Science, as we think, was born when the Greek philosopher (哲學(xué)家) Thales ( about 640-546 B.C.) asked a difficult question: What makes up our universe?

No one had a ready answer, so Thales went on studying the earth around him, the sky and the stars. He saw so much water on earth and so much water falling from the sky as rain that he decided water must be the basic substance (物質(zhì)) of the universe.

Other Greek thinkers became interested in this question. They suggested other answers. One said that because air lies around the earth, it must be air that makes up all things. Another said that fire, appearing in different forms, was the building block of the universe.

The Greek philosophers were feeling their way towards the ideas on which chemistry is based. Centuries later, scientists proved that the universe is made up of certain basic substances. But the list is much more complicated than the Greeks realized. We now know of 103 basic substances which we call “ elements (元素)”.

1.Thales, the famous Greek philosopher, died when he was about_________.

A．94 years old       B．106years old       C．40 years old       D．46 years old

2.The meaning of the underlined word “complicated” in the last paragraph is “_______”.

A．not difficult        B．not simple         C．not famous        D．not different

3.From the passage we know that _______.

A．Thales asked many questions              B．Greeks were all philosophers

C．science began long ago                   D．water and air make up all things.

4.On the whole, the passage tells about _______.

A．early tries to understand the universe       B．the famous Greek thinkers

C．water falling from the sky                 D．a(chǎn)ir lying all around the earth

5.After reading the passage, we can be sure that_______.

A．nothing ever changes in the universe

B．Thales decided that the basic substance of the universe was air

C．the universe is made up of four different substances

D．the early Greek thinkers did much valuable work for the progress of science

 

From the outer of New York to the heart of Singapore, nature is everywhere you're not looking in some of Earth's most crowded big cities. Outdoor adventure is often just a few stops on the train - or a short drive- away from the annoying crowds.  Here are a few favorites to get you going:

Mount Hollywood Trail, Los Angeles

It's not a skyscraper or a Ferris wheel, and there's no expensive restaurant up top. But if you want an absolutely unforgettable, no-admission-charged, 360-degree view of the entire Los Angeles region , it's yours. All you have to do is walk a little. One of the preferred exercise routes, the Mount Hollywood Trail, is easily accessed from the parking lot of the famous Griffith Observatory; you see what you get at the end of this steep 1.5-mile trail, which winds its way through the Griffith Park wilds up to the mountain's 1,640-foot peak.

Bronx River, New York

It may not be on your Top 10 list of things to do when you finally get to the Big Apple, but exploring the almost-secret river that flows through one of New York's most mysterious boroughs (自治市) is an unforgettable experience. The Bronx River Alliance, a non-profit group that has worked tirelessly to bring the much-abused river back to life , operates cycling and canoeing trips along the river, from the rugged Hunts Point section down near the harbor on up through the borough.

Southern Islands, Singapore

Believe it or not, tightly packed Singapore does have plenty of open space left . There are actual trails right in the middle of everything, if you know where to look . But to really get away from it all, the Southern Islands, a small group of little green dots just off the city-state's southern shoreline, are just the thing.

Lee Valley, London

This East London river valley changed last summer, when anyone near a television got an eyeful of Olympic Park, built directly in the middle of the valley. Inside the park, beautifully landscaped sections quickly became a favorite relaxation spot for games goers. At present, you'll find miles of walking paths worth exploring. Start at the Waltham Cross train and follow the signposted walking route southbound, guiding you past important historic industrial areas, through interesting city neighborhoods, past the western side of Olympic Park and on to the Thames.

1.If someone wants to enjoy an unforgettable experience for free , he can go to ______.

A．Mount Hollywood Trail and Bronx River

B．Mount Hollywood Trail and Southern Islands

C．Lee Valley and Southern Islands

D．Bronx River and Lee Valley

2.The writer of the passage wants to ________.

A．inform the readers that nature exists in crowded big cities

B．a(chǎn)ppeal to more people to outdoor adventure

C．recommend several historical spots to readers

D．present various approach to outdoor adventure

3.We know from the passage ________.

