Almost every machine with moving parts has wheelsyet no one knows exactly when the first wheel was invented or what it was used for.We do knowhoweverthat they existed over 5,500 years ago in ancient Asia.

The oldest known transport wheel was discovered in 2002 in Slovenia.It is over 5,100 years old.Evidence suggests that wheels for transport didn’t become popular for a whilethough.This could be because animals did a perfectly good job of carrying farming tools and humans around.

But it could also be because of a difficult situation.While wheels need to roll on smooth surfacesroads with smooth surfaces weren’t going to be constructed until there was plenty of demand for them.Eventuallyroad surfaces did become smootherbut this difficult situation appeared again a few centuries later.There had been no important changes in wheel and vehicle design before the arrival of modern road design.

In the mid?1700sa Frenchman came up with a new design of road—a base layer() of large stones covered with a thin layer of smaller stones.A Scotsman improved on this design in the 1820s and a stronglasting road surface became a reality.At around the same timemetal hubs (the central part of a wheel)came into beingfollowed by the pneumatic tyre(充气轮胎) in 1846.Alloy wheels were invented in 1967sixty years after the appearance of tarmacked roads(柏油路)As wheel design took offvehicles got faster and faster.????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????????? (2013·重庆,C)

1.What might explain why transport wheels didn’t become popular for some time?

AFew knew how to use transport wheels.

BHumans carried farming tools just as well.

CAnimals were a good means of transport.

DThe existence of transport wheels was not known.

2. What do we know about road design from the passage?

AIt was easier than wheel design.

BIt improved after big changes in vehicle design.

CIt was promoted by fast?moving vehicles.

DIt provided conditions for wheel design to develop.

3. How is the last paragraph mainly developed?

ABy giving examples.

BBy making comparisons.

CBy following time order.

DBy making classifications.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

AThe beginning of road design.

BThe development of transport wheels.

CThe history of public transport.

DThe invention of fast?moving vehicles.

 

One day, a young man was cleaning out his late grandfather’s belongings when he came across a bright red envelope. Written on the front were the words, "To my grandson." Recognizing his grandfather's handwriting ,the young man opened the enbelope. A letter inside read:

Dear Ronny, 

Years ago you came to me for help .You said, "Grandpa, how is it that you've accomplished so much in your life? You're still full of energy, and I'm already tired of struggling. How can I get that same enthusiasm that you've got?"

I didn't know what to say to you then. But knowing my days are numbered, I figure that I owe you an answer. So here is what I believe.

I think a lot of it has to do with how a person looks at things. I call it "keeping your eyes wide open."

First ,realize that life is filled with surprises, but many are good ones .If you don't keep watching for them, you'll miss half the excitement. Expect to be thrilled once in a while ,and you will be.

When you meet up with challenges, welcome them. They'll leave you wiser ,stronger, and more capable than you were the day before .when you make a mistake ,be grateful for the things it taught you .Resolve to use that lesson to help you reach your goals.

And always follow the rules. Even the little ones. When you follow the rules, life works. If you think you ever really get by with breaking the rules, you're only fooling yourself.

It's also important to decide exactly what you want. Then keep your ming focused on it, and be prepared to receive it.

But be ready to end up in some new places too ,As you grow with the years, you'll be given bigger shoes to fill. So be ready for endings as well as challenging beginnings.

Sometimes we have to be brave enough to move from the familiar to the unfamiliar .Life isn't just reaching peaks, Part of it is moving from one peak to the next .If you rest too long in between, you might be tempted to quit .Leave the past in the past .Climb the next mountain and enjoy the view.

Dump things that weigh you down emotionally and spiritually. When an old resentment, belief, or attitude becomes heavy ,lighten your load. Shed those hurtful attitudes that slow you down and drain your energy.

Remember that your choices will create your successes and your failures. So consider all the pathways ahead, and decide which ones to follow. Then believe in yourself, get up, and get going.

And be sure to take breaks once in a while .They'll give you a renewed commitment to your dreams and a cheerful, healthy perception of the things that matter the most to you .

Most important of all. never give up on yourself. The person that ends up a winner is the once who resolves to win. Give life everything you've got, and life will give its best back to you.

Love always,

Grandpa

1.The underlined part “But knowing my days are numbered” implies that       .

A.his grandpa could count days

B.his grandpa’s cach day was important

C.his grandpa knew he was dying

D.his grandpa was eager to tell the young man

2.Why did the young man’s grandpa write this letter? Because      .

A.he wanted to recall his whole life

B.he wanted to tell his grandson how great he was

C.he wanted to explain how to keep energy

D.he wanted to show how to succeed

3.The young man’s grandpa may agree     .

A.how a person looks at things has nothing to do with one’s future

B.we should be thankful for what mistakes teach us

C.successful life is just reaching peaks

D.It’s not so important to decide exactly what you want

4.According to the passage,         .

A.learning to give up is very important

B.we’d better stay in the familiar

C.obeying little rules doesn’t matter

D.taking breaks once in a while is good to us

 

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