A city without cars would be very strange, right? But Venice is such a city.

Venice is in the northeast of Italy. It wasn't built on land, like Beijing or Shanghai, but on more than 110 islands.  Seawater is everywhere around the city.

Even so, travel isn't difficult. The waterways have always been the best way to get around. There are 117 waterways and more than 400 bridges that can guide you where you want to go. People in Venice move from place to place by boat. They like to enjoy the scenery and cool summer nights while taking boat trips.  They can talk to other people as they go along.

Venice grew out of small islands in saltwater lakes when some Italians escaped from a war more than 1,500 years ago, and built homes there.

Water makes the city special, but it is also a big problem.

Once, people used too much underground water. This made the city get lower little by little. Now the city has gone down by 23 centimeters. Another problem is the rising seawater. The temperature has risen over the years.  This has made the ice of the Arctic Ocean (北冰洋) rnelt( 融化).

Every year, high waters hit the city in autumn and winter. When a lot of water comes, more than half of the city is underwater.

Scientists are trying different ways to stop the city from getting even lower.

46. According to the passage, which picture shows the right place of Venice?

47. Which is the most impossible way for people in Venice to get around in the passage?

A. On foot.        B. By boat.        C. By car.        D. By bike.

48. Why is Venice still getting lower and lower?

A. Because too many people live there.

B. Because the rising temperature has made the ice melt.

C. Because lots of bridges have been built.

D. Because the underground water is rising.

49. What seasons are dangerous for Venice because of high waters?

A. Summer and autumn.         B. Autumn and winter.

C. Summer and winter.          D. Spring and winter.

50. The passage is mainly about        .

A. the waterways of Venice      B. the history of Venice

C. the scenery of Venice         D. the problem of Venice

More than 50 music students of New Milford High School in New Jersey, US, got a letter from their headmaster. The letter said that the music department of the school was in big trouble. The students had to pass a test, or the department(系) would be shut down.
On a Saturday, two officials greeted the nervous students. They asked the students to play a piece by Richard Strauss. But they had to sing the words to the music – German words!
Other tasks were also difficult. One student had to sing Mary had a Little Lamb, a children’s song, in an operatic (歌劇的) voice.
After three hours of testing, students waited for the results. They met some students from the New Jersey Youth Orchestra (管弦樂(lè)團(tuán)). The judges(裁判員) gave them only a passing grade.
The worried New Milford students started to realize they had no chance. “I thought it was over,” said Bryan Olsen-Santana, a junior. “The person next to me was crying. I felt bad for her. I felt bad for myself, too, because music is everything to me.”
But then the headmaster came and told them something very dramatic (戲劇性的): “Someone’s played a joke on you!”
What was going on?
The test was part of a reality TV show (電視真人秀) called “Schooled”. The students’ parents, the school and a TV network had made it together.
Everything was fake. The two “officials” were really comedians (喜劇演員). The “students from New Jersey Youth Orchestra” were from another school. There were hidden cameras. The students’ parents were hiding as they watched.
As a reward for putting up with the joke, the students got gifts: MP3 players, digital cameras and school supplies. They were all from the show’s sponsor (贊助商).
【小題1】What is the letter about?

"Chinese style road crossing" is a hot topic in China. Many cities have started to punish these jaywalkers.
"Chinese style road crossing" means that you cross roads with lots of people and you don't think about traffic lights at all.
Beijing government announced that people who do not wait for the green light to cross the road will receive a fine of 10 yuan. What’s more, using the diagonal to cross the road is also against the rules. Walkers should walk in an "L" shape. Besides Beijing, many places have also taken steps to stop "Chinese style road crossing". Provinces such as Sichuan, Shanxi and Zhejiang have already started to fine jaywalkers 5 to 50 yuan since last year. This punishment can call on people to realize the importance of traffic safety. However, many people complain that the red lights last too long. "Everyone should follow the rules, or the country will lose its order," said People Daily.
Some cities have also paid attention to the problem. For example, Beijing government said it should not only punish these jaywalkers, but also improve road safety facilities, such as properly fixing traffic lights and building overpasses*. Anyhow safety must come first.
【小題1】How many places have already started to fine jaywalkers?