At present time, roller skating (滑旱冰) is easy and fun. But many years ago, it wasn’t easy at all. Before 1750, people never tried skating on wheels. That changed because of a man named Joseph Merlin. Merlin’s work was making instruments (工具). In his free time he liked to play the violin. Merlin was a man with many ideas and many dreams. People called him a dreamer.
One day Merlin received an invitation to go to an important party. He was very pleased and a little excited. As the day of the party came near, Merlin began to think. He wanted to find a way to make a wonderful entrance at the party. Merlin had an idea. He thought that he would attract much attention if he could skate into the room.
Merlin tried different ways to make himself roll (滚动). Finally, he decided to put two wheels under each shoe. These were the first roller skate shoes. Merlin was very proud of them. He dreamed of arriving at the party and skating into the room while playing the violin. He was sure that everyone would be very surprised.
On the night of the party Merlin rolled into the room, playing his violin. Everyone was really surprised to see him. There was just one problem. Merlin had no way to stop his roller skating. He rolled on, playing the violin. Then, with all eyes on him, Merlin hit into a huge mirror on the wall. The mirror broke into many pieces with a very loud noise.
Nobody forgot Merlin’s wonderful entrance after that.
【小题1】The first paragraph tells us that people began to skate on wheels from 1750 because (of ) _______.

PART FOUR WRITING

SECTION A

Directions: Read the following passage. Complete the diagram by using the information for the passage. Write NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS for each answer

Tuvalu, a tiny country in the Pacific Ocean, has asked for help as it fears it will be flooded by the sea water.

Storms and huge waves are a constant threat and none of Tuvalu’s nine little islands is more than five meters above sea level. Salt water is already entering the country’s drinking water supply, as well as damaging plantations that produce fruit and vegetables. Without urgent help, the country’s days are numbered.

But Tuvalu is not the first place to face sinking into the sea. Venice, a historic city in Italy, best known for its canals, has sunk 24cm over the past 100 years. Experts say that it will have sunk another 20-50cm by 2050. A century ago, St. Mark’s Square, the lowest point in the city, flooded about nine times a year. Nowadays, it happens more than 100 times.

While Venice is slowly sinking into the mud on which it stands, Tuvalu’s rising sea level is caused by global warming.

The average global temperature has increased by almost 0.5 centigrade degree over the past century, scientists expect it to rise by an extra 1-3 degrees over the next 100 years.

Warmer weather makes glaciers(冰川) melt, adding more water to the ocean. The warmer temperatures also make water expand, so it takes more space, causing the sea level to rise. The sea level has risen about 10-25cm in the last 100 years.

The main cause of global warming is human pollution. Through burning coal and gas, people have been increasing the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This adds to the power of the greenhouse effect, making the planet even warmer.

Many scientists believe that, if the warming is not stopped, there would be huge climate changes. The sea level could rise by one meter this century.

Should this come true, millions of homes would be flooded by the sea water and the world would be flooded with climate refugees(难民) looking for somewhere to live.

The Power of   71 

I. Causes:

72   → global warming →  73   →sea level rising

II.   74  :

●   75  , a tiny country in the Pacific Ocean, will be flooded by the sea water.

● Venice,   76   in Italy,will sink another 20-50cm by 2050.

III.   77  :

● There would be   78  .

● The sea level could rise   79   this century.

Millions of homes would be flooded.

Many people would beturned into   80  .

What is the purpose of the letter?

        A. To complain about a broken toy.        B. To oppose the advertising.

        C. To order a gift for Chrismas.           D. To apply for a job in a toy company.

Why does the writer of the letter that Electro-Robo is violent?

        A. It is controlled by radio water.         B. It is expensive to buy.

        C. It is 80 centimeter tall.               D. It bears arms.

What dose “Enc.” at the end of the letter mean?

    A. Something attached to the letter.         B. A complaint to the toy company.

       C. A hidden message                     D. An encouraging response.

Electro-Robo can do all the following EXCEPT ______-.

       A. sitting down    B. shaking hands     C. talking       D. walking

Hello, Chicago. If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy(民主)，tonight is your answer.

  ……

  I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $ 5 and $ 10 and $ 20 to the cause.

  It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy(冷漠), who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.

  It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished(消失)from the Earth.

  This is your victory.

  And I know you didn’t do this just to win an election. And I know you didn’t do it for me.

  You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime—two wars, a planet in peril(危亡), the worst financial crisis in a century.

  Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.

  ……

  The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

  I promise you, we as a people will get there.

This passage is most probably taken from a (an)_______.

   A. report        B. lecture      C. speech        D. announcement 

Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

   A. The speaker has won an election campaign which is quite important for him.

   B. The speaker feels they are unlikely to make their ancestors’ dream come true.

   C. The speaker thinks America is a nation that lacks democracy.

   D. The speaker’s campaign was launched in the nation’s capital.

The purpose of the speaker is to do the following except______.

   A. expressing thanks to his supporters

   B. discussing the challenges that lie ahead

   C. urging Americans to unite for the bright future of the nation

   D. warning the people against two terrible wars in store

We can see from the passage that the speaker is a (an)_______person.

   A. unreliable       B. determined     C. narrow-minded       D. humorous

Today, roller skating is easy and fun. But many years ago, it wasn’t easy at all. Before 1750, people never tried skating on wheels. That changed because of a man named Joseph Merlin. Merlin’s work was making instruments. In his free time he liked to play the violin. Merlin was a man with many ideas and many dreams. People called him a dreamer.
One day Merlin received an invitation to go to an important party. He was very pleased and a little excited. As the day of the party came near, Merlin began to think. He wanted to find a way to make a wonderful entrance at the party. Merlin had an idea. He thought that he would attract a lot of attention if he could skate into the room.
Merlin tried different ways to make himself roll. Finally, he decided to put two wheels under each shoe. These were the first roller skate shoes. Merlin was very proud of them. He dreamed of arriving at the party and skating into the room while playing the violin. He was sure that everyone would be very surprised.
On the night of the party Merlin rolled into the room, playing his violin. Everyone was really surprised to see him. There was just one problem. Merlin had no way to stop his roller skating. He rolled on, playing the violin. Then, with all eyes on him, Merlin hit into a huge mirror on the wall. The mirror broke into many pieces with a very loud noise. But nobody forgot Merlin’s wonderful entrance after that.
【小题1】The story tells us that people began to enjoy roller-skating _______.