Many a young person tells me he wants to be a writer. I always encourage such people, but I also explain that there’s a big difference between “ being a writer” and “ writing”. In most cases these individuals are dreaming of wealth and fame, not the long hours alone at a computer. “You’ve got to want to write,” I say to them, “not want to be a writer.”
The reality is that writing is a lonely, private and poor paying affair. For every writer kissed by fortune there are thousands more whose longing is never rewarded. When I left a 20-year career in the US Coast Guard to become a free writer, I had no promise at all. What I did have was a friend who found me my room in a New York apartment building. It didn’t even matter that it was cold and had no bathroom. I immediately bought a used computer and felt a real writer.
After a year or so, however, I still hadn’t gotten a break and began to doubt myself. It was so hard to sell a story that barely made enough to eat. But I know I wanted to write. I had dreamed about it for years. I wasn’t going to be one of those people who die wondering. What if? I would keep putting my dream to the test--- even though it meant living with uncertainty and fear of failure. This is the Shadowland of hope, and anyone with a dream must learn to live there.
【小題1】The passage is meant to _______.
A.warn young people of the hardships that a successful writer has to experience |
B.a(chǎn)dvise young people to give up their idea of becoming a professional writer |
C.show young people it’s unrealistic for a writer to be after wealth and fame |
D.encourage young people to be after a writer career |
A.Real writers often find their work interesting and rewarding |
B.Writer’s success depends on luck rather than on effort |
C.Famous writers usually live in poverty and isolation(隔離) |
D.The chances for a writer to become successful are small |
A.He wasn’t able to produce a single book |
B.He hadn’t seen a change for the better |
C.He wasn’t able to have a rest for a whole year |
D.He found his dream would never come true |
A.thewonderlandonoftendreamsabout |
B.thebrightfuturethatoneislookingforwardto |
C.thestateofuncertaintybeforeone’sfinalgoalisreached |
D.a(chǎn)worldthatexistsonlyinone’simagination |
【小題1】A
【小題2】D
【小題3】B
【小題4】C
解析試題分析:本文主要講述的就是從事寫作行業(yè)的艱難,告訴我們要想以寫作為生,要耐得住寂寞,能夠堅(jiān)持自己的理想等。
【小題1】推理題。根據(jù)文章1,2段,尤其是第二段內(nèi)容The reality is that writing is a lonely, private and poor-paying affair. For every writer kissed by fortune there are thousands more whose wish is never rewarded.可知寫作是一種很艱難的,很寂寞的工作,不是很多人能夠做到的。故A正確。
【小題2】細(xì)節(jié)題。根據(jù)第二段The reality is that writing is a lonely, private and poor-paying affair. For every writer kissed by fortune there are thousands more whose wish is never rewarded可知很多從事寫作的人都沒有成功,成功的人是少數(shù)。故D正確。
【小題3】推理題。根據(jù)第三段的句子:After a year or so, however, I still hadn’t gotten a break and began to doubt myself. It was so hard to sell a story that barely made enough to eat.可知作者沒有看見情況有什么好轉(zhuǎn),故B正確。
【小題4】猜詞題:從最后一段的句子: I would keep putting my dream to the test--- even though it meant living with uncertainty and fear of failure.可知“Shadowland”指的是成功前的一段不確定的時(shí)間。選C。
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Each time I see a balloon, my mind flies back to a memory of when I was a six-year-old girl. It was a rainy Sunday and my father had recently died. I asked my mom if Dad had gone to heaven. "Yes, honey. Of course." she said.
"Can we write him a letter?"
She paused, the longest pause of my short life, and answered, "Yes."
My heart jumped. "How? Does the mailman go there?" I asked.
"No, but I have an idea." Mom drove to a party store and returned with a red balloon. I asked her what it was for.
"Just wait, honey. You'll see." Mom told me to write my letter. Eagerly, I got my favorite pen, and poured out my six-year-old heart in the form of blue ink. I wrote about my day, what I learned at school, how Mom was doing, and even about what happened in a story I had read. For a few minutes it was as if Dad were still alive. I gave the letter to Mom. She read it over, and a smile crossed her face.
She made a hole in the corner of the letter where she looped the balloon string. We went outside and she gave me the balloon. It was still raining.
"Okay, on the count of three, let go. One, two, three."
The balloon, carrying my letter, darted upward against the rain. We watched until it was swallowed by the mass of clouds.
Later I realized, like the balloon, that Dad had never let his sickness get him down. He was strong. No matter what he suffered, he'd persevere, dart up, and finally transcend this cold world and his sick body. He rose into sky and became something beautiful. I watched until the balloon disappeared into the gray and white and I prayed that his strength was hereditary. I prayed to be a balloon.
【小題1】When the girl asked her mother if they could write to her father, her mother _________.
