The United States covers a large part of the North 1__ continent (洲), when this land first became a nation. After 2 its freedom (自由) from England, it has 13 states. Each of the states had a star on the American flag (旗子). As the nation 3 , new states were formed and there 4 new stars on the flag. 5 a long time, there were forty-eight states. In 1959 two 6 stars were added (加) to the flag, standing for (代表) the new states of Alaska and Hawaii.

　　7 were the first people of the land and great number of people came from England. It is 8 that reason that the language of the U.S. is English and 9 its culture and customs (文化习惯) are more 10 those of England than any other country in the world.

　　1. A. America B. America's C. American D. Americans

　　2. A. win B. won C. winning D. have won

　　3. A. grew B. grows C. growing D. have grown

　　4. A. are B. were C. have been D. had been

　　5. A. In B. From C. For D. Through

　　6. A. another B. many C. other D. more

　　7. A. India B. Indian C. Indias D. Indians

　　8. A. on B. for C. because D. because of

　　9. A. that B. why C. many D. all

　　10. A. as B. like C. same D. as if

　　名师点评

　　这篇短文告诉我们美利坚合众国的由来：美国是由州组成的国家，并且每增加一个州，就在旗子上增加一颗星。结合世界历史知识，完成此篇短文。