Count Me Out
Call me old-fashioned. Call me old. Call me what you want, but refuse to become part of this new Internet world.
I do not possess a computer at home or at the office. Actually, I stopped going to an office 35 years ago, when all communications were done with a pen, a typewriter, or, if the matter was of world-shaking importance, over the telephone. Likewise, if you like something advertised in a newspaper or magazine, you visited the shop selling it at the given address, or you phoned, the number shown. Then you spoke to the fellow and asked for further details.
Tell me what you think of the following ad that appeared the other day in the newspaper. It was for a cure for cancer and this is what it said: “Awareness is the key. Visit spfulford. com at the awareness site.” There was no address or telephone number for the site. So what do unfortunate people without a computer do it they are seeking a cure for their illness?
There are, I am told, certain advantages in having access to the Internet. You can, for example, send love messages across the world or even get married to someone that you meet online. This bit doesn’t interest me; I have been happily married for 60 years. There are, of course, other activities for Internet users besides finding love. They can pay bills, order groceries, or discuss with their doctors.
And this is by no means all. More amazing things are yet to come in the near future. I read a newspaper report recently that quoted Stephen Hawking, an important British scientist. “The complexity of a computer as it exists today is probably less than the brain of an earthworm,” he said. “But, as technology advances, computers will become more complex, and a time may come when the Internet may develop ‘consciousness.’ In other words, the Internet will be able to think, have feelings, and may well be able to act on its own.”
If Professor Hawking is right, I may change my attitude about conjurers. As I grow older each day, I would like one of those that not only thinks for me but also accepts responsibilities for all my mistakes.
小題1:What’s the meaning of the title “Count Me Out”?
A．Get me out of the Internet world.
B．Computers are trying to take control of life.
C．Modern technology pushes old people away.
D．Do not expect me to be a supporter of the Internet.
小題2:According to Paragraph 2, the author thinks computers are         .
A．unnecessaryB．convenientC．expensiveD．a(chǎn)dvanced
小題3:What might the author like about the future computer?
A．Taking blames.B．Curing illnesses.
C．Delivering messages.D．Responding to emotions.
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相關(guān)習(xí)題

科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：完形填空

When William, a 10-year-old boy planned to learn the piano, the music teacher was reluctant （不愿意）to accept him. She   31  her students to start their music lessons at a young age when their   32  were able to move quickly and easily.
“William, why do you want to learn the piano?” the teacher asked.
“I want to play for my mother.”
She noticed the   33  in his eyes as he answered her. She had no heart to   34  and accepted William as her student. But at each music lesson, William appeared to be in a hurry and played   35  “My mother is waiting outside for me,” he would tell the teacher. She was tempted to advise William not to   36  his time with lessons anymore as he   37  hit the right notes.  38  there was something about William — - she was fascinated with the tender look in his eyes   39  he mentioned “Mother”.
Suddenly, William stopped coming for his lessons. At the end of the semester year, the music teacher decided to   40  a piano recital (獨(dú)奏會) for her students and she asked them to participate.
She was   41  to find William’s application to contribute a musical piece. She would place him last in the recital   42  he made mistakes.
The day came and William appeared.  43  it was his turn to play, William bowed before the audience and said he was thankful for the music teacher’s   44  with him. “Tonight I am dedicating (獻(xiàn))my music to my mother.” he said.
Everyone later asked why William did not bring his mother as she would   45  be proud. William replied, “My mother was   46  and she could never  47  me play during her life time.   48   she sacrificed her time and money to let me learn the piano. This morning Mother passed away. I am sure she is now  49  as she can hear my piano recital. I chose a piece of piano music by Beethoven. As you all know, Beethoven was deaf by the end of his career. But music always symbolized his   50  for freedom and I would like to dedicate it to Mother.”
小題1:.
A．hoped B．persuaded C．a(chǎn)llowed D．preferred
小題2:.
A．fingers B．brains C．eyes D．a(chǎn)rms
小題3:.
A．surprise B．joys C．tears D．disappointment
小題4:.  
A．put him downB．turn him down C．put him off D．turn him off
小題5:.  
A．badly B．nicelyC．carefully D．patiently
小題6:.  
A．passB．take C．kill D．waste
小題7:.  
A．ever B．never C．even D．a(chǎn)lways
小題8:.  
A．Instead B．Therefore C．Then D．But
小題9:.  
A．a(chǎn)t one time B．from time to time C．each timeD．the first time
小題10:.  
A．support B．take C．intend D．organize
小題11:.  
A．delighted B．surprised C．curious D．a(chǎn)ngry
小題12:.  
A．a(chǎn)s far as B．if only C．in case D．now that
小題13:.  
A．Until B．Since C．While D．When
小題14:.  
A．patience B．a(chǎn)dvice C．guide D．concern
小題15:.  
A．surely B．gradually C．finally D．quickly
小題16:.  
A．blind B．deaf C．illD．wounded
小題17:.  
A．watch B．a(chǎn)ppreciate C．teach D．hear
小題18:.  
A．Besides B．Then C．Yet D．Otherwise
小題19:.  
A．happy B．relaxed C．free D．sad
小題20:.  
A．effortB．struggleC．beliefD．challenge

