北斗星-中考英语真题阅读 Topic 14 History and Geography 历史与地理

Topic Fourteen History and Geography 历史与地理
话说中考
本话题在中考中所占比例不多，在历史方面要注意历史事件发生的时间、地点、原因以及有何影响等，而对地理知识的考查，一般多与旅游观光等内容相结合，这就要求我们了解各地的名胜古迹、遗址等。
解题思路：熟悉文章，找准问题关键所在，提高解题速度和质量。
走进中考(浙江宁波·2010)
On February 3rd，1949，New York Harbor(港) was an exciting place．Many people were there to greet a ship from France．On the ship were 49 French railroad boxcars(火车车厢) filled with gifts from the people of France to the people of America．These boxcars were from the famous Merci Train (Merci，a French word meaning "thank you")．
After world War Ⅱ(二战)，a lot of factories，roads and farms in France had been destroyed．Many French people had no jobs or money and had little to wear and little to eat．In the winter of 1947，a train was sent across the United States，stopping in cities and towns along the way．At every stop，people gave whatever they could．Factories gave clothing and medicine．Farmers gave food．Families gave money．Even school children gave away their pocket money(零用钱)．All the things were then taken to France by ship．
By 1949，the French had begun to recover(恢复) from the war．The Merci Train was their way of saying "thank you" to America．French people had filled the boxcars with gifts．Most of them were personal，like hand-made toys，children's drawings，or postcards．But the boxcars themselves were perhaps the most meaningful of the gifts．On each car，the French people had painted the pictures of all their 40 provinces，with an American eagle on the front．The boxcars were taken to each state of America，where they were warmly greeted．
Now many of the states still keep their boxcars．Gifts sent by the French people can still be seen in some museums．The Merci Train came out of the war，but it now reminds the world that countries can also work together in peace(和平)．
阅读短文，根据短文内容选择最佳答案。
( ) 1．Many people crowded at New York Harbor on February 3rd，1949 to ________．
A．welcome the Merci Train
B．meet their families
C．have a big party
D．start a trip by ship
( ) 2．In 1947，a train stopped in cities across America in order to ________．
A．give away clothing and food
B．get more soldiers for the war
C．collect things to help French people
D．show exhibitions from the museums
( ) 3．The underlined word "them" in Paragraph 3 refers to(指) ________．
A．the American people
B．the French people
C．the boxcars
D．the gifts
( ) 4．The French people painted their 40 provinces and an American eagle on each boxcar because _______．
A．they thought France was stronger than America
B．it could show the friendship between the two countries
C．the boxcars would be more beautiful
D．they were very good at painting pictures
( ) 5．The passage is mainly about _______．
A．the story of the Merci Train
B．American museums where the boxcars are kept
C．gifts that American people liked
D．World War Ⅱ
解析
1．A 根据第一段内容我们可知许多人来到 New York Harbor 的目的是为了欢迎来自法国的 Merci Train，故正确答案为 A。
2．C 根据“At every stop，people gave whatever they could... All the things were then taken to France by ship．”可以推测出正确答案为 C。
3．D 根据第三段第三句和第四句的 personal，like hand-made toys...”可知 them 指代的是 gifts，故正确答案为 D。
4．B 根据“...the French people had painted the pictures of all their 40 provinces，...where they were warmly greeted．”可以推测出正确答案为 B。
5．A 通过文章内容我们可知整篇文章都是围绕 Merci Train 来写的，故正确答案为 A。
话题专练
一
World Animal Day is a day for anyone who loves animals．It falls on October 4 every year．The date is to remember an Italian man named St．Francis．He asked people to thank animals on October 4．
World Animal Day was started in 1931 at a meeting of ecologists(生态学家) in Florence．Since then it has been widely celebrated in countries throughout the world．
On this special day，people throughout the world hold special activities to encourage everybody to show their love to animals．They do something special to let people know the importance of animals in the world．People also hold activities to encourage people to think about how we should treat animals．
根据短文内容，完成表格。
World Animal Day A day for anyone who 1 animals．
2 every year To remember St．Francis．
World Animal Day Started 3 in Florence．
People do 4 In order to show the importance of animals．
People in the world Think about how 5 animals．
答案：
1．loves 根据短文第一句的内容可知，本题填 loves。
2．October 4 根据短文第一段的内容可以确定时间是 October 4。
3．in 1931 根据短文第二段中的第一句话可知，开始于 1931 年。
