In 2012, the Tower of London welcomed two new inhabitants: a pair of ravens(烏鴉) named Jubilee and Grip． Their arrival celebrated the bicentenary(二百周年) of Charles Dickens’s birth． This Grip was the third of the Tower ravens to be named after the novelist’s own pet bird．One of his predecessors（前輩） was resident during World War Two; he and his mate Mabel were the only ravens to survive a bombing attack on the Tower．

Dickens’s Grip, who had an impressive vocabulary, appears as a character in the author’s fifth novel, Barnaby Rudge． On 28 January 1841, Dickens wrote to his friend George Cattermole: “my notion is to have [Barnaby] always in company with a pet raven, who is immeasurably more knowing than himself． To this end I have been studying my bird, and think I could make a very distinctive character of him．”

Unfortunately, just a few weeks after Dickens wrote that letter, Grip died, probably as a result of having stolen and eaten paint some months earlier． The bird had developed a strange habit – tearing sections off painted surfaces (including the family's carriage) and even drinking a quantity of white paint out of a tin． Dickens mourned his loss and wrote a humorous letter to his friend, the illustrator Daniel Maclise, about the raven’s death．

He related how, when Grip began to show signs of sickness, the vet was called and “administered a powerful dose of castor(蓖麻) oil”． Initially this seemed to have a positive effect and the author was thrilled to see Grip restored to his usual personality when he bit the coachman (who was used to the raven and took it in good humor)． The following morning, Grip was able to eat “some warm porridge”, but his recovery was short lived．

As Dickens wrote to Maclise, “On the clock striking twelve he appeared slightly upset, but soon recovered, walking twice or thrice along the coach-house, stopped to bark, exclaimed ‘Hello old girl’ (his favorite expression) and died．He behaved throughout with a decent manner, which cannot be too much admired．The children seem rather glad of it． He bit their ankles． But that was play．”

1.Which of the following is right about Dickens’s pet Grip?

A． he liked painting a lot．

B． he could speak English fluently．

C． he was quite ill before his death．

D． he and Mabel survived a bombing attack．

2.Why did Dickens study his bird Grip?

A． Because the bird was very strange looking．

B． Because Dickens liked the bird immeasurably．

C． Because Barnaby needs a companion who was always with him．

D． Because Dickens wanted to base one character of his novel on him．

3.What caused the death of Dickens’s Grip?

A． His old age．

B． His strange diet．

C． The killing of the coachman．

D． His bad habit of biting people．

4.Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?

A． A bird in a novel．

B． The writer’s bird．

C． The death of a bird．

D． Dickens and his bird

練習冊系列答案
相關(guān)習題

科目：高中英語 來源：2016屆山西榆社中學高三10月月考英語試卷（解析版） 題型：其他題

Easy Ways to Keep Your Brain Sharp

Everyone is forgetful, but as we age, we start to feel like our brains are slowing down a bit—and that can be a very annoying thing. 1. Read on for some techniques worth trying.

1. 2.

People who regularly made plans and looked forward to upcoming events had a 50 percent reduced chance of Alzheimer's disease (早老性癡呆癥), according to a recent study. 3. Something as simple as setting a goal to have a weekly coffee date with a friend will do. There's evidence that people who have a purpose in life or who are working on long or short-term goals appear to do better. In other words, keep your brain looking forward.

2. Go for a walk.

Mildly raised glucose (葡萄糖) levels can harm the area of the brain that helps you form memories and physical activity can help get blood glucose down to normal levels. In fact,exercise produces chemicals that are good for your brain. 4.

3. Learn something new.

Take a Spanish class online, join a drawing club, or learn to play cards. A study found that mental stimulation (刺激) limits the weakening effects of aging on memory and the mind. But the best thing for your brain is when you learn something new and are physically active at the same time. 5. Or go dancing with your friends.

