President Barack Obama's speeches are proving a best-seller in Japan -- as an aid to learning English. An English-language textbook, "The Speeches of Barack Obama," has sold more than 400,000 copies in two months, a big hit in a country where few hit novels sell more than a million copies a year.
Japanese have a fervor for learning English and many bookstores have a corner dedicated (專門用于) to dozens of journals in the language, many of them now featuring the new U.S. leader's face.
"Speeches by presidents and presidential candidates(候選人) are excellent as listening tools to learn English. Obama's are especially so. His speeches are so moving, and he also uses words such as 'yes, we can,' 'change' and 'hope' that even Japanese people can memorize," said Yuzo Yamamoto of Asahi Press, which produced the best-selling text book.
Speeches by George W. Bush and former nominee(提名) John Kerry's four years ago did not have the same interest, however, and nor do those made by Japanese politicians. “We have to turn to a foreign president for someone in whom to place our hopes”, Yamamoto said.
The 95-page paperback features Obama's speeches in English from the 2004 Democratic National Convention and during the Democratic Party primaries(初選), in which he defeated Hillary Clinton. They are accompanied by Japanese translations.
The 1,050 yen ($12) book, which includes a CD of the speeches, tops the bestseller list on bookseller Amazon's Japanese Website, http://www.amazon.co.jp/. He said lawmakers from Japan's main opposition Democratic Party had bought the book to study Obama's speeches.
Following Obama's inauguration(就職典禮), Asahi Press plans to issue a sequel(續集) that includes his inaugural address, as well as President John F. Kennedy's 1961 inaugural speech. It will also feature a reading of President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address of 1863.
64. Speeches by presidents and presidential candidates are excellent as listening tools to learn English because ________.
the speakers are all great
B. the speakers have high speech skills
C. the language is full of humor
D. the contents are good and the words are easy to catch
Why do Japanese place their hopes in a foreign president?
A. Because they don’t have politicians who have such a positive influence.
B. Because they have the same attitude as the foreign presidents.
C. Because they have never made a political speech.
D. Because they hope to have a foreigner as their leader.
Which is true about “The Speeches of Barack Obama”?
A. It contains all Obama’s speeches .
B. It has 1,050 pages with a CD.
C. It includes his inaugural address.
D. It is an especially popular book in Japan.
Which of the following can best describe the main idea of the passage?
A. Japan speaks highly of Obama president .
B. Japan learns English from Obama speeches textbook .
C. Obama gains his fame from his election speeches.
D. Obama gives Japanese speeches on how to learn English.
科目：高中英語 來源：山東省臨沂市2010屆高三下學期第一次質量檢查考試 題型：閱讀理解
B
Men are happier with money, while women find greater joy in friendships and relationships with their children, co – workers and bosses, a new global survey indicates.
The online survey of 28,153 people in more than 51 countries by global marketing and information firm Nielsen found that as the world struggles with a recession（衰退） and financial markets remain declined, many people are reminding themselves that money can’t buy happiness．
The Nielsen Happiness Study found that globally, women are happier than men in 48 of the 51 countries surveyed in August 2009, and only in Brazil, South Africa and Vietnam were men found to be happier than women．
“Because they are happier with non-economic factors, women’s happiness is more recession-proof which might explain why women around the world are happier in general than men are,” Nielsen Vice President of Consumer Research Bruce Paul said in a statement．
Japanese women reported the greatest difference and are 15 percent happier than Japanese men．Women are also more optimistic about the future, scoring higher than men on predictions of their happiness in the next six months．
Women were also more content with their marriage life, the study found．Japanese and New Zealand women reported the greatest difference in satisfaction with their marriage life．
Men are generally happier with their physical health than women, and this is especially pronounced in South Africa．Egypt bucks the trend, with women rating their happiness with their health considerably higher than men．
Globally, men rated their happiness with their mental health higher than women．It was the same in Belgium, South Korea, Mexico, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Egypt, and Israel．
There are three main drivers of happiness globally, according to the study: personal financial situation, mental health and job/career．Being satisfied with your partner is also important for happiness．
61．The passage mainly centers around ______．
A．key drivers leading to happiness
B．a study on happiness between sexes
C．a medical survey on men and women
D．comparisons between men and women
62．Compared with women, men tend to be happier with ______．
A．money, friendship and their family
B．financial situation, health and marriage life
C．the future, mental health and money
D．mental health, physical health and money
63．The underlined word in Paragraph 7 is closest in meaning to ______．
A．strengthens B．opposes C．follows D．continues
64．According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT right?