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：完形填空

Chuck was one of my students in my high school English class. He was a writer of great 21. So, when he was accepted into the journalism program at the University of Missouri, I wasn’t 22.
During his first year at college, Chuck would stopp by the school a few times to keep me informed of his 23. We recalled（回憶）that we had worked together several years before to 24 money for some sick African babies who were being cared for by a nurse friend of mine in Thailand, a place far away yet close to our 25. Chuck raised several thousand dollars. It was an activity that 26 our common relationship into a friendship.
In his second year at college, it was discovered that Chuck had lung cancer and had only a short while to 27. I went to see him one day. Seeing me, he was filled with 28 and we talked and laughed for most of the afternoon.
About six weeks later, Chuck died. It was a great 29 for everyone, especially for his family. Chuck was 30 and full of promise. More  31, he was a good person, a just person.
When I went to his funeral（葬禮）, his father told me that several weeks before, Chuck had asked him to 32 his possessions with him so that he might select a few things to be buried together with him . Chuck 33 six items, including an essay(論文) he had written.
He told me that Chuck liked the 34 I had written to him at the bottom of the last page. In that little note, I affirmed(證實(shí)) his talent as a 35.
I was grateful for the 36 gift Chuck gave me that day. His taking my note with him offered me a great opportunity to 37 students’ lives. I felt a sense of purpose that was greater than ever. Whenever I 38 my purpose in teaching, I think of Chuck, and I am reminded of it once again: 39 have the power to affect hearts and 40 for a long time.
小題1:.
A．use B．talentC．heightD．a(chǎn)ssistance
小題2:.
A．disappointed B．a(chǎn)mused C．excited D．surprised
小題3:.
A．secret B．schoolC．progress D．family
小題4:
A．raise B．borrow C．spend D．save
小題5:.
A．college B．hearts C．village D．friends
小題6:.
A．transformed B．divided C．put D．devoted
小題7:.
A．spare B．a(chǎn)ct C．live D．sleep
小題8:.
A．worry B．joy C．pain D．tears
小題9:.
A．honor B．comfort C．day D．loss
小題10:
A．fortunate B．serious C．talented D．unsatisfied
小題11:.
A．importantlyB．seriouslyC．usually D．sincerely
小題12:.
A．go over B．take over C．give away D．threw away
小題13:.
A．a(chǎn)dded B．bought C．examined D．chose
小題14:.
A．story B．letter C．joke D．message
小題15:.
A．writer B．teacher C．doctor D．comedian
小題16:.
A．excellent B．practical C．specialD．expensive
小題17:.
A．believe B．draw C．know D．influence
小題18:
A．remember B．forget C．change D．a(chǎn)chieve
小題19:.
A．Parents B．Teachers C．Students D．Strangers
小題20:.
A．health B．a(chǎn)ppearance C．a(chǎn)ccents D．minds

