浙江省湖州市2014高考英语阅读理解一轮（暑假）精炼（9）含答案阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分，满分 40分）阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。 ABack in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen childrenIn spite of the hopeless condition, two of the children, Albrecht Durer and Albert, had a dreamThey both wanted to pursue their talent for artAfter many long discussions, the two boys finally worked out an agreement. They would toss a coinThe loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother who attended the academyThen, when that brother who won the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other brother at the academyTossing a coin, Albrecht Durer won and went off to NurembergAlbert went down into the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, supported his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation（轰动）By the time he graduated, he had earned considerable fees for his outstanding worksWhen the young artist returned to his village, the Durer family held a festive dinner to celebrate Albrechts triumphant（胜利的）homecomingAlbrecht drank a toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled him to complete his dream“And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turnNow you can go to Nuremberg to look for your dream, and I will take care of you”Tears streaming down his pale face, Albert sobbed, “NonoIt is too late for meLooklook at what four years in the mines have done to my hands! The bones in every finger have been broken at least once, and lately I have been suffering from arthritis（关节炎）so badly in my right hand that I cannot even hold a glass to return your toast, much less draw delicate lines with a pen or a brush”To show thanks to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brothers injured hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skywardHe called his powerful drawing simply “Hands”, but the entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed it “The Praying Hands”The next time you see a copy of that touching creation, let it be your reminderno one ever makes any success alone!1. Why did the two brothers work out the agreement?A. They were so curious as to make a jokeB. Their family couldnt afford the academyC. One of the brothers was supposed to go into minesD. They wanted to support the other sisters and brothers2. Which of the following statements is NOT true about Albrecht Durer？A. He began to earn his living after graduation B. He did perfectly well at the academyC. He wanted his brother to go to the academy D. He created great masterpieces3. What can we learn from the story?A. One can achieve success simply on his ownB. Any success requires the help of othersC. Its other people who contribute to ones success.D. Nobody could succeed without good guidance参考答案- BAB *结束In the early days of the United States，children were not required by law to attend school.School calendars depended on local needs.Students in rural areas went to school for no more than six months of the yearhalf in the summer，half in the winter.They worked on family farms during the other months.City schools were often open much longer，some for eleven months of the year.Parents were happy to have a place for their children to go while they worked.National leaders took a fresh look at schools after the Civil War in the 1860s.They saw a free public education as a way to help support a strong democracy(民主政治) and prepare workers for new industries.Immigration was increasing and so was the student population.More and more people saw the need for a system of required education.But they had different ideas for the calendar.Many city schools wanted a shorter year and a longer summer break.The schools were often crowded.There was no modern air conditioning，and air pollution from factories was a problem.Hot days would make it difficult to learn.A long summer break would also give teachers time for other jobs to add to their low pay.Many rural educators，however，pushed for a longer school year.They thought it would keep children safe from industrial dangers at a time when there were few childlabor laws.They also thought it would lead to a better prepared workforce.So the traditional school calendar was a compromise，with roots that now go back about a century and a half.The average school year used to be 170 days.Times have not changed much.Today the common average is 180 days.But some experts think the traditional school calendar needs to change because the needs of the nation have changed.This thinking has led some schools to keep students in class longer.1Why were city schools often open much longer than the schools in rural areas in the early days?A