A. A great victory.B. A difficult task.C. A roadside stone.D. A historic event.15. Which of the following can be a suitable title for the text?A. Mars Drone Helicopter Makes Historic First FlightB. Modern Wright Brothers Moment: Mars ExplorationC. First Drone Helicopter Spots Evidence of Life on MarsD. Ingenuity: Mars Drone Flies to Take Incredible Pictures第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
2021年盐城市第一高级中学高三英语上学期期中考试试题及答案解析
2021年盐城市第一高级中学高三英语上学期期中考试试题及答案解析第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项AUNUSUAL ATTRACTIONS ON THE WATERBangkokFloating MarketsThere are many floating markets where goods are sold from boats. While modem markets are more popular, floating markets still are huge attractions for local tourism. In Bangkok Floating Markets,Thailand, one of the most popular ones, any visitors can buy local foods and traditional hand-made souvenirs.Bregenzer Festspiele（Opera festival）The Bregenz Festival is held every year from July to August inVorarlberg,Austria. It has the world's largest stage on the water. The performances are different every year but they are usually united by one theme. The decorations（装饰）are very impressive and are worth seeing.Viva, ArtificialIslandArtificial islands are not something new. What makes this island special is that . it is floating. Viva is the largest out of three man-made islands along with Vista and Tera, all situated inSeoul,South Korea. The island weighs 2,000-tons and is technically a buoy（浮标）.The island unfortunately is not carbon-neutral（碳中和）but it has solar panels which can generate electricity to power the hall, restaurants and shopping malls. MarinaBayFloating Platform StadiumThis stadium was built as a temporary solution while Singapore National Stadium was rebuilt. Now it is usedfor different sporting events, concerts, and festivals. In particular, it was once used for the opening and closing ceremonies during the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics.1. What can visitors do at Bangkok Floating Markets?A. Performing.B.Boating.C. Shopping.D. Swimming.2. What do you know about Viva?A. It is the biggest island inSouth Korea.B. It has the equipment to harness solar energy.C. It is the largest floating stage on the water.D. It is a man-made island only for low-carbon life.3. Which attraction should you choose to watch a basketball match?A. Bangkok Floating Markets.B. Bregenzer Festspiele.C. Viva, ArtificialIsland.D.MarinaBayFloating Platform Stadium.BPoaching and habitat loss have threatened Africa's two species of elephants, taking them closer toward the edge of disappearance, according to a new report released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN).Before this update, Africa's elephants were grouped together and were evaluated as vulnerable by the IUCN. This is the first time the two species have been sorted separately. In the past, elephants were mostly considered as either Asian elephants or African elephants. Forest and savanna elephants were typically classified as subspecies of African elephants.The African forest elephant is now listed as critically endangered and the African savanna elephant as endangered. The number of African forest elephants fell by more than 86% over a 31 -year assessment period. The population of African savanna elephants dropped by at least 60% over the last 50 years, according to the IUCN, which tracks the assessment risk of the world's animals. Africa currently has an estimated 415,000 elephants, counting the two species together.Both elephant species experienced significant population decreases because of poaching. Although it peaked in 2011, illegal hunting still happens and continues to threaten elephant populations. African elephants also face continued habitat loss as their land isconvertedfor agriculture or other uses.There is some good conservation news, the IUCN points out. Anti-poaching measures, combined with better land use planning to support better human-wildlife relationships, have helped conservation efforts. Some forest elephant population figures have stabilized in well-managed areas in Gabon and the Republic of Congo and savanna population figures have remained stable or have been growing, particularly in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area in southern Africa.But with constant demand for ivory and increasing human pressures on Africa's wild lands, concern for Africa's elephants is high, and the need to creatively conserve and wisely manage these animals and their habitats is more severe than ever.4. What can be inferred from the new report about African elephants?A. They are divided