Welcomehere!TheSouthernSpringH-优题课

“Sesame Street” has been called “the longest street in the world”. That is because the television program by that name can now be seen in so many parts of the world. That program became one of American’s exports soon after it went on the air in New York in 1969.
In the United States more than six million children watch the program regularly. The viewers include more than half the nation’s pre-school children, from every kind of economic, racial, and geographical group.
Although some educators object to certain elements in the program, parents praise it highly. Many teachers also consider it a great help, though some teachers find that problems arise when first graders who have learned from “Sesame Street” are in the same class with children who have not watched the program.
Tests have shown that children from all racial, geographical, and economic backgrounds have benefited from watching it. Those who watch it five times a week learn more than occasional (偶然的) viewers. In the US the program is shown at different hours during the week in order to increase the number of children who can watch it regularly.
The programs all use songs, stories, jokes, and pictures to give children a basic understanding of numbers, letters and human relationships. But there are some differences. For example, the Spanish program, produced in Mexico City, devotes more time to teaching whole words than to teaching separate letters.
Why has “Sesame Street” been so much more successful than other children’s shows? Many reasons have been suggested. People mention the educational theories of its creators, the support by the government and private businesses, and the skillful use of a variety of TV tricks. Perhaps an equally important reason is that mothers watch it along with their children. This is partly because famous adult stars often appear on it. But the best reason for the success of the program may be that it makes every child watching feel able to learn. The child finds himself learning, and he wants to learn more.
49. “Sesame Street” is actually ____.
A. a street in the US B. a program for children
C. a program for teachers D. a program for students
50. Children who often watch the program ____.
A. can have problems in school
B. will find it a great help
C. will take no interest in their studies
D. will be well educated
51. What is special about the program?
A. It offers great fun.
B. It makes children feel able to learn.
C. It is shown at different hours during the week.
D. Children learn and enjoy themselves while watching.
52. Why is “Sesame Street” so popular in the world?
A. Because it is supported by the government and businesses.
B. Because it uses a variety of skillful tricks.
C. Because mothers watch it along with their children.
D. Because it makes every child watching it feel able to learn.

第二部分阅读理解（共两节，满分40分）
第一节：（共15小题，每小题2分，满分30分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
How do successful people think? What drives them? Interviews and investigations indicate that there are several keys to success that successful people share.
First of all, successful people never blame someone or something outside of themselves for their failure to go ahead. They realize that their future lies in their own hands. They understand that they cannot control things in life, such as nature, the past and other people. But in the meantime, they are well aware that they can control their own thoughts and actions. They take responsibility for their life and regard this as one of the most empowering things they can do. Perhaps what most separates successful people from others is that they live a life “on purpose”---- they are doing what they believe they are put here to do. In their opinion, having a purpose in their life is the most important element that enables them to become fully functioning people. They hold that when they live their life on purpose, their main concern is to do the job right. They love what they do ---- and it shows. People want to do business with them because of their commitment(忠诚). To live their life on purpose, successful people find a cause they believe in and create a business around it. Besides, they never easily give up. Once they have set up goals in their life, they are willing to work hard whatever it takes to achieve their goals. Top achievers always bear in mind what they don’t have.
Rather than be negative or depressing, they use the knowledge to spur themselves on and go after what they want energetically and passionately.
46. The underlined word “it ” refers to “____”.
A. the main concern of successful people
B. the job that successful people do
C. the commitment with which successful people do their jobs
D. the business that successful people do with other people
47. By living a life “on purpose”, successful people can do the following EXCEPT ____.
A. do a lot of work
B. concentrate on their jobs
C. do business with many people
D. control things in life
48. The underlined word “spur ” most probably means “____”.
A. encourage B. excite C. relieve D. compel

Ellen Swallow Richards was the first woman to earn a bachelor’s degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). A chemist, social activist, teacher, and first woman member of the Institute of Engineering, she believed that housekeeping was a science. As a progressive thinker at the time, she thought that women needed to learn about money matters and have up-to-date information on cleanliness and nutrition. She encouraged women from all backgrounds to get the best education possible.
Ellen was born in 1842 and was brought up in Massachusetts. A graduate of Vassar College in New York, she returned to New England to attend MIT. After her marriage to Professor Robert Richards, she worked in a laboratory at MIT, examining pollution of water sources in Massachusetts. Her work led to the creation of the first food-inspection (检验) laws of that state. She was instructor at MIT from 1884 until her death in 1911.
Like other progressive thinkers of the time, Ellen was worried about problems of the poor and the effect of the environment on society. She considered the environment a key factor in quality of life. Within the family, as in the world at large, science was chief in tools used to help the poor. Science could help to manage money matters, keep a home safe and clean, and improve quality of life. Food properly cooked could be tasty, nutritious, and inexpensive. Better and cheaper food could protect the health and improve the lives of working-class families.
Ellen created the science of housekeeping, now called home economics, and elevated（提升）it to a serious college subject. She worked tirelessly as a national leader in developing standards, materials, and teacher training for this new field. Her publications cover many subjects—from the chemistry of cooking and cleaning to the cost of living.
57. According to the text, Ellen __________.
A. provided new jobs for the poor
B. helped to create new kinds of food
C. set up the field of home economics
D. created the ideas of food-inspection laws
58. As a progressive thinker, Ellen __________.
A. suggested people cook their own meals at home
B. believed cheap food was better than expensive one
C. advised women to get the best education possible
D. considered money matters a key factor in quality of life
59. Ellen believed that __________.
A. poor families knew how to manage money
B. families were well informed about good nutrition
C. cheaper food could not protect people’s health
D. families spent much on food but were not well nourished
60. One can infer that, as a result of the efforts of people such as Ellen, __________.
A. one may study home economics at a university for a career
B. the pollution of water sources is no longer a problem
C. most people today learn to cook at school
D. science does not help much within the family as in the world

