閱讀理解

  Our listener question this week comes from Vietnam.Quang Khoi asks about Murphy’s Law.Murphy’s Law says:“Everything that can possibly go wrong will go wrong.” Like many other popular sayings, it is difficult to find one explanation for it.

  Those trying to explain Murphy’s Law agree that it began in the United States Air Force, which says the expression was named after officer Edward Murphy.He was an engineer working on a project in space flight research in 1949.One story says Captain Murphy was commenting about the failure of some equipment he was using in an experiment.He reportedly mentioned the worker responsible by saying:“If there is a way to do it wrong, he will find it.” Another official heard this and called it Murphy’s Law.

  Another story is found in a book called A History of Murphy’s Law by Nick Spark.It says members of the research team working with Captain Murphy created a similar phrase:“If it can happen, it will happen.” They called this Murphy’s Law.But Spark later said there are in fact many different explanations about who invented the expression.

  Still, many stories say the first use of the term Murphy’s Law was at a press conference several weeks later.John Stapp was an Air Force captain at the time.He spoke to reporters about the tests completed by Captain Murphy and his team.Stapp said no one was injured during the tests because the Air Force considered “Murphy’s Law” before carrying out their experiments.He said this meant that they considered everything that could go wrong before a test and planned how to prevent those mistakes from happening.

  Today, you can find examples of Murphy’s Law in everyday life.For example, you might say that if you drop a slice of buttered bread on the floor, it will always land with the buttered side down.

(1)

The passage is probably taken from _________

[  ]

A.

a newspaper

B.

a history textbook

C.

a radio programme

D.

a cultural magazine

(2)

According to the first explanation, we can learn that Murphy was _________ the worker responsible.

[  ]

A.

pleased with

B.

dissatisfied with

C.

familiar with

D.

concerned about

(3)

According to Nick Spark, we can know that _________.

[  ]

A.

nobody knows who really invented the expression

B.

it was Captain Murphy who invented this expression

C.

Murphy’s teammates created this popular expression

D.

it is a waste of time to discuss who invented the expression

答案:1.C;2.B;3.A;
練習(xí)冊系列答案
相關(guān)習(xí)題

科目:高中英語 來源:活題巧解巧練·高二英語(上) 題型:050

閱讀理解

  The famous director of a big and expensive movie planned to film a beautiful sunset over the ocean, so that the audience could see his hero and heroine in front of it at the end of the film as they said good-bye to each other forever. He sent his camera crew(攝制組)out one evening to film the sunset for him.

  The next morning he said to the men,“Have you provided me with that sunset?”

  “No, sir,”the men answered.

  The director was angry.“Why not?”he asked.

  “Well, sir.”one of the men answered, “we're on the east coast here, and the sun sets in the west. We can get you a sunrise over the sea, if necessary, but not a sunset.”

  “But I want a sunset!”the director shouted.“Go to the airport, take the next flight to the west coast, and get one.”

  But then a young secretary had an idea.“Why don't you photograph a sunrise,”she suggested,“and then play it backwards. It'll look like a sunset.”

  “That's a very good idea!”the director said. Then he turned to the camera crew and said,“Tomorrow morning I want you to get me a beautiful sunrise over the sea.”

  The camera crew went out early the next morning end filmed a bright sunrise over the beach in the middle of a beautiful bay (海灣). Then at nine o'clock they took it to the director.“Here it is, sir.”they said, and gave it to him. He was very pleased.

  They all went into the studio (攝影棚).“All right.”the director explained.“Now our hero and heroine are going to say good-bye. Run the film backwards so that we can see the‘sunset’behind them.”

  The“sunset”began, but after a quarter of a minute, the director suddenly put his face in his hands and shouted to the camera crew to stop.

  The birds in the film were flying backwards, and the waves on the sea were going away from the beach.

1.Which of the following statements is NOT true?

[  ]

A.The crew had to follow the secretary's advice.

