崇真中学高三二轮阅读理解猜测词义专项训练A.Deputy agriculture secretary kathleen merrigan sees an epidemic (流行病) sweeping across america’s farmland. it has little to do with the usual challenges, such as flood, rising fuel prices and crop-eating insects. the country’s farmers are getting older, and there are fewer people standing in line to take their place. national agricultural census (普查) figures show that the fastest-growing group of farmers is the part over 65. merrigan is afraid the average age will be even higher when the 2012 statistics are completed.Merrigan, a former college professor, is making stops at universities across the country in hopes of encouraging more students to think about careers in agriculture. aside from trying to stop the graying of america’s farmers, her work is made tougher by a recent blog posting that put agriculture at no. 1 on a list of “useless”college degrees. top federal agriculture officials are talking about the posting, and it has the attention of agricultural organizations across the country.“there couldn’t be anything that’s more incorrect,”merrigan said. “we know that there aren’t enough qualified graduates to fill the jobs that are out there in american agriculture.”In addition, a growing world population that some experts predict will require 70% more food production by 2050, she said.“Itruly believe we’re at a golden age of agriculture. global demand is at an all-time record high, and global supplies are at all-time record lows,”said matt rush, director of the texas farm bureau. “production costs are going to be valuable enough that younger people are going to have the opportunity to be involved in agriculture.”The department of agriculture has programs aimed at developing more farmers and at increasing interest in locally grown food. the national young farmers’coalition has also been pushing for state and federal policy changes to make it easier for new farmers.Ryan best, president of future farmers of america, has been living out of a suitcase, traveling the country and visiting with high school students about careers in agriculture. the 21-year-old best hopes his message—that this is a new time in agriculture—will motivate the next generation to turn around the statistics. “never before have we had the innovations (创新) in technology which have led to agriculture in this country being the most efficient it has ever been,”he said. “there’s really a place for everybody to fit in.”1. what is the new challenge to american agriculture?a. fewer and older farmers.b. higher fuel prices.c. more natural disasters.d. lower agricultural output.2. why is merrigan visiting universities across the country?a. to draw federal agriculture officials’attention.b. to select qualified agriculture graduates.c. to clarify a recent blog posting.d. to talk more students into farming careers.3. according to matt rush, american agriculture will provide opportunities for younger people because__________a. the government will cover production costsb. global food supplies will be even lowerc. investment in agriculture will be profitabled. america will increase its food export4. what do the underlined words “to turn around the statistics”in the last paragraph mean?a. to re-analyze the result of the national census.b. to increase agricultural production.c. to bring down the average age of farmers.d. to invest more in agriculture.BPeanuts to ThisProudly reading my words, I glanced around the room, only to find my classmates bearing big smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes. Confused, I glanced toward my stone-faced teacher. Having no choice, I slowly raised the report I had slaved over, hoping to hide myself. “What could be causing everyone to act this way?”Quickly, I flashed back to the day Miss Lancelot gave me the task. This was the first real talk I received in my new school. It seemed simple: go on the Internet and find information about a man named George Washington. Since my idea of history came from an ancient teacher in my home country, I had never heard of that name before. As I searched the name of this fellow, it became evident that there were two people bearing the same name who looked completely different! One invented hundreds of uses for peanuts, while the other led some sort of army across America. I stared at the screen, wondering which one my teacher meant. I called my grandfather for a golden piece of advice; flip (掷) a coin. Heads—the commander, and tails—the peanuts guy. Ah! Tails, my report would be about the great man who invented peanut butter, George Washington Carver.Weeks later, standing before this unfriendly mass, I was totally lost. Oh well, I lowered the paper and sat down at my desk, burning to find out what I had done wrong. As a classmate began his report, it all became clear, “My report is on George Washington, the man who started the American Revolution.” The whole world became quite! How could I know that she meant that George Washington?Obviously, my grade was awful. Heartbroken but fearless, I decided to turn this around. I talked to Miss Lancelot, but she insisted: No re-dos; no new grade. I felt that the punishment was not justified, and I believed I deserved a second chance. Consequently, I threw myself heartily into my work for the rest of the school year. Ten months later, that chance unfolded as I found myself sitting in the headmaster’s office with my grandfather, now having an entirely different conversation. I smiled and flashed back to the embarrassing moment at the beginning of the year as the headmaster informed me of my option to skip the sixth grade. Justice is sweet!5. What did the author’s classmates think about his report?A. Controversial .B. Ridiculous.C. Boring.D. Puzzling.6. Why was the author confused about the task?A. He was unfamiliar with American history.B. He followed the advice and flipped a coin.C. He forgot his teacher’s instruction.D. He was new at the school.7. The underlined word “burning” in Para. 3 probably means _______.A. annoyedB. ashamedC. readyD. eager8. In the end, the author turned things around _______.A. by redoing his taskB. through his own effortsC. with the help of his grandfatherD. under the guidance of his headmasterC.One of my wonderful memories is about a Christmas gift. Unlike other gifts, it came without wrap (包装).On September 11th, 1958, Mum gave birth to Richard. After she brought him home from hospital, she put him in my lap, saying, "I promised you a gift, and here it is." What an honor! I turned four a