I left university with a good degree in English Literature, but no sense of what I wanted to do. Over the next six years, I was treading(在...上面走) water, just trying to earn an income. I tried journalism, but I didn’t think I was any good, then finance, which I hated. Finally, I got a job as a rights assistant at a famous publisher. I loved working with books, although the job that I did was dull.
I had enough savings to take a year off work, and I decided to try to satisfy a deep-down wish to write a novel. Attending a Novel Writing MA course gave me the structure I needed to write my first 55,000 words.
It takes confidence to make a new start — here’s a dark period in-between where you’re neither one thing nor the other. You’re out for dinner and people ask what you do, and you’re too ashamed to say, “Well, I’m writing a novel, but I’m not quite sure if I’m going to get there.” My confidence dived. Believing my novel could not be published, I put it aside.
Then I met an agent(代理商)who said I should send my novel out to agents. So, I did and, to my surprise, got some wonderful feedback. I felt a little hope that I might actually become a published writer and, after signing with an agent, I finished the second half of the novel.
The next problem was finding a publisher. After two-and-a-half years of no income, just waiting and wondering, a publisher offered me a book deal — that publisher turned out to be the one I once worked for.
It feels like an unbelievable stroke of luck — of fate, really. When you set out to do something different, there’s no end in sight, so to find myself in a position where I now have my own name on a contract(合同)of the publisher — to be a published writer — is unbelievably rewarding.
【小题1】The author decided to write a novel ______ .
A.to finish the writing course | B.to realize her own dream |
C.to satisfy readers’ wish | D.to earn more money |
A.Disturbed. | B.Ashamed. | C.Confident. | D.Uncertain. |
A.It pays off to stick to one’s goal. |
B.Hard work can lead to success. |
C.She feels like being unexpectedly lucky. |
D.There is no end in sight when starting to do something. |
【小题1】B
【小题2】D
【小题3】A
解析试题分析:文章中主人公“我”是一个有着英语文学学位的毕业生,但对自己做什么工作在开始的时候很迷茫,做了一段时间的记者,后来又到出版商那里工作,后来有了足够的积蓄暂停了工作去搞写作,开始时对自己的写作并没有足够的信心,见了一次出版商,把自己的作品送了过去结果得到了好的反馈,从而增加了信心,最终取得了成功。
【小题1】 B细节理解题。 I had enough savings to take a year off work, and I decided to try to satisfy a deep-down wish to write a novel.句意为:我有了足够的积蓄请一年的假期,决定去满足我写作的这种内心的深层欲望。由此可知决定写小说是为了实现自己的梦想。
【小题2】D细节理解题。My confidence dived. Believing my novel could not be published, I put it aside.句意为:我的信心急剧下降,认为,我的小说可能不会被印刷,我把它放在了一边,由此可知作者对自己的小说是没有把握的。
【小题3】A细节判断题。最后一自然段的大意为:我感觉似乎是难以置信的运气,当你开始去做一些不同常的事情时,我们是看不到结局的。我最终还是在出版商的合同上找到了自己的名字,也就是说自己的小说还是出版了,这是一次难以置信的回报。因此是想告诉我们坚持自己的目标就会得到回报。故答案应为A。
【考点】考查人生百味类文章的阅读理解。
科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
When I was fifteen, I announced to my English class that I was going to write and illustrate my own books. Half the students sneered. The rest nearly fell out of their chairs laughing. “Don’t be silly, only geniuses can become writers,” the English teacher said, “And you are getting a D this semester.” I was so humiliated(羞辱) that I burst into tears.
That night I wrote a short sad poem about broken dreams and mailed it to the Capri’s Weekly newspaper. To my astonishment, they published it and sent me two dollars. I was a published and paid writer. I showed it to my teacher and fellow students. They laughed. “Just plain dumb luck,” the teacher said. I tasted success. I’d sold the first thing I’d ever written. That was more than any of them had done and if it was just dumb luck, that was fine with me.
During the next two years I sold dozens of poems, letters, jokes and recipes. By the time I graduated from high school, with a C minus average, I had scrapbooks filled with my published work. I never mentioned my writing to my teachers, friends or my family again. They were dream killers and if people must choose between their friends and their dreams, they must always choose their dreams.
I had four children at the time, and the oldest was only four. While the children slept, I typed on my ancient typewriter. I wrote what I felt. It took nine months, just like a baby.
A month later Crying Wind, the title of my book, became a best seller, was translated into fifteen languages and Braille and sold worldwide. I appeared on TV talk shows. I traveled from New York to California and Canada on promotional tours. My first book also became required reading in native American schools in Canada.
