SHAOXING, East China, May 16(Xin Hua)- The Olympic torch relay (火炬接力) will start in Shaoxing
on Saturday, which is known as one ancient Chinese culture city with a history of over 4,000 years.
     Shaoxing is also the hometown to many outstanding persons such as Cai Yuanpei, Lu Xun and Zhou
Enlai. Chairman Mao Zedong once wrote a poem, praising Shaoxing as the "home of famous names".
     The relay, planned to kick off at 15:40 Saturday, will set out from Da Yu Ling. It is the resting place of
Da Yu, an ancient hero who succeeded in dealing with the great flood (洪水).
     Along the route, the torch will also pass by Da Tong School, Ying En Gate, the Chinese Yellow Wine
Town and Native residence (故居) of Mr Lu Xun. According to the plan, the relay will end at about 18:40.
     "You can know the history of Shaoxing when you walk along the route," said Shan Guoquan, the person
who planned the route.
     According to Shan, Da Tong School was the earliest school in China that specialized (专门从事) in sports
teaching and training. It was built from a place which used to be an exam center in ancient times.
     Ying En Gate, Shaoxing's ancient water city gate, was built in 1626. It was in the busiest and richest area
100 years ago.
     The Chinese Yellow Wine Town told us the cultures of the popular drink among the people in Shaoxing
for centuries.
     Native residence of Mr Lu Xun is built to remember Lu Xun, a great writer and thinker in China. "Just as
a time tunnel (隧道), the Olympic torch relay route tells us the history of Shaoxing," said Shan.

1. Among the following four persons, _____ named Shaoxing "home of famous names".

A. Cai Yuanpei
B. Lu Xun
C. Zhou Enlai
D. Mao Zedong

2. The underlined phrase "kick off" probably means "_____".

A. begin
B. stop
C. check
D. leave

3. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

A. The torch relay will pass by five famous places.
B. Ying En Gate has a history of more than 380 years.
C. There was no sports education in Da Tong School.
D. The torch relay route helps people know the history of Shaoxing.

4. This passage is most probably from _____.

A. a book
B. a letter
C. a newspaper
D. a magazine

Dear grandma,
     How are you? I hope you are feeling well and your leg is improving. Can you walk a bit now? Is your
neighbor, Mrs Lu, bringing you enough books to read? I hope so.
     You'd love our school library, grandma. There are so many books for all kinds of subjects. The other day
I found a book about electronic engineering. I couldn't really understand it but I hope to learn more about this
topic sometime. This term I have three new subject classes, so I thought I'd tell you about them.
     I now study biology, which is really interesting. I'm learning all about the human body, where everything
is and what it does. Do you know that we have a kissing muscle? It's called 'orbicularis' (轮匝肌) and it's a
circular muscle that closes your mouth and moves your lips forward. I love biology. It's so interesting!
     Another new subject is religion. I didn't think I would like this one, but actually it is very interesting to
hear about how different people worship (崇拜). We are learning about lots of religions from all over the
world, not only Asia. Do you know about the religion on the island of Bali in Indonesia? They have a unique
religion which is based on Hinduism but also has elements of Buddhism as well. It is called Bali Hindu Dharma.
I am just learning more about it but it sounds fascinating.
     My other new subject is Spanish. It's really difficult to learn a new language but I know it will be useful
for me in the future, if I want to travel the world. Spanish is one of the official languages of the European
Union and the United Nations. I've learnt that Spanish is not only spoken in Europe but in South America, too.
Countries like Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Mexico also speak Spanish. You know I've always wanted to go to
Mexico, so if I can speak some Spanish it would be really useful.
     Did you study these subjects when you were at school? I suppose subject choice changes over time,
doesn't it? I'll come to visit you again in the next holiday, which I think is in eight weeks' time. I'll bring you
some of my new books if you like. I hope you can write back soon and tell me all the village news. I miss you
very much.
                                                                                                                                Lots of love,
                                                                                                                                     Sara

1. Can grandma go to the library by herself?
    ______________________________________________________
2. What does grandma like doing, reading books or chatting on line? 
    ______________________________________________________
3. How many new subjects does Sara study this term? 
    ______________________________________________________
4. When will Sara probably go to see her grandma? 
    ______________________________________________________
5. Why does Sara write this letter to her grandma? 
    ______________________________________________________