A city without cars would be very strange, right? But Venice is such a city.

Venice is in the northeast of Italy. It wasn't built on land, like Beijing or Shanghai, but on more than 110 islands.  Seawater is everywhere around the city.

Even so, travel isn't difficult. The waterways have always been the best way to get around. There are 117 waterways and more than 400 bridges that can guide you where you want to go. People in Venice move from place to place by boat. They like to enjoy the scenery and cool summer nights while taking boat trips.  They can talk to other people as they go along.

Venice grew out of small islands in saltwater lakes when some Italians escaped from a war more than 1,500 years ago, and built homes there.

Water makes the city special, but it is also a big problem.

Once, people used too much underground water. This made the city get lower little by little. Now the city has gone down by 23 centimeters. Another problem is the rising seawater. The temperature has risen over the years.  This has made the ice of the Arctic Ocean (北冰洋) rnelt( 融化).

Every year, high waters hit the city in autumn and winter. When a lot of water comes, more than half of the city is underwater.

Scientists are trying different ways to stop the city from getting even lower.

46. According to the passage, which picture shows the right place of Venice?

47. Which is the most impossible way for people in Venice to get around in the passage?

A. On foot.        B. By boat.        C. By car.        D. By bike.

48. Why is Venice still getting lower and lower?

A. Because too many people live there.

B. Because the rising temperature has made the ice melt.

C. Because lots of bridges have been built.

D. Because the underground water is rising.

49. What seasons are dangerous for Venice because of high waters?

A. Summer and autumn.         B. Autumn and winter.

C. Summer and winter.          D. Spring and winter.

50. The passage is mainly about        .

A. the waterways of Venice      B. the history of Venice

C. the scenery of Venice         D. the problem of Venice

I have returned to my hometown after I was away ten years ago. So many things have changed around here. It has become better and better. When I left here, there was a small pool on the right of my house. Now the pool has gone and people have built a large shopping mall(商场) there.

The biggest changes have taken place in the center of the city. There are sidewalks on both sides of the street. You can see a street center with so many tall buildings around. You can’t drive there any more because no vehicle is allowed to pass there. A European-style fountain(喷泉) has been built in the street center garden.

There used to be an old school near my house. I spent my five years studying there. There was a small payground in front of the school. But now what I can see are five tall buildings standing there. There are two big classroom buildings and a library. A new post office has also been built just across from the new school.

1.I have been away from my hometown for ________.

A. ten months????????????? B. one year????????????? C. five years????????????? D. ten years

2.On the right of my house, there was a _________ ten years ago.

A. library????????????? B. garden????????????? C. supermarket????????????? D. pool

3.No vehicle is allowed to pass the _________.

A. center of the city????????????? B. old school????????????? C. street center????????????? D. playground

4.Which of the following is WRONG(错的)?

A. A fountain is in the street center garden.???

B. Now there is an old school near my house.

C. There are two big classroom buildings and a library in the new school.

D. There is a post office across from the school.

5.What’s the best title for the passage?

A. Great Changes in My Hometown.?? ????????????? B. A Wonderful Place

C. What a Nice Town????????????? ????????????? D. My School.

I have returned to my hometown after I was away ten years ago. So many things have changed around here. It has become better and better. When I left here, there was a small pool on the right of my house. Now the pool has gone and people have built a large shopping mall(商场) there.
The biggest changes have taken place in the center of the city. There are sidewalks on both sides of the street. You can see a street center with so many tall buildings around. You can’t drive there any more because no vehicle is allowed to pass there. A European-style fountain(喷泉) has been built in the street center garden.
There used to be an old school near my house. I spent my five years studying there. There was a small payground in front of the school. But now what I can see are five tall buildings standing there. There are two big classroom buildings and a library. A new post office has also been built just across from the new school.
【小题1】I have been away from my hometown for ________.