1、Along with silk and paper, gunpowder is another invention by Chinese and the Silk Road helped it spread to the West. The dating of gunpowder is as early as 850 AD. The Chinese used gunpowder to make fireworks and for signal flares. Gunpowder was also thought to have been used in medicine and in alch
2、emy.The gunpowder used for military purpose was first recorded in 919 AD. By the 11th century, explosive bombs filled with gunpowder were introduced and used in China. The words “fire cannon” “rocket” and “fireball” appeared time and again in the official Song history as well as two other books writ
3、ten during the same period.The first detailed description of using the “fire cannon” in warfare was in connection with a battle fought in 1126 when the Song army used it against the invading enemy. The socalled “fire cannon” was a tube made of bamboo filled with gunpowder which，when fired, threw a f
4、laming missile towards the enemy. According to a description of a battle scene in 1132, it took two persons to carry a “fire cannon”， and the cannons were fired from a moving platform. And this platform had to be moved close to the wall of the besieged city.The Chinese invention of gunpowder reached
5、 Japan，the Islamic countries and then Europe in the 13th century and the Arabs improved gunpowder for military use. The early account of gunpowder in Europe was recorded by English philosopher Roger Bacon in the 13th century. One century later the Arabs used it to attack the Spanish town Baza and th
6、e next year in 1326 Florence ordered the manufacturing of cannon and cannon balls. From Italy the making of gunpowder soon spread to other European countries, and by the 1350s it had become an effective weapon on the battlefield.,阅读障碍词 flare vi. &n闪耀，闪光 alchemy n炼金术 military adj.军事的； 军用的 official n公
7、务员adj.正式的；官方的 invade vt. &vi.侵入，侵略 missile n导弹 besiege vt.包围 manufacture vt.加工；制造，生产.Match the word with its meaning.1influentialA. 重要；重要性2resign B辞职3stress C强调4position D哲学5principle E原则；准则6order F平等的7kindness G秩序8philosophy H有影响的9importance I善良10equal J职位答案：15HBCJE610GIDAF.Write down the meaning o
8、f phrases in each sentence.1I believe in your ability to solve the problem.相信2The man who has everything is in some ways a poor man.就某些方面而言3I bought some new shoes which are very similar to a pair I had before.和相似4Do you agree with me about the need for more schools？同意5Daisy got several of her poems
9、 published in various magazines. As a result, she became a little bit famous in their small town.结果6They were at war with the local Indians and came into the valley.与交战7In my day, children were brought up to respect the law.教育Match the sayings with the persons and translate the sentences.1To learn f
10、rom time to time to apply what one has learned isnt that a pleasure?2Treat others in the way you want to be treated.3People are more important than rulers.4Man is born good.5All human beings are equal.6We should love all human beings.AConfucius BMencius CMozi答案：A.1，2B3，4C5，61学而时习之，不亦乐乎？2.己所不欲，勿施于人。3
11、民为贵，君为轻。4.人之初 性本善。5.平等。6博爱。.FastreadingWhat is the main idea of the passage?ATeachings of ancient Chinese thinkers.BThree influential philosophers of ancient China.CInteresting stories about three important teachers in ancient China.DThe history of philosophy in ancient China.答案：B2Find out the topic
12、 sentence of each paragraph.(1)Para.1: Confucius is the philosopher whose influence has been the greatest.(2)Para.2: Mencius was a thinker whose teachings were very similar to those of Confucius.(3)Para.3: Mozi founded the philosophy called Mohism.CarefulreadingRead the text carefully and choose the
13、 best answer.1What is the main idea of Confucius according to the text?AKindness，duty and order in society are very important.BGovernment is more important than its people.CAll human beings are equal.DAll men are born good.2What was the possible relationship between Confucius and Mencius?ATeacher an
