Many of us assume that with such a last name, Peter Buffett, 52, must enjoy a life of endless privilege. But the son of billionaire investor (投资人) Warren Buffett definitely doesn’t think so.
“People who are born with a silver spoon in their mouth can fall victim (受害者) to what my father has called a silver dagger (匕首) in your back,” Buffett told Reuters in an interview. “It leads to a sense of entitlement (特权) and a lack of personal achievement.”
Entitlement, he believes, is the worst thing ever. “Anybody who acts like they deserve (应得) something ‘just because’ is a disaster,” he said.
In his new book, Life Is What You Make It: Finding Your Own Path to Fulfillment, Buffett says that the only real inheritance (遗产) handed down from his parents was a philosophy (价值观): Forge your own path in life. It is a belief that has allowed him to follow his own passions, establish his own identity, and reap (收获) his own successes.
Did his father ever want him to go into finance? “It was encouraged for a moment when I was open to the idea,” he told Reuters. But as he grew older, it became clear the financial world “was not speaking to my heart.”
His father accepted his choice to become a musician. He began his musical career by writing music for TV commercials (广告). He then released his own albums.
“I am my own person and I know what I have accomplished in my life,” he told Reuters. “This isn’t about wealth or fame or money or any of that stuff, it is actually about values and what you enjoy and finding something you love doing.”
Along with the book, Buffett has begun a “Concert & Conversation” tour in which he plays the piano, talks about his life and warns against consumerist (消费主义) culture and damaging the environment.
“Economic prosperity (繁荣) may come and go; that’s just how it is,” he writes in the book. “But values are the steady currency (硬通货) that earn us the all-important rewards.”
【小题1】 What does “It” in the second paragraph refer to?

Many of us assume that with such a last name, Peter Buffett, 52, must enjoy a life of endless privilege. But the son of billionaire investor (投资人) Warren Buffett definitely doesn’t think so.

   “People who are born with a silver spoon in their mouth can fall victim (受害者) to what my father has called a silver dagger (匕首) in your back,” Buffett told Reuters in an interview. “It leads to a sense of entitlement (特权) and a lack of personal achievement.”

  Entitlement, he believes, is the worst thing ever. “Anybody who acts like they deserve (应得) something ‘just because’ is a disaster,” he said.

  In his new book, Life Is What You Make It: Finding Your Own Path to Fulfillment, Buffett says that the only real inheritance (遗产) handed down from his parents was a philosophy (价值观): Forge your own path in life. It is a belief that has allowed him to follow his own passions, establish his own identity, and reap (收获) his own successes.

  Did his father ever want him to go into finance? “It was encouraged for a moment when I was open to the idea,” he told Reuters. But as he grew older, it became clear the financial world “was not speaking to my heart.”

   His father accepted his choice to become a musician. He began his musical career by writing music for TV commercials (广告). He then released his own albums.

   “I am my own person and I know what I have accomplished in my life,” he told Reuters. “This isn’t about wealth or fame or money or any of that stuff, it is actually about values and what you enjoy and finding something you love doing.”

   Along with the book, Buffett has begun a “Concert & Conversation” tour in which he plays the piano, talks about his life and warns against consumerist (消费主义) culture and damaging the environment.

   “Economic prosperity (繁荣) may come and go; that’s just how it is,” he writes in the book. “But values are the steady currency (硬通货) that earn us the all-important rewards.”

What does “It” in the second paragraph refer to?

  A. A life of a top investor.          B. A silver spoon in the mouth.

  C. Being born to a wealthy family.  D. The victim of a silver dagger in the back.

What does the article tell us?

  A. Peter Buffett is a born musician.

  B. Peter Buffett enjoys a hugely privileged life.

  C. A wealthy family can benefit a child but also spoil him or her.

  D. Peter Buffett was forced by his parents to take over their business.

The article claims that Peter Buffett owes his achievements largely to ______.

  A. his passion for music      B. the good education he received

  C. his great determination        D. the values he learned from his parents

Which of the following statements would Peter Buffett probably agree to?

  A. Wealth is there to enjoy to the fullest.

  B. A person’s value lies within.

  C. Many people are fooled by economic prosperity.

  D. Young people should choose their own philosophy, whatever their parents believe in.

I was a single parent with my son. Two jobs allowed me an apartment, food, and child care payment. Little money was left over for clothes,   1   I kept us nicely dressed. Loving    2    , I bought for myself beautiful reds and oranges, and greens and pinks. And quite often I wore them in mixtures, which, against the usually correct way, brought   3    to the eyes of people who could not avoid    4     me.

I went to my son’s     5     frequently. And he would always come and greet me and my colorful clothes.    6    , when my son was six, he told me    7    that he had to talk to me.

“Mother, do you have any sweaters that    8    ?”

I said, “No, I don’t.”

 “Oh, I wish you did.     9    you could wear them to my school.” Then he continued, “Mother, could you please    10    come to school when they call you?” Then I realized that my dress was a(n)    11     to him.

I learned to be a little more careful to    12      causing him displeasure. As he grew older and more confident, I gradually    13     to my particular way of dressing. I was happier when I chose and created my own     14    .

I have lived in this body all my life and know it much    15    than any fashion designer. I think I know what looks good   16     me.

