初中英语专项解题指导

2020-02-29

阅读与作文（英语初中版） 2020年3期

阅读下面短文，根据短文内容回答问题。

Who hasnt enjoyed eating peanuts? Did you know that although peanuts look like nuts and taste like nuts, they arent nuts at all? They belong to the pea family, so they are called peanuts. The peanut grows flowers above ground, but its “fruit” grows underground. It grows in more countries than most other “nuts”.

The peanut is a native South American plant. Scientists believe that it grew wild in Brazil long ago. They think that for several thousand years the early peoples of South America made it a part of their diet. These peoples were nomads who moved on when a natural food could no longer be found in one area. Along the way they probably let fall some peanuts, which got into the ground and grew. This is believed to be the way the plant reached the place where the Incas[印加人] lived. The Incas, from about 1100 to 1532, thought highly of peanuts. The peanuts were eaten in several forms and used as sacrificial offerings[祭品] to the Incan Sun God. Later in the 16th century, European soldiers had brought peanuts to other parts of the world, including North America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Pacific Islands.

Although peanuts were found native in South America, they are now grown in almost every country that has warm weather. India produces the most peanuts. Chinas production is next, followed by the United States.

The peanut is special in more ways than one. It can be eaten raw, boiled, roasted, or fried. Hundreds of widely different products have been made from it. Carver, an American scientist, set himself the task of discovering new uses for eating and for many other products.

Peanuts are very highly nutritious and are also high in protein[蛋白質]. Americans use about seven-tenths of their protein in the form of meat. In India, where the poor cant pay for meat or milk, peanut meal and peanut milk have been produced. These have been a great help to the poor.

New products are continually being made from peanuts, among them peanut cheese and a powder that becomes peanut butter when water is added. The fact is that peanuts are so healthy that they were used by astronauts. The unusual nut that isnt a nut is one of natures most amazing gifts.

1. Although we like eating peanuts, many of us dont know peanuts belong to _______ family.

A. the pea B. the nut

C. both the pea and the nut D. neither the pea nor the nut

2. Which paragraph[段落] mainly talks about the history of the peanut?

A. Paragraph Four B. Paragraph Three

C. Paragraph Two D. Paragraph One

3. What does the underlined word nutritious mean?

A. Helpful for staying healthy.

B. Helpful to the poor.

C. Delicious and tasty.

D. Rich in fat and oil.

4. Which of the following is TRUE according to the article?

A. Nomads always stayed in the same place.

B. The peanut was first found in South America.

C. Astronauts ate lots of peanuts to keep healthy.

D. China grows fewer peanuts than the US.

5. What is the purpose of the article?

A. To show that peanuts belong to the pea family.

B. To advise us to use more peanut products.

C. To tell us some new uses of peanuts.

D. To let us know more about peanuts.

（二）

“How are you?” is a nice question. Its a friendly waythat people in the USA greet each other. But “How are you” is also a very unusual question. Its a question that doesnt need an answer. The person who asks “How are you” hopes to hear the the answer “Fine”, even if the persons friend isnt fine. The reason is that “How are you” isnt really a question and “Fine” isnt really an answer. They are simply other ways of saying “Hello” or “Hi”.

Sometimes, people also dont say exactly what they mean. For example, when someone asks, “Do you agree?” the other person may think, “No, I disagree. I think you are wrong…” But it isnt very polite to disagree so strongly, so the other person might say, “Im not sure.” Its a nicer way to say that you dont agree with someone.

People also dont say exactly what they are thinking. For example,many talks over the phone finish when one person says, “Ive to go now.” Often, the person who wants to hang up gives an excuse. “Someone is at the door.” “Something is burning on the stove.” The excuses might be real, or not. Perhaps the person who wants to hang up simply doesnt want to talk any more, but it isnt polite to say that. The excuse is more polite, and it doesnt hurt the other person.

Whether they are greeting each other, talking about an idea, or finishing a talk, people dont say exactly what they are thinking. Its an important way that people try to be nicer each other, and its a part of the game of language.

