1、阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项。While watching the Olympics the other night，I came across an unbelievable sightIt was not a gold medal，or a world record broken，but a show of courageThe event was swimming and started with only three men on the blocksFor one reason or another，two of them false star
2、ted，so they were disqualifiedThat left only one to competeIt would have been difficult enough，not having anyone to race against，even though the time on the clock is importantI watched the man dive off the block and knew right away that something was wrongIm not an expert swimmer，but I can tell a goo
3、d dive from a poor one，and this was not exactly medal qualityWhen he resurfaced，it was evident that the man was not out for gold his arms were waving in an attempt at freestyleThe crowd started to laughClearly this man was not a medal competitorI listened to the crowd begin to laugh at this poor man
4、 who was clearly having a hard timeFinally he made his turn to start backIt was pitifulHe made a few desperate strokes and you could tell he was worn outBut in those few awful strokes，the crowd had changedNo longer were they laughing，but beginning to cheerSome even began to stand and shout “Come on，
5、you can do it!” and he didA clear minute past the average swimmer，this young man finally finished his raceThe crowd went wildYou would have thought that he had won the gold，and he should haveEven though he recorded one of the slowest times in Olympic history，this man gave more heart than any of the
6、other competitors Just a short year ago，he had never even swum，let alone raceHis country had been invited to SydneyIn a competition where athletes remove their silver medals feeling they have somehow been cheated out of gold，or when they act so proudly in front of their competitors，it is nice to wat
7、ch an underdog1From the passage we can learn that the young man Amade his turn to start back pitifully Bwas skillful in freestyle in the gameCswam faster than the average swimmer Dwas not capable enough to win the medal2The crowd changed their attitudes because Athey felt sorry for the young man Bth
8、ey were moved by the young mans courageCthey wanted to show their sympathy Dthey meant to please the young man3According to the passage，“it is nice to watch an underdog” probably means Aits amazing to watch an ordinary man challenging himselfBits amusing to watch a man with awful swimming skillsCits
9、 cheerful for athletes to act proudly before their competitorsDits brave enough for some athletes to remove the silver medals4Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?AThe event started with three men，two of whom were disqualified laterBThe crowd started to laugh at the athletes a
10、rms waving in an attempt at freestyleCThe athlete，as well as the author，is an expert swimmerDThe swimming event is a show of courage rather than a fierce competition5Whats the best title for the passage?ACompete for Gold! BTry again! CBreak a Record! DGo for it!【参考答案】1-5、D B A C D 【2013界江苏省盐城中一模】 An
11、tidepressant（抗忧郁）drugs such as Prozac were viewed in the early 1900s as wonder pills that would remove depressive blues for good. But in the past five years, growing scientific evidence has shown these drugs work for only a minority of people. And now a research journal says that these antidepressan
12、ts can make many patients depression worse. This alarming suggestion centres on the very chemical that is targeted by antidepressants-serotonin（血清素）. Drugs such as Prozac are known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors（or SSRIs）. Their aim is to increase the level of this “feel-good” chemical
13、in the brain. But the new research, published in the journal Frontiers In Evolutionary Psychology, points out that serotonin is like a chemical Swiss Army knife, performing a very wide range of jobs in the brain and body. And when we start changing serotonin levels purposely, it may cause a wide ran
14、ge of unwanted effects. These can include digestive problems and even early deaths in older people, according to the studys lead researcher Paul Andrews. “ We need to be much more cautious about use of these drugs,” says Andrews, an assistant professor of evolutionary psychology at McMaster Universi
15、ty in Ontario, Canada. Previous research has suggested that the drugs provide little benefit for most people with mild depression, and actively help only a few of the most severely depressed. Famous psychologist Irving Kirsch has found that for many patients, SSRIs are no more effective than a place
16、bo pill. A research in 2010 on Danish children found a small, but significant, increase in the risk of heart problems among babies whose mothers had used SSRIs in early pregnancy. The key to understanding these side-effects is serotonin, says Andrews. Serotonin is also the reason why patients can of
17、ten end up feeling still more depressed after they have finished a course of SSRI drugs. He argues that SSRI antidepressants disturb the brain, leaving the patient an even greater depression than before. “After long use, when a patient stops taking SSRIs, the brain will lower its levels of serotonin
