There is no denying that over the years college education has been accepted without the slightest doubt. All high school graduates should go, says conventional wisdom and statistical evidence, because college will help them earn more, become “better” citizens and be more responsible than those who don’t go.
But college can never work its magic for everyone. Now with half our high school graduates attending college, those unfit for the pattern are getting more. College graduates are selling shoes and driving taxis; college students interfere with each other’s experiments and write false letters of recommendation in the fierce competition for admission into graduate schools. Others find no stimulation (激励) in their studies, and consequently have to drop out, which is often encouraged by college administrators.
Some observers say the fault lies with young people themselves --- they are spoiled and expecting too much. But that’s a condemnation (谴责)of the students as a whole, and doesn’t explain all campus unhappiness. Others blame our society. Both are partly right. We have been told that young people have to go to college because our economy can’t absorb an army of untrained eighteen-year-olds. But disappointed graduates are learning that it can no longer absorb an army of trained twenty-two-year-olds, either.
Some campus watchers suggest that college may not be the best, the proper or the only place for every young person after finishing high school. It seems that through the rosy (玫瑰的) glow of our own college experiences, we may have been looking at those surveys and statistics upside down. Perhaps college does not make people intelligent, ambitious, happy, or quick to learn things—maybe it is just the other way around. Intelligent, ambitious, happy, quick-learning people are merely those who are attracted to college in the first place. And perhaps all those successful college graduates would have been successful even without college education. This is heresy (异端邪说) to those who have been brought up to believe that if a little schooling is good, more has to be much better. But contrary evidence is beginning to pile up.According to the first paragraph, ______.
A.people now no longer challenge college education |
B.people have great expectations for college education |
C.the author thinks youngsters should all go to college |
D.people still have a low opinion of college education |
More young people drop out of college because ______.
A.they are no longer motivated in their studies |
B.they can start selling shoes and driving taxis |
C.they compete for admission to graduate schools |
D.college administrators encourage them to do so |
Who does the author think is responsible for campus unhappiness?
A.young students who are all spoiled and expecting too much. |
B.our society that can’t offer enough jobs to college graduates. |
C.our society that has not enough jobs for high school graduates. |
D.young people as well as our society are to blame for all this. |
Which of the following statements is TRUE about those surveys and statistics?
A.They prove high school graduates are smarter than college graduates. |
B.They are so convincing that we think of our rosy college experiences. |
C.They may have been misread because of our rosy college experiences. |
D.They prove wrong because they contradict our rosy college experiences. |
What is the meaning of the underlined sentence in Paragraph 4?
A.It is just the opposite | B.There is no right way |
C.It is the wrong way | D.There’s no other way |
What is the main purpose of this passage?
A.To inform young people college education is no longer important now. |
B.To prove college education doesn’t make young people more intelligent. |
C.Toargueagainsttheideathatcollegeisthefirst choiceforallyoungsters. |
D.To tell young people that there’s something wrong with college education. |
【2015·广东】A
Peter loved to shop used articles. Almost a month ago, he bought popular word game that used little pieces of wood with different letters on them. As he was purchasing it, the salesgirl said, “Uh, look, the game box haven’t even been opened yet. That might be worth some money. ”
Peter examined the box, and, sure enough, it was completely covered in factory-sealed plastic. And he saw a date of 1973 on the back of the box.
“You should put that up for auction (拍卖) on the Internet, and see what happens.”the salesgirl said.
“Yes, you’re right. People like something rare.” Peter agreed, “I can’t imagine there being very many unopened boxes of this game still around 40 years later.”
“Don’t forget to tell me if you sell it.” the salesgirl smiled.
“No problem.” Peter said.
After he got home, Peter went online to several auction websites looking for his game. But he couldn’t find it. Then he typed in the name of the word game and hit Search. The search result was 543 websites containing information about the changes of the game. Over the years, the game had been produced using letters in different sizes and game boards in different colors. He also found some lists of game fans looking for various versions of the game. Peter emailed some of them, telling them what he had.
Two weeks later, Peter went back to the shop.
“Hello. Do you still remember the unopened word game?”
The salesgirl looked at him for a second, then recognized him and said, “Oh, hi!”
“I’ve got something for you,” Peter said. “I sold the game and made $1,000. Thank you for your suggestion.” He handed her three $ 100 bills.
“Wow!” the salesgirl cried out. “Thank you, I never expected it.”Which of the following best describes Peter’s word game?
A.It was made around 40 years ago. |
B.It had game boards in different sizes. |
C.It was kept in a plastic bag with a seal. |
D.It had little pieces of wood in different colors. |
What did the salesgirl probably think of Peter’s word game?
A.Old and handy. |
B.Rare and valuable. |
C.Classic and attractive. |
D.Colorful and interesting |
Peter got the names of the game fans from _________.
A.an auction |
B.the Internet |
C.a game shop |
D.the second-hand shop |
What happened at the end of the story?
