The United States Capitol Dome in Washington, D.C., is recognized around the world as a symbol of the U.S. government. Since last November, the dome has been surrounded by metal poles, or scaffolding(脚手架), and heavy cloth as part of a repair project.
The last major repair work on the U.S. Capitol took place in 1960. Since then, the dome has become weathered and worn. The Architect of the Capitol group reports the dome has more than 1,000 narrow breaks in its surface and other damage.
The dome was completed around 1863. U.S. Senate Historian Don Ritchie says the dome’s cast iron frame(铸铁钢架) is at special risk of weathering. “The capitol dome, being cast iron, has been hit by lightning countless times. And so the present construction(=building) is to repair the leaks, to fill in the cracks, to take off unnecessary layers of paint.”
Workers are removing old paint. They covered a large part of the building in plastic and a special cloth to protect workers from the wind and other elements. Much of the work is done at night, when lawmakers are not in the building.
Some recent visitors to the Capitol were unhappy about its present appearance. They had hoped to get a picture of the usually shining dome. Joyce said, “It was dramatic, and very fantastic, and all white, but when I come here today, it is under construction so my family cannot see it clearly. It is kind of a disappointment.”
Others were more understanding of the repairs. Rick Jones, another visitor, said, “It’s a little inconvenient for us not to see the dome but you have to think about the future and the people will be coming to this place for centuries...and you know, there just needs to be preventive maintenance(保养). I am not upset with that at all.”
The project is expected to take more than two years to complete. The dome should be ready for the inauguration of a new president in January 2017.
1. We can learn from the passage that the United States Capitol Dome is ______.| A．worn by exposure to the weather |
| B．surrounded by many repair projects |
| C．well kept and in excellent condition |
| D．regarded as a symbol of the U.K. government |
a. stopping the leaks
b. changing the frame
c. removing the old paints
d. replacing the lights e. filling the narrow breaks
| A．abc | B．bcd |
| C．bde | D．ace |
| A．They could get a clear look at the dome. |
| B．They were impressed by the white dome’s fantastic beauty. |
| C．They held different views on the Capitol’s current appearance. |
| D．They were all disappointed at the sight of the Capitol building. |
| A．tour | B．taking office |
| C．interview | D．taking photos |
相似题推荐
As a matter of fact, keeping your attitude positive in the face of difficulties is the motivation tip that most successful business owners will tell you．The most successful business owners, from Sam Walton to Bill Gates, have all been able to triumph in the face of unpleasant situations．It is those successful business owners who tell you that attitude is everything．But how you deal with that knowledge will determine your level of success．
One of the most important ways to carry out “attitude is everything” is to observe who you associate with and who you surround yourself with．That is because when you surround yourself with negative people, their negative attitudes will infect you．So keeping your associates, colleagues, co-workers and friends as positive as possible is a great way to put the phrase “attitude is everything” into practice．
Whatever you decide to do in life, your attitude will have a great effect on the success you achieve．Success , whether in the world of business or in your personal life, is directly related to your attitude, and the attitude you bring to your work．A positive attitude will help you achieve greater success in your job, no matter what your current level of employment．
1. According to the text, Sam Walton __________．
| A．is more successful than Bill Gates |
| B．has given readers some tips about success |
| C．has never dealt with unpleasant situations |
| D．is one of the most successful businessmen |
| A．not letting others affect your decisions |
| B．not making friends with people who are unsuccessful |
| C．keeping the people who surround you positive |
| D．getting some advice from successful business owners |
| A．Attitude Determines Your Success |
| B．Motivation Tips From Successful People |
| C．Ways To Deal With Unpleasant Situations |
| D．Making Friends With Positive People |
【推荐2】It seems the more time we have, the longer we put off living the life we see in our heads, because we feel like we’ve got some time to kill.
I know where you think I’m going with this, and I also know you’ve heard it all before: seize the day, make the most of it, live life to its fullest, and so on. But that’s the problem. You’ve heard it all before. These ideas have their impact and have become a cliché. Luckily, that’s not my thing.
