英语阅读理解短篇高一

⑴ 短篇英语阅读

Tales From Animal Hospital

David Crant

David Grant has become a familiar face to millions of fans of Animal Hospital．Here Dr Grant tells us the very best of his personal stories about the animals he has treated，including familiar patients Such as the dogs Snowy and Duchess，the delightful cat Marig old Serendi pity Diamond．He also takes the reader behind the scenes at Harms worth Memorial Animal Hospita1 as he describes his day，from ordinary medical check cups to surgery（外科手术）．Tales From Animal Hospital will delight all fans of the programme and any one who has alively interest in their pet，whether it be cat，dog or snake牎

From the author of Stephen Hawking：A Life in Science，comes this colourful description of the life of the world's first modern scientist．Interesting yet based on fact，Michael White's 1earned yet readable new book offers a true picture of Newton completely different from what people commonly know about him．Newton is shown as a gifted scientist with very human weaknesses who stood at the point in history where magic（魔术）ended and science began．

in 1963 a school boy called Andrew Wiles reading in his school library came across the World's greatest mathematical problem：Fermant's Last Theorem（定理）．First put forward by the French mathematician Pierrede Fermat in the seventeenth century，the theorem had baffled and beaten the finest mathematical minds，in

⑵ 初中英语阅读短篇文章

1.Once Einstein gave a lecture in many places in America． His driver always listened to him and knew the lecture so well that he was sure be could give it himself． So Einstein agreed that the driver gave the lecture him．

As nobody knew Einstein there, the driver gave the lecture for Einstein that evening． At first he was a bit afraid, but Einstein's smile made him feel better． He gave a good lecture and the people were quite pleased．

Then the driver started to leave and Einstein followed him without a word． When they got to the door, a man asked the driver a difficult question．

The driver said that the question was very easy, and told the man to ask his driver behind to answer it．
2.Ali,who was working a long way from home wanted to send a letter to his wife,but he could neither read nor write, and he had to work all day,so he could only look for somebody to write his letter late atnight .At last he found the house of a letter writer whose name was Nasreddin.
Nasreddin was already in bed."It is late,"he said. "What do you want?" "I want you to write a letter to my wife , "said Ali , Nasreddin wasnot pleased. He thought for a few seconds and then said, "Has theletter got to go far?" "What does that matter?" answered Ali.
"Well, my writing is so strange that only I can read it, and if I have to travel a long way to read your letter to your wife, it will cost you a lot of money." Ali went away quickly.
Multiple choice 。
3.An old man died and left his son a lot of money. But the son was a foolish young man,and he quickly spent all the money, so that soon hehad nothing left.Of course ,when that happened, all his friends lefthim.When he was quite poor and alone, he went to see Nasreddin, who was a kind, clever old man and often helped people when they had troubles.
"My money has finished and my friends have gone,"said the young man. "What will happen to me now?"
"Don't worry , young man,"answered Nasreddin."Everything will soon be all right again.Wait ,and you will soon feel much happier."
The young man was very glad."Am I going to get rich again then? " heasked Nasreddin.
"No, I didn't mean that," said the old man."I meant that you would soon get used to being poor and to having no friends."
Multiple choice .
4.The English people like take-away food． The most popular food is fish and chips．They usually go to a fish and chip shop．They put the food in paper bags, and take it home, or to their work place． At lunch time, many people eat take-away food in the park． Chinese takeaways are also very popular in England． People in the USA and Australia like Chinese take-away food, too． But the most popular food in the USA is fried chicken．
5.The Komodo lizard is the world's largest lizard(蜥蜴). It was not discovered until this century and was named only in 1921. It was formerly found on three Indonesian islands: Komodo, Rintja and Flores. By the 1930's, in spite of government protection, the population of this great lizard had been reced to a few hundred. It was, however, still found on the three main islands and there were still lizards of over 4 metres in length. By 1963, after a period of only fifty years since its discovery, the entire population was based on Komodo. It is now unusual to see one as long as 3 metres. The lizard's normal food consists mainly of wild goats and pigs, animals which the islanders also hunt. This, of course, means that the lizard often gets too little to eat. It will certainly die out soon its hunting and breeding(繁殖) grounds are protected more effectively.
6.At the Barber's Shop(理发店)
Jack went to a barber's shop and had his hair cut, but when he came out, he
was not happy with the result(结果). When his friend Bob saw him, he laughed
and said, "What has happened to your hair,Jack?"
Jack said, "I tried a new barber's shop today, because I wasn't quite satisfied
with my old one, but this one seems even worse."
Bob agreed(同意). "Yes, I think you're right, Jack. Now I'll tell you what
to do when you go into a barber's shop next time: look at all the barber's hair,
find out whose hair looks worst, and then go straight to him."
"Why shall I go to him?" Jack asked. "But that would be foolish!"
"Oh, no, it wouldn't," answered Bob. "Who cut that man's hair? Just think
it. He couldn't cut it himself, could he? Another of the barbers cut it. So
you know he can't be the worst barber."
7.Mr Perkin's New Car
Mr Perkin stood at the bus-stop and watched the cars go by. Many of the cars
were new Beta 400s, and most of them were yellow. Mr Perkin always wore the
same clothes as other men, ate the same food as other people, and did the same
things after work, and at the end of the week, Mr Perkin did not like to be
different.
The following week, Mr Perkin bought a new, bright yellow Beta 400s. He was
satisfied with it, and drove to work in it the very next day. He was even more
satisfied with his new car, when he saw all the other Beta 400s, in front, behind,
and on both sides of him.
Mr Perkin parked(停车) his car in a big car-park(停车场) near his office,
and walked the rest of the way. But when he came back at five o'clock, there
were so many bright yellow Beta 400s in the car-park that he did not know which
car was his. He tried his key in some of the cars, but people passing by gave
him a look he didn't like. So he stopped.
Poor Mr Perkin had to wait nearly two hours until his was the only yellow
Beta 400s in the car-park.
8.A long time ago people thought that the sun went round the earth. In some
countries people even said that the sun was a god(神). They thought the god
drove across the sky each day on a golden horse. Now we know the earth goes
round the sun. It takes the earth a year to go all way round the sun. Today
men even know how far it is for the earth to go round the sun. They tell us
that the earth travels over a thousand miles a minute on its journey round the
sun.\$
The sun is really a star. It is much bigger than the earth and it is very
hot. Some people have been to the moon but we know that no one can ever go to
the sun. It is far too hot for people to live anywhere near it. The sun is three
hundred thousand times heavier than the earth and more than million times larger.\$
9.The Farmer, His Horse, and His son
Once there was an old farmer, with a horse which was almost as old as himself.
He set out one morning with his son to sell the horse before it died. Father
and son walked, because the farmer did not want the horse to be too tired.
They met two men on the road who said, "Why are you walking, farmer? You have
a horse, It's a long way to market(市场). "The farmer know that this was true,
so he rode on the horse, while his son walked.
Then they met two old women, "What are you doing up there, farmer? Can't you
see how tired boy is?" So the farmer got down, and his son rode instead.\$
Next, three old men stopped them, one said, "Why are you walking, farmer?
Get up, It's too hot for an old man like you to walk today," So the farmer got
up behind his son, and they rode on.
Some time later, a young woman passed them, "Why aren't you walking?" she
asked, "It isn't far to the market. Give your poor horse a rest."
So the farmer, and his son, got down once again. It is a fact that you cannot
please all the people all the time.
10.I Want to Be a Dustman
Tom was ten years old, and he was a very lazy boy, He didn't like doing any
work. He had to go to school of course, but he didn't study hard there and tried
to do as little work as possible. His father and mother were both doctors and they
hoped that their son would become one, too, when he grew up. But one day Tom
said to his mother, "When I finish school, I want to be a stman."
"A stman?" his mother asked, she was very surprised. "That's not a very
pleasant job, why do you

