Question

Flying High

Barrington Irving made his historic flight and founded an educational non-profit-making organization. The secret, he believes, is having a dream in the first place, and that starts with learning experiences that inspire kids to build careers.

The moment of inspiration for Irving came in his parents’ bookstore. One customer, a professional pilot, asked Irving if he’d thought about becoming a pilot. “I told him I wasn’t smart enough; but the next day he took me to the cockpit (驾驶舱) of the commercial airplane he flew, and just like that I was hooked.”

To follow his dream, Irving turned down a football scholarship to the University of Florida. He washed airplanes to earn money and increased his flying skills by practising at home on a $40 flight simulator (模拟) video game. Then another dream took hold: flying alone around the world. He faced more than 50 rejections for sponsorship before convincing some companies to donate aircraft components. He took off with no weather radar, no de-icing system, and just $30 in his pocket.

After 97 days, 26 stops and dozens of thunderstorms, he touched down to a cheering crowd in Miami. “It was seeing so many young people watching and listening that pushed me into giving back with my knowledge and experience.” Irving has been doing it ever since. He set up his non-profit-making organization, Experience Aviation (航空), aiming to increase the numbers of youth in aviation and science-related careers. “We want to create chances for students to accomplish something amazing,” he notes. The most powerful educational tool is the example his own life provides.

1.According to Irving, what is the most important in achieving success?

A.Meeting people who provide unexpected help.

B.Getting a chance to study technical knowledge.

C.Having something specific that you want to accomplish.

D.Developing communication with different organizations.

2.What Irving replied to the pilot in the bookstore suggested that ______.

A.he felt embarrassed to refuse the offer B.he was doubtful about his own abilities

C.he knew his efforts would be rewarded D.he realized immediately how lucky he was

3.What can we learn about Irving in Paragraph 3?

A.He chose to reduce his budget as low as possible.

B.He was finally given enough money to keep going.

C.He got the most useful flying tips from his video game.

D.He took on a further challenge after he knew how to fly.

4.Why does Irving set up his non-profit-making organization?

A.Because he hoped to become a public figure.

B.Because he expected to start a business in other fields.

C.Because he saw there was great interest in what he was doing.

D.Because he thought he could teach more than flight schools could.

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.D

4.C

【解析】

本文是一篇记叙文，主要讲述了Barrington Irving学习飞行、独自一人飞越全球并成立公益组织传播飞行知识及经验的故事。

1.

细节理解题。根据第一段中The secret, he believes, is having a dream in the first place, and that starts with learning experiences that inspire kids to build careers.可知他相信，秘诀在于首先要有梦想，而梦想从学习经验开始，激励孩子们去建立自己的职业生涯。由此可知，在Irving看来，取得成功最重要的是有明确的目标。故选C。

2.

推理判断题。根据第二段中“I told him I didn’t think I was smart enough;”(“我告诉他，我认为自己不够聪明。”)可知Irving告诉对方自己可能不够聪明，表明Irving怀疑自己的能力。故选B。

3.

细节理解题。根据第三段中Then another dream took hold: flying alone around the world.可知然后另一个梦想出现了：独自飞行环游世界。由此可知，在他知道如何飞行之后，他接受了进一步的挑战。故选D。

4.

推理判断题。根据第四段中“It was seeing so many young people watching and listening that pushed me into giving back with my knowledge and experience.” Irving has been doing it ever since. He set up his non-profit-making organization, Experience Aviation (航空), aiming to increase the numbers of youth in aviation and science-related careers.The most powerful educational tool is the example his own life provides.可知“看到这么多年轻人在看、在听，促使我用自己的知识和经验回馈社会。” Irving从那时起就一直这样做。他成立了自己的非盈利组织“体验航空”，旨在增加从事航空和科学相关职业的年轻人数量。最有力的教育工具是他自己的例子。由此可推知，促使他建立这个公益组织的是因为他看到人们对他所做的事非常感兴趣。故选C。