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：完形填空

My father was in the navy, which meant that my mother was married to both my father and the sea．As was often the case, we had to pack our belongings into boxes and 31 those we had grown to love．We would arrive at our new home and find ourselves once again  32  at the pier （碼頭） waving good-bye to my father as his  33  pulled him away from us．My mother would turn my brother and I around before the ship was out of  34 , wipe our tears, and take us back home to start the process of  35  in the new environment again．
Throughout the years of changing  36 , schools and friends, there remained one constant in my childhood — my mother．For both my  37  and I, she was the cook, maid and teacher．She played these roles while  38  some type of part-time job．Leaving a promising career is just one of the  39  which my mother made for my family as we moved around the world with our father every three years or so． 40  she had to deal with only a small budget, my mother,  41 , managed to make each house to be the very home that is safe and  42 ．
This probably sounds like a depressing way to live,  43  with two small children: “single” parenthood, short-term friendships, and the inability （無能） to  44  a career or establish a home．But it was not for my mother．She turned this  45  into adventure for us all! Each relocation （變換位置） was a chance to  46  another part of the world．My mother greeted each new culture, climate and neighborhood．Each new house was a  47  to rearrange furniture, make curtains and  48  pictures．Every part-time job was an opportunity to learn something new and work with interesting people．
No matter how difficult the life was, she was always having a  49  attitude．She always had strength in the face of struggle and change．My mother was so  50  all those years during my childhood — she was my island in a sea of change．She is my hero．
小題1:．
A．leave behindB．leave outC．leave offD．leave for
小題2:．
A．living B．staringC．standingD．going
小題3:．
A．carB．shipC．trainD．plane
小題4:．
A．rangeB．shapeC．sightD．control
小題5:．
A．a(chǎn)daptingB．suitingC．matchingD．fitting
小題6:．
A．namesB．jobsC．a(chǎn)ddressesD．directions
小題7:．
A．fatherB．classmatesC．brotherD．relatives
小題8:．
A．performingB．seekingC．waitingD．a(chǎn)pplying
小題9:．
A．programsB．sacrificesC．contributionD．cooperation
小題10:．
A．OnceB．WhileC．WhenD．Unless
小題11:．
A．somewhereB．somewhatC．sometimeD．somehow
小題12:．
A．romanticB．comfortableC．mysteriousD．wealthy
小題13:．
A．generallyB．a(chǎn)ctuallyC．especiallyD．unfairly
小題14:．
A．desertB．developC．a(chǎn)ffectD．limit
小題15:．
A．lifestyleB．valueC．journeyD．opportunity
小題16:．
A．a(chǎn)cquireB．exploreC．occupyD．realize
小題17:．
A．loadB．sadnessC．resultD．challenge
小題18:．
A．hangB．drawC．takeD．sell
小題19:．
A．changeableB．cautiousC．positiveD．negative
小題20:．
A．experienceB．braveC．ordinaryD．a(chǎn)nnoyed

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

Hana al—Shaibani was born on August 27, 1942．She was the only girl in her family, having two older and two younger brothers．Her father, a politician and journalist, loved her and played a large role in shaping the woman she grew up to be．
In 1956, Iraq's Baath party started to grow in popularity．Its slogans declaring liberty, Arab socialism and unity attracted the younger generation, including Hana．Although she was only 14 years old, she turned member of the party-receiving her education with her political activities．During her university years, she worked for the Baath party during the day and attended classes in the evening．
In 1958, following the overthrow of Iraq's monarchy （君主政治） , Hana rose through the ranks and was chosen to lead the party's female members．She was just 16．Two years later, she was selected as one of three representatives of the Iraqi Baath party to attend the Arab National Baath Party Conference, held that year in Beirut．Still just a teenager, she had already achieved more than most women from her region could ever imagine．
As was known to everyone, she was determined and fearless．One of the most memorable family stories tells of the time in 1959 when she left the house to join an organization against the rule of the then prime minister, Abdel Karim Qassim．The atmosphere was tense and a number of the organisers would later be killed．But Hana was determined to attend．
Sensing trouble, she hid the gun and carried beneath her skirt as she walked down the stairs．Her father begged with her not to go．He explained that as a patriot he understood her sense of duty, but added that his love for her went beyond all else．Hana replied; "Papa, you were once a patriotic man and when you were called upon to fight, you did．Please understand, so that I may go with your blessing rather than without．" Her father could not stop her．
小題1:．The passage mainly talks about __    __．
A．the life of Hana al-Shaibani       
B．the achievement of Hana al-Shaibani
D．the sufferings Hana al-Shaibani has received
D．Hana al-Shaibani and her father
小題2:．When Hana al-Shaibani joined the Baath party, __    __．
A．she had to abandon her studies
B．she became popular with the people
C．she attracted the younger generation
D．she was then only a student
小題3:．From the third paragraph we can know that _     ___．
A．Hana stood up tor Iraq's monarchy totally
B．Hana was strongly against the old government
C．Hana defeated more women older than her
D．Hana was made Chairwoman of the party
小題4:．The passage is developed in the order of ___     _．
A．placeB．progressC．timeD．space

