What makes a house a home?
Not size, of course.I’ve been in some of the grandest houses in America, and it’s readily apparent no one lives there.Earlier this year, I had dinner in a mud hut in Ethiopia, where we sat on chairs next to the hostess’ bed -- a home that had more warmth than any house I’ve been in since.
Now John Edwards is exploring what makes a house a home in his just-released Home: The Blueprints of Our Lives.There Edwards writes, " This is a book about homes, the values they rest on, the dreams they are filled with, and the people they have shaped.The houses and circumstances are different, but much of what you find inside will be familiar."
Whether you’re sitting in an airport right now, waiting to fly to your childhood home for Thanksgiving, or in your own home waiting for the relatives to arrive, you know what he’s talking about.
We’ve lived in our townhouse for 21 years.The loose windows that make noise in the wind.The fireplace so shallow it holds only one log.The kitchen window that offers a view of the world passing by.It’s where friends sit on the kitchen counter drinking wine while dinner is being fixed.I lived there for only 18, but it will always be my true home.Even the lamp in the west living room window, which I could see far down the road when driving home late at night, still shines.
While all this talk about childhood memories can be warm and comforting, home is whom you’re with, not where you are.As Edwards writes, "Home is family.Home is safety.Home is faith."
Happy homecoming.What would be the best title for the text?
A.Home Means Everything | B.What’s Inside Makes Us Feel at Home |
C.Home: The Blueprints of Our Lives | D.The Importance of the Home |
The purpose of the second paragraph is to __
A.mean the author likes living in grandest houses |
B.prove the author got along well with the hostess |
C.mean the feeling of home isn’t related to the size |
D.show the author’s different feelings about houses |
About the book Home: The Blueprints of Our Lives, we know that __
A.it was the description of Edwards’ houses |
B.it is mainly about houses |
C.it helps us understand the concept of home |
D.it was written by the author of the text |
What did the author mainly mean when he mentioned the loose windows and the shallow fireplace ?
A.His house was too old to live in. | B.He missed the feelings of home. |
C.He hated living there. | D.He missed his old friends too much. |
It can be inferred according to the text that __
A.the author’s family were very rich | B.every happy home is the same |
C.the author has been living a hard life | D.the author and Edwards hold similar ideas |
It is only during the last few years that man has generally realized that in the world of nature a balance exists between all forms of life. No living thing can exist by itself: it is a part of a system (体系) in which all forms of life are joined together. If we change one part of the natural order, this will in its turn almost certainly bring about changes in some other part.
The cutting down of forests reduces the supply of oxygen. The killing of weeds and insects by chemicals leads to the wide spread poisoning of animals and birds. The throwing of waste products into the ocean harm to life in the sea, while waste gases change the chemical balance of the atmosphere.
And so we could go on, adding more examples, until in despair (绝望) we might feel like giving up the struggle to control and keep within limits these harmful human activities. Man is very clever at changing the world around him to satisfy his immediate needs, but not so clever at looking far ahead, or at thinking about what the future results of his action might be.
The first paragraph mainly tells us that __________.
A.everything in nature can’t exist without the help of human beings |
B.no living thing can exist naturally |
C.all living things in nature depend on each other |
D.man has well known the importance of the balance for a long time |
The examples given in the second paragraph are used to prove that __________.
A.it is very important to protect forests |
B.there are some living things which can exist all by themselves without change |
C.all forms of life belong to a system in which all the part can be changed for one another |
D.we cannot change![]() |
In the second paragraph the underlined word “atmosphere” means __________.
A.the production of chemical factories | B.the gas in the outer space |
C.the mixture of gases that surrounds the earth | D.the health of the human body |
The third paragraph suggests that __________.
A.man shouldn’t think only about his immediate needs without enough thought on the future results |
B.man is very clever in planning his distant future |
C.man often feels that he has to give up in despair |
D.man is always anxious to control and keep his actives within limits |
My husband and children think they are very lucky that they are living and that it’s Christmas again. They can’t see that we live on a dirty street in a dirty house among people who aren’t much good. But Johnny and children can’t see this. What a pity it is that our neighbours have to make happiness out of all this dirt. I decided that my children must get out of this. The money that we’ve saved isn’t nearly enough.
The McGaritys have money but they are so proud. They look down upon the poor. The McGarity girl just yesterday stood out there in the street eating from a bag of candy(糖果)while a ring of hungry children watched her. I saw those children looking at her and crying in their hearts; and when she couldn’t eat any more she threw the rest down the sewer(下水道). Why, is it only because they have money ? There is more to happiness than money in the world, isn’t there?
Miss Jackson who teaches at the Settlement House isn’t rich, but she knows things. She understands people. Her eyes look straight into yours when she talks with you. She can read your mind. I’d like to see the children be like Miss Jackson when they grow up. This passage mainly suggests that the writer _______.
A.is easy to get along with | B.is unhappy with the life they are living |
C.is good at observing and understanding | D.is never pleased with her neigbours |
What do you think of McGarity girl?
A.She is proud and hungry. | B.She is selfish and cruel. |
C.She is lonely and friendless. | D.She is unhappy and misunderstood. |
In this text, the writer tries to tell us that _______.
A.money is the key to everything |
B.the more money you have, the less happy you’ll be |
C.there is something more important than money |
D.when talking to people we should look into their eyes |
Pick out the one that does NOT describe the writer’s view on money.
