In the 19^th century, Americans from the eastern states moved out west to settle in the rich new lands along the Pacific Coast. The most difficult part of their trip was crossing “the Great American Desert” in the western part of the United States by horse and wagon.

The western desert can be very dangerous. There is little water and there are few trees. But the desert also has scenery of great beauty. Tall towers of red and yellow stone rise sharply from the flat, sandy valley floor. The scene has been photographed many times and appears in movies and on TV.

In Arizona, man-made dams across the Colorado River have made two large lakes in the middle of the dry desert country. At Lake Powell, the red stone arch of Rainbow Bridge rises high above the blue lake.

There are few roads. Many areas of Lake Powell’s shore can only be reached by boat or on foot. But hikers in this empty desert land sometimes find very old native American pictures, painted on the rocks.

In Death Valley, California, the summer temperature rises to 130°F—165°F. There is less than inches of rain each year. Death Valley is the lowest place in America---925 meters below sea level. In the 1800s, many travelers died when they tried to cross this waterless valley in the terrible heat.

Although the desert is dry and seems empty, there is plenty of life if you look closely. Snakes and rats have learned how to live in the desert heat. They live underground and come out at night, when it is cool. Plants such as cacti need very little water. When it does rain in the desert (sometimes only once or twice a year), plants grow quickly, and flowers open in a single day. For a short time, the desert is covered with brilliant (very bright) colors.

1.In the 19^th century, Americans moved from east to west because they            .

A．enjoyed the trip                     B．wanted to make their home there

C．wanted to find new grassland there      D．had no water to drink

2.From this passage. we can conclude that         .

A．the western desert is a good place for people to live in

B．there is little water but there are many trees in the desert

C．the desert is dangerous but it is full of beauty

D．till now, people know little about the desert

3.In the 1800s, many travelers died in Death Valley because of            .

A．illness                             B．high temperature

C．cold weather                        D．poisonous water

4.In the desert, animals will die           .

A．if they move about                 B．if they can’t make holes underground

C．if they come out at night            D．if they drink much water

    Today, people all over the world are moving out of small villages in the country to go and live in big, noisy cities. They are moving from the peaceful hills, mountains, fields, rivers and streams of the countryside to the busy world of streets, buildings, traffic and crowds. This movement from rural areas to urban areas has been going on for over two hundred years.

    In many countries, the main reason people come to live in towns and cities is work. After one or two large factories have been built in or near a town, people come to find work, and soon an industrial area begins to grow. There is usually a residential area nearby where the factory workers can live. The families of these workers need schools, hospitals and shops, so many people come to live in the area to provide these services and a city grows.

    In every major city in the world, there is a business district where the big companies have their main offices. In the United States, this area is usually in the city center downtown. It is here that you can see many huge skyscrapers（摩天楼）and office blocks. The people who work here often travel a long way to work each day. Many of them live in the suburbs of the city, far away from the industrial area and the city center. Some suburbs are very pleasant, with nice houses and big gardens. There are usually parks for children to play in and large department stores where you can buy all you need.

    But what is the future of the big cities? Will they continue to get bigger and bigger? Perhaps not. Some major cities have actually become smaller in the last ten years, and it is quite possible that one day we will see people moving out of the major cities and back into smaller town and villages.

1.The underlined phrase “a residential area” means ________.

A. an area where people can buy things       B. an area where people live

C. an area where people can do business      D. an area near a city center

2.Why do people move to live in cities or towns?

A. Because they can live more comfortably there.

B. Because they like noisy life better than peaceful life.

C. They do so mainly to find work.

D. Because they are sure of having a better life there.

3.In a residential area you can see ________.

A. rows of houses               B. many offices and factories

C. a lot of factories and farms     D. many houses with offices and factories

4.In the United States, many people work in the center of a big city__________.

A. and live there               B. while living on the far away edge（边缘）of the city   

C. but live in another city        D. but live far away out of the city

5.We can infer that this movement from rural to urban areas ______.

A. has been going on for more than 2,000 years    B. will surely continue in the future

C. may not continue in the future                 D. has now stopped already

 --- What about going out for a walk after supper？

   --- ____ . Walking after meals is good for health.

    A. I couldn’t agree more               B. I am afraid not

    C. I believe not                        D. I don’t think so

 ---- This is ________ picture I told you about.

   ---- I see. Isn’t it _________ beautiful one?

    A. a; a         B. the; a           C. the; the         D. a; the

 ---- Could you tell me when the bus will arrive?

   ---- Please don’t worry. It will reach here _______.

   A. at one time.      B. at a time        C. at no time       D. in no time

 By hiking, people can ______ nature and experience a kind of life.

   A. close to      B. close the        C. get close to             D. get close to the

 I will never forget the day _____ Shenzhou V was launched, _______ has a great effect on my life.

   A. when; which       B. that; which      C. which; that      D. when; that

 I need one more coin before my collection ____.

    A. had completed                    B. completes       

C. has been completed               D. is completed

 I find painting and listening to music ____.

    A. relaxing         B. is relaxing C. relaxed      D. are relaxed

 I ____ in the street when I met an old friend of mine the other day.

A. walked           B. was walking C. has walked   D. had walked