Sports are all about change. A team gets better. A kid practices more and swims a personal best or learns a new move on the basketball court. In 2006, two things happened that got me thinking about change—in sports and in life.

One of them is tennis champion Andre Agassi, who retired in 2006. Agassi was a terrific player who won 60 titles, including eight major championships(冠军称号). But his greatest accomplishment(成就)might have been how much he changed during his career.

When he was young, Agassi was a show off who seemed to care only about himself. He didn't train very hard, but he won matches because of his tremendous(极大的)talent.Eventually, though, injuries and his bad attitude caught up with him. He fell from No.1 in the world ranking to No.141.

So Agassi changed. He trained harder and became a world-class player again. More importantly, he changed as a person. He was nicer to fans and opponents(对手). He stopped thinking just about himself and started thinking about others. Through his Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, he raised more than $60 million to help disadvantaged kids around his hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. He even started a school, the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, for at-risk kids.

At the start of a new year, lots of people promise themselves they will change. They might vow to get in good physical shape, do better in school or be nicer to others. Changes such as those can be difficult. But they do happen. Just remember Andre Agassi: It wasn't easy, but he changed, and changed for the better.

1.According to the writer, which of the following may be the greatest achievement for Agassi?

A. He once ranked No.1 in the world rankings.

B. He won 60 titles.

C. He changed much during his career.

D. He won 8 major championships.

2.What does the underlined work “vow” in the 6th paragraph probably mean?

A. promise. B. agree. C. wish. D. prove.

3.What do you know about Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation?

A. It is intended to help at-risk kids.

B. It is a charity school set up by Agassi.

C. Some disadvantaged kids can get help from it.

D. Agassi runs it with his prize money.

4.What might be talked about in the paragraphs following this passage?

A. What achievements Agassi has made after he changed for the better.

B. How we can change for the better.

C. Another thing happened in life that got the writer thinking about change.

D. Some assessments(评价) about Agassi from different people.

Most people know that Marie Curie was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize, and the first person to win it twice. However, few people know that she was also the mother of a Nobel Prize winner.

Born in September, 1897, Irene Curie was the first of the Curies' two daughters. Along with nine other children whose parents were also famous scholars, Irene studied in their own school, and her mother was one of the teachers. She finished her high school education at the College of Sévigné in Paris.

Irene entered the University of Paris in 1914 to prepare for a degree in mathematics and physics. When World War I began, Irene went to help her mother, who was using X-­ray facilities(设备) to help save the lives of wounded soldiers. Irene continued the work by developing X­-ray facilities in military hospitals in France and Belgium. Her services were recognized in the form of a Military’s Medal by the French government.

In 1918, Irene became her mother's assistant at the Curie Institute. In December 1924, Frederic Joliot joined the Institute, and Irene taught him the techniques required for his work. They soon fell in love and were married in 1926. Their daughter Helene was born in 1927 and their son Pierre five years later.

Like her mother, Irene combined family and career. Like her mother, Irene was awarded a Nobel Prize, along with her husband, in 1935. Unfortunately, also like her mother, she developed leukemia(白血病) because of her work with radioactivity(辐射能). Irene Joliot­ Curie died from leukemia on March 17, 1956.

1.Why was Irene Curie awarded a Military Medal?

A.Because she received a degree in mathematics.

B.Because she contributed to saving the wounded.

C.Because she won the Nobel Prize with Frederic.

D.Because she worked as a helper to her mother.

2.Where did Irene Curie meet her husband Frederic Joliot?

A.At the Curie Institute.

B.At the University of Paris.

C.At a military hospital.

D.At the College of Sévigné.

3. In which of the following aspects was Irene Curie different from her mother?

A.Irene worked with radioactivity.

B.Irene combined family and career.

C.Irene won the Nobel Prize once.

D.Irene died from leukemia.

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