2014届高考高三英语二轮复习专题强化专练：阅读理解(10)（含解析）

2014届高考高三英语二轮复习专题强化专练：阅读理解（10）

（含解析）

(1)

The United States became a rich industrial nation toward the end of 1800s. There were more goods, more services, more jobs, and a higher standard of living. There was more of everything, including problems. One problem was monopoly, that is, to be the only seller of a certain line of products or a service. In some cases, several companies that manufactured the same product would agree not to compete with one another. They would all agree to charge the same price. These arrangements made it impossible for customers to shop around for lower prices for certain products.

Some people decided that huge corporations had too much power and controlled too many markets. Because of their wealth and power, they could see to it that governments passed laws favorable to them. Many people believed that monopoly and price fixing were bad for customers and bad for the country so that they should be broken up.

Finally the national government and some states passed laws that placed limits on corporations and big companies. These laws made it illegal for companies to make agreements to charge only a certain price. Later on the national government forced monopoly to be broken up.

Such laws and government action didn’t entirely do away with monopolies. Nor did they stop the growth of huge corporations. But they did show that American people had decided that some of the changes that had occurred were harmful. (from www.nmet168.com)

1. The underlined word “monopoly” in the first paragraph most probably means ________.

A. the production of certain kinds of goods B. complete control and possession of trade

C. a big corporation of company D. an agreement on prices2. Because of the agreements between big companies ________.

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A. people had to buy things at certain shops B. the prices of their goods were much lower

C. customers had no choice but to buy D. there were fewer markets in some states

3. According to the laws, companies ________. A. were not allowed to control the markets

B. could not force the customers to buy their products C. should have fixed prices for their products

D. must produce the same kind of goods for the same markets 4. Which of the following is not true according to the passage? A. Big companies could not influence the government.

B. A large number of markets were controlled by big companies. C. Many Americans were worried about the changes in their country. D. Some of the laws were in favor of customers.

(2)

When most people think of tropical islands, lined with white sandy beaches and bright blue seas, it is often the Caribbean or South Pacific that comes to mind. But for Chinese tourists who want a taste of paradise on Earth there is a new place to consider.

Mauritius, an island lying off the southeast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, has just been added to China’s list of tourist destinations. Rich in history, natural beauty and culture, the island has been a popular destination for the world’s tourists for many years.

On December 15 a total of eight African countries were added to the list. The others are Tunisia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia and the Seychelles.

The island has passed through the controlling hands of a number of European powers, including Dutch, French and British. In 1968, Mauritius won its independence.

At present, over half the population of Mauritius is Hindu and another fifth is Muslim. Both groups are descendants(后裔) from workers brought to the island from

India by the British. Some Chinese were also brought over to work. There are also descendants of African slaves and Franco-Mauritians, the original settlers of the island.

One of the best things about the island is the food. There is a mouth-watering mix of European, Chinese and Indian flavours and seafood is very popular. A typical Mauritian dinner might have Indian chicken curry, Chinese pork, British roast beef and French-style vegetables. Boiled rice is served with just about everything. All that is washed down with a plentiful supply of local beer and rum(朗姆酒).

The pleasant tropical climate and scenery provide the perfect setting to enjoy everything. The sea is full of colorful life that lives around the coral reef. This makes Mauritius a wonderful place for swimming and diving. The large number of interesting fish means it is also an exciting place for those who like to go fishing. (from www.nmet168.com)

5. Which of the following can’t be used to describe Mauritius? A. Tropical island, white sandy beach and bright blue sea. B. Beautiful scenery, rich history and culture.C. Most of the people in Mauritius are black.

D. Delicious food mixed with eastern and western flavours.

[来源:学。科。网][来源:学。科。网]

6. Which group of the following topics is not discussed in the text? A. Food and history. B. Scenery and population.

C. Location and sports. D. Natural resources and agriculture. 7. Which of the following is true?

A. Mauritius has something similar to the Caribbean or South Pacific. B. Mauritius has a history of less than 40 years.

C. Mauritius has been a popular destination for Chinese tourists for many years. D. The main food in Mauritius is local beer and rum.

8. The underlined word “This” in the last paragraph refers to ________. A. Pleasant tropical climate

B. Beautiful scenery

C. The sea with colorful life D. The coral reef

(三)

The medical world is gradually realizing that the quality of the environment in hospitals may play a significant role in the process of recovery from illness.

As part of a nationwide effort in Britain to bring art out of the galleries and into public place, some of the country’s most talented artists have been called in to transform older hospitals and to soften the hard edges of modern buildings. Of the 2,500 National Health Service hospitals in Britain, almost 100 now have significant collections of contemporary art in corridors, waiting areas and treatment rooms.

These recent initiatives owe a great deal to one artist, Peter Senior, who set up his studio at a Manchester Hospital in Northeastern England during the early 1970s. He felt the artist had lost his place in modern society, and that art should be enjoyed by a wider audience.

A typical hospital waiting room might have as many as 5,000 visitors each week. What a better place to hold regular exhibitions of art and paintings, in the outpatients waiting area of the Manchester Royal Hospital in 1975. Believed to be Britain’s first hospital artist, Senior was so much in demand that he was soon joined by a team of six young art school graduations.

The effect is striking. Now in the corridors and waiting rooms, the visitor experiences a full view of fresh colors, playful images and restful courtyard.

The quality of the environment may reduce the need for expense when a patient is recovering from an illness. A study has shown that patients who had a view onto a garden needed half the number of strong painkillers compared with patients who had no view at all or only a brick wall to look at.

9. What does the author mean by using the phrase “to soften the hard edge of modern buildings”, in the second paragraph?

A. To hold exhibitions of art and paintings in hospitals. B. To tear down the old hospital and build a new one. C. To decorate hospitals with art collection. D. To paint the walls of hospitals in soft colors. 10. What is true about Peter Senior?