上海2024學(xué)年第一學(xué)期高二英語(yǔ)12月份學(xué)習(xí)診斷試卷

2024學(xué)年第一學(xué)期高二英語(yǔ)12月份學(xué)習(xí)診斷試卷（考試時(shí)間：120分鐘，總分：150分）第I卷（共110分）I.ListeningComprehension(30’)SectionA(10’)Directions:InSectionA,youwillheartenshortconversationsbetweentwospeakers.Attheendofeachconversation,aquestionwillbeaskedaboutwhatwassaid.Theconversationsandthequestionswillbespokenonlyonce.Afteryouhearaconversationandthequestionaboutit,readthefourpossibleanswersonyourpaper,anddecidewhichoneisthebestanswertothequestionyouhaveheard.1.A.Attheairport. B.Inthecinema. C.Atarestaurant. D.Inashoppingmall.2.A.Askforamorningcall. B.Bookalaterflight.C.Taketheearlyflight. D.Cancelhistrip.3.A.Thewomanhasagoodgardener. B.Thewomanisgoodatgardening.C.Themanofferstodothegardening. D.Themanwantstohireagardener.4.A.Hefinishedhisdegreelongago.B.He’llworkforhisdegreeforfourmoreyears.C.Hebeganhisstudiesfouryearsago.D.Hehasjuststartedworkingonhisdegree.5.A.Itwasmiserablealldaylong. B.Thetripwasruinedbythebadweather.C.ItwassunnyonSaturdaymorning. D.Thetripturnedouttobegood.6.A.Thepartywasabigsurprise. B.Katehasalotoffriends.C.Themanagreedwiththewoman. D.ThewomanknowsKatewell.7.A.He’sgottoomuchinhismind. B.Hebroughtthewrongbook.C.Hedidn’tkeephispromise. D.Heforgotthenameofthebook.8.A.Theymustcheckoutimmediately.B.Theswimmingpoolinthehotelisclosed.C.It’snoteasytocallataxitotheairport.D.Sheagreestogoswimmingwiththeman.9.A.Mr.Liu’sschedule. B.ApictureofMr.Liu.C.Mr.Liu’sfavouritehobbies. D.AspecialgiftforMr.Liu.10.A.Themanhasn’tmetTinarecently. B.ThemanwantstoseeTina.C.TinausedtoworkinNewYork. D.Thewomanissoforgetful.SectionBDirections:InSectionB,youwillheartwoshortpassagesandonelongerconversation,andyouwillbeaskedseveralquestionsoneachofthepassagesandtheconversation.Thepassagesandtheconversationwillbereadtwice,butthequestionswillbespokenonlyonce.Whenyouhearaquestion,readthefourpossibleanswersonyourpaperanddecidewhichonewouldbethebestanswertothequestionyouhaveheard.Questions11through13arebasedonthefollowingpassage.11.A.30milliontons. B.18milliontons.C.12milliontons. D.60milliontons.12.A.CooperatewithAsiancountries. B.AsktheUnitedNationsforhelp.C.Getridofdiseasesofriceplants. D.Makeinvestmentsinriceproduction.13.A.Thesuggestionsgiventoendpoverty.B.Theproblemscausedbyriceshortages.C.Theeffortsmadetoincreasericeproduction.D.Theeffectsresultingfromtheeconomiccrisis.Questions14through16arebasedonthefollowingpassage. A.Totelladultswhattodoathome. B.Todisciplinenaughtychildren.C.Totakegoodcareofahouse. D.Tohelpafamilybringupchildrenbetter.15.A.Theirbadly-behavedchildrenareoutofcontrol.B.Theirchildrenneedhelpindoinghomework.C.They’dliketodevotethemselvestotheirwork.D.They’dliketosharewithothershowtohelpkidsout.16.A.Totellparentshowtoeducatetheirchildren.B.TorecommendtheTVshowtopeopleinneed.C.Togivepeopleadviceonhowtosetfamilyrules.D.Toentertainpeoplehavingfamilyproblems.Questions17through20arebasedonthefollowingconversation.A.Astudyonlanguagepolicy. B.Alectureaboutgeography.C.Preparationsforapresentation. D.AtourtoWestAustralia.18.A.Historicalbackground. B.Anoverviewoftheeducationalsystem.C.Theeconomicsystem. D.TheroleoftheEnglishlanguage.19.A.TosearchthemontheInternet. B.TofindthemintheResourceRoom.C.ToaskDr.Whiteforhelp. D.Torefertoatouristbrochure.20.A.Theyhavetofindthetwomapsfirst. B.Theywanttochangetheirtopic.C.TheResourceRoomisabouttoclose. D.It’stimeforthemtohavelectures.II.GrammarandVocabularySectionA(15’)Directions:Afterreadingthepassagebelow,fillintheblankstomakethepassagecoherentandgrammaticallycorrect.Fortheblankswithagivenword,fillineachblankwiththeproperformofthegivenword;fortheotherblanks,useonewordthatbestfitseachblank.ValuingthesoundtrackofourlivesAswegrowolder,wemayforgetwhatweonceknew.However,accordingtoanewstudy,themusic(21)________havelistenedtomaystaywithusforever.ThestudywasledbySarahSauve,amusicscientistattheUniversityofLincolnintheUK.Sherecruitedaround120healthyadultsagedfrom18to86andaskedthemtolistentothreemelodicphrasestakenfrommusicalpiecestobeperformedataconcert.Theythenattendedtheconcertandmadenoteswhenevertheyheardthephrasesplaying.Theresultsshowedthattheparticipantsrecognizedthephrasesequallywell,(22)________agedifferences.Researchersbelievethatthisis(23)_______musicactivatestheamygdala(杏仁體).“Weknowfromgeneralmemoryresearchthat,effectively,theamygdala—oremotionalprocessing---operatesalittlebitlikeanimportancestamp,”SteffenHerff,ascientistattheUniversityofSydneyinAustralia,toldNature.Inotherwords,thebrainidentifiesthemusic(24)__________somethingsoimportantthatitmustbestoredsafelyforalongtime.Musicalmemories(25)___________(make)exceptionallyresistanttotimebyotherpartsofthebrainaswell.Forexample,thecortex(大腦皮層)responsibleformotionrespondstoasong’srhythm,(26)_________theauditory(聽(tīng)覺(jué)的)cortexanalyzesthepitch(音調(diào)).Inotherwords,musichasthepower(27)“__________(light)up”thewholebrain,saidScienceDaily.Therefore,musiccanbeusedto“unlockmemories”inpatients(28)__________(suffer)fromneuraldisorders(神經(jīng)系統(tǒng)疾病),saidAssalHabibi,aresearcherattheUniversityofSouthernCaliforniaintheUS,inaninterviewwiththeuniversity.HabibiistryingtohelppatientswithAlzheimer’sdiseasereconnecttotheir“senseofself”viamusic.“Whenyouhearnostalgic(懷舊的)music,there’sactivityalloveryourbrain,butmostparticularlyinthepart(29)________isnormallyactivewhenwe’redaydreaming.Itisalsoactivewhenwearethinkingaboutourownstories,”saidHabibi.Evenbetter,inthefuture,musiccanhelpdoctorsdetectneuraldiseases.Forexample,accordingtoarecentstudypublishedinNatureCommunications,ifsomeonehastroublerecognizingmusicthatwasextremelypopularintheirchildhood,they(30)________potentiallybeexperiencingneuraldisorders.SectionB(10’)Directions:Completethefollowingpassagebyusingthewordsinthebox.Eachwordcanbeusedonlyonce.Notethatthere’sonewordmorethanyouneed.A.rejectedB.determineC.amountsD.declineE.exclusiveF.varyG.widespreadH.persuasiveI.identifyJ.measureK.translatesTimetoLimitEnglish’sPowerEnglishisanofficialorco-officiallanguageinmanycountriesaroundtheworld.Itsvalueincommunicationisthushigh,andsoistheinterestinlearningit.ManypeopleuseEnglishasasecondorforeignlanguage.Takentogether,nativeandnon-nativeEnglishspeakersworldwidetotalbetween1billionand1.5billion.This(31)________to12%to19%oftheglobalpopulation.ThedominanceofEnglishinglobalcommunicationisviewedpositivelybymanyduetoitspracticalbenefits.However,italsoraisesmanyproblemsfornativespeakersofotherlanguages.Themostimportantchallengeisthatoffairnessor“l(fā)inguisticjustice.”Acommonlanguageisabitlikeatelephonenetwork,butthecoststoaccessanduseit(32)________widely.PeoplewholearnEnglishasasecondlanguagefacelearningcosts,whilenativespeakerscanconnectwithallnetworkmembersforfree.WesternEuropeancountriesspendbetween5%and15%oftheireducationbudgetonforeignlanguageteaching.InEnglish-speakingcountries,bycontrast,foreignlanguageteachinghaslongbeenin(33)________asyoungergenerationsfeellessneedtolearnotherpeople’slanguages.Thistrend(34)________intoconsiderablesavingsthatcanthenbeusedforotherpublicservices.Asecondtypeofinequalityrelatestotheuseofacommonlanguage.Inmostprofessionalcontexts,apersonismoreeffectiveand(35)_________whenusingtheirnativelanguage.Thisinequalityisdifficult,butnotimpossible,to(36)_________.Inscientificresearch,Englishisoftenrequiredforpublishingininternationaljournalsandobtainingfunding.Astudyof900researchersfoundthatnon-nativeEnglishspeakerstakeuptotwiceaslongasnativespeakerstoread,writeorreviewpublicationsinEnglish.Theyarealsoabout2.5timesmorelikelytohavetheirpapers(37)________forlinguisticreasonsand12.5timesmorelikelytobeaskedtomakelanguage-relatedrevisions.Asaresult,evenwithequalorgreatertechnicalskills,non-nativeEnglishspeakersmayhavefewercareeropportunities.Itiscertainlyeasierto(38)_________aproblemthantofindsolutions.However,somecompensatorymeasuresmayhelpreducegloballinguisticinjustice.Someexpertshaveproposeda“l(fā)inguistictax”onEnglish-speakingcountries,withtherevenuegoingtocountrieswhereEnglishistaughtasaforeignlanguage.Otherideasincludemore(39)_______useofmachinetranslationandAIinscientificpublications,withpublisherscoveringthecosts.Ofcourse,linguisticjusticeisnotanissue(40)________toEnglish.Thesameproblemwouldariseifanotherlanguagedominatedtheworld.Butrightnow,Englishholdsthatrole.Formanythisisablessing,butshouldwenotalsothinkofthoseforwhomitisacauseforconcern?III.ReadingComprehensionSectionACloze(15’)Directions:ForeachblankinthefollowingpassagetherearefourwordsorphrasesmarkedA,B,CandD.Fillineachblankwiththewordorphrasethatbestfitsthecontext.Isthereanythingnicerthanacoolingicecreamonahotsummer’sday?Thistraditionaltreatiscenturiesold,butourtastesandconsumerhabitsare(41)_____.Howistheicecreamproductionprocesschanging,andwhoisdrivingthis(42)________?Makingicecreamisa(43)_______process.Whiletherecipeis(44)_______----milk,sugarandfat,plusflavorsandcolors---icecreamhasacomplexchemistry.Gettingthe(45)________rightbetweenice,fatandairisimportantiftheicecreamistohavetherighttexture.Toachievethis,theingredientsneedtobemixedandheated,thencooledandfrozen---aprocessthattakestimeandusesalotofenergy.Designersandengineersareworkingto(46)_______theproductionprocesswithnewspecializedequipmenttomakeitincreasinglyautomated.Fornow,(47)______,evenwiththehelpofrobotsand3Dprinters,itcantakeuptotwoyearsfromtestinganewfrozendessertproducttoitbeing(48)_______toconsumers.Anddemandisonlygoingup.AccordingtothefoodpackagingcompanyTetraPak,morethan25billionlitresoficecreamwereeaten(49)_______in2021.WhiletheUSandChinaarethebiggestconsumers,datafromNielsenIQshowsthatpeopleintheUKbought28%moreicecreamduringtheUK’srecord-breakingsummercomparedtoayearearlier.(50)_______,risingtemperaturescanexplainwhysomepeoplearebuyingmoreicecream,butit’snottheonlyexplanation.Thepandemichasseenpeople(51)_______pleasurestheycanenjoyathome,whichincludeeatingindulgent(放縱的)foods.Andworriesaboutthecost-of-livingcrisiscouldhavea(52)_______effect,asevenapremium(高端的)icecreamisanaffordabletreat.So,whatnewthingscanweexpectonastickorinacone?Consumersofallagesbuyicecream,butitismillennialconsumerswhoaredrivinginterestinmoreoriginalflavors,includingspices.Dairystill(53)_______,butplant-basedicecream,sorbets(雪糕)andlow-caloriechoicesareagrowingpartofthefrozendessertmarket.But,accordingtoElsebethBaungaard,portfoliomanager(投資組合經(jīng)理)atTetraPak,thenextworldwide(54)_______willbelessaboutinnovationandmoreaboutportionsize.“I’msorrytosayit’ssimply(55)________,”shesays.