高中英语学习材料***鼎尚图文理制作***海南琼中中学2014-2015学年度第一学期期末试题高二英语（A卷）注意事项：1.本试卷分为试题卷和答题卷两部分，请将答案写在答题卷上，写在试题卷上无效。

2.本试卷共三大部分（选择题，非选择题和答题卷），共6 页，其中选择题和非选择题5 页，答题卷 1 页。

3.本试卷满分为120分，考试时间100分钟。

第Ⅰ卷（选择题，共70分）一、阅读理解（共两节，满分70分）第一节（共15题；每小题2分，满分30分）阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项。

(A)Farming was once the chief way of life in nearly every country. People cannot live without food, and nearly all their food comes from crops and animals raised on farms. Many other materials such as cotton and wool also come from plants and animals raised on farms. Not many people farm for a living any more, but farming remains the most important work in the world at present.Before the nineteenth century, the typical American family lived on a small farm. They raised pigs, cattle, sheep, chickens, and planted corn, beans, fruits, garden vegetables, rice, and wheat. Everyone worked long and hard, but the results were often poor. Families harvested just enough food for themselves. This situation began to change duri ng the last half of the 1800’s and it changed remarkably (明显地) in the following century.Scientific methods and labor-saving machinery have made farming increasingly productive in the US. The development of improved plant varieties and chemical fertilizers (肥料) has helped double and even triple (三倍) the production of some major crops. More scientific animal care and animal raising have helped increase the amount of meat and other products animals produce. At the same time, the use of tractors and other modern farm equipment has sharply reduced the need for farm labor.As farming has become less important as a way of life in the United States, it has become more important as a source which offers materials to industry. Today’s successful farmers are experts not just in agriculture but also in accounting (会计), marketing and finance (金融). Farms that are not run in a similar way have great difficulty competing.1. We are told in the first paragraph about _________.A. the history of farmingB. the development of farmingC. the importance of farmingD. the changes of farming2. Which of the following describes American farming before the 19th century?A. Farmers didn’t work hard on their farms.B. Farmers used tractors to help them.C. Farming was the main way of living for most people.D. Farmers could supply materials to industry.3. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?A. American farmers’ hard work.B. The increase in the number of crops in the US.C. Modern farming methods.D. Traditional American farming.(B)The "Thumbs-Up"While Western culture has become used to the thumbs-up as a positive signal (probably coming from World War II pilots using the signal to communicate that they were "good to go" with ground crews), there are cultures where a thumbs-up may land you in trouble. In West Africa, as well as Greece, Italy and Middle East, the thumbs-up is pretty much the biggest insult(侮辱).Rather more charming is a thumbs-up in Germany and in parts of Japan —they just see it as the hand signal for the number one.The "A-OK"This sign is mainly used by divers(潜水员)to mean "OK"(to prevent being confused with the thumbs-up sign, which means "rise"). Basically the meaning comes out as "great", or "completely fine". However, in a few countries in Europe, people may think you’re telling them that you think they’re a 'zero’.The "V-Sign"The sign comes in two formats: one with the palm faced outwards, and one with the palm inwards. In America they mean the same thing —"victory". However, if the outside of your hand is facing your target, you’re giving somebody a long-established insult in Great Britain and many English-speaking countries such as Australia, Ireland and New Zealand. Winston Churchill famously used the "incorrect" version of the V sign during the early years of the war, turning the outside inside later. The V sign is also considered rude in Italy.The "Corna"The corna hand gesture has most recently been adopted by fans of rock and heavy metal music. Nowadays many Americans use the gesture simply to mean "rock on", or in support of the University of Texas in Austin (known as the "Hook’em Horns"). Today it is still popular in Spain, Brazil and Slovakia (斯洛伐克) . Historically, however, the symbol possibly dates back to Ancient Greece.4. Which of the following signs doesn’t have an insulting meaning?A. The "Thumbs-Up".B. The "A-OK".C. The "Corna".D. The "V Sign".5. The pilots in World War II used to make the "Thumbs-Up"sign to show _________.A. the plane was very goodB. they were going to land on the groundC. the plane was ready to take offD. they were thankful to the ground crews6. What information can we get from the passage?A. The "V Sign" was first used by Winston Churchill.B. You are most likely to see the "Corna" in a heavy metal music concert.C. Italians often use the "Thumbs-Up" to praise others.D. The "A-OK" and the "Thumbs-Up" have the same meaning to divers.7. If you travel abroad, you ’d better not use the "V Sign" in ______________.A. Greece or ItalyB. Germany or