2012高考英语冲刺阅读理解专项 50-11
A
Most musicians agree that the best violins were made in Italy. They were made in Cremona, Italy, about 200 years ago. These violins sound better than any others. They even sound better than violins made today. Violin makers and scientists try to make instruments like the old Italian violins. But they aren’t the same. Musicians still prefer the old ones. No one really knows why these old Italian violins are so special, but many people think they have an answer.
Some people think it is the age of the violins. They say that today’s violins will also sound wonderful someday. But there is a problem here. Not all old violins sound wonderful. Only those from Cremona are special. So age cannot be the answer. There must be something different about Cremona or those Italian violins makers.
Other people think the secret to those violins is wood. The wood of the violin is very important. It must be from certain kinds of the trees. It must not be too young or too old. Perhaps the violin makers of Cremona knew something special about wood for violins.
But the kind of wood may not be so important. It may be more important to cut the wood in a special way. Wood for a violin must be cut very carefully. It has to be the right size and shape. The smallest difference will change the sound of the violin. Musicians sometimes think that this was the secret of the Italians. Maybe they understood more than we do about how to cut the wood.
Size and shape may not be the answer either. Scientists measured these old violins very carefully. They can make new ones that are exactly the same size and shape. But the new violins still do not sound as good as the old ones. Some scientists think the secret may be the varnish, which covers the wood of the violin and makes it look shiny. It also helps the sound of the instrument. No one knows what the Italian violin makers used in their varnish. So no one can make the same varnish today.
There may never be other violins like the violins of Cremona. Their secret may be lost forever. Young musicians today hope this is not true. They need fine violins. But there aren’t very many of the old violins left. Also, the old violins are very expensive. Recently, a famous old Italian violin was sold for about US$300,000!
1. This passage is about .
A. making violins B. musical instruments
C. scientific ideas D. the old Italian voilins
答案解析：答案为D。本题为主旨大意题。 第一段最后一句话 “No one really knows why these old Italian violins are so special, but many people think they have an answer.” 引入话题，为什么古老的意大利小提琴如此特别，很多人认为他们知道答案，后文分别给出了不同人的答案，最后一段对问题的答案进行总结 “There may never be other violins like the violins of Cremona. Their secret may be lost forever.” 意大利小提琴的秘密或许永远消失了，无人知晓。全文都是围绕古老的意大利小提琴展开。故答案为D。
2. The best violins .
A. are made with modern techniques B. were lost many years ago
C. were made in Italy 200 years ago D. were made by scientists
答案解析：答案为C。本题为细节题。由第一段第一、二句话 “Most musicians agree that the best violins were made in Italy. They were made in Cremona, Italy, about 200 years ago.” 可知，答案为C。
3. Some people think that modern violins .
A. will sound better in the future
B. will sound worse in the future
C. sound wonderful and natural
D. will never be as old as those from Cremona
答案解析：答案为A。本题为细节题。结合第二段和该段第二句话 “They say that today’s violins will also sound wonderful someday.” 可知，一些人认为现代小提琴有一天也会演奏出优美的旋律，故A选项正确。B、C选项与文意不符，D选项未提及。
4. Violins made today .
A. look the same as the old ones B. sound the same as the old ones
C. are better than the old ones D. have the same varnish as the old ones
答案解析：答案为A。本题为推理题。由倒数第二段 “They can make new ones that are exactly the same size and shape. But the new violins still do not sound as good as the old ones.” 可知，科学家可以制作出和意大利小提琴一样大小和形状的小提琴，但是新的小提琴音质就是不如意大利小提琴好，故A正确，B、C错误。由该段最后两句话 “No one knows what the Italian violin makers used in their varnish. So no one can make the same varnish today.”可知，D选项错误。
B
Are you preparing for a big test? If so, you may want to go play some basketball in between hitting the books. Doctors are starting to find more and more information that suggests a connection between exercise and brain development. Judy Cameron, a scientist at Oregon Health and Science University, studies brain development. According to her research, it seems that exercise can make blood vessels(血管), including those in the brain, stronger and more fully developed. Doctor Cameron is sure that this allows people who exercise to think better. As she says, “ while we already know that exercise is good for the heart, exercise can actually cause physical changes in the brain.”
The effects of exercise on brain development can even be seen in babies. Babies who do activities that requires a lot of movement and physical activity show greater brain development than babies who are less physically active. Even a little movement can show big results. Margaret Barnes, a scientist, also believes in the importance of exercise. She thinks that many learning disabilities that children have in primary school or high school can result from a lack of movement as babies. “Babies need movement that encourages and excites their five senses. They need to set up a connection between motion and memory. In this way, as they get older, children will begin to connect physical activity with higher learning,” says Margaret.
