During the 600s BC，people began using coins as money.They soon found that coins were easier to carry than goods and lasted a long time.Later，countries began to make their own coins.

　　The Chinese were the first to use paper money，probably as early as the 11th century.The Italian traveler Marco Polo saw the Chinese using money when he visited China in the 1200s.However，European countries did not start using paper money until 1600s.

　　Today，we have many ways to pay for things.We do not use coins or paper money.Often，people prefer to pay for things by card.Paying with a card is easier and safer than carrying around a lot of “real” money.

　　中考英語閱讀專題訓練題目：

　　1.People used __C__ as a means of exchange before the 7th century BC.

　　A.paper money　B.card

　　C.large stones D.coins

　　2.From the passage，we know that European countries used paper money in the __D__.

　　A.11th century B.12th century

　　C.16th century D.17th century

　　3.Which of the following is TRUE in this article?__B__

　　A.Marco Polo was from Canada.

　　B.Chinese used paper money earlier than Italy.

　　C.Today people often prefer to pay for things by salt.

　　D.Carrying around much “real” money is easier and safer than paying with a card.

　　Many people have a fear(害怕) of public speaking.According to a study，it has an influence on 3 in every 4 people.This fact is surprising and worrying，as most jobs require some speaking ability.The following will help you to make a speech better.

　　Write note cards.Write main ideas on your cards.Don't write details.Put in some fun facts，questions，and other activities on the cards to share with the class.Don't look at your note cards for a long time while speaking.If necessary，you're only going to want to have a quick look at the card for information，not read every last word.

　　Smile at your class.When it comes time to speak，there's nothing that draws your class into your speech than a good old­fashioned smile.Be happy，because you're about to teach your class something they didn't know before.Studies have shown that smiles_are_infectious.That means once you smile，it's hard for everyone else not to smile.So if you want your speech to go off well，smile.That'll make everyone smile and maybe those smiles will make you actually smile.

　　Make eye contact.Nothing is more boring than listening to speaker who looks at the floor or at note cards.Relax.Your class is made up of your friends and you talk to them all the time.Talk the same way now.Have a look at every person in the classroom at least once.That way，everyone will feel like you're communication with them.Also，you'll look like you know what you're talking about.

　　Use hand motions.Move your hands along as you talk，using them to express your key points and keep the class interested.It will also lead your nervous energy into a better place.

　　中考英語閱讀專題訓練題目：

　　4.According to the passage，__B__ of people might fear to speak in public.

　　A.100 percent　　　　　B.75 percent

　　C.50 percent D.25 percent

　　5.In Paragraph 3 of the passage “smiles are infectious” means __A__.

　　A.smiles can be passed on

　　B.it's hard to smile

　　C.smiles keep people fit

　　D.people should smile every day

　　6.Which picture matches the last paragraph best?

　　7.The passage mainly talks about __A__.

　　A.a boy's speech in class

　　B.how to write note cards

　　C.the fear of public speaking

　　D.how to make a speech better