Unit 3 A taste of English humour一、閱讀理解Whenever we see a button，we want to press it because we know that something will happen.This is true in most cases，for example，on a doorbell.But some buttons are actually fake(假的)，like the “close”button on a lift.Many people are in the habit of pressing the“close”button because they dont have the patience to wait.But lifts“close” buttons are a plete trick，at least in the USthe doors will not close any faster no matter how hard you press.It started in the 1990s when the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in the US，making sure that all lifts stayed open long enough so that people with disabilities could enter safely.Only repair workers can use the buttons to speed up the doorclosing process if they have special keys.But to normal lift riders，the buttons arent pletely useless.According to psychologists，fake buttons can actually make you feel better by offering you a sense of control.“A sense of control is very important.It reduces stress and increases wellbeing，”said Ellen JLanger，a psychology professor at Harvard University.Experts also added that a lot of buttons that dont do anything exist in our lives for this same purpose.For example，pedestrian crosswalk buttons dont live up to their names either.Pressing them used to help make the traffic signals change faster，but that was before putercontrolled traffic signals were introduced.But psychologists found it interesting that even when people are aware of these little“white lies”，they still continue to push fake buttons because as long as the doors eventually close，it is considered to be worth the effort.1What is the authors purpose in writing the text?ATo describe different fake buttons.BTo explore the functions of fake buttons.CTo analyze various habits of pushing buttons.DTo explain the disadvantages of fake buttons.2What can we learn about the“close”buttons on a lift in America?AThey work when people press them hard.BThey were designed for a sense of control.CThey never speed up the doorclosing process.DThey take the safety of the disabled into account.3What can we infer about pedestrian crosswalk buttons?AThey can make people feel better.BThey help puters work faster.CThey can control the traffic signals.DThey help pedestrians cross safely.4Which may be the best title for the passage?AButtons in the USABButtons Always LieCButtons May Not WorkD“Close”Buttons on Lifts【解題導(dǎo)語】本文是一篇說明文，主要介紹了我們平時生活中所見到的按鈕可能是不起作用的?！倦y句分析】Put psychologists found it interesting that even when people are aware of these little “white lies”， they still continue to push fake buttons because as long as the doors eventually close, it is considered to be worth the effort.分析：這是一個復(fù)合句。句子主干為psychologists found it interesting。it為形式賓語，真正的賓語為that引導(dǎo)的賓語從句；when 引導(dǎo)時間狀語從句；because引導(dǎo)原因狀語從句。譯文：但是心理學(xué)家發(fā)現(xiàn)，有趣的是，甚至當(dāng)人們意識到這些“善意的謊言”時，他們?nèi)匀焕^續(xù)按那些虛假按鈕，因為只要最終門關(guān)了，那就被認(rèn)為是值得努力的。1B考查推理判斷。通讀整篇文章可知，作者通過舉例子介紹了不同地點的虛假按鈕，其目的是探求這些虛假按鈕的功能。故選B。A項“描述不同的虛假按鈕”，C項“分析按按鈕的不同習(xí)慣”，D項“解釋虛假按鈕的弊端”。A、C、D三項在文中均有提及但不是整篇文章的目的，故排除。2D考查細節(jié)理解。根據(jù)第三段第一句中的“making sure that all lifts stayed open long enough so that people with disabilities could enter safely”可知，美國電梯里的“關(guān)閉”按鈕是為了確保殘疾人能安全地通過。故選D。3A考查推理判斷。