Older people can develop their brains as well. Cornell University studied a group of seniors who have a short—term memory increase of up to 40 percent after exercising just three hours a week. The exercise does not have to be very difficult, but it does have to increase the heart rate. Also, just like the motion for babies, exercise for older people should not be too simple. Learning some new skills or actions, such as with yoga or tai-chi helps to open up memory paths in the brain that may not have been used for a long time. For most people, any type of physical activity that increases the heart rate is helpful. The main aim is to increase the brain’s flow of blood. And your brain can benefit from as little as two to three hours of exercise a week.
1. What is the main idea of this passage?
A. How exercise makes people strong. B. How to get good scores on a test.
C. How exercise helps the brain. D. How the brain can change.
答案解析：答案为C。本题为主旨大意题。第一段就点出了全文的中心 “According to her research, it seems that exercise can make blood vessels, including those in the brain, stronger and more fully developed.”，锻炼可以使血管，包括大脑里的血管更结实、发育更好，后面的段落分别对中心进行阐述证明。故答案为C。
2. According to the passage, what is the connection between exercise and brain development?
A. Exercise helps make our blood vessels.
B. Physical exercise helps us think better.
C. The brain needs special mental exercise.
D. The more exercise, the bigger the brain.
答案解析：答案为B。本题为细节推理题。由第一段 “According to her research, it seems that exercise can make blood vessels, including those in the brain, stronger and more fully developed. Doctor Cameron is sure that this allows people who exercise to think better.” 可知，答案为B。
3. The smallest amount of exercise required to gain any benefit is .
A. three hours per week B. 40 hours per week
C. three hours per day D. 40 hours per month
答案解析：答案为A。本题为细节题。由最后一段最后一句话 “And your brain can benefit from as little as two to three hours of exercise a week.”可知，答案为A。
4. Why is yoga suggested for seniors?
A. It does good to the joints of old people.
B. It does not increase the heart rate.
C. It includes learning new actions
D. It can be done in groups.
答案解析：答案为C。本题为推理题。由最后一段 “Learning some new skills or actions, such as with yoga or tai-chi helps to open up memory paths in the brain that may not have been used for a long time. For most people, any type of physical activity that increases the heart rate is helpful.”，可知C选项正确。A、D选项未提及；B选项与文意相反。故答案为C。
2012高考英语冲刺阅读理解专项 50-12
A
Recognized as the largest desert in the world, the Sahara runs across North Africa, Covering over 3 million square miles from the Atlantic Coast to the Nile River Valley. Except for an occasional oasis(绿洲), this vast land is mainly made up of sand, stones, and worn out mountains. The burning sun causes daytime temperatures to rise to 70 degrees in the shade, and days without rain commonly last for years.
Paintings found on the walls of caves in the Sahara Desert suggest that a few thousand years ago, large quantities of plants grew there and covered the desert floor. Many curious and unusual insects, birds and animals got enough food that allowed them to grow and reproduce. At that time, huge river systems and many oases supported growing communities(社团，社区) where a large number of people lived.
Research scientists believe that the land became a desert for several reasons. For centuries people there have wandered from place to place in search of food, water and grazing(吃草)land for their animals. These people have always considered the number of animals they have as a sign of wealth. It is considered more important to have 100 sick and starving animals than 15 healthy ones. The large herds(群)have been allowed to go freely and graze on desert plants and grass. Over time, large sections of land have been left uncovered. In addition to allowing overgrazing, these people cut down whatever trees they could find and used them for firewood. The sand was unable to hold on to the great heat of the day, so nightting temperatures often drop below freezing and nothing was left to hold the soil together.
Scientists have been studying different ways to bring back the green desert. Through research and experiments, they hope to be able to produce plants that will once again support the life there. Huge holes filled with much water lie under the desert surface. Scientists believe this rainwater simply flew down through the sand over hundreds of years and collected in the big, rocky holding tanks. By making use of the sun’s power, scientists in the Sahara have made experiments in which they got huge amount of electricity. This electricity was then used to operate drilling machines and pumps to pull the rainwater from the underground tanks. By drilling the hole one mile deep into the floor of the desert, one machine was able to recover more than 80 gallons of ice—cold water each second, or 288,000 gallons per hour.