18、 production,” he says, adding that it also changes the way receptors in the brain respond to serotonin, making the brain less sensitive to the chemical. These changes are believed to be temporary, but studies indicate that the effects may continue for up to two years. Most disturbingly of all, Andre
19、ws review features three recent studies which, he says , show that elderly antidepressant users are more likely to die earlier than non-users, even after taking other important variables into account. One study, published in the British Medical Journal last year, found patients given SSRIs were more
20、 than 4 per cent more likely to die in the next year than those not on the drugs. “Serotonin is an ancient chemical,” says Andrews. “It is regulating many different processes, and when you disturb these things, you can expect that it is going to cause some harm.”Stafford Lightman, professor of medic
21、ine at the University of Bristol, and a leading UK expert in brain chemicals and hormones, says Andrews review highlights some important problems, yet it should also be taken with a pinch of salt. “This report is doing the opposite of what drug companies do,” he says. “Drug companies selectively pre
22、sent all the positives in their research, while this search selectively presents all the negatives that can be found. Nevertheless, Andrews study is useful in that it is always worth pointing out that there is a downside to any medicine. ” Professor Lightman adds that there is still a great deal we
23、dont know about SSRIs-not least what they actually do in our brains. When it comes to understanding why the drugs work only for a limited part of patients, U.S. scientists think they might now have the answer. They think that in many depressed patients, its not only the lack of feel-good serotonin c
24、ausing their depression, but also a failure in the area of the brain that produces new cells throughout our lives. This area, the hippocampus, is also responsible for regulating mood and memory. Research suggests that in patients whose hippocampus has lost the ability to produce new cells, SSRIs do
25、not bring any benefit. 63. According to paragraph 2, serotonin, like a chemical Swiss Army knife, can .A. make many patients depression worse B. cause a wide range of unwanted effectsC. affect human body and brain in various ways D. provide little benefit for most depressed people64. In Stafford Lig
26、htmans opinion, .A. drug companies dont know the negative effect of antidepressantsB. Andrews focused on different things from the drug companiesC. scientists have found what SSRIs do in the brainD. Andrews research has no medical value65. Which of the following is TRUE about SSRIs?A. They are used
27、to increase the “feel-good” medical in the brain. B. They can work even when the hippocampus cant produce new cells. C. They create a risk of heart problems in pregnant women. D. They are responsible for controlling mood and memory.66. What is the text mainly about?A. The aim of drug companies. B. T
28、he function of SSRIs. C. The side-effects of antidepressants. D. The cause of depression. 63、CBAC 【2014高考英语江西省景德镇质量检测】阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。 Italys highest court has upheld（支持） the prison sentence handed down to the former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for tax fraud（税收欺诈）. Howe
29、ver, because of his age, Mr Berlusconi is unlikely to go to jail and instead faces house arrest or community service. Alan Johnston reports from Rome. For nearly 20 years, Silvio Berlusconi has been the single most influential figure in Italian politics, he has been Prime Minister three times and ye
30、t judges have now decided that he is guilty of tax fraud and should go to jail. Its the first time in all his many court cases that he has been definitively convicted（定罪）. There can be no appeal. Mr Berlusconi will surely see this as one of the darkest moments in his extraordinary political life. Th
31、e United States says its extremely disappointed by Russias decision to agree to Edward Snowden temporary asylum（庇护）. Mr Snowden, a former U.S. intelligence analyst, has been charged by the U.S. with spying for leaking details of secret government surveillance（监视） programs. Mark Mardell reports from
32、Washington. The White House says granting Edward Snowden asylum undermines (暗中破坏) cooperation between the U.S. and Russia. And they insist he is not a whistle blower, not a dissident. Hes been charged with criminal offenses. They openly admit that the relationship with Russia is already difficult wi
33、th many points of conflict. Up until now, a most serious was over the approach to Syria which makes some very uncomfortable body language between President Obama and President Putin at the recent G8 meeting. Now, the White House spokesman Jay Carney says they are considering pulling out of a planned