The real answers wake something up inside you. They make you think. That’s what I want to give you today, the story of Bobby Darin, which wakes you up to the truth.
If you haven’t heard of the man, I know you’ve heard his songs. Among his many hits are Mack the Knife, Beyond the Sea, Dream Lover, and Splish Splash.
If seven years, Darin had several top ten hit songs, was nominated(提名) for four Grammy Awards (winning two), nominated for four Golden Globes (winning one), and even nominated for an Oscar.
So what was his secret?
All his life, Darin had a heart condition that developed from a childhood illness. The doctors at the time said he would be lucky to live to 16. In other words, his time was limited. And this was secret. He knew the truth. He knew that we all have such a hard time accepting: Life is short. You can’t just say it; you can’t just hear it. You have to know it, believe it, and feel it. Because Darin knew his time was limited, he packed as much life as he could into the time he had. But he had an unfair advantage. He knew, without a doubt, his time was limited.
There was no fooling himself, no putting it off. It was now or never.
1. Why do we all have the habit of delaying doing things?| A．Because we think we have time to count our thumb. |
| B．Because we want to live our life to its fullest. |
| C．Because we think time and tide wait for no man. |
| D．Because it takes time to build castle. |
| A．motto |
| B．legend |
| C．often-made remark |
| D．long-lost verse |
| A．He was nominated and won the Oscar Reward. |
| B．He committed suicide at home at last. |
| C．He got involved I not only music field but directing. |
| D．He took a positive attitude towards his illness. |
| A．He knew his life expectancy was short. |
| B．He was too eager to become famous. |
| C．He was so devoted to music. |
| D．He was talented. |
【推荐3】Many years ago, when I was fresh out of school and working in Denver, I was driving to my parents’ home in Missouri for Christmas. I stopped at a gas station(加油站)about 50 miles from Oklahoma City, where I was planning to stop and visit a friend. While I was standing in line at the cash register(收款台), I said hello to an older couple who were also paying for gas.
I took off, but had gone only a few miles when black smoke poured from the back of my car. I stopped and wondered what I should do. A car pulled up behind me. It was the couple I had spoken to at the gas station. They said they would take me to my friend’s house. We chatted on the way into the city, and when I got out of the car, the husband gave me his business card.
I wrote him and his wife a thank-you note for helping me. Soon afterward, I received a Christmas present from them. Their note that came with it said that helping me had made their holidays meaningful.
Years later, I drove to a meeting in a nearby town in the morning. In late afternoon I returned to my car and found that I’d left the lights on all day, and the battery(电池)was dead. Then I noticed that the Friendly Ford dealership - a shop selling cars - was right next door. I walked over and found two salesmen in the showroom.
“Just how friendly is Friendly Ford?” I asked and explained my trouble. They quickly drove a pickup truck to my car and started it. They would accept no payment, so when I got home, I wrote them a note to say thanks. I received a letter back from one of the salesmen. No one had ever taken the time to write him and say thank you, and it meant a lot, he said.
“Thank you” - two powerful words. They’re easy to say and mean so much.
1. The author planned to stop at Oklahoma City________.| A．to visit a friend | B．to see his parents | C．to pay at the cash register | D．to have more gas for his car |
| A．turned off | B．moved off | C．put up | D．set up |
| A．He had it pulled back to the gas station. | B．The couple sent him a business card. |
| C．The couple offered to help him. | D．He called his friend for help. |
| A．how to write a thank-you letter | B．how to deal with car problems |
| C．the kind-heartedness of older people | D．the importance of expressing thanks |
【推荐1】The total number of domestic (国内的) trips during the past May Day holiday was 274 million, up 70.83 percent than last year. and 119. 09 percent over the same period in 2019, generating 148.056 billion yuan ($21.44 billion) in tourism profits, up 128.90 percent than last year, and 100.66 percent over the same period in 2019. As the first May Day holiday after new pandemic (流行病) policies, it was expected that people’s long-controlled desire to travel would be satisfied, but no one expected it would do so to this extent.
