This might not sound so extraordinary, but I didn’t just read a book in print, on an e-reader or even on a mobile phone. Instead, I read a book on dozens of devices(设备). I was not trying to set a Guinness world record. I wanted to answer a question I often hear: which e-reader or tablet(平板)is the best for reading books? So I set out to try them all, reading a chapter on each: the Amazon Kindle, the first and second generation Apple iPads and mobile phones. To be fair, I also read a chapter in that old-fashioned form — an old print paperback.
The book I chose was The Alienist. For the first chapter, I turned to an Amazon Kindle. Shopping on Amazon for the Kindle is simple; you go to Amazon’s Web site and buy the book, which is then sent to any devices with Kindle software installed(安装). Reading on the Amazon Kindle is a joy in many aspects. The Kindle is light.Its six-inch screen is the perfect size for reading, and reading on its black and white E Ink display doesn’t harm your eyes. Battery life is outstanding; on average you charge the device only once a month. My only complaint with the Kindle design is the placement of the keyboard at the bottom of the device. Amazon’s CEO has noted during past product announcements that the keyboard is there to help people take notes or search. But to me,it seems like a waste of space.
Despite the small screen on a mobile phone, I find reading on one to be simple and satisfactory. All of the mobile phones on which I read chapters felt somewhat similar; although screen brightness and the size of the phone’s screen did vary.
If I had wanted to, I could have bought my book through dozens of e-book apps (应用程序) in the Apple App Store. Most are free and offer access to thousands of free e-books or paid versions. But the big downside for many is that you can read them only on Apple devices. Both iPads 1&2 offer an immersive(沉浸式)reading experience. I found myself jumping back and forth between my book and the Web, looking up old facts and pictures of New York City. I also found myself being sucked into the wormhole of the Internet and a few games of Angry Birds rather than reading my book. For the last chapters of the book, I read the paperback, which is still my favourite choice.
Since we are comparing devices so I guess I need to choose one. In the end it might come down to Kindle. But if money is tight, go for print. My used paperback cost only$4 from Amazon.If the writer were short of money, he would prefer ______.
A.a print paperback | B.an Apple iPad |
C.a mobile phone | D.an Amazon Kindle |
According to the passage, which of the following statements on the Amazon Kindle is NOT TRUE?
A.Its battery can last for a long time. |
B.Its keyboard is kept in the proper position. |
C.It is easy to carry and the screen size is proper. |
D.It is comfortable for eyes because of its E Ink display. |
A possible customer would not buy iPads 1 & 2 for reading because ______.
A.most e-book apps must be downloaded first |
B.only paid-version e-books can be read on it |
C.much information is lost at times when reading |
D.attention is easily taken away when reading on it |
The passage is developed in the form of ______.
【2015·湖北卷】A
“I see you’ve got a bit of water on your coat,” said the man at the petrol station. “Is it raining out there?”“No, it’s pretty nice,” I replied, checking my sleeve. “Oh, right. A pony(马驹) bit me earlier.”
As it happened, the bite was virtually painless: more the kind of small bite you might get from a naughty child. The pony responsible was queuing up for some ice cream in the car park near Haytor, and perhaps thought I’d jumped in ahead of him.
The reason why the ponies here are naughty is that Haytor is a tourist-heavy area and tourists are constantly feeding the ponies foods, despite sighs asking them not to. By feeding the ponies, tourists increase the risk of them getting hit by a car, and make them harder to gather during the area’s annual pony drift(迁移).
The purpose of a pony drift is to gather them up so their health can be checked, the baby ones can be stooped from feeding on their mother’s milk, and those who’ve gone beyond their limited area can be returned to their correct area. Some of them are also later sold, in order to limit the number of ponies according to the rules set by Natural England.
Three weeks ago, I witnessed a small near-disaster a few mils west of here. While walking, I noticed a pony roll over on his back. “Hello!” I said to him, assuming he was just rolling for fun, but he was very still and, as I got closer, I saw him kicking his legs in the air and breathing heavily. I began to properly worry about him. Fortunately, I managed to get in touch with a Dartmoor’s Livestock Protection officer and send her a photo. The officer immediately sent a local farmer out to check on the pony. The pony had actually been trapped between two rocks. The farmer freed him, and he began to run happily around again.