⑶ 短篇英文阅读理解，请大家帮忙

1.D If a problem does occur, it should be dealt with immdediately ...
2.A any confusion about the job or the instruction can be quickly corrected

⑷ 求20篇高一英语短文，要短一点的，有翻译的~~

一

四年后的约定TheDealinFourYears

Lastnight,.ime.Weweregoingtocollegesoon,sowewouldbeapartsoon,.Suddenly,anideacameacrossmymind,,wewouldgraateatthattime.Myfriendsweresoexcitedaboutit,theyagreedwithme.,wegottogetherhere.,maybeateacher,orabusinessman...

昨晚，我的朋友们和我一起回到了初中的校园。我们走了一圈校园，说起了在那个时候的趣事。我们很快就要上大学了，因此我们即将分离，但是我们对将来的校园生活感到高兴。突然，我的脑海中出现了一个主意，我对朋友说我们可以定一个四年后的约定，那时候我们也毕业了。朋友们很兴奋，同意我的想法。因此我们约定四年后，在这里相聚。我开始想象四年后的自己会变成什么样子，或许老师，或许商人。这个约定让我们有机会和彼此保持联系。我期待着实现这个约定。

二

早餐Breakfast

Today,,becauseafteraday’sworking,theywillfindfunatnight,,too.Astheyarewakeupsolate,,,.,ourbodyhasn’ttakeinthingsallthenight,,.Thinkingaboutthis,,.Asbreakfastissoimportant,wemusthaveitontime,.

今天，年轻一代喜欢熬夜，经过一天的工作以后，他们会在晚上出去寻找乐子，因此他们很晚才回家，然后也很晚才起来。由于他们很晚才起来，他们会忽略早餐，等待午餐，如今人们会把这种餐称为早午餐，意思是在处于早餐和午餐的时间之间吃东西。事实上，不吃早餐对我们的健康不好，我们的身体整夜都没有摄入食物，需要在早餐的时间摄入食物，这样我们的身体才有能量工作。想象一下，一台没有电的机器如何工作，而早餐就相当于电。由于早操是如此的重要，我们必须要按时进食，这样我们的身体才能好好工作，并保持健康。

三

回家真好ItIsGoodtoGoHome

Lastweek,,,soIaskedformyparents’permission,theyagreed.Wedecidedtostayforaweek,,Iwaslikeabird,flyinginthesky,breathingthefreeair.Butwhentheforthdaycame,Istartedtomissmyparents,especiallywhennightcame,thedarknessmademefeellonely,Ijustwantedtobewithmyparents.,.Itisgoodtogethomeforme.

上周，我的朋友叫我和她一起去拜访她的家乡，她告诉我她的家乡很美丽，因此我征求了父母的意见，他们同意了。我们决定停留一周，第一次离开家让我很开心，我就像一只鸟儿，在天空中飞翔，呼吸着自由的空气。但是第四天的时候，我开始想念父母，特别是在夜晚来临的时候，黑暗让我觉得孤单，我只是想要和父母呆在一起。直到那时我才意识到家是甜蜜的，我的父母是最可爱的人。回家对于我来说真好。

四

我的家MyHome

Peoplealwayssayhomesweethome,.BeforeIwenttohighschool,Ilivedwithmyparentsallthetime,soIdon’thavemuchideaabouthome.Inmyopinion,homewastheplaceformetolivein.,..Imissedhomeallthetime,thelongertimeforIleft,themoreImissedmyfamilies.WhenIhadtheholiday,Irushedtohome,Icouldn’twaittoseemyfamilies.Now,Igetthemeaningofhome,,itisalsomysafeplace.NomatterwhereIgo,orwhatkindofdifficultyImeet,myfamilysupportsmeallthetime.

人们总是说回到甜蜜的家，毫无疑问，对每个人来说，家是很重要的。在我上高中以前，我一直和父母住在一起，因此我对家的认识并不多。在我看来，家是我住的地方。但是当我去到寄宿学校，我不得不离开家，住在学校。这是我第一次远离家。我总是想念家，我离开的时间越长，就越想念家人。当我有假期了，我就跑回家，等不及要去见家人。如今，我懂得了家的意义，这不仅仅是我住的地方，也是我的安全地带。无论我去哪里，或者遇到什么困难，我的家人都会支持我。

五

一位班主任的话AnHeadTeacher’sWords

Everyyear,whenJune8thcomes,,,.Atthesametime,.Ineveryclass,,eventheygraate,.Itisnoteasytobeaheadteacher,hehastofollowthestudents’.,.Thesewordsaresotouching,thestudentsknowhisgoodpurpose.Withouttheheadteacher’ssupervision,theywouldnotgothatfar.

每年，当6月8号到来的时候，对于中国的高中生来说是个大日子，因为他们需要参加一场很重要的考试，这将会决定他们未来的大学。同时，也意味着和高中生活说再见。在每个班级，学生对他们的班主任都会留下很深刻的印象，即使他们毕业，仍然能记得班主任。做班主任是不容易的，他不得不随时跟着学生的工作，而且，大部分学生不喜欢班主任。所以当学生高中毕业了，一位班主任说感谢他的学生忍受了他三年。这些话是多么感人啊，学生也知道班主任的好意。没有班主任的监督，他们就无法走得那么远。

六

美好青春 Being Young Is Good

Last night, I went to my friend’s birthday party, I made some friends. We talked happily, one of my new friends showed us the pictures of the places he had been visited. We were so envious, all of us had the dream to go travel to many places, but none of us took the action. He told us that we were so young and had the energy to see the world. He told us to carry out the plan once we had the idea. What he told us is right, we are young and it is good to be young. In the old people’s eyes, we are so free and can go where we want. But most of the young people haven’t realized the right they have, they waste their youth and dare not to do what they want.
昨晚，我去了朋友的生日派对，结交了一些朋友。我们聊得很愉快，其中一个新朋友向我们展示了他去过的地方的照片。我们很羡慕，我们都有梦想要去旅游很多地方，但是没有人采取行动。他告诉我们说我们是如此的年轻，有精力去看看这个世界。他告诉我们去实施计划一旦我们有想法。他对我们说的是对的，我们年轻，年轻就是好。在老人家的眼里，我们很自由，可以到处去。但是大部分年轻人都没有意识到他们拥有的权利，他们浪费了自己的青春，不敢做自己想做的事情。

