子)in the water group together for a moment to make the surface hard. Move quickly enough and put enough force into each step, and you really can walk across the surface of an adequately thick liquid of cornflour.

　　Fun though all this may sound, it' s still rather messy and better read about in theory than carried out in practice. If you must do it, then keep the water wings handy in case you start to sink-and take a shower afterward!

1. Walking on water hasn' t become a reality mainly because humans　　　.

A. are not interested in it

B. have biological limitations

C. have not invented proper tools

D. are afraid to make an attempt

2. What do we know about Basilicus basilicus from the passage?

A. It is light enough to walk on water.

B. Its huge feet enable it to stay above water.

C. It can run across water at a certain speed.

D. Its unique skin keeps it from getting wet in water.

3. What is the function of the cornflour according to the passage?

A. To create a thick liquid.

B. To turn the water into solid.

C. To help the liquid behave normally.

D. To enable the water to move rapidly.

4. What is the author' s attitude toward the idea of humans' walking on water?

A. It is risky but beneficial.

B. It is interesting and worth trying.

C. It is crazy and cannot become a reality.

D. It is impractical though theoretically possible.

Ⅲ. 完形填空

　　"Daily Star, sir, "called Jason, carrying some newspapers under his arm. The little boy had been running up and down the street, but there were still twenty　1　left. His voice was almost gone and his heart was　2　. The shops would soon close, and all the people would go home. He would have to go home too, carrying the papers　3　money. He had hoped to sell more papers tonight to make more money to buy a　4　for his mother and some seeds for his bird. That was why he had bought the papers with all his money. He　5　as he thought of his failure to sell all his papers.

　　"You don' t know the　6　of selling papers. You must shout, 'Hot news!Bomb bursting!'"another newsboy Chad told Jason. "　7　it' s not in the paper at all, "replied Jason. "Just run away quickly　8　they have time to see, and you' ll　9　out and get your money, "Chad said.

It was a new　10　to Jason. He thought of his bird with no　11　and the cake he wanted to buy for his mother, but was　12　that he would not tell a lie. Though he was　13　a poor newsboy, he had been　14　some good things.