WHAT happens to a teenage kid when the world he thought he knew suddenly changes? Find out in Little Brother by American author Cory Doctorow. It is a fascinating book for a new generation of sci-fi readers.
Marcus Yallow, 17, from San Francisco is much more comfortable in front of a computer than obeying the rules of society. Smart, fast and wise to the ways of the networked world, he has no trouble outwitting (骗过) his high school's monitoring system.This way he and his friends get to head off to play a popular online game in real life.
While they are playing, a bomb explodes on the Bay Bridge. Marcus stops a military vehicle to get help for his injured friend, but this simple act throws him into a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secret prison.There he is treated as a possible terrorist. He is eventually let go after four days, but his injured friend disappears.
When he returns, Marcus discovers that there are many "security measures" in place and that now all citizens are treated like potential terrorists. While some consider this government action necessary for public safety, Marcus sees this as a complete destruction of the rights he is supposed to have as a citizen.
He knows that no one will believe his story, which leaves him with only one thing to do: to take down the DHS himself. He helps organize a large network called Xnet to spread the truth, anonymously (匿名地).
The book presents a young man who is irresponsible, but learns about himself, and grows, in the course of the story. As part of this learning and growing he becomes aware of very serious issues about his society.
1.What kind of article does this passage belong to?
A.A fascinating story |
B.A book review |
C.News report |
D.A TV programme |
2.The underlined word destruction in the passage means .
A.damage |
B.reward |
C.ruin |
D.protection |
3.Marcus Yallow was sent to prison because .
A.he killed his friend |
B.he bombed a military vehicle |
C.he did something that a possible terrorist could do |
D.his injured friend disappeared |
4.From the second paragraph we can infer that .
A.Marcus Yallow is much more comfortable obeying the rules of society |
B.Marcus Yallow is smart, fast and wise in real life |
C.Marcus Yallow always plays online games in real life |
D.Marcus Yallow is expert at the network world |
5.At the end of the book, Marcus Yallow .
A.is supposed to be more irresponsible |
B.becomes aware of very serious issues about his society |
C.presents a young man who is irresponsible |
D.plays a popular online game in real life |
I was feeling a little blue. My mother had been laid off from her job, but she said she was OK since her boss wasn't the nicest person 36 .
I got off the college bus and started walking. That's 37 I heard piano music and singing rising above the 38 of the people and the traffic. I walked a little slower 39 I could find out where it was coming from. 40 the crowd I saw a young lady sitting at a piano with a 41 next to her, singing songs about love. The way she was singing 42 me a bit. I stood there watching her 43 for about fifteen minutes, thinking that it must take 44 to perform on her own in public.
Feeling my presence, she looked in my 45 . I walked over and put some money in her carriage. “I have been going through a 46 time lately, but you’ve made me hopeful again.”
"I'm happy that I could 47 . Why are you so sad?"
"Well, my mum had got 48 from her job, but I’m not sure what to do….”
"You see, the way you were 49 ," she explained. “Don't look defeated, 50 come in different ways. If your head is down you might never see it. Smile more ... 51 your head up."
I smiled slightly, amazed by how she was 52 me.
“Why are you playing here?” I asked.
“I am not making music. I study psychology. I often see many 53 people and hope to relieve their 54 and make them think positively by sharing music.”
I smiled a little wider. She was doing a good thing. My heart was touched by a 55 soul.
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In my opinion, ______ matters is not one’s looks, but one’s inner thoughts.
A.which |
B.that |
C.what |
D.who |
______ with danger,the 16-year-old girl was wonderfully calm.
A.Facing |
B.Faced |
C.Being faced |
D.To face |
The solution ______ this problem is acceptable. So I am ______ it.
A.of; against |
B.to; for |
C.to; on |
D.on; for |
This is the _________ spot on which the first pilgrims landed in America.
A.historic |
B.natural |
C.historical |
D.traditional |