A.felt it hard to answer | B.thought her a creative girl |
C.believed it easy to do so | D.found it easy to lie |
A.jumped with joy |
B.became excited |
C.started writing immediately |
D.was worried that it couldn't be delivered |
A.An incurable disease |
B.An unforgettable memory. |
C.The hard time her father had. |
D.The failures her father experienced. |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
When asked to point out one or two things that are most important to themselves, many put friends ahead of homes, jobs, clothes and cars.
A true friendship carries a long history of experience that determines who we are and keeps us connected. It is a treasure we should protect. Unfortunately, the better friends you are, the more probably you’ll have disagreements. And the result can be what you don’t want ---an end to the relationship.
The good news is that most troubled friendships can be mended. First, don’t let your pride get in your way. Most of us can forgive each other when differences are brought out in the open. Second, apologize when your’re wrong---even if you’ve been wronged. Over the course of a friendship, even the best people make mistakes. Sometimes, it may be best if the wronged person takes the lead and apologizes. When you apologize, give your friend a chance to admit that he has been wrong also. Third, see things from your friend’s point of view. And finally, accept that friendships change as our needs and lifestyle change. Making friends can sometimes seem easy. The hard part is keeping the connections strong during the natural ups and downs that have an effect on all relationships. My suggestion: consider friendship an honour and a gift, and worth the effort to treasure and nurture.
【小題1】What is likely to happen if you have disagreements with your friends?
A.An end to the friendships. |
B.Getting experience for the later life. |
C.Quarrelling with each other. |
D.Sitting down and have a talk. |
A.how to make friends |
B.the benefits of making friends |
C.what is a true friendship |
D.how to mend a troubled friendship |
A.mend | B.develop | C.keep | D.a(chǎn)ccept |
A.Our characters. | B.Our hobbies. |
C.Our living habits. | D.Our needs and lifestyle. |
A.A true friend can never have a disagreement with each other. |
B.Most troubled friendships can be mended. |
C.You don’t need to apologize when you know you are wronged. |
D.Friends are more important than jobs, homes and cars. |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
The sun is shining when I get on No. 151 bus. We passengers sit jammed together in heavy clothes. No one speaks. That’s one of the unwritten rules of Chicago commuting. Although we see the same faces every day, we prefer to hide behind our newspapers. The phenomenon is striking: people who sit so close together are using those thin sheets of newsprint to keep their distance.
As the bus approaches the Magnificent Mile, a voice suddenly rings out: “Attention! Attention!” Papers rattle (發(fā)出細(xì)小聲). Necks crane (伸長). “This is your driver speaking.”
We look at the back of the driver’s head. His voice has authority.
“All of you put your papers down.”
The papers come down, an inch at a time. The driver waits. The papers are folded and placed on our laps.
“Now, turn and face the person next to you. Go ahead.”
Amazingly, we all do it. Still, no one smiles.
I face an older woman, her head wrapped tightly in a red scarf. I see her nearly every day. Our eyes meet. We wait, unblinking, for the next order from the driver.
“Now, repeat after me…” It is a command, delivered in the tones of a drill sergeant (操練軍士). “Good morning, neighbor!”
Our voices are weak and timid. For many of us, these are the first words we have spoken today. But we say them at the same time, like schoolchildren, to the strangers beside us.
We smile and can’t help it. We have said it; the barrier has been broken. Good morning, neighbor. It is not so hard after all. Some of us repeat it. Others shake hands. Many laugh.
The bus driver says nothing more. He doesn’t need to. Not a single newspaper goes back up. I hear laughter, a warm sound I have never heard before on bus No. 151. This day is starting off better than most.
【小題1】On hearing the sudden utterance of “Attention!”, the passengers ___________.
A.stopped reading and put down their newspapers immediately |
B.looked up from the newspapers to see who was speaking |
C.sat still without response |
D.were frightened |
A.daily traveling between home and work |
B.long-distance ride |
C.communication technology |
D.behavior patterns |
A.The passengers on the crowded bus were so absorbed in reading their newspapers that no one spoke. |
B.The passengers were physically close together but mentally they kept each other at a terrible distance. |
C.The passengers didn’t follow the driver’s instruction at first. |
D.When the bus driver said nothing more, the passengers picked up and read their newspapers again. |
A.The Warmth of Communication | B.The Exchange of Information |
C.The Power of Observation | D.The Attitude to Loneliness |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Don’t talk to me; I’m busy with my iPhone
Riding a London subway, a person from China will notice one major difference: in London, people do not look at each other. In fact, eye contact is avoided at all times. That’s not rudeness—people are just too busy to bother looking.
Busy doing what, you ask? Well, they’re certainly not using the time for a moment of quiet reflection, nor are they reading a book. New technology has replaced quiet habits. Today the only acceptable form of book on the London underground is an e-book.
