For many years, no one could communicate with people who had been born without hearing. These deaf people were not able to use a spoken language.

But, beginning in the 1700s, the deaf were taught a special language. Using the language, they could share thoughts and ideas with others. The language they used was a language without sound. It was a sign language.

How did this sign language work? The deaf were taught to make certain movements using their hands, faces, and bodies. These movements stood for things and ideas. People might move their forefingers across their lips. This meant, “You are not telling the truth.” They might tap their chins with three fingers. This meant, “my uncle”.

The deaf were also taught to use a finger alphabet(字母表). They used their fingers to make the letters of the alphabet. In this way, they spelled out words. Some deaf people could spell out words at a speed of 130 words per minute.

Sign language and finger spelling are not used as much as they once were. Today the deaf are taught to understand others by watching their lips. They are taught how to speak.

1.In the 1700s, the deaf were taught __________.

A. to speak                           B. to watch others

C. a sign language               D. a spoken language

2.The word forefingers in paragraph 3 means__________.

A. the finger next to the thumb (拇指)                B. three fingers

C. a language                                                            D. hands

3.On the whole the story is about __________.

A. how the deaf communicate                                       B. learning to spell

C. teaching the deaf to speak                               D. writing sign languages

4.Which of these sentences do you think is RIGHT?

A.Deaf people draw signs

B.Deaf people can’t use their fingers.

C.Many deaf people now can speak

D.Deaf people speak with their fingers.

When I was little, my mother began selling flowers in Camden Market. She couldn’t  36 me at home on my own,   37  I had to go to the market with her.

  38 , I didn’t have to do anything. I just sat there, and my mother told me jokes and stories so I didn’t get   39 .When I got older, I gave my mother a hand and I really enjoyed it.

Then one year, my grandma gave me a book for Christmas. It was all about making candles and I loved it. I was 14, and I didn’t have to go to the market  40 because my mother could leave me at home on my own. I  41 my free time making candles of all shapes and sizes. I made  42 them.

One day, my mother was ill, so I had to go to the market on my own. I decided to  43 some candles with me and see  44 I could sell them. They  45 in 20 minutes! The next week, my mother gave me some money to buy some wax (蜡) to make more candles. They were sold out really quickly, too.

Ten months later, we decided  46 flowers. My mother and I couldn’t make enough candles during the week, so some of my friends started to help us. I paid them one pound  47 every candle, and we   48 sell them for three or four times. It was fun and my friends worked with me in the market.

At the age of 22, my uncle  49 me some money and I opened my first shop in Portobello Road. Since then, I’ve  50 looked back, even in difficulties. In the first store, we only sold candles, but now we sell everything from the designer, furniture to paintings. Oh, and candles, of course.

短语填空。请阅读下面各小题，选择方框中所给的短语填空，并在答题卷上将其序号涂黑。每个短语限用一次。(每小题1分)

1.My uncle is coming to my home in this weekend. I've decided to     the vacation for  another week.

2.Li ping is busy with his study, but he________ does the chores for his neighbors.

3.Many people were saved in the earthquake________ the courage of those kind people—nurses, doctors and soldiers.

4.The campaign to keep our city clean is going on. Each of us has the chance to______.

5.We _______the concert to raise money for the children’s hospital. We will try our best for it.

6.You always ______our books. It’s hard for me to find mine when I use them.

7.You are smart and brave just like your father. You_____ him.

8.Little Jim is a playful boy. He can’t________ the lessons his teachers give.

9.It’s impolite to_______when we are queuing to buy train tickets.

10.Both parties are expected to meet later today to________ an agreement, or they might argue with each other.

短语填空。请阅读下面各小题，选择方框中所给的短语填空，并在答题卷上将其序号涂黑。每个短语限用一次。(每小题1分)

【小题1】My uncle is coming to my home in this weekend. I've decided to     the vacation for  another week.
【小题2】Li ping is busy with his study, but he________ does the chores for his neighbors.
【小题3】Many people were saved in the earthquake________ the courage of those kind people—nurses, doctors and soldiers.
【小题4】The campaign to keep our city clean is going on. Each of us has the chance to______.
【小题5】We _______the concert to raise money for the children’s hospital. We will try our best for it.
【小题6】You always ______our books. It’s hard for me to find mine when I use them.
【小题7】You are smart and brave just like your father. You_____ him.
【小题8】Little Jim is a playful boy. He can’t________ the lessons his teachers give.
【小题9】It’s impolite to_______when we are queuing to buy train tickets.
【小题10】Both parties are expected to meet later today to________ an agreement, or they might argue with each other.