1、.阅读理解AFrom the nations earliest days, farming has played a very important role in American economy and culture. Early in the nations life, farmers were seen as typical examples of economic qualities such as hardworking, honest, kindhearted and independent. American farmers think a number of factors
2、lead to the success of their agriculture: The American Midwest has some of the richest soil in the world. Rainfall is enough over most areas of the country; even in some areas where there is not enough rainfall, the rivers and underground water can also support the farming. Besides, large capital in
3、vestments (资本投入) and highly trained farmers have also been used to develop American agriculture.The first two decades of the 20th century turned out to be the golden age of American agriculture. Farm prices were high as the demand (需求) for goods increased and land values rose. With the development o
4、f technology, the food production continued to increase. The good years of the early 20th century ended with falling prices following World War . At the end of World War ， the farm economy faced the challenge of overproduction. During that time, because of progress in technology, some advanced machi
5、nes and chemicals related to farming were widely used, and that meant production per hectare (公顷) was higher than ever. Today, we see a different set of farms trying to meet consumersdemands all over the world.We can see a lot of changes on American agriculture over time. In 1940, there were 6 milli
6、on farms averaging 67 hectares each. By the late 1990s, there were only about 2.2 million farms averaging 190 hectares in size. During the same period, farm employment decreased greatly from 12.5 million in 1930 to 1.2 million in the 1990s. While production has doubled over the last 50 years, the nu
7、mber of farms has dropped by more than twothirds. Today, about 150,000 American farmers produce most of our food.【语篇解读】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了美国农业的历史及发展状况。1What did people think of farmers in Americas early days?APeople thought very highly of them.BPeople didnt like some of their lifestyles.CThey didnt get
8、 enough attention from the society.DThey were important for the development of technology.答案与解析：A推理判断题。根据第一段中的“farmers were seen as typical examples of economic qualities such as hardworking, honest, kindhearted and independent.”可知，在美国历史上，人们对农民的评价很高。2What does Paragraph 2 mainly talk about?AWhy Amer
9、ican agriculture is successful.BThe social support for American agriculture.CHow American farmers develop their agriculture.DThe natural environment for American agriculture.答案与解析：A主旨大意题。通读第二段内容可知，本段主要讲述了美国农业之所以取得成功是有很多方面的原因的，并列举了一些原因。3How does the author mainly develop Paragraph 3?ABy giving exampl
10、es.BBy giving descriptions.CBy following the order of time.DBy following the order of importance.答案与解析：C篇章结构题。根据第三段中的“The first two decades of the 20th century、World War、At the end of World War”和Today等信息点可知，第三段是按时间顺序展开的。BNow, an ancient grain from Ethiopia, teff, is being sold in supermarkets in Ame
11、rica. Teff has been an important part of the Ethiopian diet for thousands of years. Teff is known for its small grain. It is mainly used to make flour. Wayne Carlson learned about teff while doing public health work in Africa in the mid1970s. “I came to know teff because I was eating it all the time
12、 and hosted by teff farmers.” In the late 70s, Carlson returned to his home state Idaho in the U. S. , married and settled in Southwest Idaho. Then he came up with an idea. Wayne and his wife Elisabeth are not farmers, nor do they want to be. So they convinced actual farmers in Idaho, Oregon and Nev
13、ada to grow teff. The Carlsons milled(磨粉) it themselves. However, until last year there was not a single Ethiopian restaurant or bakery in the entire state of Idaho for them to sell the milled flour to. “The way we started was that Wayne went through the Washington, DC., and looked for the names tha