People ask what college I attended, what degrees I had and what qualifications I have to be a writer. The answer is: “None.” I just write. I’m not a genius. I’m not gifted and I don’t write right. To all those who dream of writing, I’m shouting at you: “Yes, you can. Yes, you can. Don’t listen to them.” I don’t write right but I’ve beaten the odds. Writing is easy, it’s fun and anyone can do it. Of course, a little dumb luck doesn’t hurt.
【小题1】Why did many students laugh after hearing what the writer said?
A.Because they didn’t like him |
B.Because they wished he could be successful as a writer |
C.Because their teacher laughed, too |
D.Because they felt it impossible for him to succeed |
A.he had become a famous writer |
B.he had made progress in his studies. |
C.his classmates and teachers changed their attitudes towards him |
D.he decided he wouldn’t become a writer |
A.The characters in his story. | B.His teacher. |
C.His early experience. | D.His parents. |
A.It is difficult for a person, who cares about what others say, to succeed. |
B.It is important for a person to tell others what he wants to do. |
C.It is necessary for a person, who wants to succeed, to take others’ advice. |
D.It is impossible for an ordinary person to be a writer in the future. |
A.A famous writer |
B.I Hate My Classmates and Teachers |
C.I Never Write Right |
D.A Genius Can Be a Writer |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
I was in a terrible mood. Two of my friends had gone to the movies the night before and hadn’t invited me. I was in my room thinking of ways to make them sorry when my father came in. “Want to go for a ride, today, Beck? It’s a beautiful day.”
“No! Leave me alone!” Those were the last words I said to him that morning.
My friends called and invited me to go to the mall with them a few hours later. I forgot to be mad at them and when I came home to find a note on the table. My mother put it where I would be sure to see it. “Dad has had an accident. Please meet us at Highland Park Hospital”.
When I reached the hospital, my mother came out and told me my father’s injuries were extensive. “Your father told the driver to leave him alone and just call 911, thank God! If he had moved Daddy, there’s no telling what might have happened. A broken rib(肋骨)might have pierced(穿透)a lung...”
My mother may have said more, but I didn’t hear. I didn’t hear anything except those terrible words: Leave me alone. My dad said them to save himself from being hurt more. How much had I hurt him when I hurled those words at him earlier in the day?
It was several days later that he was finally able to have a conversation. I held his hand gently, afraid of hurting him.
“Daddy… I am so sorry…”
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ll be okay. ”
“No,” I said, “I mean about what I said to you that day. You know, that morning?”
My father could no more tell a lie than he could fly. He looked at me and said. “Sweetheart, I don’t remember anything about that day, not before, during or after the accident. I remember kissing you goodnight the night before, though. ”He managed a weak smile.
My English teacher once told me that words have immeasurable power. They can hurt or they can heal. And we all have the power to choose our words. I intend to do that very carefully from now on.
【小题1】The author was in bad mood that morning because _______.
A.his father had a terrible accident |
B.he couldn’t drive to the mall with his friends |
C.his friends hadn’t invited him to the cinema |
D.his father didn’t allow him to go out with his friends |
A.Because he didn’t go along with his father. |
B.Because he was rude to his father that morning. |
C.Because he failed to come earlier after the accident. |
D.Because he couldn’t look after his father in the hospital. |
A.he had a poor memory |
B.he didn’t hear what his son said |
C.he just wanted to comfort his son |
D.he lost his memory after the accident |
A.Don’t treat your parents badly. |
B.Don’t hurt others with rude words. |
C.Don’t move the injured in an accident. |
D.Don’t be angry with friends at small things. |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
I really love my job because I enjoy working with small children and like the challenges and awards from the job. I also think my work is important. There was a time when I thought I would never have that sort of career.
I wasn’t an excellent student because I didn’t do much schoolwork. In my final term I started thinking what I might do and found I didn’t have much to offer. I just accepted that I wasn’t the type to have a career.
I then found myself a job, looking after two little girls. It wasn’t too bad at first. But the problems began when I agreed to live in, so that I would be there if my boss had to go out for business in the evening. We agreed that if I had to work extra hours one week, she’d give me time off the next. But unfortunately, it didn’t often work out. I was getting extremely tired and fed up, because I had too many late nights and early mornings with the children.
One Sunday, I was in the park with the children, and met Megan who used to go to school with me. I told her about my Situation. She suggested that I should do a course and get a qualification(资格证书) if I wanted to work with children. I didn’t think I would be accepted because I didn’t take many exams in school. She persuaded me to phone the local college and they were really helpful. My experience counted for a lot and I got on a part-time course.