Dartmoor has 1,000 or so ponies, who play a critical role in creating the diversity of species in this area. Many people are working hard to preserve these ponies, and trying to come up with plans to find a sustainable(可持续的) future for one of Dartmoor’s most financially-troubled elements.Why are tourists asked not to feed the ponies?
A.To protect the tourists from being bitten |
B.To keep the ponies off the petrol station |
C.To avoid putting the ponies in danger |
D.To prevent the ponies from fighting |
One of the purposes of the annual pony drift is ______________.
A.to feed baby ponies on milk |
B.to control the number of ponies |
C.to expand the habitat for ponies |
D.to sell the ponies at a good price |
What as the author’s first reaction when he saw a pony roll on its back?
A.He freed it from the trap |
B.He called a protection officer |
C.He worried about it very much |
D.He thought of it as being naughty |
What does the author imply about the preservation of Dartmoor’s ponies?
A.It lacks people’s involvement. |
B.It costs a large amount of money |
C.It will affect tourism in Dartmoor. |
D.It has caused an imbalance of species |
【2015·上海】B
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![]() The Curse of the Were-Rabbit(2005) is the first full-length feature film made by directors Nick Park and Steve Box with their amazing plasticine(粘土) characters Wallace and Gromit. It won an Oscar in 2006, and if you watch it, you’ll understand why. It’s an absolutely brilliant cartoon comedy. |
Cheese-loving inventor Wallace and his brainy dog Gromit have started a company to protect the town’s vegetables from hungry rabbits. However, just before the annual Giant Vegetable Competition, an enormous rabbit begins terrorising the town. It is attacking all the vegetables and destroying everything in its path. The competition organizer, Lady Tottington, hires Wallace and Gromit to catch the monster alive. But they will have to find the were-rabbit before gun-crazy hunter Victor Quartermaine who is desperate to kill it. |
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The screenplay is witty and full of amusing visual jokes. As usual, the voice of Peter Sallis is absolutely perfect for the role of Wallace, and Gromit is so beautifully brought to life, he can express a huge range of emotions without saying a word. And both Helena Bonham-Carter, who plays the part of Lady Tottington, and Ralph Fiennes as Victor are really funny. |
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To sum up, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is an amazing film which is suitable for both children and adults. If you liked Wallace and Gromit’s previous adventures and you appreciate the British sense of humour, you’ll love this film. Don’t miss it! |
In the film review, what is paragraph A mainly about?
A.The introduction to the leading roles |
B.The writer’s opinion of acting |
C.The writer’s comments on the story |
D.The background information |
According to the film review, “monster” (paragraph B) refers to ______.
A. a gun-crazy hunter
B. a brainy dog
C. a scary rabbit
D. a giant vegetableWhich of the following is a reason why the writer recommends the film?
A.It’s full of wit and humour. |
B.Its characters show feelings without words. |
C.It is an adventure film directed by Peter Sallis. |
D.It is about the harmony between man and animals. |
【2015·新课标全国I】A
Monthly Talks at London Canal Museum
Our monthly talks start at 19:30 on the first Thursday of each month except August. Admission is at normal charges and you don’t need to book. They end around 21:00. November 7th The Canal Pioneers, by Chris Lewis. James Brindley is recognized as one of the leading early canal engineers. He was also a major player in training others in the art of canal planning and building. Chris Lewis will explain how Brindley made such a positive contribution to the education of that group of early “civil engineers”. December 5th Ice for the Metropolis, by Malcolm Tucker. Well before the arrival of freezers, there was a demand for ice for food preservation and catering, Malcolm will explain the history of importing natural ice and the technology of building ice wells, and how London’s ice trade grew.February 6th An Update on the Cotsword Canals, by Liz Payne. The Stroudwater Canal is moving towards reopening. The Thames and Severn Canal will take a little longer. We will have a report on the present state of play.March 6th Eyots and Aits -Thames Islands, by Miranda Vickers. The Thames has many islands. Miranda has undertaken a review of all of them. She will tell us about those of greatest interest. Online bookings:www.canalmuseum.org.uk/book
More info: www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson London Canal Museum 12-13 New Wharf Road, London NI 9RT www.canalmuseum.org.ukwww.canalmuseum.mobi Tel:020 77130836When is the talk on James Brindley?