month earlier and none of my friends had such a baby doll of their own. I playedwith it day and night. I sang to it. I told it stories. I told it over and over how much I loved it!One morning, however, I found its bed empty. My doll was gone! I cried for it. Mum wept and told me that the poor little thing had been sent to a hospital. It had a fever. For several days, I heard mum and Dad whispering such words as "hopeless", "pitiful", and "dying", which sounded ominous.Christmas was coming, "don't expect any presents this year," Dad said, pointing at the socks I hung in the living room. "If your baby brother lives, that’ll be Christmas enough." I'd never seen him cry before.The phone rang early on Christmas morning. Dad jumped out of bed to answer it. From my bedroom I heard him say, "What? He's all right?" He hung up and shouted upstairs. "The hospital said we can bring Richard home!" "Thank god!" I heard Mum cry.From the upstairs window, I watched my parents rush out to the car. I had never seen them so happy. And I was also full of joy. What a wonderful day! My baby doll would be home.I ran downstairs. My socks still hung there flat. But I knew they were not empty; they were filled with love!9. What happened to the author on September 11th, 1958 ?A. He got a baby brotherB. He got a Christmas giftC. He became four years oldD. He received a doll10. What does the underlined word "ominous" in Paragraph 3 probably mean?A. Impossible.B. BoringC. DifficultD. Fearful11. Which word can best describe the feeling of the father when Christmas was coming?A. ExcitementB. Happiness.C. Sadness.D. Disappointment.12. What is the passage mainly about?A. A sad Christmas dayB. Life with a lovely babyC. A special Christmas gift.D. Memories of a happy familyD．When Frida Kahlo’s paintings were on show in London, a poet described her paintings as “ a ribbon （丝带）around a bomb”. Such comments seem to suggest Kahlo had a big influence on the art world of her time. Sadly, she is actually a much bigger name today than she was during her time.Born in 1907 in a village near Mexico City , Kahlo suffered from polio（小儿麻痹症）at the age of seven. Her spine （脊柱）become bent as she grew older. Then, in 1925, her back was broken in several places in a school-bus accident. Throughout the rest of her life, the artist had many operations, but noting was able to cure the terrible pain in her back. However, the accident had an unexpected side effect. While lying in her bed recovering, Kahlo taught herself to paint.In 1929, she got married to Diego Rivera, another famous Mexican artist. Rivera’s strong influences on Kahlo’s style can be seen in her early works, but her later works from the 1940s, known today as her best works, show less influence from her husband.Unfortunately, her works did not attract much attention in the 1930s and1940s, even in her home country. Her first one-woman show in Mexico was not held until 1953.For more than a decade after her death in 1954, Kahlo’s works remained largely unnoticed by the world, b ut in the 1970s her works began to gain international fame at last.13. What does the phrase “a much bigger name” in paragraph 1 most nearly mean?A. a far better artistB. a for more gifted artistC. a much stronger personD. a much more famous person14. The terrible pain Kahlo suffered was caused by .A. polioB. her bent spineC. back injuriesD. the operations she had15. Kahlo’s style had become increasingly independent si nce the .A.1930sB. 1940sC. 1950sD. 1970s16. What is author’s attitude toward Kahlo?A. DevotionB. SympathyC. WorryD. EncouragementE．Big Brothers Big Sisters is based on the simplicity and power of friendship．It is a program which provides friendship and fun by matching vulnerable young people (ages 7-17) with a volunteer adult who can be both a role model and a supportive friend.V olunteer tutors come from all walks of life—married, single, with or without children. Big Brothers and Big Sisters are not replacement parents or social workers. They are tutors: someone to trust, to have fun with, to talk and go to when needed.A Big Sister and Little Sister will generally spend between one and four hours together three or four times each month for at least twelve months. They enjoy simple activities such as a picnic at a park, cooking, playing sport or going to a football match. These activities improve the friendship and help the young person develop positive self-respect, confidence and life direction. Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations exist throughout the world. It is the large and most well-known provider of tutor services internationally and has been operating for 25 years.Emily and Sarah have been matched since 2008. Emily is a 10-year-old girl who has experienced some difficulties being accepted by her schoolmates at school. “ I was pretty sure there was something w rong with me.”Emily’s mum came across Big Brothers Big Sisters and thought it would be of benefit to Emily by “providing different feedback (反馈) about herself other than just relying on schoolmates to measure her self-worth.Sarah wanted to get in volved in a volunteer program. “I googled it and found out how to be a part of it. I thought it would be fun for me to get involved in making time to do something because sometimes it is all work and no play.”Big Brothers Big Sisters has been of great benefit and enjoyment to both Emily and Sarah. They love and look forward to their time together and the partnership has certainly helped Emily be more comfortable in being the wonderful, happy and unique girl she is!17．What is the aim of Big Brothers Big Sisters?A．To offer students public services． B．To help students improve their grades．C．To organize sport activities for young people．D．To provide partnership and fun for young people．18．A volunteer is usually expected to work within a year for at least______．A．24 hours B．36 hours C．48 hours D．72 hours19．According to Emily’s mother, this program may provide Emily with______．A．advice from her teachers B．a new way to assess herselfC．a new way to judge her schoolmates D．more comments from her schoolmates 20．Why did Sarah want to get involved in the program?A．She used to be a volunteer. B．She needed a part-time job.C．She felt a bit bored with her life. D．She wanted to get a challenging job. 21．According to the passage, “vulnerable young people” are probably those who are _________. A．popular at school B．rather weak physicallyC．easily hurt emotionally D．confident in themselves答案:ADCC BADB ADCC DCBB DBBCC。