閱讀理解。閱讀下列短文，從每題所給的四個選項(A、B、C和D)中，選出最佳選項。

Most musicians agree that the best violins were made in Italy. They were made in Cremona, Italy, about 200 years ago. These violins sound better than any others. They even sound better than violins made today. Violin makers and scientists try to make instruments like the old Italian violins. But they aren’t the same. Musicians still prefer the old ones. No one really knows why these old Italian violins are so special, but many people think they have an answer.

Some people think it is the age of the violins. They say that today’s violins will also sound wonderful someday. But there is a problem here. Not all old violins sound wonderful. Only those from Cremona are special. So age cannot be the answer. There must be something different about Cremona or those Italian violins makers.

Other people think the secret to those violins is wood. The wood of the violin is very important. It must be from certain kinds of the trees. It must not be too young or too old. Perhaps the violin makers of Cremona knew something special about wood for violins.

But the kind of wood may not be so important. It may be more important to cut the wood in a special way. Wood for a violin must be cut very carefully. It has to be the right size and shape. The smallest difference will change the sound of the violin. Musicians sometimes think that this was the secret of the Italians. Maybe they understood more than we do about how to cut the wood.

Size and shape may not be the answer either. Scientists measured these old violins very carefully. They can make new ones that are exactly the same size and shape. But the new violins still do not sound as good as the old ones. Some scientists think the secret may be the varnish, which covers the wood of the violin and makes it look shiny. It also helps the sound of the instrument. No one knows what the Italian violin makers used in their varnish. So no one can make the same varnish today.

There may never be other violins like the violins of Cremona. Their secret may be lost forever. Young musicians today hope this is not true. They need fine violins. But there aren’t very many of the old violins left. Also, the old violins are very expensive. Recently, a famous old Italian violin was sold for about US$300,000!

1. This passage is about .

A. making violins B. musical instruments

C. scientific ideas D. the old Italian voilins

2. The best violins .

A. are made with modern techniques B. were lost many years ago

C. were made in Italy 200 years ago D. were made by scientists

3. Some people think that modern violins .

A. will sound better in the future

B. will sound worse in the future

C. sound wonderful and natural

D. will never be as old as those from Cremona

4. Violins made today .

A. look the same as the old ones B. sound the same as the old ones

C. are better than the old ones D. have the same varnish as the old ones

1、答案解析：答案為D。本題為主旨大意題。 第一段最后一句話 “No one really knows why these old Italian violins are so special, but many people think they have an answer.” 引入話題，為什么古老的意大利小提琴如此特別，很多人認為他們知道答案，后文分別給出了不同人的答案，最后一段對問題的答案進行總結(jié) “There may never be other violins like the violins of Cremona. Their secret may be lost forever.” 意大利小提琴的秘密或許永遠消失了，無人知曉。全文都是圍繞古老的意大利小提琴展開。故答案為D。

2、答案解析：答案為C。本題為細節(jié)題。由第一段第一、二句話 “Most musicians agree that the best violins were made in Italy. They were made in Cremona, Italy, about 200 years ago.” 可知，答案為C。

3、答案解析：答案為A。本題為細節(jié)題。結(jié)合第二段和該段第二句話 “They say that today’s violins will also sound wonderful someday.” 可知，一些人認為現(xiàn)代小提琴“They can make new ones that are exactly the same size and shape. But the new violins still do not sound as good as the old ones.” 可知，科學(xué)家可以制作出和意大利小提琴“No one knows what the Italian violin makers used in their varnish. So no one can make the same varnish today.”可知，D選項錯誤。

閱讀理解訓(xùn)練

(2015·長春市質(zhì)監(jiān)三)

I have been teaching animal behavior at the Boulder County Prison in Colorado for 10 years. The course is one of the most popular in the prison. Prisoners have to earn the right to attend the course and they work hard to get in.

One reason why the course is so popular is that many prisoners find it easier to connect with animals than with people, because animals don't judge them. They trust animals in ways they don't with humans.

Yet, they hold a misunderstanding of how animals treat one another. Many admit that their own “animal behavior” is what got them into trouble in the first place. I teach that though there is competition and aggression in the animal kingdom, there is also a lot of cooperation(合作)and sympathy.

Many of the students want to build healthy relationships, and they find that the class helps them. I use examples of the social behavior of group­living animals such as wolves as a model for developing and maintaining(維持)friendships among people who must work together for their own good and also for the good of the group.

It's clear that science inspires the students here and it also gives them hope. I know some students have gone back into education after their being set free while others have gone to work for humane(人道)societies or contributed time and money to conservation organizations. One went on to receive a master's degree in nature writing.

Science and humane education help the prisoners connect with values that they otherwise would not have done. It opens the door to understanding, trust, cooperation and hope. There's a large population of people to whom science could mean a lot, if only they could have access to it. The class helps me, too. I get as much out of it as the students and it has made me a better teacher.

文章大意：本文是教育類小故事閱讀。作者用和動物之間的關(guān)系來教育那些囚犯們，沒想到卻讓他們的生活翻開了新的一頁。人是可以教得好的。

5.The author's course is welcomed by the prisoners because ________.

A.they consider animals their best friends

B.they are curious about animal kingdom

C.they feel it easier to get along with animals

D.they are more familiar with animal behavior

答案：C　細節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)文章第二段的One reason why the course is so popular is that many prisoners find it easier to connect with animals than with people可知犯人們喜歡作者的課程因為他們發(fā)現(xiàn)和動物交流更容易。A項他們認為動物是他們的最好朋友;B項他們對動物王國感到好奇;C項他們感到和動物交流更容易;D項他們對動物行為更熟悉。故選C。

6.The author used wolves as an example to ________.

A.provide the prisoners with more knowledge

B.explain the cruel side of group­living animals

C.help the prisoners realize the importance of teamwork

D.inform the prisoners that animals get people into trouble

答案：C　細節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)文章第四段I use examples of the social behavior of group­living animals such as wolves as a model for developing and maintaining(維持)friendships among people who must work together for their own good and also for the good of the group可知作者把狼作為范例是想幫助囚犯意識到團隊工作中合作的重要性。A項給囚犯提供更多的知識;B項解釋群居動物的殘酷性;C項幫助囚犯理解團隊工作的重要性;D項告訴囚犯動物讓人陷入麻煩之中。故選C。

7.We can infer from the text that some prisoners ________.

A.have turned over a new leaf

B.are required to attend the course

C.are willing to learn working skills

D.prefer humane education to science

答案：A　判斷推理題。根據(jù)文章第五段的I know some students have gone back into education after their being set free while others have gone to work for humane(人道)societies or contributed time and money to conservation organizations中的關(guān)鍵詞set free釋放，可推斷一些囚犯的生活翻開了新的一頁。A項已經(jīng)翻開了新的一頁;B項被要求參加課程;C項更愿意學(xué)習(xí)勞動技能;D項和科技相比更喜歡人道教育。故選A。