江苏省百校届高三英语学业质量分析考试试题

2011届江苏省百校高三学业质量分析考试英语试题
编审单位：江苏省教育学会考试专业委员会金太阳教育研究院
第一部分：听力（共两节，满分20分）（听力重组）
第一节（共5小题；每小题1分，满分5分）
听下面5段对话。

每段对话后有一个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项，并标在试卷的相应位置。

听完每段对话后，你都有10秒钟的时间来回答有关小题和阅读下一小题。

每段对话仅读一遍。

1. What are these two people talking about?
A. A lightweight shirt.
B. Things to wear.
C. The warm weather..
2. What is the woman's job?
A. Cook.
B. Waitress.
C. Saleswoman.
3. How is the man getting to work?
A. Riding.
B. By bus.
C. Driving.
4. What does the man mean?
A. The woman's uncle will come for a visit.
B. He thinks the woman should visit her uncle.
C. He asks the woman to go over to his place.
5. What will the weather in Arizona be like in the coming week?
A. Rainy.
B. Warm.
C. A bit cold.
第二节（共15小题，每小题1．5分，满分22．5分）
听下面5段对话或独白。

每段对话后有几个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项，并标在试卷的相应位置。

听每段对话前，你将有时间阅读各个小题，每小题5秒钟；听完后，各小题给出5秒钟的作答时间。

每段对话读两遍。

听第6段材料，回答第6至8题。

6. What lipstick did the woman expect to buy?
A. Lyfel, dark shade.
B. Lyfel, pink shade.
C. Lyfel, bright shade.
7. Why does the woman want to change the color of her lipstick?
A. To be cool.
B. To be serious.
C. To be attractive.
8. How about the lipstick the woman took in the end?
A. Its color is suitable but is very expensive.
B. Its color is right though it is not Lyfel brand.
C. Its color isn't right but its brand is Lyfel.
听第7段材料，回答第9至11题。

9. Why is it easier for the woman to learn English?
A. She often talks to English people.
B. She speaks two languages already.
C. She always does her homework right after class.
10. Which of the following is suggested by the woman to be a good way of learning English?
A. Reading newspapers.
B. Writing diaries.
C. Reading aloud in the morning.
11. Why is it difficult for the man to lean English?
A. He doesn't talk to his English teachers.
B. There are no native speakers around him.
C. He is too shy to speak English.
听第8段材料，回答第12至14题。

12. How does the man get information about the apartment?
A. From TV advertisements.
B. From advertisements in the newspapers.
C. From radio advertisements.
13. How many rooms has the apartment got?
A. Four
B. Five
C. Six
14. How much will the man pay for the rent per month if he wants to include management and parking as well?
A. $500.
B. $450.
C. $550.
听第9段材料，回答第15至17题。

15. What is the woman afraid of when she takes her trips?
A. Taking a voyage.
B. Taking a train.
C. Taking a flight.
16. What transportation can you infer the man prefers?
A. Trains.
B. Planes.
C. Ships.
17. What's the probable relationship between the two speakers?
A. Husband and wife.
B. Teacher and student.
C. Friends.
听第10段材料，回答第18至20题。

18. What was Miss Richards?
A. A chemistry teacher.
B. A physics teacher.
C. A science teacher.
19. How did Miss Richards feel before Dick answered her question?
A. Disappointed and unhappy.
B. Angry and annoyed.
C. Excited.
20. What can we learn from the passage?
A. Dick was the top student in class.
B. The students were active in class.
C. Miss Richards was rather patient.
第二部分：英语知识运用（共两节，满分35分）
第一节：语法和词汇（共15小题；每小题1分，满分15分）
从A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

