Be Brave With New Things

   The old advertising slogan, “so simple a child can do it ,” has taken on new meaning to me. A few weeks ago I got a computer, but I an mechanically illiterate. I knew that children had no fear of the future, so that seemed a good place to seek help. I asked my nephew, twelve years old, at an elementary school, to help me.

   My nephew took the machine for granted and has simply accepted the fact that computers are now a way of life. He plays with them and does his homework on them and even creates programs for them. I , on the other hand, are terrified by what this equipment can do. It can interchange paragraphs, switch words around and even correct my spelling. It informs me of Its limitations, takes commands and asks questions. It even seems to have a sense of communication. Rather than accusing me of making an error, it prints “One of us has made a mistake!” It never gets tired and is always patient and ready to go when I am.

   I think it was somewhat normal for me to be suspicious of computers. They represent a break with some very familiar habits and traditions. It is only human to instinctively avoid anything that shifts thoroughly from the acceptable, comfortable past. But the world is governed by ceaseless change and we must therefore establish links with the present and future as well as the past. Computer technology is an excellent case in point, as the newest systems grow out of date in only a few years, or even months.

   This ability to see, experience and accept the new is one of our saving characteristics. To be fearful of tomorrow, to close ourselves to possibilities, to resist the inevitable, to advocate standing still when all else is moving forward, is to lose touch. If we accept the new with joy and wonder, we can move gracefully into each tomorrow. More often than not, the children shall lead us.

6.What is the new meaning of  “So simple a child can do it” for the author?

A.computers are so easy to operate that even a child can play them well

B.A child can always do more complex things than an adult.

C.It is easier for a child to accept new things than for an adult.

D.A child has greater ability than an adult in operating computers.

7.According to the second paragraph, which of the following statements is true?

A.The nephew thought it is natural to accept the fact that computers are now a way of life.

B.The nephew believed that machines were made for people to do whatever they wanted.

C.computers are not only used to communicate, but also to remove their limitations.

D.It is a fact that both adults and children have accepted computers as a way of life.

8.Which of the following doesn’t the author’s computer do ?

A.It asks the author if she has made a mistake.

B.It accuses the author of making mistakes.

C.It corrects the author’s spelling mistakes.

D.It informs the author of her mistakes.

9.According to the third paragraph, it is human nature that we resist those things which   

A.only represent the comfortable and acceptable past

B.change thoroughly into the comfortable and acceptable past

C.make people stand still when all else is moving forward

D.change completely from the acceptable and comfortable past

10.How do you understand the underlined sentence in the  text?

  A. It is always ready to inform me when I am ready to go.

  B. It is always ready to start working when I am ready for work.

  C. When I am ready to go, it is patient to wait.

  D. When I am ready to go, it has already gone.

James’s New Bicycle 

James shook his money box again. Nothing! He carefully __1__ the coins that lay on the bed. $24.52 was all that he had. The bicycle he wanted was at least $90! __2__ on earth was he going to get the __3_ of the money? 

He knew that his friends all had bicycles. It was __4__ to hang around with people when you were the only one without wheels. He thought about what he could do. There was no __5__ asking his parents, for he knew they had no money to __6__. 

There was only one way to get money, and that was to __7__ it. He would have to find a job. __8__ who would hire him and what could he do? He decided to ask Mr. Clay for advice, who usually had __9__ on most things. 

“Well, you can start right here,” said Mr. Clay. “My windows need cleaning and my car needs washing.” 

That was the _10__ of James’s odd-job(零工) business. For three months he worked every day after finishing his homework. He was amazed by the __11__ of jobs that people found for him to do. He took dogs and babies for walks, cleared out cupboards, and mended books. He lost count of the __12__ of cars he washed and windows he cleaned, but the __13__ increased and he knew that he would soon have __14__ for the bicycle he longed for. 

The day __15__ came when James counted his money and found $94.32. He __16__ no time and went down to the shop to pick up the bicycle he wanted. He rode __17__ home, looking forward to showing his new bicycle to his friends. It had been hard __18__ for the money, but James knew that he valued his bicycle far more __19__ he had bought it with his own money. He had __20__what he thought was impossible, and that was worth even more than the bicycle. 

难易度:难

1. A. cleaned    B. covered   C. counted     D. checked 

2. A. How  B. Why  C. Who  D. What 

3. A. amount  B. part  C. sum  D. rest 

4. A. brave  B. hard  C. smart D. unfair 

5. A. point B. reason  C. result  D. right 

6. A. split  B. spend  C. spare  D. save 

7. A. borrow B. earn  C. raise  D. collect 

8. A. Or  B. So  C. For  D. But 

9 A. decisions B. experience  C. opinions D. knowledge 

10. A. beginning B. introduction  C. requirement  D. opening 

11. A. similarity B. quality  C. suitability  D. variety 

12. A. brand  B. number C. size  D. type 

13. A. effort  B. pressure C. money D. trouble 

14. A. all  B. enough  C. much  D. some 

15. A. finally B. instantly C. normally D. regularly 

16. A. gave  B. left  C. took  D. wasted 

17. A. patiently B. proudly  C. silently  D. tiredly 

18. A. applying  B. asking  C. looking  D. working 

19. A. since B. if  C. than  D. though 

20. A. deserved B. benefited C. achieved D. learned

 

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