A．Globally, women are happier than men in general．
B．Women in Vietnam are not as happy as men．
C．Women score higher than men on predictions of their future．
D．Women’s happiness is less likely affected by financial crisis．
65．Which country has the biggest difference in happiness between men and women?
A．Japan． B．New Zealand． C．Egypt． D．South Africa．
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科目：高中英語 來源：湖南省長郡中學2010屆高三下學期五月模擬考試英語試卷 題型：閱讀理解
A plane crash in Western Russian killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski and the other 96 political and military officials on board on April 10. The accident has led to huge national mourning in Poland. But it may provide an opportunity for reconciliation (和解) between Poland and Russia, countries that have a troubled relationship.
Many from the political elite were lost in the crash. Beside the president, the dead include the army chief of Staff, the head of National Security Bureau, the national bank president, the deputy foreign minister and other members of parliament.
The Polish delegation was heading to Russia to mark the 70 th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre (屠殺) when the accident occurred. In 1940, about 22,000 Polish soldiers, intellectuals, and officials captured after the Soviet Army invaded Poland in 1939, were killed secretly by Soviet police in the forest of Russia’s Katyn.
The Katyn Massacre had been a sensitive topic between the countries. The former Soviet Union always denied responsibility for the massacre. It was not until 1992 that Russian released archived documents about the killing.
Katyn is merely a short chapter in Poland and Russia’s long and troubled history. In the 18 th century, along with Prussia, (then an important part of Germany) and Austria. Russia participated in three carve – ups of Poland. In 1795, after the third carve – up, the country was erased from the map of Europe. It was in 1918 that Poland regained its independence. But in 1939, at the beginning of the World War II, it was invaded by Germany and the Soviet Union under a secret pact. After the war, Poland became a communist country with close ties to the Soviet Union.
In 1989, Poland switched to capitalism and pursued a pro – West position. The most recent tension between the two countries was in 2008. That year, Poland decided to have a US missile shield (導彈防御系統) on its soil, while neighboring Russia threatened to aim missiles at Poland.
But the plane crash has created a chance for reconciliation, with Russia sharing the sadness of Poland. Russia has declared April 12 a day of mourning for the victims. Flags flew at half – mast in Moscow. And earlier on April 7, Russia Prime Minister Vladimir Putin became the first Russian leader to mark the anniversary of the massacre.
“I think it should improve relations between the two countries, as Russians feel our grief,” said Radek Sikorski, Pland’s foreign minister.
66．Put the following events in order of time.
①The Katyn Massacre
②Poland switched to capitalism.
③Russia divided Poland with Austria and Prussia.
④Poland became a communist country.
⑤Poland was invaded by the Soviet Army.
A．③①④⑤② B．③⑤①④② C．①③⑤④② D．①⑤②④③
67．After the accident, which of the following did Russia do to share the sadness of Poland?
A．Flags were lowed to half – mast in the capital city of Russia.
B．Russia threatened to aim missiles at Poland.
C．Russia declared the day when the accident happened a day of mourning for the victims.
D．Vladimir Putin marked the anniversary of the massacre.
68．Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A．The Katyn Massacre was the very beginning of Poland and Russia’s trouble relationship.
B．In 1939 about 22,000 Polish soldiers, intellectuals, and officials were killed by Soviet police in the forest of Russia’s Katyn.
C．Altogether 96 political and military officials were killed in the accident.
D．The relationship between Poland and Russia has not always been tense since the three carve – ups of Poland in the 18 th century.
69．It can be conclude from the article that .
A．the relationship between Poland and Russia will be even tenser than before
B．Poland will cancel its plan to mark the anniversary of the Katyn Massacre
C．no Russian leaders have marked the anniversary of the massacre before, though Russia released the truth in 1992.
D．Poland will forgive Russians, for they showed great sympathy after the accident.
70．What would be the best title for the passage?
A．The troubled relationship between Russia and Poland.
B．Poland and Russia united by tragedy.
C．The 70 th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre.
D．A plane crash killing Polish president.
