The umbrella is a very common object. It keeps the 　31 and the sun off the people. Most umbrellas can be folded up so it is 　32 to carry them.

However, the umbrella has not always been as 　33 as it is now. In the past, it was a symbol（标志）of importance. Some African countries still use umbrella in this 　34.

Someone carries an umbrella and walks behind the king or important person.

Umbrellas are very old. People in different parts of the world began to 　35 umbrellas at different times. The Chinese had them more than 3,000 years ago. From then on, umbrellas 　36 to India and Egypt. In Greece and Rome, 　　37 wouldn’t use them. They believe umbrellas were only for women.

England was 　38 the first country in Europe where common people used umbrellas against rain. The weather there is very 　39 and umbrellas are very useful.

Everybody uses umbrellas today. The next time you 　40 one, thinking that for centuries only great men and women used them, you’ll feel you are important people, too.

(　　 )31. A. rain　　　　　 B. cloud　　　　　 C. air　　　　　　 D. water

(　　 )32. A. lovely　　　　 B. cheap　　　　　 C. hard　　　　　 D. easy

(　　 )33. A. light　　　　 B. heavy　　　　　 C. common　　　　 D. special

(　　 ) 34. A. way　　　　 B. size　　　　 C. reason　　　　　　 D. place

(　　 ) 35. A. discover　　　 B. use　　　　 C. examine 　　　　　D. discuss

(　　 ) 36 A. walked　　　 B. travelled　　 C. rode　　　　　　　 D. flew

(　　 ) 37. A. children　　　 B. parents　　 C. men　　　　　　　 D. women

(　　 ) 38. A. probably　　 B. already　　　 C. suddenly　　　　　 D. immediately

(　　 ) 39. A. sunny　　　　 B. rainy　　　 C. snowy　　　　　　 D. windy

(　　 ) 40. A. sell　　　　　 B. return　　　 C. borrow　　　　　 D. carry

　　Now satellites are helping to forecast(预报) the weather. They are in space, and they can reach any part of the world. The satellites take pictures of the atmosphere(大气), because this is where the weather forms(形成). They send these pictures to the weather station. So the scientists there can see the weather of any part of the world and tell how the weather will change.

　　Today, nearly five hundred weather stations in sixty countries can receive satellite pictures. When they receive the new pictures. When they receive the new pictures,they compare(比较) them with the earlier ones. Perhaps they may find that the clouds have changed during the last few hours. This may mean that the weather on the ground may soon change, too. In their next weather forecast, they can tell people about it.

　　So the weather satellites are of a great help to the scientists at the station. In the past they could forecast the weather for about 24 or 48 hours earlier. Now they can make good forecasts for 3 or 5 days. Soon, perhaps, they may be able to forecast the weather for a week or more ahead.

1．The weather forms ________.

[　　]

A．in any part of the world

B．in the atmosphere

C．in space

D．on the ground

2．Changing clouds in the atmosphere means ________.

[　　]

A．a rainy day

B．a windy day

C．that the weather will change

D．a sunny day

3．Without satellites, scientists could forecast the weather for ________ ahead.

[　　]

4．The main(主要的) idea of this passage is that satellites are now used in ________.

[　　]

A．taking pictures of the atmosphere

B．many ways

C．receiving pictures of the atmosphere

D．weather forecasting

阅读理解

　　Now satellites are helping to forecast (预报) the weather. They are in space, and they can reach any part of the world. The satellites take pictures of the atmosphere (大气), because this is where the weather forms (形成). They send these pictures to the weather station. So the scientists there can see the weather of any part of the world and tell how the weather will change.

　　Today, nearly five hundred weather stations in sixty countries can receive satellite pictures. When they receive the new pictures, they compare (比较) them with the earlier ones. Perhaps they may find, that the clouds have changed during the last few hours. This may mean that the weather on the ground may soon change, too. In their next weather forecast, they can tell people about it.

　　So the weather satellites are of a great help to the scientists at the station. In the past they could forecast the weather for about 24 or 48 hours earlier. Now they can make good forecast for 3 or 5 days. Soon, perhaps, they may be able to forecast the weather for a week or more ahead.

1．The weather forms ________.

[　　]

A．in any part of the world

B．in the atmosphere

C．in space

D．on the ground

2．Changing clouds in the atmosphere means ________.

[　　]

A．it is a rainy day

B．it is a windy day

C．the weather will change

D．it is a sunny day

3．Without satellites, scientists could forecast the weather for ________ ahead.

[　　]

A．a week or more

B．one or two days

C．3 or 5 days

D．two weeks

4．The main idea of this passage is that satellites are now used in ________.

[　　]

A．taking pictures of the atmosphere

B．many ways

C．receiving pictures of the atmosphere

D．weather forecasting