Tens of thousands of theatre tickets will be given away to young people next year as part of a government campaign to inspire a lifelong love for theatre.
The plan to offer free seats to people aged between 18 to 26—funded with £2.5 million of taxpayers’ money—was announced yesterday by Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary. It received a cautious welcome from some in the arts world, who expressed concern that the tickets may not reach the most underprivileged.
The plan comes as West End theatres are enjoying record audiences, thanks largely to musicals teaming up with television talent shows. Attendances reached. 13.6 million in 2007, up 10 percent on 2006, itself a record year. Total sales were up 18 percent on 2006 to almost £470 million.
One theatre source criticised the Government’s priorities(優(yōu)先考慮的事) in funding free tickets when pensioners were struggling to buy food and fuel, saying: “I don’t know why the Government’s wasting money on this. The Yong Vic, as The Times reported today, offers excellent performances at cheap prices.”
There was praise for the Government’s plan from Dominic Cooke of the Royal Court Theatre, who said: “I support any move to get young people into theatre, and especially one that aims to do it all over England, not just in London.”
Ninety-five publicly funded theatres could apply for funding under the two-year plan. In return, they will offer free tickets on at least one day each week to 18 to 26-year-olds, first-come, first-served. It is likely to be on Mondays, traditionally a quiet night for the theatre.
Mr. Burnham said: “A young person attending the theatre can find it an exciting experience, and be inspired to explore a new world. But sometimes people miss out on it because they fear it’s ‘not for them’. It’s time to change this perception.”
Jeremy Hunt, the Shadow Culture Secretary, said: “The real issue is not getting enthusiastic children into the theatre, but improving arts education so that more young people want to go in the first place. For too many children theatres are a no-go area.”
小題1:Critics of the plan argued that ______.
A．the theatres would be overcrowded
B．it would be a waste of money
C．pensioners wouldn’t get free tickets
D．the government wouldn’t be able to afford it
小題2:According to the supporters, the plan should ______.
A．benefit the television industry
B．focus on producing better plays
C．help increase the sales of tickets
D．involve all the young people in England
小題3:Which of the following is TRUE about the plan?
A．Ninety-five theatres have received funding.
B．Everyone will get at least one free ticket.
C．It may not benefit all the young people.
D．Free tickets are offered once every day.
小題4:We can infer from the passage that in England ______.
A．many plays are not for young people
B．many young people don’t like theatre
C．people know little about the plan
D．children used to receive good arts education
小題5:According to the passage, the issue to offer free tickets to young people seems ______.
A．controversialB．inspiringC．excitingD．unreasonable

小題1:B
小題2:D
小題3:C
小題4:B
小題5:A

小題1:細(xì)節(jié)理解題。由第四段的I don't know why the Government’s wasting money…可知答案。
小題2:細(xì)節(jié)理解題。由第五段的I support any move to get young people into theatre, and especially one that aims to do it all over England, not just in London.可知答案。
小題3:細(xì)節(jié)理解題。由第六段第一句可排除A；由第六階段第二句可排除B、D。
小題4:主旨大意題。，由文章第后兩段可知，之所以向年輕人免費(fèi)贈(zèng)送，就是因?yàn)槟贻p人對(duì)觀看戲不感興趣。
小題5:推理判斷題。由文中提到了反對(duì)者的意見(jiàn)和贊同者的觀點(diǎn)可推知。
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科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

ple — their clothes, ideas, or languages—has changed as much as what they eat. The original chocolate drink was made from the seeds of the cocoa tree(可可樹(shù))by South American. Indians. The Spanish introduced it to the rest of the world during the 1500’s. And although it was very expensive, it quickly became fashionable. In London, shops where chocolate drinks were served became important meeting places. Some still exist today.
The potato is also from the New World. Around 1600, the Spanish brought it from Peru to Eu??rope, where it soon was widely grown. Ireland became so dependent on it that thousands of Irish peo??ple starved when the crop failed during the "Potato Famine (饑荒)" of 1845—1846, and thousands more were forced to leave their homeland and move to America.
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小題1:according to the passage, which of the following has changed the most in the last 500 years?
A．Food.B．Clothing.C．Ideology.D．Language.
小題2:The word "some" in the last sentence of the first paragraph refers to________.
A．some cocoa treesB．some chocolate drinks.
C．some shopsD．some South American Indians
小題3:Thousands of Irish people starved during the " Potato Famine" because________
A．they were so dependent on potatoes that they refused to eat anything else
B．they were forced to leave their homeland and move to America
C．the weather conditions in Ireland were not suitable for growing potatoes
D．the potato harvest was bad
小題4:according to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true?
A．One third of the world’s population drinks coffee.
B．Coffee is native to Colombia.
C．Coffee can keep one awake.
D．Coffee drinks were first made by Arabs.