七

责任大于山 Responsibility Comes First

Early in the morning, I opened my computer and read the news. There was the news about a driver had the heart disease attack when he was driving the bus, there were more than 40 people in the bus. The driver stopped the bus off the road and then stopped his breath. I was so touched by the driver, in the emergency situation, he considered the passengers’ lives in the first place. It is his sense of responsibility that makes him to do it. The driver sets the good example to the public, he shows the importance of responsibility. No matter what we do, we should not forget about taking our responsibility. If people don’t take their own responsibility, then things will be out of order, the world will be in the mess. Responsibility always comes first.
一大早，我就打开电脑看新闻。有一则消息是关于一个司机在开车时心脏病发作，车上有超过40个人。司机把车开在了路边，然后停止了呼吸。我被这位司机感动，在紧急的情况下，他把乘客的生命放在第一位。正是他的责任感让他这样做。司机给大众树立了好榜样，他展示了责任的重要性。无论我们做什么，都不应该忘记履行我们的职责。如果人们不这样做，事情就会出乱，世界就会陷入混乱。责任大于山。

八

赛琳娜威廉姆斯 Serena Williams

If you are a fan of tennis match, then the name Serena Williams will not be forgotten. Serena William is the best female tennis player now, though she is more than 30, she is still competitive. Everybody knows Mariah Sharapova who has the beautiful face and the perfect body shape, while Serena is unlike her, she is not pretty and has muscle. Serena has a successful tennis career, she started her tennis career at the early age with her sister. Both of them won many championships, but as the time went by, they suffered from illness, which made them stopped to play tennis once. But Serena went back to play and became the top player again. Serena inspires so many people who want to give up, she improves that if we have the strong faith, we can achieve our goals.
如果你是一名网球粉丝，然后赛琳娜威廉姆斯这个名字你一定不会忘记。赛琳娜威廉姆斯
现役最好的女子网球选手，虽然她已经超过30岁了，但是她仍然具有竞争力。大家都知道玛利亚莎拉波娃拥有漂亮的脸蛋和完美的身材，然而赛琳娜外形不如莎拉波娃。赛琳娜的网球事业很成功，她在很早的时候就和姐姐开始了网球事业。她们都赢得了很多冠军，但是随着时间的流逝，她们都遭受了伤病，这使得她们一度停止打网球。但是赛琳娜重新回去打网球，再次成为顶尖球员。赛琳娜鼓励了无数想要放弃的人，她证明了如果我们有强烈的信念，就能实现目标。

九

珍惜目前所有 Cherish What We Have

Today, as I had nothing to do, so I opened my computer and found a movie to watch. I thought about the movie that my friend asked me to watch, it was called 13 Is Going on 30. The story told about a 13 years old girl wanted to be a woman, so that she could have the beautiful face and perfect body shape. She wanted to date any handsome guy she liked. Then the magical thing happened, she became 30 and she got everything. But she felt lost, because her life was totally messed. I had the same feeling with the girl when I was at her age, I wanted to grow up quickly. But now, when I look at that age, I think it is better to cherish what I had at that time. Every stage of life has its happiness, so there is no need to skip the stage.
今天，由于我没有事情做，因此我打开电脑，寻找电影来看。我想到了我朋友叫我看的电影，叫《女孩梦三十》。这个故事讲述了一个13岁的女孩想要成为一名女人，这样她就能拥有美丽的脸庞和完美的身材。她想要和任何喜欢的英俊男孩约会。然后神奇的事情发生了，她变成了30岁的女人，并且拥有一切。但是她感到失落，因为她的生活很混乱。当我处在那个女孩年龄的时候，我和她有同样的感觉，我想要快点长大。但是如今，当我回望那个年纪，我觉得还是珍惜当时所拥有的比较好。每个年龄段都有它的快乐，因此没有必要去跨过那个阶段。

十

午后时光 Afternoon Time

Today was Saturday, early in the morning, I woke up and stayed at home the whole morning to watch TV. After finishing my lunch, I had nothing to do, so I decided to call my friends out. I headed to the coffee shop which was near a square. There were a lot of people in the square, some women were dancing and singing, while some men were taking the chess. I walked into the coffee shop, chose a table which was near the window, so that I could see the outside scenery. When my friends came, we talked happily, we shared the things that happened ring these days. Then all my pressure was relieved, I forgot about the annoyance on my study. At that moment, I was enjoying the time talking with my friends. I had the great time this afternoon.
今天是星期六，一大早，我就起床了，整个上午，我都呆在家里看电视。在吃完午饭后，我没有什么事情去做，因此我决定叫我的朋友们出去。我前往一家广场附近的咖啡店。广场里有很多人，一些女人在唱歌和跳舞，然而一些男人在下象棋。我走进了咖啡店，选择了一张近窗口的桌子，这样我就能看到外面的风景。当我的朋友们来了以后，我们聊得很愉快，分享了在这段时间发生的事情。然后我所有的压力都得到了释放，我忘记了学习上的烦恼。在那个时刻，我享受着和朋友们聊天的时光。今天下午我度过了愉快的时光。

我只有三个要求：

1. 我的回答这么完整，要提高悬赏

2. 要采纳

3. 勿抄袭
   

⑸ 简单的英语阅读短篇

1.风和太阳(The Wind And The Sun)
One day the wind said to the sun,“Look at that man walking along the road.I can get his cloak off more quickly than you can.”
“We will see about that,” said the sun.“I will let you try first.”
So the wind tried to make the man take off his cloak.He blew and blew,but the man only pulled his cloak more closely around himself.
“I give up,” said the wind at last.“I cannot get his cloak off.” Then the sun tried.He shone as hard as he could.The man soon became hot and took off his cloak.
(有一天风跟太阳说:“看看那个沿着路上走的人.我可以比你快让他把披风脱下来.)
(“我们等着看吧,”太阳说,“我让你先试.)
(因此风尝试让那个人把披风脱下来.他用力地吹,可是那个人把披风拉得更紧.)
(“我放弃了,”风最后说,“我无法让他把披风脱下来.”然后由太阳试试看.他尽可能地晒他.不久,那个人很热就把披风脱下来了.)
2.翅 膀
一天,我工作的炸鸡店在关门前出现了一阵抢购狂潮,结果除了鸡翅外所有的东西都卖完了.当我正准备锁门时,一名喝醉了的旅客进来要进餐.我问他翅膀行不行,他从柜台上靠过身子来,回答道：“女士,我到这儿来是吃东西的,不是要飞!”
Wings
The fried-chicken restaurant where I was working had a big rush just before closing one day,leaving us with nothing to sell but wings.As I was about to lock the doors,aa quietly intoxicated customer came in and ordered dinner.When I asked if wings would be all right,he leaned over the counter and replied,"Lady,I came in here to eat,not fly."
3.有个小男孩头戴球帽,手拿球棒和棒球,全副武装地到自家后院.
“我是世界上最伟大的打击手,”他自信满满.把球往空中一扔,用力挥棒,但却没有打中.
他毫不气馁,又往空中一扔,大喊一声：“我是最厉害的打击手.”
他再次挥棒,可惜又落空了.
他楞了半晌,仔仔细细地将球棒和棒球检查了一番.
他站了起来,又试了一次,这次他仍告诉自己：“我是最杰出的打击手.”
然而他第三次尝试又落空.
“哇!”他突然跳了起来,“原来我是第一流的投手!”
A little boy wears a cap,and holding a bat and a baseball,standing in his yard."I'm the greatest batter in the world!"he is full of confidence.He throws the ball to the sky,and swings the bat,but he doesn't hit the ball.But he doesn't lose his heart,he does it again,and shouts:"I'm the greatest batter!"But he doesn't hit the ball this time,either.He checks the ball and the bat carefully,and then stands up,tries again.This time he still tells himself:"I'm the greatest batter!"However,he loses again.
"Wow!"he suddenly jumps up,"Actually,I'm the best pitcher!"

