The Celerifere, an early version of the bicycle, was built around 1791 by a French man, Comte Mede de Sivrac. It was basically a scooter with a high seat. There were no pedals---you had to push with your feet like you do with a skateboard or a scooter.
Around 1816 Baron Karl Drais de Sauerbrun in Germany added a moveable steering（操纵）handle. These early machines were often known as dandy horses or hobby horses, but weren’t very popular.
The improvement that made them popular was added by a Scottish blacksmith around 1839. Kirkpatrick Macmillan added pedals to enable it to get up hills. It was this improvement that made the bicycle a serious form of transportation.
Bike were called velocipedes（脚踏两轮车）or bone-shakers, because of the lack of the proper tires made for a rough ride! It wasn’t until around 1869 that they began to be called bicycles (“two-wheels”). Carriage makers in Paris (either Pierre and Ernest Michaux, or their employee Pierre Lallement) switched the pedal to the front wheel. That’s why it is usually either Lallement or the Michauxs, not Macmillan, who are considered as the inventor of the bicycle.
In 1869 the penny-farthing or high-wheeler was invented. With the large wheel the rider could go much farther with each push of the pedal, but caused many accidents because the seat was so far off the ground.
In the mid-1880s Englishman James Starley manufactured what he called the “safety bicycle” , which had two similarly-sized wheels and a major improvement--- a chain（链条）and sprocket（链轮齿） driven rear wheel, with the pedals between the two wheels like modern bicycles.
One more historical note---it’s possible that the idea of the bicycle was thought of almost 400 years before it was actually invented. There is a drawing of a bicycle-like machine in one of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks, which dates back to about 1493.Who is recognized as the inventor of the bicycle?
| A．The Michauxs. |
| B．Macmillan. |
| C．Comte Mede de Sivac. |
| D．Baron Karl von Drais de Sauerbrun. |
Why was the bicycle not popular in the early 1800’s?
| A．It was too expensive. |
| B．The seat was too high. |
| C．There were no pedals. |
| D．It had no tires. |
Which of the following statements can NOT be inferred from the passage?
| A．The “safety bicycle” was much like the modern bicycle. |
| B．Leonardo da Vinci once drew a machine similar to the bicycle. |
| C．The penny-farthing did not last long because it was a bit too dangerous. |
| D．Comte Mede De Sivrac’s invention had both a steering handle and pedals. |
What’s the best title of the passage?
| A．The Inventor of the Bicycle |
| B．Modern Bicycles |
| C．The History of the Bicycle |
| D．Leonardo da Vinci and the Bicycle |
B
In February 2006, Lydia Angyiou and her two sons were walking through their village in northern Canada．The sound of children shouting made her turn around．To her horror, Lydia saw a 700-pound polar bear behind her eyeing her seven-year-old son．Getting between the bear and her child, Lydia yelled at the children to run away．She then began hitting and kicking the animal as hard as she could．A neighbor who heard all the noise came and shot the bear．But everyone agreed it was Lydia who had saved her children's lives．A local policeman described it this way: "…I guess when your back is up against the wall, …we come up with super-human strength．"
Where does this "super-human strength" , courage and quick thinking come from? Experts say it comes from stress! In stressful situations, the body releases chemicals that prepare it to take action．These chemicals give people the speed and strength they need to fight danger or run away from it．
When we think of stress, we usually think of its negative effects．Studies, though, show that moderate levels of stress are actually helpful．In fact, the way we perform is usually affected by the amount of stress we feel．
Stress causes the brain to release adrenaline （肾上腺素） which in turn increases our energy and excitement．The chemical gives us clearer minds and helps us to do more．This is why some people say they work better under a deadline．
Adrenaline that is not released for long periods of time can cause us to increase and strengthen our abilities instead of weakening them．We sometimes turn out our very best work when we push ourselves to the limit．Stress can also make us more confident．Handling small amounts of stress now prepares us for handling serious situations in the future．Who knows? Today's stress may even prepare for the next polar bear that comes along!
