You either have it, or you don’t－a sense of direction. But why is it that some people could find their way across the Sahara without a map, while others can lose themselves in the next street?

Scientists say we’re all born with a sense of direction, but it is not properly understood how it works. One theory is that people with a good sense of direction have simply worked harder at developing it. Research being carried out at Liverpool University supports this idea and suggests that if we don’t use it, we lose it.

 “Children as young as seven have the ability to find their way around,” says Jim Martland, research director of the project. “However, if they are not allowed out alone or are taken everywhere by car, they never develop the skills.”

Jim Martland also emphasizes that young people should be taught certain skills to improve their sense of direction. He makes the following suggestions:

l       If you are using a map, turn it so that it relates to the way you are facing.

l       If you leave your bike in a strange place, put it near something like a big stone or a tree　－something easy to recognize. Note landmarks on the route as you go away from your bike. When you return, go back along the same route.

l       Simplify the way for finding your direction by using lines such as streets in a town, streams, or wells in the countryside to guide you. Count your steps so that you know how far you have gone and note any landmarks such as tower blocks or hills which can help to find out where you are.

Now you will never get lost again!

56. Scientists believe that ______.

A. some babies are born with a sense of direction

B. people learn a sense of direction as they grow older

C. people never lose their sense of direction

D. everybody has a sense of direction from birth

57. What is true of 7-year-old children according to the passage?

A. They never have a sense of direction without maps.

B. They should never be allowed out alone if they lack a sense of direction.

C. They have a sense of direction and can find their way around.

D. They can develop a good sense of direction if they are driven around in a car.

58. If you leave your bike in a strange place, you should ______.

A. tie it to a tree so as to prevent it from being stolen

B. draw a map of the route to help remember where it is

C. avoid taking the same route when you come back to it

D. remember something easily recognizable on the route

59. According to the passage, the best way to find your way around is to ______.

A. ask policemen or other people around for directions

B. use wells, streams, and streets to guide yourself

C. remember your route by looking out for steps and stairs

D. count the number of landmarks that you see

I had not thought I would have to go down into the pit with snakes in order to catch them, so I was wearing the   36   sort of clothes. I explained this to my friends, yet they very kindly lent me these trousers and shoes, which were quite   37   and strong. So, as I could think of    38    excuses, they tied the rope round my waist and started to   39   me into the pit. Just before I landed on the bottom, I   40   up and told them to stop lowering me. I wanted to   41   the ground that I was going to land on, to make sure there were no snakes in the way. The area being   42  , I shouted to them to lower away, and at that moment   43   things happened.
    Firstly, the   44   went out; secondly, one of the shoes which I had   45   from my friends and which were too   46   for me, came off. So there I was, standing at the   47   of  the ten-foot-deep pit, with no light and no shoe on one foot,   48    by seven or eight deadly Baboon snakes. I had never been more   49  . I had to wait in the dark, without daring to move while my friends   50   the lamp out, lit it again and lowered it into the pit again.
    With plenty of light and both shoes on, I felt much   51   and began with the task of catching snakes. This was really easy enough. I had a   52   stick in my hand, and with this I came near each snake, pinned it down with the fork and then picked it up by the back of the neck, and put it into my snake bag. What I had to   53   out for was that while I was busy catching one snake, another might move round   54   me and I might step back on it. However, it all passed without   55  . And by the end of half an hour I had caught eight of the Baboon snakes.

The weather turned out to be fine yesterday. You ________ the trouble to carry your raincoat with you.

   A. should have taken                                   B. mustn’t have taken

   C. could have taken                                     D. needn’t have taken 

Riding bikes has advantages ________ driving cars ________ many aspects.

   A. above; in              B. over; in                  C. on; on                    D. with; on

I don’t think football is ________ than basketball.

   A. a lot more exciting                                  B. a great deal more excited

   C. more excited by far                                D. by far most exciting

When you have borrowed a book from the library, you should keep it well, as if it were ______ of ______.

   A. that, yours      B. one, yours                   C. that, you              D. one, you

The buttons on my coat came ________.

   A. unfasten               B. unfastening             C. to unfastened          D. unfastened

The English ________ many times over centuries to bring Scotland under their rule. They succeeded at last in 1707, and some Scots ________ them.

   A. have tried; have never forgiven                B. had tried; never forgave

   C. had tried; have never forgiven                 D. have tried; had never forgiven

Could it be in the valley in ________ we had a picnic ________ you left behind your keys and wallet?

   A. which; which       B. which; that             C. that; where             D. where; where

The present economic crisis,  if _____ properly, will result in lots of social problems.

A. isn’t handled          B. having not handled    C. not handling        D. not handle