1、

　　To us it seems so natural to put up an umbrella to keep the water off when it rains.But actually the umbrella was not invented as protection against rain.Its first use was as a shade against the sun.

　　Nobody knows who first invented it, but the umbrella was used in very ancient times.Probably the first to use it were the Chinese, way back in the eleventh century B.C.

　　We know that the umbrella was used in ancient Egypt and Babylon as a sunshade.And there was a strange thing connected with its use: it became a symbol of honor and authority.In the Far East in ancient times, the umbrella was allowed to be used only by royalty or by those in high office.

　　In Europe, the Greeks were the first to use the umbrella as a sunshade.And the umbrella was in common use in ancient Greece.But it is believed that the first persons in Europe to use the umbrella as protection against the rain were the ancient Romans.

　　During the Middle Ages, the use of the umbrella practically disappeared.Then it appeared again in Italy in the late sixteenth century.And again it was considered a symbol of power and authority.By 1680, The umbrella appeared in France, and later on in England.

　　By the eighteenth century, the umbrella was used against rain throughout most of Europe.Umbrellas have not changed much in style during all this time, though they have become much lighter in weight.It wasn't until the twentieth century that women's umbrellas began to be made, in a whole variety of colors.

　　60[1单选题]The first use of umbrella was as __.

　　A.protection against rain

　　B.a shade against the sun

　　C.a symbol of power

　　D.a symbol of honor

　　[答案]B

　　[解析]参见句子：Its first use was as a shade against rain.

　　61[1单选题]The umbrella was used only by royalty or those in high office __.

　　A.in Europe in the eighteenth century

　　B.in ancient Egypt and Babylon

　　C.in the Far East in ancient times

　　D.during the Middle Ages

　　[答案]C

　　[解析]参见句子：In the Far East in ancient times，the umbrella was allowed to be used only by royalty or by those in high office.

　　62[1单选题]According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?

　　A.Women enjoy using umbrellas with various kinds of colors nowadays

　　B.The inventor of the umbrella is unknown

　　C.Once ordinary people had no right to use umbrella

　　D.Umbrellas were popular and cheap in ancient time

　　[答案]D

　　[解析]参见第三段。

　　63[1单选题]Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

　　A.The Invention of Umbrella

　　B.The History of Umbrella

　　C.Umbrella -- A Symbol of Honor

　　D.Who Used Umbrella First?

　　[答案]B

　　[解析]文章介绍伞的历史。

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　　2、

　　Californian Michael Schwabe said goodbye to the gas pump two years ago.He leased an electric car.Schwabe says he gets more out of driving an electric car than just a charge.

　　"With the price of gasoline and with the problems with clean air, it's important we get electric vehicles out on the road."

　　On California roads there are about two thousand electric cars.By 2003, ten percent of all new cars may be required to have zero emissions.This is a mandate automakers say it is way ahead of its time.

　　Gloria Bergquist of the Alliance of Auto Manufacturers says, "The technology (for zero emissions) isn't here yet; it still needs advancement in driving range to make it more appealing to a wider consumer audience."

　　Auto makers blame it on the batteries.Power runs out on most cars after about 70 miles.However, some cars can now go more than 100 miles on a charge.Batteries are expensive.Carmakers say there is nothing they can do about it.

　　Tim Carmichael of the Clean Air Coalition says, "The automakers have not built a vehicle unless required to do so, so it's very important for the state to stay committed to this program requiting automakers to build small amounts in beginning years and then the market will take off."

　　64[1单选题]When did Michael Schwabe say goodbye to the gas pump?

　　A.Two days age

　　B.Two months age

　　C.Two years age

　　D.Ten years age

　　[答案]C

　　[解析]参见第一段的第一句。

　　65[1单选题]What do automakers blame for there being few electric cars now on the road?

　　A.The price of gas

　　B.The mandate

　　C.The conditions of the roads

　　D.The batteries

　　[答案]D

　　[解析]参见倒数第二段：汽车制造商抱怨电池消耗得很快，而电池很贵。

　　66[1单选题]Right now the California Air Resources Board requires that a percentage of new cars sold should be free of emissions.What is that percentage?

　　A.1%.

　　B.5%.

　　C.10%.

　　D.100%.

　　[答案]C

　　[解析]参见第三段：加利福尼亚州要求到2003年，加州的道路上应有l0%的新车是不排放污染气体的。