阅读表达，阅读短文，并按照题目要求用英语回答问题。
Over the past twenty years, American country music has become more and more popular. Song writers are no longer writing about the modern values of the USA—money, success or expensive things to buy. Instead, they are writing once more about things that are common for everyone: feeling alone in the modern world, the value of having good friends and so on.
In the 1950s, American music was about other things, for example, love—getting or losing a boyfriend or girlfriend. Money was also thought to be important.
Then in the 1960s, song writers turned to other subjects. During these years many young students were angry with society, so songs were often full of anger. Political leaders were not well thought of.
Today country music has returned. It has become big business and brings in between 200 and 400 million dollars a year. Once, the home of American country music was Nashville, Tennessee. Now, however, the music has reached all parts of the States, from Los Angeles in the west to New York in the east. Singers do not just come from the States but from all over the world. There are many famous singers from Britain, Canada and Australia. A lot of them appear on television too.
The first country singers sang while playing the guitar. It was easy for them to carry a guitar on their travels. Now, however, a lot of electrical equipment is needed for large theatres.
Country music today still remains very popular.
1.What is the passage mainly about? (no more than 5 words)
2.What are song writers of American country music now writing about? (no more than 10 words)
3.Why were the songs in the 1960s often full of anger? (no more than 10 words)
4.Where was once the home of American country music? (no more than 5 words)
5.What do you think of American country music? Please explain. (no more than 20 words)
Facebook was running my life. But what killed Facebook for me was when I posted a photo, and five minutes later my son asked me how many “likes” it had got. His question was a wake-up call.
“Likes” are signs of acceptance and approval(赞同). I had forgotten that acceptance and approval need to come from within and had unknowingly set him a bad example.
Before absorbed in Facebook, I spent a lot more time reading books and magazines. I checked in with friends through texts, emails and phone calls.
To set a healthier example to my son, I deactivated my Facebook account.
I’d been in the habit of checking Facebook many times a day, so I had to come up with some new habits. I carried a novel and a crossword puzzle book around with me. I rediscovered knitting. I started taking yoga classes.
I started to remember a few things. My body is fine just the way it is. I have friends who will help me out when I’m in trouble, and I will help them out. I do my best to be a good mother, and our son is happy and healthy. We are very lucky to be able to afford two vacations a year.
I stopped looking at the world through my cellphone. I felt completely present in the moment. The break left me feeling better about myself, my family, my home and my life.
After a few weeks, I returned to Facebook. Now I look at the photos of my friends’ kids growing up and treasure how social media allows me to keep in touch with family. I no longer have the desire to post updates often.
It is not an addiction(上瘾) any more.
1.What made the author begin to realize she should do something to control her time on Facebook?
A.Her poor health.
B.Her son’s question.
C.Her not receiving “likes”.
D.Her mother’s phone call.
2.The underlined word “deactivate” in Paragraph 5 probably means ________.
A.to close
B.to update
C.to keep
D.to check
3.What did the author do to change her life?
A.She traveled around a lot for a year.
B.She developed some healthy habits.
C.She tried to make money for her holidays.
D.She went to the gym as often as she could.
4.What did the author think of her break from Facebook?
A.It was good for her eyes.
B.It stopped her getting news.
C.It distanced her from her friends.
D.It gave her time to find beauty in life.
5.What is the author’s attitude toward social media?
A.She supports them completely.
B.She is strongly against them.
C.She thinks they are useful but shouldn’t be overused.
D.She thinks they are not harmful at all.
Most of the time, people wear hats to protect themselves from harsh weather conditions. Hats are also worn to show politeness and as signs of social position. But nowadays, hats, especially women’s hats, are much more than that. More exactly, hats have changed into fashion and style symbols by many movie stars. What’s more, people now consider many different features when choosing even a simple hat. Many designers point out that, when choosing the right hat, it’s important to consider the color of your skin as well as your hair, your height, and the shape of your face.
First of all, the color of the hat should match the color of your skin and hair. For instance, black hats should be avoided if you are dark skinned. If a purple hat is placed on top of red hair, one will look as attractive as a summer flower. Second, the height of the hat is also an important point. Tall women should not go for hats with tall crowns, just as short women should choose hats with upturned brims to give the look of height. Third, and most importantly, the shape of the face decides the kind of hat one should pick. A small, gentle hat that fits the head looks good on a small face. However, women with big, round faces should choose a different style.
As the saying goes, “Fine feathers make fine birds.” A good hat can not only help your dress but also support your features, so why not choose the best possible one next time you want to be in public?
1.People wear hats to ________.
A.change weather
B.show their social position
C.work with others
D.choose a job
2.The underlined word “harsh” in Paragraph 1 probably means ________.
A.good
B.cool
C.bad
D.pretty
3.According to the article, which of the following women would look most attractive?
A.A short red-haired woman who wears a purple hat.
B.A big-faced woman who wears a small, nice hat.
C.A tall woman who wears a hat with a huge upturned brim.
D.A small dark-skinned woman who wears a black hat with a tall crown.
