2011高考英语课外阅读材料【每两天一篇—阅读+单词学习】Unit One: How to Improve Your Study HabitsTEXTWant to know how to improve your grades without having to spend more time studying? Sounds too good to be true? Well, read on...How to Improve Your Study HabitsPerhaps you are an average student with average intelligence. You do well enough in school, but you probably think you will never be a top student. This is not necessarily the case, however. You can receive better grades if you want to. Yes, even students of average intelligence can be top students without additional work. Here's how:1. Plan your time carefully. Make a list of your weekly tasks. Then make a schedule or chart of your time. Fill in committed time such as eating, sleeping, meetings, classes, etc. Then decide on good, regular times for studying. Be sure to set aside enough time to complete your normal reading and work assignments. Of course, studying shouldn't occupy all of the free time on the schedule. It's important to set aside time for relaxation, hobbies, and entertainment as well. This weekly schedule may not solve all of your problems, but it will make you more aware of how you spend your time. Furthermore, it will enable you to plan your activities so that you have adequate time for both work and play.2. Find a good place to study. Choose one place for your study area. It may be a desk or a chair at home or in the school library, but it should be comfortable, and it should not have distractions. When you begin to work, you should be able to concentrate on the subject.3. Skim before you read. This means looking over a passage quickly before you begin to read it more carefully. As you preview the material, you get some idea of the content and how it is organized. Later when you begin to read you will recognize less important material and you may skip some of these portions. Skimming helps double your reading speed and improves your comprehension as well.4. Make good use of your time in class. Listening to what the teacher says in class means less work later. Sit where you can see and hear well. Take notes to help you remember what the teacher says.5. Study regularly. Go over your notes as soon as you can after class. Review important points mentioned in class as well as points you remain confused about. Read about these points in your textbook. If you know what the teacher will discuss the next day, skim and read that material too. This will help you understand the next class. If you review your notes and textbook regularly, the material will become more meaningful and you will remember it longer. Regular review leads to improved performance on test.6. Develop a good attitude about tests. The purpose of a test is to show what you have learned about a subject. The world won't end if you don't pass a test, so don't worry excessively about a single test. Tests provide grades, but they also let you know what you need to spend more time studying, and they help make your knowledge permanent.There are other techniques that might help you with your studying. Only a few have been mentioned here. You will probably discover many others after you have tried these. Talk with your classmates about their study techniques. Share with them some of the techniques you have foundto be helpful. Improving your study habits will improve your grades.NEW WORDSaverage n. ordinary 普通的；中等的intelligence n. ability to learn and understand 智力necessarily ad. inevitably 必定case n. what has really happened; actual condition 实情additional a. added 附加的，额外的n. additionweekly a. done or happening every week 每周的；一周一次的schedule n. timetable 时间表chartn. (sheet of paper with) information written or drawn in the form of a picture 图（表）commit vt. 指定...用于aside ad. to the side在旁边；到（向）一边etc (Latin, shortened form for et cetera) and other things等等normal a. usual正常的reading n. the act or practice of reading阅读assignment n. sth. given out as a task(布置的)作业occupy n. take up占用relaxation n. (sth. done for) rest and amusement休息，娱乐relax v.hobby n. what one likes to do in one's free time业余爱好entertainment n. show, party, etc. that people enjoy娱乐entertain vt.solve vt. find an answer to (a problem)解决（问题）aware a. having knowledge or understanding知道的；意识到的furthermore ad. moreover; in addition而且；此外enable vt. make (sb.) able (to do sth.)