After inventing dynamites(炸药), Swedish-born Alfred Nobel became a very rich man. However, he foresaw its universally destructive powers too late. Nobel preferred not to be remembered as the inventor of dynamite, so in 1895, just two weeks before his death, he created a fund to be used for awarding prizes to people who had made worthwhile contributions to mankind. Originally there were five awards: literature, physics, chemistry, medicine, and peace. Economics was added in 1968, just sixty-seven years after the first awards ceremony.

Nobel’s original legacy of nine million dollars was invested, and the interest on this sum is used for the awards which vary from $ 30,000 to $125,000.

Every year on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death, the awards (gold medal, illuminated diploma, and money) are presented to the winners. Sometimes politics plays an important role in the judges’ decision. Americans have won numerous science awards, but relatively few literature prizes.

No awards were presented from 1940 to 1942 at the beginning of World War II. Some people have won two prizes, but this is rare; others have shared their prizes.

1. What did the first award ceremony take place?

A. 1895.           B. 1901.             C. 1962.                 D. 1968.

2. The Nobel prize was established to ________.

A. honor the inventor of dynamite       B. recognize worthwhile contributions to humanity

C. resolve political differences         D. spend money

3. In which area have Americans received the most awards?

A. Literature.         B. Economics.          C. Peace.             D. Science.

4. Which of the following statement is NOT true?

A. Awards vary in money value.

B. Ceremonies are held on December 10 to commemorate Nobel’s invention.

C. Politics can be of importance in selecting the winners.

D. A few individuals have won two awards.

It was a warm April day when a big fat envelope came in the mail from the only college I had ever imagined attending. I tore open the packet. My eyes were fixed on the word “congratulations. ”I don’t remember ever smiling so wide.
Then I looked at my financial(财政的)package.
The cost of Dream School’s tuition(学费), room and board was around $ 40,000- an impossible sum! How could I afford to attend? What good reasons did I have to go there when three other fine colleges were offering me free tuition? My other choices were good, solid schools even if they weren’t as famous as my first choice.
In my mind, attending my dream university would be the only way to realize my dream of becoming a world-class writer. My parents understood how I felt. They told me that even though it would be a financial problem, I could go wherever I would be happiest. But as I was always careful with money, I wasn’t sure what to do.
One of the schools that offered me a full ride had an informational dinner one night in the spring. Considering my parents’ financial difficulties, I decided to drive the 45 minutes and attend. At first, all I had planned to do was smile politely, eat free food, listen quietly. But I surprised myself.
At dinner the president of the university talked about the wonderful activities on campus (校园)including guest lectures and social gatherings. He also made it perfectly clear that free food would be offered at all future events. He continued with explanations of professors, class sizes, activities, and sporting events on campus. As he spoke, I began to realize that this school, though not as good as my first choice, might be the best one for me. It seemed small yet with many great programs. It seemed challenging yet caring.
As the president ended his speech, we clapped politely and pushed back our chairs. As I walked out that door, a feeling of comfort washed over me. Looking at the campus that night, I realized that I would be spending the next four years right there.
In all honesty, my university is not as well-known as my “dream”university. However, it turned out to be the right choice of schools for me.
【小题1】How did the author feel when he started to read the letter?

A.He was lost in his dream.
B.He was full of joy.
C.He was worried about the money.
D.He was uncertain which school to go to.
【小题2】We can learn from the passage that the parents were _________.
A.honestB.supportiveC.strictD.decisive
【小题3】In Paragraph 5, “offered me a full ride”can be replaced by “_______”.
A.would charge me nothing for tuition
B.would pay for transport to the school
C.would show me around the campus
D.would offer free meals at all events
【小题4】What does the author mainly want to say?
A.You should consider comfort in your choice of schools.
B.You should try your best to attend your dream school.
C.Your second-choice college may actually by your best fit.
D.Your choice of schools should be based on their fame.

There was a woman, about 30 years old, married with two children. She had grown up in a home where she was constantly criticized and often treated unfairly by her parents. As a result, she was negative and fearful, and had no confidence at all.
One day, she was hit by a car. When she awoke, she found herself in a hospital. She could still speak, but had no recollection of any part of her past life. She was a total amnesiac! Her husband and children visited her daily, but she did not know them.
Determined to understand what had happened to her, she began reading medical textbooks and studying in the specialized area of amnesia and memory loss. She met and discussed with specialists in this field. Eventually she wrote a paper on her condition. Not long afterward, she was invited to address a medical conference to deliver her paper, answer questions about her amnesia, and share her experiences and ideas. During this period, something amazing happened. She became a genuinely positive, confident, outgoing woman, well informed, and very much in demand as a speaker and authority in the medical profession. All memory of her negative childhood had been wiped out. She changed her thinking and changed her life.
Each person comes into the world with no thoughts or ideas at all, and everything that a person thinks and feels is learned from babyhood onward. The adult becomes the sum total of everything he or she learns, feels, and experiences while growing up.
Everyone is born with no self-concept at all. Every idea, opinion, feeling, attitude, or value you have as an adult is the result of an idea or impression you took in and accepted as true. When you believe something to be true, it becomes true for you, whatever the fact may be. You are not what you think you are, but what you think, you are.
【小题1】What happened to the woman after the accident?

A.She believed she was not talented.
B.She didn't love her husband any more.
C.She refused to recall her past life.
D.She was in complete memory loss.
【小题2】Which of the following shows the structure of the passage?

【小题3】Which statement agrees with the last paragraph?
A.Great minds think alike.
B.Thinking is to man what water is to fish.
C.Confidence in you is the first step on the road to success.
D.You are not what you believe, but what others believe you are.

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