英语专项训练阅读理解系列十四

Today, roller skating(旱冰) is easy and fun, and it is popular throughout the worlD. People roller skate outside on paths and roads, and inside in rinks. But a long time ago, it wasn’t easy at all. Before 1750, the idea of skating didn’t exist. That changed because of a man named Joseph Merlin. Merlin’s work was making musical instruments. In his spare time he liked to play the violin. Joseph Merlin was a man full of ideas and dreams. People called him a dreamer．

One day Merlin received an invitation to attend a fancy dress ball(化装舞会). He was very pleased and a little exciteD. As the day of the party came near, Merlin began to think how to make a grand entrance(隆重出场) at the party. He had an ideA. He thought he would get a lot of attention if he could skate into the room．

Merlin tried different ways to make himself fool. Finally, he decided to put two wheels under each shoe. These were the first roller skates. Merlin was very proud of his invention and dreamed of arriving at the party on wheels while playing the violin．

On the night of the party Merlin rolled into the room playing his violin. Everyone was surprised to see him. There was just one problem. Merlin had no way to stop his roller skates. He rolled on and on. Suddenly, he ran into a huge mirror that was hanging on the wall. Down fell the mirror, breaking into pieces.Nobody forgot Merlin’s grand entrance for a long time!

1. The text is mainly about _____.

A. a strange man

B. an unusual party

C. how roller skating began

D. how people enjoyed themselves in the 18th century

2. People thought Merlin was a dreamer because he _____．

A. often gave others surprises

B. was a gifted(有天赋的) musician

C. invented the roller skates

D. was full of imagination

3. Merlin put wheels under his shoes in order to_____．

A. draw the guests’ attention

B. arrive at the party sooner

C. test his invention

D. show his skill in walking on wheels

4. What is the main point the writer is trying to make in the last paragraph？

A. The roller skates needed further improvement．

B. The party guests took Merlin for a fool．

C. Merlin succeeded beyond expectation(超出预料)．

D. Merlin got himself into trouble．

（江苏省盐城中学 张 提供）