Americans love cars.They go everywhere in them.8 5%of people in the US go to and from work by car. And most adults have driving licenses.Why does this car culture exist?
How it started
America’s love of cars started after the war(战争)when soldiers returned home from World War II to rebuild their lives.They borrowed money from the government to buy houses and cars which became the symbols of status(地位).The more money they had,the bigger their cars were.
Making of roads
During the war,President Eisenhower noticed what good roads Germany had.He decided to build new four-lane(四车道)roads in America.He said if something happened suddenly,the two-lane roads wouldn’t be able to carry all the cars that would suddenly leave the cities.Car and oil companies liked his idea and building started.
Car lover
Not just teenagers are crazy about cars.Some Americans love their cars so much that they paint their cars beautifully .These are called Art Cars.Every April there is an activity in Houston,Texas,where they show their cars.
Pollution
Cars have polluted the environment.American President Bush refused a worldwide law that is against pollution.Many countries were angry about it.Bush said he had to think of the American economy(经济)and all the American people that make money from cars.Factories say they want to make cars that pollute less.But others say making cars that pollute less will never be as good as having fewer cars.
1.When did Americans begin to love cars?
A.Before the new two-lane roads were built.
B.After World War II.
C.During World War II.
D.Before World War II.
2.New four-1ane roads were build _______.
A.in Germany B.by car and oil companies
C.in America D.when something suddenly happened
3.The underlined word “building” here means “the building of _______”.
A.companies B.soldiers’ lives C.houses D.roads
4.What were other countries’ feelings about Bush’s decision?
A.They agreed with him. B.They showed anger to it.
C.They paid no attention to it. D.The passage doesn’t tell us.
5.What does the last sentence mean?
A.It’s better to have fewer cars.
B.It’s better to make cars that pollute less.
C.It’s easier to make cars that pollute less.
D.It’s easier to make people have fewer cars.
Steven Jobs, the designer of Apple Computer, was not clever when he was in school. At that time, he was not a good student and he always made troubles with his schoolmates. When he went into college, he didn’t change a lot. Then he dropped out(退学). But he was full of new ideas.
After he left college, Steven Jobs worked as a video game designer. He worked there for only several months and then he went to India. He hoped that the trip would give him some new ideas and give him a change in his life.
Steven Jobs lived on a farm in California for a year after he returned from India.
In 1975, he began to make a new type of computer. He designed the Apple Computer with his friend in his garage. He chose the name “Apple” just because it could help him to remember a happy summer he once spent in an apple tree garden.
His Apple Computer was so successful that Steven Jobs soon became famous all over the world.
He often said, “I live in order to change the world, there aren’t any other reasons. The only way to have a great achievement is to love your own career. If you can’t find your favorite career ,go on looking for it and never give up.”
This is Steven Jobs, though he is dead, his spirit and achievements still influence our lives.
1.Steven Jobs was not a good student in school because he ________.
A.never did his lessons
B.dropped out
C.always made troubles with his schoolmates
D.he was full of new ideas
2.Why did Steven Jobs go to India?
A.Because he wanted to be a video game designer.
B.Because he wanted to get some new ideas.
C.Because he wanted to make a new type of computer.
D.Because he wanted to have a happy summer.
3.Steven Jobs was famous for his ________ all over the world.
A.new ideas B.Apple Computer C.video games D.saying
4.From this passage we know Steven Jobs ________.
A.didn’t finish his studies in the college because he hated his schoolmates
B.liked traveling in India and California
C.liked trying new things and making his new ideas come true
D.thought he had many reasons to live in the world
5.Which of the following sentences is NOT true according to this passage?
A.The only way to have a great achievement is to love your career.
B.The name “Apple” helped Jobs to remember a happy summer in an apple tree garden.
C.If you can’t find the career you love, give it up and try another one.
D.People remember Jobs because of his achievements.
