英 语 2017.4
第Ⅰ卷
第二部分 阅读理解（共两节，满分40分）
第一节 （共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）
阅读下面短文，从每题所给的ABCD四个选项中，选出最佳答案，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
A
Mobile phones and iPads are now wonderful tools for learning and teaching English. With the help of the thousands of education and language apps available online, students can make effective use of them to learn in an interactive environment. Given below is a list of some of the best apps for learning and teaching English.
Grammar Up
Grammar is the heart of any language and, thus, the Grammar Up app is one of the most highly recommended apps for English learners. This app is specifically designed for people who want to improve their grammar, vocabulary and word selection. It consists of more than 1,800 multiple-choice questions grouped under twenty different grammar categories.
iFPoems
iFPoems is a fantastic app for poetry lovers. This app consists of a great collection of poems from famous poets around the world. It also allows users to save their favorites along with recording their own readings of the poems.
iBooks
iBooks is a complete book library for the iPad users. It includes the iBookstore and allows users to download and read books. The app features a beautiful bookshelf, on which you can browse various books or even add notes to your favorite paragraphs in the book. You can also create your own texts and upload them into the app.
SpeakingPal
Recommended as one of the best apps for English educators and learners, SpeakingPal allows you to record your speech and compare it with a native English speaker. This amazing app combines video with automatic speech recognition software that tests your English speaking skills. You just have to speak with a video character and get immediate response on how well you speak English.
21. What do these apps have in common?
A. They can be found online. B. They are free of charge.
C. They improve users grammar. D. Theyre designed by teachers.
22. What can we do with iBooks?
A. Download books for free. B. Write notes on it with pens.
C. Save notes and texts. D. Create a bookstore.
23. What is special about SpeakingPal?
A. It offers video call service. B. It evaluates users speech.
C. It offers talks with a native speaker. D. It includes English speaking contests.
B
I dont want kids. I know I wouldnt make for a very good mother. Its not that Id drop them or forget them at the grocery store or anything like that but theyre not a good fit for me and the life Ive created for myself. Id rather be in
The itch to become a mother isnt in me but the itch to travel, and travel far and often, is.
If the urge isnt there, I dont think its fair to live a life I dont want and have a baby because someone else thinks I should. That would be awful.
I like children. To say I love them wouldnt be completely accurate. Its not because Im a monster the same monster people who feel women should have children will call me but I simply dont love them because Im not around them much. Very few of my friends have children, and the ones who do I dont see much because, well, they have children.
I have two nephews in
When I talk to my sister about my nephews, everything they do and say is exciting to her. The joy my sister feels by just playing with them in the yard is the same joy I feel every time I get off a plane in a new country. Id rather be on the beaches of
Im very much certain that at this point in my life my greatest fulfillment comes in the form of traveling and being free of kids. I can go anywhere at anytime; I dont have to put my life on hold for someone else. Its complete and total freedom.
24. What does the underlined word “itch” in Paragraph Two mean?
A. tradition B. competence C. plan D. desire
25. Why is the author regarded as a monster?
A. Because she doesnt like kids. B. Because she doesnt want children.
C. Because shes different from her friends. D. Because she rarely stays with children.
26. Which is “living my best life” according to the author?
A. To stay with her family. B. To see her nephews often.
C. To visit a new country. D. To talk with her sister.
27. What is the authors purpose of writing the passage?
A. To explain her choice of life. B. To persuade people to travel.
C. To share her happiness in life. D. To introduce a unique lifestyle.
C
Long school holidays help students clear their heads, relax a little and stretch their brains in different ways.
Traditionally, schooling schedules have long been based more on the needs of society than on efficient education strategies. For instance, in
There are some obvious advantages to a vacation that lasts longer. Families who live a long distance from relatives are able to travel together, sometimes across the ocean, in order to connect with their loved ones. Even if there is no visiting family far away, a long holiday is a great opportunity for kids to interact with the community. From an educational point of view, a child that is able to experience another culture can gain valuable language, history, and social skills.
Long school holidays are also needed in schools that have become overly academic and too exam-focused in recent years, which requires a considerably longer holiday break from such a “marathon pumping （灌输） of knowledge,” and it makes great sense!
Great psychologists, like Freud and Piaget, have stressed play’s central role in the formation of fully-rounded （全面发展的） individuals, so the long holiday achieves this by allowing students to explore the world outside school. The students get to participate in activities that would be difficult to do during a regular school term.
As a consequence, long school holiday can be quite constructive to our students!
28. What traditionally determines the arrangement of school holidays?
A. Local needs. B. Cultural activities.
C. Religious customs. D. Academic performance.
29. Which is one of the advantages of long holidays?
A. Students run away from exams. B. Children can learn science and history.
C. Fewer courses are required at school. D. Family bonds are strengthened.
30. Freud and Piaget may probably agree that _______.
A. schools need longer holidays B. holiday activities are necessary
C. play is more important than learning D. students should travel around the world
31. What is the best title of the passage?
A. Traditional School Holidays B. Activities for Long Holidays
C. Benefits of Long Holidays D. Advice from Psychologists
D
Every February 14, people worldwide demonstrate their affection for family members, friends, teachers, and significant others with a gift or two. However, this display of love does not come cheap. 55% of Americans celebrate Valentines Day in 2017 by spending an average of 136.57 dollars each. It is no wonder that retailers （零售商） love the holiday.
In 1861, Richard Cadbury, a man from a British chocolate company came up with the idea of packaging chocolates in heart-shaped boxes for Valentine’s Day. Not surprisingly, they were an instant success, and a tradition was born. Today, Americans spend over one billion dollars handing out boxes of chocolates to their loved ones. Sweethearts, the heart-shaped candy, are also very popular. According to the manufacturer, a majority of the 8 billion pieces of candy made annually are sold between January 1 and February 14.
Flowers are also very popular. About 51% of people, mainly men, buy red roses for their loved ones. Given that Valentines Day is very popular for wedding proposals （求婚）, it should not come as a surprise that a lot of the money spent on this day is used to buy fine jewelry. With a quarter of Americans treating their loved ones to a romantic meal, the day is also much welcomed by restaurant owners.
Pope Gelasius, the man who made February 14 Valentines Day in 496 AD, would have never imagined that this festival would change into such an expensive celebration!
32. What does the first paragraph mainly tell us?
A. People buy their friends gifts on February 14.
B. Valentines Day is celebrated every year.
C. Valentines Day is a good time to show love.
D. A lot of money is spent on Valentines Day.
33. Which is true about Richard Cadburys idea?
A. It resulted in a new taste of chocolate.
B. It led to the birth of a new tradition.
C. It was put forward on Valentines Day.
D. It helped the company earn one billion dollars.
34. Valentines Day is referred to “Hallmark Day” because ______.
A. people get greeting cards on that day
B. it was popularized by Miss Howland
C. it offers cards companies big business chances
D. retails help send messages of love on that day
35. What is probably a necessary gift for a wedding proposal according to the passage?
A. Heart-shaped candy. B. Messages of love.
C. A romantic meal. D. A piece of jewelry.