A.Peter gave the girl $300 as a reward. |
B.The salesgirl became Peter’s friend. |
C.Peter returned the word game for $ 1,000. |
D.The salesgirl felt confused to see Peter again. |
What is the main theme of the story?
A.It’s important to keep a promise. |
B.It’s great to share in other people’s happiness. |
C.We should be grateful for the help from others. |
D.Something rare is worth a large amount of money. |
【2015·北京卷】A
The Boy Made It!
One Sunday, Nicholas, a teenager, went skiing at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine. In the early afternoon, when he was planning to go home, a fierce snowstorm swept into the area. Unable to see far, he accidentally turned off the path. Before he knew it, Nicholas was lost, all alone! He didn’t have food, water, a phone, or other supplies. He was getting colder by the minute.
Nicholas had no idea where he was. He tried not to panic. He thought about all the survival shows he had watched on TV. It was time to put the tips he had learned to use.
He decided to stop skiing. There was a better chance of someone finding him if he stayed put. The first thing he did was to find shelter form the freezing wind and snow. If he didn’t, his body temperature would get very low, which could quickly kill him.
Using his skis, Nicholas built a snow cave. He gathered a huge mass of snow and dug out a hole in the middle. Then he piled branches on top of himself, like a blanket, to stay as warm as he could.
By that evening, Nicholas was really hungry. He ate snow and drank water from a nearby stream so that his body wouldn’t lose too much water. Not knowing how much longer he could last, Nicholas did the only thing he could- he huddled(蜷缩) in his cave and slept.
The next day, Nicholas went out to look for help, but he couldn’t find anyone. He followed his tracks and returned to the snow cave, because without shelter, he could die that night. On Tuesday, Nicholas went out to find help. He had walked for about a mile when a volunteer searcher found him. After two days stuck in the snow, Nicholas was saved.
Nicholas might not have survived this snowstorm had it not been for TV. He had often watched Grylls’ survival show. Man vs. Wild. That’s where he learned the tips that saved his life, In each episode(一期节目)of Man vs. Wild, Grylls is abandoned in a wild area and has to find his way out. When Grylls heard about Nicholas’ amazing deeds, he was super impressed that Nicholas had made it since he knew better than anyone how hard Nicholas had to work to stay alive.What happened to Nicholas one Sunday afternoon?
A.He got lost. | B.He broke his skis. |
C.He hurt his eyes | D.He caught a cold |
How did Nicholas keep himself warm?
A.He found a shelter. | B.He lighted some branches. |
C.He kept on skiing. | D.He built a snow cave. |
On Tuesday, Nicholas _____.
A.returned to his shelter safely |
B.was saved by a searcher |
C.got stuck in the snow |
D.staved where he was |
Nicholas left Grylls a very deep impression because he _____.
A.did the right things in the dangerous situation |
B.watched Grylls’ TV program regularly |
C.created some tips for survival |
D.was very hard-working |
B
What Theresa Loe is doing proves that a large farm isn't prerequisitefor a modern grow-your-own lifestyle. On a mere 1/10 of an acre in Los Angeles, Loe and her family grow, can(装罐)and preserve much of the food they consume.
Loe is a master food preserver, gardener and canning expert. She also operates a website, where she shares her tips and recipes, with the goal of demonstrating that every has the ability to control what's on their plate.
Loe initially went to school to become an engineer, but she quickly learned that her enthusiasm was mainly about growing and preparing her own food. "I got into cooking my own food and started growing my own herbs (香草) and foods for that fresh flavor,"she said. Engineer by day, Loe learned cooking at night school. She ultimately purchased a small piece of land with her husband and began growing their own foods.
"I teach people how to live farm-fresh without a farm," Loe said. Through her website Loe emphasizes that "anybody can do this anywhere." Got an apartment with a balcony (阳台)? Plant some herbs. A window? Perfect spot for growing. Start with herbs, she recommends, because "they're very forgiving." Just a little of the herbs "can take your regular cooking to a whole new level," she added. "I think it's a great place to start." "Then? Try growing something from a seed, she said, like a tomato or some tea."
Canning is a natural extension of the planting she does. With every planted food. Loe noted, there's a moment when it's bursting with its absolute peak flavor. "I try and keep it in a time capsule in a canning jar," Loe said. "Canning for me is about knowing what's in your food, knowing where it comes from."
In addition to being more in touch with the food she's eating, another joy comes from passing this knowledge and this desire for good food to her children: "Influencing them and telling them your opinion on not only being careful what we eat but understanding the bigger picture," she said, "that if we don't take care of the earth, no will."
