[单元检测·高考提能] Ⅰ.阅读理解
A
Recently, a group of scientists decided to find out what the funniest joke in the world was. This was obviously a difficult task, as no two people really agree about what is funny and what is not — especially when they are from different countries.
Here is the joke which the experts decided was the funniest joke in the world： Two hunters were out in the woods. One of them fell to the ground. He didn't seem to be breathing; his eyes were closed. The other hunter took out his mobile phone and called the emergency services (紧急救援部门). “My friend is dead！”he cried to the operator.“What can I do？” The operator said，“Don't worry. First, make sure he's dead.”There was a silence, and then a shot (枪声) was heard. Bang! The hunter's voice came back on the line. He said，“OK, now what？”
“I see millions of stars, Holmes，” replied Watson. “And what do you infer from that？”
“Well, there are billions of stars ... we are a small part of the universe ...” “Watson, you idiot！” he said. “Someone has stolen our tent！” I personally think this is better.
Can scientists in the end decide what is funny? Some things are much too complicated, even for scientists.
语篇解读：本文是一篇议论文。一些科学家试图找到世界上最好笑的笑话，但实际上由于人们判断笑话好笑的标准不一样，找出最好笑的笑话是很难做到的。
1．What can we learn from the first paragraph? A．Few jokes can make scientists laugh.
B．Only scientists can find out the funniest joke. C．There are different jokes in different countries. D．People hold different opinions about what is funny.
解析：选D 推理判断题。根据第一段第二句可知，人们对笑话是否好笑持有不同的观点。
2．What does the author think of the first joke? A．It is not so funny as the experts thought. B．It is really the funniest joke he has ever heard. C．It can greatly affect readers' attitudes toward hunters.
解析：选A 推理判断题。根据第四段中的“This is perhaps amusing ... It's also quite a ‘black’ joke — a joke about something which isn't really a funny subject.”可知，作者认为第一个笑话不如专家认为的那样好笑，它充其量只是个“黑色幽默”。
3．We can learn that a person's understanding of a joke can be affected by ________.
A．the reader's feeling B．the length of the joke
C．the reader's cultural background
4．Which of the following is the best title for this passage? A．Uninteresting jokes B．Different kinds of jokes C．The funniest jokes in the world D．Tips on how to make others laugh
解析：选C 主旨大意题。本文主要讲的是科学家试图找出世界上最好笑的笑话，但是不同的人持有不同的观点。
B
Opening in 1934, the Brookfield Zoo quickly received a worldwide reputation for its special displays and unique exhibits.
Address：1st Avenue between Ogden Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield, Illinois Phone: 708-688-8000
Getting to the Brookfield Zoo by Public Transportation：
The Metra Rail Burlington Northern line runs from Union Station downtown to the “Zoo Stop” (Hollywood Station) and from there it's only a 2-block northeast walk to the zoo.
Driving from Downtown：
Drive along the Eisenhower Expressway west to First Avenue exit. Head south about 2.5 miles and follow the signs to the zoo entrance.
Parking at the Brookfield Zoo：
Parking fees are $9 for cars and $12 for buses. The Brookfield Zoo Hours：
The Brookfield Zoo is open 365 days per year. Monday－Saturday: 9：30 a．m. to 6：00 p．m. Sunday: 9：30 a．m. to 7：30 p．m.
The Brookfield Zoo Tickets： Adults (ages 12－64), $13.50； Seniors (ages 65＋), $9.50； Children (ages 3－11), $9.50； Children (ages 2 and under), free The Brookfield Zoo Featured Exhibits：
Tropic World; Wolf Woods; Living Coast; Seven Seas; Fragile Kingdom; Australia House; Habitat Africa.
About the Brookfield Zoo：
The Brookfield Zoo is located just 14 miles west of downtown Chicago. It's home to a variety of animal species, and its use of natural barriers and moats (壕沟) is so much more relaxing and enjoyable than watching a lion pace back and forth in a cage. The absence of bars also makes for great wildlife photo opportunities. The Brookfield Zoo also focuses on education, with detailed displays about the animals being viewed and the interactive program that lets kids get some hands-on experience to learn what it takes to run a zoo as well as face painting and crafts.
