D

　　What are you holding in your hand while you are taking the examination? Right. A pen.

　　Though it is small, the pen has changed the history, improved the trade of countries, recorded events, carried news, and done far more work for human beings than all other tools.

　　Progress without it would have been almost impossible. The invention of the wheels, the introduction of steam engine(蒸汽机), the use of electricity, all these have changed the lives of millions of people, but the pen has done more. It has taken away mountains, and it has prepared the way for all progress and development of the society.

　　In the past the pen did all the work if you wanted to keep any writing for some time. The lawyers took up their pens and wrote the law of the country from the days when papyrus(纸莎草纸) was first used. The most famous letters in the world were written with a pen. It was with a pen that the greatest thinkers of all time wrote down their thoughts.

　　The pen is very utilitarian. We cannot sign a bill or write a letter or buy a house without our pen. An agreement is worthless till our name is written with a pen. The writers encourage the world with it. The students take their examinations with it as well.

　　Our coming into the world is recorded with a pen. Before we have been at school, our name is written on the name list with a pen. We cannot be married till we have signed. A pen records the important events in our life.

　　Let us remember that we hold in our hand the most powerful instrument which man owns. The pen is a magic tool. Whenever you use it, enjoy it.

　　56. What is the writer trying to do in this passage?

　　A. Describe what a pen looks like. B. Introduce the history of the pen.

　　C. Advise people to prepare a new pen. D. Show the importance of the pen.

　　57. The word “mountains” in the third paragraph refers to(指代) “something to _________ ”.

　　A. explain the use of electricity B. lower the students’ scores

　　C. stop the social development D. change the law of the country

　　58. The lawyers started to write the law of the country _________.

　　A. before their thoughts were changed B. when papyrus was first used

　　C. as soon as they recorded their names D. after they took an important exam

　　59. The underlined word “utilitarian” in the passage means “_________” .

　　A. cheap B. boring C. special D. useful

　　60. What is the best title for this passage?

　　A. A Powerful Tool B. An Important Law C. A Valuable Record D. An Exciting Event