A Beautiful Mind
A mathematician who goes mad is not a subject most directors consider commercially attractive, but then Ron Howard isn't among most directors. Despite an impressive list of credits, A Beautiful Mind is his most successful work to date, combining a psychological drama with a moving love story to produce a film that is as interesting as it is entertaining.
The Oscar winning Russell Crowe has put himself in line for further honours with his acting John Nash, the Nobel Prize-winning mathematician troubled by schizophrenia (精神分裂症). A Beautiful Mind pictures Nash as an unusual hero, not just because of his academic achievements but also because of the courage he displays while battling his illness.
In 1947, Nash was one of many great young minds at Princeton. “To find a truly original idea is the only way to distinguish myself,” the proud and determined student declared. His exploration of' such an idea afforded him little time for the normal socialising. His shyness and straightforward approach brought him few friends.
After finally hitting on a revolutionary new idea, Nash's career took off and his reputation was secured. He balanced research work with teaching, which is where he met the bright and beautiful student Alicia (Jennifer Connelly). Things in his life were going well when his talent for code breaking brought him to the attention of the military who employed him during the early stages of the cold war with Russia. However, the stress of his work made Nash's illness develop.
Crowe's performance is perfect. He and Connelly ignite (make something exciting) the film's passionate love story and Connelly's wonderful performance makes the audience moved by Alicia, whose courage, strength and faith in her husband are the primary reasons for his recovery.
1.This passage is most probably __________.
A. a book review B. a movie review
C. a movie poster D. an advertisement
2. Which can replace the underlined phrase hitting on in the fourth paragraph?
A. come up with B. come on
C. put on D. put up with
3. The following statements are true EXCEPT that ______.
A. John Nash did not go mad totally
B. Ron Howard is an outstanding director
C. the stress of the academic work caused Nash's illness
D. Nash's concentration on his work and his shyness brought him few friends
4.We can infer from the text that_________.
A. without Alicia, John Nash would not have recovered from schizophrenia
B. John Nash gave up his career when troubled by schizophrenia
C. Russell Crowe won another Oscar Award after this movie
D. John Nash volunteered to serve in the army
CLASSIC TOURS—COACH BREAK INFORMATION
Luggage
We ask you to keep a medium-sized suitcase per person, but a small holdall can also be taken onto the coach.
Seats
Requests for particular seats can be made on most coach breaks (巴士旅游) when booking, but since seats are booked on a first come, first serve basic, early booking is advisable. When bookings are made with us, you will be offered the best seats that are available on the coach at that time.
Travel Documents
When you have paid your deposit（订金）, we will send you all the necessary documents, so that you can receive them in good time before the coach break leaving date. Certain documents, for example, air or boat tickets, may have to be reserved and your guide will then give them to you during the break.
Special Diets
If you require a special diet, you must inform us at the time of booking with a copy of the diet. This will be told to the hotels on your coach break. The hotels for certain coach breaks are tourist class and they may not have the equipment to deal with special diets. Any extra costs must be paid to the hotel by yourself before leaving the hotel.
Accommodation
On any coach break there are only a limited number of single rooms. When a single room is available, it may be subject to an extra charge and this will be shown on the brochure page.
Entertainment
Some of our hotels arrange extra entertainment which could include music, dancing, films, etc. The nature and frequency of the entertainment presented is decided by the hotel and therefore not guaranteed and could be withdrawn if there is a lack of demand or insufficient numbers in the hotel.
1.If you want to choose certain seats of the coach, you should _________.
A. take little luggage B. avoid traveling in holidays
C. book your seat well in advance D. arrive early on the leaving date
2. It may be necessary to pay extra for_________.
A. single rooms B. particular seats
C. entertainment D. hand luggage
3.Where is the passage mostly taken from?
A. A fashion magazine. B. A business report.
C. A legal document. D. A travel brochure.
“This Friday we'll have the yearly Egg Drop Challenge,” said our science teacher, Mr. Baker. “You can work alone or with a partner.”
My friend, Cassie, and I smiled at each other. We always worked on projects 36 .
The 37 of the challenge was simple—to build a protective container to keep an egg from breaking when 38 the stadium wall.
I made my sandwich that afternoon while waiting for Cassie. 39 the butter-cream gave me an idea.
“I have a brilliant design for our 40 container!” I said when Cassie arrived. “We can 41 the egg with some butter-cream.”
“Why not put the egg in a basket with a parachute 42 ?” Cassie rolled her eyes. “The parachute is better than that stupid idea.”
I couldn't believe it. Of course we'd had our little 43 in the past, but she'd never called any of my ideas “ 44 ” before.
“Then I’ll build mine and you build yours!”
45 words had been out, our friendship was challenged.
When Friday finally arrived, I had to 46 Cassie’s Egg Force One looked pretty good. 47, my Egg-cellent Egg Cream didn't look quite scientific. We kids carried our containers up three stadium steps and dropped them over the side wall. Those whose eggs broke were out; those whose eggs survived 48 three more steps and dropped them again. This would go on till the last egg broke.
After four rounds, only Cassie and I were 49 . I let go of my box. I heard someone say “ew” after seconds. Had my egg broken? I raced down the 50 . The sidewalk was dotted with egg shells(蛋壳) from those 51 drops. Finally I found my little Egg-cellent Egg Cream.
“That looks like egg drop soup, Laura,” Cassie said. She was holding her Egg Force One. My 52 raced. Had she won? I looked at her basket. 53 .
“My egg bounced (弹起) 54 ,” she explained, pointing to a broken shell.
“A tie（平局）,” Mr. Baker said.
Cassie looked at me, and her glare（瞪眼） 55 . I laughed. She smiled…
1.A. patiently B. silently C. together D. alone
2.A. function B. goal C. reason D. result
3. A. rolled down B. pushed against C. thrown at D. dropped over
4.A. Spreading B. Boiling C. Baking D. Holding
5.A. butter B. sandwich C. cream D. egg
6. A. protect B. replace C. carry D. mix
7. A. followed B. covered C. attached D. supported
8.A. ideas B. fights C. worries D. challenges
9.A. wrong B. stupid C. brilliant D. scientific
10. A. Since B. While C. But D. And
11.A. explain B. deny C. admit D. prove
12. A. Therefore B. Anyway C. Otherwise D. Besides
13.A. paced down B. turned around C. walked up D. went back
14. A. left B. wanted C. chosen D. discovered
15.A. steps B. way C. wall D. sidewalk
16.A. intended B. unexpected C. failed D. desired
17.A. eyes B. hands C. feel D. heart
18.A. Lost B. Dirty C. Broken D. Empty
19.A. around B. out C. in D. down
20. A. returned B. remained C. increased D. softened
He lost his favorite watch, _________ made him very sad.
A. that B. it C. which D. as
Mary has a house _________ as Tom's.
A. twice as big B. as twice big
C. big as twice D. twice bigger
Professor Li is the person to ____________ you should write.
A. whom B. who C. which D. whose