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科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

THERE are many different Londons, and they appeal to people with many different passions: museum lovers, theatergoers, opera buffs (愛(ài)好者，迷；熱心人), devotees of royalty, students of history, people who like to walk in the rain. But richest of all, perhaps, is the London for book lovers.
Because the city is the star and the backdrop of so much great literature, it is possible to believe you know it very well — how it looks, how it feels — without ever leaving your home country, or indeed your home. But it is better to visit, if only for the joy of seeing the landscape of your imagination come to life. How breathtaking to happen upon Pudding Lane, where a bakery accident led to the Great Fire of 1666, after reading Pepys’s account in his diaries. Or to wander along Baker Street, where Sherlock Holmes once fictionally solved the unsolvable. Walk across London Bridge and gaze down, toward Southwark Bridge: this is the stretch of the Thames where Dickens’s sinister characters dredged up corpses in “Our Mutual Friend.”
The city is not so foggy as it was in 1952, when Margery Allingham published “The Tiger in the Smoke,” or as socially stratified as it when Marianne Dashwood waited in “Sense and Sensibility” for a suitor who never called; or as greedy as it was in the thrusting 1980s of Martin Amis’s “Money.” But it is all of those Londons, an accrual of different descriptions and eras. It is a city made for description — reread the first passages of “Bleak House,” also on the subject of fog, for a moody introduction — and one that so respects its authors that it buried a number of the best ones in style, in Westminster Abbey.
There are plenty of organized literary-themed tours around the city, easily found on the Internet. Or you can wander characteristically on your own, which is more fun. If you take the Tube or the bus, make sure to carry a book.  
6. What can we infer from the first paragraph?
A. Most people of London like visiting museums.
B. No Londoners go to cinemas to see the films.
C. A majority of Londoners are book lovers.
D. All the Londoners like to walk in the rain.
7. What information can you get from Pepy’s diaries?
A. Great Fire of 1666 caused by an accident in a bakery.
B. Sherlock Holmes once lived in Baker Street.
C. London Bridge is next to Baker Street.
D. “Our Mutual Friend” is one of Dickens’s works.
8. Who is Sherlock Holmes?
A. A book lover.            B. A character of Dickens’s novel: “Our Mutual Friend”.
C. A detective.              D. A person who set the Great Fire of 1666.
9. In which book can’t you find the description about the fog in London?
A. “The Tiger in the Smoke”        B. “Sense and Sensibility”
C. “Money”                                       D. “Our Mutual Friend”
10. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Most kinds of tours around London may be found on the Internet.
B. You must be shown around London by a guide.
C. There are many kinds of literary-themed activities including tours.
D. You’d better take a book when you travel in London.

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科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

His eyes nearly in tears from the crush of fellow travelers at Guangzhou's train station, Hong Tao said things were much better on Sunday, after days of waiting for a train to his home in Hubei province.
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Chinese authorities say they expect 1.3 million people to travel out of Guangzhou's train station over the next few days, as they rush to get home by Wednesday, the eve of Lunar New Year.
Hong's optimism may have been helped by the blue skies that emerged over Guangzhou on Sunday for the first time in a week.
Last week, a rare winter storm paralyzed China's transportation system as millions tried to get home to celebrate the holiday — the only chance for many migrant workers to see their families all year.
China's state-run Xinhua news agency said Friday that 95 percent of rail traffic had "returned to normal." But Guangzhou's train station remained packed with a backlog of hundreds of thousands of travelers hoping to get home for the holiday.
A young woman was stepped on in a stampede (人群蜂擁) at the train station Friday, and later died of her injuries, according to Xinhua. Video of the situation on Friday showed crowds of people screaming, elbowing each other, in some cases sobbing and collapsing in the rush to get a slot (狹縫，窄孔) on a train.
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6. How many days is it from the day this article was made to the Lunar New Year?
A. Two days.         B. Three days.               C. Four days.         D. Five days.
7. What can we know about the weather condition of last week in Guangzhou?
A. Sunny with blue sky.               B. Rainy for a whole week.
C. Heavily snowy.                       D. Rainy first and snowy now.
8. Why are there so many passengers in Guangzhou’s train station?
A. Because the heavy snow stopped the passengers from leaving the station.
B. Because the passengers didn’t hope to leave the station right now.
C. Because the passengers hoped to leave for their hometown.
D. Because the holiday was coming near.
9. Where is Hong Tao from?
A. Shandong province.                B. Hubei province.
C. Guandong province.                      D. Not mentioned.
10. What can we infer from the passage?
A. On Friday, a young man was dead because of crowds’ elbowing, screaming.
B. China’s Government have arranged the PLA forces to help.
C. The government of China have offered money to help farmers enjoy the new year.
D. Many crops have been destroyed by the crowds of people.

