D

　　For many year,motorcycle riding was considered a male sport.Women usually rode on the seat behind the men driving the two - wheeled vehicle.Now more and more women are taking the front seat.

　　More than twenty million people in the United States ride motorcycles.The number of female motorcyclists has increased greatly over the past few years.More than ten percent of motorcycle owners in the United States are women.

　　We spoke with "Lisa Russell,Briggit Pope,Rayna Evans and Angela Meeks-Odom".They are on the executive committee of Lady Sport Riders motorcycle club in Largo,Maryland.They say they ride for more than fun.They say it gives women a wonderful feeling,a sense of freedom and control.

　　In 1998 the number of female bikers rose sharply.Lady Sport Riders began in 1999 in the Washington,D.C. area.The women formed the organization to share,their love of motorcyle riding.They say female motorcycle clubs let women share a strong sisterhood.Like other motorcycle clubs,the members of Lady Sport Riders also help their community(社区).

　　Female riders have helped change motorcycle culture.The Motorcycle Industry Council says more than five years ago factories began producing equipment that makes riding more pleasant for women.Some bikes now have smaller,softer seats and controls that are easier to reach. Modern clothes for riding look good and still provide protection.Besides,women are now riding motorcycles that are as powerful as the ones men ride.Lady Sprot Riders believe women have earned their place in the sport of motorcycle riding.When speaking of male motorcyclists,the members of the club say:"They Made the Game…We Came to Play!"

　　68."Taking the front seat" means ______ in the first paragraph.

　　A.siiing in front of the driver

　　B.sitting in front of the driver

　　C.driving faster than male drivers

　　D.driving motorcycles themselves

　　69.What do we know about Lisa Russell,Briggit Pope,Rayna Evans and Angela Meeks-Odom?

　　A.They together wrote the passage.

　　B.they were interviewed by the writers.

　　C.They started a club to help the community.

　　D.They started riding motorcycles in 1999.

　　70.Which is the same with both male and female riders?

　　A.The size and quality of the seats.

　　B.The design of the controls.

　　C.The clothes for riding.

　　D.the engine power of the motorcycles.

 

阅读理解

　　The modern sailing ship was developed by a man who never went to sea. He was Prince Henry of Portugal, the younger son of the Portuguese King and an English Princess.

　　Prince Henry lived in the fifteenth century. As a boy he became devoted to the sea and he dedicated himself to improving the design of ships and the methods of sailing them. In 1416, when he was twenty-two, Henry founded a school for mariners, to which he invited everyone who could help him-Jewish astronomers, Halian and Spanish sailor, and Arab mathematicians and mapmakers who knew how to use the crude compass of the day and could improve it.

　　Henry's goal was to design and equip vessels that would be capable of making long ocean voyage without having to keep close to the shore. The caravel, which he helped design, carried more sails and was longer and slimmer than any ship was made, yet was tough enough to stand up against gales at sea. He also developed the carrack, which was a slower ship, but one that was capable of carrying more goods.

　　The world owes credit to Henry for the development of craft (工艺) that made oceanic exploration possible. He lives in history as Henry the navigator.

1．Prince Henry started his school for the purpose of ________.

[　　]

A．helping mariners

B．improving ship design and sailing methods

C．studying astronomy and mathematics

D．improving his own skill as a sailor

2．Prince Henry's goal was to design vessels that could ________.

[　　]

A．make long deep sea voyage

B．travel faster than those in use at that time

C．explore the coastline of Portugal

D．carry larger crews and more goods

3．Compared with his caravel, Henry's carrack was ________.

[　　]

A．longer and slimmer

B．able to carry more sails

C．able to carry more goods

D．shorter

4．Prince Henry's main achievement was that of ________.

[　　]

A．making oceanic exploration possible

B．improving the compass

C．founding a school for mariners

D．inventing caravel and carrack

5．The best title for this selection is ________.

[　　]

A．The First Modern Sailing Vessels

B．The Mariner Prince

C．Prince Henry's Role in the History of Ship-building

D．The First School for Sailors