A. Focus on the future.

B. This can be especially harmful to the aged.

C. It should be something like learning gardening.

D. So take a few minutes each day to do some reading.

E. But don't worry if your schedule isn't filled with life-changing events.

F. Luckily, research shows there is a lot you can do to avoid those moments.

G. In other words, when you take care of your body, you take care of your brain.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：2015-2016學年四川雙流中學高二10月月考英語試卷（解析版） 題型：閱讀理解

Science has a lot of uses. It can uncover laws of nature, cure diseases, make bombs, and help bridges to stand up. Indeed science is so good at what it does that there’s always a temptation(誘惑) to drag it into problems where it may not be helpful. David Brooks, author of The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement, appears to be the latest in a long line of writers who have failed to go against the temptation.

Brooks gained fame for several books. His latest book The Social Animal, however, is more ambitious and serious than his earlier books. It is an attempt to deal with a set of weighty topics. The book focuses on big questions: What has science uncovered about human nature? What are the sources of character? And why are some people happy and successful while others aren’t?

To answer these questions, Brooks studies a wide range of disciplines（學科）. Considering this, you might expect the book to be a simple description of facts. But Brooks has formed his book in an unusual, and perhaps unfortunate way. Instead of introducing scientific theories, he tells a story, within which he tries to make his points, perhaps in order to keep the reader’s attention. So as Harold and Erica, the hero and heroine in his story, live through childhood, we hear about the science of child development and as they begin to date we hear about the theory of sexual attraction. Brooks carries this through to the death of one of his characters.

On the whole, Brooks’ story is acceptable if uninspired. As one would expect, his writing is mostly clear and, to be fair, some chapters stand out above the rest. I enjoyed, for instance, the chapter in which Harold discovers how to think on his own. While Harold and Erica are certainly not strong or memorable characters, the more serious problems with The Social Animal lie elsewhere. These problems partly involve Brooks’ attempt to translate his tale into science.

1.The author mentions the functions of science at the beginning of the passage to__________.

A. explain where science can be applied

B. show the value of Brooks’ new book

C. remind the reader of the importance of science

D. explain why many writers use science in their works

2.According to the author, which of the following could be a strength of the book?

A. Its strong basis.

B. Its clear writing.

C. Its convincing points.

D. Its memorable characters.

3.What is the author’s general attitude towards the book?

A. Contradictory. B. Supportive.

C . Cautious. D. Critical.

4.What is the author likely to write about after the last paragraph?

A. Death of the characters.

B. Brooks’ life experience.

C. Problems with the book.

D. Brooks’ translation skills.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：2015-2016學年甘肅天水市高一上學期期末英語試卷（解析版） 題型：閱讀理解

Dr．Michael Prager, a leading Botox expert, said that a growing number of women are developing something called “computer face”．He also mentioned that professionals who worked long hours in front of a screen were ending up with saggy jowls(顎骨), “turkey neck” and deep-set wrinkles on their forehead and around their eyes．

The Botox expert said that, of all his clients, office workers were most likely to show premature(過早的)signs of ageing．“If you are one of the unfortunate people who frown(皺眉)while you are concentrating on the screen then, over time, you will inevitably end up with frown lines,” Dr．Prager said．“What is perhaps more surprising is the number of women with saggy jowls because they are sitting in one position for so long．If you spend most of the time looking down then the neck muscles shorten and go saggy, eventually giving you a second neck．“

Dr．Prager, who has a practice near Harley Street in London, said he encourages his clients to put a mirror next to their computer so they can see if they are frowning at the screen．“When people are stressed or thinking hard about something, then they will often put on a ‘grumpy(脾氣暴躁的)face’ without even knowing what they are doing．When my clients put a mirror next to their desk, they are often shocked by the angry, frowning face which stares back at them．”

He said, “The women I am seeing at the moment have only been using computers at work for the last decade or so．But women in their 20s have grown up with them and use them for every single task．I think the problem is going to become much, much worse．In another ten years, they could be looking quite awful．”

Dr．Prager said there were several simple steps which could avoid “computer face” such as regular screen breaks and stretching the neck muscles．And, of course, there was always Botox．He said that, after a couple of sessions of Botox, the habit of “grumpy face” could be broken．

1.In what way do women develop a “computer face”?