⑹ 高中英语短文阅读，短篇小说，笑话（带翻译）谢谢了，大神帮忙啊

Five Hundred Times 五百遍 In the traffic court of a large mid-western city, a young lady was brought before the judge to answer a ticket given her for driving through a red light. She explained to his honor that she was a school teacher and requested an immediate disposal of her case in order that she might hasten on to her classes. A wild gleam came into the judge's eye. "You are a school teacher, eh?" said he. "Madam, I shall realize my lifelong ambition. Sit down at that table and write 'I went through a red light' five hundred times." 在中西部一个大城市的交通法庭里，一位年轻女士被带到法官面前，她由于开车闯红灯被开了罚单。女士向法官解释，她是一名学校老师，请求法官马上处理她的案子，以便可以赶回去上课。法官眼中闪过一丝狡黠，说道：“你是学校的老师，对吗？女士，我马上要实现我毕生的愿望了。在那张桌子旁坐下，写‘我开车闯了红灯’500遍。 My Favourite Season The climate in our country is very pleasant. It’s always warm in spring, hot in summer and cold in winter. My favourite season is autumn, because it’s always warm in September and October. It’s often cold in November. It’s certainly interesting. The other reason is the days are short and the nights are long. The sun rises late and sets early. I can do my favourite things in the evening. Autumn is a harvest season. I can make great progress in autumn. I like the golden season, and you? Go Out To Travel I went to three cities to play ring last summer holidays. They are Beijing, Dalian and HuHehot. I went to Beijing more than eight times. Beijing is the capital of China. It’s a big city. I am very familiar with Beijing. It takes an hour and forty minutes from Nantong to Beijing by plane. There are many tall buildings in Beijing. It’s a modern city. My family visited the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, the Palace Museum, the Beihai Park, the Space Museum, etc. I went to the countryside of Beijing to go boating and fishing. It was very interesting. I went shopping in WangFuJing. I bought lots of souvenirs and other things. I like eating Beijing snacks. They are delicious. Don’t miss Beijing Duck. It is really nice. Dalian is a beautiful city. Dalian is close to Beijing. I spent 5o minutes on the plane. Dalian is near the sea. I smelled the salt in the air. The roads are clean. There are lots of trees and flowers near the roads. There are many esplanades and Japanese buildings. There are some fountains in one of the esplanades. Some people flew kites and walked on the esplanades. We went to see the beach and the sea. The sea is blue. There were many swimmers in the sea. I lay on the beach to see the sky. Dalian is a very nice place to live in. Huhehot is in Inner Mongol. There are lots of large grasslands. The grasslands are endless. The sky is bright blue. There were a lot of horses and sheep. They were running or eating grass. I rode a horse on the grassland. I picked some colourful flowers. We drank tea with milk. There is a small desert, it was very hot when I walked on it. The sand could sing. These trips helped me open my eyes. I enjoyed my day. From: http://www.hxen.com/englisharticle/anwen/2007-12-08/19998.html

⑺ 求20篇短篇初中英语阅读理解题

（A）
In the world ,soccer of football is the most popular sport. This is because many countries have wonderful teams for the World Cup. The World Cup is held every four years.

To remember 2002 FIFA World Cup ,children from different countries and more than 60 children from Japanese schools came together and spent three weekends drawing a big picture called “Dream(梦幻) World Cups ”in Japan .The children drew animals, flowers and people playing soccer under a bule bright sky. They wished each football team good luck by drawing the flags(旗帜)of all the countries that will take part in the World Cup in Japan and South Korea.The picture was put up in a park near a playground in Yokohama .Some football teams will have games there.

Are you a football fan(迷)？The World Cup makeds more and more people interested in football Teenagers(青少年)like playing and watching football .Many of them love some football stars so much that they get the pictures of their favourite players on the walls of their rooms. That is the way to show their love for the World Cup as children in Japan.

1. If a country wants to take part in the World Cup ,she must have______.

A. Many football fans B. a very good team C. many football player D. a big playground

2. The next World Cup will be held in_______.

A. 2006 B. 2007 C. 2005 D. 2004

3. From the passage ,in the picture children drew many things except_________.

A. people playing football B. pictures of some football stars C. a sunny sky D. flowers

4. In “Dream World Cup”,the children drew the flags of some countries______. </P< p>

A. to show their love for their owe country

B. to tell the people their stories

C. to show their good wishes for the football teams

D. to show their new ideas about football

5.Many teenagers owe the pictures of some football stars because______.

A. they are interested in football B. they are football fans

C. they think their favourite players are great D. all of A,B and C

（B）

In 1826, a Frenchman named Niepce needed pictures for his business .But he was not a good artis .So he invented a very simple camera (照相机).He put it in a window of his house and took a picture of hia garden .That was the first photo.

The next important date in the history of photography (摄影术) was in 1837. That year, Daguere, another Frenchman ,took a picture of his reading room .He used a new kind of camera in a different way. In his picture you could see everything very clearly ,even the smallest thing. This kind of photo was called a Daguerreotype.

Soon, other people began to use Daguerre’s way. Travelers brought back wonderful photos from all around the world .people took picture of famous buildings, cities and mountains.

In about 1840, photography was developed .Then photographers could take picture of people and moving things .That was not simple .The photographers had to carry a lot of film and other machines. But this did not stop them ,for example, some in the United States worked so hard.

Mathew Brady was a famous American photographers. He took many picture of gread people .The picture were unusual beause they were very lifelike(栩栩如生的)

Photographers also became one kind of art by the end of the 19th century .Some photod were nor just cooies of the real world .They showed and feelings,like other kinds of art.