使（某人）能（做某事）activity n. sth. (to be) done 活动adequate a. as much as one needs; enough充分的；足够的distraction n. sth. that draws away the mind or attention分心（或分散注意力）的事物concentrate (on or upon) vi. pay close attention (to)全神贯注（于）skim vt. read quickly to get the main ideas (of)略读preview vt. have a general view of (sth.) beforehand预习content n. what is written in a book, etc.内容organize vt. form into a whole组织later ad. 后来；以后skip vt. pass over略过portion n. part; share一部分；一份double v. make or become twice as great or as many（使）增加一倍comprehension n. the act of understanding or ability to understand理解（力）mention vt. speak or write about (sth.) in a few words提及confused a. mixed up in one's mind迷惑的，混淆的confuse vt.textbook n. a standard book for the study of a subject教科书；课本performance n. achievement成绩meaningful a. having important meaning or value富有意义的attitude n. what one thinks about sth.态度，看法purpose n. aim目的，意图excessively ad. too much过多地，过分地excessive a.permanent a. lasting for a long time; never changing持久的；永久的technique n. way of doing sth.技巧，方法helpful a. useful; providing help or wiling to help有益的；给予帮助的，肯帮忙的PHRASES & EXPRSSIONSfill in write in填写，填充decide on make a choice or decision about选定，决定set aside save for a special purpose留出as well also; too; in addition也，还；同样be aware (of) know (sth.); know (what is happening)知道，意识到concentrate on direct one's attention, efforts, etc. to全神贯注于look over examine (quickly)把...看一遍，过目go over review 复习lead to result in 导致Unit Two: Sailing Round the WorldTEXTAt sixty-five Francis Chichester set out to sail single-handed round the world. This is the story of that adventure.Sailing Round the WorldBefore he sailed round the world single-handed, Francis Chichester had already surprised his friends several times. He had tried to fly round the world but failed. That was in 1931.The years passed. He gave up flying and began sailing. He enjoyed it greatly. Chichester was already 58 years old when he won the first solo transatlantic sailing race. His old dream of going round the world came back, but this time he would sail. His friends and doctors did not think he could do it, as he had lung cancer. But Chichester was determined to carry out his plan. In August, 1963, at the age of nearly sixty-five, an age when many men retire, he began the greatest voyage of his life. Soon, he was away in this new 16-metre boat, Gipsy Moth.Chichester followed the route of the great nineteenth century clipper ships. But the clippers had had plenty of crew. Chicheater did it all by himself, even after the main steering device had been damaged by gales. Chichester covered 14, 100 miles before stopping in Sydney, Australia. This was more than twice the distance anyone had previously sailed alone.He arrived in Australia on 12 December, just 107 days out from England. He received a warm welcome from the Australians and from his family who had flown there to meet him. On shore, Chichester could not walk without help. Everybody said the same thing: he had done enough; he must not go any further. But he did not listen.After resting in Sydney for a few weeks, Chichester set off once more in spite of his friends' attempts to dissuade him. The second half of his voyage was by far the more dangerous part, during which he sailed round the treacherous Cape Horn.On 29 January he left Australia. The mext night, the blackest he had ever known, the sea became so rough that the boat almost turned over. Food, clothes, and broken glass were all mixed together. Fortunately, bed and went to sleep. When he woke up, the sea had become calm the nearest person he could contact by radio, unless there was a ship nearby, Wild be on an island 885 miles away.After succeeding in sailing round Cape Horn, Chichester sent the followiing radio message to London:" I feel as if I had wakened from a nightmare. Wild horses could not drag me down to Cape Horn and that sinister Southern Ocean again."Juat before 9 o'clock on Sunday evening 28 May, 1967, he aeeived back in England, where a quarter of a million people were waiting to welcome him. Queeh Elizabeth II knigthed him with the very sword that Queen Elizabeth I had sailed round the world for the first time. The whole voyage from England and back had covered 28, 500 miles. It had taken him nine months , of which the sailing time was 226 days. He had done what he wanted to accomplish.Like many other adventurers, Chichester had experienced fear and conquered it. In doing so, he had undoubtedly learnt something about himself. Moreover, in the modern age when human beings depend so much on machines, he had given men throughout the world new pride.NEW WORDSsingle-handed a & ad. (done) by one person alone 单独的（地）adventure n. 