B
There is a traditional toy called taiping nijiaojiao. It is a clay(黏土）toy and also a whistle(哨子）in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu. It has a history of over 1,000 years.
Taiping nijiaojiao is made of the mud from the local mountain. It takes more than ten steps to make the clay toy, and the key step is to knead(捏）it with your hands. You can knead the clay toy into anything, like animals and plants. The blowhole is the most difficult part to make, for the size of the blowhole makes a difference to the sound. While colouring, you can use traditional cultural elements(元素）that carry good meanings. It’s hard to make taiping nijiaojiao. But when you finally make it, you will feel proud of yourself.
Zhou Baokang, a lover of folk art, learned how to make the clay toy from local artists about 20 years ago. He wants more people to know about it, so he has opened a museum to introduce the clay toy. He teaches kids how to make the clay toy, too.
There are many traditional art forms in China, but some of them have been lost. Luckily, the traditional clay toy taiping nijiaojiao is kept to this day.
()49. What is taiping nijiaojiao?
A. A toy. B. An animal. C. A plant. D. A museum.
()50. What is the key step when you make taiping nijiaojiao?
A. Choosing the elements. B. Kneading the clay toy.
C. Making the blowhole. D. Colouring the clay toy.
()51. What’s the best title for the passage?
A. Shapes of the Clay Toy B. A Lover of Folk Art
C. Ways of Making a Clay Toy D. A Traditional Clay Toy

C (2025南通通州区期中)
Do-it-yourself projects let you design your house, providing a way to save money, but even with step-by-step instructions, DIY doesn't always go as planned. Nearly 80% of homeowners make mistakes while doing DIY. Here are four of the biggest mistakes that homeowners often make.
Costing Too Much
More than 40% of people find DIY projects more difficult and expensive than they thought. By taking on a task that needs more time or skills than you have, you may end up with a big mess and an unfinished project. "It's important to think about why you want to do DIY and what you're hoping to get from it," said Bailey Carson, a home care expert. "If you're doing it just to save money, you might need to think twice. Without the time, tools, and talent to do it correctly and safely, mistakes may cost you more in the long run(从长远来看) than simply(简单地) paying others to help from the beginning."
▲
A third of people used the wrong tool for DIY projects, which can make the job more difficult and less safe. Many tools are designed for special uses and materials, so if you use them for other tasks, you may get hurt. Always use the proper tools for each project, and make sure you know how to use them.
Not Safety First
DIY mistakes can be not only costly but also dangerous. Of the people surveyed who once made a big mistake during their DIY projects, 47% said that the mistake led to(导致) serious problems, while 44% started a fire or fell off(从……摔下来) a roof or a ladder. Take your time and follow all safety rules when using tools. Remember to wear dust masks, safety glasses, hearing protection or gloves to protect yourself.
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Skipping Important Steps
Skipping a key step can end up with a failure of your whole DIY project—and you might not realize it until much later. In the survey, 47% of people said that they had finished a DIY project before realizing it was done wrong. Read all instructions carefully ahead of time, and make sure you have the necessary skills to complete each step before you begin.
()52. According to Paragraph 2, people who are suitable for DIY.
A. want to save money
B. want to save time
C. are skillful enough
D. are careful enough
()53. Which of the following should be put in "▲"?
A. Using the Wrong Tools.
B. Using the Special Tools.
C. Using the Expensive Tools.
D. Using the Proper Tools.
()54. Which is TRUE according to the article?
A. "Costing Too Much" is the biggest mistake during the DIY projects.
B. DIY mistakes can be both expensive and dangerous.
C. We can skip some difficult steps to make DIY easier.
D. Following the instructions, people make no mistakes in DIY.
()55. 创新设题 写作目的 The writer wrote this article to .
A. tell us DIY is very dangerous
B. show DIY can help us save money
C. tell us the importance of DIY
D. help us keep away from DIY mistakes