Mark Twain was famous in his days as a public speaker. In his public speeches he always liked to tell funny stories. He also liked to listen to funny stories and play jokes on his friends.

   One day one of his friends lost his wallet but asked Mark Twain to pay his train fare (车费) for him.

   “But I don't have enough money to pay both your fare and mine”’Mark Twain said. The friend didn't know what to do.

   “We can do this”’said Mark Twain. “We can get on the train and when the conductor (列车员) comes to check the tickets,you can hide (藏) under my seat. ”

   Later,however,when the conductor came to check the tickets,Mark Twain gave him two tickets一one for his friend and one for himself. Then he explained in a loud voice. uMy friend here is a strange man. When he travels on a train,he doesn’t like to sit on the seat. He prefers (宁愿) to lie on the floor under the seat. ” Of course everybody in the train looked at the poor friend and laughed at him loudly.

() 4. Mark Twain told him he couldn’t buy him a ticket because.

   A. he didn't have enough money

   B. he wanted to play a joke (玩笑) on him

   C. he wanted to save some money

   D. he didn't find his wallet,either

() 5. When the conductor came to check the tickets,the friend was.

   A. lying under the seat   B. sitting on the seat

   C. lying on the seat   D. standing nearby

() 6. Mark Twain spoke in a loud voice because.

   A. the conductor was standing far away

   B. his friend was deaf (聋)

   C. he enjoyed doing so

   D. he wanted all the people here to know there was a man under the seat

Too much TV-watching can harm children’s ability to learn and even reduce their chances of getting a college degree, new studies suggest in the latest effort to examine the effects of television on children.

One of the studies looked at nearly 400 northern California third-graders. Those with TVs in their bedrooms scored about eight points lower on math and language arts tests than children without bedroom TVs.

A second study, looking at nearly 1000 grown-ups in New Zealand, found lower education levels among 26-years–old who had watched lots of TV during childhood. But the results don’t prove that TV is the cause and don't rule out(排除)that already poorly motivated youngsters (年轻人)may watch lots of TV.

Their study measured the TV habits of 26-years-old between ages 5 and 15. These with college degrees had watched an average of less than two hours of TV per weeknight during childhood, compared with an average of more than 2 hours for those who had no education beyond high school.

In the California study,children with TVs in their rooms but no computer at home scored the lowest while those with no bedroom TV but who had home computers scored the highest.

While this study does not prove that bedroom TV sets caused the lower scores, it adds to accumulating(积累) findings that children shouldn't have TVs in their bedrooms

1.According to the California study, the low-scoring group might________.

A. have watched a lot of TV

B. not be interested in math

C. be unable to go to college

D. have had computers in their bedrooms

2.What is the researchers' understanding of the New Zealand study results?

A. Poorly motivated 26-years-old watch more TV.

B. Habits of TV watching reduce learning interest.

C. TV watching leads to lower education levels of the 15-years-old.

D. The connection between TV and education levels is difficult to explain.

3.What can we learn from the last two paragraphs?

A. More time should be spent on computers.

B. Children should be forbidden from watching TV.

C. TV sets shouldn't be allowed in children's bedrooms.

D. Further studies on high-achieving students should be done.

4.What would be the best title for this text?

A. Computers or Television

B. Effects of Television on Children

C. Studies on TV and College Education

D. Television and Children's Learning Habits

Thomas, the pioneering White House reporter known for putting presidents on the hot seat, died at 92.

To those who regularly watch presidential press conferences, Helen Thomas is a familiar figure. Usually dressed in red and always seated in the front row, she is always the first or second reporter the president calls upon. It is an honour she has earned. Besides, it affords her the perfect opportunity to do what she does best—challenge the president and other public officials to tell the plain truth. She said, “ We reporters’ priority(首要事情) is the people’s right to know---without fear or favor. We are the people’s servants.”

Helen Thomas was born in Kentucky in 1920. All the nine Thomas' children were brought up to value education, and all were expected to make something of themselves through working hard. She decided to become a reporter while in high school. After receiving her bachelor's degree in 1942, Thomas headed for Washington D.C, looking for a newspaper job. Soon, she landed one at Washington Daily News. Her duty included fetching coffee and doughnuts for the paper's reporters and editors. This young woman found the atmosphere exciting, believing she had made the right career choice.

Her big break came when she was sent to Florida to report on the vacation of President John F.Kennedy and his family. Once President Kennedy took office, Thomas changed her focus from the president's family to his policies. She began attending the daily press briefings at the White House as well as presidential press conferences. Thomas has covered every president since Kennedy. Over the years, Thomas found her job “thrilling and inspiring”, but never boring. And she took seriously her duty to “keep an eye on the president” and keep American people informed.

1.What can we learn about Helen Thomas from the passage?

A.Her career took off after covering President Kennedy.

B.Her first job was to deliver doughnuts to a news agency.

C.She was born into a large family in Kentucky in 1942.

D.She decided to be a reporter while in college.

2.Paragraph 3 is written to show Helen Thomas________.

A.is a good decision maker for her career

B.appreciates education and hard work

C.wants to be famous by writing reports

D.has great support from her family

3.What does Helen Thomas think of her work?

A.Unbearable. B.Exciting.

C.Challenging. D.Unforgettable.

4.What can be the best title for the passage?

A.A reporter for Washington Daily News

B.A reporter challenging President Kennedy

C.A reporter from an ordinary family

D.A reporter sticking to the facts

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