冒险（活动）solo a. single-handed 单独的transatlantic a. crossing the Atlantic Ocean 横度大西洋lung n. part of the body with which one breathes 肺cancer n. 癌determined a. with one's mind firmly made up 下定了决心的determine v. determination n.retire vi. stop working at one's job(because of age) 退休voyage n. sea journey 航海；航行route n. way from one place to another 路线clipper n. 快速帆船crew n. group of people who work together on a ship or aeroplane 全体船员；全体乘务员steer vt. make (esp. a boat or road vehicle) go in a particular direction 为...撑舵device n. a piece of equipment设备；装置steering device n. 操舵装置damage vt. cause harm or injury to 损坏gale n. very strong wind大风cover vt. travel (a certain distance)行过（一段距离）previously ad. before 以前previous a.attempt n. try 试图，尝试dissuade vt. prevent (sb.) from doing sth. by reasoning 劝阻treacherous a. more dangerous than it seems 暗藏危险的；奸诈的cape n. 海角rough a. (of weather or the sea) stormy; not calm （气候）有暴风雨的；（海）波涛汹涌的fortunately ad. luckily 幸运地；幸亏fortunate a.contact vt. get in touch with 联系，接触nearby ad. close by 在附近following a. next; to be mentioned immediately 接着的；下列的waken v. (cause to) wake 唤醒；醒来nightmare n. terrible dream 恶梦drag vt. pull along with great effort 拖，拉sinister a. 凶恶的，邪恶的knight n. 爵士vt. 封... 为爵士sword n. 剑，刀accomplish vt. finish successfully完成conquer vt. overcome征服undoubtedly ad. certainly无疑地moreover ad. in addition此外，而且human a. of or concerning people人们being n. a living thing, esp. a person生物；人PHRASES & EXPRESSIOMSset out begin a course if action着手，开始give up atop doing放弃be determined to (do) have a strong will to (do)决心（做）(all) by oneself (completely) alonein spite of not taking notice of; not caring about 尽管；虽然by far by a large amount or degree...得多turn over (cause to) fall over, upset（使）翻倒，（使）倾覆can not help can not keep oneself from禁不住NAMESFrancis Chichester 弗朗西斯. 奇切斯特Gipsy Moth吉普赛. 莫斯Sydney 悉尼（澳大利亚城市）Cape Horn 合恩角（智利）London 伦敦Elizabeth 伊丽莎白（女子名）Drake 德雷克（姓氏）UNIT three: The PresentTEXTThey say that blood is thicker than water, that our relatives are more important to us than others. Everyone was so kind to the old lady on her birthday. Surely her daughter would make an even bigger effort to please he?The PresentIt was the old lady's birthday.She got up early to be ready for the post. From the second floor flat she could see the postman when he came down the street, and the little boy from the ground floor brought up her letters on the rare occasions when anything came.Today she was sure the would be something. Myra wouldn't forget her mother's birthday, even if she seldom wrote at other times. Of course Myra was busy. Her husband had been made Mayor, and Myra herself had got a medal for her work the aged.The old lady was proud of Myra, but Enid was the daughter she loved. Enid had never married, but had seemed content to live with her mother, and teach in a primary school round the corner. One evening, however, Enid said, "I've arranged for Mrs. Morrison to look after you for a few days, Mother. Tomorrow I have to go into hospital--just a minor operation, I'll soon be home."In the morning she went, but never came back--she died on the operating table. Myra came to the funeral, and in her efficient way arranged for Mrs. Morrison to come in and light the fire and give the old lady her breakfast.Two years ago that was, and since then Myra had been to see her mother three times, but her husband never.The old lady was eight today. She had put on her best dress. Perhaps--perhaps Myra might come. After all, eighty was a special birthday, another decade lined or endured just as you chose to look at it.Even if Myra did not come, she would send a present. The old lady was sure of that. Two spots of colour brightened her cheeks. She was excited--like a child. She would enjoy her day.Yesterday Mrs. Morrison had given the flat an extra clean, and today she had brought a card and a bunch of marigolds when she came to do the breakfast. Mrs. Grant downstairs had made a cake, and in the afternoon she was going down there to tea. The little boy, Johnnie, had been up with a packet of mints, and said he wouldn't go out to play until the post had come."I guess you'll get lots