Scientists have had some success turning this wasteland into useful farmland. Today the desert is dotted with huge wheat fields watered by a system of pipes that carry water from the underground tanks. Farmers have also learnt that plants grow better if seeds are planted next to stones. Studies show that stones provide protection from the sun, allowing seeds to grow in a shady and cool environment. In addition to that, greenhouses have been built to protect plants from the sunshine so that less water is needed. Another idea is to grow plants that can live on a diet of salt water, since the ocean is so near to the desert.
1. What will probably happen if the local people continue their customs and traditions?
A. The desert will continue to be enlarged.
B. Tourists will begin traveling to North Africa.
C. More oases will begin to appear across the desert.
D. The number of healthy animals will become larger.
答案解析：答案为A。本题为推理题。结合前三段可知，撒哈拉沙漠原本是绿洲，后由于人类过度放牧（overgrazing）、滥砍乱伐（these people cut down whatever trees they could find ）导致了沙漠的形成和扩大，因此可以推断，如果当地人继续沿袭他们的老传统，会导致沙漠继续扩大。故答案为A。
2. Which of the flowing statements is a fact presented in the passage?
A. The desert is rich in beautiful color and scenery.
B. Camels can go for days without drinking any water.
C. The Sahara will one day become a beautiful garden.
D. Large river systems once supported many communities.
答案解析：答案为D。本题为推理题。考生需看清题意，要求选择与原文符合的事实。由第二段最后一句话 “At that time, huge river systems and many oases supported growing communities where a large number of people lived.”可知，答案为D。
由第一段 “Except for an occasional oasis, this vast land is mainly made up of sand, stones, and worn out mountains.”可知，A选项错误；B选项未提及；C选项也不是事实。故答案为D。
3. The author of the passage provides evidences (证据)that scientists are .
A. pleased by the progress but do not have the money to continue
B. discouraged by the poor results of their experiments
C. hopeful about the chances of life coming back to the desert
D. troubled by the lack of water found underground
答案解析：答案为C。本题为推理题。由最后两段可知，科学家一直在研究让沙漠变绿洲的办法，并且已经付诸实践，取得了一定的成效，故可推断，科学家满怀希望想使撒哈拉沙漠恢复生机。故答案为C。
4. Which of the following is the best summary of this passage?
A. Drilling machines help to water the desert floor and make plants and animals alive.
B．Scientists have been able to turn this large wasteland into a successful farming community.
C. So much soil has become sand that the desert will never be able to support life as it once did.
D. The desert no longer supports plenty of life, but researchers hope to change it with new scientific techniques.
答案解析：答案为D。本题为主旨大意题。本文揭示了撒哈拉沙漠形成的原因，重点是介绍科学家依靠科学技术试图让这片沙漠变成绿洲的方法。故答案为D。
B
Explaining China’s peaceful growth to the American politicians and public will top President Hu Jintao’s agenda when he visits the United States from September 5 to 8.
“ This will be conductive to the development of Sino—US relations and China’s relationships with the rest of the world.” He Yafei, director of the Department of North American Affairs, said at a news briefing yesterday.
It will be Hu’s first State visit to the US after he became president in 2003. He will meet US President George W.Bush and legislators in Washington DC and business people in Seattle, and deliver a speech at Yale University in New Haven. Also on the list of areas of concern for Hu and Bush may be trade, Taiwan, energy and nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.
China’s favorable balance of trade with the US derives from different economic structures in the two countries. The two economies supplement and benefit each other instead of competing, and the US should loosen its grip over its exports, especially high-tech products, to China, he said.
After his US trip, President Hu will travel to Canada and Mexico from September 8 to 13, and back to New York on September 14 to attend the World Summit and other activities in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations.
Hu will wrap up his tour on September 16 at the UN in a show China’s support for the world body and multilateralism.
At yesterday’s news briefing, he also disclosed that the fourth round of Six—Party Talks on Korean Peninsula Nuclear issue will be resumed in the week of September 12.
1. The underlined word “wrap up” can be taken place by .
A. complete B. go on C. start D. do secretly
答案解析：答案为A。本题为词义推断题。由 “wrap up”上一段 “…attend the World Summit and other activities in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations.”可知，President Hu已经参加完UN的60周年庆祝活动，故答案为A。
2. President Hu Jintao may came home after .
A. September 8th B. September 14th
C. September 16th D. September 13th
答案解析：答案为C。本题为推理题。最后一项活动的结束日期出现在倒数第二段 “Hu will wrap up his tour on September 16 at the UN in a show China’s support for the world body and multilateralism.” 故可推断，President Hu Jintao 回家应该是9月16日以后。
