Zheng He made seven heroic voyages to Asia and Africa between 1405 and 1433, which predated the Westerners’ Voyages of Discovery by almost a century .

Despite Zheng He’s remarkable maritime feats , with larger and matchless fleets until World War I , he is relatively unknown worldwide compared with his Western counterparts like Columbus and Vasco da Gama . Why ?

Sadly , much of the official Chinese records of these voyages were destroyed after his death , by order of his powerful enemies at Court . They were opposed to his expeditions , both on economic and other grounds .

Further , the Ming History made only little mention of his exploits . Most surprisingly , not even his date of death and burial place were recorded . Therefore , his final resting place is still a matter of conjecture .So he became only a legend and folk hero in his life time .

However , hardly any Chinese works on him have been translated into foreign languages . Ironically , it was due to a handful of famous Western researchers like Needham, Zlevathes and , most recently , Menzies that the world is now more familiar with his greatness .

Zhen He’s rightful place in Chinese history has been confirmed by none other than Deng Xiaoping in 1984 , when he addressed the nation’s People’s Congress in Beijing : “…The Ming dynasty , under Yongle Emperor , did wisely pursue an open-door policy resulting in Zheng He’s famous maritime expeditions overseas . However , after Yongle’s death, China deserted this policy resulting in foreign intervention and China’s final humiliation during the 19th century . The open-door policy is therefore the way forward for China.”

Following a more realistic overall appraise by scholars East and West of Zheng He’s achievements , his standing as one of the greatest maritime explorers of all time has at last been firmly recognized worldwide .

56．Which statement is TRUE according to the passage ?

      A．No one knew Zheng He’s maritime achievements in history until World War I .

       B．The Westerners’ Voyages of Discovery fell behind China until 1433 .

       C．No other fleets in the world could be compared with those of China in size for almost over 500 years in history .

       D．Columbus was born in a western country, so he was more famous than Zheng He in the world .

57．From the passage , we can suppose        .

       A．Zheng He had been to Africa for seven times from 1405 to 1433 .

       B．Columbus and Vasco da Gama were relatively unknown in China compared with Zheng He .

       C．the Ming government didn’t know about Zheng He, so they made only little mention of Zheng He’s exploits .

       D．some government officials in the Ming dynasty were strongly against Zheng He’s voyages to Asia and Africa .

58．What’s the meaning of the underlined word “conjecture”?

       A．mistake              B．guess                 C．coincidence        D．imagination

59．Zheng He’s success in his maritime expeditions overseas mainly resulted from        .

      A．his braveness and perseverance                        B．Yongle Emperor’s open-door policy

       C．his strong curiosity to know about Africa         D．the support from his friends and family

I was pleased to receive your letter, asking what advice I would give to members of your club. In my opinion, 36 field offers greater 37 than newspaper work for young people with 38 in writing.

Of course I’m not speaking of 39 rewards. Anyone who wants to get rich should choose some other 40  . I can’t even promise you excitement. A newspaper reporter might have to 41 the same duties day after day. But journalism pays a living wage, and it often makes a reporter feel more    42 than a bank president. Who can say that he is not?

You have asked me 43  to become a journalist.

First, learn how to 44 a computer. This is one thing you must be able to do. You can either learn the 45  in school or buy a book that 46  how to teach yourself.

At school you should learn how to read and write your own 47 well. You should also learn history, government, mathematics and 48 . Foreign languages are also good to know. The things that 49 every day are not simple, and a journalist has to know 50  in order to understand them.

If your school has a 51  , you should write for it. Editors like young people who have had experience 52 for school papers.

There are many things you can do to prepare 53  for a newspaper job. Read everything you can, 54 newspapers and magazines. Discuss what you read and 55 your own opinions. If the members of your club have any questions that haven’t been answered by this letter, please write again.

No sooner        the news than they rushed out into the street .

       A．they heard          B．they had heard     C．did they hear       D．had they heard 

The farm as well as its neighboring hills we once spent so much time        on a new look as recently as this year .

       A．has taken            B．on having taken   C．on has taken       D．having taken

―Is somebody taking care of you ?

―       .

       A．No. I’ve been waiting here for long .

       B．Your service is not good . Where’s your manager ?

       C．No. I’d like a long-sleeved shirt in yellow , medium .

       D．Where have you been ?

Is that the old man , standing by the window ,       they have treated badly for a long time ?

       A．which                B．where                 C．that                    D．who

There’s nothing to do , so I        as well go to bed .

       A．must                  B．should                C．may                   D．need

Everything he        away from him before he returned to his hometown .

       A．had had was taken B．had been taken   C．had taken D．took

Mary’s friends are looking forward with hope        from her .

       A．of hearing           B．to hearing           C．to hear               D．hearing

I have got the most famous cook to do some cooking for me , so the dinner menu is the

        of my worries tonight .

       A．most                  B．least                   C．better                 D．worst