1 . Death Valley is one of the most famous deserts in the United States, covering a wide area with its alkali sand. Almost 20 percent of this area is well below sea level, and Badwater, a salt water pool, is about 280 feet below sea level and the lowest point in the United States.
Long ago the Panamint Indians called this place "Tomesha"-- the land of fire. Death Valley's present name dates back to 1849, when a group of miners coming across from Nevada became lost in its unpleasantness and hugeness and their adventure turned out to be a sad story. Today Death Valley has been declared a National Monument and is crossed by several well-marked roads where good services can be found easily. Luckily the change created by human settlement has hardly ruined the special beauty of this place.
Here nature created a lot of surprising, almost like the sights on the moon, ever-changing as the frequent wind moves the sand about, showing the most unusual colors. One of the most astonishing and colorful parts of Death Valley is the Devil's Golf Course, where it seems hard for one to tell reality from dreams. Sand sculptures stand on a frightening ground, as evening shadows move and lengthen.
1. The name of the valley comes from__________ .

A．an Indian name	B．the death of the miners
C．the local people	D．a National Movement

2. From the passage we can learn that__________.

A．no one had ever known the desert before the miners

B．it's still not easy to travel across the desert

C．people can find gas-stations, cafes and hotels in the desert

D．people have changed the natural sight of the desert

3. The Devil's Golf Course is famous for__________ .

A．the terrible sights	B．the moon-like sights
C．dream-like sights	D．the ever-changing sights

4. From the passage we can see that the writer__________the Death Valley.

A．appreciates

B．is fearful of

C．dislikes

D．is tired of

2 . American cities are similar to other cities around the world. In every country, cities reflect the values of the culture. American cities are changing, just as American society is changing.
After World War II, the population of most large American cities decreased; however, the population in many Sun Belt cities increased. Los Angeles and Houston are cities where population shifts(转移) to and from the city reflect the changing values of American society. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, city residents(居民) became wealthier. They had more children so they needed more space. They moved out of their apartments in the city to buy their own homes. They bought houses in the suburbs(郊区)。
Now things are changing. The children of the people who left the cities in the 1950s are now adults. Many, unlike their parents, want to live in the cities. They continue to move to Sun Belt cities and older ones of the Northeast and Midwest. Many young professionals are moving back into the city. They prefer the city to the suburbs because their jobs are there; or they just enjoy the excitement and possibilities that the city offers.
This population shift is bringing problems as well as benefits. Countless poor people must leave their apartments in the city because the owners want to sell the buildings or make apartments for sale instead of for rent. In the 1950s, many poor people did not have enough money to move to the suburbs; now many of these same people do not have enough money to stay in the cities.
Only a few years ago, people thought that the older American cities were dying. Some city residents now see a bright, new future. Others see only problems and conflicts. One thing is sure: many dying cities are alive again.
1. What does the author think of cities all over the world?

A．They are alive.	B．They are hopeless.
C．They are similar.	D．They are different.

2. Why did American city residents want to live in the suburbs after World War II?

A．Because older American cities were dying.

B．Because they were richer and needed more space.

C．Because cities contained the worst parts of society.

D．Because they could hardly afford to live in the city.

3. According to the 4th paragraph, a great many poor people in American cities ________.

A．are faced with housing problems	B．are forced to move to the suburbs
C．want to sell their buildings	D．need more money for daily expenses

4. We can conclude from the text that ________.

A．American cities are changing for the worse

B．people have different views on American cities

C．many people are now moving from American cities

D．the population is decreasing in older American cities

3 . The geographical location of a country and its physical characteristics are very important to its development and progress. The United States is very fortunate in this respect.

First of all, it has a good climate. In almost all sections of the country it is possible to live comfortably during the whole year. It is true that in the south it sometimes gets very hot, and in the north very cold. But the people who live in these regions become accustomed to the climate and never suffer very much when the weather is either very hot or very cold.

In a large country there is usually a great variety of different physical characteristics. In the United States, there are wide plains and high mountains, thousands of lakes and rivets of all sizes, cool forests and hot deserts, and a coastline several thousand miles long.

The many lakes and rivers, as well as the long coastline, have been of great importance to the development of the country, since they made possible the easy transportation of people and all the things people need. Transportation by water is still necessary and important. In modern times, however, trains, automobiles, trucks and airplanes are doing much of the work which was formerly done by ships and boats.

1. What are the principal physical characteristics of the United States?

A．Almost the same.	B．Rather various.
C．Very good for farming.	D．Suitable for transportation.

2. In what respect is the United States very fortunate?

A．Geographical location.	B．Good climate.
C．Physical characteristics.	D．Both A and C.

3. Why are rivers，lakes and coastlines important to the development of the U. S. A?

A．They make the climate better.

B．They provide people with a good many opportunities of employment.

C．They provide people with good transportation and whatever they need.

D．They make the scenery of the country more beautiful and attractive.

4. What used for transportation in the distant past in the U. S. A. ?

A．Trains.	B．Trucks.
C．Planes.	D．Ships and boats.

4 . Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, U.S.A., is in the central part of the state, on the Santa Fe River, which flows into the Rio Grande 35 kilometres west of the city. More than two thousand metres above sea level, it lies in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with the Ortiz Mountains to the southeast.

Santa Fe was founded in 1609 by the Spanish (西班牙人)on an old Indian village. In 1680 the Indians seized the place but only held it for twelve years before the Spanish retook it. The city remained under Spanish rule until Mexico won its independence(独立) in 1821. From then on it was a Mexican city until 1846 when it was taken over by American troops.

With a population of 48,953, Santa Fe is now the second largest city in the state. Because of its sunny weather, rich history and surrounding mountains, it is a good place for holiday makers. Besides hunting and skating in the mountains people enjoy shopping in the Indian and Spanish shops, which brings a large income to the city every year. In summer there is an international opera (歌剧) season when operas are shown in a partly-roofed ,open-air theatre daily for people from all over the world.

1. At present Santa Fe belongs to           .

A．India

B．Mexico

C．Spain(西班牙)

D．the United States

2. Which of the drawings below gives an idea of what Santa Fe is like?
RG="the" Rio Grande   SFR="the" Santa Fe River   OM="the" Ortiz Mountains

A．	B．
C．	D．

3. Santa Fe was under the rule of the Mexicans in        .

A．1675

B．1695

C．1816

D．1833

4. The people who held Santa Fe for the longest period in history were the          .

A．Spanish

B．Indians

C．Mexicans

D．Americans

5. What is of special interest to people who visit Santa Fe in summer?

A．Hunting.

B．Fishing.

C．Watching operas.

D．Doing shopping.

6. Santa Fe is best described (描述) as a            .

A．trade centre

B．holiday centre

C．home for all nations

D．seaport city

7. One of the reasons for visitors to come to Santa Fe is that it            .

A．has fine weather	B．is the state capital
C．has historical monuments	D．is on the Santa Fe River