3. Which of the following is Not true?
A. The visit to the US starts on September 5
B. Hu and Bush may talk about Taiwan’s trade and energy.
C. The economy of the two countries should supplement and benefit each other.
D. Korean penninsula nuclear issue is another important problem the two presidents may talk about
答案解析：答案为B。本题为细节题。由第一段 “…when he visits the United States from September 5 to 8.” 可知，A选项正确。由第三段最后一句话 “Also on the list of areas of concern for Hu and Bush may be trade, Taiwan, energy and nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.”可知，Hu 和 Bush之间讨论的问题有贸易，台湾问题，能源和朝鲜核问题。故B选项表达错误，D选项正确。由第四段 “The two economies supplement and benefit each other instead of competing…”可知，D选项正确。故答案为B。
4. The best title of this passage is .
A. Itinerary for President Hu Jintao’s US visit
B. Meeting in the US
C. The Relationship between China and the US
D. The Problem between China and the US
答案解析：答案为A。本题考查文章的标题。全文都是在介绍President Hu Jintao的出国访问行程，故答案为A。
2012高考英语冲刺阅读理解专项 50-13
A
Many people eventually get round to trading in their first car. But not Mike Harrison. He loves his 1931 black Bentley sports car so much that he’s still driving it – 54 years after be bought it.
Mr Harrison was 20 when he paid ￡150 (about ￡3,000 now) for the car after passing his test in 1956. It had already done 85,000 miles and he has since driven it a further 100,000, yet the car still runs like clockwork.
It is now one of only three left in the country and is worth ￡250,000. Despite its value, Mr Harrison, 74, says he would never sell the car “which has been my best friend and part of my family all my life”.
Mr Harrison courted his wife Jenny in it during the early sixties and it was their family car when children Caroline, now 46, and Ben, 42, came along. Even when he took a job as an advertising executive which came with the company car of his choice, Mr Harrison kept the Bentley.
He said: 'How many people still have their first car these days when everything is so disposable? But it is a real eye-catcher. It has something that modern cars just don't have - style and character. 'I still drive it most days, even though it only does about 15 miles to the gallon!' Petrol was just six shillings (30p) a gallon when Mr Harrison bought the Bentley, which had a top speed of 120mph.
He has spent thousands of pounds on repairs over the years but has kept the bodywork in good condition himself, hand-painting the underneath and spraying the black panels of the bodywork.
For decades the Bentley was a regular sight on the roads near Mr Harrison's home in Hampton Court, Surrey. He now uses it as a runaround after retiring to Whitney-on-Wye, Herefordshire.
Mrs Harrison, 71, said: “It was a nuisance(累赘) keeping it in tip-top order with me helping out with the repairs by passing Mike the spanners the whole time. But I wouldn't have changed any of it --- I feel like a Queen every time I'm in it.”
1. When Mike Harrison bought his black Bentley sports car, it was .
A. a hand – made car B. a second – hand car
C. one of only three left D. unique in style
答案解析：答案为B。本题为细节推理题。由文章第二段第二句话 “It had already done 85,000 miles …” 可知，Mike Harrison 买车的时候，车已经跑了85,000 miles，可以推断, Bentley sports car是二手车。故答案为B。
2. Mike Harrison would never sell the car mainly because .
A. it has witnessed his life and his family B. it is very eye – catching
C. it has save much oil D. it runs very fast
答案解析：答案为A。本题为推理题。由第三段 “Mr Harrison, 74, says he would never sell the car ‘which has been my best friend and part of my family all my life’ ”.和第四段的进一步解释可知，这辆车一直陪伴着他和他的家庭，故答案为A。
3. It can be concluded from the passage that the car .
A. has cost more for repairs than it is worth
B. has almost been retired
C. has caused much trouble to Mrs. Harrison.
D. is priceless to the family
答案解析：答案为D。本题为文章主旨推理题。通读全文可知，尽管Mike Harrison 的车现在已经速度减慢，需要经常修理，但是它见证了Mike Harrison和他的家庭生活，所以这辆车在他们的心中是无价的。故答案为D。
由第三段 “It is now one of only three left in the country and is worth ￡250,000.”和第六段 “He has spent thousands of pounds on repairs over the years …”可知，车的修理费是几千镑，但是价值是250,000镑，故A选项错误。 由最后一段最后一句话 “But I wouldn't have changed any of it --- I feel like a Queen every time I'm in it.”可知，这辆车还是在使用，并没退休，故B选项错误。C选项未提及。
4. What’s the main purpose of this writing?
A. To show that an old car is better than a new one.
B. To share Mike Harrison’s story of his first car.
C. To ask people to treasure old things.
D. To describe the quality of a black Bentley.
答案解析：答案为B。本题考查文章的写作目的，结合前面的问题可知，全文都是在围绕Mike Harrison和他的车展开，故答案为B。
B
America’s population was booming and spreading west in the early 1800’s. Westward expansion came mostly at the expense of the Indians who were often forced to move from their native lands.