The outstanding tourism performance during this year’s May Day holiday mainly resulted from the improvement of public services. Actually, even before the holiday, many places were improving tourism facilities to meet the increased stream of visitors. Zibo in Shandong province, popular for its barbecue, for example, opened parking lots and toilets for the public for free. Only by improving public services can a region keep attracting tourists all the time.
The explosive growth of tourism during the May Day holiday is a manifestation of China’s economic power, especially the power of the consumer market. It also shows the faster recovery of public confidence, which will not only stimulate the growth of service consumption, but also stimulate the expansion of demand in other industries, thus promoting the expansion of overall domestic demand and helping the economic recovery to speed up.
As long as the country focuses on expanding domestic demand and does what it can do to realize the potential of domestic consumption, the continuous development of China’s economy is certain.
1. Why are the figures mentioned in the beginning?| A．To show the recovery of Chinese tourism. |
| B．To show the expectation of Chinese tourists. |
| C．To show the development of Chinese economy. |
| D．To show the improvement of our living standard. |
| A．Huge tourism profits. | B．Better public services. |
| C．Convenient holiday traffic. | D．Delicious barbecue in Zibo. |
| A．display. | B．scene. | C．cause. | D．balance. |
| A．Unclear. | B．Negative. | C．Concerned. | D．Positive. |
【推荐2】Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area
The “World Wonder” and “Fairy Land on Earth” are names enjoyed by the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area, which is famous for its colorful lakes, snow-capped mountains and valleys. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992.
Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area includes the Huanglong Valley, Mounigou Valley and so on. The major scenery is concentrated in the 3.6-kilometer long Huanglong Valley that includes snow-clad（雪域的）mountains and the easternmost glaciers in China. The Mounigou Valley includes Erdao Lake and Zhaga Waterfall which is the biggest calcified waterfall（钙化瀑布）in China.
Attention
The average temperature is around 7℃ all the year round. It is misty in the morning and evening and rainy from May to August.
How to get there
Chengdu to Huanglong
Take a bus from Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station to Songpan county, and the buses depart at 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 and 13:00. The bus fare is 109 yuan. After arrival, take a bus to Huanglong at 6:00, 7:00 or 14:00, and the bus fare is 25-29 yuan.
Jiuzhaigou to Huanglong
Visitors can hire a private car and the hire is around 400 yuan for a round trip.
Other information
Entrance Fee: 80-190 yuan
Huanglong Cable Car Ticket: 40-80 yuan
Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00
Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 day
1. What does the passage come from?| A．Newspaper | B．Textbook | C．Magazine | D．Travel journal |
| A．Warm clothing. | B．Delicious food. | C．Enough water. | D．Big shoes. |
| A．By bus. | B．By car. | C．By boat. | D．On foot. |
【推荐3】Does your ideal vacation include going skiing across frozen ice, spying the northern lights, and playing in the snow? Then you’ll want to skate straight to these winter spots.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Alaska is a good choice for a great winter getaway. For winter fun, head to Fairbanks, where you can stay at a new cottage with glass-ceiling domes for aurora (极光) viewing in comfort and then head out ice fishing and snowmobiling. Want even more adventure? Consider a guided adventure that combines northern lights, cross-country skiing, and dog mushing.
Kirkenes, Norway
The Kirkenes Snow hotel here welcomes visitors to its ice-sculpted rooms. Besides, you can jump on a sled (雪橇) pulled by dogs or bring your appetite for a King Crab Safari. First, you’ll be on a sled pulled by a snowmobile across the icy sea. Then crab fishermen drill into the ice to create a hole to pull up the large crabs. Another quick sled trip and you’ve reached a cozy cottage where crab claws as long as your forearm are served up minutes after being pulled from the cold waters, tasting of salt water. A rich reward for braving the cold.