6. The first photo taken by Niepce was a picturte of ____________

A. his business B. his house C. his garden D. his window

7. The Daguerrotype was____________. </P< p>

A. a Frenchman B. a kind of picture C. a kind of camera D. a photographer

8. If a photographer wanted to take pictures of moving things in the year of 1840j, he had to__________.

A. watch lots of films B. buy an expensive camera

C. stop in most cities D. take many films and something else with him.

9. Mathew Brady______________.

A. was very lifelike B. was famous for his unusual pictures

C. was quite strong D. took many pictures of moving people

10. This passage tells us_____________.

A. how photography was developed B. how to show your ideas and feelings in pictures

C. how to take pictures in the world D. how to use different cameras

（C）

Americans with small families own a small car or a large one. If both parents are working, they usually have two cars. When the family is large, one of the cars is sold and they will buy a van(住房汽车)

A small car can hold(容纳)four persons and a large car can hold six persons but it is very crowded(拥挤). A van hold seven persons easily, so a family three children could ask their grandparents to go on a holiday travel They could all travel together.

Mr.Hagen and his wife had a third child last year. This made them sell a second car and bus a van. Their children sixth and seventh seat are used to put other things, for a family of five must carry many suitcases(衣箱)when they travel. When they arrive at their grandparents’ home , the suitcases are brought into the two seats can then carry the grandparents.

Americans call vans motor homes. A motor home is always used for holidays. When a family are traveling to the mountains or to the seaside, they can live in their motor home for a few days or to the seaside, they can live in their motor home for a few days or weeks. All the members of a big family can enjoy a happier life when they are traveling together. That is why motor homes have become very popular. In America there are many parks for motor homes.

11. From the passage, a van is also called ____________.

A. a motor car B. a motor home C. a motorbike D. a big truck

12. Before Mr. Hagen and his wife bought a van, they__________.

A. sold their old house B. moved to their grandparents’ house

C. built a new place for a van D. sold their second car

13. A motor home is usually owned by a family with__________.

A. a baby B. much money C. more than two children D. interest in vans

14. Americans usually use motor homer____________.

A. to travel with all the family members of holiday

B. to do some shopping with all the family members

C. to visit their grandparents at weekends

D. to drive their children to school every day

15. Motor homes have become popular because___________.

A. they can take people to another city when people are free

B. they can let families have a happier life when they go out for their holidays

C. some people think motor homes are cheap

D. big families can put more things in motor homes

（D）

Surtsey was born in 1963.Scientists saw the birth of this island. It began at 7.30 a.m. on 14th November. A fishing boat was near Iceland. The boat moved under the captain's（船长）feet. He noticed a strange smell. He saw some black smoke. A volcano（火山）was breaking out. Red-hot rocks, fire and smoke were rushing up from the bottom（底部）of the sea. The island grew quickly. It was 10 meters high the next day and 60 meters high on 18th November. Scientists flew there to watch. It was exciting. Smoke and fire were still rushing up. Pieces of red-hot rock were flying into the air and falling into the sea. The sea was boiling and there was a strange light in the sky. Surtsey grew and grew. Then it stopped in June 1967.It was 175 meters high and 2 kilometers long. And life was already coming to Surtsey. Plants grew. Birds came. Some scientists built a house. They want to learn about this young island. A new island is like a new world.

16. Surtsey is ______.

A. an island not far from Iceland B. a new volcano

C. a fishing boat D. a place in Iceland

17. Scientists flew there ______.

A. to watch the birth of the island B. to save the fishing boat

C. to learn about the island D. to build a house

18. When did scientist fly there to watch?

A. Before the volcano broke out. B. As soon as the volcano broke out.

C. About four days after the volcano broke out. D. After the volcano stopped rushing up.

19. Put the following sentences in correct order.

a. The captain found the boat was moving. b. A new island appeared in the sea.

c. Fire, smoke and rocks were seen rushing up. d. A fishing boat was near Iceland.

e. The island grew quickly.

A. d-a-c-b-e B. a-b-c-d-e C .a-b-e-c-d D. b-e-d-a-c

20. The best title of this article is ________.

A. A new island B. The birth of an island

C. A new world D. Scientists discovered Surtsey

(E)

On Nov.18th,1908,three men went up in a balloon（气球）.They started early in London. The headman was Augusta Gaudron, and the other two men were Tannar and Maitland. They had a big balloon and they were ready for a long way.

Soon they heard the sea. They were carrying the usual rope（绳子）,and it was hanging down from the basket of the balloon. At the end of the rope they had tied a metal box. This could hold water, or it could be empty. So they were able to change its weight（重量）.It was for use over the sea. They were also carrying some bags of sand.

After the sun rose, the balloon went higher. It went up to 3,000 metres, and the air was very cold. The water in the balloon became ice. Snow fell past the men's basket, and they could see more snow on the ground. The men tried to throw out some more sand; but it was hard. They tried to break the icy sand with their knives, but it was not easy. The work was slow and they were still falling, so they had to drop some whole bags of sand. One of them fell on an icy lake and made a black hole in the ice.

At last they pulled the box into the basket. It was still snowing; so they climbed to get away from the snow. They rose to 5,100 metres! Everything became icy. They were so cold that they decided to land. They came down in Poland heavily but safely. They had travelled 1,797 kilometers from London!

21. Three men flew in balloon ________.

A. for nearly 1,800 kilometers B. to another city

C. to visit Poland D. more than a century ago

22. The metal box was used for ________.

A. carrying the bags of sand‘ ’ B. keeping drinking-water

C. carrying ropes of the basket D. changing weight

23. When the balloon went up higher, ________.

A. the temperature of the balloon began to fall B. They saw the sun go down

C. They made a hole in the basket with their knives

D. They could see a black hole on the ground

24. The balloon landed ________.

A. in London B. on the sea C. on a lake D. in a foreign country

25. Which of the following is NOT true?________

A. The three men started their journey before the sun rose.
B. The balloon began to go up when they threw bags of sand out of the basket.
C. When they pulled the box into the basket, the balloon began to climb up.
D. The three men had to land because they felt cold.

