UNIT 4 HISTORY AND TRADITIONS
Ⅰ.阅读理解(每小题2.5分)
A(2024江西新余二模)
When it comes to popular symbols of marriage,one cannot look past the wedding ring.The wedding ring serves as a perfect symbol of everlasting love — a ring is a circle and thus has no beginning or end,representing the never-ending union of marriage.Wedding rings have long and rich histories.
Evidence suggests that wedding rings were used in ancient Egypt around 6,000 years ago.However,unlike the metals and gemstones used today,they were crafted from materials such as reeds,leather or bone.In the centuries that followed,the wedding ring tradition was picked up in the West,where it spread first in ancient Rome and Greece,subsequently throughout Europe during the Middle Ages and eventually to Eastern culture.Throughout history,the circular shape of the ring has endured,and so has the tradition of wearing it on the fourth finger of the left hand.The latter practice stemmed from an ancient belief that a vein ran directly from this finger to the heart.Although this belief has since been proved false,the custom has persisted.
Regarding customs surrounding wedding rings,there was a time when only the bride wore a wedding ring.It wasn’t until the early 20th century that the practice of grooms wearing rings gained popularity.This change was influenced by soldiers going off to war,who wore rings as reminders of their loved ones waiting for them at home.Today,the exchange of wedding rings remains an integral part of the wedding ceremony,symbolizing the commitment and love shared between two individuals embarking on a life together.
Wedding rings hold a symbolic significance that binds the two members of a married couple.In an ever-changing world,the wedding ring stands as an ancient tradition that is likely to continue for generations to come,reflecting the timeless and eternal love celebrated through marriage.
1.What is the main reason why wedding rings are considered symbols of marriage
A.They are made of precious materials.
B.They have profound histories.
C.They are worn on left hands.
D.They have circular shapes.
2.According to the passage,what is an example of a common myth instead of a fact
A.Women were wearing wedding rings long before men were.
B.One finger on the left hand contains a vein leading to the heart.
C.Both ancient Romans and Egyptians wore the ring on the same finger.
D.The wedding ring tradition began in Egypt thousands of years ago.
3.Which of the following aspects of a wedding ring is NOT discussed in the passage
A.How the tradition of it spread around the world.
B.What couples do with their wedding rings.
C.How to choose suitable wedding rings.
D.Materials used to make early rings.
4.How does the author feel about the tradition of wedding rings
A.It will most likely last forever.
B.It has already fallen out of date.
C.It should be taken more seriously.
D.It holds no significance in modern society.
B(2025广东汕头期末)
When you’re bored,do you start scanning through short videos That might not ease your boredom.According to a recent study,switching between videos or fast-forwarding through them can bore you even more.
Boredom is an uncomfortable emotion which can develop when a situation lacks newness or meaning.But it serves a purpose.Boredom signals that there is something more pleasurable to do.This can motivate people to explore their environment and stop investing time in an activity that has little to offer.
Katy Y.Y.Tam,from the University of Toronto Scarborough in Canada,is a scientist and psychologist.In 2021,Tam developed a theory called the “Boredom Feedback Model”,stating that boredom happens when your attention shifts from one thing to another.This type of boredom can happen when people start watching one online video,then,fast-forward or skip to the next one.
Tam ran experiments with more than 1,200 people,and showed that people switched to new videos when they were bored.These people believed switching videos would make them less bored.But the result was just the opposite.
In one experiment,people watched a single video for 10 minutes.Next,scientists asked them to watch seven shorter videos,with the ability to skip to the next.On average,people skipped eight times.When skipping around,people reported feeling more bored,less satisfied,and less engaged than when they fully watched a single video.
Growing evidence shows that boredom is on the rise.Bored people often turn to their phones,but report being more bored.Psychology professor Michael Inzlicht,who worked on the study with Tam,said he had been fascinated by rising boredom in recent years.He thought it could be due to a lack of concentration.“When you’re absorbed,you don’t feel bored.When your attention is spread,you’re almost by definition not satisfied,” Inzlicht said.
5.What is paragraph 2 mainly about
A.Signals of boredom.
B.A positive aspect of boredom.
C.The purpose of the experiments.
D.Motivations of the experiments.
6.According to the “Boredom Feedback Model”,what causes boredom
A.Mind-engaging tasks.
B.Changing focus constantly.
C.Watching online videos.
D.Time-consuming activities.
7.What would people generally expect when skipping videos
A.Boredom would be killed.
B.Self-satisfaction would be achieved.
C.Attention would be enhanced.
D.More information would be obtained.
8.According to Michael Inzlicht,which of the following behavior would help avoid boredom
A.Limiting the time of screen use.
B.Aimlessly adopting different activities.
C.Engaging in attention-demanding tasks.
D.Frequently shifting learning subjects in a short time.
