Bicycles, a long-forgotten vehicle that seems to belong to the last century, are returning to the streets of Guangzhou, as the city starts to ban the running of motorcycle in urban Guangzhou.

“Business has never been so good for my shop,” said Chen Yongwu, a bicycle shop owner at the city’s Donghua West Road, “I have to work 12 hours a day to meet the demand of my customers. ”

“Even my wife and brother-in-law have to give me a hand lately. ”

Chen originally ran a motorcycle repair shop.  He grasped the opportunity of the motorcycle ban, and started his bicycle business soon after hearing about the banning.

“I sold 23 bicycles on January 2 alone. ” Said Chen.

Bicycle is more convenient and healthier

“My home is one kilometer from the metro station,” said a middle-aged man who is waiting for his bicycle at Chen’s shop, “it is too tiresome to walk to the station, but taking a bus for such a short distance is a waste of money. ”

“So I decided to buy a bicycle. ”

The bicycle costs around 600 yuan, which is equal to the bus fare of half a year.

“Besides, riding a bicycle to work is much healthier than riding a bus. ”

The bicycle buyers can be categorized into two groups.  One group of buyers buy the bicycles for the transportation of small commodities; the other ride the bicycles to work.

Arising problems

Riding a bicycle to work may be healthy, but it is not without problems.

The lack of bicycle lanes has posed a big threat to the safety of the bicycle riders in Guangzhou.

“I was riding my bicycle on Huifu West Road on day,” said Mr.  Zhang, “then suddenly the bus pulled over besides me near the bus station. ”

“I was so frightened at the time, because the bus nearly hit me. ”

The sideways in Guangzhou are usually crowded with foot passengers, so citizens also could not use the sideways.

“It is worse than walking. ”

Besides, finding a place a park the bicycles could be very difficult, much more difficult then finding a place to park your car.

1.What is the min topic of the passage?

A．Motorcycle ban.

B．Bicycles’returming

C．Convenience of riding a bicycle

D．Problems brought by bicycles

2.What is the purpose of the 2^nd paragraph to the 5^th paragraph?

A．To prove that more people choose to ride bicycles.

B．To persuade people into buying bicycles.

C．To ensure that there are enough bicycles to buy.

D．To prove that the bicycle business helps get a lot more profit.

3.Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．A lot of motorcycle repair shop started their bicycle business after the ban.

B．Taking a bus is much healthier than riding a bike.

C．Guangzhou has designed lanes particularly for bicycle riders.

D．Finding a parking space for bikes can be more difficult than for cars.

4.Where can the passage most likely come from?

A．A magazine        B．A newspaper       C．A textbook        D．A booklet

 

Imagine that you are going on a trip to Ireland. The first three days of your trip are planned below. Read the schedule and use it to answer the questions below.

Day 1

Morning:   Your trip begins in the capital city, Dublin. There you will visit Temple Bar, an area famous for its brightly colored buildings, busy stores and restaurants. Stop by the outdoor market for some cheese and homemade bread.

Afternoon:  Walk to Dublin Castle(城堡). Visit the Throne Room to see the golden chair where the kings and queens from England once sat.

Evening:    Watch an Irish step-dance performance.

Day 2

Morning:  Ride the train to the city of Limerick. Take a tour of King John’s Castle, which has built about 800 years ago.

Afternoon: Ride a boat along the River Shannon.

Evening:   Enjoy a nice Irish meal.

Day 3

Morning:  Ride the train to the city of Cork. Walk along St. Patrick’s Street, known for its many stores. Feel free to buy souvenirs.

Afternoon: Take a bus to nearby Blarney Castle. Climb the tower to see the famous Blarney Stone, which is thought to give those who kiss it good luck. Then return to Cork.

Evening:  Watch a Gaelic football match. Rest for the next day’s horseback riding lesson.

1. Where can the tourists see the golden chair?

A. At Temple Bar.                                                    B. In Dublin Castle

C. On St. Patrick’s Street                                              D. In Blarney Castle.

2. What kind of transportation will the tourists use during the trip?

A. Train, bus and boat.                                              B. Bus, train and plane.

C. Horse, bus and bike.                                                      D. Boat, car and bus.

3.How many days will the trip probably last?

