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2014高考英语冲刺阅读理解专项 50-36ARedheaded birthday boy Jake Balcom, newly 11, walked into the principals office at Centennial Lane Elementary School in Ellicott City ready for his big surprise. His name had been announced over the loudspeaker moments earlier. Today was going to be special.Back in the daylike, before fifth grade Jakes parents would bring cupcakes to school in his honor. But this year, for the first time, his Howard County school has forbidden parents from bringing “edible treats” for students birthdays. That means no more cupcakes, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, birthday cake, ice cream, Rice Krispies treats or pizza. Instead, Jake got a handshake from Principal Robert Bruce and a colorful pencil and a card.“We hope that you have a terrific birthday,” the card read.Jake just smiled, and went back to class.Centennial Lane is part of a movement across the Washington area and the country to take the battle against childhood obesity to one of educations most beloved functions: the school party. But some are worried that the fight is going one step too farand taking some of the fun out of being a kid.Schools, where many children eat two of their days meals, are being pushed to the front lines of the battle against kiddy bulge. A federal law requires schools to create wellness policies that encourage students to be more active and eat more healthfully. Some schools in Virginia have started exercise clubs. In Maryland, schools are cracking down on vending-machine junk food.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), the proportion of overweight children ages 6 to 11 has skyrocketed in recent decades, from 7 percent in 1980 to 16 percent in 2002. Among 12 to 19-year-olds, the rate of obesity more than tripled, from 5 percent to 16 percent. Health officials have called obesity a pandemic (流行病).At Centennial Lane, the principal said some parents have complained about the schools new policy, and others have adapted by bringing in nonfood treatssuch as rulers or erasers.Jake Balcom said he missed bringing treats to school. But he wasnt too bothered by their absence because he had celebrated his birthday with friends. They went to see the movie “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” and shared his birthday cake at his house.1. What is Jake Balcoms reaction to his gifts for his 11-year-old birthday from his school ? A. He felt puzzled by the gifts quite different from the former ones. B. He almost felt the same as before because he had celebrated his birthday with friends. C. He preferred chocolate chip cookies, birthday cake, ice cream than pencils and cards. D. He would rather have a birthday party than a handshake from the principal. 答案解析：答案为B。本题为细节推理题。由第四段 “Jake just smiled, and went back to class.”和最后一段 “But he wasnt too bothered by their absence because he had celebrated his birthday with friends.” 可知，答案为B。 2. The underlined phrase “kiddy bulge” (in Paragraph 6 ) means “_”. A. parents gifts B. childrnes parties C. kids overweight D. childrens exercises 答案解析：答案为C。本题为词义推测题。结合该词所在的下文 “that encourage students to be more active and eat more healthfully. Some schools in Virginia have started exercise clubs. In Maryland, schools are cracking down on vending-machine junk food.” 和下一段的首句 “the proportion of overweight children ages 6 to 11 .” 可知，答案为C。 3. Which of the following is TURE according to the passage?A. Parents all agree that the fight against childhood obesity is going too far. B.According to CDCP, the proportion of overweight children has had a tendency of increasing. C. For this years Halloween party, kids can enjoy what they like as usual. D. Jake Balcom is a primary school pupil in fourth grade. 答案解析：答案为B。本题为细节题。由倒数第三段的数据 “from 7 percent in 1980 to 16 percent in 2002. Among 12 to 19-year-olds, the rate of obesity more than tripled, from 5 percent to 16 percent.” 可知，肥胖儿童的比例已经呈现增长趋势，故答案B正确。由第五段 “ to take the battle against childhood obesity to one of educations most beloved functions: the school party. But some are worried that the fight is going one step too farand taking some of the fun out of being a kid.” 可知，选项A错误。由第二段 “That means no more cupcakes, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, birthday cake, ice cream, Rice Krispies treats or pizza. Instead, Jake got a handshake from Principal Robert Bruce and a colorful pencil and a card.” 可知，选项C错误。由第二段首句 “Back in the daylike, before fifth grade Jakes parents would bring cupcakes to school in his honor.” 可推理，五年级之前的四年级，父母会带cupcakes到学校，可见Jake Balcom现在应该是五年级的学生了。故选项D错误。