三、阅读理解(共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分)

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

A

The Home of My People

When Lewis and Clark stepped onto the Weippe Prairie in present-day Idaho in September 1805, they met the Nez Perce Indians. In the following years, the white explorers(探险者) began to fight with the Indians for their land. Some Nez Perce chiefs signed agreements with the U.S. government, selling part of their lands. But the government always broke those agreements and demanded more land.

Other chiefs refused to go along with the government’s plans. The most famous was Chief Joseph, whose people lived in the Wallowa Valley (present-day Oregon).

“In order to have all people understand how much land we owned,” he once explained, “my father planted poles around it and said: “Inside is the home of my people...It circled around the graves(坟墓)of our fathers, and we will never give up these graves to any man.”

But in 1874, the U.S. government declared the valley open for white settlement and ordered the Nez Perce onto a reservation(保留地). Seeing that resistance was useless, Chief Joseph agreed to move.

Later, fighting broke out between the Nez Perce and U.S. soldiers. Chief Joseph tried to lead his people to Canada, winning several battles against the soldiers during their flight. But finally, he was forced to give in.

56. Which historic site (on the map) lies in the south of today’s Nez Perce Reservation?

A. Buffalo Eddy.                      B. Dug Bar.

C. Joseph Canyon Viewpoint.    D. Chief  Looking Glass Camp.

57. What can we learn about the Nez Perce lands from the map?

A. They were in the state of Oregon.

B. They have become a historic site.

C. They have become much smaller.

D. They were limited to the Wallowa Valley.

58. From Paragraph 3, we know that the Indians wanted to ______.

A. show off their land             

B. keep their land

C. turn their place into a graveyard      

D. build their homes around the poles

 

B

It was a warm April day when a big fat envelope came in the mail from the only college I had ever imagined attending. I tore open the packet. My eyes were fixed on the word “congratulations.” I don’t remember ever smiling so wide.

Then I looked at my financial(财政的) package.

The cost of Dream School’s tuition(学费), room and board was around $40,000—an impossible sum! How could I afford to attend? What good reasons did I have to go there when three other fine colleges were offering me free tuition? My other choices were good, solid schools even if they weren’t as famous as my first choice.

In my mind, attending my dream university would be the only way to realize my dream of becoming a world-class writer. My parents understood how I felt. They told me that even though it would be a financial problem, I could go wherever I would be happiest. But as I was always careful with money, I wasn’t sure what to do.

One of the schools that offered me a full ride had an informational dinner one night in the spring. Considering my parents’ financial difficulties, I decided to drive the 45 minutes and attend. At first, all I had planned to do was smile politely, eat free food, listen quietly. But I surprised myself.

At dinner the president of the university talked about the wonderful activities on campus(校园)including guest lectures and social gatherings. He also made it perfectly clear that free food would be offered at all future events. He continued with explanations of professors, class sizes, activities, and sporting events on campus. As he spoke, I began to realize that this school, though not as good as my first choice, might be the best one for me. It seemed small yet with many great programs. It seemed challenging yet caring.

As the president ended his speech, we clapped politely and pushed back our chairs. As I walked out that door, a feeling of comfort washed over me. Looking at the campus that night, I realized that I would be spending the next four years right there.

In all honesty, my university is not as well-known as my “dream” university. However, it turned out to be the right choice of schools for me.

59. How did the author feel when he started to read the letter?

A. He was full of joy.              

B. He was lost in his dream.

C. He was worried about the money.

D. He was uncertain which school to go to.

60. We can learn from the passage that the parents were _________.

A. honest                                B. strict      C. supportive  D. decisive

61. In Paragraph 5, “offered me a full ride” can be replaced by “______”.

A. would pay for transport to the school

B. would show me around the campus

C. would offer free meals at all events

D. would charge me nothing for tuition

62. What does the author mainly want to say?

A. Your second-choice college may actually be your best fit.

B. You should consider comfort in your choice of schools.

C. You should try your best to attend your dream school.

D. Your choice of schools should be based on their fame.