Ⅳ.语法填空

　　Marco Polo,an Italian,travelled across Europe and Asia with his father,　1　 hoped to do some business with the Chinese.They reached Beijing eventually.At that time,the beautiful and 　2　(power) China was under the rule of Kublai Khan.Kublai Khan was happy 　3　(see) the two foreigners and welcomed them.They became good 　4　(friend).Kublai Khan asked Marco to serve in his court 　5　 he was clever and could speak four languages.Marco Polo was amazed by Beijing and the Emperor's Palace,　6　(especial)the Summer Palace.Seeing Chinese people 　7　(use)paper money,Marco was quite surprised because people paid for goods with gold 　8　 silver in Europe.After staying in China for 17 years Marco returned to Italy.Soon afterwards,a war broke out.During the war Marco 　9　(catch)by the enemy and put into prison,where he met another prisoner who enjoyed 　10　(listen)to his stories about China.The prisoner was an author and wrote the stories in a book called The Description of the World.The book became one of the best-sellers in Europe.

答案:1.who　2.powerful　3.to see　4.friends

5.because　6.especially　7.using　8.or　9.was caught

10.listening

Ⅴ.阅读理解

　　Today,roller skating is easy and fun.But a long time ago,it wasn't easy at all.Before 1750,the idea of skating didn't exist.That changed because of a man named Joseph Merlin.Merlin's work was making musical instruments.In his spare time he liked to play the violin.Joseph Merlin was a man of ideas and dreams.People called him a dreamer.

　　One day Merlin received an invitation to attend a fancy dress ball.He was very pleased and a little excited.As the day of the party came near,Merlin began to think how to make a grand entrance at the party.He had an idea.He thought he would get a lot of attention if he could skate into the room.

　　Merlin tried different ways to make himself roll.Finally,he decided to put two wheels under each shoe.These were the first roller skates.Merlin was very proud of his invention and dreamed of arriving at the party on wheels while playing the violin.

　　On the night of the party Merlin rolled into the room playing his violin.Everyone was astonished to see him.There was just one problem.Merlin had no way to stop his roller skates.He rolled on and on.Suddenly,he ran into a huge mirror that was hanging on the wall.Down fell the mirror,breaking to pieces.Nobody forgot Merlin's grand entrance for a long time!

1.The text is mainly about　　　.

A.a strange man

B.an unusual party

C.how roller skating began

D.how people enjoyed themselves in the 18th century

提示:主旨大意题。主要介绍的是轮滑如何开始的。故选C项。

答案:C

2.People thought Merlin was a dreamer because he 　　　.

A.often gave others surprises

B.was a gifted musician

C.invented the roller skates

D.was full of imagination

提示:细节理解题。根据文中的"Joseph Merlin was a man of ideas and dreams."一句可知选D项。

答案:D

3.Merlin put wheels under his shoes in order to　　　.

A.impress the party guests

B.arrive at the party sooner

C.test his invention

D.show his skill in walking on wheels

提示:细节理解题。从文章的第二段的最后一句可以看出Merlin想到"滑进"房间的真正目的是get a lot of attention(from the guests)。

答案:A

4.What is the main point the writer is trying to make in the last paragraph?

A.The roller skates needed further improvement.