34、 summit between the two leaders. Share prices in the U.S. reached all time highs, the Dow Jones index set a new record while the wider index of the U.S. market the S&P 500 went over 1700 points for the first time. Heres Andrew Walker. The share price gains partly reflect some upbeat(乐观的) news about
35、the U.S economy, the survey of manufactures showed stronger activity last month. There has also been a decline in the number of people applying for unemployment benefits, but the exceptional policies of the Federal Reserve are also an important and persistent factor driving the stock market. The sta
36、tement from the FED on Thursday has been interpreted that suggesting its efforts to stimulate stronger economic growth will not be cut back very soon.61.Which column do you probably see the passage ?A. Entertainment B. News C. Science D. Advertisement 62.From the first paragraph we know that _.A. Be
37、rlusconi is the former Italian president.B. Berlusconi is likely to go to jail.C. Berlusconi has been Prime Minister for three years.D. Berlusconi will surely experience the darkest moments .63.From the second paragraph we know_.A. The White House think Edward Snowden is innocent. B. Edward Snowden
38、escaped from Japan.C. Edward Snowden event may influence the relationship between Russia and America.D. The UN express its regret about Edward Snowden64.According to the third paragraph we know _.A. America wants to stimulate economic growth through share market.B. The higher share prices in the U.S
39、 suggests fewer unemployment.C. The Dow Jones share prices depend on world economic growthD. The share price gains mean the boom of the US economy.65Which of the following is True.A Berlusconi has been in jail.B. Berlusconi has a great influence on Italian politics.C. Russia and America agree with e
40、ach other on Syria issue .D. The number of people applying for unemployment benefits is increasing in America.【参考答案】 61-65 BDCAB 【2014高考英语江西省景德镇质量检测】阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。A new study suggests that middle-class teenagers are less intelligent than a generation ago due to the dumbing down (简
41、化)of youth culture and school tests.IQ tests show that scores for the average 14-year-old have dropped by more than two points between 1984 and 2012. For those in the upper half of the intelligence scale-a group typically dominated(支配) by the children of middle-class families-average IQ scores were
42、six points down on 28 years ago. Their leisure time is increasingly taken up with playing computer games and watching TV instead of reading and holding conversations.Education experts said a growing tendency in schools to teach to the test was affecting youngsters ability to think laterally.For the
43、study, Professor James Flynn, of the University of Otago in New Zealand, analysed UK childrens scores in IQ tests over time. He found a regular pattern that IQs increased among children aged between 5 and 10 over the 28-year-period, at the rate of up to half a point a year. He believes these gains a
44、re linked to changes to the home environment children experienced when they were young, with parents increasingly providing stimulating activities.But Professor Flynn also found that teenagers scores had dipped slightly over the past generation. It is the first time IQ scores have fallen for any age
45、 group during the past century, his research suggests. While we have enriched the cognitive(认知的)environment of children before their teenage years, the cognitive environment of the teenagers has not been enriched.Other studies have shown how pervasive teenage youth culture is, and what we see is tha
46、t the parents influence on childrens IQ will slowly diminish with age. What we know is that youth culture is more visually orientated around computer games than they are in terms of reading and holding conversations.He said previous studies have tended to show IQ increasing as teenagers move into ad
47、ulthood, entering university or starting work. Previous studies have claimed that using text messages and email can temporarily reduce IQ by causing concentration to drop, while smoking marijuana(大麻) has also been linked with a decline in IQ.66.We can infer from the passage that _A. IQ tests scores
48、for the average 14-year-old have dropped by more than two points in the past decade. B. Original youth culture and school tests are more beneficial to middle-class teenagers intelligent development.C. Now middle-class teenagers are more intelligent than a generation ago D. Now youth culture and scho
49、ol tests have a good influence on students67.Which of the following can cause a decline in IQ? A. reading B. holding conversations C. starting work D. smoking marijuana 68.According to Professor Flynns study ones IQ scores can be increased at most _ points .A. 2.5 B. 5 C.14 D. 769.The underlined wor
50、d in paragraph 6 means_.A. reduce B. strengthen C.increase D. disappear70.Whats the main idea of this passage ?A. Parents have an influence on childrens IQ. B. Using text messages can reduce IQ. C. It is about a new research on teenagers IQ. D. The way of testing IQ scores has been found.【参考答案】66-70 BDCAC