Ⅱ.完形填空(每小题1分)
(2024广东韶关二模)
On a hot afternoon Rhiannon was driving her old van down the highway.As she 9 her window to let in some fresh air,her car registration paper blew off the sun visor (防晒板) and onto the floor inside.When leaning down to 10 it,she accidentally drifted into oncoming traffic.In panic,she over-corrected and pulled the 11 sharply in the other direction. 12 ,the van rolled over three times,and Rhiannon was thrown onto the road,lying in the middle of the road and bleeding,nearly 13 .
A medical student witnessed the accident and came to her 14 .He covered Rhiannon with his coat and gave her emergency first aid,including 15 the wound on her left arm before the ambulance arrived.
16 ,Rhiannon was rushed to a hospital where an emergency room doctor spent hours 17 all the pieces of windshield (挡风玻璃) from her arm,and gave her three dozen stitches (缝针).
Luckily,Rhiannon was saved.Not for the bandage,she would not have 18 long enough for the emergency personnel to arrive.Though Rhiannon didn’t know him,she was grateful to the medical student who saved her life.So she 19 the words online,“It’s a pity that I don’t know your name.If you happen to see or hear this story and recognize yourself,thank you for your kind 20 .”
Rhiannon also had a message for the other 21 heroes,“Please consider this a pay-it-forward letter of 22 — a letter from the 23 you helped who,for whatever reason,couldn’t thank you themselves.”
9.A.rolled down B.broke off
C.turned down D.switched off
10.A.stick B.grab
C.touch D.possess
11.A.handle B.engine
C.window D.wheel
12.A.Consequently B.Automatically
C.Frequently D.Slowly
13.A.awake B.astonished
C.unconscious D.crazy
14.A.vision B.action
C.rescue D.mind
15.A.bandaging B.curing
C.pressing D.uncovering
16.A.Without delay B.Out of sympathy
C.For certainty D.In despair
17.A.tidying B.removing
C.collecting D.checking
18.A.suffered B.struggled
C.stayed D.survived
19.A.searched B.browsed
C.received D.posted
20.A.guidance B.gesture
C.expression D.encouragement
21.A.tireless B.faultless
C.nameless D.speechless
22.A.apology B.application
C.invitation D.appreciation
23.A.peers B.strangers
C.relatives D.fellows
Ⅲ.语法填空(每小题1.5分)
(2024广东揭阳二模)
The Internet is one of the 24. (great) creations and provides people with instant access 25. an endless supply of knowledge and entertainment.Using a search engine,you can ask almost any question 26. may confuse you,and find a web page with information about that question.There are also millions of videos on websites or social media,27. (explain) various topics.
In the past,it would take days and sometimes even months 28. (receive) a letter from someone else.Today,with the Internet,you can send an e-mail to anyone in the world and often have it 29.(deliver) in less than a minute.
However,the Internet is not without its 30.(disadvantage).Playing games on the Internet can become very addictive,which leads to much time being wasted.And constant connectivity means some people 31. (expect) to be available to work at any time of the day,even if they previously refused to.
Despite the drawbacks,the Internet has 32.(undoubted) changed the way we live,work and communicate,and it’s here to stay.It’s up to us to use it wisely and make 33. most of its benefits while minimizing its negative effects.
答案：
Ⅰ.【语篇解读】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了结婚戒指的象征意义、悠久而丰富的历史、早期制作材料、传播过程、相关传统等。
1.D 细节理解题。根据第一段中“The wedding ring serves as a perfect symbol of everlasting love—a ring is a circle and thus has no beginning or end,representing the never-ending union of marriage.”可知,结婚戒指被认为是婚姻的象征的主要原因是它们的形状是圆形的。
2.B 细节理解题。根据第二段中“Throughout history,the circular shape of the ring has endured,and so has the tradition of wearing it on the fourth finger of the left hand.The latter practice stemmed from an ancient belief that a vein ran directly from this finger to the heart.Although this belief has since been proved false,the custom has persisted.”可知,左手的无名指上有一条通向心脏的静脉,这是一个误解,而不是事实。
