阅读理解

　　Today it seems perfectly natural for us to shake hands when we greet someone or say good－bye. But like so many things that we do without thinking, such actions at one time probably represented(代表) something.

　　For example, in primitive(原始的) life the hand was probably a symbol of power and strength. And the hand was used to fight enemies, kill animals and make spears and other tools. So, when the hand was extended to someone, it could have represented good will, since it showed that the person was not armed or ready for fight.

　　We know that the hand was an important symbol in early religion, probably as a mark of power. The Greeks prayed to their gods with raised hands. Presenting the hands palm to palm was at one time the way an inferior(身份低的) person paid respect to a superior(身份高的) one.

　　Among the Arabs, it was customary at one time to kiss the hand of a superior. Later on, polite Arabs began to resist the efforts of people to kiss their hands, and sometimes they would end up in shaking hands as each tried to prevent the other from showing this mark of “inferiority”(下级).

　　The early Greeks held out the right hand when they wished to show friendship to a stranger. So we can see that the hand, and what was done with it, was full of meaning to people down through the ages. And while we shake hands without thinking, we are really carrying on a custom that has been handed down to us from ancient times.

1．The second paragraph tells us that ________.

[　　]

A．the handshake didn't mean greeting

B．the handshake showed men's strength

C．the handshake showed men's kindness

D．the handshake showed nothing

2．Human beings first made their lives ________.

[　　]

3．Among the Arabs, at one time, ________.

[　　]

A．people kissed each other whenever they met

B．men kissed women whenever they met

C．less important person kissed more important person' s hand

D．more important person kissed less important person' s hand

4．Generally speaking, in different countries ________.

[　　]

A．people shake hands in the same way

B．handshake has different meanings

C．strangers never have handshake

D．people only use handshake to show friendship

5．The phrase “hand down” in the last sentence means ________.

[　　]

Today it seems perfectly natural for us to shake hands when we greet someone or say goodbye. But like so many things that we do without thinking such actions at one time probably represented something.

For example, in primitive(原始的) life the hand was used to fight enemies, kill animals, and make spears and tools. So when the hand was extended to someone, it showed that the person was not armed or ready for fight.

We know that the hand was an important symbol in early religion, probably as a mark of power. The Greeks prayed to their gods with raised hands. Presenting the hands palm to palm was at one time the way an inferior(身份低的) person paid respect to a superior(身份高的) one.

Among the Arabs, it was customary at one time to kiss the hand of a superior. Later on, polite Arabs began to resist the efforts of people to kiss their hands, and sometimes they would end up shaking hands as each tried to prevent the other from showing this mark of “inferiority(下级).”

The early Greeks held out the right hand when they wished to show friendship to a stranger. So we can see that the hand, and what was done with it, was full of meaning to people down through the ages. And while we shake hands without thinking, we are really carrying on a custom that has been handed down to us from ancient times.

56. The second paragraph tells us __________.

   A. the handshake didn’t mean greeting         B. what hands were used to do in primitive life

   C. the handshake showed men’s kindness    D. the handshake showed nothing

57. Among the Arabs, at one time,_________.

   A. people kissed each other whenever they met 

B. men kissed the women whenever they met

   C. less important person kissed more important person’s hand

D. more important person kissed less important person’s hand

58. The phrase “ hand down” in the last sentence means ________.

   A. put down         B. leave down          C. give down           D. pass down

Today it seems perfectly natural for us to shake hands when we greet someone or say goodbye. But like so many things that we do without thinking such actions at one time probably represented something.

For example, in primitive(原始的) life the hand was used to fight against enemies, kill animals, and make spears and tools. So when the hand was extended to someone, it showed that the person was not armed or ready for fight.

We know that the hand was an important symbol in early religion, probably as a mark of power. The Greeks prayed to their gods with raised hands. Presenting the hands palm to palm was at one time the way an inferior(身份低的) person paid respect to a superior(身份高的) one.

Among the Arabs, it was customary at one time to kiss the hand of a superior. Later on, polite Arabs began to resist the efforts of people to kiss their hands, and sometimes they would end up shaking hands as each tried to prevent the other from showing this mark of “inferiority(下级).”

The early Greeks held out the right hand when they wished to show friendship to a stranger. So we can see that the hand, and what was done with it, was full of meaning to people down through the ages. And while we shake hands without thinking, we are really carrying on a custom that has been handed down to us from ancient times.

1．The second paragraph tells us __________.

       A．the handshake didn’t means greeting

       B．what hands were used to do in primitive life

       C．the handshake showed men’s kindness

       D．the handshake showed nothing

2．Human beings first made their living by ___________.

       A．hunting               B．fishing                 C．hand                   D．farming

3．Among the Arabs, at one time, ________.

       A．people kissed each other whenever they met

       B．men kissed the women whenever they met

       C．less important person kissed more important person’s hand

       D．more important person kissed less important person’s hand

4．Generally speaking, in different countries __________.

       A．people shake hands in the same way

       B．handshake has different meanings

       C．strangers never have handshake

       D．people only use handshake to show friendship

5．The phrase “hand down” in the last sentence means __________.

       A．put down  B．leave down       C．give down D．pass down

完形填空：

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从1～25各题所给的四个选项中，选出一个最佳答案．

　Edgar felt quite 　1　at the 　2　of his first swim of the summer． 　3 　the sun shining down so strongly, the　　 sea was certain to be 　4 　enough． He walked quickly along the　　 seafront towards the steps 　5　led on to the sands． He smiled 　6 　at the passers-by． He had just smiled　　 and 　7 　his 　8 　to an elderly lady 　9 　a man　　 with a camera caught his arm and stopped him． Edgar heard a little clicking　　 noise from the camera．

　“Your photo, sir, in wonderful colour, in just one moment if you please, ” said the man in one breath．

　Then he took out the 　10 　and held it 　11 　his hand and was waving it to Edgar． In a moment he handed in over, and Edgar saw　　 the bright blue of his shirt half 　12 　the picture．

　“Seventy pence, sir, ” the man said．

　“Seventy pence, ” Edgar repeated 　13 　,“For this?”He stared 　14 　the photo．

　“They are usually 85, sir, but for a single object I make a cut-price offer． It's the best price 　15　you'll get here．”

　“You'll have to make a better offer, ” Edgar said． It was a good photo, he thought, so bright and clear． His hat was high, and he　　 was smiling broadly at the old lady, 　16 　arm and handbag came into a　　 lower corner． He had no idea that he was being snapped． He thought he was really 　17 　good-looking fellow．

　“That's as 　18 　as any art job that would 　19 　you pounds, ” said the cameraman, “It's better in a way because it's so 　20 　． Only 70 pence, sir． ”

　“I've never paid so much 　21 　a snap in my life． It simply isn't 　22 　that kind of money． It's not as I need the thing． Look, I'll give you 25． ”

　“No, I can't do that． Each of these snaps costs me 50p,　　 so you see…”

　“Then I'll give you 50p and that's that．”

　“Let me see, then．”The man suddenly took the photo out of Edgar's hand． “I can't 　23 　any more time with you． It's　　 70p 　24 　I keep it．”

　“Keep it, ” Edgar said． He turned, looked out to　　 sea, then walked 　25 　away．