2024年4月23日发(作者：)

2023-2024

学年陕西省渭南市大荔县高二上学期期末考试英语试题

Top Piano Players in the World

Martha Argerich

Martha Argerich could be considered the next Beethoven, as she is one of the most outstanding

pianists ever to play. Argerich preferred being on stage with others instead of performing solo;

therefore, she has been performing in a concerto format since the 1980s. Argerich was not one for

the spotlight, as she often avoided public appearances such as interviews; however, her great talent

was all the publicity she needed, standing out during concertos and sonatas.

Leif Ove Andsnes

Known for his appealing performances of Edvard Grieg’s works, Andsnes has won praise for his

performances at some of the world’s most famous concert halls. Andsnes has certainly made his

mark in Norway, as he is the founding director of Norway’s Rosendal Chamber Music Festival.

Because of his unique voice and interesting approach, he was praised by The New York Times as a

“pianist of authoritative elegance, power, and insight.”

Alfred Brendel

Known for his beautiful interpretations of Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert and Mozart, Alfred Brendel

was considered one of the greats. He played in various concertos throughout his career and became

known for his interpretive coldness in recreating these works. Brendel was considered one of the

greatest musicians of the 20th century, as he made his mark in the classical music industry. Brendel

was self-taught and learned his love of piano at an early age.

Arthur Rubinstein

Arthur Rubinstein was certainly one of the greats. His career began in the early 20th century when

he began to come into contact with some of the world’s most important composers, such as Maurice

Ravel, Paul Dukas, and Jacques Thibaud. He made various trips worldwide and visited nearly every

continent, where crowds met him with great praise and encouragement.

1. What does the female pianist focus on in her career?

A

．

Skills in hosting concertos and sonatas.

C

．

Close relationships with the media.

2. Who learned music by himself or herself?

A

．

Martha Argerich.

C

．

Alfred Brendel.

B

．

Leif Ove Andsnes.

D

．

Arthur Rubinstein.

B

．

Cooperation with other musicians.

D

．

Unique ways to interpret music.

3. How is Arthur Rubinstein different from the other pianists?

A

．

He was the director of a Norwegian festival.

B

．

He made a difference in classical music.

C

．

He was the best musician of the 20th century.

D

．

He got in touch with some famous composers.

A British friend told me he couldn't understand why Chinese people love eating sunflower seeds (

葵

花子

) as a snack so much. “I’ve met a lot of older Chinese and many have a crack in their front

teeth; I believe that's from cracking the seeds,” he said.

I had never noticed the habit, but once he mentioned it, I suddenly became more aware. I realized

that whenever I’m watching TV or typing a report, I always start mindlessly cracking sunflower

seeds. My friend doesn't like sunflower seeds, and, to him, it seems unnecessary to work so hard just

to get one small seed.

When we were young, the whole family would usually get together for Chinese New Year. Then, we

all lived close to one another, usually in a small city, and sometimes even neighbors would go

doortodoor on Chinese New Year’s Eve to check out what every household was making.

I remember my parents would be in the kitchen cooking. In the living room, a large table would

already be laid out, complete with a fancy tablecloth, readymade dumpling fillings, and dishes full of

candy, fruits and sunflower seeds.

Some of the dishes were to be offered to our ancestors later, while others were for neighbors and

children to eat before the evening feast. I must have learned how to crack sunflower seeds back then.

I don’t think it’s right to criticize one’s choice in food or eating habits, no matter how strange they

may seem.

It’s not only in China. When I went abroad, I found people had all sorts of strange habits when it

came to food. In Denmark, they put salted red fish on bread and eat it for dinner, no matter how

much it ruins their breath. They think it’s a delicacy, and it’s connected with their culture. I think it’s

a wonderful tradition.

4. What lesson can we learn from the passage?

A

．

One kind of food doesn’t necessarily suit everyone.

B

．

Eating habits come from a certain culture.

C

．

It is good to form healthy eating habits.

D

．

Changing your eating habits will change your life.

5. What did the writer become aware of?

A

．

She had ever typed a report about seeds.

B

．

She ate various snacks while watching TV.

C

．

She has a habit of cracking sunflower seeds.

D

．

She damaged her teeth by eating sunflower seeds.

6. What does the writer prove by mentioning Chinese New Year?

A

．

The traditions of celebrating it disappear.

B

．

Children can eat delicious food on that day.

C

．

The families would get together for it.

D

．

Eating sunflower seeds is related to it.

7. The writer’s attitude to Denmark’s way of eating bread is ________

．

A

．

acceptable

C

．

neutral

What people say is only one aspect of good communication. Good listening skills and body

language are also important for us to effectively communicate with others. Effective communication

involves more than talking to a person. How things are said, words are chosen and tones are adopted

are all aspects of good communication.

Body language, a common form of non-verbal communication, can support what a speaker is saying.

Studies have shown that of the information that is received from other people, only 10% is from

what they say and 40% is from the tone and speed of their voice. The other 50% is obtained from

their body language. Reading body language is part of developing social skills.

