第二部分：阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2. 5分，满分50分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D国个选项中，选出最佳选项。
A
History Fair Competition
Understanding history is vital to understanding ourselves as a people and as a nation.
History is much more than the study of dusty old objects and events long past. It is an essential part of who we are today and who we will become. Thornton Middle School History Fair Competition makes understanding history exciting, engaging, and fun！
This Year’s Theme
All participants must address how communication or transportation technology has promoted the quality of life for Americans throughout history. To many people, technology means computers, hand-held devices, or vehicles that travel to distant planets. However, technology is also the application of scientific knowledge to solve a problem, touching lives in countless ways.
Individuals or groups may enter one of the following categories：
•Performance
•Documentary（纪实作品）
•Essay Writing
Category Requirements
Performance: A dramatic presentation of the topic no more than 10 minutes long. If special clothes are used，they should truly represent a given period.
Documentary: A visual presentation（such as a video，slide show，or computer project）no more than 10 minutes long. A desktop computer, screen, projector, and loudspeakers will be available. Students must provide their presentations on CDs before Friday, March 23.
Essay Writing: An academic paper of 2，000 to 2，500 words. No illustrations（图解）are allowed. Please do not include covers. A list of references must be included.
Important Dates
January 5 Submit a topic proposal to your history teacher. The teacher may require a second proposal if the first is off-topic or unclear.
February 5 Submit a first draft of your essay，performance script（剧本），or documentary highlights.
February 19 A committee of teachers will evaluate materials and give opinions. Students then have an opportunity to improve their products.
March 9 Submit a final draft of your essay.
March 15 Performance and documentary committee preview
March 24 Thornton Middle School History Fair Competition
7：00 A. M—9：00A. M Participants signing in at the gym
10：00 A. M. —6：00PM. Competition and judges’ review
7：00 P.M. Awards ceremony and picnic
According to Paragraph 1, what is the major goal of understanding history?
（A）To preserve national traditions.
（B）To prepare for a history competition.
（C）To better know the present and future.
（D）To further explore historical mysteries.
