2016届高考英语阶段效果检测：29（含解析）_高考复习指南

2016届高考英语阶段效果检测：29（含解析）

　　C. adjusting to

　　D. connecting to

　　15. The country finally gained independence after being　by the British for so many years.

　　A. governed B. defeated

　　C. managed

　　D. commanded

　　Ⅱ. 阅读理解

　　(A)John Wesley Powell(1834—1902)was a famous explorer of the American West. When he was young, his mother put him under the guidance of George Crookham, a self-taught scientist, from whom he received a wide but informal education. Young John learned many things about the natural sciences. But his father preferred him to study religion. The argument continued for three years. Then John decided to leave home to seek further education. He soon discovered that he knew more about science than any teacher he met. He realized that the only good scientific education in the country came from colleges in the east, like Harvard and Yale. But he was too poor to go to them, so he got work as a school teacher in Illinois. Whenever possible, he went on scientific trips of his own.

　　In 1861, civil war broke out in the United States. John joined the Union forces of the North. At the battle of Shiloh Powell lost his right arm. Despite his disability, he began his famous exploration of the Colorado River on May 24, 1869.

　　It was one of the greatest trips of discovery in the history of America. Never before had any white men travelled to that area. The trip was far more dangerous than expected. The rivers were filled with rocky areas and waterfalls. Sometimes, the boats overturned or broke into pieces against big rocks. All along the way, Powell measured distances, temperatures, heights, depths and currents. He examined soils, rocks and plant life. Powell’s explorations led to the creation of the US Geological Survey, which became responsible for all mapping and scientific programs of American lands.