In the state of Georgia, the population increased 600 percent in the matter of 40 years. As a result, many of its native tribes(部落) were pushed out. The Cherokee Indians, of western Georgia had managed to keep their land until gold was discovered in their territory in 1828. In 1830, however, president Andrew Jackson authorized (批准) the Indian Removal Act. The Cherokees fought the law, and it was overturned by chief justice John Marshall two years later.
Just three years later, however, in 1835, the Treaty of New Echota was signed. The "Treaty" was not authorized by the Cherokee Nation, but rather, a small group of Cherokee radicals led by John Ridge. Under the "Treaty", the Cherokee were to leave Georgia and the government would compensate them at a price determined to be about 5 percent of the value of the land. The majority of the Cherokee Nation would never had agreed to the "Treaty", but the U.S. government ratified it anyway. John Ridge was thus seen as a traitor by the Cherokees - and would later pay with his life. The Georgia government then staged a "land lottery" in which Cherokee land was divided into 160 equal portions. They were sold to anyone who had $4.00 and who had won a chance to own land.
In 1838, General Winfield Scott and 7,000 troops invaded Cherokee land. Men, women, and children were forced to walk westward from Georgia nearly 1,000 miles with minimal facilities and food, to reservations set up for them in Oklahoma. Cherokee chief John Ross, eventually was able to convince Winfield Scott that his people should lead the tribe west. Scott agreed and Ross divided the people into smaller groups so they could forage for food on their own. Although Ross may have save countless lives, nearly 4,000 Indians died walking this Trail of Tears.
1. Which of the following happened first?
A. Cherokees’ walk to Oklahoma. B. The Indian Removal Act.
C. The Treaty of New Echota. D. The Georgia “Land Lottery”.
答案解析：答案为B。本题为细节题。由文章第二段倒数第二句话 “In 1830, however, president Andrew Jackson authorized the Indian Removal Act.”可知，B选项发生在1830年；由第三段第一句话 “Just three years later, however, in 1835, the Treaty of New Echota was signed.”可知，C选项发生在1835年；由第三段倒数第二句话 “The Georgia government then staged a ‘land lottery’ in which Cherokee land was divided into 160 equal portions.”可知，D选项发生在Treaty of New Echota后; 由最后一段前两句话 “ In 1838, General Winfield Scott and 7,000 troops invaded Cherokee land. …set up for them in Oklahoma.”可知，A选项发生在最后。故答案为B。
2. The underlined part “ratified it” (in Para. 3) can be replaced by “ ”.
A. made it official B. signed it secretly
C. removed it D. ignored it
答案解析：答案为A。本题为语义推断题。结合该短语出现的句子 “The majority of the Cherokee Nation would never had agreed to the ‘Treaty’, but the U.S. government ratified it anyway.”, “ratified it” 出现在 “but” 后面，可见该短语和前面的never had agreed to the “Treaty" 意思相反，故答案为A，使条约正式化。
3. Why was John Ridge viewed as a traitor by the Cherokees?
A. Because he sold his land to the U.S.Government at a low price.
B. Because he represented the U.S. Govermment.
C. Because he signed an unfair treaty for the Cherokees.
D. Because he carried out a “land lottery” in Georgia.
答案解析：答案为C。本题为推理题。细读第三段，Treaty of New Echota被签署，但不是经过Cherokee 民族批准的，而是由John Ridge领导的一小群Cherokee极端分子干的，规定Cherokee民族离开Georgia，政府赔偿给他们原有土地的百分之五，大多数Cherokee 人并不同意该条约，但是美国政府最终还是批准了该条约，因此John Ridge被认为是Cherokee的民族叛徒。故答案为C。
4. According to the passage, what is the key factor for the “Trail of Tears”?
A. The conflict between the Cherokees and the local government.
B. The increase of population in the state of Georgia.
C. The constant struggle for land between the native Americans and the settlers.
D. The discovery of gold in western Gerogia.
答案解析：答案为D。本题为推理题。文章的最后提到 “nearly 4,000 Indians died walking this Trail of Tears”， 为什么会发生此事？本题实际考察现象背后的实质：Cherokee 印第安人为什么要移民？由文章第二段 “The Cherokee Indians, of western Georgia had managed to keep their land until gold was discovered in their territory in 1828.” 可知，western Georgia 发现了金子后，白人就觊觎此片土地淘金，发生了后来的移民事件，留下了Cherokee 印第安人的血和泪。故答案为D。
2012高考英语冲刺阅读理解专项 50-14
A
The practice of swapping fashions has recently been attracting attention worldwide, particularly in Europe and the United States. This is an activity aimed at making more effective use of resources by providing a platform for people to exchange free of charge those fashion items in their closets that they don’t use anymore.