14、d student.BMencius was the follower of Confuciuss ideas.CThey all worked for the same state.DNothing related at all.3In which way was Mozis idea the same as that of Confucius?AMen should be kind.BMen were born equal.CGovernment should be more emphasized than its people.DPeople were more important th
15、an the government.4In Menciuss opinion, which was the most important, the government, the ruler or the people?AThe government.BThe ruler.CThe people. DNot mentioned.5What is the similarity of the three philosophers in ancient China according to the text?AThey were all born poor.BThey all wrote their
16、 own books.CThey all travelled from state to state.DTheir philosophies all influenced China for a long time.答案：15ABCCD.StudyreadingAnalyze the following difficult sentences in the text.1Mencius believed that the reason why man is different from animals is that man is good.句式分析本句中that引导宾语从句，在该从句中含有一个
17、why引导的定语从句。注意固定句型the reason why . is that .，表示“的原因是”。尝试翻译孟子认为，人之所以不同于动物，是因为人性本善。2He believed that people were more important than rulers, and hated the state when it treated people badly. 句式分析本句是并列句。and连接believed和hated两个谓语动词，前一分句是that引导的宾语从句，后一分句含有when引导的时间状语从句。尝试翻译他认为人民比政府更重要，憎恨对人民残暴的政权。 对应学生课下能力提升
18、(十七)阅读理解ACopernicus was born in Torun，Poland, on February 19, 1473. Little is known about his early life except that his father died when he was 10.An uncle adopted him, his two sisters, and his brother. The uncle saw to it that the two boys received a good education. Copernicus went to the Universi
19、ty of Cracow. There he studied such subjects as Latin, mathematics, and astronomy. It was probably at that time that he changed his Polish name, Niklas Koppernigk, to the Latin form of Nicolaus Copernicus. In 1496 Copernicus went to Italy, where he spent the next 10 years studying at various univers
20、ities.In Copernicus time people still believed that all things the sun, the stars, and the planets moved around the earth. It was an old belief that few men had ever questioned. Aristotle had based his theory of astronomy on this belief. Because the Church had long been the center of learning, the t
21、heory was also linked to religious beliefs.In 1506 Copernicus returned to his homeland. A few years later he began to work for the Church. All those years Copernicus carried on his work in astronomy. He had just the most basic equipment and, like other scientists of his day, made observations with o
22、nly his eyes. Still, using mathematics and logic (逻辑), Copernicus worked out a different theory, which held that the planets went around the sun.Copernicus did not announce his ideas. He did not want to make trouble. But he could not hide the scientific truth. So he talked about his theory with his
23、friends, who strongly advised him to have his work published. His great book, OntheRevolutionsoftheHeavenlyBodies, appeared at the very end of his life. Copernicus saw the first copy on the day he died, May 24, 1543.语篇解读：文章介绍了哥白尼的生平及其贡献。1Which of the following is TRUE about Copernicus?AHe had two br
24、others and a sister.BHe used to be called Niklas Koppernigk.CHe lost his father soon after he was born.DHe spent 10 years at the University of Cracow.解析：选B细节理解题。由第一段倒数第二句“It was probably at that time that he changed his Polish name，Niklas Koppernigk, to the Latin form of Nicolaus Copernicus.”可知B项正确。
25、2From the passage we can see that “astronomy” is Athe life experience of great menBthe movement of the stars and the planetsCthe scientific study of natural objects in spaceDthe theories developed by scientists of old times解析：选C推理判断题。由第二、三段可知，哥白尼研究天文学即研究太阳周围的行星。由此推出答案。3Copernicus developed his theor
26、y Ausing various telescopesBbased on Aristotles beliefsCthrough observations and reasoning (推理)Dunder the encouragement of his friends解析：选C推理判断题。由第三段第四、五句可知，哥白尼是通过观察和推理来发展自己的理论的。4The writer of the passage tells us that ACopernicus did not tell about his discovery until the day of his deathBfor many
27、years Copernicus dared to do nothing openly against the ChurchCpushed by his friends Copernicus decided to write a book in May 1543Dshortly before he got back to Poland Copernicus started to work for the Church解析：选B推理判断题。由最后两段可知，哥白尼多年一直没有宣布自己的理论，直至晚年才敢出版著作。BI ran into a local store today to pick up
