高中英语自选阅读文章材料
有的时候阅读一篇英语课外文章其实并不难，即使我们现在处于高中阶段，只要我们有心，还是能够挤出一些时间阅读一些英语课外材料的。今天小编给大家带来高中英语自选阅读，希望大家喜欢并且能够有所收获。
高中英语自选阅读(一)
Standing together
LAST Monday afternoon, China stood still. Heads bowed, hats in hands, soldiers balanced on the rubble of a town destroyed by an earthquake. Across the country, the 1.3 billion people stopped at 2:28 pm — the exact time the 8.0 Richter scale earthquake took place two weeks ago. Three minutes of silence were kept to mourn (哀悼) for those who died in the quake. As many as 55,740 people were confirmed dead and 24,960 people were missing by last Friday.
It is the first time that China has mourned its ordinary citizens. The last period of national mourning was for Chairman Mao Zedong in 1976 when he passed away.
As the loudspeaker (喇叭) announced the end of the silence on May 19, people in Tian’anmen Square rushed to the flagpole (旗杆), pouring out their feelings. There were roars (喊声) of "Go China", "Long live China!" and "Stay strong, China!"
For three days, flags across China were lowered to half-mast. Bars, clubs and cinemas were closed. Even the Olympic torch relay was suspended (延期).
The earthquake caused the destruction that has been described as the worst in more than half a century in the country. It has brought together people from across the country to offer help. Volunteers flood to earthquake-hit areas. Long queues (排队) of people waited to donate (捐赠) money and blood for helping the victims (受难者) in the past two weeks. The nation received 24.65 billion yuan in cash and goods from donors at home and abroad as of last Friday, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs (民政部).
Since last week, many students from the earthquake-hit areas have returned to classes in tents, which were quickly established by rescue workers. According to the Ministry of Education, the college entrance examination will be put off for affected students, with the English listening test canceled. Also, there will be special psychological (心理的) treatment from experts to help students deal with their tragic memories and to be strong and healthy for the coming bright future.
高中英语自选阅读(二)
Han hands out
THIS time, best-selling author and car racer, Han Han has a new role to play, a volunteered relief (救援) worker. The strong debate about his rebellious (叛逆的) character, sharp words and typical post-80s' self-centered way of living seems to have calmed down.
Two days after the May 12 earthquake occurred, the 26-year-old arrived in Sichuan by car to join the relief efforts. Believing that money does not amount to sincerity, he said in his blog that he would not compete with other stars on the amount of money being donated. Han also kept his blog updated during his one-week stay telling his readers that locals were badly in need of water, tents (帐篷) and daily necessities.
Besides, he promised to donate 200,000 yuan to help build a school that won't be damaged by an earthquake, with the help of a real estate (房地产) company. He is also willing to be the honorary principal (名誉校长) of the school.
"I'll find designers and workers in person and watch them build a new school to make sure every coin is responsibly spent on the building. I believe such a school will never ever bury (埋) kids in an earthquake," he said.
Han's practical efforts won support and praise from online readers, many of whom used to criticize him a lot.
"I didn't like you before, but now I find you are lovely," said a Sina netizen (网民).
Another reader of his blog left a message, saying, "What you have done lets me know a different Han Han."
Han, the high-school dropout, published his first novel Three Doors at 18 and became popular among young readers. However, he has always been a debate because of his biting (尖锐的) words about school and the educational system. His recent online criticism of scholar Yu Qiuyu, calling him "a foxery mid-aged man who lacks humor", also seemed to some readers that he had gone too far.
"After the earthquake the post-80s generation like Han Han is seen as brave and enthusiastic (热情的) in shouldering their social responsibilities. They have grown mature (成熟的)," commented Gong Xiaobing at Chongqing Evening News.