14、t were Ethiopian in the telephone book.” Over time, the Teff Company has grown out four different mills. The Carlsons say the teff flour coming off the mill could end up in a good natural foods store or commercial bakery. “Sales of alternatives (替代品) to modern wheat (小麦) are growing quickly each yea
15、r, ” says an industry trade group. Rich Roseberg is a food researcher at Oregon State University. He says teff production has exploded over the past decade in the US. He also says most teff grown in the US. is fed to farm animals. In Idaho, however, where the Carlsons are based, Roseberg believes mo
16、re of the teff production is for human food. Teff contains lots of calcium, iron, and protein. Roseberg praises Wayne Carlson for being ahead of his time.【语篇解读】埃塞俄比亚画眉草的种子在埃塞俄比亚被用作食物原料，现在这种农作物被引进到了美国。4What did Wayne Carlson probably want to do after returning to Idaho?ATo become a farmer.BTo do publ
17、ic health work.CTo mill grains for a living.DTo introduce teff to the US.答案与解析：D推理判断题。根据第三段的“Wayne and his wife Elisabeth are not farmers, nor do they want to be. So they convinced actual farmers in Idaho, Oregon and Nevada to grow teff.”可推断，Wayne Carlson想将这种作物引进美国。5What problem did the couple face
18、at first?ATheir milled flour couldnt be sold.BThey didnt know how to mill grains.CThey were not good at doing business.DTheir work wasnt supported by others.答案与解析：A细节理解题。根据第三段的“However, until last year there was not a single Ethiopian restaurant or bakery in the entire state of Idaho for them to sel
19、l the milled flour to.”可知，他们俩所面临的问题就是他们磨的面粉卖不出去。6Why does Roseberg think Wayne Carlson is ahead of his time?ABecause Wayne Carlson improves the taste of teff.BBecause Wayne Carlson feeds teff to farm animals.CBecause Wayne Carlson tries to reduce hunger worldwide.DBecause Wayne Carlson thinks teff s
20、hould be used as humanfood.答案与解析：D推理判断题。根据末段的“Roseberg believes more of the teff production is for human food. Teff contains lots of calcium, iron, and protein. Roseberg praises Wayne Carlson for being ahead of his time.”可推断，是因为Wayne Carlson认为埃塞俄比亚画眉草的种子应该被人食用的缘故。CThe National Pass walking track is
21、in the Blue Mountains National Park, one of the most wellknown national parks in Australia. It is near Wentworth Falls, which is around 100 kilometres from Sydney (the largest city in Australia). It is a circular walking track of 4.4 km. It includes a 709 m climb and takes around 3.5 hours to comple
22、te. Though the transport is not perfect, the National Pass can be readily reached by car or train.The Grand Stairway is an unforgettable part of the National Pass. This is a zigzag stairway (which looks like a line of Zs joined together) with 173 steps. It has been described as the tallest outdoor s
23、tairway in Australia. The Grand Stairway provides a way to the valley below Wentworth Falls. It was built around 1906 by workers who used all kinds of different tools.Along a great part of this track is the amazing waterfalls which hikers (远足者) pass by, through, and over. These include the Empress F
24、alls. This is a wonderful waterfall in the Valley of the Waters. It goes down a series of rocks to a pool. There are stepping stones for hikers to cross the falls and some shady spots where tired travelers can rest.In 2002 the National Parks and Wildlife Service started repair work on the National P
25、ass. This work took several years and the project was awarded recognition from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the National Trust of Australia.It is worthwhile to choose a guided tour package for the National Pass. The walk costs around $135 per person a
26、nd requires good health and physical condition. It takes the hiker through valleys, thick forests and ends with a lovely picnic lunch.【语篇解读】本文是说明文。文章介绍了澳洲蓝山国家公园的国家山口步行小道。7What do we learn about the National Pass?AYou can finish it in one or two hours.BIt is a track that is close to Sydney.CYou can g