55．In the first paragraph, the case of Lydia Angyiou is mentioned to ______．
A．introduce the topic to be followed
B．praise Lydia Angyiou for her bravery
C．remind us of the unexpected danger of life
D．show the importance of super-human strength
56．What does the policeman probably mean by saying "your back is up against the wall"?
A．You are helped． B．You are inspired．
C．You are confident． D．You are cornered．
57．What would be the best title for the passage?
A．Brave Mother B．The Cause of Stress
C．The Benefit of StressD．Super-human Strength
三、阅读理解（共两节，40分）
第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，共30分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项A、B、C、D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
A
When you go to St．Petersburg, the number of attractions can seem large．If you are short of time, or just want to make sure to hit the highlights, these are the top must-see sights in St. Petersburg.
1.The Hermitage Museum
The Hermitage Museum is one of the most important sights to see for any visitor to St. Petersburg. There are lots of different paintings by the old masters in the Hermitage. Prepare to come face-to-face with classie Western artists.
2. Kizhi Island
Kizhi Island is an open-air museum of wooden architecture from the Karelia Region of Russia. These impressive structures are made entirely without nails - the wood fits together with joints and grooves(沟槽).
3. Peterhof
Peterhof is as beautiful as it is fun. You’ll be charged for admission, but go to Petethof when the fountaions are working—during the day in the summer. They are shut off in winter evenings.
4. The Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
Love it or hate it, the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood in St. Petersburg is an enthralling must-see sight. The beautiful look may make y our eyes brighten, and the painting sinside the church will make you say “Wow!”
5. The Bronze Horseman Statue
The so-called Bronze Horseman is a part of Russian culture and a symbol of St. Petersburg. Made famous by Alexander Pushkin, this statue of Peter the Great sitting on his horse can truly show Peter the Great’s influence on the Russian idce of greatness.
51．If you are interested in pairtings, you’d better go to .
A．Peterhof and Kizhi Island
B．the Hcrmitagee Museum and Peterhof
C．Kizhi lsland and the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
D．the hermitage Museum and the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood
52．We can learn from the passage that .
A．visitors can visit Peterhof for free
B．the buildings of Kizhi Island are made of wood
C．the fountains in Peterhof can be seen all year round
D．the largest collection of Russian arts is in the Hermitage Museum
53．The main purpose of the passage is to .
A．show the wonderful history of Russia
B．persuade artists to study St. Petersburg
C．recommend the famous buildings in Russia
D．introduce the must-see sights in St. Petersburg
54．The underlined phrase (in Para 1) “hit the highlights” means .
A．to save more time B．to learn more knowledge
C．to go to the high buildings D．to visit the most interesting sights
第二节（共5小题;每小题2分,满分10分）
根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。 (E="AB" F=" AC" G=AD)
All over the world people enjoy sports. Sports help to keep people healthy and happy, and to live longer.
61. They buy tickets or turn on their TVs to watch the games. Often they get very excited when their player or team wins.
62. Football, for example, has spread around the world. Swimming is popular in all countries near the sea or in those with many rivers. What fun it is to jump into a pool or lake, whether in China, Egypt or Italy! __63___. Think how many lovers to skate or ski in Japan, Norway or Canada.
Some sports or games go back thousands of years, like running or jumping. Chinese wushu, for example, has a very long history. But basketball and volleyball are rather new. Neither one is a hundred years old yet. ___64_____. Water—skiing is one of the newest in the family of sports.
People from different countries may not be able to understand each other, but after a game together they often become good friends. ____65_____. One learns to fight hard but fight fair, to win without pride and to lose with grace. （胜不骄,败不馁）
A. And think of people in cold countries.
B. Sports help to train a person’s character （性格）
C. Not a few people like sports in the word.
D. Many people like to watch others play games.
E. People aren’t inventing new sports or games.
F. Some sports are so interesting that people everywhere take part in them.
G. People are inventing new sports or games all the time.
E
Among the four skills in learning English ,which of these is the “Odd-Man-Out”?The answer is speaking. The other three you can do alone on your own. But you can't really speak alone! Speaking to yourself can be “dangerous” because men in white coats may come and take you away!