into three kinds.B. They are dying out.C. Their threat is mainly from poaching.D. Their population has grown in Africa.5. What does the author mainly tell us in Paragraph 3?A. The detailed number of African elephants.B. The similarities of African elephants.C. The different types of African elephants.D. The present situation of African elephants.6. What does the underlined word "converted" in Paragraph 4 probably mean?A. Expanded.B. Protected.C. Transformed.D. Forbidden.7. What's the authors attitude to the present situation of African elephants?A. Hopeless.B. Optimistic.C. Uncertain.D. Worried.CAs I was walking home，a boy seemed to be singing a song in a very low voice，walking infront of me and carrying some of the same high school books I had with me.I caught up to him，and said “Hello”．I could tell he wasstartled，and dropped one of his books.I picked it up and as I handed it to him，he said “Thank you.” in a strange way，like witha strong accent.We soon began walking together and talking.It turns out he was in my science class，and I didn’t even know it!His name was Ahmad，and his family had just moved here this school year.He invited me into his house，and his family treated me like a special guest，which made me feel very welcome.He said hospitality (好客) is very basic to his culture，and strangers were always treated very kindly.His mom brought out some great food，and offered me some tea.Ahmad’s father and two sisters wanted to hearall about me and my family，and my schooling.Ahmad’s whole family had to leave their lifelong home because war had broken out，and it wasn’t safe there anymore.They left with only what they could carry.His family was happy to feel safe，and they got used toAmerican culture quickly.They seemed pleased that Ahmad had brought a friend home to meet them.And as my friendship with Ahmad has continued，I now realize that the world is so much bigger than I thought！I also realize that your friends don’t have to be just like you.Differences make the world go round.8. What does the underlined word “startled” in Paragraph 1 mean?A. Excited.B. Moved.C. Surprised.D. Interested.9. Why was the writer treated like a special guest by Ahmad’s family?A. They liked strangers who came to their home for help.B. They wanted to know more information about the writer.C. Strangers were always treated very kindly in their culture.D. The writer was an American and knew much about their culture.10. Where does the writer probably come from?A. Canada.B. America.C. China.D. Australia.11. What can we learn from the passage?A. People from different countries can be good friends.B. Friends need different cultures and different accents.C. Your friends should have a lot of things the same with you.D. You can’t make friends with people from other countries.DI once had my Chinese MBA students brainstorming on “two-hour business plans.” I separated them into six groups and gave them an example: a restaurant chain. The more original their ideas, the better, I said. Finally, five of the six groups presented plans for restaurant chains. The sixth proposed a catering service. Though I admitted the time limit had been difficult, I expressed my disappointment.My students were middle managers, financial analysts and financiers from state-owned enterprises and global companies. They were without talent or opinions, but they had been shaped by an educational system that rarely stressed or rewarded critical thinking or inventiveness. The scene I just described came in different forms during my two years teaching at the school. Papers were often copied from the Web and the Harvard Business Review. Case study debates were written up and just memorized. Students frequently said that copying is a superior business strategy, better than inventing and creating.InChina, every product you can imagine has been made and sold. But so few well-developed marketing and management minds have been raised that it will be a long time before most people in the world can name a Chinese brand.With this problem in mind, partnerships with institutions like Yale and MIT have been established. And then there's the “thousand talent scheme.” this new government program is intended to improve technological modernization by attracting top foreign-trained scientists to the mainland with big money. But there are worries aboutChina's research environment. It's hardly known for producing independent thinking and openness, andeven big salary offers may not be attractive enough to overcome this.At last, forChina, becoming a major world creator is not just about setting up partnership with top western universities. Nor is it