"This is an important occasion in the history of our nation's coin-age because these designs represent the first change in the Lincoln cent in half a century," said Director Moy. A commemorative (纪念性的) Lincoln silver dollar will also be released in 2009.

The first penny will be released into circulation on February 12, 2009, Lincoln's 200th birthday. This day is also the 100th anniversary of the release of the first penny, on February 12, 1909. One new coin will be released into circulation every three months in 2009.

55. Which of the following would be the best title of the passage?

A. Environmental Protection                        B. Big Cities Banning Plastic Bags

C. British Town Banning Plastic Bags                D. Effect of Plastic Fags on Sea Animals

                                                               E

The penny is getting a change. The United States Mint (制币厂) revealed four new designs for the 1-cent piece, to celebrate the coming 200th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's birth. United States Mint Director Ed Moy announced the new looks for the penny today in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. "These coins are a tribute (赞辞) to one of our greatest Presidents, whose legacy (遗教) has had a lasting impact on our country," Moy said.

The heads side of the new pennies will continue to bear the profile (侧面) likeness of President Lincoln and the motto "In God We Trust." The back sides will pay tribute to four major parts of Lincoln's life.

The first redesigned penny will feature a log cabin that represents Lincoln's birthplace, near Hodgenville, Kentucky. The second design shows Lincoln reading a book while sitting on a log with his ax beside him. It shows how young Lincoln educated himself while working as a rail-splitter in Indiana. The third design shows Lincoln as a young man in front of the Capitol (议会会堂) in Illinois. The fourth and final design shows a half-finished United States Capitol dome, which was completed in 1863 despite the violent Civil War. The writing, on the back sides of the coins will remain "United States of America," "E Pluribus Unum" and "One Cent."

54. It can be inferred from the passage that         .

A. most of the people in Modbury continue to use plastic bags

B. fewer and fewer plastic bags will be used in the world

C. San Francisco is the first city to ban plastic bags in the world

D. most countries in the world have passed laws to ban plastic bags

53. The underlined word “disposable” in the passage probably means        .

A. acceptable              B. valuable       C. environmentally-friendly            D. long-lasting

52. What was Rebecca Hosking?

A. A photographer.          B. A woman scientist.          C. A sailor.        D. A lawyer.

51. Which of the following must the skydivers make sure of according to the passage?

A. Taking a record book               B. Donating some money

C. Having suitable weather            D. wearing normal underwear

                                         D

    A small town in southwest Britain is banning (禁止) plastic bags in an attempt to help the environment and cut waste－a step that environmentalists believe is a first for Europe.

       Shopkeepers in Modbury population 1,500, agreed to stop handing out disposable plastic bags to customers on Saturday. They said paper sacks and cloth carrier bags would be offered instead.

       Last month, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to ban plastic grocery bags. Internationally, laws to discourage the use of plastic bags have been passed in parts of South Africa and Ireland, where governments either tax shoppers who use them or fine companies that hand them out. Bangladesh already bans them, and so do at least 30 remote Alaskan villages.

       Modbury, about 225 miles southwest of London, has also declared a bag ammesty (宽限期), allowing local people to hand in plastic bags that have piled up at home. They will be sent for a recycling.

       The Modbury ban was the idea of Rebecca Hosking, who saw the effect of bags on marine life while working in the Pacific as a wildlife camerawoman. She said response in the town so far had been “really positive”.

       “Modbury is quite an old-fashioned town and a lot of people have wicker(柳条) baskets to go out shopping anyway,” Hosking told Sky News Television.

The World Watch Institute, an environmental research agency, states that 100 billion plastic bags are thrown away each year in the United States alone. More than 500 billion are used yearly around the world.

50. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? ___________

A. The successful diving is a good way to celebrate Ms Budge’s 31st birthday.

B. This skydiving has set a new national record.

C. Ms Budge has managed to contribute all her money to charities.

D. As a wonderful experience, this skydiving is recommended to other people.

49. It can be known from the passage that _____.

A. High and Wild is a new British adventure travel company

B. the aircraft took the jumpers to a height higher than the Himalayas

C. Ms Budge used to be an extreme sports enthusiast.

D. the three skydivers succeeded in landing at the top of the highest mountain.

48. The three skydivers jumped out of the plane at an altitude of about _____.

A. 3765 meters          B. 8993 meters          C. 12,350 meters       D. 29,500 meters