阅读理解

　　Albert Selmer, a German businessman who speaks good English, was surprised during his latest trip to Beijing. When he got into a taxi, the driver greeted him and asked where he would like to go-in English!

　　“This couldn't be imagined eight years ago when I first visited Beijing,” said Selmer. He wouldn't be so surprised when he knew so many people were learning English in this city.

　　Beijing failed in its bid (申办) for the 2000 Games. One of the reasons was that foreigners found it hard to communicate (交流) with Beijing citizens (市民) . Most of them spoke only Chinese.

　　Today the city is working to improve communication.

　　One great change has happened during Beijing' s preparations (准备) . Now Beijing citizens are looking forward to the 2008 Games by actively learning English. Free classes opened in a number of Beijing universities are enjoying high attendance (出席) . Citizens are taught useful expressions, greetings how to give directions and how to introduce themselves.

　　Shop assistants, bus and taxi drivers and even policemen are learning English to welcome the 2008 Olympic Games. The young taxi driver who surprised the German visitor is probably one of those learners. The first-stage aim (目标) of the “Beijing Citizens' English Speaking Plan” started by the city government in August, 2002, is to popularize (普及) English among the government officers, taxi drivers, hotel staff and shop assistants. In five years the percentage (比例) of Beijing citizens who can speak English will be raised to around 30 percent from 15 percent now.

(1) Albert Selmer was surprised when he got into the taxi, because ________.

[　　]

A. he found the driver served him hotter

B. the car didn't look the same as it did eight years ago

C. the driver was very polite to him

D. the driver could speak English

(2) Today more and more Beijingers are learning English in order to ________

[　　]

A. support the bid for the 2008 Olympics

B. make English the official language in China

C. make themselves understood easily while talking to foreigners

D. cash up with the modem development

(3) From this passage we know that ________

[　　]

A. spoken-English is very important in our daily life

B. Albert Selmer often came to China these years

C. Beijingers are taking an active part in learning English

D. the main reason why Beijing failed in its bid for the 2000 Games was that very few people could speak English

(4) If more and more Beijingers can communicate with the foreigners in English, ________.

[　　]

A. they will learn more about the Olympic Games

B. it will help Beijing's 2008 Games

C. they will be treated strangely

D. they will be given a hand while in trouble

[　　]

(5) If the population of Beijing will be fifteen million in 2008, how many people will probably be able to speak English? --About ________.

[　　]

阅读理解

　　The idea of daylight saving time started with an American named Benjamin Franklin (1706～1790) .

　　He explained (解释) how a lot of the money spent on candles used for light (this was before electricity) could be saved if everyone woke up earlier and went to bed earlier.

　　Even though Franklin's idea had a clear meaning, most people didn't want to get up earlier than they had to. Who would?

　　It was not until 1907 that an Englishman named William Willet came up with a way to “make”the sunset (日落) later. His idea was to turn clocks forward (向前) by 20 minutes on each of the four Sundays in April, for a total (总计) of 80 minutes.

　　William' s idea was laughed at, at first. But when World War I started in 1914, many countries decided they had to save energy(能源)for the war.

　　Daylight saving time has other uses. The more time you spend outside playing, the less time you are spending in front of the computer or the TV. These things also use energy. Also, daylight saving time sometimes causes problems. For example, China used it in 1986--but stopped it in 1991. That was because the temperatures are quite different from North to South and time from East to West.

　　If the people from northwest part of China use daylight saving time, sometimes they have to get up to work when it is not very bright outside. That will cause some trouble for them. Still, most parts of the world do have daylight saving time, and most people look forward to the extra (额外的) hour of evening light.

(1)Why did Franklin give the idea of daylight saving time?

[　　]

(2) In what year was the idea of daylight saving time put in use?

[　　]

(3) If it is 6:00 now, which is Willet's idea time?

[　　]

(4) When daylight saving time is used ________.

[　　]

A. you can play outside

B. you have more time watching TV

C. you have more time spending in front of the computer

D. you can save energy

(5) Why is daylight saving time not used in China now?

[　　]

A. People wouldn't like to get up earlier.

B. The temperatures are quite different.

C. The country is large.

D. The time is quite different.