Trees are useful to man in three very important ways: they provide him with wood and other products；they give him shade；and they help to prevent drought and floods.
Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, man has not realized that the third of these services is the most important. In his eagerness to draw quick profit from the trees, he has cut them down in large numbers, only to find that without them he has lost the best friends he had.
Two thousand years ago, a rich and powerful country cut down its trees to build warships, with which to gain itself an empire. It gained the empire but, without its trees, its soil became hard and poor. When the empire fell to pieces, the country found itself faced by floods and starvation.
Even though a government realizes the importance of a plentiful supply of trees, it is difficult for it to persuade the villager to see this. The villager wants wood to cook his food with, and he can earn money by making charcoal(木炭) or selling wood to the townsman（城市居民）. He is usually too lazy or too careless to plant and look after trees. So unless the government has a good system of control, or can educate the people, the forests will slowly disappear.
This does not only mean that the villager’s sons and grandsons have fewer trees. The results are even more serious. For where there are trees their roots break the soil up—allowing the rain to sink in and also hold the soil, thus preventing it being washed away easily, but where there are no trees, the soil becomes hard and poor. The rain falls on hard ground and flows away on the surface, causing floods and carrying away with it the rich topsoil, in which crops grow so well. When all the topsoil is gone, nothing remains but a worthless desert.
1.The purpose that the writer wrote this article is to _________.
A. tell people the use of wood
B. tell people the function of tree roots
C. warn that man mustn’t destroy forests any more
D. explain how trees help man live a better life.
2. In the writer’s opinion, _________, or the forests will slowly disappear.
A. measures must be taken
B. people shouldn’t draw benefit from the tree
C. government must realize the serious results
D. unless no trees are cut down.
3.According to the article we know it is ________ to prevent the forests from slowly disappearing.
A. necessary but impossible B. necessary but difficult
C. impossible and unimportant D. difficult and impossible
4.In the last two paragraphs the writer wanted to make it clear that _________.
A. where there are no trees, the soil becomes poor but soft
B. where there are many trees, there are more floods
C. where there are no trees, the land might become desert slowly
D. floods will make the land become desert
My chance came at last. Our school was going to hold a sports meet. I knew what it 41 to me so I got up very early to prepare for it. I 42 running and jumping. When I was 43 , I reminded myself of my promise and went on.
44 the time came nearer, I felt quite 45 . On the first day I came fourth in the 1500m 46 but I was far from 47 because what I wanted most was the highlight of the sports meeting—250x8 relay race. I would run the last leg for my team.
With a shot, the race began. All the students were 48 for their team. The competition was so 49 that I began to feel nervous. Before my turn came, my team was 50 the others. Even worse, I almost dropped the stick when I was trying to 51 it.
52 after that, there was nothing in my mind except to run as fast as possible. Just when I was approaching the finish line, my legs 53 . Then my promise came to mind again and 54 me to go on. To my surprise, I was the first to 55 the finish line!
56 , I had proved to myself and those who had often laughed at me that I am not 57 at all! My classmates greeted me warmly and I hugged them tightly. I had won the prize as well as their 58 .
From the sports meeting, I learnt that sometimes things are not so difficult as they 59 to be. Just try your best without fear and you might be surprised at the 60 .
1.A. mattered B. held C. meant D. brought
2.A. exercised B. practiced C. chose D. tried
3.A. tired B. upset C. lazy D. happy
4.A. For B. By C. With D. As
5.A. confident B. worried C. proud D. nervous
6.A. run B. jump C. race D. match
7.A. happy B. sad C. excited D. pleased
8.A. heading B. racing C. cheering D. shouting
9.A. difficult B. close C. heated D. near
10.A. running before B. leading C. falling behind D. catching up with
11.A. fetch B. hold C. pass D. take
12.A. Then B. But C. Thus D. Even
13.A. gave in B. gave out C. gave up D. gave away
14.A. had B. made C. let D. got
15.A. draw B. cut C. cross D. catch
16.A. At last B. After all C. Above all D. As a result
17.A. bad B. weak C. slow D. strong
18.A. congratulations B. respect C. support D. pride
19.A. seem B. hope C. look D. expect
20.A. beginning B. place C. result D. time
According a recent report, there are _________ to be 1.35 billion people in China in 2017.
A. decided B. determined C. reported D. estimated
In the old days, some wealthy people killed animals just for the ______ of it.
A. joy B. pleasure C. fun D. play
Xiao Li was about to cheat in the exam ________ the teacher came up, smiling to him.
A. as B. when C. while D. until
You can find me easily, for there is only one house _______ roof is flat.
A. whose B. of which C. of that D. that
