Looking back on my childhood, I am convinced that naturalists are born and not made. Although we were brought up in the same way, my brothers and sisters soon abandoned their pressed flowers and insects. Unlike them, I had no ear for music and languages. I was not an early reader and I could not do mental math.
Before World War I we spent out summer holidays in Hungary. I have only the dim(模糊的)memory of the house we lived in, of my room and my toys, Nor do I recall clearly the large family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who gathered next door. But I do have a crystal clear memory of dogs, the farm animals, the local birds and above all, the insects.
I am a naturalist, not a scientist. I have a strong love of the natural world, and my enthusiasm has led me into various investigations. I love discussing my favorite topics and enjoy burning the midnight oil reading about other people’s observations and discoveries.Then something happens that brings these observations together in my conscious mind. Suddenly you fancy you see the answer to the riddle. Because it all seems to fit together. This has resulted in my publishing 300 papers and books, which some may light honor, with the title of scientific research.
But curiosity, a keen eye ,a good memory and enjoyment of the animal and plant world do not make a scientist: one of the outstanding and essential qualities required is self-discipline, a quality I lack, A scientist can be made a naturalist. If you can combine the two, you get the best of both worlds.
1.According to the author, a born naturalist should first of all be
A. full of ambition B. self-disciplined C. full of enthusiasm D. knowledgeable
2.The first paragraph tells us that the author
A. lost his hearing when he was a child
B. didn’t like his brothers and sisters
C. was interested in flowers and insects in his childhood
D. was born to a naturalist’s family
3.The author says that his a naturalist rather than a scientist probably because he thinks he
A. just reads about other people’s observations and discoveries
B. lacks some of the qualities required of scientist
C. has a great deal of trouble doing mental arithmetic
D. comes up with solutions in most natural ways.
4.The author can’t remember his clearly because
A. He didn’t live very long with them B. He was too young when he lived with them
C. The family was extremely large D. He was fully occupied with observing nature
5.Which of the following statements is true?
A. The author believes that a born naturalist cannot be a scientist
B. The author read a lot of books about the natural world and oil industry
C. The author’s brothers and sisters were good at music and languages
D. The author spent a lot of time working on riddles.
Linda Evans was my best friend-like the sister I never had, We did everything together：piano lessons, movies, swimming , horseback riding.
When I was 13, my family moved away, Linda and I kept in touch through letters， and we saw each other on special times- like my wedding and Linda’s. Soon we were busy with children and moving to new homes, and we wrote less often. One day a card that I sent came back, stamped “Address Unknown”. I had no idea about how to find Linda.
Over the years, I missed Linda very much, I wanted to share happiness of my children and then grandchildren, And I needed to share my sadness when my brother and then mother died, There was an empty place in my heart that only a friend like Linda could fill.
One day, I was reading a newspaper when I noticed a photo of a young woman who looked very much like Linda and whose last name was Wagman—Linda’s married name. “There must be thousands of Wagmans . ”I thought, but I still wrote to her.
She called as soon as she got my letter, “Mrs, Tobin!” she said excitedly, “Linda Evans Wagman is my mother.”Minutes later I heard a voice that I recognized at once, even after 40 years. We laughed and cried and caught up on each other’s lives, Now the empty place in my heart is filled, And there’s one thing that Linda and I know for sure: we won’t lose each other again!
1.The writer went to piano lessons with Linda Evans .
A. at the age of 13 B. before she got married
C. before the writer’s family moved away D. after they moved to new homes
2.They didn’t often write to each other because they .
A. got married B. had little time to do so
C. didn’t like writing letters D. could see each other on special times
3.There was an empty place in the writer’s heart because she .
A. was in trouble B. didn’t know Linda’s address
C. received the card that she sent D. didn’t have a friend like Linda
4.The writer was happy when she .
A. read the newspaper
B. heard Linda’s voice on the phone
C. met a young woman who looked a lot like Linda
D. wrote to the woman whose last name was Wangman
5.They haven’t kept in touch .
A. for about 40 years B. for about 27 years
C. since they got married D. since the writer’s family moved away
One day I visited an art museum while waiting for my husband to finish a business meeting . I was expecting a quiet 21 of the splendid artwork.
A young 22 viewing the paintings ahead of me 23 nonstop between themselves. I watched them a moment and decided the lady was doing all the talking. I admired the man’s
24 for putting up with her 25 stream of words. 26 by their noise, I moved on.
I met them several times as I moved 27 the various rooms of art, Each time I heard her continuous flow of words, I moved away 28 .
I was standing at the counter of the museum gift shop making a 29 when the couple approached the 30 . Before they left, the man 31 into his pocket and pulled out a white object. He 32 it into a long sick and then 33 his way into the coatroom to get his wife’s jacket.
“He′s a 34 man.” The clerk at the counter said. “Most of us would give up if we were blinded at such a young age, During his recovery, he made a promise his life wouldn’t change. So, as before, he and his wife come in 35 there is a new art show.”
“But what does he get out of the art?”I asked .“He can’t see.”
“Can’t see? You’re 36 . He sees a lot, More than you and I do,” the clerk said, “His wife 37 each painting so he can see it in his head.”
I learned something about patience, 38 and love that day. I saw the patience of a young wife describing paintings to a person without 39 and the courage of a husband who would not 40 blindness to change his life. And I saw the love shared by two people as I watched this couple walk away, their arms intertwined.
1.A. view B. touch C. wander D. scenery
2.A. lady B. man C. couple D. clerk
3.A. yelled B. argued C. screamed D. chatted
4.A. attempt B. patience C. wisdom D. independence
5.A. vivid B. constant C. casual D. exciting
6.A. Adopted B. Adapted C. Conducted D. Disturbed
7.A. towards B. to C. through D. from
8.A. anxiously B. slowly C. quickly D. sensibly
9.A. comment B. decision C. purchase D. profit
10.A. entrance B. queue C. front D. exit
11.A. plugged B. reached C. held D. bent
12.A. lengthened B. made C. brought D. broadened
13.A. led B. found C. forced D. tapped
14.A. brave B. rough C. smart D. generous
15.A. wherever B. whatever C. whenever D. whichever
16.A. wrong B. silly C. equal D. unique
17.A.describes B. draws C. shows D. decorates
18.A. kindness B. courage C. enthusiasm D. pride
19.A. support B. expectation C. sight D. confidence
20.A. allow B. hope C. get D. Cause
This is a very convenient place to live in, is an airport connecting all the big cities.
A. 20 km northwest of it B. 20 km northwest of which
C. northwest 20 km to it D. northwest 20 km of which
competence, you are quite suited to the position, but you shouldn’t be careless.
A. On account of B. In spite of C. In terms of D. By means of
Whoever is new in the community will soon to the new environment, as everybody here is friendly and helpful.
A. apply B. appeal C. attach D. adapt
