Ever since it was created 30 years ago, The Simpsons, the longest running prime-time(黄金时段) TV show in the country, has become part of US life. So when TV critics Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz ranked the 100 greatest comedies and dramas broadcast in the US ,it came as no surprise that The Simpsons was their top choice.
This was the show that changed the very concept of cartoons in Western society. Before it appeared, cartoons were considered a way to learn and have fun, not serious adult entertainment. The Simpsons changed this. The genius of the show is that it has something to offer both adults and children.
It’s a hugely entertaining program that’s also full of satire(讽刺的) and clever humor.A remark by Chitra Ramaswamy in The Guardian gave a sense of the esteem(敬重) in which The Simpsons is held:“Nothing before or since has match its capacity to be at once so profoundly clever and so unbelievably stupid.”
The show’s creators make fun of the US government, social customs, and of course, the idea of family life. But unlike most classic US prime-time TV characters the Simpsons are a dys-functional(功能失调的) family.
Bart, the boy, is always in trouble---both at home and at school. That may be in part because of his paternal example. Homer Simpson, perhaps the most iconic(标志性的) character, is a beer-swilling, overweight slob（懒汉） who is normally found in front of the TV. And Marge, Homer’s wife and the mother of the family, spends most of her time cooking, cleaning or trying to fix the messes that Bart and Homer make.
The smartest member of the family is daughter Lisa, who does well in school but is no goody-goody(讨好卖乖的人)---Lisa never misses an opportunity to challenge authority. The youngest member of the family is baby Maggie, who will likely be as much of a handful as her brother and sister when she grows up.
But although the Simpsons are a problem family, viewers are always on their side. One of the reasons why the show has remained so popular all these years is that the characters are so lovely. Millions of us identify with them. They are a working class family struggling to make ends meet. They aren’t perfect, but then, who is? And after 30 years, this is still what strikes a chord （引起共鸣）with millions of viewers worldwide.
1.According to the article , The Simpsons___________.
A.is suitable for both adults and kids.
B.reminds people of their sad children.
C.is a program designed only for fun.
D.is difficult to understand for many people.
2.Which of the following statement is TRUE about the Simpson family according to the article?
A.They all show great support to the government.
B.Bart and Lisa are the troublemakers of the family.
C.They are an ordinary family with many problems.
D.The children regard Homer as their role model.
3.According to the article,viewers like the Simpsons mainly because________.
A.they have the courage to challenge authority.
B.their lives and problems are similar to real people’s.
C.they teach viewers how to fix problems.
D.they are a happy and perfect family.
4.What is the article mainly about?
A.Reasons behind The Simpsons’ lasting popularity.
B.The most popular characters in The Simpsons.
C.Changes to The Simpsons over the years
D.What kind of stories The Simpsons tells.
Artie Shaw was born in New York City in 1910. His parents were poor persons who had come to the United States from Eastern Europe. At the age of fourteen, he began to play the saxophone(萨克斯管) and then the clarinet(竖笛). From very young age, Artie Shaw wanted to play his clarinet better than anyone. He wanted his sound and music to be perfect, so he began working as a professional musician when he was fifteen, and he left home and began playing in bands across the United States.
In 1927, young Artie Shaw traveled to Chicago, Illinois to hear the great trumpet (小号) player, Louis Armstrong. He immediately understood that Armstrong’s great jazz sound was the beginning of something new and exciting. Artie left Chicago with a growing interest in jazz music. Soon after, he moved to New York City. He got work playing the clarinet for the Columbia Broadcast System radio network in1936. He was given chance to found his band and play at New York’s famous Imperial Theater on Broadway. His group was not the top band in the show. But the crowd loved his music. This proved to be a major step in his career.
In 1938, Artie Shaw and his band recorded what would be one of their most popular songs. It sold millions of records. It still sells several thousand each year. Shaw was surprised that it became so popular. The song is "Begin the Beguine" written by Cole Porter. However, the fame caused problems for Shaw. He could not go anywhere without being recognized. He no longer had a private life.
On Dec. 13th, 2004, Artie Shaw died after a long sickness. He was ninety-four years old. He was the last great musician and bandleader of what has been called the “Big Band Era”.
1.When was Artie Shaw born?
A.In 1936. B.In1927. C.In 1938 D.In 1910.