and lots of presents," he said, "I did last were when I was six."What would she like? A pair of slippers perhaps. Or a new cardigan. A cardigan would be lovely. Blue's such a pretty colour. Jim had always liked her in blue. Or a table lamp. Or a book, a travel book, with pictures, or a little clock, with clear black numbers. So many lovely things.She stood by the window, watching. The postman turned round the corner on his bicycle. Her heart beat fast. Johnnie had seen him too and ran to the gate.Then clatter, clatter up the stairs. Johnnie knocked at her door."Granny, granny," he shouted, "I've got your post."He gave her four envelopes. Three were unsealed cards from old friends. The fourth was sealed, in Myra's writing. The old lady felt a pang of disappointment."No parcel, Johnnie?""No, granny."Maybe the parcel was too large to come by letter post. That was it. It would come later by parcel post. She must be patient.Almost reluctantly she tore the envelope open. Folded in the card was a piece of paper. Written on the card was a message under the printed Happy Birthday -- Buy yourself something nice with the cheque, Myra and Harold.The cheque fluttered to the floor like a bird with a broken wing. Slowly the old lady stooped topick it up. Her present, her lovely present. With trembling fingers she tore it into little bits. NEW WORDSrelative n. 亲属，亲戚present n. gift 礼物，赠品postman n. 邮递员rare a. not happening often 罕见的；不常发生的occasion n. special time; time when sth. happens 时刻，时机；场合mayor n. chief official of a city or town 市长medal n. 奖章aged a. oldcontent a. satisfied; pleased 满意的；高兴的primary a. first; earliest 首要的；最初的arrange vi. make preparations; plan 作安排，筹划minor a. not serious or important 较小的；次要的operate vi. cut the body in order to set right or remove a diseased part 开刀，动手术operating table n. a special table in a hospital, where operations are done 手术台funeral n. 葬礼efficient a. able to plan and work well 效率高的decade n. ten yearsendure vt. bear (pain, suffering, etc.) 忍受，忍耐spot n. a round area that is different from the main surface 点，斑点brighten vt. make bright or brighter 使发光；使发亮cheek n. either side of the face below the eye 面颊extra a. additional 额加的，外加的clean n. cleaningbunch n. things of the same kind that are tied together （一）束，（一）串marigold n. 万寿菊（花）packet n. small parcel box 小包（裹）mint n. 薄荷糖slipper n. 拖鞋cardigan n. （羊毛）开衫clatter n. a number of rapid short knocking sounds 咔嗒声granny n. (colloq. for)grandmotherenvelope n. a paper cover for a letter 信封unsealed a. 未密封的seal vt.sealed a. 密封的writing n. handwriting 书法；笔迹pang n. sudden, sharp pain 剧痛disappointment n. sadness because one does not get what one hopes for 失望disappoint vt. parcel n. 包裹reluctantly ad. unwillingly 不情愿地，勉强地reluctant a.fold vt. bend into two or more parts 折叠cheque n. 支票flutter vt. move quickly to and fro in the air 飘动stoop vi. bend the body forwards and downwards 弯腰tremble vi. shake uncontrollably with quick short movements 颤抖PHRASES & EXPRESSIONSat other times on other occasions 在别的时候；平时round / around the corner very near in distance or time 在附近；即将来临after all in spite of everything; it must be remembered 毕竟；终究be sure of 对...有把握，确信pick up take hold of and lift up from a surface 拿起，捡起PROPER NAMESMyra 迈拉（女子名）Enid 伊妮德（女子名）Morrison 莫里森（姓氏）Grant 格兰特（姓氏及男子名）Johnnie 约翰尼（John的昵称）Unit Four: Turning off TV：A Quidt HourTEXTMany people in the United States spend most of their free time watching television. Certainly, there are many worthwhile programs on television, including news, educational programs for children, programs on current social problems, plays, movies, concerts, and so on. Nevertheless, perhaps people should not be spending so much of their time in front of the TV. Mr Mayer imagines what we might do if we were forced to find other activities.Turning off TV: a Quiet HourI would like to propose that for sixty to ninety minutes each evening, right after the early evening news, all television broadcasting in the United States be prohibited by law.Let us take a serious, reasonable look at what the results be if such a proposal were accepted. Families might use the time for a real family hour. Without the distraction of TV, they might sit around together after dinner and actually talk to one another. It is well known that many of our problems -- everything, in fact, from the generation gap to the high divorce rate to some forms of mental