Some professionals, such as lawyers, governmental security officers and doctors on mental

problems, learn to read every type of body language of others to help in their jobs. They look for

specific signs, while the average person reads some body language subconsciously

（下意识地）

.

Body language can involve one aspect such as the eyes, or the use of different body parts. Where the

body is positioned in relation to another person or at a table is another piece in communicating what

the person is feeling. Troubles may arise

（出现）

when body language is misunderstood.

Good listening skills clear the way to a clear message while bad listening skills create barriers which

can confuse or stop the message. Good listeners can use body language by nodding occasionally to

show interest and understanding, make eye contact with the speaker, repeat some of the words and

feelings, and summarize what they have heard. All these can avoid communication troubles.

Poor listeners rarely communicate effectively. Barriers they commonly use may include:

interruptions, inappropriate humor, judgments, criticisms, and unrelated questions. People who are

attempting to communicate with a person who continually throws out barriers will often stop talking

and they even get angry as they feel misunderstood and frustrated. Healthy minded people are able

to communicate with others effectively by avoiding these barriers. They are able to let their partners

know what they want regularly and clearly.

8. What can we learn from the first paragraph?

A

．

Speakers usually pay little attention to what they said and what words and tones they use.

B

．

Good communication means talking to a person effectively with right tones and speed.

C

．

Body language and listening skills are highly involved in successful communication.

B

．

critical

D

．

doubtful

D

．

The manner of communication is determined by the listener rather than the speaker.

9. According to the studies, body language ________.

A

．

makes up 40% of the information received from communication

B

．

sometimes leads people to misunderstand what others have said

C

．

can remind the listeners of what the speakers are actually expressing

D

．

can only be correctly read by people with excellent social skills

10. Which of the following reactions of a listener may create difficulties in communication?

A

．

Making a summary of what he has heard.

B

．

Repeating the speaker’s words and ideas.

C

．

Showing his feeling to the speaker.

D

．

Bringing in an unrelated topic suddenly.

11. What’s the author’s purpose of writing this text?

A

．

To emphasize that communication involves more than talking.

B

．

To introduce different types of non-verbal communication.

C

．

To suggest ways to effectively communicate with others.

D

．

To discuss the different effects of good and poor listening skills.

Ecotourism has become increasingly popular in recent ers visit natural environments

funding conservation efforts or promoting local many cases, ecotourism involves close

interaction with wildlife.

Now, scientists have analyzed more than 100 research studies on how ecotourism affects wild

find the presence of humans changes the way animals behave, and those changes may

put them at ore, they have concluded that such trips can be harmful to the animals.

When animals interact in seemingly kind ways with humans, they may let down their

animals learn to relax in the presence of humans, they may become bolder in other this

transfers to their interactions with predators (

捕食者

), they are more likely to be injured or killed.

The presence of humans can also discourage natural creates a kind of safe place for

smaller animals that may make them example, in Grand Teton National Park, elk and

pronghorns in areas with more tourists are less watchful and spend more time eating.

Interacting with people can cause great changes in the characteristics of various species over time.“If

animals become accustomed to tourists, we might create unintended consequences — affecting the

behavior or population of a species and influencing the species’ function in its community,” the

researchers write.

Ecotourism has effects similar to those of animal domestication (

驯养

) and ch

has shown that domesticated silver foxes become more obedient and less squirrels and

birds that live in urbanized areas are slower to flee from phenomena result from

evolutionary changes, but also from regular interactions with humans.

Scientists hope the new analysis will encourage more research into the interactions between people

and is essential to develop further understanding of how various species in various

situations respond to human interaction and under what conditions human exposure may place them

at risk.

12. We can learn from the passage that ___________.

A

．

ecotourism causes damage to the natural homes of wildlife

B

．

it is easy for eco-tourists to build up trust with wild animals

C

．

the effects brought by ecotourism may be harmful to the animals

D

．

wildlife interactions with humans strengthen their function in community

13. What does the underlined word “bolder” in paragraph 3 probably mean?

A

．

shyer B

．

braver C

．

wiser D

．

swifter

14. The author mentions pronghorns in paragraph 4 as an example to show that ________.

A

．

wild animals become more relaxed due to evolution

B

．

animals’ reactions to humans vary from species to species

C

．

smaller animals tend to be in harmony with natural predators

D

．

the presence of humans reduces their awareness of potential danger

15. What might be the best title for the text?

A

．

Ecotourism Can Put Wild Animals at Risk

B

．

Ecotourism Has Become A Popular Trend

C

．

Wildlife’s Reactions to Human Activities

D

．

Latest Research Findings on Ecotourism

Reading is often seen as an individual activity, but it definitely doesn’t have to be. If you join a book

club, reading with others can be a positive social interaction. 16 And here are some of the ways that

becoming part of a book club can better your life.

17 If so, a book club can help you discover and explore new types, authors, and perspectives (

观

点

). According to a recent survey, 57 percent of book clubbers said they wouldn’t otherwise have

read some of the books selected by their book clubs.