In London, fashion swap events sponsored by the credit card company VISA focus on the swapping of specific brands. Japan’s first major fashion swap event, “xChange,” was held in September 2007 in Tokyo. The xChange event is designed to exchange not only fishing items but also information and feelings from the owners of the clothes, using what is called an “episode tag.” Participants put tags on each of the items they bring and write their name and a bride episode about the items.
For example, a tag of a white jacket read, “This is a gift from a friend, but it’s just not my style.” On a tag attached to a pair of red shoes, a person wrote. “These don’t fit me anymore. I hope someone who loves red can use them.” Just as shoppers check price tags, some people check the episode tags before making a selection, imagining who used to wear the item. The episode tags make people aware of the human connection by exchanging goods.
Many participants say things like, “I’m very lucky to get such lovely clothes for free,” and “I was happy to see someone try on and choose what I brought here.” Unwanted clothes for one person can be new and exciting for someone else. Besides, xChange achieves close to a 100-percent reuse rate by donating leftover clothes to companies that reuse or recycle secondhand clothing. Anything they cannot use, they then donate to developing countries or reuse them as rags.
Since 2007, the xChange event has been held every two or three months in a different region of Japan, always attracting many participants. This success is probably because it is an active event that gives participants opportunities to enjoy fashion without increasing the impact on the environment.
1. What's the main purpose of the fashion exchange?
A. To attract people's attention. B. To make good use of resources.
C. To get rid of unwanted clothes. D. To try to avoid buying new clothes.
答案解析：答案为B。 本题为细节题。由第一段第二句话 “This is an activity aimed at making more effective use of resources by…”可知，答案为B。
2. What is special about "an episode tag"?
A. It provides personal information of the owner.
B. It is being attached by a price tag.
C. It gives details of a fashion item.
D. It includes brief information of the item and feelings of the owner.
答案解析：答案为D。本题为词义推测题。由第二段 “The xChange event is designed to exchange not only fishing items but also information and feelings from the owners of the clothes, using what is called an “episode tag.”可知，答案为D。
3. That the xChange event has achieved success is probably because ____.
A. it donates secondhand clothing to developing countries
B. it changes people's way of consuming
C. offers an example of enjoying fashion without damaging environment
D. it shows fashion is the best policy for women
答案解析：答案为C。本题为细节题。由最后一段 “This success is probably because it is an active event that gives participants opportunities to enjoy fashion without increasing the impact on the environment.”可知，答案为C。
4. Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?
A. "Fashion Exchange" Concept Grows in Japan.
B. "xChange" Environment Meets the Fashion Industry.
C. The Global Rise of the Fashion Exchange.
D. Join in "xChange".
答案解析：答案为A。本题为主旨大意题。由第二段 “Japan’s first major fashion swap event, ‘xChange,’ was held in September 2007 in Tokyo.” 可知，第一届Fashion Exchange2007年在日本东京举办，后文对其进行了介绍，最后一段呼应文章的中心 “Since 2007, the xChange event has been held every two or three months in a different region of Japan, always attracting many participants.”, 因此本文主要介绍Fashion Exchange在日本的盛行，尽管第一段提到Fashion Exchange在欧美受到了欢迎，但这仅仅是Fashion Exchange的影响，故最佳标题为A。
B
I don't think comic book "collector" really applies to me at all. I’m probably more of a comic book "appreciator". My interest has always been in what can be accomplished with the medium of "visual story-telling".
I'm not sure exactly where this interest of mine came from. I do know that as a child, comic books allowed me to improve my reading skills. “The Mighty Thor" helped me develop an interest in old legends, and “Challengers of the Unknown" got me crazy about science fiction. The combination of words and pictures was a perfect springboard for my childhood imagination.
How does one learn to appreciate comic book art? There is a classic example that sheds quite a bit of light on the subject. Writer Scott Macloud just explains what makes a comic book stand out in his best selling book Understanding Comics. The book, first published in 1994, has been translated into 13 languages and is practically a bible for students studying graphic illustration (图示说明) in novels.