4．something special 根据“They do something special to let people know the importance of animals in the world．”可确定答案是 something special。
5．to treat 根据短文最后一句话可知，答案是 to treat。
二
Cambridge(剑桥) is one of the top universities in the world，and it's a city as well．To the surprise of some visitors，there are no walls around the university．Classroom buildings，libraries and offices can be seen all over the city．Most of the members of the city are the students and teachers of thirty-one colleges(学院)．It got its name "Cambridge" from the river called Cam and a bridge built over it．Before the university was founded 800 years ago，Cambridge was a developing town．It developed faster because of the opening of the railway and became a city in 1951．Now it has a population of more than one million．Many young students hope for the chance to study at Cambridge．Perhaps you'll be a member of Cambridge one day．
根据短文内容，完成下表。
The 1 of some visitors No walls around the university
The origin(来源) of its name River Cam and a bridge 2 it
The time when Cambridge was 3 800 years ago
The 4 why Cambridge developed faster The opening of the railway
The population of Cambridge now 5 than one million
答案：
1．surprise 根据“To the surprise of some visitors，there are no walls around the university．”可知，该题填 surprise。
2．over 根据短文中“It got its name "Cambridge" from the river called Cam and a bridge built over it．”可以确定，该空填 over。
3．founded 根据短文中“Before the university was founded 800 years ago”确定，答案是 founded。
4．reason 根据短文中“It developed faster because of the opening of the railway and became a city in 1951”可确定该题填 reason。
5．More 根据短文中“Now it has a population of more than one million．”可以确定答案是 More。
三
Sri Lankan got its name "Sri Lanka" in 1972．Now Sri Lanka is making its own way in the world．
Here are 6 reasons to consider visiting Sri Lanka in 2009：
1．The Art of Smiling
If you have not seen enough smiles lately，go to Sri Lanka．
2．The Land of Fruit
Sri Lanka is a bit larger than the state of West Virginia．But it's very beautiful．Don't miss the wood apple．This fruit is smashed down on a hard surface in order to be cracked opening．
3．Friendliness with Interest
Usually，families seeing a foreigner walk by their home would invite them inside for a cup of tea．They want to hear what you think of the country and its people，and they're very happy to have their picture taken．
4．Architecture(建筑设计)
This is a land of temples — Buddhist and Hindustani．
5．English Spoken Here
Most people in this country can speak English．When a traveler is lost or curious(好奇的)，the locals would be glad to help at any time．
6．Surf's Up
Awanatuna Beach is a good place for surfers from April to October．Waves are reported three to eight feet higher．The off-season would be better for surfing beginners．
根据短文内容，判断下列句子的正(T)误(F)。
( ) 1．Sri Lanka is in the state of West Virginia．
( ) 2．The wood apple is a special fruit in Sri Lanka．
( ) 3．The people in Sri Lanka are very friendly to tourists．
( ) 4．All the people in Sri Lanka can speak very good English．
( ) 5．Surfing beginners can surf at Awanatuna Beach in any season of the year．
答案：
1．F 根据短文中第二个原因“Sri Lanka is a bit larger than the state of West Virginia．”可确定，本命题是错误的，即 F。
2．T 根据短文中第二个原因内容可以确定木苹果是一种水果，所以是 T。
3．T 根据短文中第三点原因可以看出，斯里兰卡的人们对游客非常友好，所以答案是 T。
4．F 根据短文中第五点原因中“Most people in this country can speak English．”可以确定答案是 F。
5．F 根据短文中第六点原因中的“Awanatuna Beach is a good place for surfers from April to October．”可以确定答案是 F。
四
With miles of beaches，sea and sunshine，Pattaya(芭堤雅) is one of the most popular places for visitors to Thailand．It provides many kinds of entertainment for both young people and the whole family．There is always something to do，any time，any weather，any day or night．
Orchid(兰化) Farms are a worthwhile visit and if you are thinking of taking some of these beautiful plants home，visit a day or two before you leave to make sure that you will have live plants when you get back．You can also get great orchids in a sealed(密封) bottle that will last as long as your memory．
Pattaya Elephant Village is another place that you can not miss in Pattaya．It is a good place to learn and understand how elephants have been linked into Thai life and history over the centuries．You can also take an elephant trek there．Show time allows the elephants to display their skills，such as playing football．
