These days, many passers-by always spot a beggar on the Jiaochangkou Street in Yuzhong District of Chongqing in southwest China.

The beggar’s name is Xia Haibo, and he was born in Meihe Village, Tianmen City of Hubei Province. Being 25 years old, he is quite a special beggar in some ways — he doesn’t beg on his knees, as other beggars do when begging. Rather, he often stands in the crowded street, either reading a book or thinking about something carefully. He also started a blog on the Internet which has been clicked more than 500,000 times. He likes reading — he has read many classical Chinese poems. He has kept writing and recently, he has planned to publish his writings.

In 1998, Xia entered Tianmen Middle School as the best student in his town. However, a year before he took the college entrance examination, he came down with a high fever and was later diagnosed (診斷) as having rheumatoid arthritis (類風(fēng)濕性關(guān)節(jié)炎). In order to treat his disease, his father borrowed 60,000 yuan from relatives and friends. However, with this money, he didn’t recover from the disease. He did not want to become a burden (負(fù)擔(dān)) to his family any more. So in July, 2006, he left his hometown and went to Wuhan to make a living by begging.

Begging has become a job to Xia now. However, he doesn’t plan to go on living like this. “By July 24, 2008, when I have been begging for two years, I will stop my begging life. I promise,” he said.

It is his plan that by using the money he “earns”, he will rent a small shop in his hometown and keep on writing in his spare time.

Right now, he is trying to finish a book of his own. The book, called Love Is With Me, tells about the people who helped him during his begging life.

1.The underlined word “spot” in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to “______”.

A．forgive           B．record            C．beat             D．notice

2.When did Xia Haibo get the serious illness?

A．In 1998.          B．In 2001.           C．In 2000.           D．In 2006.

3.How does Xia beg in the street?

A．He begs on his knees in the street.

B．He writes Chinese poems for those who like poems.

C．He reads or thinks while standing in the street.

D．He teaches people how to surf the Internet.

4. Which of the following is NOT true about Xia Haibo?

A．His dream is to have his book published.

B．He will not stop begging until he earns enough money for his future life.

C．He is writing a book to express his thanks to those who helped him.

D．He will keep writing while running a small business.

 

Sir,
Just over six months ago, I saw an advertisement in the Morning Mail for a set of the complete works of William Shakespeare. Your company, Cosmo books Ltd., offered this set (eight books of plays and two books of poetry) at what was claimed to be a ‘remarkable’ price: fifteen pounds and fifty pence, including postage and packing. I had wanted a set of Shakespeare’s plays and poems for some time, and these books, in red imitation leather, looked particularly attractive; so I sent for them.
Two weeks later, the books arrived, together with a set of the complete works of Charles Dickens which I had not ordered. So I returned the Dickens books to you, with a cheque for fifteen pounds and fifty pence for the works of Shakespeare. Two more weeks passed. Then there arrived on my door step a second set of the works of Shakespeare, the same set of novels by Dickens and a six book set of the plays of Moliere, in French. Since I do not read French, these were of no use to me at all. However, I could not afford to post all these books back to you, so I wrote to you at the end of August of last year, instructing you to come and collect all the books that I did not want, and asking you not to send any other books until further notice.
You did not reply to that letter. Instead you sent me a bill for forty two pounds, and a set of the plays of Schiller, in German. Since then, a new set of books has arrived every two weeks, the works of Goethe, the poems of Milton, the plays of Strindberg; I hardly know what I have. The books are still all in their boxes, in the garage, and my car has to stand in the rain outside.
I have no room for any more books, and even if I read from now until the Last Judgment, I should not finish reading all the books that you have sent me.
Please send no more books, send no more bills, send no more angry letters demanding payment. Just send one large lorry and take all the books away, leaving me only with the one set of the complete works of Shakespeare for which I have paid.
Yours faithfully,
SIMON WALKER
【小題1】Simon Walker wrote the letter to ________

A．show his anger to Cosmo Books Ltd..

B．complain about getting books he didn’t want.

C．a(chǎn)dvise readers not to order books from Cosmo Books Ltd..

D．urge for the final solution to the problem with the unwanted books.

【小題2】The advertisement that Mr. Walker saw in the Morning Mail was for ________

A．unlimited number of Cosmo Books.

B．a(chǎn) set of 10 books of the works of Shakespeare.

C．fifteen pounds and fifty pence.

