J. K. Rowling frequently shows there is magic every day.Her Harry Potter series has helped people through times of stress and depression and she is always there to deliver wise words of encouragement.
She is one celebrity who is very active on Twitter. So when a single dad named Matt Burke sent her a message thanking her for the series, she noticed. Her series had helped strengthen his relationship with his 9yearold daughter Bailey.
He included a link to his article titled Being a Broke Parent. He explained how he hadn’t found a level of financial stability that allowed him to pay bills on time and take his daughter on more activities and events. The family also doesn’t have the Internet or TV, which means there’s no “digital babysitter” and he has to rely on his own creative ways to bond with his daughter. Since he received the series, the main thing that has occupied them these days is reading books together.
Burke admits that he thought he was “too cool” for the books when they first came out and he was in his twenties, but he’s loving reading them now. “We switch off chapter by chapter reading them out loud，” Burke explains.”This not only allows her to get more used to reading aloud in front of someone, but it gets me directly involved in something she loves, and it gives me the chance to be very dramatic when I read my chapters and bring myself into the characters in the book, which has proven to be a ton of fun.”
After hearing Burke’s story, Rowling said how honored she was when Harry Potter was a part of his family’s life and offered Burke more books. Besides, people are also offering to send Burke more books as gifts. For Burke, this experience, far more than gifts, will be what he treasures.
1.Why did Burke thank J.K.Rowling according to the text?
A.She guided him how to write a good story.
B.She encouraged him when he was in trouble.
C.Her books helped him through times of confusion.
D.Her books helped him improve his bond with his daughter.
2.What is implied in Burke’s words in paragraph 4?
A.He has found it interesting to read the series.
B.He was too old to understand the series better.
C.He has chosen a better way of reading the series.
D.He hopes to play a role in the drama in the future.
3.Which word can best describe Burke’s experience according to the text?
A.Unique. B.Normal. C.Precious. D.Funny.
4.What is the main idea of this text?
A.J.K.Rowling chooses to help improve kids’ health.
B.J.K.Rowling gives a magical gift to a single father.
C.J.K.Rowling has a deep influence on others’ growth.
D.Burke comes to know J.K.Rowling through her series.
Places of Interest in Wales
Conway: On the north Wales coast, Conway is where you’ll find the world’s smallest house, as well as a much larger “house”，Conway Castle, which was built in the 13th century.
Anglesey: This beautiful island is joined to the rest of north Wales by a road bridge and a railway bridge, and it’s just a short drive from Conway. Here you can visit the village of Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll which has the strangest name in Europe. Don’t miss the station. The sign runs the complete length of the platform! Also on Anglesey is Beaumaris Castle, which was started in the 13th century and to this day remains unfinished.
Sonwdonia: Just a couple of hours’ drive from Beaumaris is the Snowdonia mountain range, which takes its name from the highest mountain in Wales, Mount Snowdon. From there, visit the famous Swallow Falls at nearby BetwsyCoed.
Portmeirion: In 1925 Clough WilliamsEllis bought an attractive piece of Welsh land for less than ￡5,000. He then set out to show the world how a naturally beautiful castle could be built without being damaged and spent the next 50 years building the town of Portmeirion with a style of Italy.
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1.What do we know about Anglesey?
A.It is far from Conway.
B.It can be reached by train.
C.It lies in the south of Wales.
D.It has the smallest house in the world.
2.Where can visitors go if they want to see the Italianstyle building?
A.Conway. B.Anglesey. C.Sonwdonia. D.Portmeirion.
3.What can visitors get from the brochures?
A.Introduction of the climate in Wales.
B.Characteristics of buildings in Wales.
C.Information about adventure activities.
D.Detailed information about people in Wales.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.When does the speech probably take place?
A.At the beginning of a term.
B.In the middle of a term.
C.At the end of a term.
2.How long is the office open during the weekday?
A.8 hours. B.11 hours. C.12 hours.
3.What can Jarrod Howard help with?
A.Study-related problems. B.Information about jobs. C.Money matters.
4.Whom should students turn to if they have personal problems?
A.Rodney Reid. B.Jim Smith. C.Laura Lea.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the man do in the supermarket?
A.He deals with shelves.
B.He works at the cash desk.
C.He handles customers’ complaints.
2.How long has the man worked in the supermarket?
A.One week. B.Two weeks. C.Three weeks.
3.What does the woman suggest the man do?
A.Leave his job. B.Ask for a higher position. C.Apologize to the boss.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the woman want to know about?
A.The man’s eating habit.
B.The man’s way to solve problems.
C.The man’s life in the host family.
2.How does the man feel about having meat or cheese every morning?
A.Unbearable. B.Just so-so. C.Satisfied.
3.What does the woman suggest the man do?
A.Change a host family. B.Prepare breakfast himself. C.Communicate his ideas to the host.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Who is the woman probably?
A.A reporter. B.A passer-by. C.A listener.
2.What can we know from the conversation?
A.The roads have been cleared up.
B.All people have been rescued.
C.The river bank is broken.
3.What is the purpose of the conversation?
A.To give a warning. B.To cover a story. C.To ask for help.