illness -- are caused at least in part by failure to communicate. We do not tell each other what is disturbing us. The result is emotional difficulty of one kind or another. By using the quiet family hour to discuss our problems, we might get to know each other better, and to like each other better.On evenings when such talk is unnecessary, families could rediscover more active pastimes. Freed from TV, forced to find their own activities, they might take a ride together to watch the sunset. Or they might take a walk together (remember feet?) and see the neighborhood with fresh, new eyes. With free time and no TV, children and adults might rediscover reading. There is more entertainment in a good book than in a month of typical TV programming. Educators report that the generation growing up with television can barely write an English sentence, even at the college level. Writing is often learned from reading. A more literate new generation could be a product of the quiet hour.A different form of reading might also be done, as it was in the past: reading aloud. Few pastimesbring a family closer together than gathering around and listening to mother or father read a good story. The quiet hour could become the story hour. When the quiet hour ends, the TV networks might even be forced to come up with better shows in order to get us back from our newly discovered activities.At first glance, the idea of an hour without TV seems radical. What will parents do without the electronic baby-sitter? How will we spend the time? But it is not radical at all. It has been only twenty-five years since television came to control American free time. Those of us thirty-five and older can remember childhoods without television, spent partly with radio -- which at least involved the listener's imagination -- but also with reading, learning, talking, playing games, inventing new activities. It wasn't that difficult. Honest. The truth is we had a ball.NEW WORDSworthwhile a. good enough for the time or effort needed; valuable 值得花时间（或精力）的；有价值的program (me) n. performance on radio or television 节目educational a. of or for education; providing education or information 教育的；有教育意义的current a. of the present time 当前的social a. of or in society 社会的movie n. film that one sees at a cinema 电影nevertheless conj. but; however 然而，不过propose vt. suggest 建议broadcasting n. the action of sending out sound (or images) by radio (or television) 广播prohibit v & n. forbid by law 禁止proposal vt. suggestion 提议，建议actually n. in actual fact, really 实际上generation n. all the people about the same age （一）代gap n. an empty space between two things or two parts of a thing; a wide difference of opinion, character, or the like 缺口，间隙；分歧，隔阂divorce n. end of a marriage by law 离婚rate n. 率mental a. of the mind 精神的；思想上的communicate vi. share or exchange opinions, ideas, etc. 交流意见，思想等disturb vt. make (sb.) worried 使烦恼emotional a. 感情的pastime n. anything done to pass time pleasantly 消遣，娱乐sunset n. the going down of the sun; the time when the sun goes down日落（时分）neighborhood n. the area around a point or place 邻近地区；地段adult n. 成年人typical a. 典型的educator n. a person whose profession is education 教育家barely ad. hardly 仅仅，勉强；几乎没有literate a. able to read and write 能读写的；有文化的product n. sth. made or grown 产品network n. 广播（或电视）联播公司；广播（或电视)网glance n. quick look 一瞥；扫视radical a. extreme; very different 激进的electronic a. 电子的electron n.baby-sitter n. someone who looks after a child when the parents are away for a short time （代人临时）照看婴儿childhood n. time when one is a child 童年partly ad. not completely; in some degree 部分地；在一定程度上involvevt. have as a part or result （必须）包括imagination n. the ability to imagine 想像力learning n. the gaining of knowledge or skill through studying; knowledge or skill gained through studying 学习；学问，知识invent vt. produce (sth.) for the first time 发明PHRASES & EXPRESSIONSgeneration gap failure of the younger and older generations to communicate and understand one another 代沟in part in some degree; partly 在一定程度上；部分地grow up change from a child to a man or a woman 成长，长大bring together cause to meet 使相聚come up with think of; produce 想出；提出at first glance when first seen or thought about乍一看；最初考虑时have a ball (sl.) enjoy oneself, have a very good time 玩得开心PROPER NAMESMayer迈耶（姓氏）the United States 美国Unit Five: A Miserable，Merry ChristmasTEXTA miserable and merry Christmas? How could it be?A