Curiosity is an important characteristic of a genius（天才）. You can’t find an intellectual giant who is not a curious person.
【小题1】 This is necessary if you are to have a curious mind. Some things you know and believe might be wrong, and you should be prepared to accept things you don’t know or you don’t quite agree on.
【小题2】  If you just accept the world as it is, you will certainly lose your “ curiosity”. Try to discover what is beneath(在…下面) the surfaces of things around you.
Ask questions from time to time. A sure way to discover what is beneath the surface is by
asking questions: What is that? Why does it make that way? How does it work? And so on. 【小题3】 
See learning as something that is fun. If you see learning as a burden, it will just make the
burden heavier. But if you can find learning interesting, it will open another door. 【小题4】 
Read different kinds of reading materials. Don’t spend too much time on just one
subject. 【小题5】 It will introduce you to other possibilities that may interest you.

The wheel was one of man’s first inventions and yet it has also proved one of the most useful. So wide and varied are the uses of the wheels, in machines and vehicles of all kinds, that it is difficult to imagine what the world would be like without them. It is surprising to hear it said, therefore, that the wheel’s importance will perhaps be greatly reduced by the end of the century by an invention so new as to be still unnamed.
The invention is a machine the floats above any surface on a cushion of air. The cushion is formed when air is blown into this saucer, the machine rises to a height that may vary from a few inches to a few feet.
Industry is already using one form of the inversion to deal with heavy loads. It can lift them. with ease and since there are no wheels, and therefore no friction , they can be put into motion with the touch of a finger.
The new invention, however , is having a great effect on transport, Not only does it make expensive road systems unnecessary, but it enables vehicles to travel well over land or water. This unique to reach most destinations has given rise to the prediction that wheeled vehicles may be uncommon at the end the century as aeroplanes were at the beginning.
1. The first paragraph tells us that______.
A. the wheel was man’s earliest invention.
B. the wheel’s usefulness has yet to be proved.
C. wide wheels have a variety of important uses.
D. a new invention may make wheels less important.
2. The phrase “with the touch of a finger” in the third paragraph means______.
A. without difficulty                   B. by electricity .
C. without friction                    D. by hand.
3. The passage tells us that the new invention __________.
A. is more important for industry than for transport.
B. will one day be used instead of aeroplanes.
C. makes it possible to travel without using roads.
D. will replace wheeled vehicles using roads.
4. According to the passage, the new invention _______.
A. will soon get a name                        B. can go almost anywhere
C. is lighter than air                             D. was uncommon a century ago

Curiosity is an important characteristic of a genius. You can’t find an intellectual giant who is not a curious person.

  1  This is necessary if you are to have a curious mind. Some things you know and believe might be wrong, and you should be prepared to accept things you don’t know or you don’t quite agree on.

  2 If you just accept the world as it is, you will certainly lose your “curiosity”. Try to discover what is beneath(在…下面) the surfaces of things around you.

Ask questions from time to time. A sure way to discover what is beneath the surface is by asking questions: What is that? Why does it make that way? How does it work? And so on. 3  

See learning as something that is fun. If you see learning as a burden, it will just make the burden heavier. But if you can find learning interesting, it will open another door.  4  

Read different kinds of reading materials. Don’t spend too much time on just one subject.  5  It will introduce you to other possibilities that may interest you.

A．Search for ideas to write about.

B．So make an effort to enjoy the learning process.

C．Discuss your ideas with other people.

D．Feed your mind with interesting facts about different subjects.

E. Keep an open mind.

F. It is the simplest way for curious people to increase their knowledge.

G. Try to look into the things.

                                     C
Starting college can be a difficult experience. You have to deal with new responsibilities and growing independence, a challenging course load and, of course, the social scene. When a roommate is thrown into the mix, it may feel like you’re struggling with all that stuff while living in a small box with a stranger.
But having a roommate doesn’t need to be one more thing to worry about. When students go into their living situations with realistic expectations and a willingness to compromise, things can work out just fine.
When you first meet your roommate, chances are you’ll be on your best behaviour. You want to get along, since this is the person who’s going to be sharing your living space for the next year. But try to think ahead to potential (可能的) worst cases, too.
For example, imagine it’s 2 a.m. and you’re working on a paper that should be finished in 8 hours. Your roommate comes in from a party and wants to continue the party in your room.
At times like these, you won’t be feeling good. That’s why talking about problems that might come up ahead of time -- and respecting each other’s wishes when the time comes -- is so important.
Talk about the things that are really important to you, and make sure your roommate understands. Then encourage him or her to do the same.
For example, does it make you angry when people take things without asking first? Let your roommate know your feelings about these types of things from the start, so that both of you have a feel for each other’s likes, dislikes, and habits.
【小题1】The underlined word “compromise” in the second paragraph means “     ”.

Does it make any difference __________ he refuses or accepts the invitation?

A. whether         B. which           C. if        D. that