2.How old was Artie Shaw when he founded his own band?
A.Twenty-six. B.Twenty-seven. C.Seventeen. D.Twenty-eight.
3.What can we infer from paragraph 3?
A.Artie Shaw knew his records would be popular.
B.Artie Shaw wanted the fans to recognize him.
C.Artie Shaw's records sold well.
D.Artie Shaw recorded his first record in 1938.
4.What can be the best title for the text?
A.Artie Shaw-a Famous Musician B.Artie Shaw Made Band Famous
C.Artie Shaw and His Bands D.Artie Shaw Recorded Many Songs
Mother’s Day
The second Sunday in May is Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day is a special day for everyone! On that day, children usually give their mothers cards, presents and flowers. But most of the people like giving their mothers carnations(康乃馨). Somebody said God could not be everywhere and he made mother.
Father’s Day
Father’s Day is on the third Sunday in June.
Some Americans thought that if we had Mother’s Day, we should have a Father’s Day.
On Father’s Day, there is not any party. But children will give their father some presents and the best wishes. Father is great. We could give the best wishes to them.
Halloween
Halloween is on October 31st. On this day, in front of the house there are a lot of pumpkin lights. They are very beautiful. Every family has a lot of sweets. When children go to knock at their doors, people will give them sweets.
Easter
Easter is from 22nd March to 25th April. Easter is an important holiday in Western countries.
Chickens are usually born then. Many children buy chocolate and Easter eggs. They also make Easter eggs. Some people like this holiday because it is interesting.
Thanksgiving Day
Every last Thursday of November is a special day. Some American think Thanksgiving Day is more important than Christmas Day. On that day, all people have supper with their family together. Thanksgiving Day in America is a time to offer thanks, have family gatherings and enjoy holiday meals. People like to eat turkeys and some fruits. On that day people are all happy. But in Canada Thanksgiving Day is the second Monday in October.
1.On which day can children ask for and get sweets?
A.Father’s Day. B.Thanksgiving Day. C.Halloween. D.Easter.
2.What will Americans do on Thanksgiving Day?
A.They say thanks. B.They have friend gatherings.
C.They go on holiday. D.They buy many cards.
3.What can be the best title of the passage?
A.Some traditional festivals in America
B.A brief introduction of some special days
C.Festivals that are only celebrated in the West
D.Foreign festivals and customs.
假定你是李华，China Daily正在征集一封英文感谢信，以致敬奋战在抗击新型冠状 病毒肺炎第一线的医护人员，请你代表学校写一封信投稿，要点如下：
1. 表达感激；
2. 个人感受；
3. 表达信心。
注意：1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3.开头语和结束语己为你写好。
参考词汇：流行病epidemic 新型冠状病毒novel coronavirus
Dear Medical workers,
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
假如英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10 处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏词符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（＼）划掉。
修改：在错的词下面划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1，每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2．只允许修改 10 处，多者（从第 11 处起）不计分。
My uncle set up a small business in our city four years ago. He is known as using iron from old cars to make beautifully art pieces. Last summer vacation, I visit him and he showed to me many of his works. Some are larger pieces looked like animals and humans, and others are smaller pieces you can put at home. He often encourages me to be creative like himself. The art tells people the important of environmental protection. What’s more, it shows that even irons can be brought back to life with little creativity.
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
I don't photograph wild animals very often, 1. wild horses are an exception. I first learned about Alberta's wild horses 20 years ago. Ever since, I had wanted to see and photograph them. A friend of mine, who also loves wild horses, 2. (hear) about my wish in March 2017, and I was fortunate enough to be able to accompany him to see the wild horses in the Williams Creek area of Alberta. It was 3. unique experience.
We spent a day there 4. our first visit and have been back to the same area three more times since then. Once we were so lucky to see more than 100 horses there. I managed to capture a great shot of a pony 5. (run) and jumping for the sheer joy of it, 6. I felt so proud of. The pony was having such fun all by 7. (he) while the rest of his herd grazed peacefully.
Having been out with the horses several times now, I hope to visit them again—as often as possible! They're magnificent and 8. (true) nurture my soul. I'm so thankful for the privilege of having the opportunity to spend time with them. These horses are born wild and free, and deserve always 9. (remain) so. 10.(photograph) like me quite value the chance to get close to the wild horses.