答案：
1．B 2．A 3．B 4．C 5．D 6． C 7．B 8．D 9．B 10． A 11．B 12．D 13． C 14．A 15． B 16.A 17.A 18.C 19.A 20.B 21.A 22.D 23.A 24.D 25.B
1
Ali,who was working a long way from home wanted to send a letter to his wife,but he could neither read nor write, and he had to work all day,so he could only look for somebody to write his letter late atnight .At last he found the house of a letter writer whose name was Nasreddin.
Nasreddin was already in bed."It is late,"he said. "What do you want?" "I want you to write a letter to my wife , "said Ali , Nasreddin wasnot pleased. He thought for a few seconds and then said, "Has theletter got to go far?" "What does that matter?" answered Ali.
"Well, my writing is so strange that only I can read it, and if I have to travel a long way to read your letter to your wife, it will cost you a lot of money." Ali went away quickly.
Multiple choice
( ) 1. Ali wanted to____to his wife.
A.get something B.have a letter written
C.bring a flower D. say good-bye
( ) 2. At last he found the house of_____.
A.a writer B.a seller C.an old man D.a letter-writer
( ) 3.When Ali told what he wanted to do Nasreddin was______.
A.not pleased B.pleased C.excited D.angry
( ) 4.Nasreddin said that his writing was_____.
A.easy for anyone to read B.strange for anyone to read
C. too strange for anyone to write D.difficult for anyone to read
( ) 5. This story tells us______.
A.not to ask anybody for help B.not to trouble others at night
C.not to ask for help without money D.not to trust others
2
An old man died and left his son a lot of money. But the son was a foolish young man,and he quickly spent all the money, so that soon hehad nothing left.Of course ,when that happened, all his friends lefthim.When he was quite poor and alone, he went to see Nasreddin, who was a kind, clever old man and often helped people when they had troubles.
"My money has finished and my friends have gone,"said the young man. "What will happen to me now?"
"Don't worry , young man,"answered Nasreddin."Everything will soon be all right again.Wait ,and you will soon feel much happier."
The young man was very glad."Am I going to get rich again then? " heasked Nasreddin.
"No, I didn't mean that," said the old man."I meant that you would soon get used to being poor and to having no friends."
Multiple choice
( )1.An old man died and left his son_______.
A.nothing B.some gold C. much money D.only a house
( ) 2. When the son was________, he went to see Nasreddin.
A.short of money B.quite poor and sick
C.in trouble D. quite poor and alone
( ) 3.The young man was very glad because Nasreddin said that________.
A.he would become rich again B. he would soon feel much happier
C.he would become clever D. he would have more friends
( ) 4.Nasreddin meant the young man______.
A.would get rich again B. would get used to having nothing
C.would get used to being in trouble D.would get out of poorness
( ) 5.What this story tells us is________.
A.that money is everything B.that money makes the mare go
C.to save each penny D. that misfortune tests the sincerity of friends
3.
A man was travelling abroad in a small red car.One day he left thecar and went shopping.When he came back, its roof was badly damaged.
Some boys told him that an elephant had damaged it. The man did not believe them,but they took him to a circus which was near there. Theowner of the elephant said,"I am very sorry!My elephant has a big, round,red chair.He thought that your car was his chair, and he sat on it!"
Then he gave the man a letter, in which he said that he was sorry andthat he would pay for all the damage.
When the man got back to his own country,the customs officers wouldnot believe his story.They said,"You sold your new car while you wereabroad and bought this old one!"
It was only when the man showed them the letter from the circus man that believed him.
Multiple choice
( )1.A man was travelling abroad_______.
A.in a big bus B.in a green jeep C.in a red car D.in a red taxi
( ) 2.The car was damaged because________.
A.there was a traffic accident B.the circus man broke it
C. it rushed into a shop D.the elephant sat on it
( ) 3.The circus man said that_______.
A.he would pay for part of the damage B.he would pay for all of the
damage C.he wouldn't pay for the damage D.he would buy a new car
( ) 4. When the man got back to his country,the customs officers______.
A. would check his new car B.only checked his car
C. searched him D. wouldn't believe what he had said,
( ) 5.It was only________that made the officers believe him.
A.the letter from the circus man B. a newspaper from the country
C.the certificate of his D.the letter from the government

4.
Nasreddin was cutting a branch off a tree in his garden.While he wassawing,another man passed in the street.He stopped and said,"Excuse me,
but if you continue to saw that brancd like that, you will fall downwith it."He said this because Nasreddin was sitting on the branch andcutting it at a place between himself and the trunk of the tree.
Nasreddin said nothing.He thought,"This is some foolish person whohas no work to do and goes about telling other people what to do andwhat not to do."
The man continued on his way. Of course, after a few minutes.The branch fell and Nasreddin fellwith it.
"My God!"he cried."That man knows the future !"and he ran after himto ask how long he was going to live.But the man had gone.
Multiple choice
( )1.One day Nasreddin was cutting a branch_______a tree in his garden.
A.on B.in C.at D.off
( )2.While Nasreddin was sawing,another man_______.
A.told him to stop working B.told him he would fall down
C. would borrow something from him D.would help him saw that branch
( ) 3. After the man went away,Nasreddin thought that________.
A. that was a silly fellow B..that was a wise person
C.that was a proud person D.that fellow cheated him
( ) 4.What happened to Nasreddin after a few minutes?
A.The brancd fell .B.Nasreddin fell down to the ground.
C.Nasreddin was hurt himself. D..Both A and B.
( ) 5.This story is about ________.
A.a foolish man B. a wise man
C.cutting a tree D.the necessity of taking good advice
5.
It was half-past eight in the morning. The telephone bell rang andMary went to answer it.
"It's me-Peter."
"Hullo, who's that?"she asked.
Peter was a friend of Mary's eight-year-old brother,Johnny.
"Oh hullo,Peter.What do you want?"said Mary.
"Can I speak to johnny?"
"No,"said Mary,"you can't speak to him now.He is busy. He is gettingready for school.He is eating his breakfast.Grandmother is combing hishair.Sister is under the table,putting his shoes on. Mother is gettinghis books and putting them in his school bag.Goodbye,I've got to go now. I have to hold the door open.The school bus is coming .
Mtiple choice
( )1.Who went to answer it when the teltphone bell rang?
A.Johnny's sister B.Peter C,Johnny D.Johnny's mother
( )2.Whom did Peter want to speak to?
A.Mary's brother B.Mary's sister C.Mary's grandmother D.Johnny's mother
( )3.Johnny couldn't speak to Peter because Johnny _______.
A. was combing his hair B.was putting his shoes on
C.was getting his books D. was busy eating his hreakfast
( )4.How do you say to a stranger who is answering your telephone?
A.Who are you?B.Anything to say? C.Who is it? D.Please
( )5.From this story we know that Johnny was_____.
A. a lazy B.a clever boy C.a busy boy D.a hungry boy

