When you have a question about something, where do you go? For many people the answer is simple. They go online to a search engine like Google or Yahoo. But what about people in rural or under developed areas who may have no way to get on the Internet? Luckily, Rose Shuman, a business and international development consultant in California, has found a way for them. Her amazing solution is “Question Box”.
Question Box is a service that provides answers -- free of charge -- for people who cannot search the Internet directly. They might not be able to read, or they simply have no access.
Question Box began two years ago in India. People use a metal call box with a push-to-talk button to connect to a live operator, as Rose Shuman explains, “You just push a button, a big green button, and that will connect you directly to our operators who are sitting in front of computers, and speak your language. And you can ask them any sort of question you want, and they'll look it up in English or in Hindi, or whatever the main language is, and translate the answer right back for you.”
The service is currently offered in two villages. The latest version of the box uses mobile phone technology and solar panels in case the electrical power fails. Rose Shuman says the aim was to make the box as easy as possible for users.
“Rather than try to bring a lot of infrastructure to them and expect them to learn how to use the Internet, the idea was to make a technology that even Grandma could use, figuring that Grandma could probably walk up to a box and push a button,” added Shuman.
In April, Question Box expanded to Uganda. Forty community workers with mobile phones connect villagers to call center operators in Kampala. The community workers go around telling people about the service. They wear T-shirts that say “Ask Me.”
But Internet service in Uganda proved slow and undependable. So Question Box teamed up with a local technology company to store information on a local server. That way, the researchers in Kampala can quickly search the database for answers when users ask about current events and many other subjects.
Rose Shuman continued, “When was Mahatma Gandhi born and how long is the Nile River? What's the tallest mountain? The funniest one I think we got was, 'Did the pyramids ever move to another place?', which we found pretty funny. But we did look it up, and they haven't moved.”
1. According to the passage, “Question Box” is a service intended to________.
A．help improve the living standard of the people in poor areas
B．promote the computer technology
C．provide answers to the people without the Internet
D．enrich the local people’s life
2. Which of the following is TRUE about Question Box according to the passage?
A．Uganda is the original place where the service started.
B．Some modern technologies have been used for improving the service.
C．Question Box won’t be able to work if there is no electrical power.
D．It was impossible for a grandma to use Question Box.
3. We can learn from the passage that in Uganda ______.
A．forty call center operators helped make Question Box known to villagers
B．it was very convenient for villagers to have access to Internet service
C．users are very interested in current events
D．a local technology company cooperate with Question Box
4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A．All the questions asked by people are pretty funny.
B．Workers of Question Box know the answer for any question.
C．Question Box always tries to answer the question, no matter how strange.
D．Those who asked questions wanted to make progress in their studies.
5. What attitude does the writer hold towards “Question Box” according to the passage?
A．Indefinite. B．Negative. C．Supportive. D．Indifferent.
科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解
In 1901, H.G. Wells, an English writer, wrote a book describing a trip to the moon. When the explorers（探險者） landed on the moon, they discovered that the moon was full of underground cities. They expressed their surprise to the "moon people" they met. In turn, the "moon people" expressed their surprise. "Why," they asked, "are you traveling to outer space when you don't even use your inner space？"
H.G. Wells could only imagine travel to the moon. In 1969, human beings really did land on the moon. People today know that there are no underground cities on the moon. However, the question that the "moon people" asked is still an interesting one. A growing number of scientists are seriously thinking about it.
Underground systems are already in place. Many cities have underground car parks. In some cities, such as Tokyo, Seoul and Montreal, there are large underground shopping areas. The "Chunnel", a tunnel（隧道）connecting England and France, is now complete.
But what about underground cities? Japan's Taisei Corporation is designing a network of underground systems, called "Alice Cities." The designers imagine using surface space for public parks and using underground space for flats, offices, shopping, and so on. A solar dome（太陽能穹頂）would cover the whole city.
