The Atlantic Ocean is one of the oceans that separate the Old World from the New. For centuries it kept the Americans from being discovered by the people of Europe.
Many wrong ideas about the Atlantic made early sailors unwilling to sail far out into it. One idea was that it reached out to “the edge of the world.” Sailors were afraid that they might sail right off the earth. Another idea was that at the equator the ocean would be boiling hot.
The Atlantic Ocean is only half as big as the Pacific, but it is still very large. It is more than 4,000 miles (6,000km) wide where Columbus crossed it. Even at its narrowest it is about 2,000 miles (3,200km) wide.
Two things make the Atlantic Ocean rather unusual. For so large an ocean it has very few islands. Also, it is the world’s saltiest ocean.
There is so much water in the Atlantic that it is hard to imagine how much there is. But suppose no more rain fell into it and no more water was brought to it by rivers. It would take the ocean about 4,000 years to dry up. On the average the water is a little more than two miles (3.2km) deep, but in places it is much deeper. The deepest spot is near Puerto Rico. This “deep” measures 30,246 feet-almost six miles (9.6km).
One of the longest mountain ranges of the world rises from the floor of the Atlantic. This mountain range runs north and south down the middle of the ocean. The tops of a few of the mountains reach up above the sea and make islands.
Several hundred miles eastward from Florida there is a part of the ocean called the Sargasso Sea. Here the water is quiet, for there is little wind. In the days of sailing vessels(船) the crew were afraid they would be becalmed(停滞不前) here. Sometimes they were.
Today the Atlantic is a great highway. It is not, however, always a smooth and safe one. Storms sweep across it and pile up great waves. Icebergs float down from the Far North across the paths of ships.
We now have such fast ways of traveling that this big ocean seems to have grown smaller. Columbus sailed for more than two months to cross it. A fast modern steamship can make the trip in less than four days. Airplanes fly from New York to London in only eight hours and from South America to Africa in four!
Which world is the Old World?
A. Africa B. Europe C. Asia D. All of above
What caused people to be unwilling to explore the Atlantic?
A. There are no ships big enough to get across the Ocean.
B. Sailors were afraid of being lost in the Ocean.
C. The Atlantic Ocean was very unusual because it has few islands and the saltiest water.
D. Many incorrect ideas such as “the edge of the world”, “the equator with boiling hot water”, made people think the Ocean was full of danger.
What is the topic of the fifth paragraph?
A. How deep the water is
B. How to measure the water in the Atlantic Ocean
C. How much water the Ocean holds.
D. How rain affects the Ocean water.
We can learn from the text that ______.
A. the Atlantic is the largest ocean on earth
B. one of the longest mountain ranges lies in the Atlantic
C. the Atlantic has a lot of islands in it
D. sailing on the Atlantic Ocean is always quiet, smooth and safe
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金牌课堂练系列答案科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：
Great British is an island that lies off the northwest coast of Europe. The nearest country is France which is 20 miles away. Great British is separated from France by the English Channel. The island is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, to the west, and the North Sea, to the east. It includes the main lands of England, Wales and Scotland. Scotland is in the north while Wales is in the west. Ireland, which is also an island, lies off the west coast of Great Britain. It is made up of Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Great Britain together with Northern Ireland forms the United Kingdom (U.K.). So the U.K. is made up of four countries. The largest of these is England which is divided into 43 countries. The capital city is London which is on the river Thames.
Great Britain is separated from France by_______.
A. the North Sea B. Suez Canal C. English Channel D. Thames
Great Britain lies on the ______of the Atlantic ocean.
A. west B. north C. east D. south
The United Kingdom is made up of _______.
A. England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
B. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
C. Great Britain and Ireland
D. Great Britain and the Irish Republic
It is true that England is________.
A. the smallest of the four countries in U.K.
B. only larger than Wales
C. as large as Ireland
D. the largest country in U.K.
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科目：高中英语 来源：江苏省南京六中2009--2010学年度高一第二学期期中考试英语试卷 题型：阅读理解
B
Early in the 16th century men were trying to reach Asia by traveling west from Europe. In order to find Asia they had to find a way past South America. The man who finally found the way from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific was Ferdinand Magellan (麦哲伦). Magellan sailed from Seville in August, 1519 with five ships and about 280 men. Fourteen months later, after spending the cold winter on the coast of Patagonia, he discovered the channel which is now called Magellan Strait(海峡). In November, 1520, after many months of dangers from rocks and storms, the three remaining ships entered the ocean on the other side of South America. They then continued, hoping to reach Asia. But they did not see any land until they reached the islands off the coast of Asia. Before they arrived at these islands, later known as the Philippines (菲律宾), men were dying of starvation (饥饿). While they were staying in the Philippines, Magellan was killed in battle. The remaining officers then had to get back to Spain. They decided to sail round Africa. After many difficulties, one ship with eighteen men sailed into Seville three years after leaving. They were all that remained of Magellan’s expedition. However, their achievement was great. They were the first men to sail round the world.
