C) Read the passage and fill the blanks with proper words (14分)

The Empire State Building(帝国大厦) has held a special place in the hearts of Americans since it was completed in 1931.It r___86__ more than 443 metres into the sky. For more than forty years , it was the tallest building in the world.

It has one hundred and three levels and six thousand five hundred windows. Visitors can ride in one of seventy-three elevators that take them from the b__87__ to very near the top of the building. Some of these elevators are very fast, reaching the eightieth floor in only forty-five seconds.

The heads of government of almost every n__88___ in the world have visited the Empire State Building. These important people are just a few of million who have ridden to the observation area near the top of the building each year. From there, visitors can see almost all of New York City. They can see the view a __89__ the Hudson River into the state of New Jersey. They can see ships in the East River.

Even if you have never visited New York, there is a good chance for you to see the Empire State Building. It has been photographed c __90__ times. It has even played parts in movies. One is about a huge ape(猿)that escapes and climbs to the top of the building. The movie is “King Kong”(金刚). It was made in 1933. The Empire State Building also appeared in the love story “An Affair to Remember”(金玉盟).Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr play a man and a woman who meet and fall in love on a ship. They are looking at the New York City skyline from the ship when they plan a future meeting.

More recently, in “Sleepless in Seattle(西雅图未眠夜)”，two people in love agree to meet at the Observation Deck on Valentine’s Day(情人节). B__91__ do arrive, but one is a little later. They almost m __92___each other.

In the early nineteen seventies, the Empire State Building lost its place as the tallest building in New York. People in the city then had the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center to look up to. Tragically that all changed on the morning of September 11,2001. Terrorists hijacked(劫持) passenger airplanes into the Twin Towers and destroyed them. The Empire State Building again has become the city’s tallest building.

D)Answer the questions(12分)

I’ve always wanted to try rock climbing, but never had time or money for it. But I’ve discovered a way to experience the thrill(兴奋，紧张) of climbing rock. Indoor climbing is an easy and exciting way to get a taste of rock climbing. And it is also much cheaper and safer! Indoor climbers don’t climb on real rock, but on a plastic wall. You can probably find a climbing wall near you. Many gyms, schools and camps have one.

You can climb in doors at any time of the year, no matter how the whether is. It is usually not expensive. Most gyms provide the equipment you need. The convenience of indoor climbing is one reason why it has become so popular. But the main reason people climb is for rush(刺激感) they get. When I stand at the roof of the wall and look up, I’m always scared, but once I start climbing, fear changes to determination. With my heart pounding(心剧烈跳动), I reach the top and look down. I can’t stop grinning. I did it!

Indoor climbing is a great workout(锻炼). Climbing uses muscles(肌肉)that are hard to exercise, especially those in the shoulders, arms, chest and back. Many people say climbing makes exercise fun. Most gyms have several climbing walls with various degrees of difficulty. The easier ones are like climbing a ladder. The difficult ones bulge out(凸出)in places so that climbers must sometimes climb parallel(平行的)with the floor.

Although gym climbing is easier and safer than real rock climbing, you should still be careful. Always climb with a partner. As you climb, your partner pulls you climbing rope through something called a belay device(绳索控制器). The belay catches you if you slip. But make sure your partner knows how to use this equipment. And if you are a first-time climber, get some instruction before you begin.

93. Is indoor climbing cheaper and safer than real rock climbing?

94. On what do indoor climbers climb?

95. What are the reasons that make the indoor climbing so popular?

96. Who should always be with you when you climb?

97. What does your partner do as you climb?

98. Which do you think sounds more fun, rock climbing or indoor climbing? Why?

X. Writing(共20分)

99. Writing a passage of at least 60 words on the topic “What Do You Think of Owing a Private Car? ” (以“你对拥有私家车的看法”为题，写不少于60个词的短文)

（注意：短文中不得出现考生的姓名，校名以及其他相关信息，否则不予评分）

Use the following points as a reference. (以下问题仅供参考)

1. what is the advantage of owing a private car?

2. what is the disadvantage of owing a private car?

3. what’s your opinion?

(注意：短文中不得出现任何人名，校名及其其他相关信息，否则不予评分)