Where can you find people to speak English? And how can you practise speaking when you are alone?At school if you pay to go to a language school ,you should use the chance to speak .If your teacher asks you to speak in pairs or groups with other students ,try to say as much as possible. Don't worry about your mistakes. Just speak!
Conversation Clubs Many cities around the world have conversation clubs where people can exchange one language for another .Look in your local newspaper to find a conversation club near you .They are usually free although some may charge a small entrance fee.
Shopping Even if you don't want to buy anything ,you can ask questions about products that interest you in a shop.“How much does this cost?” “Can I pay by cheque?” Often you can start a real conversation—and it costs you nothing!
Cafe and Bars There are often American, Britain, Irish and Australian bars in many large cities .If you can find one, you'll probably meet many people speaking English as a first or second language.
Language is all around you Everywhere you go, you find language .Shop names, street names ,advertisements ,notices ,and car numbers....When you walk down the street ,practise reading the words and numbers that you see .Say them to yourself .It's not exactly a conversation ,but it will help you to “think” in English .But don't speak too loud!
Songs and Video Repeat the words of an English-language song singing with the music until it becomes automatic. It's good practice for your memory and for the mouth muscles that you need for English.
Above all ,speak as much as possible! Make as many mistakes as possible! When you know that you have made a mistake, you know that you have made progress!
57．What does “Odd-Man-Out” probably mean according to the passage?
A.Someone or something appearing different from others.
B.Someone or something standing out of the group.
C.Someone or something arranged in pairs.
D.Someone or something easily mistaken for another.
58．What might happen if you speak to yourself loudly in public?
A.The police will take you away and punish you.
B.The doctors will force you to stay in hospital.
C.You will have to pay to escape being punished.
D.You will be forbidden to be member of the club.
59．Why does the writer say “Make as many mistakes as possible”?Because _______.
A.everyone will make mistakes in learning English
B.everyone will meet people speaking English with some mistakes
C.making mistakes is a must in making progress in learning English
D.making mistakes can make one realize the importance of speaking
60．According to the passage,which way is not likely to be accepted by English beginners?
A.Recite poems loudly along the riverside.
B.Listen to some English pop songs and video.
C.Find an Englishman to speak English with.
D.Take to the TV showing programmes at home.
D
People in the United States honor their parents with two special days：Mother's Day, on the second Sunday in May ,and Father's Day ,on the third Sunday in June .These days are set aside to show love and respect for parents .They raise their children and educate them to be responsible citizens .They give love and care .These two days offer an opportunity to think about the changing roles of mothers and fathers .More mothers now work outside the home .More fathers must help with child-care.
These two special days are celebrated in many different ways .On Mother's Day people wear carnations .A red one symbolizes a living mother .A white one shows that the mother is dead .Many people attend religious services to honor parents .It is also a day when people whose parents are dead visit the cemetery（公墓）.On these days families get together at home ,as well as in restaurants .They often have outdoor barbecues for Father's Day .These are days of fun and good feelings and memories.
Another tradition is to give cards and gifts. Children make them in school .Many people make their own presents .These are valued more than the ones bought in stores .It is not the value of the gift that is important ,but it is “the thought that counts”.Greeting card stores, florists ,candy makers ,bakeries ,telephone companies ,another stores do lots of business during these holidays.
53．What do you know from the passage?
A.Mother's Day and Father's Day are both in May.
B.Fewer women worked outside the home in the past.
C.Not all the children respect their parents.
D.Fathers are not as important as mothers at home.
54．Which do you think is right about “carnation”?
A.It only has two kinds of color.
B.It refers to the special clothes people wear on Mother's Day or Father's Day.
C.It's a kind of flower showing love and best wishes.
D.People can wear carnations only on the second Sunday in May.
55．On Mother's Day and Father's Day, ________.
A.people usually have family parties
B.everyone goes to visit the cemetery
C.children always go to parents' home
D.hand-made cards are the most valuable gifts
56．What do you think “florists” do?
A.They sell flowers.
B.They make bread or pastry.
C.They offer enough room for having family parties.
D.They sell special clothes for Mother's Day and Father's Day.