A．Frowning every now and then．

B．Concentrating on computers frequently．

C．Working for too long in front of a screen．

D．Sitting in the same place for a long time．

2.According to the passage, which of the following are signs of ageing?

A．Saggy jowls and short necks．

B．Turkey neck and frown lines．

C．Deep-set wrinkles and angry faces．

D．Second neck and stressed muscles．

3.From the last 2 paragraphs, we can learn that ______．

A．“computer face” is avoidable

B．we should give up using computers

C．we should break the habit of “grumpy face”

D．the younger generation is worse at computers

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：2016屆江蘇淮安市高三12月月考英語試卷（解析版） 題型：單項填空

The company has changed some of its working practices _____ complaints and criticism from the customers．

A． in respect to B． in response to

C． in return for D． in exchange for

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：2016屆湖南長沙長郡中學高三下學期第六次月考英語試卷（解析版） 題型：閱讀理解

It is a familiar scene these days: employees taking newly laid-off co-workers out for a drink for comfort. But which side deserves sympathy more, the jobless or the still employed? On March 6, researchers at a conference at the University of Cambridge heard data suggesting it's the latter.

Brendan Burchell, a Cambridge sociologist, presented his analysis based on various surveys conducted across Europe. The data suggest that employed people who feel insecure in their jobs show similar levels of anxiety and depression as those who are unemployed. Although a newly jobless person's mental health may“bottom out" after about six months, and then even begin to improve, the mental state of people who are continuously worried about losing their job “just continues to get worse and worse", Burchell says.

Evolutionary psychologists support this theory by arguing that human beings feel more stress during times of insecurity because they sense an immediate but invisible threat. Patients have been known to experience higher levels of anxiety,for example, while waiting for examination results than knowing what they are suffering from-even if the result is cancer. It's better to get the bad news and start doing something about it rather than wait with anxiety. When the uncertainty continues, people stay in a nonstop “fight or flight" response, which leads to damaging stress.

But not every employee in insecure industries has such a discouraging view,Burchell says. In general, women get on better. While reporting higher levels of anxiety than men when directly questioned, women scored lower in stress on the GHQ 12, even when they had a job they felt insecure about losing. As Burchell explains, “For women, most studies show that any job-it doesn't matter

whether it is secure or insecure-gives psychological improvement over unemployment. " Burchell supposes that the difference in men is that they tend to feel pressure not only to be employed, but also to be the primary breadwinner, and that more of a man's self-worth depends on his job.

1.Why do researchers think the still employed deserve sympathy more?

A. They have to do more work since then.

B. They have no chance to find better jobs.

C. They have to work with inexperienced workers.

D. They constantly worry about losing their jobs.

2.What is most likely to cause a “fight or flight" response?

A. Not having a paid job.

B. Fierce competition for jobs.

C. Not knowing what will happen.

D. Pressure to work longer hours.

3.What will the writer talk about following the last paragraph?

A. Advice on preparing a job interview.

B. Advice to those in insecure industries.

C. Some knowledge of psychology.

D. Difference in men and women.

4. What could be the best title for the text?

A. Is it less stressful to get laid off than stay on?

B. Should greater sympathy be given to the jobless?

C. Do employees bear more stress than ever before?

D. Do men or women show higher levels of anxiety?

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：2016屆廣東省四校高三上學期期末聯(lián)考英語試卷（解析版） 題型：短文改錯

書面表達

假定你是李華，你所在的學校將要舉辦一場春節(jié)慶�；顒�。你和你的同學邀請在你校的美國交換生Tom參加。請你寫一封信給Tom，要點如下：

1. 活動內(nèi)容；

2. 邀請Tom一起表演一個中西合璧的節(jié)目；

3. 活動時間：2015年農(nóng)歷12月30日晚7：00-10：00

4. 活動地點：學校學術(shù)報告廳。

5.