about gathering a group of well-educated people and telling them to think creatively. It's about establishing a rich learning environment for young minds. It's not that simple.12. Why does the writer feel disappointed at his students?A. Because there is one group presenting a catering service.B. Because the six groups did not cooperate well in the brainstorm.C. Because all the students copied a case for the difficult topic.D. Because the students' ideas were lacking in creativeness.13. Which of the following scenes is NOT considered as lack of creation?A. Papers were often downloaded from the Internet.B. Students often said that copying is a preferable business strategy.C. Students combine knowledge and critical thoughts to solve a problem.D. Case study debates were written up as well as recited.14. We can infer form the passage that ________.A. China can make and sell any product all over the world from its own creation.B. high pay may not solve the problem ofChina's research environment.C. cooperation with institutions has been set up to make a Chinese brand.D. the new government program is aimed at encouraging imagination.15. Which is the best title for the passage?A Look for a new way of learning B. Reward creative thinkingC. How to become a creatorD. Establish a technical environment第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
2021届盐城中学高三英语上学期期中试卷及答案
2021届盐城中学高三英语上学期期中试卷及答案第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项ASheffieldLincoln College of EnglishClasses for foreign students at all levels.3 months, 6 months, 9 months and one year course.Open all year.Small class (at most 12 students).Library, language laboratory and listening center.Accommodation (住宿)with selected families.25 minutes from London.Course fees for English for one year are￡1,380 with reduction for shorter periods of study.1.This passage is probably taken from _______.A.an advertisementB.a noticeC.a posterD.a piece of news2.Who will be accepted by this college?A.Both foreign and native students.B.Only foreign beginners and the advanced.C.Foreign students from beginners to the advanced.D.Only foreign students advanced.3.While you stay there, who will take care of you?A.Your parents.B.Your classmates.C.The school where you study.D.The family you have chosen.BThe early life of the green sea turtle (海龟) is full of danger. Only one in 1,000 baby sea turtles survive to adulthood (成年). From its home in the sand, it breaks its egg with an egg tooth. Its mother is not there to help it. Instead, it is greeted by crabs, coyotes,and dogs waiting to eat it for dinner. To survive, the baby turtle must hide inthe sand until night. Then, it moves slowly to the sea.The small turtle must swim hard to reach the ocean waters. In the sea, it tries hard to find food. It must also keep itself from being food for fish.As dangerous as the sea turtle’s life is in the natural world, its most dangerous enemies are humans. The rubbish left by humans in the ocean causes problems for the small green sea turtle. A little turtle might eat a piece ofplastic (塑料) in the sea. It might also eat oil on the ocean’s surface. Young turtles also get caught in fishing nets. There are laws against hunting sea turtles. Still, many are hunted, both for their meat and for their shells (壳). All of these dangers must be prevented.Sea turtles that do survive to grow into adulthood go through many changes. For example, adult green sea turtles weigh about 500 pounds. They stop eating jellyfish and other meat and eat only plants. And they may plan a trip to go back home again. A mother sea turtle goes back to the beach where she was born. This is the only place where she will lay eggs. Even if it has been forty years since she was a baby, she always knows her way back home.4. Why do baby turtles move to the sea at night?A. They dislike sunshine.B. They prefer lower temperatures.C. They can find food easily then.D. They need to avoid enemies.5. What does the author think of the young turtles in Paragraph 3?A. Pitiful.B. Careless.C. Interesting.D. Courageous.6. What can we learn about sea turtles?A. They mainly feed on fish and meat.B. They always produce eggs at their birthplaces.C. They can live for around forty years.D. They visit their beach homes several times a year.7. What is the text mainly about?A. The homes of green sea turtles.B. How sea turtles find their food.C. The dangers faced by sea turtles.D. How young turtles become adults.CAn afternoon nap(午睡)is one of the joys of life, although too much napping could signal all is not well. In some cultures, people will have a daily nap — thisis fine. The warning comes