You can also feed a tiger at the Sriracha Tiger Zoo(斯里拉差龙虎园)．There you will learn more about tigers．You can take photos with them．You can also enjoy elephant and crocodile shows at the zoo．
根据短文内容，选择最佳答案。
( ) 1．What is Pattaya famous for in Thailand
A．Beaches．
B．Sea．
C．Sunshine．
D．All of the above．
( ) 2．Whenever you go to Pattaya，it can provide many kinds of entertainment for ________．
A．both young people and the whole family
B．both old people and the whole family
C．both young people and kids
D．both parents and kids
( ) 3．Where can you get beautiful orchids in Thailand
A．Beaches．
B．Pattaya Elephant Village．
C．Orchid Farms．
D．The Sriracha Tiger Zoo．
( ) 4．Which animal do you see at the Sriracha Tiger Zoo
A．Foxes． B．Elephants． C．Lions． D．Monkeys．
( ) 5．The passage mainly tells us ________．
A．Pattaya is one of the most popular places for visitors to Thailand
B．you must buy some beautiful orchids in Thailand
C．Pattaya Elephant Village is the only place that you can not miss in Pattaya
D．if you visit Thailand，you must visit the Sriracha Tiger Zoo
答案：
1．D 根据第一段的内容可知，芭堤雅以阳光、碧海与沙滩而著名。
2．A 根据第一段的内容可知，无论什么时候去芭堤雅。它都能给年轻人和一个家庭提供游玩场所。
3．C 根据第二段的内容可知，在兰花农场可以买到兰花。
4．B 根据最后一段可知，在斯里拉差龙虎园可以看到老虎、大象和鳄鱼，所以选 B。
5．A 通读全文可知，这篇文章主要是讲述芭堤雅是到泰国游玩的最佳场所之一。
五
It is regarded as the most beautiful city in the world．It lies in the natural bowl between the Table Mountain and the ocean．It was founded as a business spot in 1652．Later，shipmen found it was not only a beautiful place to rest，but it also had plenty of food and water，so they called it the "Tavern of the Seas"．Cape Town is South Africa's oldest city，which is also known by the local people as the "Mother City"．
Table Mountain is one of Cape Town's top places of interest．There are more than 1400 kinds of plants in the area．From the top of the mountain，you can see many clouds moving over the mountains，and your visit will turn into a magical story．Why are there so many clouds An ancient legend says that a local man called Van Hunks sits on Devil's Peak(魔鬼峰)，having a smoking contest with the devil．The two keep blowing clouds of smoke but neither of them ever wins．
Another special place in Cape Town is Robben Island．This "island of exiles" was the place where "bad" people were sent for almost four centuries．Tour guides there are actual earlier bad men．Unlike usual boring guides found in other places of interest，they tell visitors their stories in a very interesting way．
根据短文内容，选择最佳答案。
( ) 1．________ is called "Mother City"．
A．Table Mountain
B．Cape Town
C．Robben Island
D．Island of exiles
( ) 2．The magical story mainly tells us _______．
A．Cape Town's top places of interest
B．there are more than 1400 kinds of plants in the area
C．it's a story about clouds in the area
D．Van Hunks has a smoking contest with the devil
( ) 3．Robben Island was _______ in those days．
A．a beautiful island
B．"Tavern of the Seas"
C．an "island of exiles"
D．the place that shipmen loved
( ) 4．The underlined word "exiles" in the passage means "_______"．
A．出口 B．被放逐者 C．专家 D．离开
( ) 5．The best title for this passage is _______．
A．Cape Town Is Regarded as the Most Beautiful City
B．Why Was Cape Town Named "Mother City"
C．Cape Town Has a Beautiful Legend
D．Cape Town Was an "Island of Exiles"
答案：
1．B 根据短文第一段的内容可以确定答案是“开普敦”被称为“母亲城”。
2．C 根据短文第二段的内容可知，这个传说主要是讲“云”的由来。
3．C 根据最后一段内容可以确定，Robben Island 曾是被用来放逐坏人的地方。
4．B 根据上下句子间的联系，可以看出这个词是“流犯，被放逐者”之意。
5．A 通读全文可知，这篇短文主要是讲为什么开普敦被认为是世界上最美的城市。
六
There are many kinds of beautiful stamps in the world，such as common stamps and stamps in memory of important people．People buy stamps to post letters，for collection and so on．But do you know how the first stamp came to the world
Before the stamps were born，the person getting the letter had to pay for the postage(邮资)．But the costs of postage at that time were very high，so many people could not pay for it and they didn't want the letters．
Some people found a good way．They wrote words on the outside of the letters so that the person getting the letter could read them on the outside of the letter．In this way，the person didn't need to pay．
In 1837，Sir Rowland Hill in England thought the senders should pay for the postage and they could pay for it by putting a small piece of colored paper on the outside of the letter — the stamp!
