Probably no other musical instrument is as popular as the guitar. Musicians use the guitar for almost every kind of music. Country and western music would not be the same without a guitar. The traditional Spanish folk music called Flamenco could not exist without a guitar. The sound of American blues music would not be the same without the sad cry of the guitar. And rock and roll music would almost be impossible Without this instrument.
Some music experts say an instrument very much like a guitar was played in Egypt more than one thousand years ago. Some other experts say that the ancestor of the modern guitar was brought to Spain from Persia sometime in the twelfth century. The guitar continued to develop in Spain. In the 1700s, it became similar to the instrument we know today.
Many famous musicians played the instrument. The famous Italian violinist Niccolo Paganinni played and wrote music for the guitar in the early 1800s. Franz Schubert used the guitar to write some of his famous works. One kind of music for the guitar developed in the southern area of Spain called Adalusia. It will always be strongly linked with the Spanish guitar. It is called Flamenco.
In the 1930s, Les Paul began experimenting with ways to make an electric guitar. He invented the solid body electric guitar in 1946. The guitar has always been important to blues music. With the electric guitar, Les Paul helped make modern blues music possible. There have been many great blues guitarists. Yet, music experts say all blues guitar players are measured against one man and his famous guitar. That man is B. B. King. Every blues fan knows that years ago B. B. King named his guitar Lucille. Here B. B. King plays Lucille on his famous recording of “The Thrill Is Gone”. Lucille, B. B. King's large, beautiful black guitar, is important to American music. Visitors can see King's very first guitar at the Rock and Soul Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. The museum is the only permanent exhibit organized by the Smithsonian Institution outside Washington, D. C., and New York City.
1.Where did the modern guitar finally come into being?
A.Egypt. B.Spain.
C.Persia. D.Italy.
2.What do we know about Flamenco?
A.It is the name of a famous musician. B.It is related to Spanish guitar.
C.It is also called Adalusia. D.It is the name of a guitar.
3.What does the last paragraph mainly tell us?
A.The electric guitar promoted the development of the blues.
B.The musician B. B. King named his guitar Lucille.
C.The Rock and Soul Museum first opened in Memphis.
D.The exhibit was first organized by the Smithsonian Institution.
4.What would be the best title for this passage?
A.Traditional Folk Music B.Flamenco and Guitar
C.Violinist and Blues D.Guitar and Music
While traveling to a foreign land, or perhaps across the state, aren't you looking for something a little more adventurous, more luxurious ( 豪华) , and packed with facilities (设施) that you don't have at home?
Treehotel, Sweden
It was perhaps everybody's childhood dream to be able to have their own tree house. Now you can sleep in a specifically made hotel suite built atop a tree in the Harads Municipality in Sweden. The most unique rooms are the Bird's Nest, a room exactly shaped like a bird nest; the Mirror Cube, a hide-out with reflective outside walls. The rate of each room starts from about $800 per night.
The Manta Resort, Tanzania
The Manta Resort in Tanzania is one of the world's only hotels with rooms placed below the surface of the ocean. By opening the curtains of your windows, you'll be able to see hundreds of fish swimming peacefully around your room. Want to go for a swim? Climb out of your room and jump in the clear waters! For only $250 a night, you, too, can sleep with the fishes.
Book and Bed, Japan
Reading before sleeping is something that many people do. Book and Bed, a 30-room hotel in the heart of Tokyo takes advantage of this by conveniently placing a lot of books in shelves just an arm's reach away from your bed. The rooms at this hotel are small enough for a single adult. Reading yourself to sleep in one of their comfortable rooms will cost only about $40 a night,
Tianzi Hotel, China
The largest image hotel in the world is the Tianzi Hotel in Hebei Province, China. The hotel is a description of the three ancient Chinese gods of Fu, Lu, and Shou- the god of fortune, prosperity, and longevity, respectively. To enter it, simply open the door located in Shou's foot.
The peach resting in the God of Longevity's left hand is a one-bedroom suite with a perfect view of the busy city. Rates at the Tianzi Hotel start as cheap as $11 a night.
1.What can we know about Treehotel?
A.It is made of wood. B.It is made on a tree.
C.It is called the Mirror Cube. D.It is named after a bird nest.
2.What can we do in the Manta Resort?
A.Live in the Bird's Nest. B.Swim in the ocean.
C.Read before sleep. D.Enjoy the busy city.
3.Which hotel most probably has the smallest room?
A.Treehotel. B.The Manta Resort.
C.Book and Bed. D.Tianzi Hotel.
阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。
A Note of the Nicest Things
He was in the first third grade class I taught at Saint Mary’s school. All of my students were dear to me, except Mark Eklund. He often talked constantly. I had to remind him again and again that talking without permission was not acceptable.
One morning my patience was growing thin, and then I made a new teacher’s mistake. I looked at him, saying, “If you say one more word, I am going to tape your mouth shut!”