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

Peggy Hilt wanted to be a good mother. But day after day, she got out of bed feeling like a failure. No matter what she tried, she couldn’t connect with Nina, the 2-year -old girl she’d adopted from Russia as an infant （幼兒). The preschooler （學(xué)齡前兒童）pulled away whenever Hilt tried to hug or kiss her. Nina was physically aggressive with her 4-year-old sister, who had been adopted from Ukraine, and had violent tantrums（發(fā)脾氣). Whenever Hilt wasn’t watching, she destroyed the family’s furniture and possessions. “Every day with Nina had become a struggle,” she recalls now.
As the girl grew older, things got worse. Hilt fell into a deep depression. She started drinking heavily, something she’d never done before. Ashamed, she hid her problem from everyone, including her husband.
On the morning of July 1, 2005, Hilt was packing for a family vocation, all the while swallowing one beer after another and growing increasingly angry and impatient with Nina’s deeds. “Everything she did just got to me,” Hilt said. When Hilt caught her reaching into her diaper（尿布）and smearing feces（糞便）on the walls and furniture, “a year and a half of frustration came to a head,” Hilt says. “I snapped（崩潰). I felt this uncontrollable rage.”
Then Hilt did something unthinkable. She grabbed Nina around the neck, shook her and then dropped her to the floor, where she kicked her repeatedly before dragging her up to her room, punching her as they went. “I had never hit a child before,” she says. “I felt horrible and promised myself that this would never happen again.” But it was too late for that. Nina woke up with a fever, and then started throwing up. The next day she stopped breathing. By the time the ambulance got the child to the hospital, she was dead.
Hilt is now serving a 19-year sentence for second-degree murder in a Virginia prison. She and her husband divorced, and he is raising their other daughter. She realizes the horror of her crime and says she isn’t looking for sympathy. “There is no punishment severe enough for what I did,” she told NEWSWEEK in an interview at the prison.
小題1: This story mainly tells us __________.
A．a(chǎn) cruel mother who killed her daughter
B．a(chǎn) social problem of adoption
C．a(chǎn) family problem in Western countries
D．a(chǎn)n unlucky child’s fortune
小題2:How did Hilt let out her depression at the beginning?
A．By hitting her adopted girl.
B．By showing her more love.
C．By drinking heavily.
D．By hugging and kissing her.
小題3: What does the underlined sentence in Para.4 mean?
A．It was too late to hit the girl in order to make her good.
B．It was too late to save the girl’s life.
C．It was too late to regret hitting the girl.
D．It was too late to regret adopting the girl.
小題4:“NEWSWEEK” in the last sentence of this text refers to a __________.
A．magazineB．journalistC．bookD．policeman
小題5: Why do some adoptions go so wrong？
A．It’s the kid’s fault.B．It’s the mother’s fault.
C．It’s the fault of the society.D．The writer doesn’t mention the reason.

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

O. Henry was a pen name used by an American writer of short stories. His real name was William Sydney Porter. He was born in North Carolina in 1862. As a young boy he lived an exciting life. He did not go to school for very long, but he managed to teach himself everything he needed to know. When he was about 20 years old, O. Henry went to Texas, where he tried different jobs. He first worked on a newspaper, and then had a job in a bank. When some money went missing from the bank, O. Henry was believed to have stolen it. Because of that, he was sent to prison. During the three years in prison, he learned to write short stories. After he got out of prison, he went to New York and continued writing. He wrote mostly about New York and the life of the poor there. People liked his stories, because simple as the tales were, they would finish with a sudden change at the end, to the readers’ surprise.
小題1:   In which order did O. Henry do the following things?
a. Lived in New York.
b. Worked in a bank.
c. Traveled to Texas.
d. Was put in prison.
e. Had a newspaper job.
f. Learned to write stories.
A．e, c, f, b, d, aB．c, b, e, d, a, f
C．e, b, d, c, a, fD．c, e, b, d, f, a
小題2:People enjoyed reading O. Henry’s stories because _____.
A．they had surprise endingsB．they were easy to understand
C．they showed his love for the poorD．they were about New York City
小題3:What do we know about O. Henry before he began writing?
A．He was well-educated.
B．He was very good at learning.
C．He was devoted to the poor.
D．He was not serious about his work.
小題4:   Where did O. Henry get most material for his short stories?
A．His life inside the prison.B．The newspaper articles he wrote.
C．The city and people of New York.D．His exciting early life as a boy.

