Magic is believed to have begun with the Egyptians, in 1700 BC. A magician named Dedi of Dedsnefu was reported to have performed for the pharaoh, or the king. He was also known to have entertained the slaves who built the pyramids. The "Cups and Balls" trick which he was particularly good at is still performed by magicians all over the world today.
The ancient Greeks and Romans were also fascinated by the idea of magic. Actually, one of their main interests was the art of deception（欺骗）. This explains why at that time the priests（神父） even built magic devices into their temples. These devices made it possible for doors to open by themselves and wine to flow magically out of statues' mouths. This was done mainly to convince people that the priests were powerful.
Magic, however, was not well accepted before the 1800s. Magicians were thought of as freaks（怪物） and were only allowed to perform in a circus（马戏团）. It was in the 19th century that the magician Robert Houdin came along and changed people's views and attitudes about magic. It was also because of Robert Houdin that many magicians were able to add Dr. or MD to their names. Today magicians try hard to find new ways to show their practiced skills. Magic is now entertainment for families all over the world.
1.What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Magical Tricks B. The History of Magic
C. Magic as Entertainment D. A Great Magician
2.In ancient Greece, what did the priests do to show people they had unusual power?
A. They performed magical tricks to entertain people.
B. They made the statues in the temples drink wine as they wished.
C. They treated the people with wine flowing down from statues' mouths.
D. They built magic devices in the temples to make doors open by themselves.
3. What did people think of magic before 1800?
A. Magic should be used only in temples.
B. Magic could only be performed in a circus.
C. Magic was performed by freaks and doctors.
D. Magic was the major daily activity for the pharaohs.
4.Which of the following statements is true?
A. Magic began about 3,700 years ago.
B. Dedi of Dedsnefu performed magic for kings only.
C. Robert Houdin was the first magician to perform magic.
D. The "Cups and Balls" trick has been performed for about 1,700 years.
Why did I come today? I wondered. My Christmas (36) _______ contained several people that claimed they wanted nothing but I knew their feelings would be hurt (37) _______ I didn’t buy them anything, so buying gifts was (38) _______ but fun.
Hurriedly, I finished shopping and (39) _______ the long checkout lines. In front of me were a boy of about 5 and a younger girl. She carried a beautiful pair of (40) _______ slippers. When we finally (41) _______ the checkout register, the girl (42) _______ placed the shoes on the counter. She treated them as though they were a (43) _______.
“That will be $6.09,” the cashier said. The boy (44) _______ all his pockets. He finally came up with $3.12. “I guess we will have to put them back,” he said (45) _______, “We will come back some other time, maybe tomorrow.” With that statement, a soft (46) _______ broke from the little girl. “But Jesus would have loved these shoes,” she cried.
“Well, we’ll go home and work some more. Don’t cry. We’ll surely (47) _______,” he said. Quickly I handed $3 to the cashier. These children had waited in line for a long time. And, (48) _______, it was Christmas. Suddenly a pair of arms came around me and the girl said (49) _______, “Thank you, lady.” “What did you (50) _______ when you said Jesus would like the shoes?” I asked. The boy answered, “Our mommy is sick and going to (51) _______. Daddy said she might go before Christmas to be with Jesus.” The girl spoke, “My Sunday school teacher said the streets in heaven are shiny gold, just like these shoes. Won’t mommy be (52) _______ walking on those streets in these shoes?”
My eyes (53) _______ as I looked into her tear-streaked face. “Yes,” I answered, “I am (54) _______ she will.” Silently I thanked God for using these children to (55) _______ me of the true spirit of giving.
1.A. plan B. list C. goods D. purchases
2.A. if B. because C. unless D. since
3.A. something B. nothing C. anything D. everything
4. A. waited B. joined C. attended D. gathered
5.A. cotton B. leather C. gold D. silver
6.A. approached B. passed C. checked D. found
7.A. immediately B. hesitantly C. shyly D. carefully
8.A. gift B. treasure C. life D. prize
9.A. opened B. touched C. tore D. searched
10.A. bravely B. uncertainly C. slowly D. doubtfully
11.A. tear B. sob C. smile D. sigh
12. A. leave B. come C. return D. arrive
13. A. above all B. at last C. at least D. after all
14.A. gratefully B. sweetly C. gracefully D. kindly
15.A. request B. expect C. mean D. attempt
16.A. hospital B. tomb C. heaven D. sky
17.A. equal B. comfortable C. convenient D. beautiful
18. A. pained B. flooded C. shut D. froze
19.A. sure B. afraid C. glad D. confident
20.A. inform B. warn C. cure D. remind
For holidays, many people visit the Great Barrier Reef _______ the northeast coast of Australia, _______ has more than 600 islands.
A. on, which B. on, that C. off, which D. off, that
After 1953 _______ people have succeeded in climbing the mountain.
A. several hundred of B. several hundreds C. several hundreds of D. several hundred
The gap between rural and urban education in China is widening, and education is the key to _____ rural problems.
A. solving B. solve C. have solved D. having solved
The goods bought on line are _________ than those bought in stores.
A. more cheaper B. more cheap C. far cheaper D. far cheap