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科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：完形填空

The requirements for high school graduation have just changed in my community. As a result, all students must   36   sixty hours of service learning,   37   they will not receive a diploma. Service learning is academic learning that also helps the community.    38    of service learning include cleaning up a polluted river, working in a soup kitchen, or tutoring a student.    39   a service experience, students must keep a journal（日志）and then write a   40   about what they have learned.
Supporters claim that there are many   41    of service learning. Perhaps most importantly, students are forced to think   42   their own interests and become   43   of the needs of others. Students are also able to learn real-life skills that   44    responsibility, problem-solving, and working as part of a team.   45  , students can explore possible careers   46   service learning.
For example, if a student wonders what teaching is like, he or she can choose to work in an elementary school classroom a few afternoons each month.  47   there are many benefits, opponents （反對(duì)者）   48   problems with the new requirement. First, they   49   that the main reason students go to school is to learn core subjects and skills. Because service learning is time-consuming, students spend   50   time studying the core subjects. Second, they believe that forcing students to work without   51   goes against the law. By requiring service, the school takes away an individual's freedom to choose.
In my view, service learning is a great way to   52   to the community, learn new skills, and explore different careers.   53   , I don' t believe you should force people to help others – the  54   to help must come from the heart. I think the best   55    is one that gives students choices: a student should be able to choose sixty hours of independent study or sixty hours of service. Choice encourages both freedom and responsibility, and as young adults, we must learn to handle both wisely.
小題1:
A．spendB．gainC．completeD．save
小題2:
A．a(chǎn)ndB．orC．butD．for
小題3:
A．SubjectsB．ideasC．ProceduresD．Examples
小題4:
A．WithB．BeforeC．DuringD．After
小題5:A. diary             B, report              C . note              D. notice
小題6:
A．coursesB．benefitsC．challengesD．features
小題7:
A．beyondB．a(chǎn)boutC．overD．in
小題8:
A．carefulB．proudC．tiredD．a(chǎn)ware
小題9:
A．possessB．a(chǎn)pplyC．includeD．develop
小題10:
A．GraduallyB．FinallyC．LuckilyD．Hopefully
小題11:
A．throughB．a(chǎn)crossC．ofD．on
小題12:
A．SoB．ThusC．SinceD．While
小題13:
A．deal withB．look intoC．point outD．take down
小題14:
A．a(chǎn)rgueB．doubtC．overlookD．a(chǎn)dmit
小題15:
A．muchB．fullC．lessD．more
小題16:
A．costB．payC．care.D．praise
小題17:
A．contributeB．a(chǎn)ppealC．a(chǎn)ttendD．belong
小題18:
A．ThereforeB．OtherwiseC．BesidesD．However
小題19:
A．courageB．desireC．emotionD．spirit
小題20:
A．decisionB．purposeC．solutionD．result

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科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解


237 West Palmdale Boulevard
Fresno, California 93706
AmToy Corporation
Suite 15
TransAm Building
San Francisco, California 94115
November 20, 2008
Dear Sirs,
As a concerned parent, I am writing to protest your recent advertisement for Electro—Robo seen in local media is California. Specifically, I am referring to newspaper and magazine ads（attached to this letter）published the week of November 15.
Children respond to your type of advertising in an immature way; that is, they are unable to understand how expensive some toys are for middle-class parents. Further, you product is violent in nature. Youth advertisement gives children the impression that it’s fine to have “two guns and laser eyes.” You also suggest that children need your toy to protect them “when you go outside.” This is not a healthy attitude for children to have.
I hope you will stop advertising your product in such a way that may harm our children.
Sincerely yours,
（Mrs.） Alma Hernandez
President, Parents for Non-violent Toys
Enc.
 
