To us it seems so natural to put up an umbrella to keep the water off when it rains, But actually the umbrella was not invented as protection against the rain, Its first use was as a shade against the sun!

Nobody knows who first invented it, but the umbrella was used in very ancient times . Probably the first to use it were the Chinese in the 11th century B C.

We know that the umbrella was used in ancient Egypt and Babylon as a sunshade. And there was a strange thing connected with its use: it became a symbol of honor. In the Far East in ancient times, the umbrella was allowed to be used only by those in high office.

In Europe, the Greeks were the first to use the umbrella as a sunshade. And the umbrella was in commonly used in ancient Greece. But it is believed that the first persons in Europe to use the umbrella as protection against the rain were the ancient Romans.

During the Middle Ages, the use of the umbrella practically disappeared. Then it appeared again in Italy in the late sixteenth century. And again it was considered as a symbol of power. By 1680, the umbrella appeared in France and later in England.

By the eighteenth century, the umbrella was used against rain throughout most of Europe.

Umbrellas have hot changed much in style during all this time, though they have become much lighter in weight. It wasn’t until the twentieth century that women’s umbrellas began to be made , in a whole variety of colors.

1.According to this passage, the umbrella was probably first invented in ancient_______.

      A．China          B．Egypt   C．Greece       D．Rome

2.Which of the following statements is not true about the umbrella?

   A．No one exactly knows who the inventor of the umbrella was

   B．The umbrella was first invented to be used as protection against the sun.

   C．The umbrella changed much in style in the eighteenth century

   D．In Europe, the Greeks were the first to use the umbrella as a sunshade.

 3.A strange feature of the umbrella’s use is that it was used as__________.

   A．protection against rain          B．a shade against the sun  

   C．a symbol of honor and power      D．women’s decoration (装饰)

4.In Europe, the umbrella was first used against the rain_______________.

   A.during the Middle Ages   B.by the 18^th   C.in Rome    D.in Greece

5.This passage talks mainly about_______________.

A．when and how the umbrella was invented

B．why the umbrella was so popular in Europe

C．the development of the umbrella    

D．The history and use of the umbrella

 

The Chinese invented paper in 105 A. D. They mixed the bark of a tree and rags (破布) with water, put a screen into the mixture, and lifted out a thin piece of wet paper. They dried the paper in the sun.

    The Chinese kept their secret of how to make paper until a war with Muslims in the ninth century. The art of papermaking soon spread throughout the Muslim world.

    The Mayan Indians in Central America and Pacific Islanders also discovered how to make paper, but their knowledge never spread to the rest of the world.

    For centuries, all paper was made by hand. Rags were the main material. Then a French scientist discovered that people could make paper from wood, too. Finally, in the eighteenth century. a Frenchman invented a machine to make paper from wood.

1.Who discovered how to make paper?

A. The Chinese.                                          B. The Pacific Islanders.

C. The Mayan Indians.                                 D. All of the above.

2. When did the Chinese invent paper according to the passage?

A. About 1 ,800 years ago.                           B. About 1, 900 years ago.

C. About 2, 000 years ago.               D. About 2, 100 years ago.

3. How was papermaking introduced into the rest of the world from China?

A. Through wars.                                            B. Through the Muslims.

C. Through the Mayan Indians.                 D. Through the Pacific Islanders.

4.Which of the following is the best title for this passage?

A. The Invention of Paper.              B. The History of Papermaking.

C. Different Ways of Making Paper.   D. The Invention of a Papermaking Machine.

 

From their beginnings New England towns had a special democratic system of government. At a stated time all the citizens would assemble at a town meeting, where they would discuss local problems and express opinions freely. They also elected the town’s officials at these gatherings and made decisions about the taxes they would pay and about other community matters. These meetings were usually held at the town hall, which was located in the central square.

In the eighteenth-century town meetings, only men who owned property and who were church members actually voted, although everyone present was allowed to express their opinions. Later, all citizens were allowed to vote. Thus the town meeting became truly democratic. Town meetings are still common in New England communities.

In recent years the town meeting idea has been widely imitated. There are open sessions of this kind on radio and television. Occasionally a meeting of this type is called by a government agency in order to give an opportunity for free and open discussion on current problems and policies.

1.At a town meeting, people do the following things EXCEPT __________. 

A．express their opinions about the government

B．elect officials of the towns

C．make a decision about whom they should marry

D．discuss some community matters

2.In the 18th century, who had the right to vote?  

A．All the citizens.

B．All the men except those who were church members.

C．The rich.

D．The rich men and the church members.

3.Why has the town meeting been widely imitated? 

A．Because many people are interested in it.

B．Because it is very democratic.

C．Because many people enjoy themselves at town meetings.

