Do you know how Uncle Sam became the popular symbol of the United States?

Some historians believe that he is based on a real person,Samuel Wilson.During the War of 1812,Wilson sold meat to American troops. Wilson labeled

the meat barrels(桶)US.This meant that it was for the army.At that time,US was not used to mean“United States”.An officer asked what the US on the barrels meant.A soldier replied,“United States”,meaning Samuel Wilson.

The Uncle Sam image(形象)today shows a man with a beard,a stars and stripes(星条旗)top hat,and a suit.Thomas Nast created this image in about 1838.It represented the government in Nast's political cartoons.Some people believe that Nast based his image on Dan Rice,a popular entertainer.Rice performed while wearing a top hat and suit.

Others think it was James M.Flagg that drew the most famous image of Uncle Sam in 1917, during World War I.It shows a serious man pointing a finger at the viewer and says“United States”.Flagg drew this enduring image to encourage Americans to join the U.S.Army.It has been used for this purpose ever since.

Today, Uncle Sam is a symbol of the United States that is recognized around the world.

1.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A.Uncle Sam was a character created by the government of the United States.

B.Samuel Wilson,a businessman,sold meat to American troops during the War of 1812.

C.Uncle Sam was based on an entertainer to show Americans were popular people.

D.The image of Uncle Sam has been used to urge Americans to join the army since 1838.

2.The underlined word“enduring”in the fourth paragraph is closest in meaning to“________”.

A.long-lasting B.short-lived

C.painful D.scary

3.It can be inferred from the passage that___________.

A.Uncle Sam is an officer from the American army

B.Uncle Sam’s top hat and suit reflect the American flag

C.Tile Uncle Sam symbol is the best of all American symbols

D.Opinions differ about how Uncle Sam became a national symbol

4.Which of the following can best sum up the passage?

A.The name Uncle Sam was invented during the War of 1821.

B.There are many symbols of the United States,including Uncle Sam.

C.Over time,the image of Uncle Sam came to represent the United States.

D.Uncle Sam is a national symbol that is recognized around the United States.

完形填空

阅读下面短文,掌握其大意,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

Bobby was getting cold sitting in his backyard in the snow. His shoes had a few holes and did a poor job of keeping out the______. He had been out for about an hour already, _____ he could not come up with an idea for his mother' s Christmas gift. He had no money to spend.

Ever since his father had passed away three years ago, the family had ______ The small wage of her mother could______ make ends meet.

What the family lacked in _______ they made up for in love. Bobby' s sisters, clever with hands, had already_______ beautiful gifts for their mother by themselves. But Bobby had nothing. Here it was Christmas Eve already.

Standing up, Bobby walked to the street. It wasn't _______ being six without a father, especially when he needed a man to talk to. He walked from shop to shop. Everything seemed so beautiful and so out of________.

It was getting dark and Bobby turned to walk home when______ his eyes caught something shining on the ground. He reached down and _________ a shiny dime(a coin of ten cents).

Never before has anyone felt so _______ as Bobby felt at that moment. ________ spread throughout his body.___ __ his new found treasure, he walked into the first store he saw. His ______ quickly turned cold when knowing he could buy nothing with only a dime.

Then he went into a flower shop. Bobby presented the dime and asked ______ he could buy one flower for his mother. Looking at Bobby and his dime, the shopkeeper_____ for a second and asked Bobby to wait there. Then he went in.

Few minutes later, the shopkeeper came out with a bunch of beautiful red roses. Bobby' s heart______ as the shopkeeper placed the roses gently into a beautiful box. He had only a dime !

"That will be ten cents, young man,”the shop owner said._____ __ Bobby moved his hand to give the man his coin.

Could this be true? No one else would give him a thing for his dime!_______ the boy' s mind, the shopkeeper added, "I just happened to have some roses on sale. Would you like them?"

This time Bobby didn't _____ Walking out the door the owner was holding, Bobby heard the shopkeeper say, "Merry Christmas, son. "

1.A. rain B. cold C. dark D. dust

2.A. yet B. so C. or D. thus

3.A. ended B. moved C. struggled D. united

4.A. hardly B. probably C. usually D. totally

5.A. time B. spirit C. money D. education

6.A. bought B. made C. ordered D. exchanged

7.A. safe B. wise C. strange D. easy

8.A. mind B. control C. reach D. sight

9.A. gradually B. suddenly C. hurriedly D. deliberately

10.A. searched B. watched C. placed D. discovered

11.A. popular B. special C. wealthy D. comfortable

12.A.Warmth B.Panic C. Regret D. Ambition

13.A. Choosing B. Holding C. Bringing D. Fetching

14.A.guilt B.patience C. curiosity D. excitement

15.A.what B.why C. if D. when

16.A.paused B.looked C. waited D. prayed

17.A.settled B.sank C. bled D. relieved

18.A.Slowly B.Calmly C. Secretlyd D. Unwillingly

19.A.Changing B. Clearing C. Occupying D. Reading

20.A.refuse B.stop C.insist D. hesitate

I love roller coasters. If I could ride roller coasters every day for the rest of my life I would die a really man. I will stand in line for40minutes just to get on a ride that lasts 30 seconds. Each step that I take brings me closer and closer to my of going on a ride of a lifetime. The has me skipping around like a 4 year old.

But during my first ride there, that kind of thrill turned to absolute when I made it to the front. waiting in line I was now having a second thought. Quietly, I negotiated within myself about my courage to go through with this

From far away it looked but when I was about to get in the driver’s seat I I forgot my license. After some self motivation I finally made the move to my seat.

On my way up I could clearly see the ups and downs me. To me they were not only the route but also challenges. Soon the track was full of such tunnels that I could see only what was behind me but not in front.

there were people around me with both of their hands in the while I, knowing that things were going to get grasped the handle on my seat. I wouldn’t dare celebrate something that me.

Just like roller coasters, is full of ups and downs, darkness and light, and is unpredictable when we go through various situations. The best thing to do when we meet anything is to lift our hands and whatever we do.

1.A. Old B. Happy C. Brave D. unusual

2.A. Tension B. Hardship C. Motivation D. opportunity、

3.A. Excitement B. Expectation C. Pleasure D. anxiety

4.A. Patience B. Anger C. Desire D. fear

5.A. Unless B. Though C. After D. Upon

6.A. Competition B. Commitment C. Debate D. experiment

7.A. Fun B. Small C. Normal D. mysterious

8.A. Regretted B. Realized C. Pretended D. admitted

9.A. Take B. Quit C. Reserve D. change

10.A. Behind B. Beneath C. Beside D. before

11.A. Mental B. Intellectual C. Technical D. environmental

12.A. narrow B. Dark C. Long D. roundabout

13.A. Unluckily B. Oddly C. Nervously D. Disappointingly

14.A. Gloves B. Pockets C. air D. seat

15.A. Vague B. Strange C. Boring D. rough

16.A. Confused B. Astonished C. Annoyed D. terrified

17.A. Life B. Entertainment C. Dream D. ride

18.A. Social B. Unexpected C. Serious D. general

19.A. Uncertain B. Uncomfortable C. Challenging D. exciting

20.A. Evaluate B. complete C . adore D. Enjoy

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