根據(jù)第四段中的“fake buttons can actually make you feel better by offering you a sense of control”和第六段中的“For example，pedestrian crosswalk buttons dont live up to their names either”可知，人行橫道按鈕也沒有實現(xiàn)其功能，但可以讓人們感覺好一點，故選A。4C考查標(biāo)題判斷。通讀全文內(nèi)容可知，本文主要講述了有些按鈕只是形式上的，而不具備真正的實際功能。故C項“按鈕可能不起作用”最符合文章主旨。故選C。二、單句語法填空1(2017北京高考)The national park has a large collection of wildlife，_ (range) from butterflies to elephants.答案：ranginga large collection of wildlife與range之間是主動關(guān)系，故用動詞ing形式作后置定語。2Shopping is no longer just a necessity; it has bee a form of _(entertain)答案：entertainment介詞of后接名詞，故填entertainment “娛樂；娛樂活動”。3The news said that the schools in that southwestern area are _(bad) off for teaching equipment, and even teachers.答案：badlybe badly off for sth.“缺乏某物”。4To everyones _(astonish), he has won the game.答案：astonishmentto ones astonishment “使某人吃驚的是”。5The villager doesnt want more moneyhe is content _what he has.答案：withbe content with .“對感到滿足”。6Sam _(convince) that his girlfriend loves him.答案：is convincedbe convinced that . “確信；相信”。7They were _(wear) out after working in the fields the whole day long.答案：wornbe worn out “筋疲力盡的”。8Up to now, I _(read) as far as the fifth chapter, the second volume of The War and Peace.答案：have readup to now “直到現(xiàn)在”，常與現(xiàn)在完成時連用。9The number of senior high school students is increasing, _is mentioned above.答案：as本句中，as引導(dǎo)非限制性定語從句。as is mentioned above “正如上邊所提到的”。10The season runs June through August, with additional _(perform) in March and September.答案：performances形容詞additional后應(yīng)接名詞，performance在本句中意為“表演”，是可數(shù)名詞，由空后的介詞短語可知表示多場表演，故填performances。三、完形填空。After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. That Friday after work, I drove over to pick her up.We went to a restaurant that, although not 1 , was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm2 she were the First Lady. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation nothing 3 butcatching up on recent 4 of each others life. We talked so much that we missed the 5 . As we arrived at her house later, she said, “Ill go out with you again, but only if you let me 6 you.” I agreed.“How was your 7 ?” asked my wife when I got home. “Very nice. Far 8 my wildest imagination” I answered.A few days later, my mother died of a heart attack. It happened so 9 that I didnt have a chance to do anything for her . Some time 10 , I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant 11 from the same place where mother and I had dined. An 12 note said: “I paid this bill 13 . I wasnt sure that I 14 be there; but I still paid for two plates one for you and the other for your 15 .You will never know what that night 16 for me. I love you, son.”At that moment, I 17 the importance of saying in time: “I LOVE YOU” and to give time to our family. 18 in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they 19 , because these things cannot be 20 till “some other time.”語篇解讀：本文通過講述作者和母親去吃飯的一次經(jīng)歷，和母親的突然離世來告訴人們要多花些時間和親人在一起，這比什么都重要。而不要等到子欲養(yǎng)而親不待，讓人抱憾終身。所以，無論多么忙，我們都應(yīng)當(dāng)和家人經(jīng)常交流、共處，千萬不要以各種理由把和家人交流、共處的時間一次次地推遲，因為生活中有些事情是不能往后推的，否則，有可能會留下終生的遺憾！1. A. grand B. fortable C. adaptable D. assistant【答案】A【解析】grand 宏偉的，豪華的；fortable 舒服的；adaptable adj.能適應(yīng)的，可修改的；assistant 有幫助的。上下文存在讓步關(guān)系，根據(jù)空后 nice 和 cozy 以及前面的否定意義可以判斷前面指飯店不是很豪華，選 A。我們?nèi)チ艘患译m不豪華卻很優(yōu)雅舒適的飯店。