About three hundred and fifty years ago. Africans first began to arrive in America. But they were not like other immigrants (移民) to the new American colonies (殖民地). They came unwillingly, kidnapped into slavery (奴隶). Men, women and children were forced to work on large farms owned by whites in the South. Others were slaves in the northern colonies, working in the homes or businesses of their owners. Even after the American War for Independence, slavery continued.

Slaves were bought and sold like animals. Husbands and wives, parents and children, might be traded to different owners and never see each other again. If they displeased their owners, they might be beaten or even killed. This was life for most black Americans as recently as one hundred and forty years ago.

During America's Civil War in the eighteen sixties, slavery was finally ended. But for many years after, blacks were not treated equally with whites. Blacks were often forbidden stores, eating places, theatres and hotels. They were refused good education, jobs and housing. Often, they were prevented from voting (投票).

【小题1】The first group of Africans arrived in America in the ________century.

A．fifteenth	B．sixteenth
C．seventeenth	D．eighteenth

【小题2】Africans were kidnapped to America and forced to work there as________.

A．farmers	B．workers
C．servants	D．slaves

【小题3】The slavery in America continued ________.

A．until the American War for Independence	B．until the American Civil War
C．since one hundred and forty years ago	D．after the American Civil War

【小题4】After slavery was ended, American blacks ________.

A．were still treated badly	B．could be beaten or even killed freely
C．could be traded freely	D．were not set free from their slave owners

【小题5】The title of this passage would be ________.

A．The American Immigrants	B．The American Slavery
C．The History of the United Stases	D．The History of American Blacks