Chris Rock was born in the state of South Carolina in the United States. When he was a child, his family moved, and he grew up in a poor area in Brooklyn, New York.

　　As a teenager, Rock left high school and started telling jokes in comedy clubs in New York City, Even at age 18, Chris Rock was very funny. He told jokes about his family (his parents were very strict) , and about growing up in Brooklyn in the 1980s. Many of his jokes were also about high school, which Rock says was terrible.

　　Famous comedians (喜剧演员)went to see Rock’s performances. One comedian (Eddie Murphy) helped him get work on television and in the movies. Chris Rock still acts in movies, but he does not want to be a serious actor. For him, comedy is more important. It makes people laugh, but it can also make people think.

　　Today,Chris Rock still does live comedy shows around the world. He also created a TV show called "Everybody Hates Chris. " It is about his teenage years growing up and going to school in Brooklyn. In 2006, it was considered as one of the best comedy shows on American television.

　　1.What is this passage mainly about?

　　A.How to tell a good joke,

　　B.Where the best comedy clubs are.

　　C.One comedian's life,

　　D.The funniest people in the United States,

　　2.Chris Rock tells a lot of jokes about_________.

　　A.South Carolina

　　B.Brooklyn

　　C.Los Angeles

　　D.Texas

　　3.Which sentence about Chris Rock is true?

　　A.As a teenager, he was not funny.

　　B.He started working in clubs after he graduated from college.

　　C.He loved going to high school.

　　D.A famous comedian helped him get work on TV and in the movies.

　　4.Today, what does Chris Rock say is the most important?

　　A.Being a serious actor.

　　B.Making people laugh.

　　C.Helping teenagers.

　　D.Having his own club.

　　The Chicago Fire of 1871 was the worst disaster of the 19th century.

　　The fire is said to have started one evening in Mrs. O'Leary's barn (牲口棚)on the West Side of Chicago. Several hours after she milked her cow, it kicked over an oil lamp,and the cow started the fire. We do not know if the story is true, but we do know that the fire began in a barn on the West Side.

　　The fire spread quickly because of the wooden buildings, a strong wind, and a dry season. The fire lasted 27 hours and spread to all parts of the city. Other cities sent 25 fire companies to help put out the fire. Federal troops (联邦军队)were also used to help fight the fire and keep order, too. At last rain put out the fire.

　　There was a lot of damage. 90,000 people were left homeless, and 18,000 buildings were destroyed. Property damage (财产损失)was almost 200 million dollars. In addition, about 300 people died.

　　People from all over the world helped Chicago by sending food and clothing. Within a month 4,000 cottages (小屋)with two rooms had been built to house people. In a few years, Chicago was completely rebuilt.

　　5.The best title for this passage is_______.

　　A.Mrs. O’Leary's Cow

　　B.A Terrible Fire

　　C.An Oil Lamp

　　D.The Year 1871

　　6.Which parts of the city were hurt by the fire?

　　A.The West Side.

　　B.The South Side and the East Side.

　　C.The North Side.

　　D.All sides.

　　7.People who stayed in Chicago after the fire showed .

　　A.courage B.fear C.weakness D.laziness

　　8.What helped to spread and to end the fire?

　　A.A cow. B.Firemen C.The weather. D.Carelessness,