4. Which of the following is the measure taken by the Centennial Lane Elementary School? A. Starting exercise clubs. B. Cracking down on vending-machine junk food. C. Forbidding parents from taking the food to the school. D. Taking all the fun out of being a kid. 答案解析：答案为C。本题为细节题。题干对Centennial Lane Elementary School所采取的措施提问。由第二段 “has forbidden parents from bringing “edible treats” for students birthdays.” 和第五段 “Centennial Lane is part of a movement ”可知，C选项正确。由第六段 “Some schools in Virginia have started exercise clubs. In Maryland, schools are cracking down on vending-machine junk food.” 可知，选项A，B错误。第五段最后一句话提到 “But some are worried that the fight is going one step too farand taking some of the fun out of being a kid.” ，故选项D错误。BA popular saying goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, thats not really true. Words have the power to build us up or tear us down. It doesnt matter if the words come from someone elses or ourselves - the positive and negative effects are just as lasting. We all talk to ourselves sometimes. Were usually too embarrassed to admit it, though. In fact, we really shouldnt be because more and more experts believe talking to ourselves out loud is a healthy habit.This “self-talk” helps us motivate ourselves, remember things, solve problems, and calm ourselves down. Be aware, though, that as much as 77% of self-talk tends to be negative. So in order to stay positive, we should only speak words of encouragement to ourselves. We should also be quick to give ourselves a pat on the back. The next time you finish a project, do well in a test, or finally clean your room, join me in saying “Good job!”Often, words come out of our mouths without us thinking about the effect they will have. But we should be aware that our words cause certain responses in others. For example, when returning an item to a store, we might use warm, friendly language during the exchange. And the clerk will probably respond in a similar manner. Or harsh（刻薄的）and critical language will most likely cause the clerk to be defensive.Words possess power because of their lasting effect. Many of us regret something we once said. And we remember unkind words said to us! Before speaking, we should always ask ourselves: Is it loving? Is it needed? If what we want to say doesnt pass this test, then its better left unsaid.Words possess power: both positive and negative. Those around us receive encouragement when we speak positively. We can offer hope, build self-esteem（自尊）and motivate others to do their best. Negative words destroy all those things. Will we use our words to hurt or to heal? The choice is ours.1. The main idea of the first paragraph is that _.A. words have a lasting effect on us B. not sticks and stones but words will hurt usC. inspiring words give us confidence D. negative words may let us down答案解析：答案为A。本题考查段落大意。段落大意一般通过段落的topic sentence来体现，第一段的最后一句话 “the positive and negative effects are just as lasting.” 即为该段的 topic sentence, 故A选项正确.。2. There is no sense for us to feel embarrassed when we talk to ourselves because _.A. it does no harm to have “self-talk” when we are aloneB. almost everybody has the habit of talking to themselvesC. we can benefit from talking to ourselvesD. talking to ourselves always gives us courage答案解析：答案为C。本题为推理题。由第三段 “This “self-talk” helps us motivate ourselves, remember things, solve problems, and calm ourselves down. Be aware, though, that as much as 77% of self-talk tends to be negative. So in order to stay positive, we should only speak words of encouragement to ourselves.”可知，虽然77%的自言自语是消极的，但是自言自语可以激发我们，帮助我们记住事情、解决问题和使我们保持镇定。为了保持积极，我们对自己应该只讲鼓励的话语。由此可推断，自言自语让我们收益。故C选项正确，A选项错误。B选项只是一种现象，不是原因，D选项显得绝对，故均不选。3The underlined part in the third paragraph means that we should also occasionally _.A. give ourselves amusement B. praise ourselves C. remind ourselves D. make ourselves relaxed答案解析：答案为B。本题为句意推断题。结合划线部分的下文 “The next time you finish a project, do well in a test, or finally clean your room, join me in saying Good job!” 可知，当我们完成了任务，考试考得好，或者打扫完房间后，要对自己说“干得好！”，故可推断划线部分应该意为表扬我们自己。4The author would probably hold the view that _.A. it is better to think twice before talking to others B. encouraging words are sure to lead to kind offersC. negative words may stimulate us to make more progressD. people tend to remember friendly words答案解析：答案为A。由倒数第二段 “Before speaking, we should always ask ourselves: Is it loving? Is it needed? If what we want to say doesnt pass this test, then its better left unsaid.” 可知，作者认为在我们讲话前要想一想所讲的话受人喜欢吗？受人需要吗？如果不是这样，就最好不要讲。再结合最后一段，话语有着积极和消极的力量，因此我们讲话一定要小心。故答案为A，最好三思而后言。
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