⑻ 英语阅读，要短篇的~~~~~~

嘿嘿，不知道你需要几年级的
I’ve loved my mother’s desk since I was just tall enough to see above the top of it as mother sat doing letters. Standing by her chair, looking at the ink bottle, pens, and white paper, I decided that the act of writing must be the more wonderful thing in the world.
Years later, ring her final illness, mother kept different things for my sister and brother. “But the desk,” she’d said again, “it’s for Elizabeth. ”
I never saw her angry, never saw her cry. I knew she loved me; she showed it in action. But as a young girl, I wanted heart-to-heart talks between mother and daughter.
They never happened. And a gulf opened between us. I was “too emotional(易动感情的)”. But she lived “on the surface(表面)”.
As years passed I had my own family. I loved my mother and thanked her for our happy family. I wrote to her in careful words and asked her to let me know in any way she chose that she did forgive(原谅) me.
I posted the letter and waited for her answer. None came.
My hope turned to disappointment(失望), then little interest and, finally, peace— it seemed that nothing happened. I couldn’t be sure that the letter had even got to mother. I only knew that I had written it, and I could stop trying to make her into someone she was not.
Now the present of her desk told, as she’d never been able to, that she was pleased that writing was my chosen work. I cleaned the desk carefully and found some papers inside —a photo of my father and a one-page letter, folded(折叠) and refolded many times.
Give me an answer, my letter asks, in any way you choose. Mother, you always chose the act that speaks louder than words.
根据短文内容，选择最佳答案。
1. The writer began to love her mother’s desk ______.
A. after Mother died
B. before she became a writer
C. when she was a child
D. when Mother gave it to her
2. The passage shows that ______.
A. mother was cold on the surface but kind in her heart to her daughter
B. mother was too serious about everything her daughter had done
C. mother cared much about her daughter in words
D. mother wrote to her daughter in careful words
3. The word “gulf” in the passage means ______.
A. deep understanding between the old and the young
B. different ideas between the mother and the daughter
C. free talks between mother and daughter
D. part of the sea going far in land
4. What did mother do with her daughter’s letter asking forgiveness?
A. She had never received the letter.
B. For years, she often talked about the letter.
C. She didn’t forgive her daughter at all in all her life.
D. She read the letter again and again till she died.
5. What’s the best title of the passage?
A. My letter to Mother
B. Mother and Children
C. My mother’s Desk
D. Talks between Mother and Me
【答案与解析】
1. C 2. A 3. B 4. D 5. C

One day the famous American scientist Albert Einstein met an old friend of his on a street in New York.
“Mr Einstein,” said the friend, “ it seems that you need to put on a new overcoat. Look, how worn-out it is!”
“It doesn’t matter,” answered Albert Einstein. “No one knows me here in New York.”
Several years later they met in New York again. Einstein had been a world-famous physicist after then but he still wore the same old overcoat.
Once more his friend persuaded him to buy a new one.
“There is no need now,” said Einstein, “Everybody here has known me.”
根据短文内容，回答问题。
1. Where did Albert Einstein met an old friend of his?
2. What did the friend want him to buy?
3. How about Einstein’s overcoat?
4. Did Einstein still wear the same old overcoat when he became a world-famous physicist?

Once Goethe, the great German poet, was walking in a park. He was thinking about something when he noticed he came to a very, very narrow road. Just at that time, a young man came towards him from the other end of the road. It was too narrow for both of them to pass through at the same time. They stopped and looked at each other for a while. Then the young man said rudely, “I never make way for a fool.” But Goethe smiled and said, “I always do.” Then he turned back quickly and walked towards the end of the road.
根据短文内容，回答问题。
1. Where was Goethe walking?
2. Who came towards Goethe from the other end of the road?
3. Was the road too narrow for both of them to pass through at the same time?
4. Did the young man make way for Goethe?
5. Who turned back quickly and walked towards the end of the road?

A man went to see his doctor one day, because he was suffering from pains in his stomach. After the doctor had examined him carefully, he said to him, “Well, there’s nothing really wrong with you, I’m glad to say. Your only trouble is that you worry too much. Do you know, I had a man with the same trouble as you here a few weeks ago, and I gave him the same advice as I am going to give you. He was worried because he couldn’t pay his tailor’s bills. I told him not to worry about the bills any more. He took my advice and when he came to see me again two days ago, he told me that he now felt quite all right again. ” “Yes, I know all about that,” answered the patient sadly. “You see, I’m that man’s tailor!”
根据以上短文内容判断正误，正确的用“T”表示，错误的用“F”表示。
1. The tailor went to see his doctor because he has got a headache.
2. There is nothing serious with the tailor.
3. A man with the same trouble as the tailor a few days ago.
4. The doctor gave the man and the tailor the same advice.
5. The tailor was worried because a man couldn’t pay his bills.

I worked for a short time as a cashier(出纳员) at a restaurant a few months ago. I also helped to clean up the tables when it was very busy. One night, just before Christmas, I found a large black wallet on the floor near one of the tables. I guessed I should check it to find out who was the owner, but I was very busy at the time. And I imagined that if there was something valuable(有价值的) in the wallet, the owner would be back. Sure enough, an hour later a man came up to the counter and asked if anyone had found a wallet. I asked him to describe the lost wallet, and after he described it exactly, I gave him the wallet. He expressed his thanks when I handed it to him. He asked me if I had opened it, and when I told him “no”. At once he opened it and showed that it had nearly $ 800 in cash(现金). He took out a twenty-dollar bill and handed it to me and I was amazed at this. “A reward(酬劳) for your honesty,” he said and then turned and walked away.
Thinking about it later, I began wondering whether I would have been honest if I had known what was in the wallet! I thought that if I had no way to find the owner and no one returned to get it, I might keep it. But it also came into my mind that I actually saved someone’s Christmas plans by finding and returning the wallet. The good feeling it gave me was worth more than anything could buy.
根据以上短文内容，然后从每题所给的四个选项中选择最佳选项。
1. Which of the following is true?
A. The owner of the wallet found a twenty-dollar bill gone.
B. The writer wasn’t surprised when the man gave her a reward.
C. Nothing in the wallet was missing.
D. The man was very, very excited when he got his wallet back.
2. The writer returned the wallet to the owner because _______.
A. she thought Christmas was coming
B. the owner came back too soon
C. she didn’t know there was so much money in it
D. as an honest person, she didn’t care much about money
3. Which of the following is NOT true?
A. The writer accepted a reward of $ 20.
B. The writer regretted(后悔) that she had returned the wallet.
C. The writer didn’t return the wallet until the owner came back.
D. The writer fell very happy after she returned the wallet.

Last Friday a storm swept through two villages in the New Territories, destroying (摧毁) fourteen homes. Seven others were so badly damaged (破坏) that their owners had to leave them, and fifteen others had broken windows or broken roofs. One person was killed, several were badly hurt and taken to hospital, and a number of other people received smaller hurt. Altogether over two hundred people were homeless after the storm.
A farmer, Mr. Tan, said that the storm began early in the morning and lasted for over an hour.
“I was eating with my wife and children,” he said, “When we heard a loud noise. A few minutes later our house fell down on top of us. We tried our best to climb out but then I saw that one of my children was missing. I went back inside and found him, safe but very frightened.”
Mrs. Woo Mei Fong said that her husband had just left for work when she felt that her house was moving. She ran outside at once with her children.
“There was no time to take anything,” she said, “A few minutes later, the roof came down.”
Soldiers helped to take people out of the flooded (水淹的) area and the welfare department (福利机构) brought them food, clothes and shelter.
1. How many homes altogether (总共) were damaged in the storm?
A. Fourteen B. Twenty-one
C. Twenty-nine D. Thirty-six
2. Where was Mr. Tan when the storm first began?
A. He was in bed.B. He was inside the house.
C. He was outside the house.D. He was on the roof.
3. Mrs. Woo and her family didn’t get hurt because _________.
A. her husband knew there would be a storm
B. they were all outside the house when the storm became worse
C. she felt the house was moving
D. the welfare department helped her
4. The underlined word “shelter” in this passage means ______.
A. something to eat B. something to wear
C. somewhere to study D. somewhere to stay
5. Which of he following may be the best title for this passage?
A. A Terrible Storm B. A Lucky Woman
C. Good Soldiers D. Clever People