Zhang Lili, a young teacher from Heilongjiang, has been given the honor “the most beautiful teacher”. She risked her life to save 2 students from a high-speed bus in May.2012. She was badly injured in the accident. Her good deed(事迹) and brave acts have won great admiration from across the country. Many people have sent best wishes to her and donated a lot of money for her treatment(治疗). |
Zhu Zhiwen was born in Shandong in 1969. A year ago, he was an unknown farmer. But now he is very famous because of his great voice. He won the first prize in the program of “I’m a Big Star”. That day, he won an old green overcoat, so people called him “Overcoat Brother”. He studied singing by listening to the radio. And he keeps practicing singing every morning for nearly 30 years. |
Lin Shuhao is known to people because of his high skill of playing basketball. Since February 4, 2011, he has led his team to win many games. Now he is so popular on the Internet that the videos about him are being crazy spread. |
1.Zhang Lili has been given the honor “the most beautiful teacher” because__________.
A.she was badly injured
B.she risked her life to save two students
C.she has a lot of money
D.She was good at teaching.
2.What’s the meaning of the word “admiration” in the passage?
A.敬佩 B.同情 C.讨厌 D.感激
3.Where is Zhu Zhiwen from?
A.Heilongjiang B.California C.Shandong D.Da Lian
4.Lin Shuhao is _______.
A.an America teacher B.a farmer singer C.a basketball player D.a runner
5.From the passage we can know _______.
A.people have donated a lot of money for two students’ treatment
B.Zhu Zhiwen studied singing by professional training
C.Lin Shuhao was born in China
D.Lin Shuhao is known to people because he is good at playing basketball.
One day, a boy found the cocoon(茧) of a butterfly and brought it home. A few days later, the boy saw a small 36 in the cocoon. He sat and watched for several hours as a butterfly struggled to make 37 body through that little hole. Suddenly it stopped. So the boy 38 to help the butterfly, thinking the butterfly might be 39 .He took a pair of scissors and cut the hole 40 .The butterfly came out of the cocoon but it 41 a little different. It had a weak body and small, thin 42 .The butterfly didn’t start to fly. In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling(爬行) around with a weak body and thin wings. It was never able to fly.
The boy acted with 43 but he didn’t understand why it could be like this. When a butterfly crawls out of the cocoon, it must struggle. The hard work of 44 out of the cocoon makes the fluid(液体) from the butterfly’s body into its wings. It helps the butterfly be 45 to fly. If the butterfly never has to squeeze(挤压) itself out of the cocoon, its wings will never get the fluid and it can never fly.
46 struggles are what we need in our lives. If we lived our lives without any problems, we would never learn or grow. We would not be 47 we could have been and we would never fly.
In our lives, pain and suffering is the key to all windows, and sometimes even 48 growth, without it , there’s no way of life. We can’t avoid 49 or problems. So, next time you are 50 a problem or difficulty, remember the butterfly. Struggle a little—then fly!
1. A.hole B.worm C.tall D.snake
2. A.it B.it’s C.itself D.its
3. A.decided B.asked C.showed D.ordered
4. A.afraid B.interested C.surprised D.grateful
5. A.slimmer B.bigger C.shorter D.smaller
6. A.touched B.sounded C.looked D.smelt
7. A.wings B.feet C.eyes D.head
8. A.success B.excitement C.kindness D.humour
9. A.get B.getting C.to get D.got
10. A.ready B.quiet C.glad D.used
11. A.Somewhere B.Something C.Some time D.Sometimes
12. A.as helpful as B.as weak as C.as strong as D.as creative as
13. A.repeats B.recommends C.requires D.represents
14. A.happiness B.difficulties C.pleasure D.hope
15. A.served with B.growing into C.bringing in D.faced with
----Shall we go hiking tomorrow? -----_________.The radio says it will rain.
A,Sure B.That’s a good idea C.I’m afraid I can’t D. All right
A popular book named “Harry Potter” __________ last month.
A.came out B.came in C.came from D.came down