It wasn’t ten seconds later when Chuck, another student, blurted out, “Mark is talking again.” Since I had stated the punishment, I had to act on it. I took a roll of tape out of my drawer. Without saying a word, I proceeded to Mark’s desk, tore off two pieces of tape and made a big X over his mouth. When I walked back to Mark’s desk and removed the tape, his first words were, “Thank you for correcting me, Sister.”
One Friday, I asked the students to list the names of the other students, leaving a space between each name. Then I told them to write down the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates. As they left, each one handed me the paper.
That Saturday, I wrote down the name of each student and listed what everyone else had said about that individual. On Monday I gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. “Really?” I heard the whispers. “I never knew that meant anything to anyone!” “I didn’t know others liked me so much!” Then Mark said, “Thank you for teaching me, Sister.”
Years later, after I returned from vacation, my parents met me at the airport. My father cleared his throat as he usually did before saying something important. “The Eklunds called last night,” he began. “Really?” I said. “I haven’t heard from them in years. I wonder how Mark is.” Dad responded quietly. “Mark was killed in Vietnam,” he said. “The funeral is tomorrow, and his parents would like it if you could attend.”
I had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before, so handsome, so mature.
Para 1.After the funeral, Mark’s mother and father found me.
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Para 2.Mark’s classmates started to gather around us.
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假如你是李华，你看到美国留学生Sharon在网上发帖，希望有人能够帮助她提高普通话（Mandarin）水平。请根据以下提示用英语给她写一封电子邮件：
1. 表达给她提供帮助；
2. 说明你能胜任辅导；
3. 列举你的提高计划。
注意：
1. 字数80词左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
How to prevent being infected with the virus? There are a number of standard hygiene (卫生) practices 1. have been recommended to protect against infection and 2. (far) spread. These include covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a medical mask, tissue or flexed elbow; avoiding contacting with those who are unwell 3. (close); the appropriate use of masks and personal protective 4. (equip), especially in a healthcare setting; washing hands regularly with water and soap, 5. alcohol-based hand sanitizer (洗手液). Actions that can be taken to prevent infection from 6. animal source include: avoiding unnecessary unprotected contact with animals; washing hands after contact with animals or animal products; and ensuring that animal products are cooked thoroughly before they 7. (consume).
8. is important to stay home if you’re feeling unwell. But if you have a fever, cough, and difficulty 9. (breath), seek medical care early and share your previous travel history 10. your healthcare provider.
A Colorado pair brings new meaning to the word “determination”. When one couldn’t walk and the other couldn’t see, they _______ up to share their love of the great outdoors.
Melanie Knecht has to use a wheelchair to get around due to born spina bifida (脊柱裂). Trevor Hahn only recently became blind after he _______ an eye disease five years ago. Both living in Fort Collins, Colorado, the two met at an adaptive boxing class — and they soon ran into each other again at an adaptive rock-climbing class.
They immediately _______ over Knecht’s lifelong hobby of camping and Hahn’s passion for outdoor sports. When she told him about her recent trip to Easter Island, where she got the _______ to be carried on another person’s back, an unusual idea occurred to her.
_______ his lost sight, he’d been able to scale a Himalayan peak, using poles and _______ directions from his companions.
They started small, but next month — with her vision and his _______— they will trek to the top of a 14,000-foot mountain.
“It just seemed like common sense. He’s the legs, I’m the eyes! _______, we’re the dream team.” said Knecht.
At the start of each hike, a friend lifts Knecht _______ a carrier on Hahn’s back. From that point on, she gives him oral directions to lead the way.
Hahn said, “It made me so happy to help someone experience what I’ve been able to experience my whole life. The best part is being able to make her smile — that gives me ________.”
In addition to this sense of purpose, the two share an understanding of how ________ it can be asking able-bodied or sighted people for assistance in everyday life. They get immeasurable ________ from being able to do this on their own.
While the two accept that others ________ what they’ve been able to do, they’re not looking for ________— they just want others to encourage solutions for their friends with disabilities. Don’t ________ them because you think they won’t be able to do something.
1.A.rose B.made C.teamed D.ended
2.A.developed B.cured C.spread D.diagnosed
3.A.handed B.argued C.got D.bonded
4.A.opportunity B.competence C.permission D.admission
5.A.On account of B.In spite of C.On top of D.In view of
6.A.spoken B.opposite C.confusing D.gesturing
7.A.optimism B.strength C.guidance D.wisdom
8.A.Hopefully B.Instead C.Together D.Similarly
9.A.over B.up C.off D.into
10.A.relief B.courage C.reward D.purpose
11.A.convenient B.difficult C.ridiculous D.essential
12.A.suffering B.wealth C.satisfaction D.depression
13.A.appreciate B.oppose C.dismiss D.advocate
14.A.criticism B.attention C.praise D.curiosity
15.A.convince B.reject C.contact D.approach