B.If you want to see a sunrise, the east coast is the place to go to.

C.The camera crew wasn't able to film the scene the first day

D.The director ordered Ms crew to stop filming the“sunset”.

2.The director wanted to film a sunset over the ocean because ________.

[  ]

A.it went well with the separation of the hero and the heroine

B.when they arrived at the beach it was already in the evening

C.the ocean looked more beautiful at sunset

D.it was more moving than a sunrise

3.After the“sunset”began the director suddenly put his face in his hands ________.

[  ]

A.because he was moved to tears

B.a(chǎn)s he saw everything in the film moving backwards

C.a(chǎn)s the sunrise did not look as beautiful as he had imagined

D.because he was disappointed with the performance of the hero and heroine

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:福建省泉州五中2007-2008年高考模擬考試 英語試題 題型:050

閱讀理解

ISC(HS)Reference No.S006864            New South Wales

Student Date of Birth:19/08/1988   Department of Education and Training

                     International Students Centre

Hong Xue              827-839 George Street PO Box 707

60 Waratah Street                Broadway NSW 21007

Croydon Park NSW 2133       Phone:(612)9217 4801 1300 302 456

                        Fax:(612)9212 6721

                 http://www.tafensw.edu.au/international/

WARNING LETTER

Dear Hong Xue,

  As you are aware, your student visa regulations set out a number of conditions applying to your visa.It has come to our attention that you are failing to meet the following conditions:You must maintain accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements that have been approved by your education provider if you:

  ●have not turned 18; and

  ●are not staying in Australia with:

  -a parent

 。璦 custodian(監(jiān)護(hù)人); or

 。璦 relative who has been nominated(指定)by your parent or a custodian, is aged at least 21 and is of good character.

  Note:You must not change those arrangements without the written approval of your education provider.

  You must obey the following rules:

  1.During term time you must:

  a)remain in your homestay during the school term;

  b)come home every night; and

  c)inform your guardian at all times of your whereabouts.

  2.On weekends you must:

  a)have your guardian's permission to stay with friends; and

  b)inform your guardian of the name, address and phone numbers of people you are visiting.

  3.You must return your guardian's telephone calls.

  This will be your only warning.If you continue to breach(違反)your student visa regulations we will report you to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.Such action may lead to the cancellation(取消)of your student visa.Please contact me on(612)9217 4801 or fax(612)9212 6721 if you have questions about your enrolment.

                   Yours sincerely

                   Tracey Carlon

                   Student Advisor

                   International Students Centre

NSW Department of Education and Training

(1)

What's the purpose of writing this letter?

[  ]

A.

To remind the recipient of the conditions for applying for a student visa.

B.

To warn the recipient not to do anything against his student visa regulations again.

C.

To tell the recipient how to contact his student advisor.

D.

To inform the recipient of the student visa regulations.

(2)

What can be learned about the recipient from this letter?

[  ]

A.

He is under 18 and studies in Australia with his parents.

B.

He is required to come home every night according to the rules.

C.

He can stay with his friends on weekends if permitted.

D.

His student Visa has been cancelled.

(3)

To which address should the recipient reply if he feels like answering the letter?

[  ]

A.

Hong Xue at 60 Waratah Street, Croydon Park NSW 2133.

B.

Tracey Carlon at the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.

C.

Hong Xue at NSW Department of Education and Training.

D.

Tracey Carlon at 827-839 George Street, PO Box 707, Broadway NSW 21007.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:甘肅省天水一中2010屆高三二模英語試題 題型:050

閱讀理解

  One night when my wife was preparing dinner, our little son took a piece of paper to her which read

  For washing the car                 $5.00

  For making my own bed this week           $1.00

  Going to the provision shop              $0.50

  Playing with little sister               $0.25

  Taking out the rubbish                $1.00

  Getting a good report card              $5.00

  And for sweeping the common corridor         $2.00

  Total                       $14.75

  His mother looked at him standing there expecting paymentI could see a thousand memories flashed through her mindSo she picked up the pen and turning the paper over, this is what she wrote

  For nine months I carried you, growing inside me      No Charge

  For the nights I sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you No Charge

  For the toys, food and clothes and wiping your nose     No Charge

  When you add it all up, the full cost of my love       No Charge

  Well, when he finished reading, he had big tears in his eyesHe looked at his mother and said,Mummy, I love you.”Then he took the pen and in great big letters wrote on thebill”“All paid.”