While they were almost unknown twenty years ago, it seems that mobile phones these days are part of everyone’s life. However, as with other inventions such as the television and the computer, they are a double-edged sword, inviting both supporters and opponents, especially in regard to their use in public places like restaurants and cinemas.
One of the strongest arguments in favor of forbidding mobiles in public places is the trouble they cause to other people. For example, although we are often asked to turn off our phones when in a cinema, the film that we are watching is often interrupted by the sound of at least five rings. To make it even worse, some people insist on continuing their conversation, even though hundreds of people can hear what they say, which often drowns out the voice from the film. As a result, many people would welcome a ban on mobile phones in places where they might disturb other people.
On the other hand, there are a number of arguments against such a ban. It is difficult to stop people bringing with them their mobile phones in public places, making it almost impossible to call for a ban. Some people would see this as an infringement（侵犯）of their rights, while other people would say they need them in case of an emergency. Despite being asked to silence their phones, some people insist on leaving them on.
It seems to me that a ban on mobile phones would not have any result in the end. People will find a way to escape a ban. Nevertheless, people should be discouraged from using them in public places, unless it is highly necessary. They should be made to know that it is bad manners to use them in certain places or at certain times. Of course, there will always be someone who thinks their call is more important than others’ peace and quiet!
53. Why are many people for a ban on the use of mobiles in public places?
A. Because hundreds of people can hear them talk.
B. Because they are asked to turn off their mobiles.
C. Because other people’s peace and quiet is more important.
D. Because many people find a way to escape a ban.
54. Among those who are against a ban, some believe that __________.
A. they can turn off their mobiles when it is necessary
B. it is their right to use their mobiles in public places
C. a ban on mobiles would not have any result
D. they can silence their mobiles when in public places
55. The author of the text thinks that __________.
A. mobiles can be used in case of an emergency in public places
B. mobiles should be turned off in public places
C. mobiles should not be banned in public places
D. it is possible to ban the use of mobiles in public places
56. Which of the following would be the best title for the text?
A. Disadvantages of Mobiles in Public Places
B. Why Not Ban Mobiles in Public Places?
C. Should Mobiles Be Banned in Public Places?
D. Manners for Mobile Users in Public Places

I’ve just done my first jump since the accident that nearly killed me just a year ago. As I was lying in hospital, thinking that I would never skydive again, I wasn’t feeling glad to be alive. Instead I was wondering how I could possibly live without it.
It all started one evening after another nine-to-five day. I was sitting at home thinking, “There has to be more to life than this,” when an advertisement came on the television: “Try skydiving!”
The next day, I called the nearest skydiving centre and booked my first jump.
I will never forget my first jump. It was a beautiful, cloudless day and the sun was just going down. As I pushed myself away from the plane at 11,000 feet, my mind went blank.
Words cannot describe the excitement I experienced while I was free-falling. That was the most amazing four minutes of my life.
From the first jump, I was hooked. I started spending every free moment I had skydiving. At work, I sat in front of my computer and imagined ways of making more money so that I could jump more often.
The accident happened on my 1,040th jump. Another skydiver collided (碰撞) with my parachute (降落伞) at 80 feet. I fell and hit the ground at about 30 mph, face down. I broke my legs, my right arm and my nose. I lost 6 litres of blood, 19 teeth and 25 pounds of fat. I was lucky to be alive.
People who have never experienced skydiving will find it hard to understand that my only motivation to get better was that I could do it again. All I can say is that for me, skydiving is life and life is skydiving.
50. What can we learn about the author’s first skydiving from the text?
A. The author planned it for a long time.
B. The author was too excited to enjoy it.
C. It turned out to be fairly successful.
D. It took place a year before the accident.
51. The underlined part “I was hooked” most probably means “__________”.
A. I was attracted by skydiving B. I was shocked by skydiving
C. I became familiar with skydiving D. I became curious about skydiving
52. Which of the following shows the author’s strong will for skydiving?
A. The author spent almost every nine-to-five day skydiving.
B. The author worked hard to make more money for skydiving.
C. The author imagined himself skydiving while at the hospital.
D. The author expected to recover only to continue skydiving.