Why do people buy art? To answer this question, ask yourself what your reasons are for thinking of getting a piece of art. An artwork can cost a large amount of money, but if it meets your needs, it’s worth every penny.
People buy art for many reasons. Many people buy an artwork simply because they like it, even if it is by an unknown artist. Art, as long as you enjoy it, is never a waste of money.
Art is for enjoyment. Art is meant to be shown. Don’t ever feel pressured into buying something you won’t enjoy looking at day after day, no matter what other people may say. Don’t buy something that doesn’t attract you just because it is trendy, or because the artist is famous, or because you have been advised that the artwork will make a good investment. If you don’t like the artwork at all, don’t buy it!
Art improves your environment. Have you ever noticed that all beautiful homes have art as an integral（必需的） part of the decoration? Art lends life and color to otherwise plain and ordinary walls. A well thought--out art collection will help create a unique atmosphere in your home and make it more attractive.
Art makes a statement. The kind of art you surround yourself with says much about your personality tastes and values. Art truly is a mirror of the soul.
Art enriches your life. Love--even the love of a work of art--contributes to healthier living and a longer lifespan (寿命). Art should enrich your life. Otherwise, why do you spend precious time and resources on it?
Just remember to select something which will appeal to your tastes, and keep to a sensible budget. Good art needn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Happy art collecting!
1.What’s the purpose of the passage?
A. To advise us to buy an expensive artwork.
B. To remind us to be sensible when buying an artwork.
C. To teach us how to choose works of art.
D. To explain the benefit of art to people.
2.According to the author, what should you consider when buying a piece of art?
A. Whether it brings pleasure to you.
B. Whether it is fashionable at present.
C. Whether you can profit from it in the end.
D. Whether it is created by a famous artist.
3.Which of the following words best describes a work of art placed in a house?
A. ordinary B. attractive C. necessary D. unique
4.The underlined sentence in Paragraph 5 means that ____.
A. art can show what you look like
B. art is an expression of yourself
C. a mirror has a feature similar to art
D. a mirror can be a piece of true art
Elizabeth Blackwell was born in England in 1821, and moved to New York City when she was ten years old. One day she decided that she wanted to become a doctor. That was nearly impossible for a woman in the middle of the nineteenth century. After writing many letters asking for admission(录取) to medical schools, she was finally accepted by a doctor in Philadelphia. She was so determined that she taught in school and gave music lessons to get money for the cost of schooling.
In 1849, after graduation from medical school. She decided to further her education in Paris. She wanted to be a surgeon(外科医师) , but a serious eye problem forced her to give up the idea.
Upon returning to the United States, she found it difficult to start her own practice because she was a woman. By 1857 Elizabeth and her sister, also a doctor, along with another woman doctor, managed to open a new hospital, the first for women and children. Besides being the first woman physician and founding her own hospital, she also set up the first medical school for women.
1.Why couldn’t Elizabeth Blackwell realize her dream of becoming a surgeon?
A. She couldn’t get admitted to medical school
B. She decided to further her education in Paris
C. A serious eye problem stopped her
D. It was difficult for her to start a practice in the United States
2. How many years passed between her graduation from medical school and the opening of her hospital?
A. Eight years B. Ten years C. Nineteen years D. Thirty-six years
3. According to the passage, all of the following are “firsts” in the life of Elizabeth Blackwell, except that she ______.
A. became the first woman physician
B. was the first woman doctor
C. and several other women founded the first hospital for women and children
D. set up the first medical school for women
4.Elizabeth Blackwell spent most of her life in _______.
A. England B. Paris C. the United States D. New York City
I believe in miracles(奇迹)because I've seen so many of them. One day, a patient was referred to me who was one hundred and two years old. “There’s a 36 in my upper jaw,” she said. “I told my own dentist it's nothing, but he 37 I come to see you.”
Her eighty-year-old son accompanied her. He would 38 to add something, but she stopped him. She wanted to tell everything herself. I found a large cancer that spread over much of the 39 of her mouth. A careful examination later 40 that it was a particularly bad sort of cancer.
During her next appointment, I explained to her the 41 of the problem. She clasped my hand in hers and said, “I know you’re worried about me, but I’m just 42 . ”
I thought otherwise. After considerable 43 on my part, and kindness on her part because she wanted to 44 me, she agreed to have me refer her to a cancer surgeon(外科医生). She saw him, but as I expected, 45 treatment.
About six months later she returned to my office, still energetic and 46 .
“How are you?” I asked.
“I’m just fine, honey,” she responded 47 high spirits. “When can I get started on fixing my dentures(假牙)?”
Surprised to see her at all, I answered 48 , “Let me take a look in your mouth and we’ll see about it.”
I couldn’t believe my eyes. The cancer that had 49 nearly the entire roof of her mouth was gone—only one small area of redness 50 .
I had read of such things happening, but had 51 seen them with my own eyes. That was my first miracle. Since then I've seen many others, because they keep getting 52 to see. In fact, miracles are daily events for me now. And people are a miracle, 53 through them we have a chance to know ourselves and to 54 the miracles of one another.
Since my first miracle, I've come to understand that the time and place for a miracle is 55 we choose to find it.
1.A. cut B. pain C. wound D. cancer
2.A. declared B. suspected C. promised D. insisted
3.A. refuse B. continue C. attempt D. manage
4.A. roof B. corner C. bottom D. surface
5.A. confirmed B. convinced C. considered D. conducted
6.A. possibility B. importance C. seriousness D. resolution
7.A. old B. sick C. fine D. glad
8.A. permission B. support C. approval D. effort
9.A. persuade B. please C. encourage D. astonish
10.A. declined B. provided C. received D. required
11.A. healthy B. elegant C. optimistic D. humorous
12.A. to B. in C. with D. by
13.A. worriedly B. confusedly C. patiently D. confidently
14.A. covered B. reached C. spread D. grown
15.A. cured B. faded C. expanded D. remained
16.A. ever B. also C. never D. already
17.A. easier B. rarer C. happier D. closer
18.A. or B. so C. yet D. for
19.A. read B. make C. keep D. see
20.A. whatever B. wherever C. whoever D. whichever
—May I remind you that Mr. White is waiting outside, Mrs. Green?
—Oh, I _________ all about it.
A. forget B. had forgotten C. forgot D. was forgetting
Jerry rushed home ____ he heard the news, only ___ that his wife was gone.
A. as soon as, finding B. immediately, to find
C. the moment, fine D. when, found
The computer system ____ suddenly while he was searching for information on the Internet.
A .broke out B. broke down C. broke up D. broke in
