Like every language, American English is full of special expressions, phrases that come from the day-to-day life of the people and develop in their own way.

Our expression today is “to face the music”. When someone says, “Well, I guess I’ll have to face the music,” it does not mean he’s planning to go to the concert. It is something far less pleasant, like being called in by your boss to explain why you did this and did that, and why you didn’t do this or that. Awful music indeed, but it has to be faced. At sometime or another, every one of us has to face the music, especially as children. We can all remember father’s angry voice, “I want to talk to you.” and only because we did not obey him. What an unpleasant business it was!

The phrase “to face the music” is familiar to every American, young and old. It is at least 100 years old. And where did this expression come from? The first explanation comes from the American novelist, James Fenimore Looper. He said, in 1851, that the expression was first used by actors while waiting to go on the stage. When they got their cue(提示) to go on, they often said, “Well, it’s time to face the music.” And that was exactly what they did—facing the orchestra(管弦樂隊) which was just below them. And an actor might be frightened or nervous as he moved on to the stage in front of an audience that might be friendly or perhaps hostile, especially if he forgot his lines. But he had to go out. If he did not, there would be no play. So the expression “to face the music” came to mean “having to go through something, no matter how unpleasant the experience might be, because you knew you had no choice.”

Other explanations about the expression go back to the army. When the men faced an inspection(視察) by their leader, the soldiers would be worried about how well they looked. Was their equipment clean, shiny enough to pass the inspection? Still the men had to go out and face the music of the band as well as the inspection. What else could they do?

Another army explanation is more closely linked to the idea of facing the results and accepting the responsibility for something that should not have been done. For example, when a man is forced out of the army because he did something terrible, he is dishonored. The band does not play. Only the drums tap a sad, slow beat. The soldier is forced to leave, facing such music as it is and facing the back of his horse. 

59. How many ways does the phrase “to face the music” comes from?     

   A. 1.                           B. 2.                   C. 3.               D. 4.

60. What’s the meaning of “to face the music”?

   A. To face something far less pleasant.           B. To face the stage.

   C. To face the back of one’s horse.            D. To face one’s leader.

61. The underlined word “hostile” means ________.

   A. unfriendly            B. dislike               C. unkind          D. unnecessary

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科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解

Writer/ Time

Topic: Who’s a better singer, Andy Lau (劉德華) or Jacky Cheung (張學(xué)友)?

Jim

8-15-2006

5:25 pm.

Some people say Jacky is the best Chinese singer. I don’t think so! Andy is the best. I went to his concert last year. It was so wonderful, I almost cried! OK, I did cry, but that’s because Andy is so handsome!

Tom

9-3-2006

4:38 pm.

I disagree with Jim. Andy sounds like every other singer. His voice is nothing special. On the other hand, Jacky’s voice is unique, and his songs are so romantic!

Linda

9-10-2006

8:54 pm.

I think they’re about the same. But Andy is a better actor. I’ve seen almost all of his movies. Remember the one where he was an airplane pilot, and his plane crashed near a farm? I love that movie!

John

9-16-2006

10:25 pm.

I also think Jacky is a better singer. I prefer his Cantonese (粵語) songs. Maybe they sound better because Cantonese is his first language.

Tom

10-2-2006

10:12 am.

I agree. Jacky’s Cantonese songs are better than his Mandarin (華語) songs. (Though, I still like all his songs!)

Who likes Andy Lau the best?       .

A. Jim       B. Tom       C. Linda         D. John

Why did Jim cry? Because       .

A. she was sad at a concert.        B. she had a broken heart. 

C. she was angry at Jacky Cheung   D. she thought Andy Lau was very good looking

What’s Linda’s opinion?       .

A. Andy is a better singer.          B. Jacky is a better singer.

C. They both sing equally well.      D. Jacky is a better actor.

Why does John think Jacky’s Cantonese songs sound the best? Because        .

A. Jacky has no experience singing in Mandarin.   

B. it’s his native language

C. his mandarin pronunciation is bad         

D. Jacky’s Mandarin songs are boring.

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科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解

完形填空（共20小題；每小題1.5分，滿分30分）

Two days before Thanksgiving, I was trying to open my mouth wide enough for a mirror and a roll of steel wire. Metal braces (牙齒矯正器)had been on my   31   for weeks, but this was the day for the wire to be adjusted. Only those who have had braces will understand the terrible   32   of being “wired”. For the next 24 hours, it felt like every tooth was being   33   slowly by a giant clawhammer (拔釘錘).  34   drinking water caused pain.

