1 . The computer began as a calculating machine in France in 1642. It could make difficult sums much     1       (simple). In 1936 Alan Turing wrote a book about how the computer could be made to work as a "universal machine"         2     (solve) any difficult mathematical problem.

At     3     beginning, the computer was     4     large as a room. This really worried the designers. As time         5     (go) by, it became smaller and smaller. With artificial     6     (intelligent), it is getting cleverer and cleverer, quicker and quicker.

In the early 1960s, computers could     7     (connect) by a network,     8     enabled their users to share information     9     others. Since the 1970s, computers have had many new     10     (application) and become very important in communication, finance, trade and even been put into space rockets and sent to explore the Moon and Mars.

2 . November 11 is Veterans Day in the United States. A "veteran" is anyone who has served in the armed forces. The term "veteran" is not just for those who have served in wars. It describes anyone who has ever been in the army.

On November11, people hold ceremonies(仪式) and parades(游行) to mark Veterans Day. Public officials take part in the events. Army bands play. And soldiers fire guns into the air to remember those who died in service to their country.

The history of Veterans Day relates to World War I. Many people at the time called it "the war to end all wars." The United States entered the fighting in Europe in 1917. Over 13 million men and women were reported for duty in the army. World War I ended at 11 o'clock in the morning on November 11, 1918. The following year, President Woodrow Wilson signed an official statement to celebrate November 11th as Armistice Day in the United States. It would be a day to honor the men and women who had served in the U.S. armed forces during the war. In 1926, Congress made Armistice Day a national holiday.

But new problems were on the way. Soon, everyone knew that World War I would not be the war to end all wars. In all, more than 4,000,000 Americans served in the armed forces during the first World War. And 16 million would serve during the second one.

Armistice Day in 1945 was a special day in the United States. Germany had surrendered in May 1945 and Japan in August. Most men and women who had served in the war were home. So, instead of honoring just veterans of World War I, Americans also honored veterans of World War II. In 1954, Congress decided to change the name of Armistice Day. The holiday became Veterans Day.

1. Who does Veterans Day honour?

A．Those who lost their lives in wars.

B．Those who served in the wars.

C．Those who served in the army.

D．Those who served in the army in World War I.

2. Why was November 1l made Veterans Day?

A．Because World War I ended at 11: 00 on November 11.

B．Because Woodrow Wilson signed a statement to celebrate it.

C．Because the USA entered the war on November 11.

D．Because November 11 was once called Armistice Day.

3. What can we learn from the passage?

A．Women were not included in the army in the wars.

B．Armistice Day was not a national holiday until 1954.

C．Armistice Day was at first to honor those who died in the war.

D．More people from the USA served in World War II than in World War I.

4. Which can be the best title of the passage?

A．Celebrations on Veterans Day

B．Meaning of Veterans Day

C．Veterans Day---a Day for the Army

D．Veterans Day in the U.S.

3 . At present time, roller skating (滑旱冰) is easy and fun. But many years ago, it wasn’t easy at all. Before 1750, people never tried skating on wheels. That changed because of a man named Joseph Merlin. Merlin’s work was making instruments (工具). In his free time he liked to play the violin. Merlin was a man with many ideas and many dreams. People called him a dreamer.
One day Merlin received an invitation to go to an important party. He was very pleased and a little excited. As the day of the party came near, Merlin began to think. He wanted to find a way to make a wonderful entrance at the party. Merlin had an idea. He thought that he would attract a lot of attention if he could skate into the room.
Merlin tried different ways to make himself roll (滚动). Finally, he decided to put two wheels under each shoe. These were the first roller skate shoes. Merlin was very proud of them. He dreamed of arriving at the party and skating into the room while playing the violin. He was sure that everyone would be very surprised.
On the night of the party Merlin rolled into the room, playing his violin. Everyone was really surprised to see him. There was just one problem. Merlin had no way to stop his roller skating. He rolled on, playing the violin. Then, with all eyes on him, Merlin hit into a huge mirror on the wall. The mirror broke into many pieces with a very loud noise.
Nobody forgot Merlin’s wonderful entrance after that.
1. The first paragraph tells us that people began to skate on wheels from 1750 because _______.

A．it is very easy

B．it is very exciting

C．Joseph Merlin’s instruments

D．it is very popular

2. People called Merlin a dreamer because ___________.               .

A．he slept and dreamed a lot

B．he was full of different ideas and dreams

C．he invented the first roller skates

D．he always made people’s dreams come true

3. ___________ made Merlin think of skating on wheels.

A．Merlin’s work	B．Merlin’s violin
C．A huge mirror	D．An important party

4. What was Merlin’s problem after he rolled into the room?

A．He couldn’t stop his roller-skating.

B．He couldn’t attract a lot of attention.

C．Everyone was surprised at him.

D．He couldn’t play the violin while rolling.

5. What’s the best title for the passage?

A．Joseph Merlin’s Story

B．How Roller Skating Was Invented

C．A Surprising Entrance to the Party

D．Violin and roller skating