So the first stamp in the world was born on May 6，1840 in England．There was Queen Victoria's picture on it．People called it Penny Jack．
根据短文内容，选择最佳答案。
( ) 1．When was the first stamp in the world born
A．In 1837．
B．In 1838．
C．In 1839．
D．In 1840．
( ) 2．How did the person get the letter before the stamps were born
A．They had to pay for the postage．
B．They could write words on the outside of the letters．
C．They didn't write some letters．
D．They all called each other．
( ) 3．What did they use as the first stamp on the outside of the letter
A．Money．
B．Color paints．
C．A small piece of colored paper．
D．A piece of white paper．
( ) 4．What showed on the first stamp in the world
A．Queen victoria．
B．Jack．
C．Penny．
D．Queen Victoria's picture．
( ) 5．The passage mainly tells us ________．
A．why people used stamps
B．how much the first stamp cost
C．where the first stamp came from
D．how the first stamp was born
答案：
1．D 根据短文最后一段的内容可知，第一枚邮票出现在 1840 年。
2．A 根据短文中第二段的内容可知，在邮票出现之前，收信时必须付邮资。
3．C 根据短文中第四段的内容可以确定，在信封上贴上一张彩色的小纸片。
4．D 根据最后一段的内容可以确定第一张邮票上有女王维多利亚的图像。
5．D 通读全文可以确定本文主要是讲第一枚邮票的由来。
七
We all know Bangkok(曼谷) is the capital of Thailand．But do you know about Bangkok's Chinatown Chinatown is a colorful，attractive and busy area，which is lined with market stands(货摊)．It's said that it's probably the greatest gathering of gold shops in the city．The easiest way to reach Chinatown is by boat．The main road，Yaowarat Road，follows the shape of a dragon's body，making it a perfect place for business．Business goes very well here．Chinatown's original(最初的) main street is a small narrow way which runs from Phahurat Market all the way down to Songsawat Road．The way is too small for cars，and is now a crowded market selling mostly cheap household things．Chinatown is really one of the greatest places to buy gold．However，just off the road in either direction is a whole other world where．it is said，you can find almost everything．The famous market here is Phahurat Market．It's home to a huge number of wedding(婚礼) stands．
The Chinese community moved here from Old City in the 1700's．It still keeps its own traditions，and the area is unlike the rest of Bangkok．People generally consider themselves as Thai people．Most of them can no longer speak Chinese．If you have a chance to travel around Thailand，don't forget to go there to have a look．
根据短文内容，选择最佳答案。
( ) 1．The passage mainly talks about _______ in Thailand．
A．the roads
B．the markets
C．Bangkok's Chinatown
D．the gold shops
( ) 2．The easiest way to reach Chinatown is _______．
A．on foot
B．by taxi
C．by bus
D．by boat
( ) 3．What's the meaning of the underlined word "runs" in Paragraph 1
A．To take part in a race．
B．To move or go quickly．
C．To move something in a certain direction．
D．To lead from a place to another．
( ) 4．_______ is famous for a huge number of wedding stands．
A．Songsawat Road
B．Chinatown's original street
C．Phahurat Market
D．Yaowarat Road
( ) 5．What do we know from the passage
A．Chinatown is the same as the rest of Bangkok．
B．In Chinatown you can only buy things which are made of gold．
C．People in the Chinese community in Bangkok can speak Chinese well．
D．Chinatown's original main street has become a crowded market．
答案：
1．C 通读全文可知，这篇文章主要是讲曼谷唐人街的现状。
2．D 根据短文中“The easiest way to reach Chinatown is by boat．”确定答案是乘船。
3．D 根据短文内容可知，该词在这里主要是“蔓延、延伸”之意。
4．C 根据短文中“The famous market here is Phahurat Market．It's home to a huge number of wedding(婚礼) stands．”可确定答案。
5．D 通读全文可知，这篇短文主要是讲唐人街是一个繁华的市场。
八
