高考英语课外阅读材料.doc

高考英语课外阅读材料
Unit One: How to Improve Your Study Habits
TEXT
Want to know how to improve your grades without having to spend more time studying? Sounds too good to be true? Well, read on...
How to Improve Your Study Habits
Perhaps you are an average student with average intelligence. You do well enough in school, but you probably think you will never be a top student. This is not necessarily the case, however. You can receive better grades if you want to. Yes, even students of average intelligence can be top students without additional work. Here's how:
1. Plan your time carefully. Make a list of your weekly tasks. Then make a schedule or chart of your time. Fill in committed time such as eating, sleeping, meetings, classes, etc. Then decide on good, regular times for studying. Be sure to set aside enough time to complete your normal reading and work assignments. Of course, studying shouldn't occupy all of the free time on the schedule. It's important to set aside time for relaxation, hobbies, and entertainment as well. This weekly schedule may not solve all of your problems, but it will make you more aware of how you spend your time. Furthermore, it will enable you to plan your activities so that you have adequate time for both work and play.
2. Find a good place to study. Choose one place for your study area. It may be a desk or a chair at home or in the school library, but it should be comfortable, and it should not have distractions. When you begin to work, you should be able to concentrate on the subject.
3. Skim before you read. This means looking over a passage quickly before you begin to read it more carefully. As you preview the material, you get some idea of the content and how it is organized. Later when you begin to read you will recognize less important material and you may skip some of these portions. Skimming helps double your reading speed and improves your comprehension as well.
4. Make good use of your time in class. Listening to what the teacher says in class means less work later. Sit where you can see and hear well. Take notes to help you remember what the teacher says.
5. Study regularly. Go over your notes as soon as you can after class. Review important points mentioned in class as well as points you remain confused about. Read about these points in your textbook. If you know what the teacher will discuss the next day, skim and read that material too. This will help you understand the next class. If you review your notes and textbook regularly, the material will become more meaningful and you will remember it longer. Regular review leads to improved performance on test.
6. Develop a good attitude about tests. The purpose of a test is to show what you have learned about a subject. The world won't end if you don't pass a test, so don't worry excessively about a single test. Tests provide grades, but they also let you know what you need to spend more time studying, and they help make your knowledge permanent.
There are other techniques that might help you with your studying. Only a few have been mentioned here. You will probably discover many others after you have tried these. Talk with your classmates about their study techniques. Share with them some of the techniques you have found to be helpful. Improving your study habits will improve your grades.

NEW WORDS
average n. ordinary 普通的；中等的
intelligence n. ability to learn and understand 智力
necessarily ad. inevitably 必定
case n. what has really happened; actual condition 实情
additional a. added 附加的，额外的 n. addition
weekly a. done or happening every week 每周的；一周一次的
schedule n. timetable 时间表
chart n. (sheet of paper with) information written or drawn in the form of a picture 图（表）
commit vt. 指定...用于
aside ad. to the side　在旁边；到（向）一边
etc (Latin, shortened form for et cetera) and other things　等等
normal a. usual　正常的
reading n. the act or practice of reading　阅读
assignment n. sth. given out as a task　(布置的)作业
occupy n. take up　占用
relaxation n. (sth. done for) rest and amusement　休息，娱乐 relax v.
hobby n. what one likes to do in one's free time　业余爱好　
entertainment n. show, party, etc. that people enjoy　娱乐 entertain vt.
solve vt. find an answer to (a problem)　解决（问题）
aware a. having knowledge or understanding　知道的；意识到的
furthermore ad. moreover; in addition　而且；此外
enable vt. make (sb.) able (to do sth.)　使（某人）能（做某事）
activity n. sth. (to be) done 　活动
adequate a. as much as one needs; enough　充分的；足够的
distraction n. sth. that draws away the mind or attention　分心（或分散注意力）的事物
concentrate (on or upon) vi. pay close attention (to)　全神贯注（于）
skim vt. read quickly to get the main ideas (of)　略读
preview vt. have a general view of (sth.) beforehand　预习
content n. what is written in a book, etc.　内容
organize vt. form into a whole　组织
later ad. 后来；以后
skip vt. pass over　略过
portion n. part; share　一部分；一份
double v. make or become twice as great or as many　（使）增加一倍
comprehension n. the act of understanding or ability to understand　理解（力）
mention vt. speak or write about (sth.) in a few words　提及
confused a. mixed up in one's mind　迷惑的，混淆的 confuse vt.
