Domestic(驯养的) horses now pull ploughs, race in the Kentucky Derby, and carry police, But early horses weren’t tame(驯服的)enough to perform these kinds of tasks. Scientists think the first interactions ( 相互影响 interact 交流。合作)humans had with horses were far different from those today.
Thousands of years ago, people killed the wild horses that lived around them for food. Over time ,people began to catch the animals and raise them. This was the first step in domestivation.
As people began to tame and ride horses, they chose to keep those animals that had more desirable（可取的） characteristics（特征）. For example, people may have chosen to keep horses that had a gentle personality so they could be ridden more easily. People who used horses to pull heavy loads would have chosen to keep stronger animals . Characteristics like strength are partly controlled by the animals’ genes（基因）。So as the domesticated horses reproduced, they passed the characteristics on to their young. Each new generation of horses would show more of these chosen characteristics.
Modern-day horse breeds（品种） come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. This variety didn’t exist in the horse population before domestication.The Shetland horse is one of the smallest breeds-----typically reaching only one meter tall. With short, strong legs, the animals were bred（繁殖） to pull coal out of mine shafts(矿井)with low ceilings. Huge horses like the Clydesdale came on the scene around 1700. People bred these heavy, tall horses to pull large vehicles used for carrying heavy loads.
The domestication of horses has had great effects on societies. For example , horses were important tools in the advancement of modern agriculture. Using them to pull ploughs and carry heavy loads allowed people to farm efficiently. Before they were able to ride horses, humans had to cross land on foot . Riding horses allowed people to travel far greater distances in much less time. That encouraged populations living in different areas to interact with one another. The new form of rapid transportation helped cultures spread around the world.
1. Before domestication horses were ______________.
A. caught for sports B. hunted for food
C. made to pull ploughs D. used to carry people
2. The author uses the Shetland horse as an example to show_____________.
A. it is smaller than the Clydesdale horse
B. horses used to have gentle personalities
C. some horses have better shapes than others
D. horses were of less variety before domestication
3. Horses contributed to the spread of culture by__________.
A. carrying heavy loads
B. changing farming methods
C. serving as a means of transport
D. advancing agriculture in different areas
4. The passage is mainly about____________.
A. why humans domesticated horses
B. how humans and horses needed each other
C. why horses came in different shapes and sizes
D. how human societies and horses influenced each other
PART THREE READING COMPREHENSION ( 30 points)
Directions: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage.
Computers can injure(伤害) you. Most other injuries happen suddenly. For example, if you fall off a bike and break your arms, it happens very quickly. But computer injuries happen slowly.
You probably know how to ride a bike safely. Now learn to use a computer safely.
Your eyes —— Too much light can injure your eyes, so never sit too close to a comprter screen. Your eyes should be at least 50 centimeters (厘米) from the screen. Remember to look away from it sometimes. This gives your eyes a rest.
When you use a computer, the window should be on your left or your right. If it is behind you, the light will reflect (反射) on the screen. If the window is in front of you , the sun and the screen will both shine(照耀) into your eyes.
Your hands —— Hand injuries can happen because the hands are moved in the same way hundreds of times. If you use a keyboard (键盘) for a long time, follow this rule: Stop sometimes and exercise your hands and fingers in different ways.
Your back —— Some people sit for many hours in front of a computer. If you sit in the wrong way, you can injure your back and your neck. So you should sit with your back straight. The top part of the screen should be in front of your eyes. If you are sitting for a long time, get up every 30 minutes and exercise your arms, legs and neck.
Enjoy your computer, but use it safely.
56. How many kinds of computer injuries are mentioned in this passage?
A. One. B. Two C. Three. D. Four.
57. A computer screen may injure your eyes if .
A. you sit 60 centimeters away B. you remember to look away
C. your eyes are too close to it D. the window is on your left or right
58. Your eyes and hands will be safe if .
A. you work near a window B. you often take rests from working
C. you use a keyboard for a long time D. the window is behind you
59. Which sentence is NOT true according to this passage?
A. You should sit with your back straight while you work on a computer.
B. Staying in front of a computer too long may injure your eyes.
C.When you work on a computer, your hands almost move in the same way.
D. The writer thinks that computer is bad for your health.
60. What would be the best title for the text?
A. How to protect(保护) your eyes B. How to protect your hands
C. How to use a cmoputer safelyD. How to protect your back
Most Americans believe that someone isn’t grown-up until the age of 26 and they should complete their education, have a full-time job, have a family to support and be financially independent. They also believe that becoming a real grown-up is a process which begins at about the age of 20 and takes about five years, according to the report from the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center.
The findings are based on a representative sample of 1,398 people over the age of 18 who were surveyed in person. The survey found that people expect the transitions （过度,转变）to grown-up status to be completed at the following ages: age 20.9 self-supporting; age 21.1 no longer living with parents; age 21.2 having a full-time job; age 22.3 education completed; age 24.5 being able to support a family financially; age 25.7 getting married; and age 26.2 having a child.
“There is a large degree of agreement across social groups on the relative importance of the seven transitions,” said Tom Smith, director of the survey. The only obvious pattern of differences is on views about supporting a family, having children and getting married. Older adults consider these more important than younger adults do. This probably shows in large part a change in values across generations away from traditional family values. The most valued step toward reaching adulthood, the survey found, is completing education, followed by full-time employment, supporting a family, financial independence, living independently, and marriage.
52 . According to the first paragraph, someone is a grown-up when he _______.
A. has found a full-time job
B. has finished his study in university
C. can make money and support himself after completing his education
D. can support a family and be financially independent after graduation
53 . A young man of 24 may be busy ________.