(1)

What's the best title for this passage?

[  ]

A.

Part-time Job

B.

Mother's Love, No Charge

C.

Payment for House Work

D.

Greedy Mother

(2)

The write wrote the passage in order to ________

[  ]

A.

show that children should be paid for their housework

B.

show that children should not be paid for their housework

C.

show a clever way of teaching children

D.

tell children how to spend their spare time

(3)

How do you think of the mother in the passage?

[  ]

A.

Clever

B.

Greedy

C.

Coldhearted

D.

Selfish

(4)

From the last passage we know that ________

[  ]

A.

the boy got all the money he wanted

B.

the mother was unwilling to give the money to the boy

C.

the boy realized that it was not right to ask for money for the housework

D.

the mother was angry with what the boy said

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:黑龍江省鶴崗一中2011-2012學(xué)年高二上學(xué)期期中考試英語試題 題型:050

閱讀理解

  A few days ago I asked my son's governess(女家庭教師)Julia to come into my study.“Be seated, Julia,”I said, “Let's settle our accounts.I guess you most likely need some money, but maybe you're too polite to mention it.Now then, we agreed on thirty dollars a month…”

  “Forty.”

  “No, thirty.I made a note of it.I always pay our governess thirty.Well, um, you've been here two months, so…”

  “Two months and five days.”

  “Exactly two months.I made a special note of it.That means you have sixty dollars coming to you.Take off nine Sundays…you know you didn't work with Tom on Sundays, you only took walks.And three holidays…”Julia was biting her finger nail nervously, her face red, but-not a word.

  “Three holidays, therefore take off twelve dollars.Four days Tom was sick and there were no lessons, as you were occupied(從事)only with Dick.Three days you had a toothache and my wife gave you permission not to work after lunch.Twelve and seven-nineteen.Take nineteen off…that leaves…h(huán)mm…forty one dollars.Correct?”

  Julia's left eye reddened with tears welling up.Her chin trembled; she coughed nervously and blew her nose, but-still not a word.

  “Around New Year's Day you broke a teacup and a saucer; take off two dollars.The cup cost more, it was a treasure of the family, but - forget it.When didn't I take a loss! Then, due to your neglect(疏忽), Tom climbed a tree and tore his jacket; take away ten.Also due to your carelessness the maid stole Dick's shoes.You ought to watch everything! You get paid for it.So, that means five more dollars off.The tenth of January I gave ten dollars.”

  “You didn't.” sobbed Julia.

  “But I made a note of it.”

  “Well…if you say so.”

  “Take twenty seven from forty one-that leaves fourteen.”

  Both her eyes were filled with tears.Beads of sweat stood on the thin pretty little nose.Poor girl!

  “Only once was I given any money,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “and that was by your wife.Three dollars, nothing more.”

  “Really? You see now, and I didn't know that! Take three from fourteen-that leaves eleven.Here's your money, my dear.Three, three, three, one and one.Here it is!”

  I handed her eleven dollars.She took them and pocketed them.

  “Merci(法語:謝謝),”she whispered.

  I jumped to my feet and started pacing the room.I was overcome with anger.“For what, this ‘merci'?” I asked.

  “For the money.”

  “But you know I've cheated you-robbed you! I have actually stolen from you! Why this ‘merci'?”

  “In my other places they didn't give me anything at all.”