A．it’s difficult to find a proper trail in packed Singapore

B．the Thames is not far away from the East London river valley

C．The Bronx River Alliance has succeeded in running the river

D．you may have trouble reaching the Mount Hollywood Trail

 

A long time ago, before there was any money (coins or paper money), people got the things that they needed by trading or exchanging. Salt was one of the first items used to exchange for other items. Later, some of the common things that were used for exchanging were tea leaves, shells, feathers, animal teeth, tobacco, and blankets. Around 3000 BC, barley, a type of grain, was used for exchanging.
The world’s first metal money was developed by the Sumerians who melted silver into small bars all weighing the same. This was around 1000 BC. About three hundred years later, people started using coins as official money.
Around 640 BC, people in the ancient kingdom of Lydia ( which was in Turkey) created special coins of exact with and purity (純度). They were made of gold and silver and were stamped with a lion’s head.
Later, other empires such as Greece, Persia, and Rome adopted the concept of coins and started developing their own in many different shapes and different metals.
Around the year 1000, the Chinese started using paper money. The Chinese were the first to use paper money. The Europeans discovered this thanks to Marco Polo who went to China in 1295. the Chinese had different values for the paper notes which were made by the Chinese government.
Around 1661, Sweden became the first European country to make paper money. Until 1850, the Spanish dollar was the coin most widely used throughout the world.
【小題1】What is the best title for this passage?

A． The history of money

B． How people traded in the past

C． The invention of paper money

D． The use of coins around the world

【小題2】We learn that before coins and paper money were used, _____.

A． barley had always been used for exchanging

B． only a few people knew how to trade with others

C． salt was the most widely used item for exchanging

D． many kinds of things were used for exchanging

【小題3】According to the passage, when did people start using coins as official money?
A.    Around 1300 BC.     B. Around 1000 BC.
C.    Around 700 BC.       D. Around 640 BC.
【小題4】The underlined word “adopted” in Paragraph 4 probably means “____”.

A． replaced	B． changed
C． accepted	D． invented

【小題5】Which of the following countries first started to use paper money?

A．Spain

B．China

C．Sweden

D．Lydia

A long time ago, before there was any money (coins or paper money), people got the things that they needed by trading or exchanging. Salt was one of the first items used to exchange for other items. Later, some of the common things that were used for exchanging were tea leaves, shells, feathers, animal teeth, tobacco, and blankets. Around 3000 BC, barley, a type of grain, was used for exchanging.

The world’s first metal money was developed by the Sumerians who melted silver into small bars all weighing the same. This was around 1000 BC. About three hundred years later, people started using coins as official money.

Around 640 BC, people in the ancient kingdom of Lydia ( which was in Turkey) created special coins of exact with and purity (純度). They were made of gold and silver and were stamped with a lion’s head.

Later, other empires such as Greece, Persia, and Rome adopted the concept of coins and started developing their own in many different shapes and different metals.

Around the year 1000, the Chinese started using paper money. The Chinese were the first to use paper money. The Europeans discovered this thanks to Marco Polo who went to China in 1295. the Chinese had different values for the paper notes which were made by the Chinese government.

Around 1661, Sweden became the first European country to make paper money. Until 1850, the Spanish dollar was the coin most widely used throughout the world.

1.What is the best title for this passage?

A． The history of money

B． How people traded in the past

C． The invention of paper money

D． The use of coins around the world

2.We learn that before coins and paper money were used, _____.

A． barley had always been used for exchanging

B． only a few people knew how to trade with others

C． salt was the most widely used item for exchanging

D． many kinds of things were used for exchanging

3.According to the passage, when did people start using coins as official money?

A.    Around 1300 BC.     B. Around 1000 BC.

C.    Around 700 BC.       D. Around 640 BC.

4.The underlined word “adopted” in Paragraph 4 probably means “____”.

A． replaced	B． changed
C． accepted	D． invented

5.Which of the following countries first started to use paper money?

A．Spain

B．China

C．Sweden

D．Lydia

 

Science, as we think, was born when the Greek philosopher ( 哲學(xué)家 ) Thales ( about 640-546 B.C.) asked a difficult question: What makes up our universe?

No one had a ready answer, so Thales went on studying the earth around him, the sky and the stars. He saw so much water on earth and so much water falling from the sky as rain that he decided water must be the basic substance ( 物質(zhì) ) of the universe.

Other Greek thinkers became interested in this question. They suggested other answers. One said that because air lies around the earth, it must be air that makes up all things. Another said that fire, appearing in different forms, was the building block of the universe.

The Greek philosophers were feeling their way towards the ideas on which chemistry is based. Centuries later, scientists proved that the universe is made up of certain basic substances. But the list is much more complicated than the Greeks realized. We now know of 103 basic substances which we call “ elements ( 元素 )”.

1.Thales, the famous Greek philosopher, died when he was about _______________.

A．94 years old	B．106years old
C．40 years old	D．46 years old

2.The meaning of the underlined word “complicated” in the last paragraph is “ ____________”.

A．not difficult

B．not simple

C．not famous

D．not different

3.After reading the passage, we can be sure that________________.

A．nothing ever changes in the universe

B．Thales decided that the basic substance of the universe was air

C．the universe is made up of four different substances

D．the early Greek thinkers did much valuable work for the progress of science