The television news feature about Ben Heckmann, an eighth grader from Farmington, Minn, was breathless in its praise. “At 14, he has accomplished something many adults can’t achieve,” the reporter said, “Ben is a twice-published author.” But Ben’s two “Velvet Black” books, describing a fictional rock band, were not picked from a pile of manuscripts（手稿）by an eagle eyed publisher. They were self-published, at the cost of $400 by Ben’s parents.
Over the past five years, print-on-demand technology and a growing number of self publishing companies whose books can be sold online have inspired writers of all ages to avoid the traditional gatekeeping system for determining who could call himself a “published author.”
The mothers and fathers who foot the bill say they are simply trying to encourage their children, in the same way that other parents buy equipment for a promising baseball player. But others see self-publishing as a lost opportunity to teach children about hardship and perseverance. Mr. Robbins, a critic, thinks it is wonderful to start writing at a young age, but worries self-publishing sends the wrong message. “There are no prodigies(神童) in literature,” he said. “Literature requires experience, in a way that mathematics and music do not.” Alan Rinzler, a publishing industry veteran, suggested parents hire a professional editor like him to work with their child to tear a manuscript apart and help make a better. Ben’s father, Ken, said Ben’s ambitions “weren’t to knock Harry Potter off the list,” but “to get that good feeling inside that you’ve done something.”
Ajla Dizdarevic, 12, who has self-published two books of poetry, has been on television and in local newspapers. “Being a published author,” she said, “was always a dream of mine.” Her new dream: three books by age 15.
【小题1】Which of the following is true of Ben?

A．He has achieved something unusual for his age.

B．His self-published books were well received.

C．His manuscripts were favored by the publisher.

D．He was thought little of by the public media.

【小题2】What makes it possible for writers of all ages to self-publish their works?

A．The rapid increase of online readership.

B．The increasing number of publishers.

C．The immediate access to marketing agencies.

D．The development of printing and publishing.

【小题3】Why do some parents pay the self-publishing bill?

A．They want to offer opportunities to their children.

B．They want to give encouragement to their children.

C．They want to help their children avoid hardship.

D．They want to show love and care for their children.

【小题4】What dose Alan Rinzler suggest that children should do?

A．Be forbidden to write books

B．Start writing at an early age

C．Be professionally guided

D．Learn from experience

【小题5】Why do some children self-publish works according to the last part?

A．Just to achieve their dreams.

B．Just to earn more money.

C．Just to gain self-confidence.

D．Just to satisfy their parents.

The television news feature about Ben Heckmann, an eighth grader from Farmington, Minn, was breathless in its praise. “At 14, he has accomplished something many adults can’t achieve,” the reporter said, “Ben is a twice-published author.” But Ben’s two “Velvet Black” books, describing a fictional rock band, were not picked from a pile of manuscripts（手稿）by an eagle eyed publisher. They were self-published, at the cost of $400 by Ben’s parents.

Over the past five years, print-on-demand technology and a growing number of self publishing companies whose books can be sold online have inspired writers of all ages to avoid the traditional gatekeeping system for determining who could call himself a “published author.”

The mothers and fathers who foot the bill say they are simply trying to encourage their children, in the same way that other parents buy equipment for a promising baseball player. But others see self-publishing as a lost opportunity to teach children about hardship and perseverance. Mr. Robbins, a critic, thinks it is wonderful to start writing at a young age, but worries self-publishing sends the wrong message. “There are no prodigies(神童) in literature,” he said. “Literature requires experience, in a way that mathematics and music do not.” Alan Rinzler, a publishing industry veteran, suggested parents hire a professional editor like him to work with their child to tear a manuscript apart and help make a better. Ben’s father, Ken, said Ben’s ambitions “weren’t to knock Harry Potter off the list,” but “to get that good feeling inside that you’ve done something.”

Ajla Dizdarevic, 12, who has self-published two books of poetry, has been on television and in local newspapers. “Being a published author,” she said, “was always a dream of mine.” Her new dream: three books by age 15.

1.Which of the following is true of Ben?

A．He has achieved something unusual for his age.

B．His self-published books were well received.

C．His manuscripts were favored by the publisher.

D．He was thought little of by the public media.

2.What makes it possible for writers of all ages to self-publish their works?

A．The rapid increase of online readership.

B．The increasing number of publishers.

C．The immediate access to marketing agencies.

D．The development of printing and publishing.

3.Why do some parents pay the self-publishing bill?

A．They want to offer opportunities to their children.

B．They want to give encouragement to their children.

C．They want to help their children avoid hardship.

D．They want to show love and care for their children.

4.What dose Alan Rinzler suggest that children should do?

A．Be forbidden to write books

B．Start writing at an early age

C．Be professionally guided

D．Learn from experience

5.Why do some children self-publish works according to the last part?

A．Just to achieve their dreams.

B．Just to earn more money.

C．Just to gain self-confidence.

D．Just to satisfy their parents.

 

 

阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。

Dear son,

The day that you see me old and I am already not in good health, have patience and try to understand me.