27、et there on foot only.DIt ends where it begins.答案与解析：D细节理解题。由第一段中的“It is a circular walking track of 4.4 km.”可知，国家山口步行小道是一条环形路线。8Which of the following best describes the Grand Stairway?AIt is under the valley below Wentworth Falls.BIt was built with the help of UNESCOCIt is the longest stairway in
28、Australia.DIt has a history of over one century.答案与解析：D细节理解题。由第二段末“It was built around 1906 by workers who used all kinds of different tools.”可知，大阶梯有一百多年的历史了。9What will be exciting for a traveler?AThe clear pools near the track.BThe waterfalls along the track.CThe traditional native culture.DThe bea
29、utiful rocks on the mountains.答案与解析：B细节理解题。由第三段中的“Along a great part of this track is the amazing waterfalls which hikers pass by, through, and over. ”可知，一路上的瀑布会让旅行者感到激动。10What should hikers know about the track?AThey must be strong enough to walk it.BSome parts of it are quite dangerous.CIt is bein
30、g repaired at the moment.DMeals are sold during the walk.答案与解析：A推理判断题。由最后一段中的“requires good health and physical condition.”可知，步行者应该知道，他们必须足够强壮才能完成这里的旅行。.七选五Kate will never forget the day“the list” went up. The 12yearold stepped into the cafeteria (自助食堂) for lunch at her school in Wisconsin. _1_ “Ass
31、igned (分配的) seating？” she wondered, staring at a paper taped to the wall. She looked around the room for her new table, hoping to see at least one friend there. But it was a group of strangers. _2_ Just finding a seat can be embarrassing (尴尬的). Kids often walk around the room, hoping that someone wi
32、ll move over to make room.Then theres a lot of noise and its hard for teachers to notice everything. That makes it easy for bullies (恃强凌弱的人) to pick on other kids.At Kates school, a computer program assigns students to tables every few weeks. This way, students have to sit with kids they might not n
33、ormally talk to. _3_ Kate ate quickly so she could leave as fast as possible.But the lunchroom got calmer. Bullying nearly disappeared. _4_ “I met kids I had never had the chance to talk with，” she says. “I made new friends.”Assigned seating has its disadvantages. Lunch is one of the few chances kid
34、s have to enjoy free time during the school day. Its a chance to relax, trade snacks (点心), and catch up with friends in other classes. _5_ For example, kids can sit at round tables instead of long ones. That way, everyone can see and hear each other. More kids can take part in conversations. Theres
35、also“Mix It Up at Lunch Day.” Thousands of schools take part in this program. Once a year, every student must eat with someone new. Its a small but meaningful step toward making lunchtime better.AKate changed her mind.BAnd thats when Kate saw it.CStudents didnt like the system at first.DLunchtime is
36、 the one time when kids have freedom.EFor some students, lunch is the hardest time of day.FAnd there are other ways to deal with lunchroom problems.GBut some people say kids should be able to make their own seating choices.【语篇解读】本文是议论文。十二岁女孩凯特所在的学校食堂实施了午餐座位分配制度，这引发了人们对是否有必要分配食堂就餐座位的讨论。答案与解析：1BB项在此处起
37、承上启下的作用。B项中的when指代该空前的凯特走进食堂看到名单的那一天；it指代the list以及下一段中的“a paper taped to the wall”。2EE项中的“lunch is the hardest time of day”与该空后的“finding a seat can be embarrassing”相呼应。3C由就餐座位分配制度导致的结果“students have to sit with kids they might not normally talk to”和凯特起初对该制度的反应“Kate ate quickly so she could leave as
38、 fast as possible”可知，一开始学生们并不喜欢这个制度。4A由上文中的“Kate ate quickly so she could leave as fast as possible”和下文中的“I made new friends”的对比可知，随着食堂越来越安静以及欺凌现象几乎不再出现，凯特对就餐座位分配制度的态度发生了转变。A项中的her mind指代她对该制度的态度。5F由上文中的“Assigned seating has its disadvantages”和下文中的“step toward making lunchtime better”可知，除了座位分配制度，还有其它办法可以解决食堂里的问题。该空后提及的方法“sit at round tables instead of long ones”是对F项中的“ways to deal with lunchroom problems”的一个例举。