James Arruda Henry, a 98-year-old retired lobsterman, has written and published his first book, "In a Fisherman's Language", after learning to read at the incredible age of 91.
Mr. Henry spent most of his life without even his closest family members knowing he was illiterate (文盲).Forced to quit school in the third grade to take some jobs, he kept the secret close to his chest - only telling to his late wife.
A family problem in his 90s sparked his encourage to restart his education."He signed a document he could not read," Mr Henry's granddaughter said. And then, after hearing about George Dawson, a son of slaves who learned to read at the age of 98 and went on to write a book of his own, entitled "Life Is So Good" at the age of 101, Mr. Henry took up reading.
"If he can do it.I'm going to try," Mr. Henry said.Starting with his name, he eventually moved on to ABC’s and children's books. He put them down for four years after the tragic loss of his wife. But eventually he went back to reading and with the help of his tutor began to record his life.
He wrote about his family’s voyage from Portugal to the U.S. his many journeys at sea and how he was unable to save another fisherman who had fallen overboard. He became a carpenter and even a professional boxer - and eventually built his own home in Stonington Borough.
His life stories have become so popular, in fact, nearly 800 copies were sold in the first two weeks of the book's release last month.One thousand more have since been printed as requests for the book flood in from as far as Germany.And now even Hollywood producers have approached Mr. Henry about optioning the rights to his life story for a big screen adaptation.
1.Which of the following is true of Mr. Henry?
A.He couldn't read when he was retired.
B.He was not a good student at school.
C.Only his family members knew he was illiterate.
D.He published his book at the age of 91.
2.Mr. Henry made up his mind to study because he .
A.had some trouble with his granddaughter
B.couldn't sign the document he was given
C.wanted to share his own experience with others
D.was inspired by George Dawson's story
3.In his book, Mr. Henry didn't mention ____.
A.his family story B.his school education
C.his journeys at sea D.his work experiences
4.What's the main idea of the last paragraph?
A.Nearly 800 copies of the book were sold.
B.The book was sold well in Germany.
C.His book was popular both at home and abroad.
D.Hollywood has planned to adapt his book for a movie.
It's fourteen years since I left the Philippines to live with my family in the USA. A month ago, while on summer vacation back in my motherland, I learned a lesson from mosquito (蚊子) bites. Right before 16 Kennedy Airport in New York, my grandma 17 me of the behavior of the native mosquitoes around the 18 like me. She said, "There's an old saying—the 19 you stay away from the motherland, the sweeter your blood 20 to the mosquitoes. " Not 21 it, I replied, "Grandma, that's just an old wives' tale!"
Well, less than a week 22 my arrival in Manila, I was already carpeted with a 23 of mosquito bites. I took many measures to keep myself from being 24 , but they all proved useless.
Late one 25 in my cousin's home, I couldn't bear the 26 of the bites. Hoping to find some comfort, I 27 my cousin, who was sleeping peacefully in the bed next to mine. Unhappy for being 28 she said, "There is nothing you can do. Go back to sleep. " With a few turns, she slept again. Enviously (妒嫉地) 29 her sleep, I hoped a big mosquito would 30 on her face. However, the mosquitoes would just lightly dance around her forehead and fly away quickly, never biting her. Amazed (惊奇的), I ran to others' 31 , only to find they were all sleeping 32 as the same thing occurred again and again.
From those bites, I came to 33 my grandma's silly tale. From then on, I've always tried to keep a(n) 34 mind about those strange old wives' tales 35 they do have some truth to them.
1.A. leaving B. passing C. visiting D. finding
2.A. persuaded B. reminded C. warned D. informed
3.A. students B. foreigners C. passengers D. visitors
4.A. earlier B. longer C. sooner D. later
5.A. grows B. goes C. flows D. remains
6.A. expecting B. understanding C. recognizing D. believing
7.A. after B. before C. when D. as
8.A. shade B. pile C. cloud D. blanket
9.A. touched B. bitten C. defeated D. discovered
10.A. morning B. afternoon C. evening D. night
11.A. noise B. hit C. pain D. effect
12.A. woke up B. shouted at C. looked for D. dropped on
13. A. blamed B. interrupted C. moved D. frightened
14.A. having B. watching C. making D. helping
15.A. land B. fly C. fall D. wait
16.A. houses B. flats C. rooms D. homes
17.A. joyfully B. anxiously C. soundlessly D. worriedly
18.A. tell B. know C. remember D. accept
19.A. open B. active C. clear D. honest
20.A. and B. so C. because D. until
1. —Did you spend a lot of time looking for the lost child?
—________. It took us half a month, but luckily we found him.
A. My pleasure B. Absolutely
C. Not at all D. Don’t mention it
1. ____ he told us is the news ____ China has got 32 gold medals in the Athens Olympic Games, ____, of course, made us feel very excited.
A. What; which; which B. That; that; which
C. What; that; which D. That; that; what
1. Rarely ________ such a silly thing.
A. have I heard of
B. I have heard of
C. I have been hearing of
D. have I heard from
1. Prices of food in that area ____ sharply since word came that the war would break out soon.
A. were cut down
B. were rising
C. have been brought down
D. have been going up