On the internet there are some cool comic book sites to be found—hundreds and hundreds of them as a matter of fact. More than a few are dedicated to super heroes and the like. But there are some choice sites that I would visit, because they provide some great resources that discuss the comic book as an art form. Noteworthy among them is a great article and interview at www. rcharvey. corn, which discusses the impact of several artists and writers in the field.
I have a huge admiration for anyone who can produce comic stories that can make readers think, laugh and cry. Maybe make them dream.
Check it out. Spend two dollars on a comic book and read it with your children. Or better yet, search out some of the more “adult" tides and read it for yourself. You may find yourself enjoying what you see and read. You may even find yourself wanting more.
1. What does the author mainly intend to talk about in Paragraph 2?
A. Influence of comic books on reading in childhood.
B. Ways to improve one's reading skills.
C. Subjects of comic books.
D. Popularity of two comic books.
答案解析：答案为A。本题为段落大意题。细读第二段可知 “I'm not sure exactly where this interest of mine came from. I do know that as a child, comic books allowed me to improve my reading skills.”为本段的中心句，后面的内容都是对此进行了解释说明，故答案为A。
2. The underlined part "sheds quite a bit of light on" (Para．3) means "____".
A. does a basic research on B. causes a fierce debate on
C. provides new information on D. makes a quick survey on
答案解析：答案为C。本题为语义推断题。结合划线部分的后面两句话可知，Writer Scott Macloud写了一本书，被翻译成13种语言，帮助学生理解漫画。划线部分的意思与C选项最接近。故答案为C。
3. If you want to know a few good writers of comic books, you will probably ____.
A. read Understanding Comics B. visit www．rcharvey．corn
C. buy some comic books D. turn to comic story writers
答案解析：答案为B。本题为细节题。由第四段最后一句话 “Noteworthy among them is a great article and interview at www. rcharvey. corn, which discusses the impact of several artists and writers in the field.”可知，答案为B。
4. What does the author encourage people to do?
A. Develop an interest in old legends and science fiction.
B. Share a comic book with children.
C. Produce some comic stories.
D. Spend money and time appreciating comic books.
答案解析：答案为D。本题考查作者的态度观点。由最后一段 “Check it out. Spend two dollars on a comic book and read it with your children.”可知，答案为D。
2012高考英语冲刺阅读理解专项 50-15
A
The seventh game of any play-off is always special, win or lose, it always has an edge-of-your-seat, heart-in-your-throat intensity unlike any other. One play, one shot, one save may make all the difference.
But there are other things that make our games and sports so special.
For example, where we play our sports is often one of the best things about the games.Thinks of it:What is as pergect as a fresh sheet of ice after the Zamboni machine (赞博尼磨冰机) has made its final pass and left the surface as smooth as glass? Or a swimming pool on a summer morning, clear and calm, before the ferst swimmer has broken the water?
To me a freshly mowed and lined soccer field is as beautiful as any painting. SO is a golf course in the early morning, or in the evening when the sun is setting.
The stuff we paly with is wonderfull, too. Is there anything that feels as good in your hand as a brand-new baseball? Or a nice leather football? Grab hold of either, and you just habe to play a game of catch.
The clothes are good too. Sports uniforms are much more colorful and comfortable than regular clothes . Maybe that’s why so many kids stay in their soorts uniforms long after their games are over.
No shoes feel better on my feet than my golf shoes. Maybe that’s because I know I am going to have fun whenever I put then on.
We talk so much about winning in sports. But if you are the kind of kid who is happy only when their team wins , then sports will let you down. After all, no team or player wins all the time.
But if you can learn to enjoy the parts of sports that have nothing to do with winning or losing---the feel of a favorite bat or stick in your hand, or how your heartbeats when you put on your uniform and run onto the field ---then sports will always be fun. Whether you win or lose.
1.Which of the following words is close in meaning to the phrases “edge-of-your-seat,heart-in-your-throat”in para 1?