I had to leave my job with the family, and got work helping out at a kindergarten.
Now I’ve got a full-time job there. I shall always be thankful to Megan. I wish I had known earlier that you could have a career, even if you aren’t top of the class at school.
【小题1】What is the author’s present job?
A.Working part-time in a college. |
B.Taking care of children for a family. |
C.Helping children with their schoolwork. |
D.Looking after children at a kindergarten. |
A.was paid for extra work |
B.often worked long hours |
C.got much help from her boss |
D.took a day off every other week |
A.She found a full-time job. |
B.She was fed up with children. |
C.She decided to attend a part-time course. |
D.She needed a rest after working extra hours. |
A.Troublesome. | B.Loving. | C.Excited. | D.Great. |
A.Less successful students can still have a career. |
B.Qualifications are necessary for a career. |
C.Hard work makes an excellent student. |
D.One must choose the job she likes. |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
I made a promise to myself on the way down to the vacation beach cottage. For two weeks I would try to be a loving husband and father. Totally loving. No ifs, ands or buts.
The idea had come to me as I listened to a talk on my car radio. The speaker was quoting a passage from the Bible about husbands being thoughtful of their wives. Then he went on to say, “Love is an act of will. A person can choose to love.” To myself, I had to admit that I had been a selfish husband. Well, for two weeks that would change.
And it did. Right from the moment I kissed Evelyn at the door and said, “That new yellow sweater looks great on you.” “Oh, Tom, you noticed,” she said, surprised and pleased. Maybe a little puzzled. After the long drive, I wanted to sit and read. Evelyn suggested a walk on the beach. I started to refuse, but then I thought, “Evelyn’s been alone here with the kids all week and now she wants to be alone with me.” We walked on the beach while the children flew their kites.
So it went. Two weeks of not calling the Wall Street firm where I am a director; a visit to the shell museum though I usually hate museums. Relaxed and happy, that’s how the whole vacation passed. I made a new pledge to keep on remembering to choose love.
There was one thing that went wrong with my experiment, however. Evelyn and I still laugh about it today. On the last night at our cottage, preparing for bed, Evelyn stared at me with the saddest expression.
“What’s the matter?” I asked her.
“Tom,” she said in a voice filled with distress, “do you know something I don’t?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well…that medical checkup I had several weeks ago…our doctor…did he tell you something about me?Tom, you’ve been so good to me…am I dying?” It took a moment for it all to sink in. Then I burst out laughing.
“No, honey,” I said, wrapping her in my arms. “You’re not dying; I’m just starting to live.”
【小题1】 From the story we may infer that Tom drove to the beach cottage __________.
A.all by himself | B.with Evelyn |
C.with his family | D.with his children |
A.he was willing to be a good husband |
B.he could afford time to care for her |
C.she looked lovely in her new clothes |
D.she was seriously ill |
A.He praised her sweater, which puzzled her. |
B.He was so good to her that she thought she would be dying. |
C.He knew something about her illness but didn’t tell her. |
D.She insisted on visiting a museum, which he hated. |
A.he is just beginning to understand the real meaning of life |
B.he is beginning to regret what he did to his wife before |
C.he lived an unhappy life before and is now starting to change |
D.he is just beginning to enjoy life as a loving husband |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Do you know of anyone who uses the truth to deceive (欺骗)? When someone tells you something that is true, but leaves out important information that should be included, he can give you a false picture.
For example, some might say, “I just won a hundred dollars on the lottery (彩票). It was great. I took that dollar ticket back to the store and turned it in for one hundred dollars!”
This guy’s a winner, right? Maybe, maybe not. We then discover that he bought $200 worth of tickets, and only one was a winner. He’s really a big loser! www. .com
He didn’t say anything that was false, but he left out important information on purpose. That’s called a half-truth. Half-truths are not technically lies, but they are just as dishonest.
Some politicians often use this trick. Let’s say that during Governor Smith’s last term, her state lost one million jobs and gained three million jobs. Then she seeked another term. One of her opponents(对手) said, “During Governor Smith’s term, the state lost one million jobs!” That’s true. However, an honest statement would have been, “During Governor Smith’s term, the state had a net gain of two million jobs.”
Advertisers will sometimes use half-truths. It’s against the law to make false statements so they try to mislead you with the truth. An advertisement might say, “Nine out of ten doctors advised their patients to take Yucky Pills to cure toothache.” It fails to mention that they only asked ten doctors and nine of them work for the Yucky Company.
This kind of deception happens too often. Lies are lies, and sometimes the truth can lie as well, which is a sad fact of life.
【小题1】How much did the lottery winner lose?