2. A. even if B. as though C. so that D. in case【答案】B【解析】even if 即使；as though 仿佛，好像；so that 為了；in case 萬一。母親和兒子在一起感覺非常驕傲，就仿佛和第一夫人一般，此處是一種假設(shè)語氣，選 B。媽媽挽著我的手臂，宛如第一夫人。3. A. unbelievable B. attractive C. adequate D. extraordinary【答案】D【解析】unbelievable 讓人難以置信的；attractive 迷人的；adequate 足夠的，合乎需要的，勝任的，令人滿意的；extraordinary 非凡的。兒子和母親的聊天沒有什么大事，只是很隨意，根據(jù) but 的轉(zhuǎn)折可知選 D。4. A. accidents B. events C. coincidences D. conditions【答案】B【解析】accidents 事故；events 事件；coincidences 巧合；conditions 條件，狀況。母子的談話只是涉及到彼此生活中發(fā)生的事情，選 B。吃飯的時候，我們談得很愉快也沒什么特別的事只是簡單描述一下彼此生活中最近發(fā)生的事。5. A. bus B. appointment C. movie D. time【答案】C【解析】bus 汽車；appointment 約會；movie 電影；time 時間。從第一段 After 21 years of marriage, my wifewanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie.可知兒子帶母親去看電影，故選 C。我們談得太盡興以至錯過了看電影。6. A. acpany B. order C. satisfy D. invite【答案】D【解析】acpany 陪同；order 命令，訂購；satisfy 使人滿意，滿足；invite 邀請。從下文內(nèi)容可知母親打算準(zhǔn)備請兒子吃飯看電影，選 D。當(dāng)我送她回到家時，她說： “我會再跟你出去約會，但只要你讓我陪著你。 ”我同意了。7. A. date B. dinner C. film D. mother【答案】A【解析】date 日期，約會；dinner 晚餐；film 電影；mother 母親。根據(jù)首段可知妻子讓作者約母親吃飯看電影，由此判斷妻子問丈夫約會的情況，選 A。8. A. from B. beyond C. beneath D. out of【答案】B【解析】from 從；beyond 超過，越過，那一邊；beneath 在下面；out of 出于。固定短語：beyond imagination“難以想象，超出想象” ，選 B。 “你們的約會怎么樣??？”回到家時我妻子問。 “非常好。比我想象中要好得多。 ”我回答。9. A. instantly B. abruptly C. absolutely D. awfully【答案】B【解析】instantly 立即，馬上；abruptly 突然；absolutely 絕對地；awfully 可怕地，十分。根據(jù)空后內(nèi)容可知事情發(fā)生得非常突然，作者都沒來得及做些什么，選 B。幾天后，媽媽由于嚴(yán)重的心臟病發(fā)作去世了。發(fā)生得如此突然以至我沒有機會為她做任何事。10. A. before B. ago C. later D. after【答案】C【解析】before 在之前；ago 在某段時間前；later 后來；after 在之后。從事情的發(fā)展可知此處指過了一段時間以后，選 C。11. A. receipt B. bill C. reception D. notice【答案】A【解析】receipt 收據(jù)；bill 賬單；reception 接待；notice 注意。根據(jù)后句內(nèi)容可知母親已經(jīng)提前支付了費用，由此判斷信封里面裝的是收據(jù)，選 A。12. A. predicted B. adapted C. attached D. approved【答案】C【解析】predicted 被預(yù)測到的；adapted 適應(yīng)的；attached 附著的；approved 被認(rèn)可的，經(jīng)過檢驗的。在收據(jù)上附帶著一張便條來說明情況，選 C。13. A. by chance B. on purpose C. for myself D. in advance【答案】D【解析】 by chance 偶然； on purpose 故意； for myself 為自己； in advance 提前。 根據(jù)后句內(nèi)容 I wasnt surethat I 14 be there; but I still paid for two plates 可知母親沒等到和作者一起去吃飯， 是提前支付了費用，選 D。14. A. might B. should C. could D. would【答案】C【解析】母親不確定自己是否能夠再次和兒子一起吃飯，此處表示一種能能力，選 C。15. A. son B. wife C. friend D. colleague【答案】B【解析】son 兒子；wife 妻子；friend 朋友；colleague 同事。從上句內(nèi)容可知母親不確定自己是否能夠到場，但還是付了兩個人的錢，由此判斷她計劃給作者和他的妻子預(yù)定的，選 B。16. A. meant B. paid C. provided D. allocated【答案】A【解析】meant 意味著，意思是；paid 付款；provided 提供；allocated 分配。從上文第二段內(nèi)容可知母親對上次和兒子在一起吃飯感到特別開心，感覺那頓飯對她意味著很多，選 A。一段時間過后，我收到一個信封，里面有我和我母親一起吃晚飯的地方的收據(jù)。收據(jù)附著一張便條上面寫道：“我提前付了款。我不確定我是否還能去哪兒，我付了兩份，一份為你，一份為你的妻子。你不知道那晚對我來說意味著什么。我愛你，兒子。”17. A. advocated B. appreciated C. admired D. applauded【答案】B【解析】advocated 提倡；appreciated 感激，領(lǐng)悟；admired 羨慕；applauded 鼓掌。從母親的話和母親的去世作者應(yīng)該珍惜和家人在一起的重要性，選 B。18. A. Something B. Anything C. Everything D. Nothing【答案】D【解析】Something 某事；Anything 任何事；Everything 一切；Nothing 沒什么。此處表達了作者清楚地認(rèn)識到：沒有什么會比你的家人更重要的啦，選 D。19. A. demand B. need C. deserve D. desire【答案】C【解析】demand 要求；need 需要；deserve 值得；desire 渴望。家人是最重要的人，他們應(yīng)該得到我們更多的關(guān)注，得到更多的時間，選 D。20. A. put off B. called off C. taken off D. turned off【答案】A【解析】put off 推遲；called off 職消；taken off 起飛，脫掉；turned off 關(guān)掉。