In 1605, a scientist took a willow branch(柳枝) and planted it. He didn’t plant it in the ground, however. He planted it in a vase of soil(泥土). For the next five years, the scientist watered that willow carefully.
The willow grew and grew. Where did it get the food for its growth? To most people, this was an easy question. The willow plant, of course, took the food from the soil.
The scientist, however, wanted evidence(证据).If the willow took the food from the soil for its growth, then, as it grew and weighed more, the soil ought to weigh less. He weighed the willow branch before he planted it. It weighed five pounds. Then he weighed the soil. It weighed 200 pounds. After five years, he weighed the plant and the soil again. The willow tree weighed 169 pounds, but the soil weighed almost the same.
The result(结果) was surprising. Where did the 164 pounds come from?
After many investigations(调查), the scientist got the answer. He had given water to the willow, and the willow got its food from the water.
He was right, in a way. Today we know more about the question.
1. The scientist did the experiment in the sixteenth century.
2. Most people thought the plant got the food from the soil for its growth.
3. The soil in the vase weighed two hundred pounds.
4. The scientist found that the willow grew and weighed more and the soil weighed less.
5. The soil weighed 164 pounds after five years.
6. Now we know about the question as much as the scientist did.

⑼ 有木有6题的英语阅读理解（短篇的更好哦）

The Three-Year Solution
College, a small liberal-arts school in upstate New York, makes New York, makes this offer to well prepared students: earn your undergraate degree in three years instead of four, and save about 543,000—the amount of one year’s tuition and fees. A number of innovative colleges are making the same offer to students anxious about saving time and money. That’s both an opportunity and a warning for the best higher-ecation system in the world.
The United States has almost all of the world’s best universities. A recent Chinese survey ranks 35 American universities among the top 50, eight among the top 10. Our research universities have been the key to developing the competitive advantages that help Americans proce 25% of all the world’s wealth. In 2007, 623,805 of the world’s brightest students were attracted to American universities.
Yet, there are signs of peril (危险)within American higher ecation. U.S. colleges have to compete in the marketplace. Students may choose among 6,000 public, private, nonprofit, for profit, or religious institutions of higher learning. In addition, almost all of the 532 billlion the federal government provides for university research is awarded competitively.

But many colleges and universities are stuck in the past. For instance, the idea of the fall-to-spring“school year”hasn’t changed much since before the American Revolution, when we were a summer stretch no longer makes sense. Former George Washington University president Stephen Trachtenberg estimates that a typical college uses its facilities for academic purposes a little more than half the calendar year.“While college facilities sit idle, they continue to generate maintenance expenses that contribute to the high cost of running a college,” he has written.
Within academic departments, tenure(终身职位)，combined with age-discrimination laws, makes faculty turnover—critical for a university to remain current in changing times—difficult. Instead of protecting speech and encouraging diversity and innovative thinking, the tenure system often stifles(压制)them: younger professors must win the approval of established colleagues for tenure, encouraging like-mindedness and sometimes inhibiting the free flow of ideas.
Meanwhile, tuition has soared, leaving graating students with unprecedented loan debt. Strong campus presidents to manage these problems are becoming harder to find, and to keep. In fact, students now stay on campus almost as long as their presidents. The average amount of time students now take to complete an undergraate degree has stretched to six years and seven months as students interrupted by work, inconvenienced by unavailable classes, or lured by one more football season find it hard to graate.
Congress has tried to help students with college costs through Pell Grants and other forms of tuition support. But some of their fixes have made the problem worse. The stack of congressional regulations governing federal student grants and loans now stands twice as tall as I do. Filling out these forms consumes 7% of every tuition dollar.For all of these reasons, some colleges like Hartwick are rethinking the old way of doing things and questioning decades-old assumptions about what a college degree means. For instance, why does it have to take four years to earn a diploma? This fall, 16 first-year students and four second-year students at Hartwick enrolled in the school’s new three year degree program. According to the college, the plan is designed for high-ability, highly motivated student who wish to save money or to move along more rapidly toward advanced degrees.

By eliminating that extra year, there year degree students save 25% in costs. Instead of taking 30 credits a year, these students take 40. During January, Hartwick runs a four week course ring which students may earn three to four credits on or off campus, including a number of international sites. Summer courses are not required, but a student may enroll in them—and pay extra. Three year students get first crack at course registration. There are no changes in the number of courses professors teach or in their pay.
The three-year degree isn’t a new idea. Geniuses have always breezed through. Judson College, a 350-student institution in Alabama, has offered students a three-year option for 40 years. Students attend “short terms” in May and June to earn the credits required for graation. Bates College in Maine and Ball State University in Indiana are among other colleges offering three-year options.
Changes at the high-school level are also helping to make it easier for many students to earn their undergraate degrees in less time. One of five students arrives at college today with Advanced Placement (AP) credits amounting to a semester or more of college level work. Many universities, including large schools like the University of Texas, make it easy for these AP students to graate faster.
For students who don’t plan to stop with an undergraate degree, the three-year plan may have an even greater appeal. Dr. John Sergent, head of Vanderbilt University Medical School’s residency (住院医生) program, enrolled in Vanderbilt’s undergraate college in 1959. He entered medical school after only three years as did four or five of his classmates.” My first year of medical school counted as my senior year, which meant I had to take three to four labs a week to get all my sciences in. I basically skipped my senior year,” says Sergent. He still had time to be a student senator and meet his wife.

There are, however, drawbacks to moving through school at such a brisk pace. For one, it deprives students of the luxury of time to roam (遨游) intellectually. Compressing everything into three years also leaves less time for growing up, engaging in extracurricular activities, and studying abroad. On crowded campuses it could mean fewer opportunities to get into a prized professor’s class. Iowa’s Waldorf College has graated several hundred students in its three-year degree program, but it now phasing out the option. Most Waldorf students wanted the full four-year experience—academically, socially, and athletically. And faculty members will be wary of any change that threatens the core curriculum in the name of moving students into the workforce.
“Most high governmental officials seem to conceive of ecation in this light—as a way to ensure economic competitiveness and continued economic growth,” Derek Bok, former president of Harvard, told The Washington Post. “I strongly disagree with this approach.” Another risk: the new campus scheles might eventually proce less revenue for the institution and longer working hours for faculty members.
Adopting a three-year option will not come easily to most school. Those that wish to tackle tradition and make American campus more cost-conscious may find it easier to take Trachtenberg’s advice: open campuses year-round.“You could run two complete colleges, with two complete faculties,”he says.“That’s without cuttin