Ⅰ.Match the word with its meaning.

　　1．elect A．the method or instrument used to obtain a result or achieve an end

　　2．distinct B．to select; choose

　　3．means C．conditions of life difficult to endure

　　4．majority D．easy to perceive; especially clearly outlined

　　5．hardship E．the greater number or part of something

　　6．percentage F．national; especially in reference to the government of the United States as distinct from that of its member units

　　7．boom G．a sudden happening that brings good fortune (as a sudden opportunity to make money)

　　8．federal H．proportion or rate per hundred parts

　　答案：1～5 BDAEC 6～8 HGF

　　Ⅱ.Write down the meaning of phrases in each sentence.

　　1．The couple lived a poor life and almost no one made a life like them in this situation.生活

　　2．In face of the challenge for the moment, it's the most important to keep up a good state of health.保持

　　3．With the prices going up, the majority of people find it hard to live on the amount of money they get.维持生计

　　4．We express our thoughts by means of words.借助于

　　5．Shangri­la is really a beauty, which is home to many kinds of rare birds and animals.是......的栖息地

　　6．In 1941, Britain and the United States declared war on Japan and the Pacific War started.对......宣战

　　Ⅰ.If you want to learn something about a country, a state, etc., what do you want to know?

　　答案：Size, location, capital, population, language, history, geography, customs, culture, climate, agriculture, industry, education, medical care ...

　　Ⅱ.Do you know the following places? And can you tell something about them?

　　参考答案：

　　For over 200 years, the White House has been not just the home of the presidents and their family, but it also the symbol of the president, of the president's administration and of the United States.

　　The Statue of Liberty, located in the west of New York City, is another symbol of the United States. It is a national heritage of the United States and in 1984, it was included on the World Heritage List.

　　Ⅰ.Fast­reading

　　1．Match the following paragraphs with their main ideas.

　　Part 1(Para. 1) A．The history of people from different countries moving to California.

Part 2(Paras. 2～9) B．The future of California