CANYOUIMAGINEHOWHARDITWOULDBETOREADSENTENCESLIKETHIS? The ancient Greeks wrote this way. The lack of punctuation marks(標點符號) probably didn’t bother good readers, though. As they read, they just put pauses where they fit best. Also at this time, sentences switched directions. A sentence read from left to right. The next one read right to left, and then left to right again, etc.
The ancient Romans sometimes punctuated like this: They·put·a·point·between·each·word·in·a·sentence. The word punctuation actually comes from this idea and the Latin word punctum, which means a prick(刺).
When the 5th century arrived, there were just two punctuation marks: spaces and points. The space separated words and while the points showed pauses in reading. Then in the 13th century, a printer named Aldus Manutius tried to standardize punctuation. He always used a period for a complete stop at the end of a sentence. He used a slash (/) to indicate a short pause. Over time, that slash was shortened and curled, and it became the modern comma.
Since that time, other marks have enlarged the punctuation family. The exclamation mark comes form the Latin word xt. It was originally formed by putting an upper-case(大寫字母) I on the lower-case xt. The Latin word xt means “exclamation of joy.” The question mark originally started out as the Latin word question, meaning question. Eventually, scholars put it at the end of a sentence to show a question. Over time, it became a symbol formed by putting a lower-case q on an o.
Punctuation is still changing today. New marks are coming into existence, and old punctuation marks are used in new ways. Take for example, the “interrobang.” This 1962 invention combines the question mark and exclamation mark for times when writers want both. For example, “She did what?” or “How much did you pay for that dress?” Obviously, the interrobang is not widely used or recognized – yet. But its invention shows that English is not yet finished with its punctuation.
小題1:Which of the following is a comma?
A．, B．:C． ;D．!
小題2:What’s the first paragraph mainly about?
A．The history of punctuation.
B．The introduction of punctuation.
C．The very beginning of punctuation.
D．The ancient Greek way of writing without punctuation.
小題3:Please put the following events in the order they happened.
a. The exclamation mark and question mark came into the punctuation family.
b. Comma came into existence.
c. Romans put a dot between words to separate words.
d. A period was used to end a sentence.
e. The “interrobang” was invented.
A．cbdaeB．dcbaeC．dbceaD．cdbae
小題4:What is the most possible situation for “She did what?”?
A．You are told she gave her baby boy a good beat.
B．You are wondering what she did to save the poor boy.
C．You want to know what she did for a living after fleeing to a foreign country.
D．You demand someone else tell you what in the world happened to her.
小題5: According to the article, we learn ________.
A．punctuation didn’t come into being until the 5th century.
B．no one can really tell what new marks we may have in the future.
C．the invention of “interrobang” is a failure since it is not widely used.
D．both the exclamation mark and the question mark come from Greek words.

小題1:A
小題2:D
小題3:D
小題4:A
小題5:B
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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

At present time, roller skating (滑旱冰) is easy and fun. But many years ago, it wasn’t easy at all. Before 1750, people never tried skating on wheels. That changed because of a man named Joseph Merlin. Merlin’s work was making instruments (工具). In his free time he liked to play the violin. Merlin was a man with many ideas and many dreams. People called him a dreamer.
One day Merlin received an invitation to go to an important party. He was very pleased and a little excited. As the day of the party came near, Merlin began to think. He wanted to find a way to make a wonderful entrance at the party. Merlin had an idea. He thought that he would attract a lot of attention if he could skate into the room.
Merlin tried different ways to make himself roll (滾動). Finally, he decided to put two wheels under each shoe. These were the first roller skate shoes. Merlin was very proud of them. He dreamed of arriving at the party and skating into the room while playing the violin. He was sure that everyone would be very surprised.
On the night of the party Merlin rolled into the room, playing his violin. Everyone was really surprised to see him. There was just one problem. Merlin had no way to stop his roller skating. He rolled on, playing the violin. Then, with all eyes on him, Merlin hit into a huge mirror on the wall. The mirror broke into many pieces with a very loud noise.
Nobody forgot Merlin’s wonderful entrance after that.
小題1:The first paragraph tells us that people began to skate on wheels from 1750 because _______.
A．it is very easy
B．it is very exciting
C．Joseph Merlin’s instruments
D．it is very popular
小題2:People called Merlin a dreamer because ___________.         .
A．he slept and dreamed a lot
B．he was full of different ideas and dreams
C．he invented the first roller skates
D．he always made people’s dreams come true
小題3:___________ made Merlin think of skating on wheels.
A．Merlin’s workB．Merlin’s violin
C．A huge mirrorD．An important party
小題4:What was Merlin’s problem after he rolled into the room?
A．He couldn’t stop his roller-skating.
B．He couldn’t attract a lot of attention.
C．Everyone was surprised at him.
D．He couldn’t play the violin while rolling.
小題5:What’s the best title for the passage?
A．Joseph Merlin’s Story
B．How Roller Skating Was Invented
C．A Surprising Entrance to the Party
D．Violin and roller skating