Supporters of underground development say that building down rather than building up is a good way to use the earth's space. The surface, they say, can be used for farms, parks, gardens, and wilderness. H. G. Wells’ "moon people" would agree. Would you？
56. The explorers in H. G. Wells’ story were surprised to find that the "moon people"____.
A. knew so much about the earth
B. understood their language
C. lived in so many underground cities
D. were ahead of them in space technology
57. What does the underlined word "it"（Paragraph 2）refer to？
A. Discovering the moon's inner space.
B. Using the earth's inner space.
C. Meeting the "Moon people" again.
D. Traveling to outer space.
58. What sort of underground systems are already here with us?
A. Offices, shopping areas, power stations.
B. Tunnels, car parks, shopping areas.
C. Gardens, car parks, power stations.
D. Tunnels, gardens, offices.
59. What would be the best title for the text？
A. Alice Cities-cities of the future
B. Space travel with H. G. Wells
C. Enjoy living underground
D. Building down, not up
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科目：高中英語 來源：2013屆山西省太原市第五中學高三4月月考英語試卷（帶解析） 題型：閱讀理解
China_is_going_green. In order to reduce air pollution and oilshortages, automobile manufacturers have announced their plans to develop hybrid vehicles (混合燃料汽車) for the Chinese market. Toyota's hybrid car Prius will be ready to drive in China this week. Let's have a look at the new car.
Any vehicle is a hybrid when it combines two or more sources of power. Hybrid cars run off a rechargeable battery and gasoline. Hybrid cars have special engines, which are smaller than traditional gasoline engines. They run at 99 percent of their power when the car is cruising (勻速行駛). A specially designed battery motor provides extra power for running up hills or when extra acceleration is needed.
Step into a Prius, and turn on the engine. The first thing you notice is how much quieter it is than a traditional car. At this point, the car's gasoline engine is dormant (休眠). The electric motor will provide power until the car reaches about 24 km/h. If you stay at a low speed, you are effectively driving an electric car, with no gasoline being used, and no waste gas gives off.
The onboard(車載的) computer makes the decision about when to use a gas engine, when to go electric, and when to use a combination of the two. If you go over 24 km/h, when you step on the gas pedal (油門), you are actually telling the computer how fast you want to go.
The electronic motor recharges automatically using a set of batteries. When driving at high speed, the gasoline engine not only powers the car, but also charges the batteries. Any time you use the brake, the electric motor in the wheels will work like a generator and produce electricity to recharge the batteries. As a consequence, the car's batteries will last for around 200,000 miles.
【小題1】The author writes this passage mainly to________.
| A．teach people how to drive a hybrid car |
| B．introduce a new kind of “green” car |
| C．show how to save their gasoline when driving a car |
| D．announce plans to develop hybrid vehicles for China |
| A．there will be more and more green land in China |
| B．China is still young and lacking experience |
| C．China's new cars are combinations of different green models |
| D．China has started producing environmentally friendly cars |
| A．The hybrid cars reduce air pollution and oilshortages. |
| B．The car's gasoline engine doesn't work until it reaches about 24 km/h. |
| C．This kind of car is completely controlled by an onboard computer. |
| D．A specially designed battery motor provides extra power when needed. |
| A．They are powered by both a rechargeable battery and gasoline. |
| B．They are much quieter than traditional cars. |
| C．They only use 99 percent of their power to run up hills. |
| D．They have smaller engines than traditional gasoline ones. |
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科目：高中英語 來源：2010屆福建省三明市高三第一學期期末考試 題型：閱讀理解
第二卷（共35分）
V．短文填詞(共10空；每空1分，滿分10分)
閱讀下面短文，根據(jù)以下提示：1)漢語提示；2)首字母提示；3)語境提示，在每個空格內填入一個適當?shù)挠⒄Z單詞，并將該詞完整地寫在右邊相對應的橫線上。所填單詞要求意義準確，拼寫正確。
Many school students have difficulty in English listening．Here are
some t for you．We hope they can help you in one way or other． 76．
Before you start to listen to something，you need to (放松)． 77．
Don’t get n or excited．The first sentence tells a lot about the whole 78．
passage，so you’d listen carefully．When you’re listening，try to do 79．
some (思考)．For example，you call think of the following questions： 80．
What h ，when，where and how? What was the result and what 81．
does the speaker want to tell us? This ，you may understand the 82．
passage better．It’s n for you to remember some important facts． 83．
You may hear words you don’t know, but don’t spend too much time 84．
them．Very often，you’ll find out they mean later when you goon 85．
with the listening．
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科目：高中英語 來源：2013-2014學年四川省成都外國語學院高三下學期2月月考英語試卷（解析版） 題型：閱讀理解
China is going green. In order to reduce air pollution and oil shortages, automobile manufacturers have announced their plans to develop hybrid vehicles (混合燃料汽車) for the Chinese market. Toyota's hybrid car Prius will be ready to drive in China this week. Let's have a look at the new car.
Any vehicle is a hybrid when it combines two or more sources of power. Hybrid cars run off a rechargeable battery and gasoline. Hybrid cars have special engines, which are smaller than traditional gasoline engines. They run at 99 percent of their power when the car is cruising (勻速行駛). A specially designed battery motor provides extra power for running up hills or when extra acceleration is needed.