A. Only one day                                                    B. No more than three days.

C. Exactly two days                                                  D. At least four days

 

Bicycles, a long-forgotten vehicle that seems to belong to the last century, are returning to the streets of Guangzhou, as the city starts to ban the running of motorcycle in urban Guangzhou.
“Business has never been so good for my shop,” said Chen Yongwu, a bicycle shop owner at the city’s Donghua West Road, “I have to work 12 hours a day to meet the demand of my customers. ”
“Even my wife and brother-in-law have to give me a hand lately. ”
Chen originally ran a motorcycle repair shop.  He grasped the opportunity of the motorcycle ban, and started his bicycle business soon after hearing about the banning.
“I sold 23 bicycles on January 2 alone. ” Said Chen.
Bicycle is more convenient and healthier
“My home is one kilometer from the metro station,” said a middle-aged man who is waiting for his bicycle at Chen’s shop, “it is too tiresome to walk to the station, but taking a bus for such a short distance is a waste of money. ”
“So I decided to buy a bicycle. ”
The bicycle costs around 600 yuan, which is equal to the bus fare of half a year.
“Besides, riding a bicycle to work is much healthier than riding a bus. ”
The bicycle buyers can be categorized into two groups.  One group of buyers buy the bicycles for the transportation of small commodities; the other ride the bicycles to work.
Arising problems
Riding a bicycle to work may be healthy, but it is not without problems.
The lack of bicycle lanes has posed a big threat to the safety of the bicycle riders in Guangzhou.
“I was riding my bicycle on Huifu West Road on day,” said Mr.  Zhang, “then suddenly the bus pulled over besides me near the bus station. ”
“I was so frightened at the time, because the bus nearly hit me. ”
The sideways in Guangzhou are usually crowded with foot passengers, so citizens also could not use the sideways.
“It is worse than walking. ”
Besides, finding a place a park the bicycles could be very difficult, much more difficult then finding a place to park your car.
【小題1】What is the min topic of the passage?

A．Motorcycle ban.

B．Bicycles’returming

C．Convenience of riding a bicycle

D．Problems brought by bicycles

【小題2】What is the purpose of the 2^nd paragraph to the 5^th paragraph?

A．To prove that more people choose to ride bicycles.

B．To persuade people into buying bicycles.

C．To ensure that there are enough bicycles to buy.

D．To prove that the bicycle business helps get a lot more profit.

【小題3】Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．A lot of motorcycle repair shop started their bicycle business after the ban.

B．Taking a bus is much healthier than riding a bike.

C．Guangzhou has designed lanes particularly for bicycle riders.

D．Finding a parking space for bikes can be more difficult than for cars.

【小題4】Where can the passage most likely come from?

A．A magazine

B．A newspaper

C．A textbook

D．A booklet

 

Weddings are quite different——from nation to nation, from area to area, and from the past to the present. However, all people consider weddings to be important and happy events.

People in the Western world go to church for their weddings, while some tribes（部落） in Africa hold their weddings in the open around a campfire, with much dancing.

In China, weddings are different from those abroad. People in the countryside used to carry the bride in a sedan chair from her parents’ house to her new home. Now sedan chairs are seldom seen. Instead, the bridegroom may take the bride to their own new house by bicycle or by tractor（拖拉機(jī)）. In the city the bride usually prefers a car, brightly decorated(裝飾) with flowers and a Chinese character(漢字) meaning double happiness. However, a wedding dinner is necessary in both the countryside and the city. Relatives(親戚) and friends who are invited to the dinner usually drink to the happiness of the bride and bridegroom.

1.What do people all over the world think of weddings?

A. interesting and easy                     B. important and fun

C. happy and important                  D. interesting and happy

2.What’s the English for “大花轎” in the passage?

A. a bride      B. a bridegroom         C. a sedan chair        D. a church

3.Where can the wedding be held in the open air in the world after you read the passage?

A. In China         B. In Western countries    

C. In the countryside   D. In Africa

4.According to the passage, how many ways can the bridegroom usually take the bride to their new home now?

A. 2            B. 3                C. 4                D. 5

5.What’s the main idea of the passage?

A. Introduce the Western weddings.     

B. Introduce the African weddings.

C. introduce the Chinese weddings.     

D. Introduce different weddings.