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

The flag, the most common symbol(象征) of a nation in the modern world, is also one of the most ancient. With a clear symbolic meaning, the flag in the traditional form is still used today to mark buildings, ships and other vehicles related to a country.
The national flag as we know it today is in no way a primitive(原始的)artifact. It is, rather, the product of thousands of years' development. Historians believe that it had two major ancestors, of which the earlier served to show wind direction.
Early human beings used very fragile houses and boats. Often strong winds would tear roofs from houses or cause high waves that endangered travelers .People's food supplies were similarly vulnerable. Even after they had learned how to plant grains, they still needed help from nature to ensure good harvests. Therefore they feared and depended on the power of the wind, which could bring warmth from one direction and cold from another.
Using a simple piece of cloth tied to the top of a post to tell the direction of the wind was more dependable than earlier methods, such as watching the rising of smoke from a fire. The connection of the flag with heavenly power was therefore reasonable. Early human societies began to fix long pieces of cloth to the tops of totems(圖騰) before carrying them into battle. They believed that the power of the wind would be added to the good wishes of the gods and ancestors represented by the totems themselves.
These flags developed very slowly into modern flags. The first known flag of a nation or a ruler was unmarked: The king of China around 1000 B.C. was known to have a white flag carried ahead of him. This practice might have been learned from Egyptians even further in the past, but it was from China that it spread over trade routes through India, then across Arab lands, and finally to Europe ,where it met up with the other ancestor of the national flag.
小題1:The best title for the passage would be______.
A．Power of the National FlagB．Uses of Flag
C．Types of FlagsD．Development of the National Flag
小題2:The underlined word “vulnerable” in Paragraph 3 means_____
A．impossible to make sure ofB．difficult to find
C．likely to be protectedD．easy to damage
小題3: The earliest flags were connected with heavenly power because______
A．they were believed to stand for natural forces
B．they could bring good luck to fighters
C．they were handed down by the ancestors
D．they could tell wind direction
小題4:What does the author know of the first national flag?
A．He thinks it came fromB．He believes it was made in Egypt
C．He doubts where it started.D．He knows when it was sent to Europe
小題5: What was the author most probably talk about next?
A．The role of China in the spread of the national flag.
B．The second ancestor of the national flag.
C．The use of modern flags in Europe
D．The importance of modern flags