when people start sleeping during the daytime, when they did not before. There is certainly a good reason to believe that daytime sleepiness — as in the Alzheimer's study — can be a marker of an underlying condition.For most people, napping during the day is mainly a sign that you are not getting enough sleep at night, says Dr. Neil Stanley, a sleep expert. "If you feel sleepy during the day, you should think about taking a nap. That is what the body needs — it doesn't need to be kept awake with caffeine, it needs sleep. "The feeling to notice is "sleepiness", he says, not "tiredness", which could be more psychological and linked to stress.So how do you nap well? The key thing, says Stanley, is how long your nap lasts. Choose either a 20-or 90-minute nap. "When you fall asleep, you'll quickly go through the lighter stages of sleep into your first period of deep sleep. You don't want to wake up in deep sleep because that's when you wake and feel worse than you did before. "Napping for 20 minutes means you will wake up before you go into deep sleep; napping for 90 minutes means you'll complete a sleep cycle.Once you factor in the time it takes to fall asleep — some people are better at napping than others but, says Stanley, "a healthy adult will fall asleep in between 5 and 12 minutes" — you can set an alarm, allowing a 30- to 40-minute period for a short nap, and up to two hours for a longer one.A good time to nap is during the body's natural dip in the afternoon, between 2 pm and 4 pm. "You don't really want to be napping much pastthatbecause then you are going to be eating into your night-time sleep," Stanley says. The point, he stresses, is to get good night-time sleep, which would ensure you probably don't need to nap at all.8. What does an afternoon nap indicate for most people?A. Caffeine addiction.B. Psychological stress.C. Insufficient night sleep.D. Potential physical illness.9. What is the key to a good nap?A. Duration.B. Surroundings.C. Health.D. Stages.10. What does the underlined word "that" in the last paragraph refer to?A. A 30- to 40- minute period.B. Between 2 pm and 4 pm.C. Between 5 and 12 minutes.D. A 20- to 90-minute period.11. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?A. Why to phase a napB. When to take a good napC. What to learn from a napD. How to have a successful napDIn Colombia a group, named WebConserva, is carrying out a project in the San Lucas Mountains with the help of coffee growers.The San Lucas area is one of the most unexplored places in Colombia, which is home to many thousands of species of animals and plants. Yet gold mining and coca farming have dealt a blow to its ecosystem. To limit additional development in the San Lucas area, the group helps coffee growers by linking them with processors from around the country.Colombia has more different kinds of living things than any other country except neighboring Brazil. In 2016, the Colombian government signed a peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia ending years of civil war. As a result, more land became accessible for use, with deforestation(毁林) coming along. Government information shows that in 2017, almost 220,000 hectares of forest were destroyed compared to around 124,000 hectares in 2015.To date, the project includes 10 families who farm 400 hectares of coffee plants, which costs about $77,000 dollars a year. WebConserva hopes that, in time, 200 families will be included. At that level, 20,000 hectares of untouched forest could be protected. In San Lucas, the families promise not to cut down trees to expand their crops or to hunt wild animals from the forests. In return, they receive $ 250 to $ 300 per 125 kilograms of coffee, an enviable amount there. Arcadio Barajas is among those taking part. His new coffee plantation(种植园) makes a barrier between cattle farms and forests where wild animals like the jaguar live and hunt. In this way, he doesn't have to kill wild animals to protect his cattle.Barajas said that pulling down the forest to plant coca and killing wildlife were against his will. Now he feels that growing coffee lets him be astewardof the land. "I'm taking care of the environment, the forest and the animals," he said.12. Why does WebConserva set up the project?A. To help local farmers make money.B. To expand areas of coffee growing.C. To link processors with coffee growers.D. To conserve biodiversity in the Mountains.13. What happened after Colombia’s civil war was over?A. Colombia helped many needy families.B. Colombia lost lots of areas of forests.C. Colombia started to save damaged forests.D. Colombia became more peaceful than Brazil.14. Which is probably a function of Barajas's coffee plantation?A. A method of protecting cattle and wildlife.B. A substitute for hunting of wild animals.C. A barrier between man and wild animals.D. A shelter for cattle against human hunters.15. What does the underlined word "steward" mean in the last paragraph?A. Farmer.B. Master.C. Guardian.D. Explorer.第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