21. Nowadays, ____ variety of backgrounds in our classrooms gives our young students ____ better
understanding of different races and nationalities.
A. a; the
B. 不填; the
C. the; a
D. 不填；a
22. --What do you think of the songs?
--As a matter of fact, ____ of them sounds beautiful.
A. not every one
B. not all
C. no one
D. not everyone
23. --____ visited the Shanghai World Expo is sure to tell you the place is worthy ____ twice.
--You can say that again.
A. Those who have; visiting
B. Whoever has; visiting
C. Those who have; to be visited
D. Whoever has; to be visited
24. --Could you tell me the way____ the scientists used to invent China's J-20, the fourth generation of
fighters?
--It's a top secret, I'm afraid, but those scientists all have a strong ____ of responsibility.
A. which; belief
B. which; sense
C. in which; feel
D. in which; idea
25. --China now has more miles of high-speed railway than all the other countries ____. Our country has fallen
behind, President.
--If only we ____ any mistakes in the past in running our country.
A. combining; hadn't made
B. combining; haven't made
C. combined; hadn't made
D. combined; haven't made
26. --Dark clouds are gathering again. It ____.
--Be quick! Let's gather our things on the clothes line.
A. will rain
B. will he raining
C. is raining
D. is going to rain
27. As a result of the serious flooding in recent days, all the highways in central Australia have been closed
until further ____.
A. information
B. news
C. message
D. notice
28. --Forty dollars a pair? I'm afraid it's a bit too much.
--If you take two pairs, the price for each can ____ to thirty-five.
A. come down
B. take down
C. turn over
D. go over
29. ____ only 20 minutes to go before the train left, I felt uneasy in the taxi to the railway station.
A. For
B. As
C. Because
D. With
30. --Americans are always unreasonable, aren't they?
--Exactly. They always put blames on China for their economic failure whatever we ____.
A. must have done
B. might have done
C. would have done
D. should have done
31. --The new ____ always taking the place of the old. I've changed my iPod again.
--You've taken the words out of my mouth. Things are no longer ____ they were even a decade ago.
A. is; what
B. are; that
C. is; that
D. are; what
32. There were ____ 48 countries and regions taking part in the Guangzhou Asian Games.
A. wholly
B. altogether
C. entirely
D. completely
33. --What do you want to have ____ for the coming art festival?
--It's up to you to decide.
A. do
B. to do
C. doing
D. done
34. Only ____ how to get the job well done ahead of time.
A. did Robert know
B. does Robert know
C. Robert knows
D. knows Robert
35. --The manager of the factory wants to improve production a great deal, but he doesn't spend much on
technology.
--He won't realize his dream. You know, ____.
A. empty vessels make the greatest sound
B. you can't eat your cake and have it
C. enough is as good as a feast
D. two heads are more than one
第二节：完形填空（共20小题；每小题1分，满分20分）
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从36~55各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

A small boy once went up in the mountains and brought home an eagle egg. The boy's parents were chicken-farmers, so not knowing any better, the boy 36 the egg with the hens for them to watch over it. And finally, the eagle egg 37 .
The little eagle was 38 together with chickens. He learned to always be fearful, and always worry. He learned that even though he had 39 , it would be impossible for him to fly. The years passed, and he grew up to be a well 40 creature, but he felt something was 41 . One day he noticed an eagle flying effortlessly in the sky, not seeming to 42 about all the things that the little eagle had learned to fear.
The little eagle felt something in his little heart. He started 43 if there was 44 to life than just eating worms, screaming and running for every little thing. He mentioned his 45 to his chicken friends, but they would just 46 him, "You belong down here in the dirt. I have a 5-year master's 47 from ICU (International Chicken University), and let me tell you: It is impossible to fly!"
48 , the little eagle continued daydreaming. Every vow and then he heard a voice inside him saying, "You are an eagle! You can do it! You can fly!"
One day he said goodbye to his 49 friends, and started his journey up to the 50 . Even though his experience was telling him how 51 he was, he knew in his heart that he was 52 for bigger things. Finally he stopped at the top of a steep cliff.
As he looked 53 , his heart started beating faster. He felt the fear and the worry that he had become so
54 with over the years But again, something in his heart said: "You are an eagle! You can do it!" And as he
55 his wings, he started singing a tune: "I believe I can fly! I believe I can touch the sky. Woaaaahhh! I think about it every night and day. I believe I can soar high!"
36.A. put B. threw C. cooked D. left
37. A. broke B. hatched C. lay D. laid
38.A. born B. produced C. raised D. fed
39. A. legs B. dreams C. wings D. friends
40. A. respected B. contented C. kept D. grown
41. A. missing B. good C. serious D. correct
42. A. go B. worry C. come D. know
43. A. wondering B. saying C. imagining D. asking
44. A. less B. better C. more D. worse
45. A. belief B. problem C. concern D. dream
46. A. stare at B. laugh at C. point at D. shout at
47. A. grade B. level C. degree D. position
48. A. However B. Therefore C. Thus D. Besides
49. A. home B. class C. school D. chicken
50. A. river B. sky C. building D. mountains
51. A. clever B. crazy C. sad D. disappointed
52. A. taught B. hoped C. intended D. expected
53. A. down B. up C. around D. forward
54. A. comfortable B. familiar C. popular D. strict
55. A. beat B. closed C. cleaned D. spread
第三部分：阅读理解（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

A
A conflict between a Chinese fishing boat and two Japanese warships on September 7 led to the seizure of Zhan and the statement that his case would be decided under Japanese domestic law, rather than solved through some diplomatic back-and-forth between Tokyo and Beijing.
Japan's hawkish (鹰派的minister Seiji Maehara can take a lion's share of the credit or blame for blowing up the incident. Immediately after the fishing boat knocked with Japanese warships on Sept 7, Maehara called the army officer Hisayasu Suzuki and told him, "The captain of the Chinese fishing boat must be arrested. "
At first, China responded calmly. Reflecting back on that time, a Chinese government source said, "By sticking to a calm response, China was trying to encourage Japan to release the captain of itself. "
After Captain Zhan's seizure was extended--and it appeared he would soon be accused in a Japanese court--China became angry, both in public and on official occasions.
Beijing canceled scheduled negotiations with Japan over undersea oil and gas deposits (矿藏). It also canceled talks on airline flights and requested Chinese travel agencies not to accept applications for tour groups to visit Japan. China is also said to have cut off exports of rare earth to Japan.
As exchanges with China became more heated, Maehara desperately pulled in the United States. But Jeffrey Bader, chairman of the National Security Council said that the dispute was a matter between China and Japan.
At the same time, Chinese Premier Wen in New York on Tuesday threatened more action against Japan if it didn't return the captain of the ship. It appears that Prime Minister Kern agreed to Zhan's release.
After that, China was actually saying that the case of Captain Zhan was "basically over", but Japanese hawks are not stopping. The struggle between the two countries over Diaoyu Islands may well go on and on.
56. China decided to fight back because
A. Japanese struck the Chinese fishing boat
B. Maehara told the army officer to arrest the captain
C. the Japanese government wanted to treat the case under their domestic law
D. Maehara wanted to Dull the Americans into the conflict
57. Which of the following doesn't the Chinese government want?
A. The conflict between China and Japan should be solved through diplomatic means.
B. Japanese foreign minister Maehara can take a lion's share of credit over the matter.
C. The captain of the Chinese fishing boat should be set free as soon as possible.
D. Zhan's release can be regarded as the end of the conflict.
58. We can infer from the passage that________
A. Americans didn't want to get involved in the conflict
B. the struggle between countries will go on and on
C. a series of measures were taken to force Japan to release the captain
D. Japanese Prime Minister Kan is not as hawkish as Maehara
59. Which of the following is the most appropriate title for this passage?
A. China-Japan conflict over fishing boat
B. Japan's hawkish minister
C. Struggle over Diaoyu Islands
D. Dispute between China and Japan
B
The London Art Fair is a chance to see some of London's best galleries sell works from hundreds of artists all in one place.
Running from 19--23 January at the Business Design Centre in Islington, North London, the fair will be full of art in, every conceivable medium featuring the great names of 20th Century British art and exceptional contemporary works from leading figures and emerging talent.
If photography's your thing, check out the Photo 50 exhibition which features 50 works by artists selected by a distinguished panel, Both established artists and less well known figures are well represented. There's also a full programme of talks and workshops covering everything from specific schools of painting to photography and the modern art market.
To buy tickets to the fair or for the individual talks check the London Art Fair.
60. This advertisement is intended for
A. British talents
B. anyone interested in art
C. students in specific schools
D. computer programmers
61. The London Art Fair will last -- days.
A. 5
B. 19
C. 23
D. 31
62. If you are good at taking photos, you might want to
A. buy a ticket
B. check London Art Fair
C. visit Photo 50 exhibition
D. represent your work
C
Taxes, Taxes, and More Taxes
Americans often say that there are only two things a person can be sure of in life: death and taxes. Americans do not have a corner on the "death" market, hut many people feel that the United States leads the world with the worst taxes.
Taxes consist of the money which people pay to support their government. There are generally three levels of government in the United States: federal, state and city, therefore, there are three types of taxes.
Salaried people who earn more than a few thousand dollars must pay a certain percentage of their salaries to the federal government. The percentage varies from person to person. It depends on their salaries. The federal government has a graduated income tax, that is, the percentage of the tax (14 to 70 percent) increases as a person's income increases. With the high cost of taxes, people are not very happy on April 15, when the federal taxes are due.