By Thanksgiving Day, I had got used to it.   35   I didn’t use my teeth, the pain was bearable. But this was a day when teeth had to   36   longer than usual. We were   37   at my grandparents’ house with relatives. The house was filled with so many pleasant   38   that we could hardly resist the food. When grandma said, “Dinner is ready!” all the kids   39   to be first in line. I was so excited that I    40   the braces in my mouth and   41   my way up to the head of the line.

I piled my plate high with my favorite corn-on-the-cob(玉米棒子)and   42   my mouth to enjoy it. The pain was   43  . I felt I would never be able to eat again. I put my plate away and ran outside in   44  .

Grandma then took my plate to the   45  . She cut all the corn off that cob and rescued me from my   46  . She handed me my plate piled high with corn. “Thanks,” I said   47  . Then I looked up and   48   a strange light in her eye, a light that is still   49   to me after more than fifty years. That was the Thanksgiving when I discovered something more   50   than good food.

A.tongue                    B.hands                        C.teeth                         D.head

A.subject                   B.situation                    C.chance                      D.production

A.pushed                   B.planted                      C.opened                      D.pulled

A.Still                       B.So                                   C.Even                         D.Yet

As long as                  B.Even though                     C.In case                      D.As though

A.play                       B.work                         C.hurt                          D.shake

A.mixed                    B.called                        C.gathered                    D.surrounded

A.experiences             B.words                       C.colours                      D.smells

A.rushed                    B.started                       C.stepped                            D.walked

A thought of             B.got out of                 C.complained about       D.forgot about

A.forced                   B.created                      C.led                           D.gave

A.narrowed                     B.opened                      C.cleaned                            D.shut

A.normal                 B.violent                      C.regretful                    D.common

A.time                            B.anger                        C.surprise                    D.tears

A.kitchen                 B.bedroom                   C.clinic                        D.restaurant

A.fear                      B.loneliness                  C.pain                          D.interest

A.sadly                    B.kindly                       C.shyly                        D.gratefully

A.checked                B.passed                       C.caught                       D.filled

A.attractive                     B.mysterious                 C.natural                      D.untrue

A.important              B.popular                            C.useful                       D.expensive

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科目：高中英語 來源：2015屆江蘇省高一下學(xué)期期初考試英語試卷（解析版） 題型：閱讀理解

Like every language, American English is full of special expressions, phrases that come from the day-to-day life of the people and develop in their own way.

Our expression today is “to face the music”. When someone says, “Well, I guess I’ll have to face the music,” it does not mean he’s planning to go to the concert. It is something far less pleasant, like being called in by your boss to explain why you did this and did that, and why you didn’t do this or that. Awful music indeed, but it has to be faced. At sometime or another, every one of us has to face the music, especially as children. We can all remember father’s angry voice, “I want to talk to you.” and only because we did not obey him. What an unpleasant business it was!

The phrase “to face the music” is familiar to every American, young and old. It is at least 100 years old. And where did this expression come from? The first explanation comes from the American novelist, James Fenimore Looper. He said, in 1851, that the expression was first used by actors while waiting to go on the stage. When they got their cue(提示) to go on, they often said, “Well, it’s time to face the music.” And that was exactly what they did—facing the orchestra(管弦樂隊) which was just below them. And an actor might be frightened or nervous as he moved on to the stage in front of an audience that might be friendly or perhaps hostile, especially if he forgot his lines. But he had to go out. If he did not, there would be no play. So the expression “to face the music” came to mean “having to go through something, no matter how unpleasant the experience might be, because you knew you had no choice.”

Other explanations about the expression go back to the army. When the men faced an inspection(視察) by their leader, the soldiers would be worried about how well they looked. Was their equipment clean, shiny enough to pass the inspection? Still the men had to go out and face the music of the band as well as the inspection. What else could they do?

Another army explanation is more closely linked to the idea of facing the results and accepting the responsibility for something that should not have been done. For example, when a man is forced out of the army because he did something terrible, he is dishonored. The band does not play. Only the drums tap a sad, slow beat. The soldier is forced to leave, facing such music as it is and facing the back of his horse. 

1.How many ways does the phrase “to face the music” comes from?     

A．1.               B．2.                C．3.               D．4.

2.What’s the meaning of “to face the music”?

A．To face something far less pleasant.          B．To face the stage.

C．To face the back of one’s horse.           D．To face one’s leader.

3.The underlined word “hostile” means ________.