textbook n. a standard book for the study of a subject　教科书；课本
performance n. achievement　成绩
meaningful a. having important meaning or value　富有意义的
attitude n. what one thinks about sth.　态度，看法
purpose n. aim　目的，意图
excessively ad. too much　过多地，过分地 excessive a.
permanent a. lasting for a long time; never changing　持久的；永久的
technique n. way of doing sth.　技巧，方法
helpful a. useful; providing help or wiling to help　有益的；给予帮助的，肯帮忙的
PHRASES & EXPRSSIONS
fill in write in　填写，填充
decide on make a choice or decision about　选定，决定
set aside save for a special purpose　留出
as well also; too; in addition　也，还；同样
be aware (of) know (sth.); know (what is happening)　知道，意识到
concentrate on direct one's attention, efforts, etc. to　全神贯注于
look over examine (quickly)　把...看一遍，过目
go over review 复习
lead to result in 导致

Unit Two: Sailing Round the World
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At sixty-five Francis Chichester set out to sail single-handed round the world. This is the story of that adventure.
Sailing Round the World
Before he sailed round the world single-handed, Francis Chichester had already surprised his friends several times. He had tried to fly round the world but failed. That was in 1931.
The years passed. He gave up flying and began sailing. He enjoyed it greatly. Chichester was already 58 years old when he won the first solo transatlantic sailing race. His old dream of going round the world came back, but this time he would sail. His friends and doctors did not think he could do it, as he had lung cancer. But Chichester was determined to carry out his plan. In August, 1963, at the age of nearly sixty-five, an age when many men retire, he began the greatest voyage of his life. Soon, he was away in this new 16-metre boat, Gipsy Moth.
Chichester followed the route of the great nineteenth century clipper ships. But the clippers had had plenty of crew. Chicheater did it all by himself, even after the main steering device had been damaged by gales. Chichester covered 14, 100 miles before stopping in Sydney, Australia. This was more than twice the distance anyone had previously sailed alone.
He arrived in Australia on 12 December, just 107 days out from England. He received a warm welcome from the Australians and from his family who had flown there to meet him. On shore, Chichester could not walk without help. Everybody said the same thing: he had done enough; he must not go any further. But he did not listen.
After resting in Sydney for a few weeks, Chichester set off once more in spite of his friends' attempts to dissuade him. The second half of his voyage was by far the more dangerous part, during which he sailed round the treacherous Cape Horn.
On 29 January he left Australia. The next night, the blackest he had ever known, the sea became so rough that the boat almost turned over. Food, clothes, and broken glass were all mixed together. Fortunately, bed and went to sleep. When he woke up, the sea had become calm the nearest person he could contact by radio, unless there was a ship nearby, Wild be on an island 885 miles away.
After succeeding in sailing round Cape Horn, Chichester sent the following radio message to London:" I feel as if I had wakened from a nightmare. Wild horses could not drag me down to Cape Horn and that sinister Southern Ocean again."
Just before 9 o'clock on Sunday evening 28 May, 1967, he arrived back in England, where a quarter of a million people were waiting to welcome him. Queen Elizabeth II knighted him with the very sword that Queen Elizabeth I had sailed round the world for the first time. The whole voyage from England and back had covered 28, 500 miles. It had taken him nine months , of which the sailing time was 226 days. He had done what he wanted to accomplish.
Like many other adventurers, Chichester had experienced fear and conquered it. In doing so, he had undoubtedly learnt something about himself. Moreover, in the modern age when human beings depend so much on machines, he had given men throughout the world new pride.
NEW WORDS
single-handed a & ad. (done) by one person alone 单独的（地）
adventure n. 冒险（活动）
solo a. single-handed 单独的
transatlantic a. crossing the Atlantic Ocean 横度大西洋
lung n. part of the body with which one breathes 肺
cancer n. 癌
determined a. with one's mind firmly made up下定了决心的 determine v. determination n.
retire vi. stop working at one's job(because of age) 退休
voyage n. sea journey 航海；航行
route n. way from one place to another 路线
clipper n. 快速帆船
crew n. group of people who work together on a ship or aeroplane 全体船员；全体乘务员
steer vt. make (esp. a boat or road vehicle) go in a particular direction 为...撑舵
device n. a piece of equipment　设备；装置
steering device　 n. 操舵装置
damage vt. cause harm or injury to 损坏
gale n. very strong wind　大风
cover vt. travel (a certain distance)　行过（一段距离）
previously ad. before 以前 previous 　a.