A. Uncertain B. Scared C. Nervous D. Enthusiastic.
答案解析：答案为C。本题为词义推断题。结合第一段内容，不论输赢的比赛，进球，救球都会有着不一样的感觉，这样的感觉必然是令人紧张的，故答案为C。A选项意为 “不确定的”，B选项意为 “害怕的”，D选项意为“热情的”，均不符合题意。
2. According to the writer, people are advised .
A. not to play a game of catch B. to wear sports uniform long
C. not to talk about winning in spors D. to have fun in spors
答案解析：答案为D。本题为文章的主旨大意题。 由文章最后一段 “But if you can learn to enjoy the parts of sports that have nothing to do with winning or losing... then sports will always be fun. Whether you win or lose.” 可知，作者建议人们要学会在运动中不论输赢都要享受运动，从运动中获得快乐。故答案为D。
3. Sports uniforms, as well as spors shoes, are mentioned in the text
A. as an example of the special feeling of sports
B. as comforbable wearingfor sports
C. as particular desire of children
D. as most favorite of sportsmen
答案解析：答案为A。本题为推理题。由倒数第三、四段可知, 运动时穿的运动衫和运动鞋都会让我们的感觉良好，能让我们在运动中获得快乐，文章用两件实物是为了将其作为运动时特别感觉的例子。故答案为A。
4. Which would be the best title for the passage?
A. Whether You Win or lose B. Many Joys of Sports
C. Winning in Sports D. Games and Sports
答案解析：答案为B。本题考查文章的标题。全文都是在围绕 “运动中的快乐”这一主题而展开，故答案为B。
B
Every year in America, high-school students who want to go on to college take a national examination called the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT in a shortened way. Their score is an important factor in determining which colleges will admit them or whether any will be admitted at all. The Scholastic Aptitude Test muasures one’s mathematical ability and use of the English language. Traditionally, the English portion involved grammatical questions and paragraphs that test reading comprehension.
But the SAT folks have added a single question , to be answered in an essay, hand-written on the spot. That’s an interesting way to test writing ability, but content aside, have you ever seen young people’s handwriting lately? Or anyone’s for that matter, in this age of computer keyboards? Students write numbers and sign their names on bank checks. They scribble class notes in what can generously be described as the written word. And they hand-write, or more often print, a word or two of identification on luggage and lunch bags. Otherwise, penmanship(书法)-once taught so morally and carefully by second-grade teachers, has gone the way of the dodo bird which has died out.
Yet today’s kids are asked to write, thoughtfully and legibly, for several minutes on this SAT Test. Good luck to the test scorers who must work out difficultly the scrawl of young people who’ve been typing on computers since the age of three! Teachers insist that good handwriting can not only help one’s score on the SAT, but also, later on in life, impress potential employers and earn bigger tax refunds because the tax inspectors can actually read the computations. And don’t forget, we all have to resort to handwriting from rime to time, as computers go down when the power goes out.
1. The subjects to be tested in the SAT include .
A. math,English,reading and handwriting
B. math, grammar,reading and writing
C. math,foreign language and writing
D. math,English and handwriting
答案解析：答案为B。本题为细节题。由第一段最后两句话 “The Scholastic Aptitude Test muasures one’s mathematical ability and use of the English language. Traditionally, the English portion involved grammatical questions and paragraphs that test reading comprehension.”和第二段第一句话 “But the SAT folks have added a single question , to be answered in an essay, hand-written on the spot.”可知，答案为B。
2.The author write this passage to introduce the fact that .
A. writing seems to be very important in the SAT
B. those who will go to colleges have to take the SAT
C. students should practice handwriting more often
D. at the computer age kids don’t know how to write.
答案解析：答案为C。本题为文章的主旨大意题。全文由SAT考试增加书面表达部分的改革引入话题---当前学生不重视书写，因此此项改革就是为了使学生书写工整，改掉书写潦草的坏习惯。故答案为C。
3. What does the underlined word “scribble”probably mean?
A. write quickly and roughly B. take notes difficultly
C. print penmanship carefully D. describe written word generously
答案解析：答案为A。本题为词义推断题。结合划线部分的上下文，在这个计算机时代，学生手写的内容已经非常罕见，只有一两个单词写在行李箱或者午餐包上，用来辨认物主，书法在其他场合就像嘟嘟鸟一样灭绝了。故可以推断，学生在课堂上记笔记非常潦草。故答案为A，迅速而粗糙地书写。
4. According to the passage good handwriting can .
A. help students get high scores in tests
B. make a student more popular
C. measure students’s ability
D. assist one to get a job
答案解析：答案为D。本题为细节题。由文章最后一段 “Teachers insist that good handwriting can not only help one’s score on the SAT, but also, later on in life, impress potential employers and earn bigger tax refunds because the tax inspectors can actually read the computations.”可知，漂亮的书法不仅对SAT考试得分起到帮助作用，而且能给今后找工作时的雇主留下良好的印象，获得更多的退税。故答案为D，帮助一个人找工作。干扰项最强的A选项“帮助学生获得高分”拔高了文章的意思。故答案为D。