If I get dirty when eating, if I can not dress, have patience and remember the hours I   1teaching it to you. If, when I speak to you, I   2the same things thousand and one times, do not   3me, listen to me. When you were small, I had to read to you thousand and one times the same story   4you got to sleep. When I do not want to have a   5, neither shame me nor scold me. Remember when I had to chase you with thousand excuses I   6, in order that you wanted to bathe. When you see my   7little about new technologies, give me the necessary time and do not look at me with your mocking(嘲弄) smile. I taught you   8to do so many things: to eat good, to dress well, to confront life…. When at some moment I lose the memory or the   9of our conversation, let me have the necessary time to remember, and if I cannot do it, do not become nervous, as the most important thing is not our conversation but surely to be with you and to have you   10to me.

If ever I do not want to eat, do not force me. I know well   11I need to and when not. When my   12legs do not allow me to walk, give me your   13, the same way I did when you gave your first   14. And when someday I say to you that I do not want to   15any more ---- that I want to rest forever, do not get angry. Someday you will understand.

Try to understand that my age is not lived but survived. Some day you will discover that,  16my mistakes, I always wanted the   17thing for you and that I tried to prepare the way for you. You must not feel sad, angry or impotent(无可奈何) for seeing me   18you. You must be next to me, try to understand me and to help me as I did it when you   19living. Help me to walk, help me to end my way with love and   20. I will pay you by a smile and by the immense love I have had always for you.

I love you, Son.

Your father

1.A. paid           B. spent            C. cost         D. took

2.A. praise         B. think            C. repeat           D. criticize

3.A. interrupt      B. disturb          C. look         D. avoid

4.A. when           B. after            C. since            D. until

5.A. rest           B. word         C. shower       D. sleep

6.A. discovered     B. invented     C. noticed      D. assumed

7.A. knowing        B. fearing          C. enjoying     D. consulting

8.A. what           B. when         C. how          D. why

9.A. news           B. attitude     C. material     D. thread

10.A. talking           B. listening        C. responding       D. appealing

11.A. where         B. how          C. that         D. when

12.A. tired         B. short            C. long         D. strong

13.A. leg               B. ear          C. hand         D. mind

14.A. step          B. pace         C. laugh            D. cry

15.A. talk          B. live         C. write            D. sleep

16.A. though            B. since            C. while            D. despite

17.A. last          B. first            C. best         D. most

18.A. near          B. behind           C. below            D. against

19.A. made          B. started          C. earned           D. found

20.A. mercy         B. care         C. excuse           D. patience

 

 

    阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。

Dear son,

The day that you see me old and I am already not in good health, have patience and try to understand me.

If I get dirty when eating, if I can not dress, have patience and remember the hours I   1teaching it to you. If, when I speak to you, I   2the same things thousand and one times, do not   3me, listen to me. When you were small, I had to read to you thousand and one times the same story   4you got to sleep. When I do not want to have a   5, neither shame me nor scold me. Remember when I had to chase you with thousand excuses I   6, in order that you wanted to bathe. When you see my   7little about new technologies, give me the necessary time and do not look at me with your mocking(嘲弄) smile. I taught you   8to do so many things: to eat good, to dress well, to confront life…. When at some moment I lose the memory or the   9of our conversation, let me have the necessary time to remember, and if I cannot do it, do not become nervous, as the most important thing is not our conversation but surely to be with you and to have you   10to me.

If ever I do not want to eat, do not force me. I know well   11I need to and when not. When my   12legs do not allow me to walk, give me your   13, the same way I did when you gave your first   14. And when someday I say to you that I do not want to   15any more ---- that I want to rest forever, do not get angry. Someday you will understand.

Try to understand that my age is not lived but survived. Some day you will discover that,  16my mistakes, I always wanted the   17thing for you and that I tried to prepare the way for you. You must not feel sad, angry or impotent(无可奈何) for seeing me   18you. You must be next to me, try to understand me and to help me as I did it when you   19living. Help me to walk, help me to end my way with love and   20. I will pay you by a smile and by the immense love I have had always for you.

I love you, Son.

Your father

1.A. paid               B. spent    C. cost D. took

2.A. praise B. think    C. repeat   D. criticize

3.A. interrupt  B. disturb  C. look D. avoid

4.A. when   B. after    C. since    D. until

5.A. rest   B. word C. shower   D. sleep

6. A. discovered    B. invented C. noticed  D. assumed

7.A. knowing    B. fearing  C. enjoying D. consulting

8.A. what   B. when C. how  D. why

9.A. news   B. attitude C. material D. thread

10.A. talking   B. listening    C. responding   D. appealing

11.A. where B. how  C. that D. when

12.A. tired B. short    C. long D. strong

13.A. leg   B. ear  C. hand D. mind

14.A. step  B. pace C. laugh    D. cry

15.A. talk  B. live C. write    D. sleep

16.A. though    B. since    C. while    D. despite

17.A. last  B. first    C. best D. most

18.A. near  B. behind   C. below    D. against

19.A. made  B. started  C. earned   D. found

20.A. mercy B. care C. excuse   D. patience