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When 47-year-old volunteer Susan Boyle stepped on to the stage of Britain's Got Talent and
announced she was unemployed, had never been married and "never been kissed, actually", few in the
audience would have wondered why. This Ms. Boyle, looking unfashionable, from a village in Scotland,
shocked the three judges and the audience with the song "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical Les
Miserables on a show of Britain's Got Talent, one of the hottest reality shows in Britain.
She couldn't hide the awkwardness when walking to the center of the stage in a housedress, and
everyone-including the judges-seemed laughing at her when she said she wanted to be as successful as
Elaine Paige. As soon as she began singing, however, everyone present fell silent, then rose within
seconds to applaud her incredible voice as the celebrity (名人) judges sat open-mouthed, and remained
standing to the end.
After her performance, one of the judges Piers Morgan said, "Without doubt that was the biggest
surprise I've had in three years of this show. When you stood there everyone was laughing at you. No
one is laughing now. That was amazing." Actress Amanda Holden followed, "I am so thrilled because I
know that everybody was against you. I honestly think that we were all being cynical (愤世嫉俗的) and
I think that's the biggest wake-up call ever."
Susan obviously won over the hearts of millions around the world with sensation spreading across the
Atlantic. Hollywood actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore-who between them have nearly 1.5 million
followers-speak highly of her. Kutcher posted a link to the video clip (片段). The Scottish talent made
her first live American appearance via satellite connection on CBS's The Early Show, doing an interview
and singing live from her room. And she already accepted an invitation from talk show host Oprah
Winfrey.
Now Boyle has become one of the world's hottest celebrities. The video clip of her performance has
been viewed more than 50 million times on YouTube, becoming a hit on the Internet. Not long ago she
came to China and was warmly welcomed.
1. We learn from the passage that Susan Boyle .
A. rose from a low social background B. was working in a company
C. had an unhappy marriage D. won the championship in the Talent show
2. At the beginning of the show, almost everyone .
A. looked forward to her wonderful performance
B. was attracted by her beautiful dress
C. looked down upon her
D. placed great hope on her
3. We can infer that contributed most to her global popularity.
A. the judges
B. the Internet
C. the newspaper
D. the advertisement
4. The 4th paragraph intends to tell us .
A. how Susan Boyle achieved her success
B. the comment made by Ashton Kutcher
C. Susan Boyle's influence in the USA
D. Oprah Winfrey's invitation to Susan Boyle
5. What can we learn from this passage?
A. Where there is a will, there is a way.
B. Failure is the mother of success.
C. Pride goes before a fall.
D. The gold will glitter wherever it is.
