Traffic lights are very important for us. I think you know this. But do you know how they were born?
Garrett A. Morgan was the father of traffic lights. He was an American. His family was very poor. He left school at the age of 14. He was clever. He always looked for better ways to do things. And he liked to make new things.
At that time, every American wanted to have a car. The streets were full of cars. The traffic was really bad. “Why not put three lights at each corner ? They should be red_,green_,and yellow，” Morgan said , “ Let them tell cars to go or stop.” He made a timer (定时器)to change the lights.
So we have traffic lights today .
【小题1】Todaycan help buses or cars to go regularly in cities .

Jim is my good friend. We are in the same school. He is an American. We are good friends. This is Jim’s bedroom. It’s not big, but new. A black desk is in the room. Some English books are on the desk. Jim’s backpack is on it. The backpack is yellow, but old. What’s under the red chair? It’s a white cat. It’s a Chinese cat. Its name is Mimi. Jim’s father is in the living room. He is about fifty years old. Where is his mother? She is in the bedroom. She is a teacher.
【小题1】Jim and I are ________.

One day an American called Simon went to London to visit his friend, Rick. Rick told him that his flat was on the first floor. When he arrived, Simon went straight to the first floor of the building. But he was told that there was no Rick on that floor. Do you know why?
In fact, the British call the first floor of a building the ground floor. The floor above the ground floor is the first floor, while Americans would call it the second floor.
The story shows that there are a few culture differences between Britain and America, though the British and Americans both speak English.
The British usually hide their feelings. They seldom start a conversation with strangers. For example, on the train the British often spend their time reading newspapers or books. But Americans are quite different. They’re more active and easier to talk with.
The British and Americans may use different terms for many things. The British usually use “football”, “eraser” and “mail” while Americans prefer to use “soccer”, “rubber” and “post”.
根据短文内容，选择最佳答案。
【小题1】Simon went to London to __________.

At 18, many American young people go off on their own. They go away to college or find full-time jobs, and they often rent their own apartments. Some get married and start families. This independence（独立性）is learned from childhood.

From an early age, American children learn responsibility（责任感）. Children as young as 2 begin to put away their toys and dress themselves. At 3, many children do simple chores like setting the table.

Using money wisely is also taught early. As soon as a child understands the value of money, he or she receives a weekly allowance. This is used for things the child wants, like toys or treats. The child can spend or save it, usually with little guidance（指导） from parents. If the child wants money besides his or her allowance, it must be made by doing extra chores.

Children are taught early in life to think for themselves. They are allowed to make some decisions and make mistakes. Failure often teaches children more than success.

1. Many American young people begin to live on themselves __________.

   A. at eighteen years old                    B. from childhood   

C. after they get married                  D. from an early age

2.An American child learns to __________ at the age of 2.

   A. find a full-time job                     B. rent an apartment

   C. put on his or her own clothes            D. do lots of chores

3.The word “allowance” means __________ in Chinese.

   A. 奖品             B. 零花钱           C. 财产             D. 礼物

4.A child can get some more money by __________.

   A. understanding the value of money         B. helping the rich

   C. reading many books                      D. doing extra chores

5.The passage is mainly about __________.

A. the independence of American children

B. the value of money

C. the guidance from parents

D. failure and success of American children