2021年盐城中学高三英语上学期期中考试试题及答案解析
2021年盐城中学高三英语上学期期中考试试题及答案解析第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项AOvernight French ToastWhat You’ll Need•16-ounce loaf of French bread•5 eggs•1 1 /2 cups milk•1/2 cup half-and-half•1/3 cup maple syrup（枫糖浆）•1/2 teaspoon salt•foil（锡箔纸）•2 tablespoons melted butter（for topping）•2 tablespoons maple syrup（for topping）What to Do•With an adult’s help, cut the bread into 1-inch slices.•Place the eggs, milk, half-and-half, maple syrup, and salt into a large bowl. Stir（揽拌）the mixture until blended（混合均匀）.•Place the sliced bread into a baking dish. Pour the mixtureover the bread and press the slices into it. Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate overnight.•Remove the dish from the refrigerator at least one hour before baking. Ask an adult for help to preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the French toast for 35 minutes or until golden brown.•For the topping, combine the melted butter and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Pour it over the French toast before serving.1.How much salt will you need to make a French toast?A.1/3 cup.B.1/2 teaspoon.C.2 tablespoons.D.16 ounces.2.How will you use foil?A.Place the sliced breadB.Cover the dish.C.Remove the dish.D.Eat the French toast.3.Who is the passage written for?A.Teachers.B.Parents.C.Cooks.D.Kids.BTwo young brothers fromMalden.Massachusettswere in the spotlight Thursday after being named “heroes" by a national organization that recognizes young people doing great things. For the Bennett brothers, the goal of their work is nothing less than helping researchers find a cure for cancer. And their inspiration came from a friend.Thirteen-year-old Hany Bennett and his nine-year-old brother Heath run their business out of their family kitchen. "We're making lip balm（润唇膏），"Harry says. They got the idea two years ago when their friend, Timmy, was diagnosed（诊断）with cancer. brothers wanted to do something. We learned that cancer patients（lips and skin can get really dry because of chemotherapy（化疗），Hany says.A light bulb went off in both of their young heads,and " Bennett Brothers Balm was born. "We make lip balm, which is kind of like our main product/ says Heath. They also make and sell different body balms, all natural, all handmade, while the profits benefit cancer research. "We've raised S 15,000/ Heath says.And with the great optimism of children, they don't just want to help；they wont to win. We want to find a cure. We want to help doctors find a cure, Harry explains, The brothers are also Gelding a team for the Light the Night Walk, to fight cancer."I think it's great to raise money and help people who have cancer," says Heath. Their parents play a big role as well, but it's the boys who provide the most enthusiasm with a message we can all learn from. "If you want to do something... do it," Harry says. "I just feel very glad that we're helping. It feels very good”，adds Heath.Harn and Heath just received the S 10,000 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. Hwy intend to save some of il for college, invest some of it in their business and give the rest to charity. And their friend Timmy? "He's doing great. He's all better, Harry says.4. What encouraged the Bennett brothers to make lip balm at first?A. Helping a friend with cancer.B. Finding a cure for cancer.C. Raising public awareness of cancer.D. Collecting money for cancer patients.5. What does the underlined part in Paragraph 3 mean?A. The two brothers finished their first product.B. The two brothers came up with an idea.C. The two brothers struggled for a stress-free life.D. The two brothers found an effective way to study.6. What do the Bennett brothers think of their work?A. It is quite competitive.B. It is well worthwhile.C. It fails to satisfy their parents.D. lt helps them make a big profit.7. What does the author intend to tell us with the two brothers' story?A. Great minds think alike.B. Two headsare better than one.C. Young kids can make a big difference.D. The longest journey begins with the first step.CGetting rid of dirt, in the opinion of most people, is a good thing However, there is nothing fixed about attitudes to dirt.In the early 16th