A.One hundred dollars. | B.Two hundred dollars. |
C.Three hundred dollars. | D.Four hundred dollars. |
A.buy lottery tickets |
B.make use of half-truths |
C.not take anything at face value |
D.not trust the Yucky Company |
A.final increase | B.big advantage |
C.large share | D.total saving |
A.False statements are easy to see through. |
B.Half-truths are often used to mislead people. |
C.Doctors like to act in advertisements. |
D.Advertisements are based on facts. |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
I remember the first time that I was extremely happy, I was about 8 years old when for the first time, there was a computer in the classroom. I remember that my teacher allowed each student to take turns to play various educational games on the computer. One day, I found the source code for one of these games. Without knowing or being taught any programming language, I was able to figure out some of the BASIC code. I just gave myself a limitless number of lives in the game, so I could continue playing it forever. This was also my first introduction to algebra, and I didn’t even know it at the time. This was a decisive moment in my life. I was quite excited because of what I was learning and what I was able to do. As a result, I was enthusiastic for the rest of my life about self-learning and computers, and I was quite happy doing them too.
I’ve noticed that people who are truly content with life are enthusiastic about what they do. This enthusiasm, along with good health, is the key to being happy. It also leads to self-confidence and content in life too. It may also lead to success, wealth and achievements.
Success, wealth or achievements can also bring some people happiness, yet I know plenty of rich people who are unhappy. I know many people with successful businesses that are not happy with what they are doing. I know people who continuously buy themselves new toys, such as cars, computers, and televisions, yet never seem content for too long. Please remember, happiness is the journey of life, not the destination.
【小题1】What can we know from Paragraph 1?
A.The author has a great talent for algebra. |
B.Creative thinking is necessary for every child. |
C.The BASIC code of the computer is not difficult. |
D.The author’s experience in his childhood changed his life. |
A.interest is the best teacher |
B.children are the hope of the future |
C.young people are fearless |
D.where there’s a will , there’s a way |
A.Success and wealth. |
B.Gifts and self-confidence. |
C.Enthusiasm and good health. |
D.Knowledge and achievements. |
A.rich people generally feel unhappy |
B.wealth can’t bring people any happiness |
C.one will feel unhappy once he has gained all the things he wants |
D.being enthusiastic about what you are doing is more important than wealth |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
“I’ve changed my mind.I wanted to have a telescope, but now I want my dad back.” Lucien Lawrence’s letter to Father Christmas, written after his father had been knifed to death outside his school gate, must have touched everyone’s heart.Lucien went on to say that without his father he couldn’t see the stars in the sky.When those we love depart from us, we cannot see the stars for a while.
But Lucien, the stars are still there, and one day, when you are older and your tears have gone, you will see them again.And, in a strange way, I expect that you will find your father there too, either in your mind or heart.I find that my parents, who died years ago, still linger (留连) in many of my dreams and that I think of them perhaps more than I ever did when they were alive.I still live to please them and I’m still surprised by their reactions.I remember that when I became a professor, I was so proud, or rather so pleased with myself that I couldn’t wait to cable my parents.The reply was a long time in coming, but when it did, all my mother said was “I hope this means that now you will have more time for the children!” I haven’t forgotten.The values of my parents still live on.
It makes me pause and think about how I will live on in the hearts and minds of my children and of those for whom I care.Would I have been as ready as Philip Lawrence has been to face the aggressors(入侵者), and to lay down my life for those in my care? How many people would want me back for Christmas? It’s a serious thought, which gives me pause.
I pray silently, sometimes, in the dead of night, that ancient cry of a poet “Deliver my soul from the sword and my darling from the power of the God.” Yet I know death comes to us all, and sometimes comes suddenly.We must therefore plan to live together, but live as if we will die tomorrow.We live on, I’m sure, in the lives of those we loved, and therefore we ought to have a care for what they will remember and what they will treasure.If more parents knew this in their hearts to be true, there might be fewer knives on our streets today.
【小题1】According to the whole text we can see that the first paragraph ________.
A.puts forward the subject of the text |
B.shows the author’s pity on the kid |
C.serves as an introduction to the discussion |
D.makes a clear statement of the author’s views |
A.how much he misses his parents now |
B.why his parents often appear in his dream |
C.when Lucien will get over all his sadness |
D.how proud he was when he succeeded in life |
A.to leave a precious memory to the people related |
B.to have a high sense of duty to the whole society |
C.to care what others will remember and treasure |
D.to share happiness and sadness with his family |
A.Call on criminals and murderers to lay down their guns. |
B.Advise parents to stay with their children safely at home. |
C.Spend every day meaningfully in memory of death. |
D.Try to keep violence and murder far away from society. |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
I have only once been in trouble with the law.The whole process of being arrested and taken to court was a rather unpleasant experience at the time, but it makes a good story now. What makes it rather disturbing was the arbitrary(随意的)circumstances both of my arrest and my subsequent (随后的) fate in court.