attempt n. try 试图，尝试
dissuade vt. prevent (sb.) from doing sth. by reasoning 劝阻
treacherous a. more dangerous than it seems 暗藏危险的；奸诈的
cape n. 海角
rough a. (of weather or the sea) stormy; not calm （气候）有暴风雨的；（海）波涛汹涌的
fortunately ad. luckily 幸运地；幸亏 fortunate a.
contact vt. get in touch with 联系，接触
nearby ad. close by 在附近
following a. next; to be mentioned immediately 接着的；下列的
waken v. (cause to) wake 唤醒；醒来
nightmare n. terrible dream 恶梦
drag vt. pull along with great effort 拖，拉
sinister a. 凶恶的，邪恶的
knight n. 爵士 vt. 封... 为爵士
sword 　　　 n. 剑，刀
accomplish vt. finish successfully　完成
conquer vt. overcome　征服
undoubtedly ad. certainly　无疑地
moreover ad. in addition　此外，而且
human a. of or concerning people　人们
being n. a living thing, esp. a person　生物；人
PHRASES & EXPRESSIOMS
set out begin a course if action　着手，开始
give up atop doing　放弃
be determined to (do) have a strong will to (do)　决心（做）
(all) by oneself (completely) alone　
in spite of not taking notice of; not caring about 尽管；虽然
by far by a large amount or degree...得多
turn over (cause to) fall over, upset　（使）翻倒，（使）倾覆
can not help can not keep oneself from　禁不住
NAMES
Francis Chichester 　 弗朗西斯. 奇切斯特
Gipsy Moth　　　　　吉普赛. 莫斯
Sydney 悉尼（澳大利亚城市）
Cape Horn 合恩角（智利）
London 伦敦
Elizabeth 伊丽莎白（女子名）
Drake 德雷克（姓氏）

UNIT three: The Present
TEXT
They say that blood is thicker than water, that our relatives are more important to us than others. Everyone was so kind to the old lady on her birthday. Surely her daughter would make an even bigger effort to please he?
The Present
It was the old lady's birthday.
She got up early to be ready for the post. From the second floor flat she could see the postman when he came down the street, and the little boy from the ground floor brought up her letters on the rare occasions when anything came.
Today she was sure the would be something. Myra wouldn't forget her mother's birthday, even if she seldom wrote at other times. Of course Myra was busy. Her husband had been made Mayor, and Myra herself had got a medal for her work the aged.
The old lady was proud of Myra, but Enid was the daughter she loved. Enid had never married, but had seemed content to live with her mother, and teach in a primary school round the corner.
One evening, however, Enid said, "I've arranged for Mrs. Morrison to look after you for a few days, Mother. Tomorrow I have to go into hospital--just a minor operation, I'll soon be home."
In the morning she went, but never came back--she died on the operating table. Myra came to the funeral, and in her efficient way arranged for Mrs. Morrison to come in and light the fire and give the old lady her breakfast.
Two years ago that was, and since then Myra had been to see her mother three times, but her husband never.
The old lady was eight today. She had put on her best dress. Perhaps--perhaps Myra might come. After all, eighty was a special birthday, another decade lined or endured just as you chose to look at it.
Even if Myra did not come, she would send a present. The old lady was sure of that. Two spots of colour brightened her cheeks. She was excited--like a child. She would enjoy her day.
Yesterday Mrs. Morrison had given the flat an extra clean, and today she had brought a card and a bunch of marigolds when she came to do the breakfast. Mrs. Grant downstairs had made a cake, and in the afternoon she was going down there to tea. The little boy, Johnnie, had been up with a packet of mints, and said he wouldn't go out to play until the post had come.
"I guess you'll get lots and lots of presents," he said, "I did last were when I was six."
What would she like? A pair of slippers perhaps. Or a new cardigan. A cardigan would be lovely. Blue's such a pretty colour. Jim had always liked her in blue. Or a table lamp. Or a book, a travel book, with pictures, or a little clock, with clear black numbers. So many lovely things.
She stood by the window, watching. The postman turned round the corner on his bicycle. Her heart beat fast. Johnnie had seen him too and ran to the gate.
Then clatter, clatter up the stairs. Johnnie knocked at her door.
"Granny, granny," he shouted, "I've got your post."
He gave her four envelopes. Three were unsealed cards from old friends. The fourth was sealed, in Myra's writing. The old lady felt a pang of disappointment.
"No parcel, Johnnie?"
"No, granny."
Maybe the parcel was too large to come by letter post. That was it. It would come later by parcel post. She must be patient.
Almost reluctantly she tore the envelope open. Folded in the card was a piece of paper. Written on the card was a message under the printed Happy Birthday -- Buy yourself something nice with the chequ