century, people thought that dirt on the skin was a means to block outdisease, as medical opinion had it that washing off dirt with hot water could open up the skin and let ills in. A particular danger was thought to lie in public baths. By 1538, the French king had closed the bath houses in his kingdom. So did the king ofEnglandin 1546. Thus began a long time when the rich and the poor inEuropelived with dirt in a friendly way. Henry IV, king ofFrance, was famously dirty. Upon learning that a nobleman had taken a bath, the king ordered that, to avoid the attack of disease, the nobleman should not go out.Though the belief in the merit(优点) of dirt was long-lived, dirt has no longer been regarded as a nice neighbor ever since the 18th century. Scientifically speaking, cleaning away dirt is good to health. Clean water supply and hand washing are practical means of preventing disease. Yet, it seems that standards of cleanliness have moved beyond science since World War II. Advertisements repeatedly sell the idea: clothes need to be whiter than white, cloths ever softer, surfaces to shine. Has the hate for dirt, however, gone too far?Attitudes to dirt still differ hugely nowadays. Many first-time parents nervously try to warn their children off touching dirt, which might be responsible for the spread of disease. On the contrary, Mary Ruebush, an American immunologist(免疫学家), encourages children to play in the dirt to build up a strong immune system. And the latter position is gaining some ground.8. The kings ofFranceandEnglandin the 16th century closed bath houses because .A. they lived healthily in a dirty environmentB. they thought bath houses were too dirty to stay inC. they considered bathing as cause of skin diseaseD. They believed disease could be spread in public baths9. Which of the following best describes Henry IV’s attitude to bathing?A. CuriousB. AfraidC. ApprovingD. Uninterested10. How does the passage mainly develop?A. By following the order of time.B. By making comparison.C. By providing examplesD. By following the order of importance.111. What is the author’s purpose in writing the passages?A. To call attention to the danger of dirt.B. To introduce the history of dirt.C. To present the change of views on dirt.D. To stress the role of dirt.DIt was very cold and I had been watching a homeless man make himself comfortable in a “shelter” on the river bank. His “shelter” was a tarpaulin (油布)tied to rocks to keep the wind from blowing it away. He had been living there for over a month. I never saw him with warm clothing or food. I knew what I wanted to do.When I told my parents what I wanted to do they werealarmed. They said I could be putting myself at risk, taking a box to a homeless person at night! But I knew, in my deep heart, that I would be safe.I got a box. My parents watched as I added warm gloves, a heavy blanket ... into the box until it was full! Then, I put a Christmas card on top. It said, “Even though we hardly know each other, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas!” I put ten one-dollar bills inside it as well.My father insisted he went there with me as it was 10 pm on Christmas Eve. I said he could drive me but he had to stay in the car. He agreed.I took the box and walked towards his “house”. I called, “Sir, I have a Christmas box for you!”“Go away!” he shouted.“Sir,” I repeated.“Go away!” he shouted.“Why?” I asked him.He walked over and I expected to see an angry face. Instead I saw two of the most beautiful, gentle, blue eyes I have ever seen.“Merry Christmas!” I said.“Why are you doing this?” he asked.“Because you matter to me,” I said. With that I gave him the box.Tears came to his eyes and he thanked me. I got back to the car and watched him carry the box like it was filled with gold. I didn’t want to embarrass (使困窘) him by watching him any more so Dad and I left.12. The underlined word “alarmed” can best be replaced by _____.A. pleasedB. worriedC. disappointedD. surprised13. Why did the author ask his father to stay in the car?A. Because he wanted to prove he was brave.B. Because he believed the homeless man was bad.C. Because he wanted to protect his father from being hurt.D. Because he didn’t want the homeless man to feel bad.14. When the homeless man saw the author first, he was _____.A. quite angryB. very excitedC. quite puzzledD. very curious15. The author’s purpose in writing the text is to tell readers that _____.A. it is easier said than doneB. poverty is the mother of healthC. where there is a will, there is a wayD. a willing helper doesnot wait until he is asked第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。