1 . The United Kingdom, Great Britain, Britain, England-many people are confused by what these different names mean. So what is the difference between them, if any? Getting to know a little bit about British history will help you solve this puzzle.

In the 16th century, the nearby country of Wales was joined to the Kingdom of England. Later, in the 18th century, the country Scotland was joined to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. In the 19th century, the Kingdom of Ireland was added to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, in the 20th century, the southern part of Ireland broke away from the UK, which resulted in the full name we have today: “the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Most people just use the shortened name: “the United Kingdom” or “the UK”. People from the UK are called “British”, which means the UK is also often referred to as Britain or Great Britain.

The four countries that belong to the United Kingdom work together in some areas. They use the same flag, known as the Union Jack, as well as share the same currency and military defence. However, they also have some differences. For example, England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland all have different education systems and legal systems. They also have their own traditions, like their own national days and national dishes. And they even have their own football teams for competitions like the World Cup!

The United Kingdom has a long and interesting history to explore, which can help you understand much more about the country and its traditions. Almost everywhere you go in the UK, you will be surrounded by evidence of four different groups of people who took over at different times throughout history. The first group, the Romans, came in the first century. Some of their great achievements included building towns and roads. Next, the Anglo-Saxons arrived in the fifth century. They introduced the beginnings of the English language, and changed the way people built houses. The Vikings came in the eighth century, left behind lots of new vocabulary, and also the names of many locations across the UK. The last group were the Normans. They conquered England after the well-known Battle of Hastings in the 11th century. They had castles built all around England, and made changes to the legal system. The Normans were French, so many French words slowly entered into the English language.

1. What can help us find out the difference between some different names of the UK?

A．British languages.	B．British history.
C．British location.	D．British education.

2. Which country is the first to be joined to the Kingdom of England?

A．Britain.

B．Scotland.

C．Wales.

D．Ireland.

3. What is different for the four countries of the UK?

A．The flag.	B．The currency.
C．The military defence.	D．The education system.

4. Which of the following is the achievement of the Normans?

A．Building towns and roads.

B．Changing the way of building houses.

C．Leaving behind many new vocabulary.

D．Changing the legal system.

2 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The United Kingdom, Great Britain, Britain, England—many people are     1     (confuse) by what these names mean. You can solve this puzzle if you study British history.

In the 16th century, Wales was joined to the Kingdom of England. In the 18th century, Scotland was joined     2     (create) the Kingdom of Great Britain. In the 19th century, the Kingdom of Ireland was added to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, the southern part of Ireland broke away from the UK, which resulted     3     the full name we have today: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.     4    , most people prefer to use the shortened name: The UK. Although the four countries work together in some areas, they still have some     5     (different). There were four sets of invaders and the last group were the Normans. They had the castles     6     (build) all round England and made changes to legal systems. The capital city London is     7     ancient port city     8     has a history dating back to Roman times. Studying the history of the country will help you understand more about the country and     9     traditions as well as make your visit much more     10     (enjoy).

3 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入 1 个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The United Kingdom     1     (consist) of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In the 13th century, Wales    2    (link) to England. In the seventeenth century, they were joined to Scotland. They were united    3     peace instead of by war. However, just as they were going to get Ireland    4    (connect) , the southern part of Ireland broke away,     5     only Northern Ireland joined with England.

England is    6    (large) of the four countries and for     7    (convenient) it is divided into three zones: the South of England, the Midlands and the North. Most of the population settled in the first century AD, but most of the industrial    8    (city) are located in the Midlands and the North.

London is the capital city with the great historical treasures. It has the oldest port by the Romans in    9     first century AD, the oldest building begun by the Anglo﹣Saxons in the 1060s and the oldest castle     10    (construct) by later Norman rulers in 1066.

4 . The cost of living in countries like the US, Britain, Australia or France has skyrocketed in recent years. However, if you’re willing to leave your country and explore life in other areas, there are many countries boasting an extremely cheap and low cost of living. Check out the following countries when planning your next move.

Ecuador

Ecuador is similar to the United States in many ways, and as a result has become a popular American getaway. They even use the US Dollar for their currency. In this country, it’s cheaper to eat out every day than cook for yourself on a budget in the US. You can even buy a building for around $ 50, 000 and hire someone to look after it while you’re away.

Mexico

Although the country is known for its poverty ridden streets, there $are many wealthier areas that provide every facility you might need. You can live off a mere $ 700 to $ 800 a month in Mexico, and this includes rent for a nice place, facilities, food, and any sightseeing.

Argentina

Argentina has been a popular tourist destination for many years. It has great restaurants, a rich history, and many places to explore. Not to mention, it’s not very expensive to live here. A decent sized home can cost around $ 139, 000, which is relatively cheap in relation to homes in the United States.

Vietnam

Vietnam has also become a popular tourist destination in recent years. There are many million-dollar luxury homes by the beach, but you can find a modest flat or a small home for around $ 25,000 to $ 50,000 if you search in the right areas.

1. In which country is the US Dollar used for its currency?

A．Argentina.	B．Mexico.
C．Ecuador.	D．Vietnam.

2. How much does it cost to live in Mexico for a year?

A．About $ 7,000.	B．About $ 8,000.
C．About $ 8,800.	D．About $ 12,000.

3. What do Argentina and Vietnam have in common?

A．They have great restaurants.

B．The cost of living is expensive.

C．The middle-sized homes cost around $ 139,000.

D．Tourists enjoy travelling in the two countries.

6 . People may wonder why different words are used to describe these four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You can clarify this question if you study British history.

