In the 1930s, a lot of people in the USA were out of work. Among these people was a man named Alfred Butts. He always had an interest in word games and so, to fill his time, he planned a game which he called ‘Lexico’. However, he was not completely satisfied with the game, so he made a number of changes to it and, in time, changed its name from ‘Lexico’ to ‘Alph’ and then to ‘Criss Cross’. He wanted to make some money from his new game but he didn't have any real commercial success.
In 1939, Butts happened to meet a man called Jim Brunot who showed an interest in the new game. The two men worked together on developing the game and in 1948 it was offered for sale in the United States under its new name — ‘Scrabble’.
At first, it didn't sell very well. In the first year it sold just 2,250 sets and by 1951 it had only reached 8,500 sets a year.
Then, in 1952 the manager of Macy's department store in New York, Jack Strauss, happened to play ‘Scrabble’ while he was on holiday. He thought it was a wonderful game and, when he went back to work after his holiday, he insisted that Macy's should stock（储备）the game and make an effort to call the public's attention to it.
As a result, ‘scrabble’ became a big success in the United States and it soon spread to Australia and then to other English-speaking countries.
1.The text is mainly about .
A. ‘Lexico’ B. three men C. a word game D. Alfred Butts
2.Alfred Butts invented the game ‘Lexico’ .
A. to make himself famous
B. to make spelling simpler
C. when he was out of work and looking for a job
D. when he was playing word games to pass the time
3. Who made ‘Scrabble’ popular?
A. Alfred Butts. B. Jack Strauss.
C. Alfred Butts and Jim Brunot. D. Jack Strauss and Jim Brunot.
4.When did Alfred Butts first put his game on the market?
A. In 1939. B. In 1948.
C. Before 1939. D. Between 1939 and 1948.
A woman in her sixties lived alone in her little cottage with a pear tree at her door. She spent all her time taking care of the tree. But the children nearby drove her 16 by making fun of her. They would climb her tree and then run away with pears, 17 “Aunty Misery” at her.
One evening, a passer- by asked to 18 for the night. Seeing that he had an 19 face, she let him in and gave him a nice 20 . The next morning the stranger, actually a sorcerer (巫师), thanked her by granting (允准) her 21 that anyone who climbed up her tree 22 not be able to come back down until she 23 it.
When the children came back to steal her 24 , she had them stuck on the tree. They had to beg her long 25 she gave the tree permission to let 26 go. Aunty Misery was free from the 27 at last.
One day another man 28 her door. This one did not look trustworthy to her, 29 she asked who he was . “I am Death, I’ve come to take you 30 me.” said he.
Thinking fast Aunty Misery said, “Fine, but I’d like to 31 some pears from my dear tree to remember the 32 it brought to me in this life. But I am too 33 to climb high to get the best fruit. Will you be so 34 as to do it for me?” With a deep sigh, Mr. Death climbed up the tree 35 and was immediately stuck to it. No matter how much he warned or begged, Aunty Misery would not allow the tree to let Death go.
1.A. hopeless B. painful C. dull D. crazy
2.A. calling B. shouting C. announcing D. whispering
3. A. stay B. live C. hide D. lie
4.A. interesting B. honest C. anxious D. angry
5.A. gift B. kiss C. treat D. smile
6.A. suggestion B. demand C. permission D. wish
7.A. could B. should C. might D. must
8.A. permitted B. promised C. answered D. declared
9. A. branch B. food C. tree D. fruit
10.A. after B. while C. since D. before
11.A. it B. them C. him D. her
12.A. trick B. question C. trouble D. difficulty
13.A. stepped into B. left for C. stopped at D. walked around
14.A. so B. but C. although D. because
15.A. with B. off C. upon D. for
16. A. choose B. pick C. shake D. hit
17.A. honor B. pleasure C. hope D. excitement
18.A. light B. short C. old D. thin
19.A. proud B. kind C. fine D. smart
20.A. disappointedly B. cheerfully C. unwillingly D. eagerly
–How does a simple meal like this cost so much?
--We have____ in your bill the cost of the teapot you broke just.
A. added B. included C. obtained D. charged
It's reported that by the end of this week the stock exchange________ by about 10％.
A. will have risen B. has risen C. will be rising D. has been rising
It is written clearly in the requirements that all passengers _______ check onto board thirty minutes before the plane takes off．
A. may B. can C. will D. shall
How disappointing! We have finished _______ 5%
A. no more than B. no less than C. not more than D. not less than