The Tower of London is one of London's most popular sites(遗址)．It contains more than one tower．The oldest one is the White Tower which dates back to the 11th century．The Tower was once a prison and its rich history makes it a much visited tourist spot today．
Many stories connected with British history come from the Tower．In 1483 King Edward Ⅳ's two sons were killed in the so-called Bloody Tower．Over two centuries later the bones of the two little boys were found buried(被埋葬) in the White Tower．
Many prisoners，including the future Queen Elizabeth I of England，were brought to the Tower．Fortunately，Elizabeth was free and became Queen．
Everyone has heard of the soldiers of the Tower．Their uniform has changed little since 1485．The main of official part of the Tower looks like huge black birds；it was said that if the ravens were to leave the Tower，the Crown(王权) would fall，and Britain would fall，too．The Tower of London is not only a beautiful palace but also a terrible tower．
根据短文内容，完成下列句子。
( ) 1．The oldest tower of the Tower of London dates back to _______．
( ) 2．In the 15th century _______ were killed in the Bloody Tower．
( ) 3．_______ was released from the Tower of London and then became Queen．
( ) 4．If the Tower of London would fall，_______ would fall，too．
( ) 5．The Tower of London is _______ and a terrible tower．
答案：
1．the 11th century 根据短文中第一段的内容可知，伦敦塔的白塔建于 11 世纪。
2．King Edward Ⅳ's two sons 根据短文中第二段内容可以确定是爱德华四世的两个儿子被杀死在血塔里。
3．Queen Elizabeth Ⅰ 根据短文中第三段的内容可知，伊丽莎白一世是被带进塔内，后被释放并成为女王。
4．Britain 根据短文中最后一段内容可知，传说中如果伦敦塔倒了，英国就会下沉。
5．a palace 根据短文中最后一句话可知，伦敦塔不仅是一个宫殿，还是一个可怕的监狱。
九
Sentosa is an island located just south of Singapore．Sentosa means "peace and quiet" in Malay(马来语)．It is very popular with the local people and visitors from all over the world．
Sentosa is famous for its beaches．One of its beaches，Palawan Beach，has a lot of fun sports and activities for the whole family．It is called Singapore's happiest family beach! It is wonderful to go for a walk with your family on the beaches of white sand．
In the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom(蝴蝶园与昆虫王国) visitors can view one of the world's largest collections of insects．It includes some of the world's most beautiful insects．Visitors can also see 1500 live butterflies there．
Do you expect to meet dolphins in the waters of a sandy beach on a tropical(热带的) island The Dolphin Lagoon(海豚乐园) offers visitors the chance to see pink dolphins．Visitors can see these clever creatures going though a variety of feeding and training exercises．Visitors can even get close up to touch the dolphins under the watch of the training people．
Sentosa is not only an entertainment center，but also shows part of the history of Singapore．In the Images of Singapore(新加坡万象馆) visitors can view Singapore's history from many ways．It shows Singapore's culture and history by using high technology and models．
任务型阅读：根据短文内容，完成下列各题。
1．Sentosa means "_______" in Malay．
2．_______ is called Singapore's happiest family beach．
3．If you visit the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom，you can see _______ live butterflies．
4．If you visit the Dolphin Lagoon，you can see _______ dolphins．
5．把画线部分译成汉语。
________________________________________________________
答案：
1．peace and quiet 根据第一段的内容可以确定，马来语中“圣淘沙”是“和平与宁静”的意思，所以填 peace and quiet。
2．Palawan Beach 根据短文中第二段的内容可知，Palawan Beach 是新加坡最愉快的家庭海滩。
3．1500 根据第二段内容可知，在蝴蝶园与昆虫王国里可以看到 1500 只活蝴蝶。
4．pink 根据短文第四段的内容可知，在海豚乐园里可以看到粉色的海豚。
5．它通过使用先进技术和模型显示新加坡的文化和历史。解析略。