Miserable, Merry ChristmasChristmas was coming. I wanted a pony. To make sure that my parents understood, I declared that I wanted noting else."Nothing but a pony?" my father asked."Nothing," I said."Not even a pair of high boots?"That was hard. I did want boots, but I stuck to the pony. "No, not even boots.""Nor candy? There ought to be something to fill your stocking with, and Santa Claus can't put a pony into a stocking,"That was true, and he couldn't lead a pony down the chimney either . But no. "All I want is a pony," I said. "If I can't have a pony, give me nothing, nothing."On Christmas Eve I hung up my stocking along with my sisters.The next morning my sisters and I woke up at six. Then we raced downstairs to the fireplace. And there they were, the gifts, all sorts of wonderful things, mixed-up piles of presents. Only my stocking was empty; it hung limp; not a thing in it; and under and around it -- nothing. My sisters had knelt down, each by her pile of gifts; they were crying with delight, till they looked up and saw me standing there looking so miserable. They came over to me and felt my stocking: nothing.I don't remember whether I cried at that moment, but my sisters did. They ran with me back to my bed, and there we all cried till I became indignant. That helped some. I got up, dressed, and driving my sisters away, I went out alone into the stable, and there, all by myself, I wept. My mother came out to me and she tried to comfort me. But I wanted no comfort. She left me and went on into the house with sharp words for my father.My sisters came to me, and I was rude. I ran away from them. I went around to the front of the house, sat down on the steps, and, the crying over, I ached. I was wronged, I was hurt. And my father must have been hurt, too, a little. I saw him looking out of the window. He was watching me or something for an hour or two, drawing back the curtain so little lest I catch him, but I saw his face, and I think I can see now the anxiety upon on it, the worried impatience.After an hour or two, I caught sight of a man riding a pony down the street, a pony and a brand-new saddle; the most beautiful saddle I ever saw, and it was a boy's saddle. And the pony! As he drew near, I saw that the pony was really a small horse, with a black mane and tail, and one white foot and a white star on his forehead. For such a horse as that I would have given anything. But the man came along, reading the numbers on the houses, and, as my hopes -- my impossible hopes -- rose, he looked at our door and passed by, he and the pony, and the saddle. Too much, I fell upon the steps and broke into tears. Suddenly I heard a voice."Say, kid," it said, "do you know a boy named Lennie Steffens?"I looked up. It was the man on the pony, back again."Yes," I spluttered through my tears. "That's me.""Well," he said, "then this is your horse. I've been looking all over for you and your house. Why don't you put your number where it can be seen?""Get down," I said, running out to him. I wanted to ride.He went on saying something about "ought to have got here at seven o'clock, but--"I hardly heard, I could scarcely wait. I was so happy, so thrilled. I rode off up the street. Such a beautiful pony. And mine! After a while I turned and trotted back to the stable. There was the family, father, mother, sisters, all working for me, all happy. They had been putting in place thetools of my new business: currycomb, brush, pitchfork -- everything, and there was hay in the loft. But that Christmas, which my father had planned so carefully, was it the best or the worst I ever knew? He often asked me that; I never could answer as a boy. I think now that it was both. It covered the whole distance from broken-hearted misery to bursting happiness -- too fast, A grown-up could hardly have stood it.NEW WORDSmiserablea. causing unhappiness; very unhappy 悲惨的merrya. cheerful, full of lively happiness, fun, etc. 欢乐的，愉快的ponyn. a small horse 矮种马；小马bootn. 长统靴candyn. (AmE) sweets 糖果stickingn. 长（统）袜chimneyn. 烟囱even. 前夕fireplacen. 壁炉mixed-upa. (different things) put together混合的，混杂的limpa. soft; not stiff or firm软的；松沓的kneelv. go down or remain on the knee(S)跪下indignanta. angry at sth. unfair气愤的；愤慨的stablen. building for keeping and feeding animals, esp. horses马厩weepv. cry哭泣；流泪rudea. not at all polite粗鲁的，不礼貌的wrongvt. treat unjustly委屈curtainn. 窗帘lest。