The second tax is for the state government: New York, California, North Dakota, or any of the other forty-seven states. Some states have an income tax similar to that of the federal government. Of course the percentage for the state tax is lower. Other states have a sales tax, which is a percentage charged to any item (项目) which you buy in that state. For example, a person might want to buy a packet of cigarettes for twenty five cents. If there is a sales tax of eight percent in that state, then the cost of the cigarettes is twenty-seven cents. This figure includes the sales tax, Some states use income tax in addition to sales tax to raise their revenues (收入). The state tax laws are diverse and confusing.
The third tax is for the city. This tax comes in two forms: property tax (people who own a home have to pay taxes on it) and excise (消费税) tax, which is charged on ears ha a city. The cities use these funds for education, police and fire departments, public works and municipal (市政的) buildings.
Since Americans pay such high taxes, they often feel that they are working one day each week just to pay their taxes. People always complain about taxes. They often protest that the government uses their tax dollars in the wrong way. They say that it spends too much on useless and impractical programs. Although
Americans gave different views on ninny issues they tend to agree on one subject: taxes are too high.
63. The underlined sentence "Americans do not have a corner on the ‘death’ market" means that______
A. Americans, just like all other people, must die
B. Americans do not have a secret place to keep from death in their lives
C. Americans are not good at doing business in the death market
D. there is no such place as a death market in the US
64. The American people usually pay three types of taxes because ______
A. they earn different salaries: high, middle and low
B. tax laws in different states are different
C. there are three levels of government to support in the United States
D. there are three kinds of taxes to pay: income tax, sales tax and property tax
65. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to Paragraph 4?
A. New York, California and North Dakota have the same tax system.
B. Some states have an income tax but no sales tax.
C. Some states have a sales tax but no income tax`
D. Some states have both an income tax and a sales tax.
66. The title "Taxes, Taxes, and More Taxes" implies that _______
A. Americans are not satisfied with the three types of taxes
B. the three levels of government do not use the taxes in a right way
C. Americans' taxes are diverse and confusing
D. Americans complain that taxes are too high
D
Reading to oneself is a modern activity which was almost unknown to the learned in the early days of the history, while during the fifteenth century the term "reading" undoubtedly meant reading aloud. Only during the nineteenth century did silent reading become popular.
One should be careful, however, of supposing that silent reading came about simply because reading aloud was distracting(分散注意力)to others. Examination of reasons connected with the historical development of silent reading shows that it became the usual mode of reading for most adult reading tasks mainly because the tasks themselves changed in character.
The nineteenth century saw a gradual increase in literacy (读写能力) and thus in the number of readers. As readers increased, so the number of listeners dropped, and thus there was some reduction in the need to read aloud. As reading for the benefit of listeners grew less common, so came the popularity of reading as a private activity in such public places as libraries, trains and offices, where reading aloud would disturb other readers in a way.
Towards the end of the century there was still heated argument over whether books should be used for information or treated respectfully, and over whether the reading of material such as newspapers was in some way mentally weakening. Indeed this argument remains with us still in education. However, whatever its advantages, the old shared literacy culture had gone and was replaced by the printed mass media on the one hand and by books and magazines for a specialized readership on the other.
By the end of the century students were being advised to have some new ideas of books and to use skills in reading them which were not proper, if not impossible, for the oral reader. The social, cultural, and technological developments in the century had greatly changed what the term "reading" referred to.
87. Reading aloud was common before the nineteenth century because ______
A. silent reading had not been discovered
B. few people could read for themselves
C. there were few places for private reading
D. people depended on reading for enjoyment
88. The development of silent reading during the nineteenth century showed _____
A. a change in the position of literate people
B. an increase in the number of books
C. an increase in the average age of readers
D. a change in the nature of reading
69. It is still being argued in education about _____
A. the importance of silent reading
B. the amount of information provided by books and newspapers
C. the value of different types of reading material
D. the effects of reading on health
70. The writer of this passage is attempting _______.
A. to explain how present-day reading developed
B. to change people's way of reading
C. to show how reading methods have improved
D. to encourage the growth of reading
第四部分：写作（共两节，满分35分）
第一节：任务型读写（共10小题；每小题1分，满分10分）
阅读下面的短文，根据所读内容在短文后的表格中填入恰当的单词。

