暑假过后，新初三生们迎来了初中最重要的一年——初三。为方便2013年中考考生及家长查询相关信息，出国留学网中考频道特别搜集汇总了中考英语阅读素材以供参考：
The Sirens
Far out in the sea there was an island，on the rocky edge of which lived three Sirens，the three sisters of magic song.Half human and half bird，the Siren sisters sat in a field of flowers，singing in voices that excited the hearts of men.The attractive songs were so sweet that ships were attracted to the island and struck to pieces on the rocks.No sailor nor ship had ever been known to pass the Island of the Sirens without being attracted to disaster .
Acting on the advice of Circe，Odysseus took careful preparation against the Sirens.Before their ships came to where they could hear the song，Odysseus had himself tied to the mast ，stopped the ears of his men with wax and ordered them to ignore his orders and gestures when they were passing the fatal island .
Soon they came in sight of the rocky island，and the attractive song reached the ears of Odysseus.It moved him so much that he struggled in despair to free himself and shouted for his men to turn towards the rich and flowery grass land of the singing sisters.But no one paid any attention to him.The sailors kept straight on until they were completely out of hearing.Then his friends freed him and took the wax out of their ears.For once the Sirens had sung with no effects.The eldest of the sisters，Partherope，loved Odysseus so much that she threw herself into the sea after his ships had passed.
遥远的海面上有一岛屿，石崖边居住着唱魔歌的海妖塞壬三姐妹。半人半岛的塞壬姐妹们坐在一片花丛里，唱着盎惑人心的歌，甜美的歌声把过往的船只引向该岛，然后撞上礁石船毁人亡。过往的海员和船只都受到迷惑走向毁灭，无一幸免。
奥德修斯遵循女神喀耳斯的忠告。为了对付塞壬姐妹，他采取了谨慎的防备措施。船只还没驶到能听到歌声的地方，奥德修斯就令人把他拴在桅杆上，并吩咐手下用蜡把他们的耳朵塞住。他还告诫他们通过死亡岛时不要理会他的命令和手势。
不久石岛就进入了他们的视线。奥德修斯听到了迷人的歌声。歌声如此令人神往，他绝望地挣扎着要解除束缚，并向随从叫喊着要他们驶向正在繁花茂盛的草地上唱歌的海妖姐妹，但没人理他。海员们驾驶船只一直向前，直到最后再也听不到歌声。这时他们才给奥德修斯松绑，取出他们耳朵中的蜡。这次塞壬海妖们算是白唱了歌。三姐妹中的老大帕耳塞洛珀深深地爱慕着奥德修斯。当他的船只走过后，她就投海自尽了
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