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科目：高中英語 來源：重慶市萬州一中2009-2010學年度高二下學期第二次月考英語試卷 題型：閱讀理解
The Hollywood Reporter on Friday named Oprah Winfrey the most powerful woman in entertainment on its annual “Power 100 List”.
Winfrey, whose “Oprah” talk show began in national syndication 22 years ago, played a role in the victory of President-elect Barack Obama by praising him early in his run and by supporting him throughout the campaign.
Elizabeth Guider, editor of The Hollywood Reporter, remarked on Winfrey’s “great cultural influence” and said she could be “the most influential woman in America”.
Winfrey, 54, jumped from the No.6 spot on the entertainment trade paper’s 2007 list to No.1 this year. The Hollywood Reporter noted that a study by University of Maryland economists found Winfrey’s support for Obama won him more than l million votes nationwide.
Winfrey’s production company, Harpo Inc., made $ 345 million last year. She manages an empire that includes her TV show, a magazine and an online’ store.
Anne Sweeney, president of Disney-ABC Television Group, was given the No.2 spot on the list after coming in top a year ago. Sweeney manages her company’s news, entertainment and daytime divisions, along with its cable and publishing branches.
Amy Pascal, chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, won the No.3 spot on the list.
Other women listed included actress Angelina Jolie, at No.24, who has strengthened her public image with charity efforts; comedian Tina Fey, No.51, in part for playing Sarah Palm, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, in wildly popular TV impersonations (扮演) during the election campaign; and 16-year-old pop star Miley Cyrus, who rounded out the list at No.100.
59. What did Elizabeth Guider think of Oprah Winfrey?
A. She played a great part in helping Obama winning the election.
B. She deserved to be the most powerful woman in politics.
C. She made a great contribution to American culture.
D. She managed her company’s news and entertainment programs very well.
60. Which of the following is true about Winfrey?
A. Her support for Obama helped him greatly in his winning the election.
B. She was once chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group.
C. She rose to No. 2 on the entertainment trade paper’s 2007 list.
D. She was a Hollywood reporter 22 years ago.
61. What is Tina Fey famous for?
A. She supported pop star Miley Cyrus.
B; She played Sarah Palm in popular TV programs.
C. She made great efforts to help the needy.
D. She took over an empire that includes TV show, a magazine and an online store.
62. Which of the following can best summarize the main idea of the passage?
A. The Hollywood Reporter chose its 100 most powerful women.
B. How Hollywood helped Obama and Sarah Palm.
C. Harpo Inc, made $ 345 million last year.
D. Oprah Winfrey, the most powerful woman in entertainment.
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科目：高中英語 來源：四川省成都石室中學2010屆高三下學期第三次模擬考試（英語） 題型：閱讀理解
Brittnie Pemberton listened attentively as Jim Herrick took her and her mother, Tanya, on a brief tour of San Diego State University on Thursday．Her dream is much closer to reality after she received a promise from the university．The university promised that she would get a full four-year scholarship to the school as long as she met the entrance requirements．
Brittnie, 10, laughed．Her mom cried．
They live at the Salvation Army Door of Hope, a living center for homeless women and their children．Photojournalist Linda Solomon met them in August when she came to the facility and taught boys and girls, ages three-and-a-half to 13, how to take pictures．She gave them all disposable cameras and told them to capture images that reflected their dreams．The children's images - a big house, a church, a playground, a backyard and more - are kept．This is a project called“Pictures of Hope" organized by the Salvation Army
"I wish to go to college, so I took a picture of the sign out in front of San Diego State University," Brittnie said last month．The Fletcher Elementary School fifth-grader was pointing to the Christmas card bearing her photograph．
Adrienne Finley, development director at the Salvation Army, hosted a reception for Solomon, who told Finley about the president of a small university who gave a child the scholarship she dreamed of last year．
Finley called his old friend, Herrick, who serves as the SDSU President．"We have a wonderful opportunity here to make a difference in a little girl's life," Finley said．Soon her mom and Brittnie were face to face with SDSU President Jim Herrick．
"You must be Brittnie," he said, reaching out to shake her hand．She quickly pulled her hands out of the pockets of the new SDSU sweatshirt she had been given that morning．
They sat down at a table in his office and talked about college, about science, about her love of math and his hope that she and other girls wouldn't lose interest in those subjects, as happens to many girls as they grow older．