D．Because sometimes government agencies call them.

4.According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true? 

A．Citizens can elect the officials in the town meeting.

B．In recent years, town meetings are often called by a government agency.

C．People can say what they want to say at the town meeting.

D．Nowadays this kind of meeting is also held on radio and television.

5.This passage mainly talks about _______.  

A．the New England town meeting             B．modern town meetings

C．a democratic meeting                    D．New England towns

 

To us it seems so natural to put up an umbrella to keep the water off when it rains, But actually the umbrella was not invented as protection against the rain, Its first use was as a shade against the sun!

Nobody knows who first invented it, but the umbrella was used in very ancient

times . Probably the first to use it were the Chinese in the 11th century B C.

We know that the umbrella was used in ancient Egypt and Babylon as a sunshade. And there was a strange thing connected with its use: it became a symbol of honor. In the Far East in ancient times, the umbrella was allowed to be used only by those in high office.

In Europe, the Greeks were the first to use the umbrella as a sunshade. And the umbrella was in commonly used in ancient Greece. But it is believed that the first persons in Europe to use the umbrella as protection against the rain were the ancient Romans.

During the Middle Ages, the use of the umbrella practically disappeared. Then it appeared again in Italy in the late sixteenth century. And again it was considered as a symbol of power. By 1680, the umbrella appeared in France and later in England.

By the eighteenth century, the umbrella was used against rain throughout mostof Europe.

Umbrellas have hot changed much in style during all this time, though they have become much lighter in weight. It wasn’t until the twentieth century that women’s umbrellas began to be made , in a whole variety of colors.

According to this passage, the umbrella was probably first invented in ancient_______.

       A．China         B．Egypt     C．Greece          D．Rome

Which of the following statements is not true about the umbrella?

       A．No one exactly knows who the inventor of the umbrella was

       B．The umbrella was first invented to be used as protection against the sun.

       C．The umbrella changed much in style in the eighteenth century

      D．In Europe, the Greeks were the first to use the umbrella as a sunshade.

A strange feature of the umbrella’s use is that it was used as__________.

       A．protection against rain         B．a shade against the sun  

       C．a symbol of honor and power  D．women’s decoration (装饰)

In Europe, the umbrella was first used against the rain_______________.

       A. during the Middle Ages   B. by the 18^th   C. in Rome      D  .in Greece

This passage talks mainly about_______________.

       A．when and how the umbrella was invented

B．why the umbrella was so popular in Europe

       C．the development of the umbrella

 D．The history and use of the umbrella

THE BEST SHOPPING IN SYDNEY Sydney is one of the world's biggest cities and has something for everyone when it comes to shopping. You will find excellent Australian products alongside the best that the world has to offer. At the bottom of Sydney Tower, you can shop in 160 of Sydney's favorite stores including 16 jewellery stores and many gift and fashion shops. It's all at Westfield Centrepoint. Tel: 9231 9300.

SOVEREIGN HILL This prize-winning living museum is where                                                                                                Australia's history comes alive! Visit daily or stay for the night and experience life of the Gold Rush days. A wonderful nightly sound and light show,  " Blood on the Southern Cross" tells the story of the famous Eureka Uprising. Enjoy shopping along with real life character and entertainment. 4-star hotel and breakfast. Tel: 5331 1944

ANCHORAGE RESTAURANT Come and enjoy our delicious Cantonese seafood right on the water's edge in the historic fishing port of Williamstown with views of the city centre across Port Phillip Bay. Open 7 days a week Lunch: Sunday to Friday 11:00 am--2:00 pm Dinner: Monday to Saturday 5:00pm.--10: 30pm. Tel: 9397 6270 or 9397 7799

COOK'S COTTAGE Built by James and Grace Cook, parents of Captain James Cook, Cook's Cottage stands proud in the Fitzroy Gardens as a reminder of life in the eighteenth century, and as a celebration and commemoration of the life and travels of Captain James Cook. Open 9:00 am —5:00 pm daily, and until 5: 30 pm during the summer. Information: 9419 4677.

【小题1】Where can you spend the night in a tour?

A．Cook's Cottage.	B．Westfield Centrepoint.
C．Sydney Tower.	D．Sovereign Hill.

【小题2】What is the time that Cook's Cottage is open on Saturday in the summer?

A．11:00 am--2:00 pm.	B．5:00 pm--10:30 pm.
C．9:00 am--5:30 pm.	D．9:00 am--5:00 pm.

【小题3】The Anchorage Restaurant is__________.

A．in Williamstown	B．in the centre of the city
C．in Anchorage	D．in a Cantonese fishing port

【小题4】If you want to buy the best products in Australia, you may call_________.

A．9397 6270

B．9231 9300

C． 5331 1944

D． 9419 4677