A.February 6th. |
B.March 6th. |
C.November 7th. |
D.December 5th. |
What is the topic of the talk in February?
A.The Canal Pioneers. |
B.Ice for the Metropolis |
C.Eyots and Aits- Thames Islands |
D.An Update on the Cotsword Canals |
Who will give the talk on the islands in the Thames. _____.
A.Miranda Vickers |
B.Malcolm Tucker |
C.Chris Lewis |
D.Liz Payne |
【2015·福建】C
SIGN YOUR CHILD UP FOR "FLY TO THE MOON CLUB"
AND ENJOY A FREE * FLIGHT TO ANY DESTINATION IN ASIA!
With a registration fee of just $50 per child, children under the age of 12 can join Eagle Airways'FLY TO THE MOON CLUB as members.
They can then enjoy the same benefits onboard Eagle Airways' newest Boeing-797 to any destination in the world!
BENEFITS YOU CAN'T MISS!
• A free * flight to any destination in Asia
• 30% off any course at Tanya Language School
• 20% off any purchase made at Ruby Bookstore
• A free notebook with every purchase above $50 at Starlight Stationery
• A free bowl of dessert for a family of four at Don's Diners dinner ordered
• A birthday gift on your child's birthday
• A free album containing pictures taken during the journey
All bookings made before 12 September will receive free travel insurance for the entire family! ** Insurance is issued by Live Life Insurance Group.10% OFF ALL BOOKINGS for departures from 5 to 11 September
* Child must be accompanied by two paying adults.
** Terms and conditions apply.One of the benefits mentioned in, the advertisement is .
A.a free flight to any destination in the world |
B.30% off any book purchased at Ruby Bookstore |
C.a free bowl of dessert at any restaurant at the airport |
D.a discount on any course at Tanya Language School |
Which of the following bookings may receive the most benefits?
A. Booking date Departure date September 13 September 18 |
B. Booking date Departure date September 2 September 12 |
C. Booking date Departure date August 15 September 4 |
D. Booking date Departure date August 16 September 8 |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the advertisement?
A.You need to pay$50 to sign up a child for the club. |
B.Club members enjoy free travel insurance for any flight. |
C.The advertisement is intended for students of all ages. |
D.Any child must be accompanicd by at least one paying adult. |
【2015·新课标全国II】D
Choose Your One-Day-Tours!
Tour A - Bath &Stonehenge: including entrance fees to the ancient Roman bathrooms and Stonehenge -£37 until 26 March and £39 thereafter.
Visit the city with over 2,000 years of history and Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent and the Costume Museum, Stonehenge is one of the world's most famous prehistoric monuments dating back over 5,000 years.
Tour B - Oxford & Startford including entrance fees to the University St Mary's Church Tower and Anne Hathaway's -£32 until 12 March and £36 thereafter Oxford: Includes a guided tour of England's oldest university city and colleges. Look over the "city of dreaming spires(尖顶)"from St Mary’s Church Tower. Stratford: Includes a guided tour exploring much of the Shakespeare wonder.
Tour C - Windsor Castle &Hampton Court including entrance fees to Hampton Court Palace -£34 until 11 March and £37 thereafter.
Includes a guided tour of Windsor and Hampton Court, Henry VILL's favorite palace. Free time to visit Windsor Castle(entrance fees not included).With 500 years of history, Hampton Court was once the home of four Kings and one Queen. Now this former royal palace is open to the public as a major tourist attraction. Visit the palace and its various historic gardens, which include the famous maze(迷宫)where it is easy to get lost!
Tour D -Cambridge including entrance fees to the Tower of Saint Mary the Great -£33 until 18 March and £37 thereafter.
Includes a guided tour of Cambridge, the famous university town, and the gardens of the 18th century.Which tour will you choose if you want to see England’s oldest university city?
A.Tour A |
B.Tour B |
C.Tour C |
D.Tour D |
Which of the following tours charges the lowest fee on 17 March?
A.Windsor Castle & Hampton Court |
B.Oxford & Stratford |
C.Bath & Stonehenge |
D.Cambridge |
Why is Hampton Court a major tourist attraction?
A.It used to be the home of royal families |
B.It used to be a well-known maze |
C.It is the oldest palace in Britain |
D.It is a world-famous castle |