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

In this voyage I visited my new colony on the island, saw the Spaniards(西班牙人), had the whole story of their lives and of the villains(罪犯) I left there; how at first they treated the poor Spaniards badly,·how they afterwards agreed, disagreed, unired, separated, and how at last the Spaniards were forced to use violence with them; how they gave in to the spaniards, how honestly the Spaniards used them ---- a history, if it were entered into, as full of variety and wonderful accidents as my own part ---- particularly, also, as to their battles with the Caribbeans, who landed several times upon the Island, and as to the improvement they made upon the Island itself, and how five of them made an attempt upon the main land, and brought away eleven men and five women prisoners, by which, at my coming, I found about twenty young children on the Island.
Here I stayed bout 20 days, left them supplies of all necessary things, and particularly of arms, powder, shot, cloths, tools, and two workmen, which I brought from England with me, namely a carpenter and a smith.
Besides this, I shared the Island into parts with them, reserved to myself the property of whole  but gave them such parts resoeetively as they agreed on; and having settled all things with them and encouraged them not to leave the place, I left them there.
From then on I landed the Brazils, from where I sent a bark, which I bought there, with more people to the island; and in it, besides other supplies, I sent seven women, being such persons as I found proper for service, or for wives to such as would take them. As to the Englishmen, I promised them to send them some women from England, with a good cargo(船貨) of necessaries, if they would apply themselves to planting ---- which I afterwards could not perform. And the fellows proved very honest and diligent after they were mastered and had their properties set apart for them. I sent them also from the Brazils five cows, three of them being big with calf, some sheep, and some pigs, which when I came again were considerably increased.
But all these things, with an account how 300 Caribbeans came and invaded(入侵) them, and ruined their plantations, and how they fought with that whole number twice, and were at first defeated, and one of them killed; but at last a storm destroying most of their enemies’ boats, they destroyed almost all the rest, and renewed and recovered the possession of their plantation, and still lived upon the Island.
All these things, with some very surprising incidents in some new adventures of my own,  for ten years more, I may perhaps give a further account of the story.
小題1:From Paragraph l, we know _______ .
A．the Spaniards were always getting along well with the villains
B．the Spaniards were always the rulers of the island
C．the Spaniards and the villains both ruled the island peacefully
D．the Spaniards and the villains once had battles witll each other
小題2:In Paragraph 2, the place where I stayed was probably ________.
A．a(chǎn) wild islandB．a(chǎn) deserted downtown
C．a(chǎn) primitive supermarketD．a(chǎn) new city
小題3:The underlined word “respectively” in the third paragraph probably means ______ .
A．separatelyB．particularlyC．specially D．surprisingly
小題4:The writer of the story once went to _______.
A．Japan and BrazilB．England and Brazil
C．France and Spain D．Korea and Caribbean
小題5:From the story, we can judge the Writer might be _______ .
A．a(chǎn)n invaderB．a(chǎn) carpenterC．a(chǎn)n adventurer D．a(chǎn) prisoner

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

The history of nomenclature (命名) in Britain is so old that no one knows the beginning of the story. Since written history began， people have had names. It is therefore impossible to do more than guess at how the earliest given names were chosen. Most names appear to have had some sort of original meaning， usually descriptive， rather than being simply a pleasing collection of sounds.
These descriptive names developed both from nouns and adjectives. The Irish Gaelic people  used descriptive nouns and adjectives which were meaningful. Early in prehistory some descriptive names began to be used again and again until they formed a name pool for that particular culture. Parents would choose names from the pool of existing names rather than invent new ones for their children.
With the rise of Christianity (基督教)， Christians were encouraged to name their children after the holy people of the church. These early Christian names can be found in many cultures today， in various forms. The pool of names in use in England changed basically after the Norman came in 1066. Then French names of Germanic origin became popular within three generations. As a result names like Emma， Matilda， Richard， and William， became common in English nomenclature. At the same time a few Old English names， like Edward and Alfred remained because they were names of holy people or kings； others were kept because they were used with slight changes by Germanic names from the Normans like Robert.
Surnames developed from bynames， which are additional ones used to differentiate people with the same given name.  These bynames fall into particular patterns.  These started out as specific  to a person and were taken down from father to son between the twelfth and sixteenth century. The noble usually used taken-down surnames early or the peasants did so later.
小題1:We can infer from the text that　　　　.
A．the first given names had not any actual meanings
B．people probably had names when there was no written language
C．the history of nomenclature is shorter than written history
D．names began to be used long after there was written language
小題2: The underlined word “they” (in Para.3) refers to “　　　　”.
A．Old English namesB．other names
C．names of Germanic originD．names of holy people
小題3:According to the text， which of the following statements is TRUE？
A．Robert is a Germanic name from the Normans.
B．Church didn’t encourage nomenclature used in the church.
C．Names like Emma and William were the most popular in 1066.
D．Names like Edward and Alfred were French names of Germanic origin.
小題4: Give the right order of surname development in history.
(a)People used bynames to differ people with the same given names.
(b)People chose given names from the pool of existing names.
(c)Bynames started out as specific to a person.
(d)Surnames became popular with common people.
(e)Surnames were taken down from father to son in noble families.
A．b-a-e-c-dB．a(chǎn)-b-c-d-eC．a(chǎn)-b-c-e-dD．b-a-c-e-d
小題5: Which group of words can best describe the development of British nomenclature？
A．Additional， Particular and Various
B．Meaningful， Christian and Foreign
C．Descriptive， Meaningful and Germanic
D．Old English-styled， Christian and Original