1. |
The underlined word "prerequisite" (Pare. 1) is closest in meaning to "______".
|
2. |
Why does Loe suggest starting with herbs?
|
3. |
According to Loe, what is the benefit of canning her planted foods?
|
4. |
What is the"the bigger picture" (Para. 6) that Loe wishes her children to understand?
|
Want Kids to Eat Better? Get Them Cooking
Cooking programs and classes for children seem to positively influence children's food preferences and behaviors, according to a recent review. And, although the review didn't look at long-term effects of such programs, the findings suggest that such programs might help children develop long-lasting healthy habits.
This research comes at a time when childhood obesity(肥胖) rates have been rising rapidly. More than one-third of adolescents in the United States were obese in 2012, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This trend has been caused, at least in part, by a significant decrease in the amount of meals that people consume at home since the 1980s, according to background information in the study.
Cooking education programs, such as Food Explorers, teach children about new healthy foods and how to prepare them. They also stress the importance of eating five fruits and vegetables every day. A volunteer parent explains a new food to the group, and the kids make something based on the lesson, such as fruit or vegetable salad. Depending on the program, kids may be sent home with information about healthy foods to bring to their parents, the review explained.
The study team reviewed eight other studies that tested different types of cooking education programs. Children in these classes were between 5 and 12 years old, according to the review. The goal of the study team was to learn more about developing an efficient program to encourage healthy food choices that last a lifetime. The study found that it is particularly important to expose kids to healthy foods on a number of occasions. This makes them feel comfortable with the new foods, which helps them build healthy habits.
The study stressed the importance of getting parents involved in(参与) their children's eating habits. Parents who are unable to enroll their kids in a cooking class can achieve similar benefits by having their kids help them while they prepare meals at home. Children are more comfortable at home, which makes them more receptive to new foods because they will make the connection to a positive experience.What can we infer from the second paragraph?
A.Eating out frequently causes obesity. |
B.Childhood obesity is totally caused by eating habit. |
C.Childhood obesity rates have been rising rapidly since 2012 |
D.Food consumption has decreased significantly since the 1980s. |
On cooking education programs, ________.
A.children learn how to prepare foods from their parents |
B.children will learn how to cook in the company of their parents |
C.children may learn information unknown to their parents |
D.children focus more on cooking skills than on information about healthy foods |
Which of the following is true according to the study?
A.Parents should let their kids cook independently at home. |
B.A greater willingness to try new foods helps building healthy habits. |
C.Children who participate in cooking programs are less likely to become obese. |
D.Children who take cooking courses are more likely to choose fruits and vegetables as adults. |
Which of the following categories does this passage belong to?
A.Education Systems |
B.Science and Technology |
C.Parent-child Relationship |
D.Public Health Research |
What Theresa Loe is doing proves that a large farm isn’tprerequisitefor a modern grow-your-own lifestyle. On a mere 1/10 of an acre in Los Angeles, Loe and her family grow, can(装罐)and preserve much of the food they consume.
Loe is a master food preserver, gardener and canning expert. She also operates a website, where she shares her tips and recipes, with the goal of demonstrating that every has the ability to control what’s on their plate.
Loe initially went to school to become an engineer, but she quickly learned that her enthusiasm was mainly about growing and preparing her own food. “I got into cooking my own food and started growing my own herbs (香草) and foods for that fresh flavor,”she said. Engineer by day, Loe learned cooking at night school. She ultimately purchased a small piece of land with her husband and began growing their own foods.
“I teach people how to live farm-fresh without a farm,” Loe said. Through her website Loe emphasizes that “anybody can do this anywhere.” Got an apartment with a balcony (阳台)? Plant some herbs. A window? Perfect spot for growing. Start with herbs, she recommends, because “they’re very forgiving.” Just a little of the herbs “can take your regular cooking to a whole new level,” she added. “I think it’s a great place to start.” “Then? Try growing something from a seed, she said, like a tomato or some tea.”
Canning is a natural extension of the planting she does. With every planted food. Loe noted, there’s a moment when it’s bursting with its absolute peak flavor. “I try and keep it in a time capsule in a canning jar,” Loe said. “Canning for me is about knowing what’s in your food, knowing where it comes from.”
In addition to being more in touch with the food she’s eating, another joy comes from passing this knowledge and this desire for good food to her children: “Influencing them and telling them your opinion on not only being careful what we eat but understandingthe bigger picture,” she said, “that if we don’t take care of the earth, no will.”The underlined word “prerequisite” (Pare. 1) is closest in meaning to “______”.
A.recipe | B.substitute |
C.requirement | D.challenge |
Why does Loe suggest starting with herbs?
A.They are used daily. |
B.They are easy to grow. |
C.They can grow very tall |
D.They can be eaten uncooked |
According to Loe, what is the benefit of canning her planted foods?
A.It can preserve their best flavor |
B.It can promote her online sales |
C.It can better her cooking skills |
D.It can improve their nutrition |
What is the“the bigger picture” (Para. 6) that Loe wishes her children to understand?
A.The knowledge about good food |
B.The way to live a grow-our-own life |
C.The joy of getting in touch with foods |
D.The responsibility to protect our earth |