A. finding a job B. finding a girl friend
C. making money D. preparing for his wedding
54. From the passage, we learn that _________.
A. being grown-up is just a matter of age
B. being grown-up is a process which takes some time
C. all people think completing education means being grown-up
D. the survey found everyone had a different view about being grown-up
55. The best title for the passage should be “________”
A. It takes a long time to grown up.
B. Are we grown-up yet?
C. Getting married means being grown-up.
D. Completing education means being grown-up.
If you see someone drowning, speed is very important. Once you get him out of the water, if he isn't breathing. you have four minutes before his brain is completely destroyed. Support his neck, tilt(倾斜) his head back and press his chin upwards. This stops the tongue blocking the airway in the throat and is sometimes enough to get him breathing again. If that doesn't work, start mouth-to-mouth breathing. Press his nostrils鼻孔) together with your fingers. Open your mouth and take a deep breath. Blow into his lungs until his chest rises. then remove your mouth and watch his chest fall. Repeat twelve times a minute. Keep doing until help arrives.
To bring a child to life. keep your lips around his mouth and nose and gently blow into his mouth. Give the first four breaths as quickly as possible to fill the blood with oxygen, If, in spite of your efforts, he stars turning a blue-grey colour, you can feel no pulse, then pressing is the last chance of saving his life.
With arms straight, rock forwards, pressing down on the lower half of the breastbone. Don't be too hard or you may break a rib. Check how effective you are seeing if his colour improves or his pulse becomes independent to your chest pressing. If this happens, stop the pressing. Otherwise continue until rescue arrives.
47. This passage is mainly about_______ .
A. how to save people out of the water
B. how to give first aid to people who are drowning
C. how to do mouth-to-mouth breathing
D. how to save a child from a river
48. Once you get a drowning man out of the water, if he isn't breathing, you must first____
A. get him breathing again
B. take him to the nearest hospital as soon as possible
C. find someone to help you
D. call the First Aid Centre
49. In the last paragraph, the word "rescue" means_____.
A. breath B. help C. doctor D. pulse
50. If the drowning boy has no pulse, _______.
A. pressing his chin upwards is enough to get him breathing
B. blowing air into his mouth is sure to save his life
C. pressing his nostrils together with your fingers can work
D. pressing is the last chance of saving his life
51. Which of the following statements is true. ____.
A. If a man does not breathe for four minutes, his brain will be completely destroyed.
B. If you see someone drowning, you must give him mouth-to-mouth breathing.
C. Don't stop pressing his chest, if the drowning man starts breathing again.
D. When pressing, you can do it as hard as you can.
There are many stereotypes( 定型 ) about the character of people in various parts of the United States. In the Northeast and Midwest, people are said to be closed and private. In the South and West, however, they are often thought of as being more open and hospitable . Ask someone from St. Louis where the nearest sandwich shop is, and he or she will politely give you directions. A New Yorker might eye you at first and after deciding it is safe to talk to you, might give you a rather unexpected explanation. A person from Georgia might be very kind about directing you and even suggest some different places to eat. A Texan just might take you to the place and treat you to lunch.
American stereotypes are abundant. New Englanders are often thought of as being friendly and helpful. Southerners are known for their hospitality and warmth. People from the western part of the United States are often considered very outgoing. These differences in character can be traced to different factors such as climate, living conditions, and historical development.
When travelling from place to place, Americans themselves are often surprised at the differing degrees of friendliness in the United States.
43 . The main idea of the passage is _____________.
A. even Americans are surprised at the differences among themselves
B. there are many differences in character in different parts of the USA.
C. there are many reasons for the differences
D. stereotypes about people are not necessarily true
44. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. New Yorkers are usually open with strangers.
B. People from the South are usually considered good
C. The friendliest Americans travel from place to place.
D. Different parts have different customs and habits.
45. The differences lie in the following except ______ of the parts.
A. the weatherB. the history C. geography D. the names
46 . The word "abundant" in the second paragraph may probably mean _________.
A. plentifulB. normal C. curious D. strange
Have you ever heard anyone say “It’s raining cats and dogs”? It means “It’s raining hard!”
But sometimes cats and dogs do drop from the sky! Here’s how it happens.
Not so long ago, a country far away had many large rats. The people there said, “ We need cats!” So cats were sent to them by airplane. But the country had many mountains. It was hard for an airplane to land. So the cats came down by parachute(降落伞). Did the cats like the ride? They didn’t say they didn’t! And today they are still catching rats!
In another country far away, there is snow the year around. People sometimes got lost in it.
“We need big dogs!” the people said, “The dogs could find people lost in the snow. The dogs could help bring them home. Where can we get big dogs?”
A man across the sea had big dogs to sell. “I will send dogs to you,” he said. “ I have some very big ones. They can find people lost in the snow.”
He sent the dogs by airplane.
But the airplane did not land in the snow. The dogs came down by parachute ---- you guessed it !
Did the dogs like the ride? They didn’t say they didn’t! And today they are well and happy.
They find anyone who gets lost in the snow. Then they help him get home. Good dogs!
Remember it, so you can say, “ Yes, it does rain cats and dogs sometimes. They came down by parachute!”
40.The underlined word “ it” In Paragraph 2 refers to __________.
A．the weather
B．the saying “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
C．the saying “It’s raining hard.”
D．the fact that real cats and dogs drop from the sky.
41. Cats and dogs drop from the sky because ______.
A．there are many mountains in the country.
B. it snows the year around in the country.
C. was hard for a plane to land in the two countries.
D. coming down by parachute could save money.
42．The main purpose of the passage is to _________________.
A．tell the readers cats and dogs do drop from the sky
B．tell the readers of a new meaning about an old saying.
C．show cats and dogs are our good friends.
D．show parachute is an important