  “They didn't give you anything? No wonder! I played a little joke on you, a cruel lesson, just to teach you...I m going to give you all the eighty dollars! Here they are in the envelope all ready for you...Is it really possible to be so spineless(懦弱)?Why didn't you protest? Why were you silent? Is it possible in this world to be without teeth and claws(爪)-to be such a fool?”

  Embarrassed, she smiled.And I could read her expression, “It is possible.”

  I asked her pardon for the cruel lesson and, to her great surprise, gave her the eighty dollars.She murmured her little “merci” several times and went out.I looked after her and thought, “How easy it is to crush(壓榨)the weak in this world !”

(1)

What shocked the writer was Julia's ________.

[  ]

A.

nervousness in front of her boss

B.

acceptance of injustice(不公平)

C.

shyness when talking about money

D.

unwilling to express herself

(2)

The writer said, “Is it possible in this world to be without teeth and claws?” He was actually telling the governess ________.

[  ]

A.

to be more aggressive(侵略的)

B.

to be more careful in her work

C.

to protect her right

D.

to live independently

(3)

At the end of the story, the writer said, “How easy it is to crush the weak in this world!” to show ________.

[  ]

A.

his understanding of Julia's anxiety

B.

his worry about Julia's future

C.

his concern on the living condition of working - class people

D.

his sympathy(同情)for the mental state of the weak

(4)

From the story, we can tell that Julia's employer was ________.

[  ]

A.

greedy(貪婪)but honest

B.

ill - tempered but warm - hearted

C.

strict but forgiving

D.

none of the above

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:0101 期中題 題型:閱讀理解

閱讀理解。

     The management and staff are happy to welcome you and will do all they can to make your stay an
enjoyable one.                     
     MEAL TIMES   
     Our overnight charge includes a continental-type breakfast.   
     Breakfast: 7:30-9:30 a. m.   
     Lunch: 12:00-2:00 p. m.   
     Afternoon tea: 4:00-5:30 p. m.   
     Dinner: 7:00-9:15 p. m.   
     Meals can be served in rooms at a small extra charge. We regret that meals cannot be served outside
these times.   
     Light refreshments including tea, coffee, biscuits and sandwiches, can be served in rooms between
10:00 a. m. and 11:00 p. m. except during the meal times listed above. Cold drinks are available in the room
refrigerator.                        
     ROOM CLEANING   
     Please hang the appropriate sign on your door handle if you do not wish to be disturbed. It will be easier
for the maids if you can leave the room temporarily at any time between 9:30 a. m. and 4:00 p. m.                           VALUABLES   
     We are not responsible for the loss of money, jewellery, or other valuables unless they are kept in the
safe and signed for by the manager.                     
      DEPARTURES   
     Please inform receptionists of your intended leaving before 9:30 a. m. of the day concerned and leave
the room by noon to allow for its preparation for incoming guests. If circumstances (情況) require, luggage
can be left in the charge of the hall porter.                   
     A SPECIAL REQUEST   
     We would respectfully suggest that in consideration of the comfort of other guests, the volume of radios
and televisions should be turned down after 11:00 p. m.

1. Meals can be served _______.  
A. outside the room at 3:00 p. M.
B. in the dining-room at 6:00 p. m.   
C. in the dining-room from 7:30 a. m. to 9:15 p. M.
D. in rooms at 9:00 p. m.
2. If you intend to leave the room tomorrow, you may leave at any of the following hours except _______.   
A. 3:00 p. m.     
B. 12:00 a. m.
C. 10:00 a. m.     
D. 11:00 a. m.  
3. Where is this notice most likely to be found?   
A. At restaurants.    
B. In shops.
C. In hotels.     
D. In the newspapers.  
4. What can we conclude from the last paragraph?   
A. You should respect the other guests.   
B. You are not allowed to use radios and televisions.   
C. You shouldn't make the radios and televisions too loud after 11:00 p.m.   
D. To comfort others, you should turn off radios and televisions after 11:00 p.m.

查看答案和解析>>

同步練習(xí)冊答案