A．unfriendly         B．dislike            C．unkind            D．unnecessary

 

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科目：高中英語 來源：2014屆江蘇南京師大附中江寧分校高一下期末調(diào)研英語試卷（解析版） 題型：閱讀理解

Like every other Olympics, the London 2012 Olympics will depend upon thousands of volunteers to help with the smooth running of the event. To show the importance of the role, London 2012 volunteers are to be called ‘Game Makers’. Lord Coe has said recently: “London 2012 is relying on brilliant Game Makers to help us create a great Olympic and Paralympic Games. ”

    London 2012 Olympics volunteers will provide the face of London 2012, working behind the scenes and making sure the games are as well organized, efficient and, most importantly, as enjoyable as possible.

    Despite the hard-work and often unsociable hours required of volunteers, applications to be considered as a Game Maker were unprecedented（空前的） with all the 70, 000 available positions applied within days. But, for those still interested in helping out during 2012 and being in the middle of the action, there are still a lot of opportunities available.    

    If you were one of those who missed out on the chance of becoming London 2012 volunteers, you can now apply to be one of the 8, 000 London Ambassadors（大使）. This important role involves greeting fans from all over the world, welcoming them to the fantastic capital city of London and providing a friendly face as well as help, advice and a good old traditional warm British welcome. The view of London most visitors take away with them after the 2012 Olympics will mostly be down to the volunteers and ambassadors, so these roles play a very important part in the process of making the UK a great place to travel to.    

    Becoming a London Ambassador is a brilliant way to be involved with the London 2012 volunteers scheme and become a part of what should be an historic summer.

1.Why are London 2012 volunteers called “Game Makers”?

    A. They’ll decide whether the London 2012 Olympics are a success.

    B. They play an important role in the London 2012 Olympics.

    C. The London 2012 Olympics won’t be organized without them.

D. They will work hard and effectively.

2.Which of the following can replace the underlined part “be down to” in Paragraph 4?

  A. be the responsibility of                

B. be under the control of

  C. be in harmony with                      

D. be in charge of   

3.What’s the purpose of the passage?

A. To appeal to more volunteers.           

B. To introduce the London 2012 Olympics.

C. To show the importance of volunteers.   

D. To guide how to spend the historic summer.

 

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科目：高中英語 來源：2013屆江蘇省高二12月練習(xí)試題（英語） 題型：閱讀理解

Short Skirts Are Out!

After decades of skimpy skirts and sleeveless tops on game days, some schools in the US are saying cheerleader uniforms will have to meet stricter dress codes when they are worn in class.

In Lake County, Florida, cheerleaders with uniforms too skimpy for the code are being asked to wear long shorts or trousers under their skirts and a T-shirt under the sleeveless tops, according to a district memo. Principals at two of Lake’s eight high schools – Leesburg and Lake Minneola – are not allowing the outfits in school at all.

Michelle Thomas, a cheerleader at Leesburg High School, was disappointed when she learned she couldn’t wear her outfit to school on game days.

“It shows that we’re a team just like all the other sports,” she said.

But the school administrators did not agree. “During the educational portion of the day, they have to meet the dress code just like every other student,” said school board chairwoman Debbie Stivender, who ordered the staff to bring the outfits into line with the dress code.

Bare midriffs are banned across the state by the Florida High School Athletic Association, but no state rules mention cheerleader miniskirts. Sheila Noone, a spokeswoman for cheerleading uniform company Varsity Brands, says the outfits haven’t become more revealing over the last 10 years. She says that the short skirts are designed to help the girls jump and kick.

“Cheerleading is athletic,” Noone said. “There’s a lot of jumping, so you won’t want a knee-length skirt that might hamper a tie touch.”

Most cheerleaders were sad to hear the news, but say they’ll follow the rules. Even male cheerleaders, whose pants and tops meet dress codes, chose not to wear their outfits to show unity.

“I understanding, because they are kind of short,” said Holly Bishop, 14, a Lake Minneola High School cheerleader, about her miniskirt. “It would have been really, really cool to wear them to school.”

1.According to the new dress codes for cheerleaders in some American schools, __________.

A．bare midriffs are banned

B．cheerleading miniskirts are banned

C．cheerleader uniforms have switched from skirts to trousers

D．cheerleaders have to make their uniforms less revealing

2.Which of the following statement is TRUE according to the article?

A．School administrators believe cheerleader uniforms do not match school dress codes.

B．Most cheerleaders show understanding of the new dress codes.

C．Sheila Noone believes that cheerleading miniskirts are not revealing.

D．School administrators don’t take cheerleading seriously.

3.Some cheerleaders are not happy about the news because __________.

A．they hate the dress codes that other sports have

B．they consider their uniforms special and cool

C．they want to wear revealing clothes

D．they will have to buy new uniforms

 

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