D．a(chǎn) book containing all the plays and poems of Shakespeare.

【小題3】Mr. Walker answered the advertisement because ________

A．he wanted a set of Shakespeare’s works which was a good bargain

B．he claimed that the books were being offered at a remarkable price.

C．he had ordered the set and had been waiting for them to come for some time.

D．the set he already had was not particularly attractive.

Every year Chris Brogan posts his three words for a new year. many others and I have followed his lead for the past three or four years. They helped me a lot. My words for last year were “passion”, “focus” and “delegate” and I stayed true to them. This year, 2013, my goals are more personal and less professional.

FOCUS

Focus is making a repeat appearance on my list this year because I’m too much of a multitasker. The problem is that I have trouble finishing one thing with so many things calling me. When I was working as a writer, all my projects were handled via a schedule, I’m putting a fitness and housekeeping routine into my schedule.

HEALTH

I get so busy taking care of everyone else, and I forget to take care of myself and this has to change. My health suffers and my weight suffers. I have to get my health in check , not only for me but because I promised my 9-year-old son. I’ll make good food and lifestyle choices. I miss being thin, and it’s time to get it back.

CELEBRATE

What good is having it if I’m not taking time to enjoy it? I have a wonderful job, a happy family, and so much to be thankful for. So how come I spend all my time working? Last summer my family took our first vacation in four years, the best thing I’ve done for myself and my family in a long time. This year, I’m making sure to take time to enjoy life and celebrate its many blessings.

Do you have any words for 2013?

1.The underlined word “multitasker” probably refers to a person who          .

A．makes a living by writing

B．a(chǎn)lways fails to finish a task on time

C．has several things to do at the same time

D．pays more attention to fitness and housekeeping

2.Why does the writer have “HEALTH” as one of his three words?

A．He wants to take better care of others.

B．He’s gaining weight and feeling bad.

C．He did not take any exercise in the past.

D．He got the idea from his son.

3.What can we learn from the passage?

A．The word “CELEBRATE” can remind the writer to enjoy life.

B．The writer has a vacation with his family every four years.

C．The word “FOCUS” can help the writer focus on his family.

D．The writer used to be overweight for lack of exercise.

4.The best title for the passage might be      .

A．Three Words for 2013                   B．Health Should Go First

C．Keep Organized                        D．Goals for 2013

 

When first entered ,Vanak Restaurant does not look like much of a restaurant, but once the pleasant smells of kabob（烤羊肉串）hit the senses ,you are incapable of calling it anything less.

Owned by a local couple, this Persian restaurant has an inviting, homelike atmosphere that many restaurants lack.

The space is small with only a few dining tables and nearly no decoration, but the environment is truly charming.

Lying in a hardly noticeable street corner, the restaurant still attracts all customers, especially those experienced in the delights of Middle Eastern cooking.

A common sight is that of old Persian men sitting in the corner talking loudly about world topics, watching news events on TV, drinking a black tea known as Persian chai, and reading local Persian newspapers all the while trying to finish off their plate piled with food.

The variety of food at the restaurant is limited, but the amount of each dish is fairly large. Most of the meals can serve two people and are under $10,so not only is it affordable but practical as well.

The food, especially appeals to health-conscious eaters because each dish is very healthy, made with limited fat and oil and served straight off the grill（烤肉架）.

The main dish that the restaurant is popular for is its kabobs, which are different style of grilled meat.

One delicious and extremely healthy dish is the Joojeh Kabob, which is made of grilled chicken pieces served with either rice or bread. Another great kabob is the Chelo Kabob, kabob consisting of grilled beef.

Although the restaurant is small, the atmosphere and the food is delicious. It is a place that should not be overlooked.

1.When first entering the restaurant, one can find that it      

A．is splendidly decorated                   B．has pleasant smells of kabobs

C．is crowded with dining tables              D．looks like a common restaurant

2.What activity is also mentioned apart from dining in the restaurant?

A．Watching news events on TV               B．Drinking a kind of black coffee

C．Reading local English newspapers           D．Discussing world topics in low voices

3.The food of the restaurant         

A．is served in small amounts                 B．is rather expensive

C．is rich in variety                         D．is very health

4.It can be inferred from the passage that the restaurant            .

A．occupies a large space                   B．owns a favorable location

C．is popular for its special food               D．has a quiet environment inside