1. When a person in America asks “How are you”, he or she wants to hear “______”.

A. How are you. B. Hello

C. I dont know D. Fine

2. When a person doesnt agree with someone, its more polite to say, “______.”

A. You are wrong, I think B. I am not sure

C. Im sure I dont agree D. No, I dont agree

3. A polite way to end a conversation on the phone is to say, “______.”

A. I have to go now

B. You should hang up

C. You should have to go now

D. I dont like to talk any more

4. When a person says, “I have to go now”, he may be ______.

A. ill

B. asking you a question

C. giving an excuse

D. hurting someones feeling

5. One of rules of the game of language is erhaps “______”.

A. Dont tell people the truth

B. Dont hurt the other persons feelings

C. Always say what you mean

D. Never say exactly what you are thinking about

（三）

Readers Digest is a monthly magazine. Before the 1980s, it belonged to a privately held company, which was started in 1922 by Lila Bell Wallace and Dewitt Wallace. This magazine is small and easy to carry, just half the size of most American magazines, which caused a phrase in 2005, “America in your pocket.” It is the best selling magazine in the USA. At present, its circulation[發行量] in the USA has reached 10 million copies and the number of the readers there is 38 million. Its global circulation outside the USA has reached 40 million people throughout more than 70 countries in 21 languages.

This magazines focus[焦点] is not news but more of cultural views because the editors think people now can get timely news from somewhere else. They hope this magazine can give readers something that is about special personal experiences, something the readers can share with their families. In different countries, this magazine provides a window to the world for the local readers. Some parts of the magazine are about the local customs and interests of the local readers. The other parts give the local readers information from all over the world.

This magazine actually used to be a family business until the Wallaces died in the 1980s. Because they had no children, there was no one to take over the company. Sixteen years ago, this company went public and became a public company.

1. How often does Readers Digest come out in the USA?

A. Once a year. B. Once a month.

C. Once a week. D. Once a day.

2. Whats the number of the readers of this magazine all over the world?

A. 38 million. B. 40 million.

C. 78 million. D. 108 million.

3. This magazines focus includes the following topics except ______.

A. something about the timely news

B. some special personal experiences

C. some information from all over the world

D. the local customs and interests of the local readers

（四）

“Sesame Street” has been called “the longest street in the world”. That is because the television program by that name can now be seen in many parts of the world. That program became one of American exports soon after it went on the air in New York in 1969.

In the United States more than six million children watch the program regularly. The viewers include more than half the countrys pre-school children, from every kind of economic, racial[種族的], and geographical group.

Although some educators object[反对] to some parts of the program, parents praise[赞扬] it highly. Many teachers also consider it a great help, though some teachers find that problems come out when first graders who have learnt from “Sesame Street” are in the same class with children who have not watched the program.

Tests have shown that children from all racial, geographical, and economic backgrounds have benefited[受益] from watching it. Those who watch it five times a week learn more than occasional[偶尔的] viewers. In the US the program is shown at different hours during the week in order to increase the number of children who can watch it regularly.

The programs all use songs, stories, jokes and pictures to give children a basic understanding of numbers, letters and human relationships. But there are some differences. For example, the Spanish program, produced in Mexico City, devotes more time to teaching whole words than to teaching separate[单独的] letters.

Why has “Sesame Street” been so much more successful than other childrens shows? Many reasons have been suggested. People mention the educational theories[理论] of its creators, the support by the government and private businesses, and the skillful use of various TV tricks. Perhaps an equally important reason is that mothers watch it along with their children. This is partly because famous adult stars often appear on it. But the best reason for the success of the program may be that it makes every child watching it feel able to learn.

The child finds himself learning, and he wants to learn more.

1. “Sesame Street” is actually ______.

A. a street in the US

B. a program for children

C. a program for teachers

D. a program for students

2. Children who often watch the program ______.

A. can have programs in school

B. will find it a great help

C. will take no interest in their studies

D. neednt go to school

3. Which of the following statements is NOT true?