Apple must earn a fortune from London commuters(乘車上下班的人). Since the launch of the iPhone in 2007, over 40,000—yes, that’s 40,000—“apps” (programs downloaded for the iPhone) have been designed.
Commuters love them because they are the perfect time-fillers. One “app”, called iShoot, is a game that features tanks. Another one, Tube Exits, tells passengers where to sit on the train to be closest to the exit of their destination. ISteam clouds the iPhone screen when you breathe into the microphone. You can then write in the “ steam” on your phone screen.
For those without an iPhone, another Apple product, the iPod, may be another choice. It’s not just teenagers who “plug in” to their music—iPods are a popular way to pass the time for all ages.
And if games, e-books and music aren’t enough to keep you occupied, then perhaps you would prefer a film. The development of palm DVD technology means many commuters watch their favorite TV show or film on the way to work. With all this entertainments, it’s amazing that people still remember to get off the train.
【小題1】People in London do not make eye contact on the subway because they are busy ________.
A.playing games, reading e-books, listening to music or watching films. |
B.going to work |
C.reading books |
D.thinking private things |
A.Tube Exits | B.iShoot | C.ISteam | D.iPod |
A.delighted | B.busy | C.controlled | D.a(chǎn)mused |
A.London commuters are unfriendly to strangers |
B.Apple has earned a lo of money from selling 40,000 iPhones |
C.with all the new time-fillers, London commuters often forget to get off the train. |
D.technology is changing the way London commuters spend their traveling time. |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
A
This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths.
It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend(超越) it. Once we truly know that life is difficult--once we truly understand and accept it--then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.
Most do not fully see this truth. Instead they complain about their problems and difficulties as if life should be easy. It seems to them that difficulties represent a special kind of suffering especially forced upon them or else upon their families, their class, or even their nation.
What makes life difficult is that the process of facing and solving problems is a painful one. Problems, depending on their nature, cause us sadness, or loneliness or regret or anger or fear. These are uncomfortable feelings, often as painful as any kind of physical pain. And since life causes an endless series of problems, life is always difficult and is full of pain as well as joy.
Yet, it is in this whole process of solving problems that life has its meaning. Problems are the serious test that tells us success from failure. When we desire to encourage the growth of human spirit, we encourage the human ability to solve problems, just as in school we set problems for our children to solve. It is through the pain of meeting and working out problems that we learn. As Benjamin Franklin said, those things that hurt, instruct. It is for this reason that wise people learn not to fear but to welcome the pain of problems.
【小題1】From the passage, it can be inferred that ______.
A.everybody has problems |
B.we become stronger by meeting and solving the problems of life |
C.life is difficult because our problems bring us pain |
D.people like to complain about their problems |
A.save space | B.persuade readers |
C.make readers laugh | D.get readers’ attention |
A.most people feel life is easy |
B.the writer feels life is easy |
C.the writer likes to complain about his problems |
D.most people complain about how hard their lives are |
A.encourage them to learn |
B.teach them to fear the pain of solving the problem |
C.help them learn to deal with pain |
D.teach them how to respect from problems |
A.we do not learn from experience |
B.we do not learn when we are in pain |
C.pain teaches us important lessons |
D.pain cannot be avoided |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Walking down a path through some woods in Georgia, I saw a small pool of water ahead on the path. I angled my direction to go around it on the part of the path that wasn't covered by water or mud. As I reached the pool, I was suddenly attacked! Yet I did nothing for the attack. It was so unpredictable and from somewhere totally unexpected. I was surprised as well as unhurt though I had been struck four or five times. I backed up a foot and my attacker stopped attacking me. Had I been hurt I wouldn't have found it amusing. And I was laughing. After all, I was being attacked by a butterfly!
Having stopped, laughing, I took a step forward. My attacker rushed me again. He charged towards me at full speed, attempting to hurt me but in vain. For a second time, I took a step backwards while my attacker paused. I wasn't sure what to do. After all, it's just not everyday that one is attacked by a butterfly. I stepped back to look the situation over. My attacker moved back to land on the ground. That's when I discovered why my attacker was charging me only moments earlier. He had a mate and she was dying.
Sitting close beside her, he opened and closed his wings as if to fan her. I could only admire the love and courage of that butterfly in his concern for his mate. He had taken it up on himself to attack me for his mate's sake (緣故), even though she was clearly dying and I was so large. He did so just to give her those extra few precious moments of life, should I have been careless enough to step on her. His courage in attacking something thousands of times larger and heavier than himself just for his mate's safety seemed admirable. I couldn't do anything other than reward him by walking on the more difficult side of the pool. He had truly earned those moments to be with her, undisturbed.
Since then, I've always tried to remember the courage of that butterfly whenever I see huge barriers facing me.
【小題1】Why did the writer change his direction while walking down a path?