It’s here! Ready for You, Now! It’s Electro-Robo!
Every boy dreams of being in control of a robot, and AmToy can make your dream come true! Electro-Roho is the world’s first fully automatic robot with radio control. Standing 80 centimeters tall, Electro-Robo is like a friend at home. He can walk, talk, and even shake your hand! He has two guns and laser eyes to help you defend yourself when you go outside with him. Every boy needs Electro-Robo!
Ask your Mom and Dad to buy Electro-Robo for your birthday or for Christmas, which is coming up soon. Imagine that you are in control of your friend for life, Electro-Robo!
Available at all toy stores and department stores NOW!
 
小題1:What is the purpose of the letter?
A．To complain about a broken toy.B．To oppose the advertising.
C．To order a gift for Chrismas.D．To apply for a job in a toy company.
小題2:Why does the writer of the letter that Electro-Robo is violent?
A．It is controlled by radio water.B．It is expensive to buy.
C．It is 80 centimeter tall.D．It bears arms.
小題3:What dose “Enc.” at the end of the letter mean?
A．Something attached to the letter.B．A complaint to the toy company.
C．A hidden messageD．An encouraging response.
小題4:Electro-Robo can do all the following EXCEPT ______-.
A．sitting downB．shaking handsC．talkingD．walking

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科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

Alzheimer's disease affects millions of people around the world. American researchers say the disease will affect more than one hundred million people worldwide by the year twenty fifty. That would be four times the current number. Researchers and doctors have been studying Alzheimer's patients for a century. Yet the cause and cure for the mental sickness are still unknown. However, some researchers have made important steps towards understanding it.
Several early signs of the disease involve memory and thought processes. At first, patients have trouble remembering little things. Later, they have trouble remembering more important things, such as the names of their children.
There are also some physical tests that might show who is at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The tests look for proteins in brain and spinal cord fluid. The proteins appear to be found only in people with the disease. The protein tests correctly identify the presence of the disease in about ninety percent of patients.
Now, a much simpler physical test to predict Alzheimer's risk has been developed. Researchers found that trouble with the sense of smell can be one of the first signs of Alzheimer's. Using this information, they developed a test in which people were asked to identify twelve familiar smells. These smells included cinnamon, black pepper, chocolate, paint thinner, and smoke.
The study continued for five years. During this period, the same people were asked to take several tests measuring their memory and thought abilities. Fifty percent of those who could not identify at least four of the smells in the first test had trouble with their memory and thinking in the next five years.
Another study has shown a possible way to reduce a person's chances of developing Alzheimer's disease in old age. Researchers in Chicago found that people who use their brains more often are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. Those who read a newspaper, or play chess or word games are about three times less likely to develop the condition.
Researchers say they still do not know what causes Alzheimer's disease. But they say these findings might help prevent the disease in the future.
41. What’s the main idea of the passage?
A. Some early signs of the Alzheimer's disease.
B. Some physical tests about Alzheimer's disease.
C. The research about Alzheimer's disease.
D. The patients of Alzheimer's disease.
42. What’s the current number of Alzheimer’s patients?
A. 100 million   B. 25 million   C. 400 million   D. 2050 million
43. What is not the early signs of the Alzheimer's disease according to the passage?
A. Poor memory                     B. Proteins exist in the brain.
C. Trouble with the sense of smell.      D. Less use of the brain.
44. What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 1 refer to?
A. Alzheimer's disease.   B. Alzheimer's patients.  C. The cause and cure.  D. The research.
45. According to the passage, we can learn that _______.
A. there are no proteins in the brains of the people with no Alzheimer's disease
B. the people who often use their brains will not get Alzheimer's disease
C. researchers and doctors have found ways to cure Alzheimer's disease
D. the people who have the trouble with the sense of smell will certainly suffer from Alzheimer's disease

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科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