First there was England. Wales was linked to it in the thirteenth century. Now when people refer to England you find Wales included as well. Next England and Wales were joined to Scotland in the seventeenth century and the name was changed to “Great Britain”. Happily this was accomplished without conflict when King James of Scotland became King of England and Wales as well. Finally the English government tried in the early twentieth century to form the United Kingdom by getting Ireland connected in the same peaceful way. However, the southern part of Ireland was unwilling and broke away to form its own government. So only Northern Ireland joined with England, Wales and Scotland to become the United Kingdom and this was shown to the world in a new flag called the Union Jack.

To their credit the four countries do work together in some areas (eg, the currency and international relations), but they still have very different institutions. For example, Northern Ireland, England and Scotland have different educational and legal systems as well as different football teams for competitions like the World Cup!

England is the largest of the four countries, and for convenience it is divided roughly into three zones. The zone nearest France is called the South of England, the middle zone is called the Midlands and the one nearest to Scotland is known as the North. You find most of the population settled in the south, but most of the industrial cities in the Midlands and the North of England. Although, nationwide, these cities are not as large as those in China, they have world-famous football teams and some of them even have two! It is a pity that the industrial cities built in the nineteenth century do not attract visitors. For historical architecture you have to go to older but smaller towns built by the Romans. There you will find out more about British history and culture.

1. What’s the part of Ireland that separated from England called?

A．Wales.	B．Scotland.
C．Republic of Southern Ireland.	D．Northern Ireland.

2. What’s the main idea of paragraph 2?

A．The history of England.	B．How was the UK formed.
C．How is England divided.	D．The differences in the four countries.

3. What does the four countries have in common?

A．Educational system.

B．Legal system.

C．Football team.

D．The currency.

4. Which zone has the most population of England?

A．The South of England.	B．The Midlands.
C．The North of England.	D．The West of England.

7 . In 1867 when Canada was created, a towering Silver Maple tree standing in front of Alexander Muir’s house in Toronto gave him an idea. He would write a poem and a song about the great tree, so common in Canada and so symbolic, to celebrate Canada’s Confederation (联邦).

His song was called The Maple Leaf Forever and it has been the unofficial Canadian anthem (国歌) to this day.

Last July during a major storm, the tree was knocked down. It fell across a house and a street. But because it was an important historic tree, most of the wood was saved rather than being destroyed.

Recently woodworkers at The Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto, a community projects centre, cut the wood into logs and other usable pieces. The pieces were given to artists to create about 150 different projects.

One artist took a piece of tree. On it, he’ll carve a series of historical Canadian views. Another wood carver is making beautiful round wooden bowls. Yet another made an interesting candlestick from the tree’s branches.

Other woodworkers are making wood wig stands for cancer patients who lose their hair. Still others are taking small pieces of wood and making them into pens. And some of the wood was made into gavels (小木槌) to be used by Toronto’ s city councilors (市议员) . Some of the projects will be on public show while some will be personally owned.

The people in Toronto who have lived near the tree for years and try to protect it from harm are very sad to see the old tree go. But they are glad to see that their maple tree will live forever in the hearts and homes of many people.

1. Why did Alexander write The Maple Leaf Forever?

A．To express his love for the maple tree.

B．To celebrate the birth of Canada.

C．To go with his poem.

D．To memorize the maple tree.

2. What do we know about the song The Maple Leaf Forever?

A．It was inspired by a maple tree.

B．It has been the official anthem in Canada.

C．It was adapted from a poem.

D．It was created before the year 1867.

3. Why was the wood of the tree kept by many people?

A．The tree had practical value.

B．They used it to honour Alexander Muir.

C．They thought the tree was publicly owned.

D．The tree was closely tied to Canadian history.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Maple Tree in Toronto

B．Projects of Maple Tree

C．A Fallen Maple Tree Was Saved

D．Maple Tree Will Live Forever

8 . Macao is only forty miles from Hong Kong and it is easy to reach. You can get there by sea. It is an interesting place and it had a long history. Macao is part of China and most people living there are Chinese.
The first Europeans to go to Macao came from Portugal. More than four hundred years ago the Portuguese went there to trade with China. Some settled and made their homes there. They built strong forts to guard the city and the harbor. They also built churches, schools, hospitals and other places. Slowly the city grew. People from many countries came to live and work in Macao.
Today many people visit Macao. Some only go there to watch dog-racing or motor-racing or to gamble with their money. But Macao is a quiet and peaceful place. It is pleasant just to walk around and look at old buildings and forts. You feel you are back in the old days. Of course, some of the buildings are now in ruins. The Church of St. Paul has only the front wall with many steps leading up to it. But it is still interesting to see.
When you are hot and tired, there are small cool gardens to rest in. when you are hungry, there are good restaurants with many kinds of food. Nearby there are some islands, which are also nice and are easy to get to. There is certainly a lot to do in Macao.
1. Macao is easy to get to because_________.

A．it is part of China and most people there are Chinese

B．it is an interesting place

C．it is very fast and cheap by sea

D．it is not far away from Hong Kong

2. You feel in Macao you are back in the old days because_________.

A．most of the buildings are now in ruins

B．you can watch dog-racing or motor-racing

C．you can go about to see the old buildings and forts

D．it is a peaceful place

3. Where will you have a break when you feel worn out?

A．In good restaurants.	B．In small cool gardens.
C．On some islands.	D．In beautiful parks.

4. The writer’ s idea seems to be that_________.

A．people from many countries came to live and work in Macao

B．Portuguese were willing to do business in China

C．people in Macao serve good food

D．Macao is a quiet and peaceful place with a lot to see and to do