When Steven was a young boy, he moved quite often with his family and so he never had many friends. He spent a lot of time on his own and liked to play with electronic(电子的)things. Steven had a neighbour, Steve Wozniak. Steve was a little bit younger than Steven but also liked to play with electronic things. Steven made a microphone(麦克风)and Steve asked him many questions about it until he understood how it worked. Steven liked the fact that such a young boy was also interest ed in electronic things and so he taught him everything he knew.
When they were a little older and knew more about electronic things, they made a “blue box”. People could make free phone calls by breaking into the phone company’s system with this box. They sold this to many people even though it was illegal(非法的), but this is not why they are famous today.
Steven and Steve were the inventors of the first PC—personal computer. They called their first computer the Apple I. They invented it only for fun and to make themselves known among their friends. They did not think it would become so popular. They just liked playing computer games on it. Their computer made it cheaper and easier for people to own and use a computer. Their PCs were so popular that they made a new PC called the Apple II. Soon many schools, families and factories were using their computers.
Without the two clever men, the personal computers might never have appeared.
【小题1】Why didn’t Steven have many friends?

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

     From an early age, American children learn to do things by themselves. 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 in the right way 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 help or advice from parents. If the child wants more money, it must be earned 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 more than success.

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

   A. at the age of eighteen  B. from an early age   C. after they get married    D. when they find jobs

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

   A. do a lot of chores  B. put on their own clothes     C. study for a test        D set the table

3. The underlined word “allowance” means ________ .

   A. pocket money     B. present    C. prize     D. toy

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

   A. understanding the value of money    B. doing a lot of homework

   C. reading a lot of books              D. doing some more chores

5. Which is NOT true according to the passage?

   A. American children learn to be independent from an early age.

   B. American children always use or save their money with the help of their mother.

   C. American children are allowed to make some decisions and mistakes.

   D. Failure is needed in children’s life as well as success.

    Europeans are being dug out from heavy snow after a week of very cold weather. The snowstorm is the harshest to hit Europe. Airports were shut down. And schools have been closed for a week.

    Until Wednesday, at least 400 people across Europe had died because of the cold temperature. Several countries have said a state of emergency. In Ukraine, temperatures dropped as low as -33℉.

    Although the situation is bad, at least one country is hoping the weather will last a little longer. In the Netherlands, the government is preparing for the country’s “11 Cities Tour”. The 125-mile ice-skating marathon will be held along a network which joins 11 towns and cities together in Friesland Province.

    The ice along the way must be inches thick for the event. Up to 2 million people are thought to cheer on the race’s 16,000 competitors.

    On Wednesday, Dutch soldiers joined in the preparations. They cleaned snow along the way. This will be the 16^th time that the event has taken place since the first race in 1909. Dutch General Hans said his soldiers were happy to lend a hand. “We want to do our bit for this national party.” he said.

1.What is “11 Cities Tour”?

A. It’s a 125-mile ice skating marathon.

B. It’s a 11-mile ice skating marathon.

C. It’s a 16000-mile ice skating marathon.

D. It’s a 33-mile ice skating marathon.

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

A. Thousands of people across Europe died because of the weather.

B. The ice should be less than 6 inches thick for the event.

C. No country is glad to see the cold weather.

D. The first “11 Cities Tour” began in 1909.

3.Who helped clean snow along the way?

A. French soldiers                      B. Dutch soldiers 

C. Ukrainian soldiers               D. American soldiers

4.The underlined word “harshest” means _______ in the passage.

A. safest       B. most enjoyable       C. most serious         D. happiest

5.The passage is mainly about______.

A. the hard situation Europe faces

B. the European cold weather

C. preparations for a national party

D. the coldest season in Europe