4.What does the last paragraph suggest?
A.Hats are worn on the head to keep warm.
B.Hats can help you look better in public.
C.Hats are not as important as character.
D.Hats can make you look much taller.
5.What is the best title for the article?
A.How to Show Your Social Position
B.How to Improve Your Features
C.How to Design a Nice Hat
D.How to Choose a Proper Hat
We lived in a quiet neighborhood. One evening I heard a loud crash. Earlier my wife had asked me to the store for soft drinks. My teenage daughter Holly practiced her driving, so I sent her to the store in my truck.
At dinner my son talked about how much he liked my truck. I enjoyed having it, but I said: “My heart is not set on that truck. I like it but it is just metal and won’t last forever. Never set your heart on anything that won’t last.”
After hearing the loud noise, the whole family ran outside. My son shouted: “Holly crashed your truck.”
The accident took place in my own driveway. Holly had crashed my truck into our other vehicle(交通工具), the family van. In her inexperience, she had confused the brake(刹车) and the gas pedal(油门). Holly was unhurt physically, but she was crying, “Dad, I’m sorry. I know how much you love this truck.” I held her in my arms as she cried.
I still remembered how sad Holly was the night she crashed our truck, and how I comforted her. When Holly thinks back on her life, I want her to know that I love her a thousand times more than any piece of property(财产).
I repaired the van, but the dent(凹痕) in my truck is still there today. Every day it reminds me of what really matters in my life.
1.The reason why the author sent Holly to the store was that ________.
A.Holly liked soft drinks
B.he wanted to teach her a lesson
C.he was busy preparing the meal
D.Holly could practice driving
2.We can infer from the passage that ________.
A.the truck is not the only vehicle in the author’s family
B.the author’s son didn’t like driving the truck at all
C.we should blame others after an accident
D.the wife apologized to Holly
3.From Paragraph 4 we can learn that ________ caused the crash.
A.the lack(缺乏) of Holly’s driving experience
B.something wrong with the brake
C.a tree falling across the road
D.a van parking on the driveway
4.The underlined word “matter” in the last paragraph means ________.
A.to be panic
B.to be harmful
C.to be important
D.to be impressive
5.The best title for the passage is ________.
A.Don’t Let a Teenager Drive
B.Understanding Matters More Than Property
C.A Friend’s Painful Stories
D.Accidents Around Us
I’ve always taught piano lessons in my spare time. Over the years I found that children have _________ musical abilities. Although I’ve taught some gifted students, I’ve also met so-called “musically _________” pupils. One such student is Robby.
Robby was already 11 years old when his mother sent him for his first _________ lesson. I prefer that students begin at an earlier age. I _________ it to Robby, but he said it had always been his mother’s _________ to hear him play the piano. So I took him as a student.
_______ Robby tried very hard, he didn’t have the basic sense of music. However, he _________ and he would always say, “My mom’s going to hear me play some day.” But it seemed _________, and I was disappointed by his slow progress. Then one day Robby didn’t come. He _________ me his mother was sick. I was glad that he stopped coming, since he was really a bad __________ for my teaching!
Several weeks later I was __________ my students for the music show when Robby came and said, “Miss Handorf, I’ve wanted to play.” I don’t know what made me __________ him to do that. Maybe it was his __________ that touched me.
The night for the show came. It went well. Then Robby came up on stage. I was __________ when he said he had chosen one of the most difficult pieces of Mozart. But I was not prepared for what I heard next. His fingers were light on the keys. They __________ danced on the keys. He played so well that everyone was __________ excitedly.
In tears I __________ up to stage. “Oh, Robby! How would you do it?” “Well, Miss Handorf, I __________ practicing at home. Remember I told you my mom was sick? In fact she had cancer and passed away this morning. And she was born __________, she could never hear me play the piano, but tonight was the first time she ever heard me. I wanted to make it __________.”
1.A.strange B.low C.local D.different
2.A.challenged B.breathed C.encouraged D.inspired
3.A.drawing B.dance C.piano D.handwriting
4.A.examined B.promised C.explained D.answered
5.A.comment B.dream C.hobby D.personality
6.A.Although B.Once C.Unless D.Because
7.A.continued B.created C.contacted D.caught
8.A.careless B.hopeless C.homeless D.selfless
9.A.asked B.invited C.guided D.telephoned
10.A.position B.example C.distance D.schedule
11.A.preparing B.renting C.protecting D.regretting
12.A.strike B.select C.allow D.force
13.A.function B.section C.determination D.memory
14.A.limited B.satisfied C.calmed D.surprised
15.A.indeed B.even C.actually D.either
16.A.sitting B.cheering C.walking D.eating
17.A.dragged B.drove C.ran D.picked
18.A.kept back B.kept off C.kept on D.kept from
19.A.shy B.weak C.blind D.deaf
20.A.special B.humorous C.similar D.famous
While many Brits like nothing better than spending their Sunday cutting the grass, some are happy just to sit under the _____ of the trees and enjoy the beauty of the world.
A.atmosphere
B.branches
C.campus
D.strength