注意：表格中的每个空格只填一个单词。

The next few decades will see great changes in the way energy is supplied and used. In some major oil producing nations, ‘peak oil’ has already been reached, and there are increasing fears of global warming. To meet these challenges, countries are investing in Smart Grid (电网) technology. This system aims to provide the electricity industry with a better understanding of power generation and demand, and to use this information to create a more efficient power network.
Smart Grid technology basically involves the application of a computer system to the electricity network. The computer system can be used to collect information about supply and demand and improve engineers' ability to manage the system. With better information about electricity demand, the network will be able to increase the amount of electricity delivered per unit generated, leading to potential decreases in fuel needs and carbon emissions. Moreover, the computer system will assist in reducing operational and maintenance costs.
Smart Grid technology offers benefits to the consumer too. They will be able to collect real-time information on their energy use for each appliance. Smart meters make it possible to charge differently the appliances used at different times. Therefore, they may use their washing machines at night. Smart meters can also be connected to the Internet or telephone system, allowing customers to switch appliances on or off remotely. Furthermore, if houses are fitted with the equipment to generate their own power, appliances can be set to run directly from the on-site power source, and ally excess can be sold to the grid.
With these changes comes a range of challenges. The first involves managing the supply and demand. Sources of renewable energy, such as wind, wave and solar, are unpredictable. With oil and gas, it is relatively simple to increase the supply, of energy to match the increasing demand during peak times of the day or year. With alternative sources, this is far more difficult, and may lead to blackouts or system's failure.
A second problem is the fact that many renewable power generation sources are located in remote areas, such as windy uplands and coastal regions, where there is currently a lack of electrical infrastructure. New infrastructures therefore must be built. Thankfully, with improved smart technology, this can be done more efficiently by reducing the reinforcement or construction costs.
Although Smart Technology is still in its early years, people believe that by the year 2050, changes in the
第五部分：书面表达(满分25分)
随着网络聊天的流行，QQ空间到部分中学生的欢迎，但也有部分学生对此有不同
注意：
1．短文要包括所有要点，不要简单翻译，可以适当发挥；
2．词数：150左右；
3．开头已经写好，但不计人总词数。