61. The purpose of Magellan’s expedition was to ________.
A. sail round the world
B. find a seaway from the Atlantic to the Pacific
C. make a voyage to Asia
D. carry men to Philippines
62. How long did Magellan and his sailors spend before they reach Magellan Strait?
A. 1519 B. Fourteen months C. 280 D. 1520
63. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage concerning the expedition?
A. Lack of equipment.
B. Cold winter in Patagonia.
C. The death of Magellan.
D. Dangers from rocks and storms.
64. The number of the ships lost on the whole expedition was ________.
A. two B. three C. four D. five
65. The best title for this passage is ________.
A. The Discovery of Magellan’s Strait
B. The Discovery of the Philippines
C. The Most Dangerous Expedition
D. The First Expedition to sail round the world
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科目：高中英语 来源：浙江省富阳市场口中学2009-2010学年高二5月教学质量检测试题（英语） 题型：阅读理解
Cape Verde is an African country that contists of 10 main islands and 5 tiny ones. It lies in the Atlantic Ocean, about 400 miles west of Senegal on the African mainland .
Cape Verde has a population of about 329,000 and a total area of 1,557 square miles. Sao Tiago, the largest island , covers 383 square miles. There are no people living on Santa Luzia, the last of the ten larger islands,nor on the five small islands.
Praia,the capital of Cape Verde,is on Sao Tiago.However,the largest city,Mindelo,is on Sao Vicente, the sixth largest island of the group. Portugal(葡萄牙)ruled the islands from the 1460's until 1975,when Cape Verde became independent. Now Cape Verde is a republic with an elected president.
About 70 per cent of the people of Cape Verde have mixed black African and Portuguese (葡萄牙的) blood. The rest of the population are mostly black Africans.
1. If you visit Cape Verde,you will find
A. people only on the ten main islands.
B. about 200 people on every square mile of land.
C. people on all the islands except Santa Luzia.
D. no people on the six smallest islands.
2. Five hundred years ago Cape Verde was
A. a free country.
B. a colony (殖民地).
C. an unknown country.
D. a republic.
3. Three out of ten people living in Cape Verde are of
A. mixed Portuguese and African ancestry (祖先).
B. Portuguese ancestry.
C. either Portuguese or African ancestry.
D. African ancestry.
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科目：高中英语 来源：2013届浙江省宁波市鄞州区高三5月适应性考试英语试卷（带解析） 题型：阅读理解
Below are descriptions of six famous states in the U. S.
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is the most populous U.S. state and was admitted as the 31st state on September 9, 1850.California's diverse geography ranges from the Pacific Coast in the west, to the Sierra Nevada mountains in the east. Earthquakes are a common occurrence due to the state's location along the Pacific Ring of Fire: about 37,000 are recorded annually. The California Gold Rush happened in San Francisco and there is also a famous Silicon Valley. Hollywood exists in Los Angeles, making it the center of entertainment. “The Golden State” has long been a popular designation for California and was made the official State Nickname in 1968.
Florida is a state in the southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. Miami is the largest metropolitan area in the southeastern United States.The climate varies from subtropical in the north to tropical in the south. Its economy relies mainly on tourism, agriculture, and transportation. Florida is also known for its amusement parks, the production of oranges, and the Kennedy Space Center. Florida has attracted many writers such as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams, and continues to attract celebrities and athletes. It is internationally known for golf, tennis, auto racing, and water sports.
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It became the 45th state admitted to the Union on January 4, 1896. Utah is the most religiously homogeneous state in the Union. Approximately 63% of Utahans are reported to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or LDS, which greatly influences Utah culture and daily life. The state is a center of transportation, education, information technology and research, government services, mining, and a major tourist destination for outdoor recreation.
Texas is the second most populous and the second-largest of the 50 states in the United States of America. Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States. Texas is nicknamed the Lone Star State to signify Texas as a former independent republic and as a reminder of the state's struggle for independence from Mexico. The "Lone Star" can be found on the Texas state flag and on the Texas state seal today. The term "six flags over Texas" came from the several nations that had ruled over the territory. In 1845 it joined the United States as the 28th state. One Texas industry that thrived after the Civil War was cattle. Due to its long history as a center of the industry, Texas is associated with the image of the cowboy.