For more information about the Brookfield Zoo, visit
语篇解读：本文是一篇应用文。文章主要是对位于芝加哥城西近郊的布鲁克菲尔德动物园的介绍。
5．Where is the entrance to the Brookfield Zoo? A．At 31st Street. C．At Ogden Avenue.
B．At First Avenue.
D．At the Hollywood Station.
解析：选B 细节理解题。由“Address”中介绍该动物园的地址在“1st Avenue”和“Driving from Downtown”中的“Drive along the Eisenhower ... to the zoo entrance.”可知，该动物园的入口在第一大街。
6．How much should a couple in their thirties and their 5-year-old twins pay if they want to visit the zoo?
A．D|S23. C．D|S36.5.
B．D|S32.5. D．D|S46.
解析：选D 细节理解题。由“The Brookfield Zoo Tickets”中的内容可知，一对夫妻需要付13.50×2＝27美元，一对5岁的双胞胎需要付9.50×2＝19美元，因此共需付46美元。
7．What make(s) the Brookfield Zoo more attractive and enjoyable? A．Its cheap tickets.
B．Its various activities.
C．Its cage-less displays. D．Its geographical advantage.
解析：选C 推理判断题。由倒数第二段中的“its use of natural barriers and moats (壕沟) is so much more relaxing and enjoyable than watching a lion pace back and forth in a cage”可知，该动物园使用了天然屏障和壕沟隔离游客和动物，使得游客更加轻松愉快地欣赏没有关在笼子里的动物。
Ⅱ.阅读七选五
Knowing how to get the conversation started is important, however, keeping it going is even more important. Here are some conversation skills that make people like you.
Invite people to share their lives
The most important conversation skill is to invite people to talk about their lives. __1__ Show an interest in learning about a person's history, family, ideas, or goals and it will likely get the conversation going right away. __2__
Ask open-ended (开放式的) questions
Open-ended questions require more than just a yes-or-no answer. Ask open-ended questions that encourage other people to start discussing a topic in detail. __3__ These questions really encourage other people to offer information about their story and invite them to share their opinion.
Wait for your turn to talk
Whatever you do, don't interrupt. Instead, wait patiently for your turn to talk. Interrupting is one of the quickest ways to shut down a conversation and make other people uncomfortable. Show that you value what others are saying. __4__
Request advice
Asking for advice shows that you value someone else's opinion. Just because you ask for advice doesn't mean you have to follow it. __5__ Ask your co-worker if she likes your new jacket or ask a friend how you should handle a situation. Asking for advice can make others feel important.
A．Almost everyone enjoys talking about themselves.
B．You can ask for advice on both simple and serious things in life. C．This shows that you are listening and helps clarify what you have heard. D．If a person appears uncomfortable sharing something personal, change the subject.
E．If someone is talking about something you don't understand, ask for an explanation.
F．Truly listen to what is being said rather than try to think of what you will say next.
G．For example, ask, “What made you decide to pursue nursing？” or “How did you like living in Hawaii？”
语篇解读：懂得如何开始聊天很重要，但让聊天持续更重要。本文介绍了几个聊天技巧能让你成为受人欢迎的交谈对象。
1．选A 本空所在段落主要说明了要引导别人谈论他们自己的生活。A项中的“talking about themselves”与本空前一句中“talk about their lives”形成对应。
2．选D D项中的“something personal”与前一句中的“a person's history, family, ideas, or goals”形成对应。如果有的人对谈论一些私人话题感到不舒服的话，那就换个话题。
3．选G G项与下一句语意衔接。下一句中的“These questions”指代G项中的开放式问题。
4．选F 本空所在段落告诉我们不要插话，要耐心等待轮到你说话时再说。F项符合本段大意。
5．选B 你可以就生活中简单和重大的事情询问别人的意见。本空下一句给出了具体例子：比如说你可以问你的同事是否喜欢你的新夹克或问你的朋友怎样处理某个情况。