    17      is important to mention because many people are imprisoned by powerful principles on the    18    way of dressing. Those decisions made by    19     are not truly meant to make your life better. Seek the fashion which truly suits you. You will always be in fashion if you are    20     to yourself.

1. A. but                B. and             C. or                   D. because

2. A. shapes           B. styles          C. colors            D. tastes

3. A. envy            B. appreciation   C. disappointment      D. surprise 

4. A. recognizing       B. admiring      C. accepting         D. noticing

5. A. office             B. home          C. school             D. lab

6. A. However         B. Meanwhile     C. Otherwise         D. Therefore

7. A. proudly            B. jokingly         C. seriously            D. curiously

8. A. cost             B. work           C. fit              D. match

9. A. Even if             B. As if             C. So that             D. In case

10. A. only            B. still             C. once            D. ever

11. A. wonder          B. surprise        C. embarrassment    D. honor

12. A. practice           B. remember         C. mind              D. avoid

13. A. turned           B. returned        C. escaped          D. took

13. A. fashion            B. sweater           C. color             D. tradition

15. A. better            B. worse           C. more           D. less

16. A. in               B. on               C. with           D. of 

17. A. Dress           B. Money           C. Principles      D. Designers

18. A. experienced      B. proper           C. formal          D. simple

19. A. me             B. yourself          C. others          D. ones

20. A. true             B. serious          C. practical        D. responsible

第三部分阅读理解（共20题，每小题2分，满分40分）
Recently, tests have proved that Beethoven died from lead poisoning. Bill Walsh directed the Beethoven Research Project. Mr. Walsh and his team examined pieces of bone belonging to Beethoven. They found a large amount of lead in the bone pieces. They said the lead levels were equal to those found in pieces of his hair in earlier studies of other scientists.
Genetic tests proved the bone pieces and his hair came from Beethoven. The research also examined bone fragments from someone else who lived during the same period. Both were from the top of the skull. The fragments from Beethoven had more lead than those from other person. Their study didn’t find measurable levels of cadmium(镉) or mercury(汞), which scientists used to consider were the causes of his health problems.
Beethoven was sick for much of his life. He experienced strong stomach pains, a sign of lead poisoning, and a change of personality when he was around 20. he also got angry easily, and suffered from depression and hearing loss. His health problems became worse as he grew older.
Walsh said the lead levels found in his skull suggested that the metal might have been present in his body for many years. He said although there had been recognized cases of deafness caused by lead poisoning, there was no strong evidence to suggest that lead poisoning was the cause of his deafness.
Beethoven visited many doctors to find a cure for his health problems, in a letter he wrote to a friend, he urged researchers to examine his body after he died so that other people would not have to suffer as he did.
61. If too much lead is in a person’s body, he will______.
A. suffer hearing loss             B. get angry easily 
C. suffer serious stomach pains     D. lose most of his hair
62. From the passage we can learn that_______.
A. this is the first research into the cause of Beethoven’s death
B. any amount of lead will do great harm to people’s health
C. more lead was found in Beethoven’s bones than in his hair
D. scientists used to think that his death was caused by other metals instead of lead
63. In which section of the newspaper might you read this report?
A. Health.   B. Technology.   C. Entertainment.   D. Culture.
64. What is the best title of the passage?
A. A surprising discovery about Beethoven   B. Beethoven died from lead poisoning
C. Lead--- a killer metal for human beings    D. New examination of Beethoven’ body  

第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题，每小题2分，满分40分）

Back in the old times, there was an old man, who had spent his life learning many different things. He had traveled to many places as well. “I must be the wisest man in the world.” The man thought to himself. As he grew old, he felt that there was no need for him to learn any longer because of the arrival of the end of life. Every day he spent his time complaining about many things. It seemed that he was satisfied with nothing his life.

One day while he was sitting in the chair, there was a knock on the door. The old man opened the door and found a little girl，whose face was covered with soil． “Can I borrow some fire ?”the girl whispered softly．At that time，matches hadn’t been  invented，and people used to borrow fire from neighbors by loading a bucket （铲子）  with a few hot coals．It was much better than trying to start a fire with sticks．

Not finding a bucket in her hand，the old man asked impatiently , “Well , where’s your bucket ? How are you going to get the coals home ?” However , the girl said she didn’t have one and went to the fireplace ．She put a pile of cold ashes into her hand and put the coal on top of the ash heap （灰堆）．“Thanks !”she said on her way out．Seeing the girl’s happy and grateful appearance, the man was moved and felt ashamed of himself．“If I can learn something new from a little farm girl,  there must be a lot I still don’t know．I’d better get busy while I still have time．”

1．We can learn from the first paragraph that the old man ____________________

A．failed to know what he needed to do

B．lost confidence in himself

C．lost the fame of the world’s wisest man

D．often expressed his dissatisfaction with life

2．How did the girl change the old man’s opinions ?

A．By solving an old problem in a new way

B．By following the old man’s instructions

C．By pointing out his mistakes politely

D．By helping the old man to make a fire

3．It can be inferred from the underlined part in me last paragraph that the old man would become_______________．

A．more confident                 C．more modest

C．more modest                  D．more intelligent

4．What can we infer from the text ?

A．Failure is the mother of success         B．Action speaks louder than words

C．It’s never too late to learn            D．Great minds think alike