28、a few things. With an important meeting to attend, I was in a hurry , so I didnt take a cart (手推车) on my way inside. As I walked between the shelves in the store, I passed by a young couple and their baby. I continued going through the store, picked up a few items I needed and ended up standing behi
29、nd this couple in the checkout line.While waiting, I noticed that the young father was holding his money tightly and nervously. The young mother was carrying a baby in her arms and asked the cashier (收银员) for a job application.When the total was rung up, they had to pick items out of their cart beca
30、use they didnt have enough money. But all their items were basic necessities (必需品) that they needed most. It just broke my heart to watch the couple try to think about what they could do without. However, they were able to whittle down their items and paid the bill with the money that they had.After
31、 they left, I quietly asked the cashier to add those items to mine. The cashier rang everything up, and then got me a shopping cart. We put in their items and I hurried over to their car. “This is for you，” I told them.The young father just looked at me with such appreciation and thanked me. I will
32、never forget the expression in his eyes. As I was getting into my car, they drove over. The young mother said, “Miss, thank you so much.”Tears welled up in my eyes as they are again now, while I write this. “You are so welcome. Pay it forward some day，” I replied.语篇解读：本文作者通过帮助一对贫穷的夫妇，告诉人们要帮助那些需要帮助的人
33、。5The underlined phrase “whittle down” in Paragraph 3 probably means “”Aadd toBbreak downCcut down Dpay for解析：选C词义猜测题。根据第三段最后一句“However, they were able to whittle down their items and paid the bill with the money that they had.”然而，他们能够削减他们的物品，用所有的钱付了账单。可知选C。6The author felt to watch the couple takin
34、g some items out.Asad BangryCexcited Dinterested解析：选A推理判断题。根据最后一段第一句“Tears welled up in my eyes”眼泪从我的眼睛里涌出，可知作者难过，故选A。7It can be inferred from the passage that Athe young father felt so sorry to accept helpBthe young mother didnt have a job thenCthe cashier treated the young couple impolitelyDthe yo
35、ung couple bought something unnecessary解析：选B推理判断题。根据第二段“The young mother was carrying a baby in her arms and asked the cashier (收银员) for a job application.”这位年轻的妈妈抱着婴儿，向收银员要一份工作申请。故选B。8The authors main purpose in sharing the story is to tell us Awhat a great plan she madeBto take a cart while shoppi
36、ngChow to pick out basic necessitiesDto help those who are in need解析：选D写作意图题。根据最后一段最后一句“You are so welcome. Pay it forward some day不客气，有一天要把这种关爱传递出去。”也就是说：帮助那些需要帮助的人。故选D。CMany children who are starting school are not able to speak because their parents are too busy to talk to them, a leading teacher
37、, Sir Robin Bosher, the director of primary education at Harris Federation, has warned.Nearly half of four and fiveyearolds at one school know 30 to 50 words or fewer, Sir Robin said a similar level of English seen in 18montholds. By four or five, healthy children can normally say 1，500 to 2，000 wor
38、ds.Sir Robin said 57 out of 60 children who began at the school last September spoke no English, but this presents little problem for teachers, as young children can become fluent within six months.However, 25 children in the year had “no or hardly any” ability to speak any language whatsoever.“The
39、first three months is used to teach language. It takes a lot of work，” said Sir Robin, “The problem has worsened over my 30year career.”“The language shortage has increased because theres a larger number of children without English. Its also because the amount of time that parents talk to children i
40、s reduced. Many mums or dads are working all the time because they have three or four jobs. Its about time, or the understanding of how important that is.”“Many of the children have little experience of playing with others. So you have to help children to learn how to play as well. Its a fact, and y