It happened in February about twelve years ago.I had left school a couple of months before that and was not due to go to university until the following October.I was still living at home at the time.
One morning I was in Richmond, a suburb of London near where I lived.I was looking for a temporary job so that I could save up some money to go traveling.As it was a fine day and I was in no hurry, I was taking my time, looking in shop windows, strolling in the park, and sometimes just stopping and looking around me.It must have been this obvious aimlessness that led to my downfall.
It was about half past eleven when it happened.I was just walking out of the local library, having unsuccessfully sought employment there, when I saw a man walking across the road with the obvious intention of talking to me.I thought he was going to ask me the time.Instead, he said he was a police officer and he was arresting me.At first I thought it was some kind of joke
But then another policeman appeared, this time in uniform, and I was left in no doubt.
'But what for?" I asked
‘Wandering with intent to commit an arrestable offence,' he said.
‘What offence?' I asked
'Theft,' he said
'Theft of what?'I asked
'Milk bottles,' he said, and with a perfectly straight face too!
'Oh,' I said.
It turned out there had been a lot of petty thefts in the area, particularly that of stealing milk bottles from doorsteps.
Then I made my big mistake.At the time I was nineteen, had long untidy hair, and regarded myself as pan of the sixties' 'youth counterculture'.As a result, I wanted to appear cool and unconcerned with the incident, so I said, 'How long have you been following me? in the most casual and conversational tone I could manage.I thus appeared to them to be quite familiar with this sort of situation, and it confirmed them in their belief that I was a thoroughly disreputable (品行不端的) character.
A few minutes later a police car arrived.
'Get in the back,' they said.'Put your hands on the back of the front seat and don't move them.'
They got in on either side of me.It wasn't funny any more.
At the police station they questioned me for several hours.I continued to try to look worldly and familiar with the situation.When they asked me what I had been doing, I told them I'd been looking for a job.'Aha,' I could see them thinking, 'unemployed'.
Eventually, I was officially charged and told to report to Richmond Magistrates' Court the following Monday.Then they let me go.
I wanted to conduct my own defense in court, but as soon as my father found out what had happened, he hired a very good solicitor (律师).We went along that Monday armed with all kinds of witnesses, including my English teacher from school as a character witness.But he was never called on to give evidence.My 'trial' didn't get that far.The magistrate (法官) dismissed the case after fifteen minutes.1 was free.The poor police had never stood a chance.The solicitor even succeeded in getting costs awarded against the police.
And so I do not have a criminal record.But what was most shocking at the time was the things my release from the charge so clearly depended on.I had the 'right' accent, respectable middle-class parents in court, reliable witnesses, and I could obviously afford a very good solicitor.Given the obscure nature of the charge.I feel sure that if I had come from a different background, and had really been unemployed, there is every chance that I would have been found guilty.While asking for costs to be awarded, my solicitor's case quite obviously revolved (回转) around the fact that I had a 'brilliant academic record'.
Meanwhile, just outside the courtroom, one of the policemen who had arrested me was gloomily complaining to my mother that another youngster had been turned against the police. 'You could have been a bit more helpful when we arrested you,' he said to me reproachfully (责备地).
What did he mean? Probably that I should have looked outraged (暴怒)and said something like, 'Look here, do you know who you're talking to? I am a highly successful student with a brilliant academic record.How dare you arrest me!' Then they, probably, would have apologized perhaps even taken off their caps, and let me on my way.
【小题1】Judging from the first paragraph, the writer's attitude towards his story is _______.
A.angry | B.sad |
C.amused | D.more than just one of the above |
A.a uniformed policeman | B.a policeman in plainclothes |
C.not a policeman | D.a good joker |
A.the time for the trial was limited to fifteen minutes only |
B.the author wanted to conduct his own defense in court |
C.the case was dismissed before the trial reached that stage |
D.he was found to be unqualified as a character witness |
A.the magistrate had been less gentle |
B.he had really been out of work |
C.he had been born in a lower—class family |
D.both B and C |
A.he had protested strongly at the time |
B.he had begged to be allowed to go home |
C.he hadn't wandered aimlessly |
D.he had tried to look cool |
A.has broken the law only once |
B.has never broken the law |
C.has broken the law on more than one occasion |
D.once broke the law without knowing it |
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