Tim Ma's parents came to the United States from Taiwan in the 1970s. They opened a restaurant. It was not a success. They found success in America, however, in computers and engineering. In part because of their own experiences, Ma's parents hoped he would study to become an engineer or doctor. They wanted financial security for their child.
Growing up, Ma considered many professions – writer, fireman, even president. But he had a sense early on... ―I didn't want to be an engineer. However, Ma did well in math and science classes in high school and he ended up choosing to study electrical engineering in college.
Several engineering jobs later, though, Ma had a change of heart. He wanted to leave the engineering world behind and enter the restaurant business. It was in his blood. After all, his parents had owned a Chinese restaurant in Arkansas. His uncle also owned one in New York.
His parents, Ma says, could not understand why he would want to leave such a good job to open a restaurant. They had worked long hours but their own restaurant still failed. They kept asking, ―Why?
But Ma remained certain. He was going to do things differently than his parents. He was able to learn from their one major mistake as restaurant owners – they knew very little about the art of cooking. So, at age 30, Ma left engineering and returned to school – cooking school.
Ma soon learned that he enjoyed cooking. In 2009, Ma opened his first restaurant in Virginia. It is called Maple Avenue. At Maple Avenue, Ma cooked, cleaned the ovens, fixed equipment and paid bills. He worked long hours, seven days a week. His long hours paid off. Ma opened his fourth restaurant last year, Kyirisan in Washington, D.C.
Kyirisan's success is due to the creative menu and food, Ma says. But mostly it just comes from completely hard work. ―I think in this country you can create your own success, just by working hard. Not because you're smarter than anybody, not because you're more creative than anybody, just by working hard. And I think that's why a lot of people end up coming to America.
1.Why did Ma’s parents want him to become an engineer or doctor?
A. Their family had found success in engineering for generations.
B. They were tired of running a restaurant.
C. They thought it financially secure to be an engineer or doctor.
D. They wanted him to try a career different from theirs.
2.Why do a lot of people come to America?
A. They can learn many things. B. They can run their business creatively.
C. They can choose jobs freely. D. They can succeed through hard work.
3.What can be the best title for the text?
A. A suitable job B. Follow your heart
C. A successful business D. Create your own business
A dog found swimming more than 220 kilometers off the coast of Thailand has been returned safely to land.
Late last week, workers on an oil rig(钻井平台) noticed the animal, all alone, in the water. It began swimming toward the side of the rig. The dog was able to get itself onto a solid area.
He appeared cold, tired and fearful. The workers lowered a rope and secured it around the dog. Then, they worked together to pull the animal up to safety.
The crew that found the dog quickly gave their new friend a name: Boonrod. The name means something similar to ―one who survives in a disaster in the Thai language.
One of those workers was Vitisak Payalaw. He has been providing updates on Boonrod on his Facebook page. He said it was lucky that the crew noticed the dog in the water. If there had been waves, he said, the animal would not have been seen.
No one knows how Boonrod ended up all alone at sea, or how long he had been out there. But Vitisak and others have guessed the animal might have fallen off a fishing boat.
On Monday, Boonrod arrived on dry land. A team of animal doctors was waiting for him in the southern Thai province of Songkhla. Workers at the Songkhla port also welcomed the dog with neck rubs and a special ―welcome necklace made of yellow flowers. Many people took pictures with Boonrod.
Vitisak wrote on Facebook, ―Today (April 15), a ship transporting the dog arrived onshore at around 10.am. His overall condition has improved. He is getting stronger and can smile.
The dog is now in the care of an animal doctor in Songkhla. The animal protection group Watchdog Thailand said he is in good condition and getting stronger. On Tuesday, the group published pictures of Boonrod getting washed — and getting plenty of love and attention.
Vitisak says that if no one claims Boonrod as their pet, he will take him with him to his home in northeast Thailand.
1.What does the dog’s name ―Boonrod mean?
A. Good luck. B. Love. C. Welcome. D. Survivor.
2.What can we learn from the text?
A. The dog was not in good condition when discovered.
B. The waves helped the workers discover the dog.
C. The dog had been at sea for a very long time.
D. The dog had fallen off a fishing boat.
3.Who is attending the dog now?
A. .Vitisak Payalaw. B. A worker on the rig.
C. An animal doctor. D. Watchdog Thailand.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.How did the speaker get the information?
A. Over the radio. B. From car makers. C. From the newspaper.
2.How many cars will be on the roads by 2025?
A. 560 million. B. 516 million. C. 140 million.
3.What is a major problem caused by cars?
A. The increasing cost. B. The road accidents. C. The air pollution.
4.What is the speaker mainly talking about?
A. Major road accidents in the country.
B. Problems cars have brought to the country.
C. The balance between car buyers and car makers.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the man plan to do this summer?
A. Sit about at home. B. Take a job. C. Take some interviews.
2.What is Alice related to the woman?
A. Her sister. B. Her neighbor. C. Her cousin.
3.What did Alice have to do for the Browns?
A. Take care of the pets. B. Look after the children. C. Grow plants around the house.
4.What did the woman do this morning?
A. She attended an interview.
B. She had fun with a group of friends.
C. She rang the Student Employment Office.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How does the woman feel at first?
A. Unhappy. B. Excited. C. Tired.
2.What does the man say about the woman?
A. She should lose weight. B. Her hair is in a mess. C. Her clothes are nice.
3.What will the woman probably do next?
A. Buy a dress. B. Wear jeans to the party. C. Have a talk with her mum.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What are the speakers doing?
A. Having a class. B. Going over their lessons. C. Having a test.
2.Where is Queensland?
A. In Canada. B. In Britain. C. In Australia.