根據(jù)上文可知作者懂得了及時說“我愛你”的重要性，他也提醒讀者“設(shè)有比你的家人更重要的了”所以不要把與他們共度的時光推遲到其某個時刻。 那一刻， 我明白了及時說出“我愛你”以及給予我們所愛的人他們應(yīng)該得到的時間的重要性。生命中沒有什么比你的家庭更重要。多花些時間陪陪你的家人，因為這些事情不能被推遲到“改天”。四、單句改錯1Perhaps you can help me pick up a pair of jeans now, since you are an expert._答案：upoutpick out “挑選”。2She stood outside the station, looking at all directions, but apparently no one had e to meet her._答案：atinin all directions “朝/向四面八方”。3With the electricity being cut off, all the machines had to stop working._答案：去掉beingcut off與electricity存在邏輯上的動賓關(guān)系，應(yīng)用過去分詞短語作賓語補足語，表示動作已完成。4Occasions are quite rare that I have time to spend a day with my kids._答案：thatwhen此處occasions意為“時機；時候”，在本句中為先行詞，引導(dǎo)詞在定語從句中作狀語，表時間。故用when引導(dǎo)該定語從句。5Being too particular with what you wear is not a good habit._答案：withabout/overbe particular about/over “對挑剔/講究”。五、七選五Want to live in a perfectly clean environment and make it shine brightly？ 1 Then you will not need to purchase expensive cleaning products.Clean the toilet with Coke.Its amazing how powerful Coke might be as a toilet cleaner. 2 Youll save your health by not consuming chemicals that Coke contains and save money by not purchasing professional cleaners.Pour some cola over the stains and leave it all for a few hours.Then let water wash the toilet!Remove water stains with orange peels.Youve just eaten an orange. 3 Do not throw away those orange peels. You can use the skins to clean stainless steel.Your appliances will shine again after you rub(擦)them with the skins.The peels can easily make those stubborn stains disappear in a second.Use banana peels to polish leather furniture.Experts claim that banana peels are great for polishing leather sofas and armchairs.Banana skins are rich in oils and have the right texture to do the task. 4 Afterwards，remove the leftover with a cloth.This trick is simple and cheap.Use it if you want your leather furniture to look brand new again. 5 Why would you want to buy one when you can make your own product that is cheap and nontoxic(無毒的)? Just pour 2 liters of slightly warm water into a deep bowl.Then add 50ml white vinegar and half a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid.Shake the bowl and then fill up a plastic spray with the mixture.Use it to clean windows and mirrors.Make your glass surfaces clean and shiny.AWait a minute!BMake your own glass cleaner.CFollow the steps given below.DOf course your answer is“yes”EThey leave no marks or scratches.FInstead of drinking it，use it to clean the toilet bowl.GThey are economical and safe to use on all of furniture.【語篇解讀】本文是一篇說明文。想生活在一個干凈的生活環(huán)境中，讓一切光潔發(fā)亮嗎？那就按照以下步驟來做吧。無需購買昂貴的清潔用品，只需要一些小妙招。1C根據(jù)空前的“Want to live in a perfectly clean environment and make it shine brightly？”和空后的“Then you will not need to purchase expensive cleaning products.”以及接下來列舉的幾條小妙招可知，C項“跟著以下步驟做”能起到承上啟下的作用。2F本段講的是用可樂清理廁所，故F項“你可以不喝可樂，而是用它清潔馬桶”符合語境。3A根據(jù)下文中的“Do not throw away those orange peels.”可知，吃了橘子后，稍待片刻，不要扔掉橘子皮，你可以用之清理不銹鋼。所以選A。4E根據(jù)上文中的“Banana skins are rich in oils and have the right texture to do the task.”可知香蕉皮富含油脂，材質(zhì)也非常適合擦拭皮質(zhì)，使污痕或劃痕統(tǒng)統(tǒng)不見。所以選E。5B根據(jù)下文中的“you can make your own product that is cheap and nontoxic(無毒的).”及“Use it to clean windows and mirrors.Make your glass surfaces clean and shiny.”可知，本段講的是如何自制玻璃清潔劑，故B項符合語境。