“Butthequalitywillbehigher.”41.A.peaking B.evolving C.continuing D.surviving42.A.growth B.investment C.expansion D.shift43.A.labor-saving B.eye-catching C.time-consuming D.profit-making44.A.simple B.secret C.special D.specific45.A.link B.difference C.line D.balance46.A.monitor B.improve C.investigate D.observe47.A.therefore B.however C.likewise D.moreover48.A.vital B.relevant C.available D.familiar49.A.globally B.nationally C.regionally D.provincially50.A.Luckily B.Hopefully C.Happily D.Clearly51.A.reachingfor B.seeingthrough C.lookinginto D.showingoff52.A.visual B.indirect C.similar D.dynamic53.A.dominates B.survives C.arises D.spoils54.A.issue B.scale C.basis D.trend55.A.shrinking B.varying C.mattering D.lastingSectionB(22’)Directions:Readthefollowingthreepassages.Eachpassageisfollowedbyseveralquestionsorunfinishedstatements.ForeachofthemtherearefourchoicesmarkedA,B,CandD.Choosetheonethatfitsbestaccordingtotheinformationgiveninthepassageyouhavejustread.(A)WhenIwaslittle,mydadwouldletmesitbesidehimwhilehepainted.Hewouldtellmehowthecowbyitselfisjustacow,andthegrasslandbyitselfisjustgrassandflowers,andthesunlightgoingthroughthetreesisjustabeamoflight,butputthemaltogetherandyou’vegotmagic.Iunderstoodwhathewassaying,butI’veneverfeltwhathewassayinguntilonedaywhenIwasupinthesycamoretree(梧桐樹(shù))torescueakitestuckinthebranches.Itwasalongwayup,butIthoughtI’dgiveitatry.Istartedclimbing.ThenIlookeddown.AndsuddenlyIgotdizzyandweak.Butthekitewasstillbeyondmyreach.IcaughtmybreathandforcedmyselftoconcentrateonthekiteasIclimbedup.WhenIhadthekitefree,Ineededaminutetorest.That’swhenthefearbegantodisappear,andinitsplacecamethemostamazingfeelingthatIwasflying,sailingamongtheclouds.ThenIbegantonoticehowwonderfulthelightwindsmelled.Icouldn’tstopbreathingitin,fillingmylungswiththesweetestsmellI’deverknown.Inevergotovertheview.Ikeptthinkingofwhatitfeltliketobeupsohighinthattree.Iwantedtoseeit,tofeelit,againandagain!Itwasn’tlongbeforeIwasn’tafraidofbeingupsohighandfoundthesamespot.Icouldsitthereforhours,justlookingoutattheworld.Sunsetswereamazing:Somedaysthey’dbepurpleandpink;somedaysthey’dbebrightorange,settingfiretocloudsacrossthehorizon.Theviewfrommysycamorewasmorethancloudsandwindandcolorscombined.Eventually,myfather’sbeliefmovedfrommyheadtomyheart.Istartedmarvelingathowthatwaspossible.HowcouldIbesofullofpeaceandfullofwonder?Itwasmagic.56.Whydidtheauthorclimbupthesycamoretree?A.Toplayinthetree. B.Topracticeclimbingskills.C.Toprovehercourage. D.Togetatrappedkite.57.Whichofthefollowingbestdescribestheauthor’sclimbingexperience?A.Unusualbutpainful. B.Competitiveandimaginative.C.Adventurousbutrewarding. D.Well-plannedandinteresting58.Whatmessagedoestheauthorwanttoconveyinthetext?A.Practicemakesperfect. B.AllroadsleadtoRome.C.Positiveactionleadstohappiness.D.Thewholeisgreaterthanthesumofitsparts.59.Whatcanbethebesttitleforthetext?A.TheLastMemory B.UpintheSycamoreTreeC.Father’sBestSuggestion D.CloudsacrosstheHorizon(B)TheHottestPeppersintheWorldThetitleof“hottestpepperintheworld”issomethingthat’schallengedmoreoftenthanyoumayexpect.Everyyearhotpeppercultivatorsfindnewwaystocreatepeppersthatwillcompeteforthetopposition.BelowwelistthecurrenthottestpeppersbasedonexpectedmedianheatontheScovilescale(史高維爾指標(biāo)，辣椒辣度的測(cè)量單位).1.PepperXPepperXwascultivatedbythePuckerButtPepperCompanyintheUS.Measuredatitsmaxat3.18millionScovilleHeatUnits(SHU),andofficiallymeasuredat2.69millionSHUintheGuinnessBookofWorldRecords,PepperXtrulyoutshinesthepreviousrecordholder,theCarolinaReaper.2.CarolinaReaperTheCarolinaReaper,alsodevelopedbythePuckerButtPepperCompany,heldthetitleoftheworld’shottestpepperintheGuinnessBookofWorldRecordsfrom2013to2021.Thepepper’sheatlevelreachesanaverageof1.6millionSHU,withsomeindividualpeppersrecordedatover2.2millionSHU.3.KomodoDragonTheKomodoDragonpepperisafierychilihailingfromtheUK.It’srenownedforitsextremeheatbetween1.4millionto2.2millionSHU.TheheatoftheKomodoDragonpepperisnotimmediatebutbuildsupfor10secondsbeforeitunleashesitsfullpotential.4.TrinidadMorugaScorpionTheTrinidadMorugaScorpionoriginatesfromislandcountryTrinidadandTobago.Itsintenseheatmeasuresfrom1.2to2millionSHU.Anditlookswicked,withitsscorpion-likestingertail.Thisfierypepperwasevenrecognizedastheworld’shottestchilibytheGuinnessBookofWorldRecordsin2012.5.7PotDouglahThe7PotDouglahalsooriginatesfromTrinidadandTobago,rangingfrom923,889to1,853,986SHU.Thepeppergetsitsnamefromthelocalbelief(andfact)thatonepodisenoughtospiceupsevenpotsofstew.Itsdarkbrowncolorgivesitauniqueappearanceamongchilipeppers.60.ThehottestchiliintheworldaccordingtotheGuinnessBookofWorldRecordsin2015was___________________________.A.PepperX B.CarolinaReaper C.KomodoDragon D.TrinidadMorugaScorpion61.What'sthesimilaritybetweenTrinidadMorugaScorpionand7PotDouglah?A.TheybothoriginatefromtheUS.B.Theyweredevelopedbythesamecompany.C.Theybothhaveuniqueappearance.D.TheywerebothrecognizedbytheGuinnessBookofWorldRecords.62.WhatcanbeinferredabouttheKomodoDragonpepperfromthetext?A.Itisamildchilipepperknownforitsimmediateheat.B.ItisaUK-originatedchilipepperwithadelayedheatsensation.C.TheheatleveloftheKomodoDragonpepperisconsistentlyat2.2millionSHU.D.TheKomodoDragonpepper’sheatislessthanthatoftheCarolinaReaper.(C)Literatureopensupanewworldforthereader.WheneverIfeelupsetbyanythingorstressedoutaboutthelittleorbigthingsinlife,goingbacktomybooksgivesmeanescapefromtheharshrealityIamsurroundedwith.Forme,EnglishLiteratureisn’tjustreadingextensivelyorcollectingknowledgefromvarioussourcesandassemblingthem,itissomuchmore.Sincemychildhood,Ihavebeenfascinatedbyhowtheauthors,poets,and,moreimportantly,playwrightsconveypassionandsentiments.Ipersonallyfinditsodifficulttoconveymyfeelingsandemotionsinasetofwords,butitcontinuestofascinatemeastohowtheyaccomplishtocedetheirsentimentsalmostperfectlyinastringofwords.Forexample:“Linesalongmyface,theydullmyeyes,yetkeepondying,becauseIlovetolive.”Shesaysthatbyfacingthechallengesandpainpresentedbylifetoher,therearenowlinesofresignationandsadnessonherface.Thesufferingsgivenbylifearesuchthathereyeshavelosttheirlightandhavebecomedull.Yetthewondersoflifegiveherthepowertocontinue.WhatIlikethemostaboutliteratureisthatweareshakenoutfromourcomfortzonewhenwereadliterarymasterpieces.Alotofbooksmaynotglorifytheprotagonists(主角)butgiveaninsightintowhyaparticularcharacterbehavedinacertainmanner.Beinganardentloverofhistory,IhavealwaysbeenintriguedbytheevolutionofEnglishliteratureovertheages.TakethebooksbyCharlesDickensorJaneAustenforexample,youcanclearlyseetheyhavealwaysshowntheothersideoftheworld,thesufferingsexperiencedbytheworkingclass.Eventheircomediesdonotfeellikecomediesatall.However,aftertheVictorianeraendedandModernismstarted,themodernliterature’sinfluence(Ibelieve)wasWW1andWW2.Whenyouread“GonewiththeWind”andreadaboutpeoplelikeAshleyWilkes,youbegintoquestionthepurposeoffightingwars.Theyhavealwayswrittenoftimeswhichtranscendtheirown.Theyhaveshownrebellionsoftheirardorsaversetotheunderstandingofthesociety.Theserebellionsagainstthesociety’sestablisheddogmas(教條)havebeenoneofthemainthemesoftheliteratureofthosetimes.ButthereisaclearcontrastbetweentheVictorianliteratureandthemodernliterature.Allofthewritersalwaystookonthemoralcode,characterandconscience.Theevolutionofliteratureistotallyuniqueinitsownway.EnglishLiteraturehasopenedmymindtowardsintellectualactivitiesandhashelpedtodefinemyfeelingsandemotionswithbeautifullyweavedwords.63.Theunderlinedword“resignation”inparagraph2isclosestinmeaningto__________.A.dismission