St. Moritz, Switzerland
Skiing down the Alps is obviously a highlight here, but did you know that night skiing in this Swiss town is some of the best in the world? Picture it: Clear sky, full moon, inky quiet, and a sky full of stars. If you need energy for skiing, you can always refuel with pizza from the wood-fired oven at Murtèl middle station. You can keep skiing until the last cable car at 1:40 a. m. Then, check into your room at the Carlton Hotel, where there are a series of daylight activities.
Quebec City, Canada
In the summer months, Quebec City is an excellent destination thanks to its French features and historic old port. But in the winter, don’t miss the Winter Carnival, the Carnaval de Quebec, the largest winter carnival in the world. During 17 days the Carnival offers more than 200 activities and welcomes nearly 500,000 people (upcoming dates are January 26 to February 11, 2018, and February 1 to 17, 2019).
1. What is considered to be the most adventurous activity in Fairbanks, Alaska?| A．Going snowmobiling. |
| B．Going ice fishing. |
| C．Appreciating aurora viewing. |
| D．Conducting a guided adventure. |
| A．Living in ice-sculpted rooms. |
| B．Having a sled trip. |
| C．Tasting the freshly-cooked crabs. |
| D．Having a taste of salt water. |
| A．Skiing down the Alps. | B．Night skiing. |
| C．Watching stars. | D．Tasting pizza. |
| A．It’s second to none in the world. |
| B．It lasts throughout the winter. |
| C．Few people show interest in it. |
| D．It is famous for its French features. |
| A．A diary. | B．A novel. |
| C．A tour brochure. | D．A textbook. |
【推荐1】Most of what I really need to know about is how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.
These are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life. Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work some every day.
Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the plastic cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that Goldfish and white mice and even the little seed in the plastic cup – they all die. So do we.
And then remember the book about Dick and Jane and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all: LOOK. Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation, ecology and politics and sane living.
Think of what a better world it would be if we all – the whole world – had cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and clean up our own messes. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.
1. In this passage, the author intends to ＿＿＿ .| A．inform the readers of what he learned in kindergarten |
| B．call on people to hold hands and stick together |
| C．show the importance of enlightening (启蒙) education |
| D．tell people how to live a successful life |
| A．Cook cookies and dishes. |
| B．Keep the things he used in place. |
| C．Look out for traffic. |
| D．Make an apology to someone he hurt. |
| A．must be a success thanks to the good habits. |
| B．has learned to share everything with others |
| C．expects harmony and unity |
| D．is at an old age now |
| A．Popular Science. | B．Entertainment. | C．Fashion. | D．Life Guide. |
【推荐2】Fast-food chains including Burger King and Starbucks have brought in plant-based meat products in China in an effort to promote healthy eating and protect the environment. Readers share their opinions.
Linda (China)
I just don’t get it. If you want something that tastes like meat, you’d better eat meat. Plant-based meat is highly processed. It is not as healthy as vegetables. It contains unhealthy amounts of fat, salt and artificial additives. Regular exercise, along with a well-balanced diet, is the best way to stay healthy.
Terryfoy (UK)
Our human body was not designed for us only to eat vegetables. We are designed to eat meat. The protein that our body must have to survive comes from the meat we eat. Our bodies function properly with the correct balance of meat and vegetables. Too much meat and we get fat, too little meat and we get skinny and weak. If you want to be healthy, you must eat a balanced diet of both meat and vegetables.
Taikor (Malaysia)
Start with a huge cutdown on meat. Regarding pigs, do you know they could outsmart you on Playstation games? Don’t be surprised. They’re much smarter than dogs. So they do better at video games than some primates (灵长类动物). Pigs are extremely clever animals. They're gentle, defenseless creatures. Start doing it now. It’s time we made a change.
Sockmonkey (Singapore)
I could never be a vegetarian. I eat very little meat, but I love the meat I do eat! If one has to cut down on meat, it seems that red meat is the first thing to be minimized since it’s not as good for you as other types.
