C
Traffic lights are red, yellow and green. They are very important signals (信号). Traffic lights are usually placed at busy street corners to help control traffic. Sometimes, they are on streets near schools and shops too. Most young children are taught what each of the coloured lights means, so everybody can stay safe.
The first traffic signals were used for trains. The signals were put alongside railway tracks (轨道). The colour red was used to mean “stop” because it warned people of danger. A red light was also the easiest colour to see from a distance (从远处). Train drivers could see the red “stop” light ahead and had enough time to slow down and stop their trains. A green light was used to mean “take care” and a white light meant “go”.
However, there were many dangerous accidents on the train tracks. Some train drivers thought a star shining in the night sky was a white light that meant “go”. So the signals were swapped. The “go” light was changed to green and the “take care” light was changed to white.
During these times, people travelled by train or in the carts pulled by horses. Years later, when cars were built, people began to drive them because they could travel much faster than horses. However, the road rules for drivers were not very clear and many people were hurt when crossing the roads. Yellow warning signs had to be placed beside the roads to remind drivers to take care and allow people to cross safely.
Today, towns and cities all over the world have traffic lights. Red and green lights match the signals used on the railways. Yellow lights are easy to see, so they are used to warn drivers that they should slow down and prepare to stop.
() 7. Why was the colour red used to mean “stop”?
A. It reminded people of traffic rules. B. It helped trains run smoothly.
C. It gave people a warning of danger. D. It was the first colour people thought of.
() 8. What does the underlined word “swapped” in Paragraph 3 mean?
A. Designed. B. Exchanged. C. Suggested. D. Offered.
() 9. In which order did the “take care” light develop?
a. A white light. b. A green light. c. A yellow light.
A. a—b—c B. b—c—a C. a—c—b D. b—a—c
()10. What is the passage mainly about?
A. The meanings of traffic lights. B. The history of traffic lights.
C. The importance of traffic lights. D. The advantages (优点) of traffic lights.

D
Corinne was one of the few students still excited about the first annual (一年一度的) “City Birder VS Burb Birder Spring Birding Competition”.

Reaching a crossroads at Fielder Park, Corinne checked her phone. Forty-eight minutes passed. She had to find at least ten different bird species and at least two she'd never seen before.
However, after a long time of searching, the birds that she had just found were either seen in her neighbourhood or in the parks closer to her home.
While she was searching for the way to the fields, a voice suddenly appeared behind.
“You are Corinne, right?”
Corinne turned back and found a short blond girl.
“Wait, you're...”
“Ashley,” the girl said. “From Bluemont Middle School. Remember?”
“Oh, right!” Ashley put her hand on her shoulder. “You beat me in the birdsong competition. I'm still mad at you for that.”
“Uh — sorry?”
“Just kidding!” Ashley said, “It was fun, wasn't it? Nobody in my class wanted to compete, so they volunteered me.”
Corinne smiled. They chatted for a while and went separate ways. Ashley continued west toward the fields, so Corinne changed plans and headed east toward the wetlands. ▲
Corinne's heart beat along with the sound coming from the reeds (芦苇). Finally, a brand-new species she'd never seen before! Holding up her phone, Corinne recorded the bird's special call while silently hoping to get lucky with a sighting. American bitterns were big birds, so there was a good chance that she could finally get a clear picture to show her class.
“Hey, I remember the call!”
Corinne nearly lost her phone as Ashley made her second surprise appearance of the morning. Stopping the recording, Corinne forced a smile. “I do too. From the birdsong contest, I remember we both got that one right.”
Corinne then scanned (细看) the wetland again. Suddenly she noticed movement in the tall grass. “Uh, Ashley, I think I know where he is.” She pointed. “Over there.”
Ashley slowly raised the camera just as the bittern stepped out into a gap in the grass. Corinne snapped a photo with her own phone.
“Hey, look!” Ashley said, showing the clear picture she'd just taken. It was much clearer than Corinne's.
Corinne bit her lip and thought, “More points for Ashley.”
The bittern took off in flight. They both watched in silence, taking it in with their eyes. They lost themselves in the beautiful sight and even forgot the competition between them.
Ashley turned to Corinne. “You know what we could do?”
“What?”
“Why don't we present our sightings together during the next chat? Your sound recording can play while my photo gets shown on the screen.”
()11. Corinne went to Fielder Park to ______.
A. meet her friend Ashley B. look for some special birds
C. find out ways to the fields D. enter the birdsong competition
()12. Which of the sentences can be best put into the “▲”?
A. This was a competition, after all. B. It was wonderful to have a partner.
C. This was a nice beginning, after all. D. It was a tiring journey to find the birds.
()13. What can we infer from the passage?
A. Corinne felt happy when she met Ashley again.
B. Ashley and Corinne fell in love with birding in the end.
C. It was easy for Corinne to take a photo of the American bittern.
D. Ashley thought she could beat Corinne in the coming competition.
()14. What would happen next in the story?
A. Corinne refused Ashley in anger.
B. Corinne and Ashley tried to catch the American bittern together.
C. Ashley beat Corinne in the following competition.
D. Corinne agreed to present their sightings together.