59. The writer told this story in order to show us ______.

A. how and where we can write a good article

B. everyone can do something for the future

C. wise men are sometimes stupid

D. young people are actually wiser than old people

( B )

Have you ever heard of a shamrock? It’s not a rock, it’s a kind of green plant. It’s a symbol of Ireland. Finding one with four leaves brings you good luck.

Chinese can now visit Ireland and see shamrocks for themselves. The two countries’ governments agreed on this last week.

Ireland is on an island in northwestern Europe, next to England. Dublin, the capital, is its largest city.

When people think of Ireland, they think of green plants all over it. In fact, one name for Ireland is the “Emerald Isle(翡翠岛)”.

There are lots of old castles on Ireland’s hills, and people tell old stories about them.

Ireland is also famous for its folk music and art. The country is known for its harp(竖琴) and flute(长笛) music. Ireland also has some fun dances.

Lots of Irish moved to America around 1850 because they were starving. The Irish eat lots of potatoes. But at that time potatoes there were dying.

Irish around the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day every March 17. St. Patrick taught the Irish about Christianity(基督教). People have parades(游行), sing, dance, eat Irish food and drink beer.

58. From the last two paragraphs, we can learn that ______.

A. the wise man realized something new and important

B. the wise man thought it was foolish of the young man to throw starfish in the ocean

C. the young man had the ability to make a difference 　 D. it is necessary for us to save starfish on the beach

57. Near the end of the passage, “something very special” refers to ______.

　 A. the gifts from friends　　　　　　　　　　　　

B. the strength of making decision

C. our own starfish　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

D. the ability of shaping one’s own future

56. One day, the wise man saw the young man ______. 　 A. dancing along the beach　　　　　　　　　　

B. walking with a dancer

C. picking up starfish for sale　　　　　　　　

D. trying to save as many starfish as possible

54. A. surprising 　　　　　　　 B. believable　　　　　　　　 C. unlucky　　　　　　　　　 D. strange

53. A. told　 　　　　　　　　　 B. mentioned　　　　　　　 C. printed 　　　　　　　　　　 D. recorded

52. A. at ease 　　　　　　　　　 B. in places 　　　　　　　　　 C. for sure　　　　　　　　　 D. with joy

51. A. reported 　　　　　　　　 B. told　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. made　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. written

50. A. wrong　　　　　　　　　　 B. right　　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. important 　　　　　　　 D. necessary