阅读理解

　　Metals usually occur (发生,出现) in nature as minerals(矿石). At present, about 80 different metals are known to man. But with so many metals to choose from the question arises: which metal shall we use? Is there any metal that is “best for everything”? Of course not. For example, iron is strong but it rusts easily, while gold, one of the first metals found by man, does not rust at all. Should we use gold, therefore, to build fences? Imagine the cost of a fence made of gold! It’s important to consider the cost and the supply (提供)of a metal. Also, when we choose a metal for a certain job, we examine its physical properties. Is it strong enough to be used as a support for a bridge? Can it he used in a telephone to conduct (传导) electncity? Is it light enough to be used in an air plane wing? Can it he drawn out to make a fine wire? We also examine its chemical properties. Will it resist acid (酸) ? Is it too active to use? Is it easy to combine [ (使)结合] with other elements? Each use must be studied carefully. Then we can choose the right kind of metal, or combinations(结合)of metals.

　　The metals used for constructing buildings, cars, planes and ships must he strong and easy to form by casing, machining, and cutting. These metals are called structural(生锈)metals. The two most important structural (结构的) metals are iron (steel) and aluminum. Aluminum, which is much lighter than iron, has made possible the modem aviation (航空) industry.

　　Very few of the metal things we use in industry and every day life are made of a single pure metal. Most of them are combinations of metals called alloys (合金). Alloys are formed when two or more metals are melted together and allowed to cool and harden. It has been known for a long time that when some metals are combined in this way, the alloy takes on new physical properties (性质). The use of alloy makes it possible to manufacture (制造) many articles which must have special properties. Nowadays, if an inventor cannot find a metal that suits his purpose, he tries to have a new alloy made that will. The search for new alloys is going on all the time.

1．Metals are usually ________.

[　　]

A．best for everything

B．made use of in daily life in pure forms

C．found in nature as minerals

D．in the same quality

2．________ According to the text, uses of metals depend on their ________.

[　　]

3．The properties most important to a structural are its ________.

[　　]

A．lightness and activity

B．electric conductivity and heat conductivity

C．strength and easiness of shaping

D．resistance to acids and capability of being bent

4．A combination of two or more metals is called ________.

[　　]

5．The characteristic of alloy is ________.

[　　]

A．new chemical properties

B．new physical properties

C．special ways of formation

D．rarity

SYDNEY—Australia's economic boom is encouraging a steady stream of unexpected visitors looking for work: Americans.

US citizens are heading to Australia in small but growing numbers as near 10% unemployment at home drives more to look for jobs Down Under, where China's thirst for iron ore(矿石) and energy is transforming the Pacific nation into an economic powerhouse.

A bricklaying student from Silver Trowel, a leading provider of quality education and training in the building and construction industry, was apprenticed(当学徒) on a building project in Western Australia, where workers are in short supply.

Daniel Davila，a 23­year­old floorer from Camarillo, California made the 14­hour move across the Pacific two years ago. He had been forced to take a job stocking shelves at a local grocery store for $8.90 an hour when he couldn't get work fixing floors.

On a good day in Australia, he now makes as much as 50 Australian dollars( US $50.21 ) an hour—about twice the amount for a typical flooring job in the US. He plans to start his own flooring business.

“I can make what I did in a week in the US in less than a day here”，said Mr. Davila, who lives near a mining boom town in Western Australia.

Australian government figures show just under 7，000 Americans currently work on long­term visas, an 80% jump over the past five years.US citizens are now the third­largest group applying for so­called 457 work visas, after British and Indian nationals. Americans with degrees in areas such as accounting or mine engineering, as well as other skilled workers，can obtain a nonrenewable(不可更新的) permit for as much as a three­year stay.After that, they can apply for the renewable 457, which allows up to a four­year stay.

The need for workers is particularly pressing in Western Australia.The mining state's unemployment rate was 4.5% in November, below the national average of 5.2%. Drivers of heavy trucks can pull in six­figure salaries while experienced crane(起重机) operators can earn hundreds of thousands a year. Attracting skilled workers is a shift for Australia, which historically sent many of its most highly educated to the US and Europe, according to migration data.

36．________， a growing number of Americans go to work in Australia.

A．As a result of the encouragement of Australia

B．As a result of high unemployment in the US

C．Out of their ambition of finding valuable resources

D．Out of their determination to realize their dreams

37．It can be inferred from the passage that 457 work visas are ________．

A．for skilled workers in some fields

B．for students on the building project

C．especially for American workers

D．especially for those out of work

38．It is implied in the passage that ________．

A．foreigners have to give up their original professional jobs when working in Australia

B．it is possible for foreigners to earn more money in Australia than in their own countries

C．there are more US citizens hoping to work in Australia than from other countries

D．Australians think it fair to exchange their talent with American skilled workers

39．Which part of Australia needs workers particularly?

A．North­western Australia.

B．Eastern Australia.

C．South­eastern Australia.

D．Western Australia.

请根据下表提示,以“Canada”为题,写一篇英语短文。

地理状况	地广人稀。三面环海，南邻美国。湖泊众多；沿海地区岛屿较多。
气候	东部和西部湿润；南部温暖；北部寒冷。
资源	水电，森林，矿产(如煤，石油，天然气等)资源丰富。
工农业	主要集中于南部。工业发达，交通便利；农作物以玉米、小麦为主。