Virginia, is a U.S. state located in the South Atlantic region of the United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there. It is unique in how it treats cities and counties equally, manages local roads, and prohibits its governors from serving consecutive terms. Virginia's economy has many sectors: agriculture in the Shenandoah Valley; federal agencies in Northern Virginia, including the headquarters of the Department of Defense and CIA; and military facilities in Hampton Roads, the site of the region's main seaport. Virginia's public schools and many colleges and universities have contributed to growing media and technology sectors. As a result, computer chips have become the state's leading export.
Kentucky, is a state located in the east south-central region of the United States. In 1792 it became the 15th state to join the Union. Kentucky is known as the "Bluegrass State", a nickname based on the bluegrass found in many of its pastures because of the fertile soil. It is a land with diverse environments and abundant resources, including the world's longest cave system, Mammoth Cave National Park, the greatest length of navigable waterways and streams in the contiguous United States, and the two largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi River.Kentucky is also home to the highest per capita number of deer and turkey in the United States.
【小题1】 Which state is called the “golden state” and why?
| A．California, because of the gold rush. |
| B．Texas, because of the stars there. |
| C．Virginia, because of a famous mother there. |
| D．Kentucky, because of the famous “KFC” there. |
| A．Virginia | B．Texas | C．California | D．Florida |
| A．California – Utah—Texas – Kentucky |
| B．Kentucky–Texas – California – Utah |
| C．Kentucky–California – Texas —Utah |
| D．California –Kentucky—Texas –Utah |
| A．Cowboys in Texas. |
| B．Utah and religions. |
| C．Hollywood in Virginia. |
| D．Kennedy Space Center in Florida. |
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科目：高中英语 来源：2011-2012学年福建省三明一中高一下学期第二次月考英语试卷（带解析） 题型：阅读理解
One of my most unforgettable experiences is the day I finished my tough rowing and keep myself free of loneliness.
As the youngest female ever to row alone across the Atlantic Ocean, I was often asked the same question: How did you, a only 20-year old youngster row a 18-foot boat for 70 days through those strong winds and violent waves and survive?
Frankly speaking, for me, the physical challenge was not the greatest one. Before I made my mind to row across the Atlantic, I had already cycled 3,300 miles, run all by myself across the Mojave Desert, and swum the 325-mile length of the Allegheny River. No, the hardest part would be mental: How would I cope with the terrible loneliness and the boredom on the vast sea for such a long time?
I set out on January 1 and my first object was to swim past the quarter-way mark, which would take about 20 days. I made it on January 20, a gray and cloudy day. I had thought to do something to celebrate my first goal such as treating myself to a chocolate bar or something else. But I didn’t. I was suffering from unbearable boredom and loneliness of the long sea journey. I hadn’t seen any landing at least more than two weeks. It seemed to feel the same every day. Eating, rowing, sleeping, staring at the sky, watching the ocean.
Then that day came! It was around dusk, I noticed something move on the horizon. Yes, some dolphins! They approached me and circled my boat. Suddenly I felt so blessed. They had arrived to accompany me and helped to celebrate, just when I needed them so badly! For the next 15 minutes, I did row at full speed with all my strength with those lovely dolphins around. By the time they were to leave me and we went our separate ways, I was no longer lonely.
After 70 days and five hours at sea, I finally reached my final destination. I was proud that I made it, all 2,817 miles, which helped to raise $70,000 for the Blue Planet Run Foundation, an organization for funding drinking water. I’ve been told some athletes struggled to get through just by imagining the end during the whole process. But for me, what makes miracle is to focus your mind on the moment, where you experience the personal growth—those moments of awareness of being connected to the sun, the weather, and the waves. And, on the best day of my life, I had to admit those dolphins really freed myself from terrible loneliness.
【小题1】Which of the following belongs to part of preparation for the row?
| A．Answering the same question raised by people |
| B．Swimming the 325-mile length of the river |
| C．Running 3,300 miles cross-country |
| D．Biking across the Mojave Desert |
| A．I wasn’t in the mood to celebrate my first goal |
| B．I didn’t have any chocolate bar for energy |
| C．It’s a pity not to celebrate my passing the quarter |
| D．It’s a pity not to treat myself to a chocolate bar |
| A．The Blue Planet Run Foundation helped me a lot. |
| B．The dolphins accompanied me to reach my destination |
| C．The unexpected dolphins swept away my loneliness |
| D．Imagination was a useful way to help me get through |
| A．The only challenge for a 20-year old |
| B．Tips on handling loneliness at sea. |
| C．How to row alone across the Atlantic |
| D．The day I stopped being lonely |
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