Thanks to science, industry and moral philosophy, mankind’s steps were at last guided up the right path in the past century. The 19th century of steam was about to give way to the 20th century of oil and electricity. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, only 41 years old in 1900, provided a scientific basis for the idea that progress was not to be stopped, determined by natural law. And almost everybody thought that the development would continue to be as slow as that in the 19th century.

Inventions like the railroad or the telegraph or the typewriter enabled people to live their everyday lives a little more conveniently. No one could have guessed that new ideas would storm the world with a force and frequency at an amazing pace. This high-speed attack of new ideas and technologies seemed to make people believe in the old dreams of a perfect life on earth, of a safe world in which natural disasters would be controlled. But the fast progress was accompanied by something against mankind’s will.

Murders in Sarajevo(萨拉热窝) in 1914 led to the Great War, which did more than destroy a generation of Europeans. The Great War was most commonly called so until the beginning of World War Ⅱ when it was renamed World War Ⅰ. Hitler rose to power in the 1930’s. It was this very man who ordered the attack of Poland, only to meet with his failure when Great Britain and France made war on Germany. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed the American naval base at Pearl harbor. Americans decided to enter the war, and World War Ⅱ was now truly a world war.

But civilization was not crushed(压碎) by the two great wars, and from the ruins people built a way of life again. The citizens of the 20th century felt free to reinvent themselves. In that task they were aided by two far-reaching developments－Psychoanalysis(精神分析) and the Bomb.

51．It can be inferred from the passage that at the beginning of the 20th century __________.

       A．great changes occurred between the 19th century and the 20th century

       B．the world knew nothing about science, industry and moral philosophy

       C．mankind came to realize there was not a change in the 19th century

       D．Darwin, the builder of the theory of evolution, was in his forties

52．Because of the inventions like the railroad, telegraph and type writer, people could _____.

       A．know that the progress was made only by scientists

       B．enjoy their life more comfortably and conveniently

       C．tell that a mankind killing was about to take place

       D．make their dreams of a better life and a better world come true

53．Why was the Great War renamed as World War Ⅰ?

       A．Because it destroyed a generation of Europeans.

       B．Because it was not only a war but a human disaster.

       C．Because it was followed by the other world war.

       D．Because it was influenced by new ideas.

54．Which happening is not mentioned in this passage before World War Ⅱ?

       A．Hitler came into power                         B．Japan attached Pearl Harbor.

       C．Poland was attacked by Germany.         D．USA had not planned to go into the war

55．What is the writer likely to talk about if he continues to write?

       A．Citizenship.          B．Invention.            C．Ruins.                 D．Psychoanalysis.

Yesterday was my stepmom’s birthday. I hadn’t been home for a long time so I wanted to stop by the house to see her on this special day.
I have been struggling financially so I was afraid of the long trip. Gas is so expensive nowadays! Anyway, I filled my tank with gas and set off.
I stopped at the shopping mall and found a present. It was the perfect gift and I knew she
would love it. But when I got to the cashier my card was declined! I did not have enough money in my account to pay for the gift!
So I pondered the issue for a few minutes. I could put it back and get something cheaper, but I knew there was nothing else in the store she would like as much. So, I got on my smart-phone and transferred some money from my savings account so I was able to pay for the gift. It took a big chunk of my savings but I wanted her to have something special.
She loved the gift and I felt that even though I had spent almost all my money my stepmom deserved the best and I was glad I gave her the best that I could.
Before leaving my parents’ house, my dad took me to one side and, with our secret hand-shake, he gave me some money. I had not said anything to him about my finances but I guess my dad had just known it. When I got to the car, I saw the amount he gave me was three times what I had spent on the gas and the gift!
It goes to show that doing the right thing always comes with great rewards.
【小题1】Why was the writer unwilling to have a long trip？

Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming lake behind his house.

   In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind his shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swan toward the middle of the lake, an alligator(鳄鱼) was swimming toward the shore.

His mother in the house was looking out the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer. In extreme fear, she ran toward the water, yelling(大叫) to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him.

From the dock(码头)，the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched(夺取) his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-water(拔河). The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate(有感情的). A farmer happened to drive by, took aim and shot the alligator.

After weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. The newspaper reporter asked if he would show him his scars(伤疤). The boy lifted his legs, then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, “but look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mum wouldn’t let go. ”

Some scars have caused us deep regret, but some scars are because of love.

From the second paragraph we can infer that_____.

A. A child shouldn’t swim in the water by himself.

B. We’d better grasp some skills to protect ourselves

C. We should make enough preparations before swimming

D. We are enjoying ourselves but don’t know the enemy is coming.

The incredible tug-of-water is between _______.

A. The boy and the alligator

B. the boy and the mother

C. The alligator and the mother

D. the alligator and the farmer.

Which of the following statements is true?

A. The alligator was killed by a hunter.

B. There’re scars both on the boy’s arms and legs.

C. The mother was calm when seeing the alligator.

D. The mother won the “match” because of her strength.

Why was the boy proud when he showed the scars on his arms？

A. He survived luckily.

B. He was a child of God.

C. He was injured slightly.

D. He was proud of the scars of love.