Recent years have witnessed the popularity of the QQ zone among most middle school students. Nevertheless, many students are anxious about the phenomenon. To make things clear, the Students' Union of our school has made a survey.
The result shows that
2011届江苏省百校高三学业质量分析考试
英语试题参考答案
1~5. BBCBA 6~10. ABBBA 11~15. CBACC 16~20. BCCAC
2l～25 CADBC 26～30 DDADB 31～35 ABDCB
36～40 DBCCA 41～45 ABACD 46～50 BCADD 51～55 BCABD
56～60CBDAB 61～65ACACA 66～70 DBDCA
71.Aims 72. understand 73. Advantages 74. collect 75. reducing
76. different 77. less 78. beforehand 79. cause 80. future
书面表达：
One possible version:
Recent years have witnessed the popularity of the QQ zone among most middle school students. Nevertheless, many students are anxious about the phenomenon. To make things clear, the Students' Union of our school has made a survey.
The result shows that 60％of those surveyed are in favor of QQ zone because they can express their opinions freely by means of writing logs. What's more, they can gather information, share interesting things and make friends through communication. Last but not least, they can display their creativity and imagination by beautifying the zone．
However, about 40％of the students are strongly against QQ zone．They firmly believe that people can be easily cheated there．What's worse，students often copy and pass keys to their homework by making use of QQ zone. Not only will the students waste money but also their energy and time which are the most important of all.
In my opinion, students should be educated to make proper use of QQ zone so that they can get useful information from it. Apart from that，they can have discussions about their problems to cultivate their ability.
听力原文
Text 1
W: What kind of dress are you looking for?
M: Since it's getting warmer this time of the year, I want something lightweight. What do you think would be the best?
Text 2
M: I must say, Miss, the food was great and I've never had better service.
W: Well, thank you, sir. I'll pass your praise on to the cook and the manager. And thanks too for the tip. Text 3
W: I've to go to Washington this afternoon, but I'm too tired to drive and the bus is so uncomfortable. M: No problem. I'll save you the cost of a taxi by dropping you off at the train station on my way to work.
Text 4
W: I have been thinking about my uncle a lot these days. M: Why not go over for a visit?
Text 5
W: Good morning, can I help you?
M: Yes, I'd like to know something about the weather in Arizona in the coming week.
W: Well, it will be fairly hot and there will be much rain.
M: I see. Thanks very much for your help.
Test 6
M: Welcome, Miss. May I help you?
W: I hope so. I want a lipstick.
M: Do you have any particular brand in mind?
W: I like Lyfel very much.
M: We have different shades of Lyfel lipstick. May I know what color you usually wear?
W: Pink. But today, I'm thinking of buying one in a dark shade. You know, I will be a teacher next month. I wish to look more serious.
M: Yes, I see. How do you like this one?
W: Not too bad. May I have a try?
M: Certainly, Miss.
W: Mmm… It's still too bright. Any darker shades? M: Not from the Lyfel group, I'm afraid.
W: Well, any brand will do as long as I can get the right color.
M: How about this one, then? It has more transparent touch.
W: OK, that’s the very thing I need.
Test 7
M: It's so hard for me to learn English. Why is it so easy for you?
W: I didn't know you were having problems. Maybe it's easier for me because I already speak two languages. But also, I really work at it.
M: Well, I always do my homework and go to classes. What else do you think would help? W: Well, you might try reading newspapers. And I always talk to Americans when I get a chance, though somet imes it’s hard.
M: But, how do you meet Americans? I only know other foreign students.
W: How about sitting next to an American at lunch, or have you ever thought of asking someone over to your house for dinner?
M:Those are good ideas. But I' m a little shy to speak English.
W: You won't learn if you don’t try and speak. If I were you, I'd talk to your English teacher. He might have some good ideas.
Test 8
M:Hello, my name’s David Parker . I'm calling about the apartment advertised in the paper. Can you tell me something about it?
W: Yes, it’s a one-bedroom apartment, with a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom and a balcony.
M: Where is it located?
W: It's on Montreal Road.
M: Is it furnished?
W: Yes, it is furnished with sofas, a dining table, chairs and some appliances.
M: How much is the rent?
W: It’s five hundred dollars per month, including utilities.
M: You mean gas, electricity and heat?
W: Yes, that's right.
M: Is there anything like management fee or parking fee?
W: The management fee is included in the rent.
But parking is fifty dollars a month. M: Can I come and have a look at it today?
W: Yes, how about one o'clock this afternoon?
M: One o'clock sounds fine. See you then.
W: See you.
Text 9
M: Are you looking forward to your trip to Canada, Susan?
W: I can’t wait to see Canada, Jason, but I' m scared stiff of the journey. My husband insists on flying, but I want to sail. Planes make me nervous.
M: There's nothing to be frightened of. How many planes fly across the Atlantic every day?
W: I've no idea. Hundreds, I suppose.
M: And how often do you hear of a crash? Once or twice a year?
W: Yes, but aero-planes fly so high and fast that once is enough.
M: There are more road accidents per day than air deaths per year. Air transport is really safe compared with road transport.
W: I still prefer to go by sea. Ships may not travel fast but as least you can relax. I'd love a trip on a luxury liner like the Queen Elizabeth II.
M: It's fine if you're a good sailor, but have you ever traveled far in a rough sea?
W: No. I've only been in a boat once. I sailed down the River Thames on a sightseeing tour, but in any case I'd rather be sea-sick than dead.
Test 10
Hello, everyone. I'd like to tell you a story about Miss Richards.
Miss Richards was a teacher at a school for boys and girls. She taught chemistry and physics from the lowest to the highest classes in the school. Sometimes the new classes learned rapidly, but sometimes they were very slow, and then Miss Richards had to repeat things many times.
One year, the first class had been studying chemistry for several weeks when Miss Richards suddenly asked, "What is water? Who knows? Hands up."
There was silence for a few seconds, and Miss Richards felt sad but then one boy raised his hand.
"Yes, Dick?" said Miss Richards encouragingly. He was not one of the brightest students in the class, so she was glad this boy could answer.
"Water is a liquid which has no color until you wash your hands in it, then it turns black," the boy replied.。