Step into a Prius, and turn on the engine. The first thing you notice is how much quieter it is than a traditional car. At this point, the car's gasoline engine is dormant (休眠). The electric motor will provide power until the car reaches about 24 km/h. If you stay at a low speed, you are effectively driving an electric car, with no gasoline being used, and no waste gas gives off.
The onboard (車載的) computer makes the decision about when to use a gas engine, when to go electric, and when to use a combination of the two. If you go over 24 km/h, when you step on the gas pedal (油門), you are actually telling the computer how fast you want to go.
The electronic motor recharges automatically using a set of batteries. When driving at high speed, the gasoline engine not only powers the car, but also charges the batteries. Any time you use the brake, the electric motor in the wheels will work like a generator and produce electricity to recharge the batteries. As a consequence, the car's batteries will last for around 200,000 miles.
1.The author writes this passage mainly to________.
A. teach people how to drive a hybrid car
B. introduce a new kind of “green” car
C. show how to save their gasoline when driving a car
D. announce plans to develop hybrid vehicles for China
2.Which of the followings is NOT true?
A. The hybrid cars reduce air pollution and oil shortages.
B. The car's gasoline engine doesn't work until it reaches about 24 km/h.
C. This kind of car is completely controlled by an onboard computer.
D. A specially designed battery motor provides extra power when needed.
3.What is the most important feature of hybrid cars?
A. They are powered by both a rechargeable battery and gasoline.
B. They are much quieter than traditional cars.
C. They only use 99 percent of their power to run up hills.
D. They have smaller engines than traditional gasoline ones.
4.What can we conclude from the story?
A. The batteries can be recharged at any time you want.
B. Using the brake suggests that the gasoline engine should work.
C. The batteries will last for 200, 000 miles without being recharged.
D. The gasoline engine charges the batteries as well as powers the car.
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科目：高中英語 來源：2013年全國普通高等學校招生統(tǒng)一考試英語（福建卷解析版） 題型：閱讀理解
This is What a REAL Silver Dollar Looks Like
If you trust in the yen, the euro, and the dollar... stop reading.
Because this is a story about the silver coin EVERYBODY wants.
You read the headlines. You know that troubled economic times have put global currency on a rollercoaster ( ride. But millions have found a smarter way to build long-term value with high-grade collectable silver. And right now, those people are lining up to secure some of the last 2012 U. S. Mint Silver Eagles, America's Newest Silver Eagle Dollars. Today, you can graduate to the front of that line. Buy now and you can own these brilliant uncirculated Silver Dollars for only $38.95!
You Can't Afford to Lose
Why are we releasing (發(fā)行) this silver dollar for such a remarkable price? Because we want to introduce you to what hundreds of thousands of smart collectors and satisfied customers have known since 1984—New York Mint is the place to find the world's finest high-grade coins. That's why we're offering you this Brilliant Uncirculated 2012 U. S. Silver Eagle for as little as $37.45 (plus s/h).
Timing is Everything
Our advice? Keep this to yourself. Because the more people who know about this offer, the worse it is for you. Demand for Silver Eagles in 2011 broke records. Experts predict that 2012 Silver Eagles may break them all over again. Due to rapid changes in the price of silver, prices may be higher or lower and are subject to(受...影響) change without notice. Supplies are limited. Call immediately to add these Silver Eagles to your holdings before it's too late.
Offer Limited to 40 per household 2012 American Silver Eagle Coin
Your cost
1-4 Coins $38.95 each + s/h
5-9 Coins $38.45each + s/h
10-19 Coins $37. 95 each + s/h
20-40 Coins $37.45 each + s/h
Note: $10 s/h (shipping and handling) for each purchase
For fastest service, call toll-free 24 hours a day
1-888-201-7143
Offer Code (代碼) ASE177-04
Please mention this code when you call.
New York Mint 14101
Southcross Drive W.,Dept. ASE177-04
Burnsville, Minnesota 55337
www. NewYorkMint. com
1.What is stressed in the ad?
A．The coin is of high quality and worth collecting.
B．The coin can be circulated as a currency.
C．Limited supplies guarantee a stable price of the coin.
D．Demand for the coin is bound to break records.
2.If you buy six 2012 U. S. Mint Silver Eagles by post, you should pay at least ____.
A．$230.7 B．$233.7 C．$240.7 D．$243.7
3.The ad strongly encourages people to purchase the silver coins by ____.
A．shopping online
B．making a phone call
C．lining up in front of the stores
D．writing to the company
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