Then they talked about how much discipline she would need over the next eight years to make her dream come true．Both signed the paper outlining their agreement to the terms of the scholarship．Back outside on the sunny campus, Brittnie admitted she's tempted sometimes not to do her homework．"But not anymore," she said．
49．According to the first paragraph, we can know that________．
A．it is certain that Brittnie will be admitted into SDSU
B．Brittnie will not need to pay for her university education if she can study in SDSU．
C．Jim Herrick promised Brittnie’s mother to offer her a job in SDSU．
D．Brittnie made a promise that she would never give up her dream．．
50．The Salvation Army Door of Hope is intended to ______．
A．call on young men and young women to help others
B．provide shelters for homeless moms and their children
C．carry out some projects to help those who are in trouble
D．help homeless people no matter who they are
51．According to the passage, the following statements are true EXCEPT_______．
A．Linda Solomon taught children photography to inspire them．
B．Children told people about their dreams through their pictures．
C．Brittnie took a picture standing at the gate of SDSC．
D．Brittnie’s picture was so good that it was printed on a Christmas card．
52．From what Ferrick said to Brittnie, we can infer that_______．
A．Ferrick has a strong belief that Brittnie will be a scientist in the future．
B．Brittnie, as well as some other girls, is interested in both science and math．
C．some girls would not be so good in science and math as boys as they grow older．
D．Brittnie will never lose interest in science because of her deep love
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科目：高中英語 來源：2013屆河南省南陽市一中高三第一次周考英語試卷（帶解析） 題型：閱讀理解
It was an afternoon Truman would never forget．
Rayburn and his friend were talking in the office before Truman arrived. The telephone rang. It was a call from the White House asking whether Vice-President Truman had arrived yet. No, Rayburn replied. The caller asked to have him telephone the White House as soon as he arrived.
Truman entered a minute later. He immediately called the White House. As he talked, his face became white. He put down the phone and raced out of the door to his car.
Truman arrived at the White House within minutes. An assistant took him to the president’s private living area. Eleanor Roosevelt, the president’s wife, was waiting for him there. “Harry,” she said, “the president is dead.” Truman was shocked. He asked Mrs. Roosevelt if there was anything he could do to help her. But her reply made clear to him that his own life had suddenly changed. “Is there anything we can do for you ?” Mrs. Roosevelt asked the new president, “You are the one in trouble now.”
Truman had been a surprise choice for vice-president at the Democratic Party nominating convention in nineteen forty-four. Delegates considered several other candidates before they chose him as Roosevelt’s running mate. That was at a time when presidential candidates did not make their own choices for vice-president．
Harry Truman lacked the fame，the rich family and the strong speech-making skills of Franklin Roosevelt．He was a much simpler man．He grew up in the Midwestern state of Missouri．Truman only studied through high school but took some nighttime law school classes．He worked for many years as a farmer and a small businessman，but without much success．
Truman had long been interested in politics．When he was almost forty，he finally won several low-level positions in his home state．By nineteen thirty-four，he was popular enough in Missouri to be nominated and elected to the United States Senate. And he won re-election six years later．
Most Americans, however, knew little about Harry Truman when he became president．They knew he had close ties to the Democratic Party political machine in his home state．But they had also heard that he was a very honest man．They could see that Truman had strongly supported President Roosevelt’s New Deal programs．But they could not be sure what kind of president Truman would become．
At the center of all the action was Harry Truman．It was not long before he showed Americans and the world that he had the ability to be a good president．He was honest，strong and willing to make decisions．
【小題1】When Mrs. Roosevelt said”You are the one in trouble now”，she really meant that ．
| A．Truman’s life had suddenly changed |
| B．Truman was at the center of all the action |
| C．Truman was a surprise choice for vice-president |
| D．Truman had close ties to the Democratic Party |
| A．decided by delegates |
| B．recommended by presidential candidates |
| C．chosen by the Democratic Party |
| D．elected by vice-president |
| A．for ten years | B．before he was forty |
| C．before 1943 | D．for two terms |
| A．An Unforgettable Afternoon |
| B．Vital Telephone Call Makes a Difference |
| C．Truman Makes His Decisions |
| D．Roosevelt’s Death Makes Truman President |
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