In the West, some people believe that personality can be predicted according to the time of the year the person was bor. From China comes the belief that the year of birth influences one’s personality. In the past century, a new belief ahs arisen: the idea that personality is related to one’s ABO blood type. People with blood type A, for example, are considered more likely to be serious, hard-working, and quiet, while people with blood type O are likely to be popular and outgoing, yet often unable to finish what they start. Though this belief continues to be strong, some people question whether it is true.

The blood-type personality theory(理论) started in Japan in 1927 when Furukawa Takehi noticed personality similarities and differences among his workers. This idea soon went out of fashion, but was brought back by a Japanese television host named Toshitaka Nomi in the 1970s. The belief is still strong in Japan and is increasingly popular in neighboring countries. Some young Koreans have taken to the theory. A recent study showed 76 percent of Koreans aged between13 and 64 believing in the blood-type personality connection. Though most Asians might believe in the blood-type theory, for many it seems harmless and not something to be taken too seriously.

    Is the belief true? The scientists in Asia largely dismiss the belief as a modern-day superstition(迷信). Most studies have failed to find any strong connection between blood and personality. Generally, scientists warn against making predictions or important decisions based on this questionable theory.

1. The writer uses blood type A and O as an example to explain ________.

    A. the difference between to two blood types

    B. the relationship between the two blood types

    C. the influence of blood type on one’s behavior

    D. the connection between personality and blood type

2.What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2 mean?

    A. It was lightly believed.             B. It was brought to them.

    C. They liked and accepted it.              D. They stole the idea from others

3. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

    A. Most scientists in Asia don’t believe in the theory.

    B. The blood-type theory began in Japan in the 1970s.

    C. The blood-type personality theory is about blood type.

    D. People don’t change their personality to match the theory.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

    A. Is the blood-type theory poplar?     B. Is the personality changeable?

C. Is it in your blood?                 D. Is it in you mind?

long ago people made fires from lightning(闪电)。 But they had to keep the fire burning, for they couldn’t start it again if there was no lightning. Later, they found out hitting two piece of stone together could make a spark (火花). The spark could fire dry leaves. In this way they could make the fire again if it went out. Then people also learned to make a fire by rubbing. They made a hole on a big piece of wood and put a smaller stick into the hole. They turned the stick again and again. After a few minutes they got a fire.
As years went by, people learned other ways to make a fire. Sometimes they used the heat from sun. they held a piece of glass in the right way and made a piece of paper on fire.
About two centuries ago, people began to make matches (火柴). Matches brought people a quick and easy way to make fire. Today matches are still being used, but people have more new ways to make fires. One of them is to use an electric fire starter. Of course an electric fire starter is much more expensive than a box of matches. But it is more useful.
【小题1】 A spark can _________.

In some western countries, many children do chores (家务) to get pocket money. They usually start to do this when they are ten years old.
School students have to do homework and study for tests.  They don’t have much free time on weekdays. They often do chores on weekends.
Young kids only do easy chores. So they don’t get much money. But that’s enough. Many of them only want to buy candy. And candy is cheap! They often help do the dishes, sweep the floor, or feed the pet cat or dog.
When they get older, they want to buy more and more things. They want things that are more expensive than candy. So they have to work harder! They often help their parents wash the family car, cut the grass, or cook meals.
Some jobs are a good way for kids to learn new things. For example, they can learn how to use a lawnmower ( 割草机) or how to cook. Of course, their parents help them at first.
【小题1】How do many children get pocket money in some Western countries?