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

As far back as 700 B. C, man has talked about children being cared for by wolves. Romulus and Remus, the legendary（傳說的）twin founders of Rome, were said to have been cared for by wolves. It is believed that when a she-wolf loses her litter, she tries to get human child to take its place. This seemingly foolish and unreasonable idea did not become believable until the late nineteenth century when a French doctor actually found a ten-year-old boy having nothing on wandering in the woods. He didn’t walk upright, could not speak understandably, nor could he relate to people. He only growled（嗥叫）and stared at them. Finally the doctor won the boy’s confidence and began to work with him. After many long years of devoted and patient teaching, the doctor was able to get the boy to clothe and feed himself, recognize and say a number of words, as well as write letters and form words.
小題1:The French doctor found the boy ________.
　　A. wandering in the woods 　　　B at his doorstep
　　C. growling at him 　　　　　　 D. speaking understandably
小題2:In this passage, the word “l(fā)itter” in line 3 most nearly means ________.
A．garbageB．masterC．hairD．baby animals
小題3:The doctor was able to work with the boy because ________.
A．the boy had never lost his mindB．the boy trusted him
C．the boy liked to dress upD．the boy worked very hard
小題4:Which of the following statements is not true?
A．She-Wolves have been said to replace human children for their lost litter.
B．Examples of wolves caring for human children can be found only in the nineteenth century.
C．The French doctor succeeded in training the boy to enjoy the human life somewhat.
D．The young boy never was able to speak perfectly.
小題5:In this passage, the word “relate to” most nearly means ________.
A．tellB．understandC．listen toD．write to

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

On December 8, 1980, John Lennon –an English musician who rose to fame as one of the founding members of Liverpool pop band The Beatles – was shot dead outside his New York apartment.
In the 1960s and 70s, Lennon was one of the most iconic（偶像的）men on the planet. Some 30 years ago on from his death, he is still respected by many people in the West.
The Beatles, formed in 1960 in Liverpool, were one of the most commercial successful acts on the history of pop music, with, according to some estimates, global record sales over 1.1 billion.
The band conveyed the progressive ideals in which many young people of the time believed.
In the 1960s and 70s, widespread tension developed in both British and American society, regarding issues such as women’s rights and the Vietnam War.
Lennon in particular became known for his message of peace and for his opposition to the war in Vietnam. This led to an attempt by former US president Richard Nixon to drive him away from the US. Lennon’s second-wife Yoko Ono was also politically active.
Lennon was also hugely admired for his musical abilities. Along with fellow-Beatle Paul, Lennon and McCartney were the Beatle’s song-writing team.
After Lennon was shot by crazy fan Mark Chapman，one of his most iconic songs, Imagine, became a humanist anthem(頌歌).
Lennon’s legacy survived his death and continued till this day. In 2008, he was ranked the fifth greater singer of all time in US-based Rolling Stone magazine.
Former possessions of Lennon or furnishings from his homes continue to be sold for vast sums.
In an auction(拍賣) to be held next week in London, lines written by Lennon on the back of a demand for an outstanding bill are expected to sell for ￡350,000(3.7 million yuan).
In August, a bathroom from his last home in Britain, was auctioned for ￡9,500. And in 2009, a British film describing his early years before the Beatles began, was one of the most successful films of the years in the UK.
But do Lennon and his music continue to resonate(共鳴) with the young people of today?
小題1: The passage is written here to show that Lennon has _______.
A．lasting appealB．long historyC．exciting recordsD．great success
小題2:Which of the following is right about the Beatles according to the passage?
A．It was founded in the 1960s in London.
B．It had 1.1 billion sales in Britain.
C．It was commercially successful.
D．Many of today’s young people believe its ideals.
小題3:Lennon was forced to leave the US as a result of ________.
A．the tension between Britain and AmericaB．his wife’s political activity
C．his struggle for women’s rights D．his opposition to the war in Vietnam
小題4:We can guess that the rest of the passage will tell us ________.
A．why Lennon and his music are still popular with today’s young people
B．why Lennon and his music spoil today’s generations of young people
C．that today’s generations of young people don’t like Lennon’s songs
D．that today’s generations of young people like Lennon’s songs better