JapanC. Spain or BrazilD. Ireland or Italy(C)Welcome to Germany’s largest theme park! In an area covering 68 hectares, visitors to Europa Park can experience the architecture, plants and culture of 12 European countries.Set in various themed areas, the popular leisure(休闲)park provides over 100 attractions and wonderful shows. Visitors can take a leisure walk through Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and Scandinavia in one afternoon!Visitors can experience the rush of our high speed roller coasters, watch various acrobatic (杂技的) shows in our international programs, get lost in the underwater world from their seat in the 4D cinema, or experience many of our spectacular attractions. You are sure to make a lasting impression on your children and family. "Atlantis Adventure"—an interactive theme ride for the whole family. Deep below the Greek Village, "Atlantis Adventure" is waiting for all brave hunters.Legend or history? Following the myth of Atlantis, visitors can get to the bottom of one of the world’s great mysteries in vehicles which can rotate 360°. Trying to reveal the myth of Atlantis, this adventure takes the visitors past extraordinary scenes with amazingly-beautiful coral reefs, sunken ships and groups of colourful fish. Be fascinated by the amazing animation (动画)and computer technology used in this fantastic ride! (Children 8 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult.)Opening Time 15th Mar. to 2nd Nov. Open from 9am to 6pm (with extended(延长的)opening hours during the peak season) 1st Dec. to 6th Jan., closed on 24th and 25th Dec. Open from 9am to 6pm8. We know from the passage that Europa Park ______.A. has buildings of many different stylesB. arranges trips to different European countriesC. is Germany’s most popular theme parkD. has only the Atlantis Adventure theme9. When visitors take the Atlantis Adventure ride, they can _________.A. go back in time to Atlantis using a special vehicleB. explore the remains of a sunken shipC. dive into the sea and swim with groups of fishD. enjoy wonderful scenery with their family10. You can go to Europa Park on ______.A. 24th Dec.B. 1st Jan.C. 30th Nov.D. 7th Mar.11. The purpose of this passage is to ______.A. introduce a newly-built theme park to the publicB. inform the publi c the theme park’s business hoursC. explain to the public what a theme park isD. persuade more people to visit the theme park(D)We’ve all met people who can make small talk effortlessly with almost anyone. But for many of us, it can be difficult. For those who aren’t so comfortable, you’ll berelaxed to know it’s a skill that you can develop. All it takes is preparation and practice.The first place to start is to realize that you need to appreciate cultural differences. To many people from English-speaking countries, Northern Europeans may seem too direct or unfriendly because they don’t make small talk. Germans don’t even have a word for it! While Americans and the British are work-oriented cultures, they do like to feel friendly with their colleagues. Often, just a few words about family or other interests are enough to put them at ease and increase the chances of a good working relationship.So, how do you do it? Well, there’s not one sure way. Of course, the question “How are you?” is an appropriate greeting or small talk starter in just about any culture. The weather is usually a safe topic in any culture. To help you make your next “small talk moment” less awkward, here are a few tips we’ve picked up from our travels and dealings with people all around the world.Northern Europeans like facts, politics and sport. In France, aloofness (冷漠) can be respected. It’s often wise t o avoid being too personal with your small talk. Southern Europeans and Latin American cultures communicate with a lot of emotion. Safe topics include family, friends and general hobbies. In India, people often communicate by asking about families or socia l matters. It’s polite to ask about plans for the weekend. Japanese don’t do handshakes, but they do exchange business cards. Silent gaps in conversation are considered polite, so don’t try to fill them. Appropriate small talk in China includes talking about your experiences in China. 12. Northern Europeans may make people from English-speaking countries think that they are NOT .A. stubbornB. honestC. friendlyD. hard-working13. It is implied in Paragraph 2 that Americans and the British make small talk at work in order to .A. know their colleagues’ familyB. know their colleagues’ interestsC. kill time when they have nothing to doD. have a good relationship with each other 14. What should you avoid doing when you are talking with a Frenchman?A. Talking about sport.B. Talking about politics.C. Showing your aloofness.D. Asking too personal questions.15. It is appropriate to talk full of emotion in .a. Latin American countries.b. Northern European countries.c. Southern European countries.d. Asian countries.A. a, cB. b, cC. c, dD. a, d(E)根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项，选项中有两项为多余选项。