Runners in a relay(接力) race pass a stick in one direction. However, merchants passed silk, gold, fruit, and glass along the Silk Road in more than one direction. They earned their living by traveling the famous Silk Road.

The Silk Road was not a simple trading network. It passed through thousands of citied and towns. It started from eastern China, across Central Asia and the Middle East, and ended in the Mediterranean Sea. It was used from about 200 B, C, to about A, D, 1300, when sea travel offered new routes(路线)　, It was sometimes called the world’s longest highway. However, the Silk Road was made up of many routes, not one smooth path. They passed through what are now 18 countries. The routes crossed mountains and deserts and had many dangers of hot sun, deep snow and even battles. Only experienced traders could return safe.

The Silk Road got its name from its most prized product. Silk could be used like money to pay taxes or buy goods. But the traders carried more than just silk. Gold, silver, and glass from Europe were much found in the Middle East and Asia. Horses traded from other areas changed farming practices in China. Indian merchants traded salt and other valuable goods. Chinese merchants traded paper, which produced an immediate effect on the West. Apples traveled from central Asia to Rome. The Chinese had learned to graft(嫁接)　different trees together to make new kinds of fruit. They passed this science on to others, including the Romans. The Romans used grafting to grow the apple. Trading along the Silk Road led to world-wide business 2,000 years before the World Wide Web.

The people along the Silk Road did not share just goods. They also shared their beliefs. The Silk Road provided pathways for learning, diplomacy(外交), and religion (宗教)

1.It’s probable that traders along the Silk Road needed         .

2.The Silk Road became less important because         .

3.New technologies could travel along the Silk Road because people         .

4.What is the best title for the passage?

Toucans(巨嘴鸟), a kind of tropical birds known for its colorful beak, are very smart. In Mexico, my dad became friends with a toucan that was in a “walk in and see the birds” cage. The toucan was so smart that it knew how to get out. It just needed some human to help it. It almost flew out while we were leaving!

I also noticed that all toucans have different beaks! They also have very long unique beaks with an extremely long tongue. It struts(大摇大摆地走) around with its chest sticking out and beak pointed forward. The toucan is a beautiful bird! The beak has a red tip (different shades on every one), but sometimes there is a little turquoise on the bottom half. Then, right where the beak separates there is a splotch of yellow. And the rest of the beak is green. The toucan takes very much pride of itself.

The toucan eats fruit and seeds. The ramphastidae(the toucan family) is known for its long beak, and 37 species. Toucans also feed on insects, small lizards, bird nestlings and eggs. They nest in hollow trees where they incubate and care for their young.They are found in the woody areas.

Of the various toucan facts, here is an odd one. Citizens of Central and South America associate the toucans with evil spirits. They think the birds can be the personification of evils. Where couvades(父代母育) is practiced, the father of a new child must not eat toucan flesh as it is believed to bewitch the new-born child. Yet the toucan can also be a tribal totem(图腾). So the medicine men use it as a symbol to fly to the spirit world.

60. 1.Which of the following words is NOT suitable to describe toucans?

   A. Intelligent     B. Confident     C. Dangerous     D. Colorful

61. 2.The second paragraph mainly talks about _______.

   A. where toucans strut around   B. how toucans get food

   C. what toucans look like       D. when toucans lay eggs

62. 3.What does the underlined word“incubate”probably mean in paragraph 3?

   A.Hatch eggs    B.Take cover    C.Gather strength    D.Keep warm

63. 4.We can learn from the last paragraph that _______.

   A. all citizens of Central and South America are afraid of toucans

   B. the toucans can also be used as medicine to cure diseases

   C. a new child must not eat toucan flesh because it is poisonous

   D. some people believe toucans can bring them misfortune

Throughout our childhood our parents taught us to say “thank you” and it has become a habit — something we say automatically (自动地), along with “please”. And because of this we have forgotten just how important gratitude is and how essential it is in leading fulfilled (感到满足的) lives.

Just for a minute, think of all the things you are grateful for, such as loving friends, good health, great holidays as well as everyday items such as a comfortable home, TV, and clean water. The list, in fact, could go on and on.

Now focus on events that have made you angry — it’s raining, the car won’t start, and a colleague (同事) makes you annoyed. You start to feel unhappy, and that is something that certainly does not make you feel good！

In fact, we have the ability to choose how we feel — it’s just our perception (认识) of how things are. But for most of us, it just doesn’t seem easy.

Let me give you an example: it’s a rainy day, and immediately most people will start to complain, telling everyone who will listen what a miserable day it is, with the result that they end up feeling miserable themselves. But look at it another way and despite wet clothes and hair, both will dry perfectly well and no lasting harm has been done. And in addition to this, because of rain, we not only live in a green and beautiful landscape, we are also able to grow a lot of fruit and vegetables.

There really is no obvious reason for feeling miserable — in fact there is a great deal to be grateful for. It all depends on what we think about things.

Realize what a difference having gratitude can make to your life. That’s why gratitude is so special — use it to feel good!

What do we usually do automatically according to the author?

A. Focus on good things.      B. Prefer to feel good.

C. Express thanks orally.      D. Take many things for granted.

By the example in the fifth paragraph, the author advises us to _____.

A. see things in a different way     B. refuse the unchangeable things

C. ignore the harm bad weather does    D. listen to others’ complaints patiently

By writing the passage, the author mainly wants to tell us _____.

A. to think twice before we act    

B. to be grateful for what we have

C. it is no use making complaints 

D. saying “thank you” has many disadvantages

A car needs gas to run and your body also needs food to work for you. Eating the right kind of food is very important. It can help your body grow strong to take care of what you eat.

   There are four main food groups altogether. The dairy group has food like milk, cheese and sour milk. The other three groups are the meat and fish group, the fruit and vegetable group, and the bread and rice group. Each meal should have at least one food from all four main groups. With all these food together, you will be given enough energy during the day.

   It is easy to get into bad eating habits. You may eat your breakfast in a hurry to get to school on time. Or you may not have time for a good lunch. It may seem easy to finish your supper with fish and chips all the time. But you will find yourself tired in these days and you can not think quickly.

   Watching what you eat will help keep your body healthy and strong. It is also good to take some exercise. It will help you eat more if you take a walk or play games in the open air. Having a good eating habit with some exercise is the key to your health.

1.. Which of the following diets do you think is the best one?

A. Eggs, tomatoes and chicken.  

B. Milk, bread, cabbages and beef.

C. Corn, fish, cream and pork.   

D. Rice, beancurd（豆腐）, apples, fish and chicken.

2.. In this passage the writer mainly tells us that _____.

A. every person needs food to grow well

B taking exercise can keep your body strong

C. the right kind of food with exercise will keep you healthy

D. enough energy helps people think more quickly

3.. The underlined word “dairy” in the second passage means _____.

A. the food made out of cows such as milk and butter

B. she shop that sells milk and butter

C.  a farm where cows are kept      

D. a place where milk products are made.

4.. The best title for this passage is _____.

    A. The Four Food Groups            B. A Healthy Diet

    C. Your Body And Food             D. Food And Your Health

The bus was crowded with passengers going home from market, most of ________ carrying heavy bags and baskets full of fruit and vegetables they had bought there.

A. whom       B. them       C. who           D. which