A
(2020·沈阳高三质检)Bikes were invented when people felt the need for stable, fast and efficient vehicles. The idea of making a bike started in the 1790s. It was inspired by a toy.
In 1792, it started off as a twowheeled part attached to a rigid wooden frame. People would use their feet to move the bike. However, it wasn’t really what people were looking for with a lot of faults. It was a kind of transport highly demanding human energy, and the other problem was the poor stability. The front wheel could not turn so one had to get off the bike to turn it. Therefore, there was a need for it to be improved, but it was not the same person who created it that changed it.
In 1820 the bike yet again had a new twist. Not only could the front wheel turn, but it was made more comfortable as a back supporter was secured. But one still had to move it by pushing it by feet on the ground. If one wanted to ride this bike, which was called a “hobby horse” at that time, he should know how to keep his balance. The other impressive thing that had changed was the speed, which increased up to 15 kilometers per hour.
Ten years later, there came the bike popular even today. This was invented by a blacksmith who used the idea of a pivot(枢轴) to develop the bike. It did not stop there. People were never satisfied with it because times also did change. As other things were being improved, so were the bikes.
Now with everything in place, there is a need to improve on the speed of these bikes. And the idea of it being only humanpowered is out of date. Today bikes have been improved and remodeled but the resemblance to the original bikes is still there.
【解题导语】 本文主要介绍了自行车的历史发展过程及现状。
1．What was one of the problems with the first bicycle?
A．It was regarded as a toy.
B．It had too many wheels.
C．It had to be operated with efforts.
D．It was too stable to turn the wheel.
C 解析：细节理解题。根据第二段中的“People would use their feet to move the bike.”和“It was a kind of transport highly demanding human energy”可知，最初的自行车需要费很大的力气才能使它运转，故选C。
2．What can we know about the bike from the text?
A．The bike popular with us today appeared in about 1830.
B．The bike was invented and improved by the same person.
C．The bike made in 1820 had to be moved forward by hand.
D．The bike was called a “hobby horse” when it first appeared.
A 解析：细节理解题。根据第三段第一句“In 1820 the bike yet again had a new twist.”和第四段第一句“Ten years later, there came the bike popular even today.”可知，至今仍受欢迎的自行车大约出现于1830年。
3．What remains similar in modern bikes compared with those in history?
A．The structure. B．The speed.
C．The safety. D．The weight.
A 解析：细节理解题。根据第五段最后一句“Today bikes have been improved and remodeled but the resemblance to the original bikes is still there.”可知，现在的自行车和历史上的自行车在结构上仍然相似。
4．Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A．The Development of Bikes
B．The Invention of Bikes
C．The Impressions on Bikes
D．The Problems with Bikes
A 解析：标题归纳题。根据全文内容，尤其是文中的“The idea of making a bike started in 1790s.” “In 1792” “In 1820” “Ten years later” “Today”等信息点可知，这篇文章主要介绍了自行车的历史发展过程。
【难句分析】 Not only could the front wheel turn, but it was made more comfortable as a back supporter was secured.
分析：本句含有“not only...but(also)．..”句型，意为“不但……而且……”，其中Not only置于句首，其所属的分句要部分倒装。
译文：不但前轮能转动，而且固定了后支架，使其更舒服。