A.Why, is it only because they have money? | B.There is more to happiness than money. |
C.Miss Jackson isn’t rich, but she knows things. | D.The money we saved isn’t nearly enough. |
阅读下面短文,掌握其大意,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项, 并答题卡上将该项涂黑。
A
If you go to Brisbane, Australia, you can easily get a small book called Discover Brisbane free. Here is something about banks on page 49:
ANZ Banking Group
Corner Greek & Queen Sts ………………………………………238-3228
Bank of New Zealand
410 Queen Street ……………………………………………… 221-0411
Bank of Queensland
229 Elizabeth Street …………………………………………… 229-3122
Commonwealth Banking Group
240 Queen Street ………………………………………………… 237-3111
National Australia Bank Ltd
225 Adelaide Street ……………………………………………… 221-6422
Westpac Banking Corp
260 Queen Street ………………………………………………… 227-2666
Banking hours are Mon.—Thu. 9:30 am to 4 pm. Fri. 9:30 am to 5 pm. All banks close Sat. Sun.& Public Holidays. You can find ANZ Banking Group on _________.
A.Queen Street |
B.Elizabeth Street |
C.the corner of Greek Street and Queen Street |
D.the corner of Queen Street and Elizabeth Street |
_________ seems to be the most important street in Brisbane.
A.Queen Street | B.Elizabeth Street |
C.Greek Street | D.Adelaide Street |
On Saturdays, you can go to _________ to put your money in or take your money out.
A.ANZ Banking Group | B.Bank of Queensland |
C.National Australia Bank Ltd | D.none of the banks |
阅读下列材料,从所给的六个选项(A、B、C、D、E和F)中,选出符合各小题要求的最佳选项,并在答题卡上写上答案。选项中有一项为多余选项。
The people below are all looking for a hotel in Scotland for their holidays. After the description of these people, there is information about six Scotland hotels A-F. Decide which hotel would be most suitable for the people mentioned in questions 1-5 and then mark the correct letter(A-F) on your answer sheet. There is one extra paragraph about one hotel which you don’t need to use.
________Two women friends who want to do several all-day hikes in the mountains during the spring. They like a place with traditional decorations and wonderful views
______A woman with two children aged six and ten, who will spend July in Scotland. The children are interested in animals and plants and the mother enjoys fashions.
________A handicapped lawyer who must use a wheelchair but drives her own car. She enjoys concerts, museums, fine architecture and swimming. She will spend the first two weeks of October in Scotland.
__________A writer, a teacher and their one-year-old daughter. They want to be in a quiet place during August. They enjoy good food, and like to take long walks(the baby rides in a back-pack).
_________An old couple, aged 65 and 68. They love mountain scenery and still take easy walks by the lakeside when they can. They hope to enjoy fresh air and some relaxing activities.
A.Edinburgh. Post House A popular base for visitors to Edinburgh, this fine hotel stands next to the zoological Gardens within easy reach of the many famous sights, shops and entertainments of one of Europe’s most elegant capitals. |
B.Gatehouse of Fleet. Cally Hotel This impressive hotel, well-known for its good Scottish cooking, is an ideal choice for a relaxing family holiday. Set in 100 acres of private grounds, the Cally, a former stately home, has something for everyone including its own fishing lake, outdoor heated swimming pool, green lawn, tennis court, children’s playground and sauna baths. |
C.Glenborrodale. Glenborrodale Castle Hotel There can be few better places for a refreshing holiday than this picturesque hotel set in its own 120 acres of beautiful countryside by charming Lake Sunart on the Ardnamurchan Peninsular(半岛). Boating and fishing are both available here. |
D.Inverness. Royal Hotel! |
A unique feature(特点) of the Royal is its fine collection of antique(made in earlier times) furniture, china and glass. This friendly comfortable hotel, a favourite meeting place for the townspeople, is an excellent base for getting to know the Highlands-Lake Ness, Great Gien and Culloden Moor are all within easy reach.
E.Peebles. Tontine Hotel
The Tontine had a fascinating beginning-it was built in 1808. This homely hotel has been extended to make it a really comfortable base for exploring the Tweed Valley and the attractive Lowland country.
F.North Berwick. Marine Hotel
Fine hotel overlooks the famous West Links golf course and is close to several sandy beaches. The Marine has its own open-air swimming pool as well as tennis courts, squash courts and saunas. Edinburgh, well-known for its art festivals, is only some 24 miles away.
Box Office Instructions |
Discounts/ Service charges: We offer children (12 and under), seniors (65 and over) and students (student ID card required) discounts on all seats. Please call the Box Office to know about any other possible discounts. |
Returns/ Exchanges: We are happy to offer returns or exchanges of tickets bought up until the close of the last business day before the show with a $3.00 per ticket fee for this service. The b ![]() |
Friendly reminders: Latecomers will not be permitted to enter the hall until a suitable break in the performance. Children must be seated where they can be looked after by parents. Please show consideration for other audiences by not talking during the performance, and please encourage children to do the same. Cameras and recording equipment are not allowed to be used in our theatre. Please turn off all cell phones while enjoying the performance. |
Will call: Please tell us at the time of booking if you would like your tickets mailed to you, otherwise they will be held for pickup at the box office. |
We can learn from the passage that exchanges of tickets bought ________.
A.are free of charge | B.are not available until the last business day |
C.will not be given a big cash discount | D.need to contact the box office directly |
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Latecomers will not be permitted to enter the theatre. |
B.There is a special area for children in the theatre. |
C.The audience is not allowed to take photos in the theatre. |
D.Children can talk in a low voice during the performance. |
According to the passage, the audience ________.
A.can receive their tickets by mail | B.can see the performance online |
C.can’t t![]() |
D.can’t return tickets in any case |