2015年上海高考英语真题试卷(含答案)

2015年上海高考英语真题试卷(含答案)

Gift from a Stranger

My local supermarket is always busy。When I arrived。I found a convenient parking space。However。I noticed a woman in a blue car circling the lot for a while。Since I was in a good mood。I decided to let her have the space。I then backed into the next available spot。which was a tight fit.

After making my way through the supermarket。I was back in the fresh air。Feeling good。I emptied my purse of change into the hands of a homeless man。I also helped a struggling woman with her reverse parking.

As I approached my car。I noticed the woman I had given my parking spot to earlier。She was giving me an unusual look。appearing both puzzled and intent。I smiled and wished her a pleasant day as I squeezed back into my car。As I settled in。I saw the same woman looking at me through my window。"Hello," she said hesitantly。"This may sound crazy。but I was on my way

to drop off some of my mother's things at the charity bins。You

are just so much like her。You helped those people。and you seemed so happy." She looked at me with meaning and passed a

box through the window。"I think she would like you to have it."

In shock。I took the box from her。and she smiled before walking away.

After a moment of n。I opened the box and found a beautiful gold necklace with a large grey pearl。It was the nicest gift I had ever received。and it was from a complete stranger。The necklace now rests around my neck。serving as a warm reminder of the kindness of others.

Look to many of history’s cultural symbols。and you’ll fi nd

an ancestor of Frosty。the snowman in the movie Frozen。Snowmen have been around for centuries and have been a popular form of folk art。During my years of research around the world。I discovered that snowmen appeared on some of the first postcards。starred in some of the earliest silent movies。and were the subject

of a couple of the earliest photos。dating all the way back to the 1800s.

Snowmen were a phenomenon in the Middle Ages。built with great skill and thought。At a time of limited means of n。snow was like free art supplies dropped from the sky。It was a popular activity for people to create snowmen。and they were often built as a form of entertainment。The snowmen were not just simple figures made of snow。but were often decorated with clothing and accessories.

In the 19th century。snowmen became even more popular as a symbol of winter fun。They were often used in advertising and were a common sight in winter festivals。People would build snowmen in their yards and on the streets。and it became a popular activity for families to do together.

Today。snowmen are still a popular symbol of winter fun and are often featured in movies。books。and ns。They continue to be a beloved part of our cultural heritage and a reminder of the joy and creativity that can be found in even the simplest of things.

1.What is the history of snowmen?

A。Snowmen were only popular in the Middle Ages.

B。Snowmen were created for advertising purposes in the

19th century.

C。Snowmen have been around for centuries and have been a popular form of folk art.

D。Snowmen were only popularized in recent times.

2.What was the purpose of building snowmen in the Middle Ages?

A。To decorate the streets.

B。To create a form of entertainment.

C。To advertise products.

D。To show off one's skills in creating art.

3.How did snowmen e popular in the 19th century?

A。They were featured in movies and books.

B。They were a common sight in winter festivals.

C。They were used as a form of entertainment for families.

D。All of the above.

4.What is the significance of snowmen today?

A。They are a reminder of the joy and creativity that can be found in even the simplest of things.

B。They are only used for advertising purposes.

C。They are no longer a popular symbol of winter fun.

D。They are only featured in historical movies and books.

During the winter season。it is a popular activity for couples

to take a leisurely stroll through the town to view the temporary works of chilly art。Among these works were ns by famous artists。such as Michelangelo who。at the age of 19 in 1494.was appointed by the ruler of Florence。Italy。to build a snowman in his n's courtyard.

One of the most impressive displays of snowmen occurred during the Miracle of 1511.which took place during six weeks of freezing weather known as the Winter of Death。The city of Brussels was covered in snowmen。creating an awe-inspiring scene that told stories on every street corner。Some snowmen

were political in nature。criticizing the church and government。

while others were a n of people's n。For the people of Brussels。this was a defining moment of artistic freedom。However。their joy was short-lived as spring arrived and brought with it damaging floods。

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The passage does not provide a clear answer to this n.

If you're worried that the era of the snowman has come to an end。fear not。It turns out that explosive snowman ns are still alive and well。In Zurich。Switzerland。the people have been celebrating the start of spring by blowing up a snowman every year since 1818.This is done during the Sechselauten holiday。which takes place on the third Monday of April。The n starts with a parade featuring a cotton snowman called the Bӧӧgg。which is stuffed with explosives and carried through town by bakers and other tradespeople who throw bread to the crowds。The parade ends with the Bӧӧgg being placed on a 40-foot pile of firewood。

After the bells of the Church of St。Peter have rung six times。representing the passing of winter。the pile is lit。When the snowman explodes。winter is officially over。The faster it burns down。the longer summer is said to last.

Building snowmen was not just a fun winter activity。but it also helped people develop their skills and thinking abilities。According to historians。the "heyday of the snowman" referred to the time when snowmen enjoyed great popularity。In Zurich。the blowing up of the Bӧӧgg symbolizes the passing of winter and the coming of a longer summer。From the passage。it can be concluded that snowmen were appreciated in history and had value beyond just being a temporary n.