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解


三．閱讀理解：（20×2.5=50分）
People have smoked cigarettes for a long time. The tobacco used to make cigarettes was grown in what is now part of the United States. Christopher Columbus, who discovered America, saw the Indians smoking, and soon the dried leaves were transported to Europe where smoking began to catch on. In the late 1800s, the Turk(土耳其人) made cigarettes even popular.
Cigarettes smoke contains at least two harmful substances, tar and nicotine. Tar, which forms as the tobacco burns, damages the lungs and therefore affects breathing. Nicotine, which is found in the leaves, causes the heart to beat faster and increases breathing rate.
Smoking cigarettes is dangerous. The U.S. Public Health Service stated that cigarette smoking is the cause of lung cancers and several other deadly diseases. The U.S. government now requires that each package of cigarettes bear（帶有）a special warning about the danger of smoking.
1. The expression “catch on” in the passage may mean _________.
A. start           B. cost a lot         C. become popular            D. dangerous
2. Before Columbus discovered America __________.
A. Europeans had smoked              B. Nobody smoked in the world
C. Nicotine was not in tobacco            D. Europeans had never smoked
3. In the nineteenth century smoking became popular because of the people in ________.
A. India  B. Turkey       C. the U.S.     D. British
4. Breathing is affected by ___________.
A. nicotine     B. tar           C. heat           D. both A and B

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科目：高中英語 來源：不詳 題型：閱讀理解

.
In the 19th century, Americans from the eastern states moved out west to settle in the rich new lands along the Pacific Coast. The most difficult part of their trip was crossing “the Great American Desert” in the western part of the United States by horse and wagon.
The western desert can be very dangerous. There is little water and there are few trees. But the desert also has scenery of great beauty. Tall towers of red and yellow stone rise sharply from the flat, sandy valley floor. The scene has been photographed many times and appears in movies and on TV.
In Arizona, man-made dams across the Colorado River have made two large lakes in the middle of the dry desert country. At Lake Powell, the red stone arch of Rainbow Bridge rises high above the blue lake.
There are few roads. Many areas of Lake Powell’s shore can only be reached by boat or on foot. But hikers in this empty desert land sometimes find very old native American pictures, painted on the rocks.
In Death Valley, California, the summer temperature rises to 130°F—165°F. There is less than inches of rain each year. Death Valley is the lowest place in America---925 meters below sea level. In the 1800s, many travelers died when they tried to cross this waterless valley in the terrible heat.
Although the desert is dry and seems empty, there is plenty of life if you look closely. Snakes and rats have learned how to live in the desert heat. They live underground and come out at night, when it is cool. Plants such as cacti need very little water. When it does rain in the desert (sometimes only once or twice a year), plants grow quickly, and flowers open in a single day. For a short time, the desert is covered with brilliant (very bright) colors.
67．In the 19th century, Americans moved from east to west because they            .
A．enjoyed the trip                     B．wanted to make their home there
C．wanted to find new grassland there      D．had no water to drink
68．From this passage. we can conclude that         .
A．the western desert is a good place for people to live in
B．there is little water but there are many trees in the desert
C．the desert is dangerous but it is full of beauty
D．till now, people know little about the desert
69．In the 1800s, many travelers died in Death Valley because of            .
A．illness             B．high temperature
C．cold weather           D．poisonous water
70．In the desert, animals will die           .
A．if they move about                 B．if they can’t make holes underground
C．if they come out at night            D．if they drink much water

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