1. What does Linda think of plant-based meat?| A．Unhealthy. | B．Necessary. | C．Delicious. | D．Well-balanced. |
| A．Linda and Taikor. | B．Linda and Terryfoy. |
| C．Taikor and Sockmonkey. | D．Terryfoy and Sockmonkey. |
| A．To introduce the harm of eating too much meat. |
| B．To show us different opinions about eating meat. |
| C．To inform us of the advantages of a balanced diet. |
| D．To state the necessity of protecting the environment. |
In Britain，it's bottoms up from the week before Christmas till the last firework explodes in the sky announcing the new year,．The last Friday before Christmas popularly known as‘Mad Friday’—is one of the busiest periods for the country’s pubs and clubs．
But it's not just the bars that get busy．Ambulances and A&E departments around Britain get packed out too．Head injuries,，cuts，falls…it's easy to end up hurting yourself or others when self-control disappear and your head is spinning due to alcoho1．Revelers(纵酒狂欢的人)have been warned by the health authorities about the dangers of deadly drinking but drinking crazily seems to be part of the festivities for some．
The charity Alcohol Concern is running a campaign of restriction by encouraging people to have a dry January．
Jackie Ballard，the charity’s Chief Executive，believes the campaign has been successful in recent years．She says：“More than two-thirds of people even six months later are drinking at reduced levels having had a month off drink．But also a study has shown the impact it has on people’s health reducing their blood pressure and blood sugar levels．”
The study by the University of Sussex followed up nearly 900 participants in Alcohol Concern’s Dry January campaign and found out that 72％of them had kept harmful drinking sessions down and 4％were still not drinking．
Moderation(适度)seems to be the key to everything．The official recommendation for women is not to regularly drink more than 2 to 3 units of alcohol a day．The limit for men is 3 to 4 units of alcohol—no more than a pint of 5．2％ABV lager，beer or cider．
1. The last Friday before Christmas is called．“Mad Friday”because_________．
| A．people stay up too late |
| B．people go out and drink a lot |
| C．firework explodes in the sky |
| D．people go shopping madly |
| A．The atmosphere of the bars． |
| B．The effect of drinking too much． |
| C．The customs of the festivities． |
| D．The importance of the health authorities． |
| A．many people stop drinking |
| B．people drink more than before |
| C．people can improve their health |
| D．people’s blood pressure increases |
| A．Women shouldn’t drink any alcoho1． |
| B．People should stay away from alcoho1． |
| C．Men may drink 3 to 4 units of alcohol at least． |
| D．Moderate alcohol drinking can be accepted． |
【推荐1】Asia is the birthplace of the world’s three ancient civilizations: ancient China, ancient India and Babylon. Each gave the world different architectural styles and global landmarks.
The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is an ancient defense project with the longest construction time and the largest workload put into a landmark, stretching out to a total length of more than 50,000 kilometers. Only when you have been to the Great Wall and witnessed its majesty can you truly say you have visited China.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The Angkor Wat in Cambodia is one of the largest religious monuments in the world, built on a site measuring 162.6 hectares. It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yasodharapura, the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum.
Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1632 by Mughal emperor Shah to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage“.
The Borobudur, Indonesia
The Borobudur is a ninth-century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Magelang Regency, not far from the town of Muntilan, in Central Java, Indonesia. It is the world’s largest Buddhist temple. Evidence suggests that Borobudur was constructed in the ninth century.
1. Which of the following was built to protect its country?| A．Angkor Wat. | B．Taj Mahal. | C．The Borobudur. | D．The Great Wall. |
| A．It was built near a river. |
| B．It was a mausoleum for Shah. |
| C．It was completed in 1632. |
| D．It was the jewel of Buddhist art. |
| A．Culture. | B．Education. | C．Politics. | D．Entertainment. |
【推荐2】Lying on the north-south axis (轴线) line of Beijing City, Bell and Drum Towers were built in 1272 and rebuilt twice after two fires. In one period in history they were the time-telling center of the capital city during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties (1271-1911).