3.C 细节理解题。根据第二段中“However,unlike the metals and gemstones used today...wearing it on the fourth finger of the left hand.”可知,文章涵盖了用来制造早期戒指的材料、婚戒的传统是如何传播到世界各地的、情侣们怎么使用他们的婚戒,未提及如何选择合适的婚戒。
4.A 细节理解题。根据最后一段中“In an ever-changing world,the wedding ring stands as an ancient tradition that is likely to continue for generations to come,reflecting the timeless and eternal love celebrated through marriage.”可知,作者觉得婚戒的传统很可能会永远延续下去。
【语篇解读】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了无聊是一种不舒服的情绪,当一种情形缺乏新奇时,无聊就会产生,但它也有积极的一面。
5.B 主旨大意题。根据文章第二段中的“Boredom signals that there is something more pleasurable to do.This can motivate people to explore their environment and stop investing time in an activity that has little to offer.”可知,第二段主要讲的是无聊的积极方面。
6.B 细节理解题。根据文章第三段中的“In 2021,Tam developed a theory called the ‘Boredom Feedback Model’,stating that boredom happens when your attention shifts from one thing to another.”可知,根据“无聊反馈模型”可知,无聊是不断转移注意力导致的。
7.A 推理判断题。根据文章第四段可知,跳过视频时,人们通常会期待无聊会被消灭。
8.C 细节理解题。根据文章最后一段中的“When you’re absorbed,you don’t feel bored.When your attention is spread,you’re almost by definition not satisfied”可知,根据Michael Inzlicht的说法,参与需要注意力的任务的行为有助于避免无聊。
Ⅱ.【语篇解读】本文是一篇记叙文。Rhiannon在高速公路上开车时遭遇了一场事故,随后被一名医学生救助,之后Rhiannon在网上对救援者表达了感激之情。
9.A roll down摇下;break off中断;turn down拒绝;switch off关闭。根据前文“Rhiannon was driving her old van”以及后文“to let in some fresh air”可知,她在开车,要让新鲜空气进来,应是摇下车窗。
10.B 根据前文“her car registration paper blew off the sun visor and onto the floor inside”可知,她的汽车登记纸从遮阳板上吹到了里面的地板上,所以应是弯下腰去抓它。
11.D 根据前文“she accidentally drifted into oncoming traffic”以及“In panic”可知,她不小心撞到了迎面而来的车辆,她很慌乱,结合实际,她应是猛打方向盘。
12.A 根据后文“the van rolled over three times,and Rhiannon was thrown onto the road”可知,此处应是她猛打方向盘的结果。
13.C 根据前文“the van rolled over three times,and Rhiannon was thrown onto the road,lying in the middle of the road and bleeding”可知,Rhiannon发生了很严重的车祸,应是几乎失去知觉。故选C项。
14.C 根据后文“He covered Rhiannon with his coat and gave her emergency first aid”可知,这名医学生在救Rhiannon。
15.A 根据前文“He covered Rhiannon with his coat and gave her emergency first aid”以及后文“the wound on her left arm”可知,这名医学生对Rhiannon进行了紧急急救,所以此处应是包扎她左臂的伤口。
16.A without delay立即;out of sympathy出于同情;for certainty无疑地;in despair失望地。根据后文“Rhiannon was rushed to a hospital”可知,Rhiannon发生了严重车祸,所以应是立即被送往医院。
17.B 根据后文“all the pieces of windshield from her arm”可知,应是从她的手臂上取出所有挡风玻璃碎片。
18.D 根据前文“Not for the bandage”以及后文“long enough for the emergency personnel to arrive”可知,此处表达“如果没有绷带,她不可能活到急救人员赶到”之意。
19.D 根据后文“the words online”可知,在网上,应是发帖说。
20.B 根据前文“A medical student witnessed the accident and came to her .”可知,这名医学生救了她,所以是感谢他的善意行为,kind gesture意为“善意的举动”。故选B项。
21.C 根据前文“It’s a pity that I don’t know your name.”可知,Rhiannon不知道谁帮助了自己,要感谢的是无名英雄。故选C项。
22.D 根据后文“for whatever reason,couldn’t thank you themselves”可知,这是一封感谢信。
23.B 根据前文“Rhiannon also had a message for the other heroes”可知,这给无名英雄的信,因为不知道彼此的名字,所以是一封来自你帮助过的陌生人的感谢信。
Ⅲ.【语篇解读】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要说明了互联网是最伟大的创造之一,它为人们提供了获取无穷无尽的知识和娱乐的即时途径,分析了互联网的利弊。
24.greatest 考查形容词比较等级。根据上文定冠词以及句意可知应填最高级。故填greatest。
25.to 考查介词。access to表示“获取”。故填to。
26.that 考查定语从句。定语从句修饰先行词question,且先行词被any修饰时只能用that。
27.explaining 考查非谓语动词。分析句子结构可知explain与videos构成主谓关系,故用动词-ing形式。故填explaining。
28.to receive 考查非谓语动词。it takes/took some time to do sth 做某事花费多少时间。故填to receive。
29.delivered 考查非谓语动词。此处deliver与it构成被动关系,故用过去分词作宾语补足语。故填delivered。
30.disadvantages 考查名词的数。根据后文可知缺点不止一个,应用复数形式。故填disadvantages。
31.are expected 考查动词的时态和语态。be expected to do sth 被期望做某事,根据means可知为一般现在时,主语some people与expect是被动关系,要用被动语态。故填are expected。
32.undoubtedly 考查词性转换。修饰动词changed应用副词,故填undoubtedly。
33.the 考查冠词。make the most of充分利用。故填the。
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