B.retirement C.happiness D.obedience64.WhichofthefollowingisNOTTRUEregardingthesatisfactionthatEnglishliteraturebroughttotheauthor?A.Adaptabilitytothestatusquo. B.Reflectionsonthecharacters’behaviorsC.Relieffromtheactualities. D.Knowledgeaboutthetimes.65.Accordingtothepassage,itcanbeinferredthat________________.A.TheleadingcharacterintheliteraryworksoutweighstheminorrolesininspiringreadersB.Inthecontextofasetera,almostallwritershaveidenticalliterarygenresC.TheendoftheVictorianeramarkedthebeginningofquestioningthepurposeofthebattlefieldD.IfoundithardtoconveyemotionswhileIwasabsorbedintheexpressivenessoftheliterature66.Whichofthefollowingmaybethebesttitleofthepassage?A.HowEnglishliteraturespeaksmyheart?B.Howliterarygiantshelpmeadvanceahead?C.Whyliteratureisamicrocosmofsociety?D.WhyIlovestudyingEnglishliterature?SectionC(8’)Directions:Readthefollowingtextfromwhichfoursentenceshaveremoved.ChoosefromthesentencesA---Fthemostsuitableonetofilleachnumberedgapinthetext.Therearetwoextrasentencesthatyoudonotneedtouse.Markyouranswersonyouranswersheet.A.StephenHawking’swheelchairfetched$296,750atasaleatChristie’sinLondonlastNovember.B.Yetdeterminingpotentialvaluesofsuchobjectsisn’teasy.C.ItwassaidtobefromatreeplantedbyGeorgeWashingtonatMountVernon.D.Theauctionresultsurelydrewtheattentionfromboththebusinessandeconomicsworlds.E.Theuniquenessofmanyoftheseobjectsfurthercomplicateseffortstoputavalueonthem.F.Thereforetheuniquevalueofmanyobjectsprovedtheworthofcollection.ThepriceofapieceofhistoryAfreshlemoncanbepurchasedforlessthan$1.Butin2008,Cowan'sAuctionsinCincinnatisoldalemonblackenedwithagefor$2,350.Whatwassospecialaboutthislemon?____67_______Accordingtoahandwrittennoteininkattachedtoapartlysealedbottlecontainingthelemon,thefruitwaspickedinMay1842byWashington's"oldgardener"some43yearsafterthefirstpresident'sdeathTwothousanddollarsisalottopayforproduce,evenfromtheestateofafoundingfather.Thissale,however,justmightbeconsideredabargaincomparedwithpricespaidforotherhistoricalcollectiblesinrecentyears.____68______Collectingapieceofhistory,oranobjectassociatedwithafamousperson,isnotbrandnew.Ordinaryobjectswithextraordinarystorieshaveincreasinglybeencomingtoauctionandachievinghighprices,saysThomasVenning,directorofChristie'sdepartmentofbooksandmanuscriptsinLondon.Pricesarebeingdrivenup,hesays,bycollectorsintheU.S.and,increasingly,inAsia.TheHawkingwheelchair,forexample,waspurchasedbyaprivatemuseuminChina.____69______Foronething,theirhistoryofownershipisbothcrucialandsometimesdifficulttoprove.Photographsofthefamouspersonwiththeobject,aswellasdocumentation(suchasletters,diariesorrecollectionsbyacquaintancesreferringtotheobject)canalsohelp.______70_______ToevaluatethevalueofaPicassopainting,onecanlookatrecentpricespaidforotherPicassopaintingsofthesameperiod,similarsizeorstyle.FindinganotherrecentsaleofalemonplantedbyGeorgeWashingtonisadifferentmatter.KatieHorstman,headofCowan'sAmericanHistorydepartment,saysshecouldfindn