E Britain’s pub landlords are looking with a worried eye to the UK Chancellor’s budget for fear tha——青夏教育精英家教网—

E Britain’s pub landlords are looking with a worried eye to the UK Chancellor’s budget for fear that the annual tax gathering round will strike another blow to a traditional industry already reeling . Thousands of pubs have closed since the financial crash in 2007. The Plough, which was once a coaching house for travelers, has been serving Britain’s famous warm beer since the days of Shakespeare. Now it is under threat too. “Yeah. So many pubs have been closed over the last few years even in this area, said Derek O’Neil, the manager of The Plough Pub. Many reasons are the cause-a ban on smoking in public, severe laws against drinking and driving and high taxes have all combined to kill off nearly 10,000 pubs in the last seven years, according to the British Beer and Pub Association. With the closures, pubs are being redeveloped. Many have turned into supermarkets, where the beer is sometimes cheaper. Britain’s pubs continue to play an important part in the UK economy, selling thousands of different beers and employing more than a million people. The reality, though, is pubs are suffering something of a hangover . In the last 15 years the amount of beer sold in pubs has fallen by eight million barrels to just under 36 million a year. Pub landlords want tax breaks . “People have less money in their pockets, so they can’t go out and spend it and habits are changing-so much alcohol is nowadays drunk at home, said Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association. “Yeah, I miss the pubs where there’s a lot of character, especially 30 years ago. You know there was great fun in them. While pubs are still much loved, they’re discovering that love isn’t enough to survive 21st century economics. 51. According to the first paragraph, tax gathering round can . A. greatly benefit Britain’s pubs B. save Britain’s pubs in a way C. encourage more people to go to Britain’s pubs D. make the situation of Britain’s pubs even worse 52. What do we know about The Plough? A. It has been closed. B. It is run quite well now. C. It is a pub with a long history. D. It doesn’t face the present threat. 53. Why are some pubs being redeveloped? A. Because they want to sell cheaper bear. B. Because their business is becoming better. C. Because they want to receive more travelers. D. Because they can’t continue in the present situation. 54. What can we infer from the fourth paragraph? A. Pubs can’t offer many jobs to people. B. The UK economy actually depends on pubs. C. Pubs become less important in the UK economy. D. The closures of pubs will damage the UK economy. 55. What is the text mainly about? A. The future of British pubs. B. The development of British pubs. C. The challenges British pubs face. D. The effect of tax gathering round on British pubs. 【查看更多】

E

Britain’s 101-year-old Queen Mother , who died on March 30 , was famous for never giving interviews . However , her few publicized comments showed humor , a strong will and love for life .

In the 1920s , many men wanted to marry lady Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon . She only agreed to marry the future King George Ⅵ when he got down on bended knee for a third time to ask her . But she never forgave her brother Edward Ⅷ for stepping down from the throne（王位）in 1936 to marry divorced（离婚）woman Wallis Simpson . This meant that her shy husband became king. “Those last few days were like sitting on the edge of a volcano,” she said of the crisis.

The Queen Mother’s most famous role in British life was to try to boost（提高）Londoners’ morale（士气）during the World War II bombing（轰炸）, especially in the hardest-hit East End of London. When Buckingham Palace（白金汉宫）was hit by a bomb in 1940 , she said , “ I am glad we have been bombed . It makes me feel I can look the East End（people）in the face . ”

Famously , she refused suggestions that she and her children，the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret , should seek refuge（寻求避难）in Canada until the end of the war . “ The children won’t go without me , I won’t leave the king and the king will never go . ” she declared . “ I should die if I had to leave . ”

After better times returned，her love of expensive parties and high life continued，well into her old age . Her bank overdraft（透支）reached 4 million pounds .

She enjoyed fishing until well into her 80s but once choked（噎住）on a fishbone . After doctors removed the bone , she joked , “ After all these years of fishing , the fish are having their revenge（报复）. ”

In the end, she outlived the 20th century with energy and enthusiasm. “I love life, that’s my secret,” she told a friend when she was in her 80s . In a television interview last week, her grandson Prince Charles said, “She saw the funny side of life and we laughed until we cried.”

Hundreds of people have signed books of condolence（哀悼）across the country , including former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher .

“She loved her country and in return her country loved her.” said Prime Minister Tony Blair.

72. The Queen Mother refused to seek refuge in Canada with her children because .

A. she didn’t think it safe to stay in Canada

B. she wasn’t willing to go without her husband

C. she hoped to boost Londoners’ morale

D. she wanted to earn good fame through the war

73. When Queen Mother went into her old age, she______.

A. was tired of peaceful life

B. began to show interest in fishing

C. was very luxury（奢侈）

D. looked down upon many things people had done

74. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A. George VI became king of Britain when his wife was in her late thirties.

B. Queen Mother hadn’t expected her husband to become a king.

C. Buckingham Palace was burned to the ground during the World War II .

D. Queen Mother showed bravery in face of the World War II.

75. From the passage we know that Queen Mother was______.

A. humorous and brave B. talkative and humorous

C. talkative but shy D. brave but shy

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