Should we allow modern buildings to? be built next to older buildings in a historic area of  a city? In order to answer this question, we must first examine whether people really want to preserve the historic feel of an area. Not all historical buildings are attractive. However, there may be other reasons for example, economic (經(jīng)濟(jì)的) reasons-why they should be preserved. So, let us assume that historical buildings are both attractive and important to the majority of people. What should we do then if a new building is needed?
In my view, new architectural styles can exist perfectly well alongside an older style. Indeed, there are many examples in my own home town of Tours where modern designs have been placed very successfully next to old buildings. As long as the building in question is pleasing and does not dominate (影響) its surroundings too much, it often improves the attractiveness of the area.
It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt (破壞) the area they are in, but the same can be said of some old buildings too. Yet people still speak against new buildings in historic areas. I think this is simply because people are naturally conservative(保守的)and do not like change.
Although we have to respect people's feelings as fellow users of the buildings, I believe that it is the duty of the architect and planner to move things forward . If we always reproduced what was there before,we would all still be living in caves . Thus , I would argue against copying previous architectural styles and choose something fresh and different , even though that might be the more risky choice.
小題1:What does the author say about historical buildings in the first paragraph?
A．Some of them are not attractive.
B．Most of them ate too expensive to preserve.
C．They are more pleasing than modern buildings.
D．They have nothing to do with the historic feel of an area.
小題2:Which of the following is true according to the author ?
A．We should reproduce the same old buildings.
B．Buildings should not dominate their surroundings.
C．Some old buildings have spoilt the area they are in.
D．No one understands why people speak against new buildings.
小題3:By “move things forward ” in the last paragraph , the author probably means“     ”
A．Destroy old buildings
B．Put things in a different place
C．Choose new architectural styles
D．Respect people’s feelings for historical buildings
小題4:What is the main purpose of the passage?
A．To explain why people dislike change.
B．To warn that we could end up living in caves.
C．To admit how new buildings have ruined their surroundings.
D．To argue that modern buildings can be built in historic areas.

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科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

   There is probably no field of human activity in which our values and lifestyles are shown more clearly and strongly than they are in the clothes that we choose to wear.The dress of an individual is a kind of “sign language” that communicates a set of information and is usually the basis on which immediate impressions are formed.Traditionally,a concern for clothes was considered to be an affair of females,while men took pride in the fact that they were completely lacking in clothes consciousness(意識(shí)).
This type of American culture is by degrees changing as man dress takes on greater variety and color.Even as early as 1955,a researcher in Michigan said that men attached rather high importance to the value of clothing in daily life. White collar workers in particular viewed dress as a symbol(象征)of ability,which could be used to impress or influence others,especially in the work situation.The white collar worker was described as extremely concerned about the impression his clothing made on his superiors(上司).Although blue collar workers were less aware(察覺(jué)到的)that they might be judged on the basis of their clothing,they recognized that any difference from the accepted pattern of dress would be made fun of by fellow workers.
Since that time,of course,the patterns have changed:the typical office worker may now be wearing the blue shirt,and the laborer a white shirt;but the importance of dress has not become less.Other researchers in recent years have helped to prove its importance in the lives of individuals at various age levels and in different social and economic status groups(階層).
小題1:The passage tells us that _______.
A．our values and lifestyles are in no field of human activity
B．the clothes that we choose to wear have something to do with our values and lifestyles
C．our values and lifestyles are from the sign language
D．the clothes we choose to wear depend on a set of information and immediate impression
小題2:Traditionally,people usually thought that _______.
A．men cared very much for clothes
B．women were concerned greatly about what they wore while men didn’t
C．both men and women paid great attention to their clothes
D．neither men nor women showed interest in clothes
小題3:Blue collar workers pay attention to their clothes because _______.
A．they are concerned about the impression their clothes make on their superiors
B．they know very clearly that people will judge them on the basis of their clothing
C．they want to impress and influence others
D．they don’t want to be laughed at
小題4:Which of the following can best explain the underlined sentence in the second paragraph?
A．Men thought the value of clothing in daily life was very important.
B．Men didn’t pay attention to the importance of the value of clothing in daily life.
C．Men thought little of the importance of the value of clothing in daily life.
D．Men were concerned little about the value of clothing in daily life.
小題5:The passage mainly suggests that _______.
A．now men pay more attention to their clothes than women do
B．women always like beautiful dresses
C．people have paid more and more attention to the importance of dress
D．American culture is changing greatly

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