41、ou have to deal with it.”Michael Gove, the UK education secretary, has said that some children arrive at school still wearing nappies (尿布), because the state has been too slow to intervene (插手) in the “disordered” homes语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。主要讲述了许多学龄孩子不会说话因为他们的父母太忙了而没有与孩子们交谈。9How many words does an 18montho
42、ld child usually know, according to the text?A30 to 50.B50 to 60.C1，000 to 1，500. D1，500 to 2，000.解析：选A细节理解题。由文中第二段的“Nearly half of four and fiveyearolds at one school know 30 to 50 words or fewer, Sir Robin said a similar level of English seen in 18montholds”可知某个学校里大概一半的四五岁的孩子知道3050个单词，但对一般的英国人来说这是
43、18个月的水平。所以通常来讲18个月的孩子知道3050个单词。故选A。10Why are more and more children not able to speak enough English?AThey dont want to learn it.BTheir parents dont want them to learn it.CTheir parents have little time to communicate with them.DThere are no teachers to teach them.解析：选C细节理解题。由文章第一段的“Many children wh
44、o are starting school are not able to speak because their parents are too busy to talk to them”可知孩子们不会说话的原因是父母不与之交流。故选C。11What can we infer from the underlined sentence?AThe government ignores the importance of language.BThe government should make some rules for families to follow.CParents believe i
45、n the social principle.DChildren arent polite enough.解析：选B推理判断题。根据文章最后一段的画线句子“the state has been too slow to intervene (插手) in the disordered homes”政府的效率太慢以至于不能插手混乱的家庭。这句话暗含指责之意，指责政府应该加强管理，孩子们在这种混乱的家庭中成长是很不利的。故选B。课 文 对 译Philosophers of Ancient ChinaAncient China was a place where states were often a
46、t war with each other. But it was also a time when there were many great philosophers. Confucius (551 BC479 BC) is the philosopher whose influence has been the greatest. He stressed the importance of kindness, duty and order in society. Chinese society was influenced by these ideas for more than 2，0
47、00 years.Mencius was a thinker whose teachings were very similar to those of Confucius. Mencius was born in 372 BC. His father died when he was young, and he was brought up by his mother. He became a student of Confuciuss ideas, and was then given an important position in the government of a state.
48、However, when he saw that the ruler was not following his advice, he resigned. For many years he travelled from state to state, teaching the principles of Confucius. He then became an adviser to another ruler. He spent his last years preparing a book of his teachings called TheBookofMencius. Mencius
49、 believed that the reason why man is different from animals is that man is good. He taught that if the government was kind, then people would be good. He believed that people were more important than rulers, and hated the state when it treated people badly.Mozi was another teacher who was very influ
50、ential. Born in 476 BC, he came from a family which was very poor. He became famous for his unusual clothes and behaviour. Mozi founded the philosophy called Mohism. In some ways, his beliefs were similar to those of Confucius. For example, he considered that government was most important. As a resu
51、lt, he spent many years trying to find a state where people would follow his teachings. Mozi believed that all men were equal. His idea of love was different from the Confucian idea of kindness. Mozi taught that we should love all human beings and look after those who are weaker than ourselves. He h
52、ated the idea of war. Mozi died in 390 BC.古代中国的哲学家古代中国各诸侯国之间经常发生战争，但那也是一个产生了许多哲学家的时期。孔子(公元前551公元前479)是影响最大的哲学家。他强调了仁爱、责任和社会秩序的重要性。中国社会受这些思想的影响达两千多年。孟子是一位思想家，他的理论和孔子的理论很相似。孟子生于公元前372年。父亲在他年幼时去世，他母亲把他抚养成人。他学习了孔子的学说，后来在一个诸侯国的政府内居要职。但是，当他看到统治者不采纳他的意见时，就辞去了官职。许多年来，他周游列国，传授孔子的思想，后来成为另一位统治者的谋士。他晚年写了一本介绍他思想的书，名为孟子。孟子认为人之所以不同于动物是因为人性本善。他告诫人们，假若政府仁慈，人民就会有善行。他信奉民为贵，君为轻，憎恨对人民残暴的政权。墨子是又一位极具影响力的先哲。他生于公元前476年，来自一个很贫穷的家庭。他因不修边幅、行为怪异而闻名。墨子创立了墨家学说。他的学说在某些方面和孔子的学说很相似。例如：他认为政府最重要。因此，他花了许多年的时间寻找一个人们愿意遵从他的思想的国家。墨子认为所有的人都是平等的。他爱的思想不同于孔子的仁爱思想。墨子告诫人们要博爱，要帮助弱者。他憎恨战争。墨子死于公元前390年。