Barack Obama has never been shy about comparing himself with Abraham Lincoln. He did so when he announced his presidential election in lllinois ,where both he and Lincoln served in the legislature (立法机关) . “The life of a tall ,thin ,self –made Springfield lawyer tells us that a different future is possible.” Obama said. “He tells us that there is power in words and that there is power in hope.” Such comparisons have contiuned on big and small occasions,but the most important similarity ,in Obama’s mind, is how he plans to govern if elected.
Obama says he admires Doris Kearns Goodwin’s wonderful Lincoln biography, Team of Rivals.”He talks about it all the time .” says a top assistant .”He is particularly interested in the idea that Lincoln successfully won the hearts of many people who had run against him for President,some of them even disagree with him firmly .” “The lesson is that you shouldn’t let your hatred get in the way of hiring absolutely the best people .” says Obama.”I think American people are practical and so I have an interest in casting a wide net , seeking out people with a wide range of expert knowledge,including Republicans, for the highest positions in the government.”
“I don’t want to have people who just agree with me .”He says . “I want people who are continually pushing me forward and I’d be very interested in having those sorts of Republicans in my government, especially people who can speed up a responsible and logocal conclusion to the Iraq war..”
1.According to Barack Obama, the biggest similarity between Lincoln and himself is ______.
A.they both lived lllinois
B.they served in the same office
C.both of them are black
D.they have the same idea in governing
2.Obama is willing to cooperate with those who disagree with him because .
A.he is interested in Republicans’ideas
B.he doesn’t want to show his hatred to the public
C.they have the highest positions in the government
D.they may push him to make the right decisions
3. The author wrote the passage to .
A.compare Obama and Lincoln |
B.help Obama to win more support |
C.tell us something about Obama |
D.announce Obama’s political ideas |
4.What can we infer from the passage?
A.Obama is a member of the Republicans.
B.The passage was written after the presidential election.
C.Doris Goodwin is one of Obama’s assistants.
D.In the end Lincoln was able to get the support of the people who once hated him.
Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is perhaps the most famous portrait in the world, but now some suspect that the woman with the mysterious smile may not be a woman after all. They are suggesting that the Mona Lisa may be a self-portrait, da Vinci in drag (女装).
Italy’s National Committee for Cultural Heritage (INCCH) is carrying out the research. They think the artist, who died in 1519, was buried at a French castle and they plan to dig up his body. Using CSI-style technology, they want to rebuild da Vinci’s face. Jason Rosenfeld, a member of INCCH, says, “ It shows the reason why we preserved Einstein’s brain or King Tut’s mummy (木乃伊), which throws light on the problem we are working on.”
“Now we want to get the body of Leonardo. We want to see what he died of, we want to see his DNA, we want to see the size of his head, and what his facial feature were like, so we can know whether this was a self-portrait.”
The Mona Lisa was painted around 500 years ago. Beyond that, we know almost nothing about the painting that is now on display at the Louvre in Paris.
But will the exhumation (发掘) discover the truth behind the Mona Lisa? Not likely, according to Rosenfeld. “If the French government really wants to help find out what this is about, what they should do is allow us to clean the Mona Lisa. We will learn much more from it and understand it better if we are allowed to clean the painting than by digging up a body.”What can be learnt from the text?
A.The French government will be in charge of digging up da Vinci’s body. |
B.The INCCH will learn more if allowed to clean the Mona Lisa painting. |
C.The exhumation will help uncover the truth behind the Mona Lisa. |
D.The French government wants to help find out the truth. |
Which of the following is TRUE about the Mona Lisa?
A.It is now preserved in France. |
B.It is a self-portrait of da Vinci in drag. |
C.It has the same long history as King Tut’s mummy. |
D.It was painted in 1519. |
What’s the question that the INCCH is researching on?
A.What da Vinci died of. |
B.Whether da Vinci liked dressing in drag. |
C.Whether the Mona Lisa was painted by da Vinci. |
D.Whether the Mona Lisa is da Vinci’s self-portrait. |
What the underlined phrase, “ throws light on”, in the second paragraph mean?
A.Pays attention to. |
B.Makes people feel confident. |
C.Makes it possible for people to know. |
D.Draws people’s attention. |
12-year-old Robert Looks Twice appears to be the typical all-American boy. He is the quarterback of his school’s football team, student council president and one of the top students in his class.
