Although man has known asbestos(石棉) for many hundreds of years, it was not until 160 years ago that it was mined for the first time on the North American continent. H. W. Johns, owner of a New York City Supply Shop for roofers, was responsible for(对…负责) the opening of that first mine.

    Mr. Johns was given a piece of asbestos which had been found in Italy. He experimented with the material and then showed its surprising powers to his customers. After putting on a pair of asbestos gloves, which looked much like ordinary work gloves, he took red-hot coals from the fireplace and played with them in his hands. How astonished the customers were to discover that he was not burned at all. You can well imagine that he had increasing business in asbestos roofing materials. However, because it was very expensive to transport (carry) them from Italy to the United States, Mr. Johns sent out a young scientist to seek a source nearer home. This young man found great vein(岩脉), in the province of Quebec in Canada.

    Ever since 1881 Quebec has led the world in the production of this unusual mineral, which is made up of magnesium, silicon, iron, and oxygen. When it is mined, the asbestos is heavy, just as you would expect a mineral to be. When it is separated, a strange thing happens; the rock breaks down into fine, soft, soapy fibres(纤维).

    Scientists do not know why the rock can be separated easily into threads(线), but they have found thousands of users of this fireproof material, of the so-called “cloth of stone”.

 

59. Which title best expresses the main idea of this passage?

A. Asbestos mined in Canada                B. Fireproof matter

C. A “wonder” mineral                     D. A new roofing material

60. Johns proved his ability as a salesman by_______.

A. going into roofing business          B. carrying asbestos from Italy

C. sending a trained scientist            D. showing the use of asbestos gloves

61. Which is the most important character of asbestos that the author wants to show us?

A. It is like thread.                    B. It feels soapy.

C. It burns easily.                     D. It is unusually heavy.

62 The author’s main purpose in writing this passage was to _______.

A. show the need for more scientists    B. compare asbestos with other minerals

C. increase the sales of asbestos          D. present facts about asbestos  

In the world of fairy tales, great and powerful men are often helped to victory by the small and weak. But in the US it has happened for real.

Nine year old Noah McCullough from Texas, has taken on the role of speaking to the public in support of President George W. Bush’s social security reforms.

On February 25 he signed an agreement with the American Congress to work for the White House as a volunteer. “What I want to tell people about social security is not to be afraid of the new plan,” Noah said. “It may be a change, but it’s a good change.”

Besides this task, he already has a higher goal. He plans to run for the White House in 2032.  So far, Noah seems to have a very bright future.

Despite his age, Noah already has his firm opinion on running the US. “I firmly believe that the combination of large business and small governments creates a peaceful and present society because industry can stimulate (刺激) economic growth,” he said.

Noah’s politics do not come from his parents. “He is very patriotic(爱国的) and very republican,” said Noah’s mother, Donna McCullough. “It’s the way he was born.”

Noah’s interest began after a mock(模拟) election in the kindergarten when he was five years old. Now he has read more than 3,000 books on presidential history. He can recite the names of all 43 American presidents. He can also describe the achievements and events that took place during a president’s term of office.

His unusual experiences in the presidential campaign last year made him a famous figure. He was a member of Bush’s presidential campaign team. He gave speeches at the Republican convention (大会) and followed Bush around on his tour of 27 states. President Bush thinks highly of the boy, saying that he is “the miracle kid of the White House”.

 

63.Noah McCullough worked for the White House ______.

A.to support George W. Bush in the presidential campaign

B.to be a volunteer in the presidential campaign

C.to show his gift in the presidential campaigns

D.to drill for his running for the White House in 2032

64.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A.Noah seems to have a very bright future because he supports Bush.

B.Noah is the youngest of the Americans who support Bush.

C.Noah has been to more than half of the states in the presidential campaign.

D.Noah was born with his parents’ dream of his becoming US President.

65.We can infer from the passage that _______.

A.Noah can surely succeed in the 2032 presidential campaign

B.Noah’s polities are deeply affected by his parents

C.Bush had known Noah well before the presidential campaign began

D.Noah would develop industry and reduce government officials if he were elected President of the USA

66.Which is the best title of the passage?

A.The Small and Weak Can Help the Big and Strong

B.Little Boy Helps President Bush

C.Beginning of Noah’s Political Life

D.The US Future President

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