1 . Over the course of more than 250 years, the US Postal Service has gone through many changes, including switching its focus from newspapers to package delivery service.

In the early 1830s, the Postal Service focused on delivering newspapers to keep Americans informed and connected. To keep newspaper subscriptions cheap and accessible, the Postal Service charged high prices for letter postage as much as a full-day’s wages. In order to help the expansion of the passenger transportation network in the new nation, the agency often shared the letter delivery with stagecoach lines. Later, it did the same for private steamboats and railroads, even airlines

But the competition for the letter delivery became so fierce that a wave of laws between 1845 and 1851 made the Postal Service the only letter-carrier and set aside an annual budget to support the agency. Helped by lowered rates, letters soon became the agency’s main business.

In 1863, the Postal Service began to experiment with home delivery, instead of just carrying letters from post office to post office. By the dawn of the 20th century, even remote farmers’ letters were dropped into their mailboxes. Since then, home delivery has become a “universal public service (UPS)” that every American deserves to receive at a low price.

By the early 20th century, the Postal Service had set a four-pound limit on mail: Anything heavier was supposed to be left to private companies. But the four largest private carriers secretly cooperated to charge confusing and often terribly high rates. In 1913, the Postal Service eventually took the parcel (包裹) service away from the private carriers.

Now the Postal Service’s only growing business is package delivery fed by the online shopping addictions. Since it is required by law to visit every household six days a week, the Postal Service now offers cheap rates to private companies like Amazon and FedEx to deliver their goods to our doorsteps. However, most Americans think that it is unfair to use taxpayer’s money to help such big private companies to deliver their goods.

1. What can we learn from the second paragraph?

A．Letter delivery was once a very profitable business.

B．The US was well connected by airlines in the 1820s.

C．The Postal Service charged high prices for newspapers.

D．In the 1830s. Americans had free access to newspapers.

2. What was the Postal Service’s main business in the 1850s?

A．Goods transportation.	B．Letter delivery.
C．Newspaper subscriptions.	D．Parcel services.

3. Why is it unfair for private companies to use the Postal Service to deliver their goods?

A．The private companies often charge terribly high rates.

B．The online-shoppers cannot receive their parcels on time.

C．The Postal Service usually leaves parcels in the local post offices.

D．The “UPS” is originally designed for non-commercial home delivery.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．The Problems of the US Postal Service

B．The Postal Service’s Roles in the US History

C．A Brief History of the US Postal Service

D．The Main Functions of the US Postal Service

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。

With a fascinating past and more than four hundred years of history, St. Augustine is one of the nation’s oldest cities and a     1     (nation) treasure. Located on Florida’s Atlantic coast, it is home to many fine examples of European architecture and wild scenic views.

In 1513, an explorer found this land,     2     he called La Florida. Then, in 1565, a Spanish conqueror(征服者) built a settlement there, and named it St. Augustine.

Apart     3     a 20-year period of English rule, Florida remained ruled by Spanish     4       (govern) until the United States took control in 1821. In the years after     5     (it) founding, St. Augustine was attacked by     6     range of people, the French, the English and the natives. They are said to     7     (shoot) flaming arrows at the city’s defensive building,     8     (set) it on fire. More recently, nature has stricken the city with two hurricanes. Still, St. Augustine     9     (exist)   now.

After the city recovers, visitors shouldn't overlook it. It has suffered much in history. Hopefully, visitors will come and perhaps support the coast recovery while discovering Florida’s     10     (century) of history and miles of coastal beauty.