But he hasn’t forgotten his Lakota Sioux root. Unlike most children on the reservation (居留地), he keeps his hair long, a symbol of strength, and he performs at powwows (祈祷仪式), traditionally known as wacipis, where he is a champion of the traditional Lakota dance. Robert was inspired to start dancing by his grandfather, John Tail, who had a small role in the famous film about Indian Amercans, Dances with Wolves. Six years ago, John passed away, and Robert wears little wolves on his clothes in his memory.
We are told that his last name, “ Looks Twice”, came about because his ancestors were cautious and always took a second look.
Robert lives in a trailer (拖车) with his grandmother, uncle and eight other cousins. When he gives us a tour, the trailer is falling apart. “ It is getting ready to cave in (坍塌),” says Robert about the kitchen floor. The family also put trash bags on the ceiling, because it’s leaking. “ When it rains it gets all my shirts wet,” he says of another leak in his bedroom. Often the electricity goes off and the family have to use the burners on the stove to heat the house.
This kind of poverty is typical of the reservation. The reservation is the third poorest county in America, and Robert’s community, Manderson, is known for its high crime rate. But despite all the temptations (诱惑) of drugs and alcohol around him, Robert remain focused on being the first person in his family to go to college and then a very big dream.
“ I want to be the first Native American President,” Robert said. “ I want to build better houses and clean up the reservation, because it’s bad. Get people off the drugs and alcohol and spend that money on their children. Build a better school and playground. Try to get a mall down here to help people get work.”What can we learn from Robert’s experience?
A.Everyone should persist in chasing their dreams. |
B.The poor can get more help from others. |
C.It is never too late to study. |
D.It is necessary for everyone to go to college. |
Unlike Robert, what do most children on the reservation do?
A.They dance like their ancestors. |
B.They don’t worship their grandfather. |
C.They keep their hair short. |
D.They have Lakota Sioux roots. |
What does Robert do, even though he is living in terrible conditions?
A.He helps people get off drugs and alcohol. |
B.He helps people get work by getting a mall. |
C.He keeps working toward his dream. |
D.He is beginning to build a better house. |
Why is Robert said to be a typical American boy?
A.He like traveling. |
B.He has a higher position in his family. |
C.He wants to be the first Native American President. |
D.He is excellent in all respects. |
From Rome and Venice to the rolling hills of Tuscany and the charm of Milan, Italy is a bottomless well of attractions. It is a motherland of artists and scientists that changed the shape of the world. Here are some places you should see on your vacations to Italy.
Valley of the Temples
Welcome to Sicily and one of its most amazing attractions. The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is an extensive archaeological site containing the well-preserved remains of various Doric temples dating from the 5th century B.C. In accord with standard criteria (标准) for both Greek and Roman temples, all structures face east so that the statue of the god housed inside will be illuminated (照亮) by the rising sun. The site being located on a ridge overlooking the town, the term “valley” is obviously a misnomer (误称),but it quite captures the vastness of the place.
Uffizi Gallery
The reputation for being one of the finest universally acclaimed (受到高度赞扬的) museums of all time comes courtesy of masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo and Rubens. Their timeless works are proudly displayed on the top floor of the palace in Florence.
Historic Centre of Siena
Siena may not equal Florence in overall artistic achievement, but its charm makes it a place that no other can compare to. Centered on Piazza del Campo, the historic district is a container of 12th –century Gothic, and a mirror of the Middle Ages. Full of pearls of architecture and cultural highlights, the historic centre of Siena is an excellent trip back in time, ideally to be taken in summer.
Grand Canal
Taking the water bus along the Canal Grande is like going back through centuries of history. The famous Venetian waterway runs more than 3.5 km through all six districts of the historic center. The impressive Renaissance palaces rub shoulders with Gothic arches and marble mixes with gold. Numerous landmarks never cease to provoke (激起) admirable sighs on the way.Which of the following would be better to visit in summer?
A.Uffizi Gallery. | B.Valley of the Temples. |
C.Grand Canal. | D.Historic Centre of Siena |
The main purpose of the passage is ______.
A.to tell visitors about the advantages of travelling in Italy |
B.to supply visitors with information about some famous museums |
C.to show visitors the features of Italy |
D.to suggest some good places to go in Italy to visitors |
Which are the unique features of the Grand Canal?
① There are many Gothic arches.
② You can see many Renaissance palaces there.
③ The length of the Venetian waterway is three kilometers.
④ You can take the water bus to enjoy its beauty.