A.To get close to a butterfly. |
B.To look over the bad situation. |
C.To escape a sudden attack. |
D.To avoid getting his shoes dirty. |
A.Making the attacker pause. |
B.Being attacked by a butterfly. |
C.Being stepped on by his mate. |
D.Discovering the energetic butterfly. |
A.what he should do when faced with trouble |
B.people should show sympathy to the weak |
C.how he should deal with attacks |
D.people should protect butterflies |
A.Careless. | B.Amusing. | C.Courageous. | D.Aggressive. |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Once there was a huge apple tree. A little boy loved to come and play around it every day. He loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him.
Time went by --- the little boy had grown up and he no longer played around the tree every day. One day, the boy came back to the tree and he looked sad. “Come and play with me,” the tree asked the boy. “I’m no longer a kid. I wouldn’t play around the tree any more.” the boy replied. “I want toys. I need money to buy them.” “Sorry, I don’t have money. But you can pick all my apples and sell them. So, you will have money.” The boy picked all the apples on the tree and left happily. The boy never came back after he picked the apples.
One day, the boy returned and the tree was so excited, “Come and play with me,” the tree said. “I don’t have time to play. I have to work for my family. We need a house for shelter. Can you help?” “Sorry, I don’t have a house. But you can cut off my branches to build your house.” So the boy cut all the branches off the tree and left happily. The tree was glad to see him happy but the boy never came back since then. The tree was again lonely and sad.
One hot summer day, the boy returned and the tree was pleased. “Come and play with me!” the tree said. “I am sad and getting old. I want to go sailing to relax myself. Can you give me a boat?” “Use my trunk to build your boat. You can sail far away and be happy.” So the boy cut the tree trunk to make a boat. He went sailing and never showed up for a long time.
Finally, the boy returned after he left for so many years. “Sorry, my boy. But I don’t have anything for you any more. The only thing left is my dying root,” the tree said with tears.
“Good! Old tree root is the best place to lean on and rest. Come and sit down with me and rest.” The boy sat down and the tree was glad and smiled with tears.
【小題1】Why did the boy pick all the apples on the tree?
A.he wanted to eat them |
B.he needed money to buy toys |
C.he liked the tree without apples |
D.he wanted to share them with friends |
A.whenever he was happy |
B.if he missed the apple tree |
C.when he was in times of difficulty |
D.a(chǎn)s soon as he was free |
A.to have a house to live in |
B.nothing except a place to rest |
C.the root of the apple tree |
D.a(chǎn)nything that the apple tree had |
A.plant more apple trees | B.learn from the boy |
C.a(chǎn)lways stay at home | D.be thankful to our parents |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Attitude is an internal(內(nèi)在的) state that influences the choices of personal action made by the individual(個(gè)人). Some researchers consider that attitudes come from differences between beliefs and ideas; others believe that attitudes come from emotional states. Here, we focus on the effects of attitudes upon behavior, that is, upon the choices of action made by the individual.
The kinds of actions taken by human beings are obviously influenced greatly by attitudes. Whether one listens to classical music or rock, whether one obeys the speed limit while driving, whether one encourages one’s husband or wife to express his or her own ideas-all are influenced by attitudes. These internal states are acquired(獲得) throughout life from situations one is faced with in the home, in the streets, and in the school.
Of course, the course of action chosen by an individual in any situation will be largely determined by the particulars of that situation. An individual who has a strong attitude of obeying laws may drive too fast when he is in a hurry and no police cars in sight. A child who has a strong attitude of honesty may steal a penny when she thinks no one will notice. But the internal state which remains unchanged over a period of time, and which makes the individual behave regularly in a variety of situations, is what is meant by an attitude.
Attitudes are learned in a variety of ways. They can result from single events, as when an attitude toward snakes is acquired by an experience in childhood at the sudden movement of a snake. They can result from the individual’s experiences of success and pleasure, as when someone acquires a positive attitude toward doing crossword puzzles by being able to complete some of them. And frequently, they are learned by copying other people’s behavior, as when a child learns how to behave toward foreigners by observing the actions of his parents. Regardless of these differences, there is something in common in the learning and modification(修正) of attitudes.
【小題1】According to the passage, attitudes .
A.come from different situations in one’s life |
B.a(chǎn)re largely affected by one’s behavior |
C.remain unchanged in one’s daily life |
D.could be chosen according to one’s will |
A.people often make mistakes when they are not noticed |
B.people with good attitudes may sometimes do bad deeds |
C.particulars of a situation may influence an individual’s action |
D.a(chǎn)n individual may change his or her attitude fairly easily |
A.Attitudes are only learned through one’s success. |
B.Attitudes learned in danger will last no more. |
C.Copying others’ behavior is not a good idea. |
D.Attitudes can be learned from one’s parents. |
A.Differences of Attitudes. | B.Nature(本質(zhì)) of Attitude. |
C.Choices of Attitudes. | D.Changes of Attitude. |
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