B
The dream of my travel was to be Paris，the city I'd always longed to see. But now I was frightened to travel without a companion.I steeled myself and went anyway.I arrived at the train station in Paris panicked.Pulling my red suitcase behind me，I was pushed by sweaty travelers . On my first Metro ride, I encountered a clumsy pickpocket.I melted him with a look，and he eased his hand from my purse to fade into the crowded car. At my stop，I carried my heavy suitcase up the steep stairs and froze in confusion.Somewhere in this confusing city my hotel was hidden，but suddenly I couldn’t read my own directions.I stopped two people.Both greeted me with that Parisian face that said："Yes, I speak English，but you'll have to struggle with your French if you want to talk to me."
When I finally found the hotel，my heart was pounding. Then when I saw my room.I couldn't stay.Could I? The wallpaper looked like it had been through a fire.The bathroom was down the hall，and the window looked out onto the brick wall of another building.Welcome to Paris.It was my third week away from home and my kids，and I had arrived in the most romantic city in the world, alone, lonely and very scared.
The most important thing I did in Paris happened at that moment.I knew that if I didn't go out，right then，and find a place to have dinner，I would hide in this place my entire time in Paris. I might never learn to enjoy the world as a single individual.So I went out.Evening in Paris was light and warm.I strolled along a winding path，listening to birds sing，watching children float toy sailboats in a huge fountain.Paris was beautiful.And I was here alone but suddenly not lonely.My sense of accomplishment at overcoming my fear had left me feeling free，not abandoned.
During my week's stay in Paris.I did everything there was to do，and it was the greatest week of my European vacation.I returned home a believer in the healing power of solitary travel.Traveling alone makes up for its problems by demanding self-reliance and building the kind of confidence that serves the single life well.Certainly Paris became my metaphor(比喻说法)for addressing life's challenges on my own.Now when I meet an obstacle I just say to myself: If I can go to Paris，I can go anywhere.
4. How did the two Parisians respond when the author turned to them?
A. They warmly offered her help.
B. They asked her to speak French.
C. They thought she should struggle to learn French.
D. They showed they were only willing to communicate in French.
5. Which of the following statements is NOT true ?
A. Her purse was stolen on her first Metro ride.
B. She had great trouble finding the hotel she had booked.
C. She might have felt abandoned before she decided to explore alone.
D. Her stay in Paris was the most memorable part of her journey.
6. The underlined word in the last paragraph probably means_________
A. make up for B. deal with C. come across D. believe in
7. What did the author learn from her solitary trip in Paris?
A. Solitary travel can heal people’s wounds.
B. Traveling alone brings about many problems.
C. Traveling alone helps people become independent and confident.
D. Solitary travel in Paris makes it not a challenge to go anywhere.
C
Different kinds of soil conservation methods are used by farmers to protect their land from damage by farming and the forces of nature. One important form of soil conservation is the use of windbreaks.
Windbreaks are barriers (屏障) formed by trees and other plants with many leaves. Farmers plant them in lines around their fields. Windbreaks stop the wind from blowing soil away. They also keep the wind from destroying or damaging crops. They are very important for growing grains, such as wheat.
There have been studies done on windbreaks in parts of West Africa, for example. They found that grain harvests can be twenty percent higher in fields protected by windbreaks compared to fields without such protection.
However, windbreaks seem to work best when they allow a little wind to pass through. If the wall of trees and plants stops wind completely, then violent air motions will take place close to the ground. These motions will lift soil into the air where it will be blown away. For this reason, a windbreak is best if it has only sixty to eighty percent of the trees and plants needed to make a solid line.
There should be at least two lines in each windbreak. One line should be large trees. The second line, right next to it, can be shorter trees and other plants with leaves. Locally grown trees and plants are best for windbreaks.
8. What is a windbreak according to the passage?
A. A windbreak is a concrete wall to prevent the strong winds.
B. A windbreak is a wood with different kinds of trees.
C. A windbreak is a wall of trees to hold soil in place.
D. A windbreak is a wall of wind to fight wind from the opposite way.
9. When can windbreaks be most effective?
A. The trees are planted one by one.
B. The trees and plants grow in a line.
C. The trees grow as high as they can.
D. Windbreaks allow a little wind to blow through.
10. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. A windbreak is one of the best forms of soil conversation?
B. A windbreak is very good for growing grains such as wheat.
C. One line of trees is enough for soil protection.
D. Locally grown trees and plants are the top choice for a windbreak.
