When middle-aged Alex quit his job and made up his mind to become a self-employed writer， no one could tell for sure whether he would succeed or not. He found a cold storage room in a building, set up a used typewriter and settled down to work.
After a year or so, however, Alex began to doubt himself. He found it was difficult to earn his living by selling what he wrote. But Alex determined to put his dream to the test—even though it meant living with uncertainty and fear of failure. This is the shadowland (虚幻世界) of hope, and anyone with a dream must learn to live there.
One day Alex got a call,“We need an assistant, and we’re paying $6,000 a year.” $6,000 was real money in 1960. It would enable Alex to get a nice apartment ,a used car and more. Besides, he could write in his spare time. As the dollars were dancing in Alex’s head, something cleared his senses. He had dreamed of being a writer--full time. “Thanks, but no,” Alex said firmly and swiftly, “I’m going to stick it out and write.”
After Alex got off the phone, he pulled out everything he had: two cans of vegetables and 18 cents. Alex put the cans and cents into a paper bag, saying to himself, “There’s everything you’ve made of yourself so far. I’m not sure I ever felt so low.”
Finally his work was published in 1970.Instantly he had the kind of fame and success that few writers ever experience. The shadows had turned into focus of attention.
Then one day, Alex found a box filled with things he had owned years before. Inside was a paper bag with two cans and 18 cents. Suddenly he pictured himself working in that cold storage room. It reminds Alex, and anyone with a dream, of the courage and persistence(坚毅) it takes to stay the course(持续到底) in the shadowland.
1.Why did Alex give up his job?
A．Because he didn’t like the working conditions.
B．Because he couldn’t earn enough to make a living.
C．Because he wanted to be a full-time writer.
D．Because he felt he had no potential in his job.
2.What did Alex express when he answered the call?
A．He refused the job offer.
B．He was willing to give them a hand.
C．He expected them to pay him more money.
D．He would write in his spare time.
3.What kind of person is Alex?
A．determined B．modest C．shy D．brave
4.Which of the following can summarize the passage best?
A．Look before you leap
B．Two heads are better than one.
C．Hold on to your dream, and it will come true.
D．A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
There are many travel destinations across the globe. What confuses a person most is which travel destination to choose. When choosing a destination for a vacation or a trip, you need to decide what that destination has to offer to you. Meanwhile, you should also take many factors into consideration, so that the decision-making will get easy.
The amount of money you want to spend is an important factor and plays an important role in deciding a destination. For example, cities like London, New York, Vegas etc are expensive. On the other hand when you travel to Asia, the cost is generally lower and you don’t need to spend much on traveling, lodging or shopping. Therefore, it is important to estimate your budget before selecting a destination.
When you plan your vacation, another important thing to plan is the number of the days you want to spend. There are many travel destinations in the world that can be covered in a week’s time. Some destinations like Africa, or Maldives beaches can be planned in a week’s time. Some other destinations like New York, Thailand may require more than a few weeks to enjoy completely.
Vacations are also planned according to the company you have. For example, if you travel with your family, then you’ll need a place where you can enjoy with your family members. Similarly, if you are going with friends, a city full of amusement parks, museums, shopping centers will be an ideal(理想的) destination. Therefore you need to consider whom you are going with, before deciding a destination.
1.Who are the intended readers of the text?
A．Students majoring in tourism B．Foreign travelers
C．travel agencies D．Travel planners
2.Compared to a journey to Thailand, a journey to New York _______.
A．is more suitable for a group of people B．will take you a longer time
C．will cost you more money D．gives you more fun
3.What is the main factor to be considered mentioned in the last paragraph?
A．Services provided B．Your partners in traveling
C．Activities involved in traveling D．Your budget for a travel
Christmas roses
It was the afternoon of December 24, the day before Christmas, and as the newest doctor in our office, I 36 to wok. The only thing that brightened my day was the beautifully 37 Christmas tree in our waiting room and a gift sent to me by my 38 --- a dozen red roses.
Then a woman came in with an infant (婴儿).39 she explained that her husband was a prisoner and was my next 40 . She told me she wasn’t allowed to visit her husband in prison and that he had never seen his son. She 41 me to let the boy’s father sit in the waiting room with her as long as possible 42 I called him for his appointment. Since my schedule wasn’t full, I 43 .
A short time later, her husband 44 ---with two armed 45 as an escort ( 护卫 ). The woman’s tired face 46 up like our little Christmas tree when her husband took a 47 beside her. I kept peeking out to watch them laugh, cry and 48 with their child.
After almost an hour, I called the 49 back to the operatory. The patient seemed like a gentle and humble（谦逊的）man. I wondered what he possibly could have done to be 50 under such conditions. I tried to make him as comfortable as possible.
At the end I wished him a Merry Christmas --- a difficult thing to say to a man 51 back to prison. He smiled and thanked me. He said he felt 52 by the fact he hadn’t been able to get his wife anything for Christmas. On 53 this , I was inspired with a wonderful idea.
I’ll never forget the look on both their faces as the prisoner gave his wife the beautiful 54 . I’m not sure who 55 the most joy --- the husband in giving, the wife in receiving, or myself in having the opportunity to share in this special moment.
1. A．needed B．used C．had D．ought
2. A．dressed B．decorated C．cut D．planted
3. A．classmate B．boss C．parent D．boyfriend
4. A．Nervously B．Eagerly C．Curiously D．Carefully
5. A．colleague B．patient C．student D．customer
6. A．begged B．ordered C．asked D．invited
7. A．when B．until C．after D．before
8. A．smiled B．hesitated C．agreed D．refused
9. A．escaped B．arrived C．cried D．quarreled
10. A．soldiers B．judges C．lawyers D．guards
11. A．went B．lit C．took D．brought
12. A．seat B．rest C．ride D．look
13. A．joy B．water C．food D．possessions
14. A．prisoner B．nurse C．doctor D．woman
15. A．awarded B．punished C．caught D．held
16. A．brought B．gone C．headed D．returned
17. A．saddened B．excited C．surprised D．pleased
18. A．seeing B．hearing C．remembering D．learning
19. A．tree B．clothes C．roses D．necklace
20. A．enjoyed B．suffered C．benefited D．experienced
---Did you go to the show last night?
--- Yeah．Every boy and every girl in the area ____ invited．
A．were B．was C．has been D．have been
Wolves are very ______: they can live in forests, on open plains, or in the snows of the Arctic.
A．adaptable B．adoptable C．available D．accessible
His diet can not be considered as healthy because it contains a lot of fat _______ meat, cakes and cream.
A．in terms of B．in need of C．in the form of D．in favor of
