2014高考英語沖刺閱讀理解專項 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：答案為B。本題為細(xì)節(jié)推理題。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，答案為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：答案為C。本題為詞義推測題。結(jié)合該詞所在的下文 “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，答案為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：答案為B。本題為細(xì)節(jié)題。由倒數(shù)第三段的數(shù)據(jù) “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，肥胖兒童的比例已經(jīng)呈現(xiàn)增長趨勢，故答案B正確。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，選項A錯誤。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，選項C錯誤。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，五年級之前的四年級，父母會帶cupcakes到學(xué)校，可見Jake Balcom現(xiàn)在應(yīng)該是五年級的學(xué)生了。故選項D錯誤。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：答案為C。本題為細(xì)節(jié)題。題干對Centennial Lane Elementary School所采取的措施提問。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選項正確。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，選項A，B錯誤。第五段最后一句話提到 “But some are worried that the fight is going one step too farand taking some of the fun out of being a kid.” ，故選項D錯誤。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!”O(jiān)ften, 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 us C. inspiring words give us confidence          D. negative words may let us down 答案解析：答案為A。本題考查段落大意。段落大意一般通過段落的topic sentence來體現(xiàn)，第一段的最后一句話 “the positive and negative effects are just as lasting.” 即為該段的 topic sentence, 故A選項正確.。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：答案為C。本題為推理題。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，雖然77%的自言自語是消極的，但是自言自語可以激發(fā)我們，幫助我們記住事情、解決問題和使我們保持鎮(zhèn)定。為了保持積極，我們對自己應(yīng)該只講鼓勵的話語。由此可推斷，自言自語讓我們收益。故C選項正確，A選項錯誤。B選項只是一種現(xiàn)象，不是原因，D選項顯得絕對，故均不選。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：答案為B。本題為句意推斷題。結(jié)合劃線部分的下文 “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，當(dāng)我們完成了任務(wù)，考試考得好，或者打掃完房間后，要對自己說“干得好！”，故可推斷劃線部分應(yīng)該意為表揚我們自己。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：答案為A。由倒數(shù)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，作者認(rèn)為在我們講話前要想一想所講的話受人喜歡嗎？受人需要嗎？如果不是這樣，就最好不要講。再結(jié)合最后一段，話語有著積極和消極的力量，因此我們講話一定要小心。故答案為A，最好三思而后言。