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

A TAXI driver taught me a million dollar lesson in customer satisfaction and expectation. Inspiring speakers charge thousands of dollars to give his kind of training to corporate directors and staff.  It cost me only a ＄12 taxi ride.
I had flown into Dallas just for the purpose of calling on a client. Time was important and my plan included a quick turn – around trip from and back to the airport. A clean taxi pulled up.
The driver rushed to open the passenger door for me and made sure I was comfortably seated before he closed the door. As be got in the driver’s seat, he mentioned that the neatly folded Wall Street Journal next to me for my use. He then showed me several tapes and asked me what type of music I would enjoy.
Well! I looked around for a “Candid Camera!” Wouldn’t you? I could not believe the service I was receiving! I took the opportunity to say, “Obviously you take great pride in you work. You must have a story to tell.”
“You bet,” he replied, “I used to be in Corporate America. But I got tired of thinking my best would never be good enough. I decided to find my right position in life, somewhere I could feel proud of being the best I could be.
I knew I would never be a rocket scientist, but I love driving cars, being of service and feeling like I have done a full day’s work and done it well. I evaluated my personal property and, I became a taxi driver!
One thing I know for sure, to be good in my business I jus have to meet the expectations of my passengers. But, to be GREAT in my business, I have to EXEED the customer’s expectations! I like the sound of being ‘great’ better than just being ‘a(chǎn)verage’. ”
Did I tip him big time? You bet!
The taxi driver taught me a great life lesson: Go an extra mile when providing any service to others. And there is no good or bad job you can make any job good.
小題1:What lesson did the author learn from the taxi driver?
A．How to make the best use of time.
B．How to do better in the service business.
C．How to turn an interest into your career.
D．How to become a motivational speaker.
小題2:Why did the author look around for a “Candid Camera”?
A．Because he was afraid he would be photographed in the cab.
B．Because he was worried what the driver could be up to.
C．Because he was amazed by the way the driver was treating him.
D．Because he wasn’t interested in the tapes offered by the driver
小題3:It can be inferred from the story that          .
A．the taxi driver couldn’t accept just being average
B．the author was anxious to get back to meet a client
C．when the author waited for a taxi at the airport, he was not in a rush
D．the taxi driver loved to play his favorite music during rides
小題4:According to the story, the taxi driver        .
A．was dissatisfied wit his present job
B．was once often rewarded for being a model worker
C．enjoyed offering his customers more than they expected
D．was forced to become a taxi driver to support his family

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

It was Sunday. I had one last patient to see. I approached her room in a hurry and stood at the doorway. She was an old woman, sitting at the edge of the bed, struggling to put socks on her swollen(腫脹的)feet. I entered, spoke quickly to the nurse and examined her chart. She was getting better.
I looked down at her. She asked if I could help put on her socks. Instead, I said something like this:“ How are you feeling? Your sugars and blood pressure were high but they’re better today. The nurse mentioned you were anxious to see your son who’s visiting you today. I bet you really look forward to seeing him.”
She stopped me with a serious voice, as if she was giving an order. “ Sit down，Doctor．This is my story，not your story. ”
I was surprised and embarrassed. I sat down. I helped her with the socks. She began to tell me that her only son lived around the corner from her, but she had not seen him in five years. She believed that her health problems really had something to do with it. After hearing her story and putting on her socks, I asked if there was anything else I could do for her. She shook her head and smiled. All she wanted me to do was to listen．
Later on, I often thought of what that woman taught me. Everyone has a story and each story is different. Some have a beginning, middle and end. Others wander without a clear conclusion. Yet all those things do not really matter. What matters to the storyteller is that the story is heard—without interruption or judgment．
小題1: The writer went to visit the older woman to    .
A．1isten to her storyB．tell her good news
C．help her put on her socksD．see if she was getting better
小題2:What problem did the old woman have?
A．She ate too much sugar．
B．She had high blood pressure．
C．She had too many visits.
D．She liked telling others stories．
小題3:The underlined word “it” in Paragraph 4 refers to the older woman’s    .
A．not having seen her son for longB．having no one to look after her
C．serious voice when giving ordersD．struggling to put socks on her feet
小題4:What does the story mainly tell us?
A．Everyone should learn to listen to others.
B．Children had better stay with their parents．
C．We all have a story and each one is different.
D．Older women are good at telling their stories.

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