注意：

1. 詞數(shù)100左右；

2. 可以適當增加細節(jié)以使行文連貫；

3. 開頭語已經(jīng)為你寫好。

Dear Tom,

You have told me that you are very interested in how we Chinese celebrate our traditional festivals.____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

We are looking forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely

Li Hua

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：2015-2016學年海南文昌中學高一上期末英語試卷（解析版） 題型：書面表達

書面表達

假定你是李華，最近參加了由某電視臺舉辦的中學生英語演講比賽并獲獎，該臺準備組織獲獎?wù)呷ケ本﹨⒓右淮斡⒄Z暑期夏令營活動，現(xiàn)就有關(guān)事項征求你的意見。請根據(jù)下表所提供的信息用英語以書信形式給予答復(fù)。請在答題卡上作答。

活動時間

7月16日～22日或8月18日～24日

活動內(nèi)容

參加英語角 學唱英語歌曲

聽英語講座 表演英語短劇

看英語電影 教外賓學中文

對活動內(nèi)容的

建議或要求

注意事項：

1. 選擇適合你的時間，并說明理由；

2. 選擇兩項你喜歡的活動，并說明理由；

3. 對活動內(nèi)容提出至少一個建議或要求；

4. 詞數(shù)：100左右；

5. 信的開頭和結(jié)尾已給出。

Dear Sir or Madame，

I’m very glad to be invited to the English summer camp.

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you very much,

Yours truly,

Li Hua

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：2016屆四川雅安市高三9月月考英語試卷（解析版） 題型：閱讀理解

The sharing economy has grown in recent years to include everything from apartment' sharing to car sharing to community tool sharing. Since 2009, a new form of sharing economy has been emerging in neighborhoods throughout the US and around the world-Little Free Library. The libraries are boxes placed in neighborhoods from which residents can withdraw（取出） and deposit（存入） books. Little Free Libraries come in all shapes and sizes. Some libraries also have themes, focusing on books for children, adults, or tour guides.

In 2009. Tod Bol built the first Little Free Library as a gift to his mother, who was a devoted reader. When he saw the people of his community gathering around it, exchanging conversation as well as books, he knew he wanted to take his simple idea further. "I think Little Free Libraries open the door to conversations we want to have with each other," Bol said. .

Since then, his idea has become a movement, spreading from state to state and country to country. According to Little FreeLibrary.org, there are now 18,000 0f the little structures around the world, located in each of the 50 US states and 70 countries in Europe, Africa and Asia.

The Internet has helped to spread Little Free Libraries. But an Atlantic article says the little, structures serve as a cure for a world of e-reader downloads . The little wooden boxes are refreshingly physical and human. For many people, the sense of discovery is Little Free Libraries' main appeal. "A girl walking home from school might pick up a graphic novel that gets her excited about reading; a man on his way to the bus stop might find a volume of poetry that changes his outlook on life," says the Atlantic article. "Every book is a potential source of inspiration "

1.How do Little Free Libraries get their books?

A. Citizens shared them.

B. Tod Bol donated them.

C. US government provided them.

D. The communities bought them.

2.Why did Tod Bol want to build more Little Free Libraries?

A. He wanted to promote his idea worldwide.

B. He was inspired by the sharing economy.

C. They can offer neighbors more chances to talk.

D. They are a gift to please his mother.

3. What does the author of the Atlantic article believe?

A. The Internet has helped to spread Little Free Libraries.

B. Little Free Libraries are physical and human.

C. E-reader downloads are undoubtedly beneficial.

D. Little Free Libraries are more popular than e-reader downloads.

4.Little Free Libraries attract readers most in that ______.

A. they connect strangers together

B. they are located all over the world

C. they are in various shapes and sizes

D. they may give readers a sense of discovery

查看答案和解析>>

同步練習冊答案