A.①②③ | B.①②④ | C.②③④ | D.①③④ |
Where can one probably find this passage?
A.In a sports newspaper. | B.In a geography report. |
C.In a traveling magazine. | D.In a novel. |
A developer edition of Sony’s augmented reality smart glasses will go on sale in ten countries next month, the tech giant has announced.
Pre-orders for the SmartEyeglass, costing $840 (£620), are now being taken in the UK and Germany, with Japan and the US to follow shortly. The black-framed glasses are compatible (兼容的) with recent Android operating systems. Last month Google announced that it was withdrawing its smart glasses for redevelopment. Sony’s initial model will come with a software development kit to encourage people to design apps for it, the company said.
The glasses, which weigh 77g, contain an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, image and brightness sensors, 3-megapixel camera and a microphone. They also come with a controller, designed to be attached to clothing, which contains a speaker, touch sensor and the device’s battery. Text is displayed in front of the wearer in monochrome green.
Apple chief executive Tim Cook has been open about his dislike of glasses as a wearable device. “We always thought that glasses were not a smart move, from a point of view that people would not really want to wear them,” he told the New Yorker. “They were intrusive (闯入的), instead of pushing technology to the background, as we’ve always believed.”
Stuart Miles, founder of tech site Pocket-lint, said: “I think [Sony is] wasting their time, energy and effort.”
“Google Glass obviously needed a complete rethink... I can’t see how something thick-rimmed and more invasive-looking than Google Glass is going to catch on.
“People are keen on wearables like fitness bands and watches, but they care about their faces. Wearing something on your head is a lot stronger than wearing something on your arm,” he added. “The industry keeps pushing it but consumers just don’t want it.”In which countries people can get the SmartEyeglass first?
A.The US and Japan. | B.The US and the UK. |
C.The UK and Japan. | D.Germany and the UK. |
The purpose of this passage is to __________.
A.introduce an accelerometer developed by the Google company |
B.tell the people that the SmartEyeglass will go on sale |
C.people like the glasses very much |
D.the SmartEyeglass is less than 840 yuan |
What can be inferred from what Stuart Miles said?
A.He supports Sony’s efforts to develop the SmartEyeglass. |
B.He cares more about his clothes and face. |
C.He dislikes the SmartEyeglass. |
D.He really wants to wear them. |
Choose the true statements according to the passage.
A. The glasses, which weigh more than 77g.
B. Tim Cook has been open about his dislike of glasses as a wearable device.
C. Last month Google announced that it was withdrawing its smart glasses for development.
They crossed in front of me as I was driving out of the store parking lot (停车场).I would be delayed for a whole ten seconds. However,I realized that it was an elderly couple who were briefly delaying my departure (出发).No more anger.
The man leaned on his wife who walked in front of him. He not only used her for support but it was obvious that he was blind. She was his eyes as well. The two of them worked as one—each needing the other to function in this fastchanging world.
That little example of true strength that day changed my whole personal perception of life. Suddenly I wasn't so mad about having to work a few extra hours on Saturday. I had my strength,and I was still relatively young.
That picture of those two elderly people walking with dignity and strength stayed with me the entire week. My life wasn't so bad after all. I had my health and a good job. My wife always gave me good advice whenever I needed it. I started to think—not only was I lucky to have it all,but so was that wonderful old couple,who,despite the trials and hardships of a long life,still had the love and support of each other to carry them through this world.
There are so many people out there just like that couple. My wife and I sometimes picture ourselves in our old age,walking arminarm into the sunset. That image always gives us a warm feeling of comfort. Just remember,none of us would be here if it weren't for our elders. We should spend an extra minute to listen and learn when it comes to helping our elder friends. They need it.What was the author's first reaction when he was stopped by the old couple?
A.He showed great pity for the couple. |
B.He didn't mind at all. |
C.He got angry at being delayed. |
D.He waited patiently. |
Before meeting the old couple,the author had a(n)________attitude towards life.
A.energetic | B.enthusiastic |
C.desperate | D.negative |
The main message that the author wants to get across in the last paragraph is that________.
A.everyone should live with dignity and strength |
B.we should be patient when dealing with old people |
C.old people can teach us many important lessons |
D.happiness lies in a positive attitude towards life |
What do we know about the author?
A.He and his wife are in their old age. |
B.He has a good but busy job. |
C.His life is very bad actually. |
D.He and his wife often walk arminarm. |