Bell Tower
The Bell Tower is 47. 9 meters high. This brick-and-stone-made building has two floors. Located on the second floor, the bell is the largest and heaviest in China. It is 7. 02 meters high, with a weight of63tons (吨). It was made of copper (铜), and you can hear its clear sound from far away.
Drum Tower
Situated 91 meters south to the bell tower, it was placed on a 4-meter-high stone and brick groundwork. It is 46. 7 meters high. It is a two-floor wooden building. There was one big drum and 24 smaller ones before, but only the big remains now.
On New Year’s Eve 1990, the bell was rung again and the drum was rung on New Year’s Eve 2001 after being silent for so long. Since then, the drum and the bell have sounded 108 times every New Year’s Eve.
How to get to Bell Drum Towers
By Subway:
1. Take Subway Line 8 and get off at Shichahai Station.
2. Take Subway Line 2 and get off at Guloudajie Station.
By Bus:
1. Take Bus 5, 60, 82, 107, 124, or 635 and get off at Gulou (Drum Tower) Station.
2. Take the Sightseeing Bus 3 and get off at Gulou (Houhai) Station.
Ticket Price: Bell Tower: CNY 15; Drum Tower: CNY 20
Ticket for both places: CNY 30
Opening Hours: 09: 00 to 17: 00
Drum Performances at the Drum Tower: 09: 30, 10: 00, 11: 30, 13: 30, 14: 30, 15: 30, 16: 45
Note: an extra performance is at 17: 15 in high season.
1. What do we know about Drum Tower?
| A．Drums are beaten every hour on the hour. |
| B．There are 8 drum performances in total in high season. |
| C．Drum Tower is a little bit higher than Bell Tower. |
| D．In all there are twenty-five old drums now. |
| A．Their tickets cost the same. | B．They are made of brick and stone. |
| C．Their heights are the same. | D．They have the same number of floors. |
| A．A historical story | B．An introduction to a building. |
| C．A travel brochure. | D．An advertisement for an activity. |
【推荐3】Nothing beats live music, but the venue makes a difference. When you're able to score tickets to an incredible concert in an incredible place, you won't forget the experience. Here are some of the coolest music venues from around the world. If you haven't been to any of these, you've got some traveling to do.
Red Rocks, Morrison, the United States
Red Rocks might be the most beautiful and famous venue in the United States. At 6,450 feet above sea level, Red Rocks is a geologically formed natural stage. Its massive sandstone provides a perfect stage for jam bands. If you're into the blues and jazz, you'll have no trouble finding something in line with your interests.
Meet Factory, Prague, Czech Republic
Smallest venues on this list, Meet Factory is an art gallery, theater, and music venue. The venue only accommodates 1,000 people, so you won't see any huge names come through. Still, it's a great place to see up-and-coming local acts, and if you've got an eye for contemporary art, you'll love your time here.
Arena of NÎmes, NÎmes, France
Originally built around A. D. 70, the Arena of Nimes presents concertgoers with an interesting question: Should they enjoy the music, or marvel at the architecture? The Arena is, after all, one of the world's best-preserved Roman theaters. Many major touring acts plan stops at the Arena of Nimes, especially during the venue's annual festival.
Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia
The Sydney Opera House is one of the world's most famous performing venues. I's also one of the most distinctive buildings in Sydney, thanks to the breathtaking design by Danish architect Utzon. It hosts about 40 events per week, so whether you're into jazz, rock, classical music, or opera, you'll find something to watch.
1. Where can you enjoy music in natural beauty?| A．At Red Rocks. | B．At Meet Factory. | C．At Arena of Nimes. | D．At Sydney Opera House. |
| A．It enjoys breathtaking scenery. | B．It hosts both musical and artistic events. |
| C．It is the largest venue of all. | D．It is famous for contemporary music. |
| A．They have a long history. | B．They are built near the sea. |
| C．They accommodate thousands of people. | D．They are beautiful tourist attractions. |
