What happens to a teenage kid when the world he thought he knew suddenly changes? Find out in Little Brother by American author Cory Doctorow. It is a fascinating book for a new generation of science fiction readers.

Marcus Yallow, 17, from San Francisco is much more comfortable in front of a computer than obeying the rules of society. Smart, fast and wise to the ways of the networked world, he has no trouble outwitting his high school's monitoring(监控) system. This way he and his friends get to head off to play a popular online game in real life.

While they are playing, a bomb explodes on the Bay Bridge. Marcus stops a military vehicle to get help for his injured friend, but this simple act throws him into a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secret prison. There he is treated as a possible terrorist. He is eventually let go after four days, but his injured friend disappears.

When he returns, Marcus discovers that there are many “security measures” in place and that now all citizens are treated like potential terrorists. While some consider this government action necessary for public safety, Marcus sees this as a complete destruction of the rights he is supposed to have as a citizen.

He knows that no one will believe his story, which leaves him with only one thing to do: to take down the DHS (数字处理系统) himself. He helps organize a large network called Xnet to spread the truth, anonymously (匿名地).

The book presents a young man who is irresponsible, but learns about himself, and grows, in the course of the story. As part of this learning and growing he becomes aware of very serious issues about his society.

1. What kind of article does this passage belong to?

A. A fascinating story B. A news report

C. A book review D. A TV programme

2.The underlined word “outwitting” in the second paragraph means ________.

A. destroying in a wise way B. buying in a wise way

C. cheating in a wise way D. helping in a wise way

3.Marcus Yallow was sent to prison because ________.

A. he killed his friend

B. he bombed a military vehicle

C. his injured friend disappeared

D. he did something that a possible terrorist could do

4.From the second paragraph we can infer that ________.

A. Marcus Yallow is expert at the network world

B. Marcus Yallow is smart, fast and wise in real life

C. Marcus Yallow always plays online games in real life

D. Marcus Yallow is much more comfortable obeying the rules of society

Of all the things that will make life entirely happy, the greatest is the possession of friendship. One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives. Friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed.

On the first Sunday in August, it’s time to recognize your friends and their contribution to your life. The first Sunday in August was fixed as National Friendship Day by the U.S. Congress in 1935, and remains a tradition in many countries and cultures. In 1997, the United Nations named Winnie the Pooh as the world’s Ambassador of Friendship.

Obviously, there are several friendship holidays, all of which fall on fixed dates.

National Friendship Day is on the first Sunday in August

Women’s Friendship Day is on the third Sunday in September

International Friendship Month is February

Old Friends, New Friends Week is the third week of May

People show their appreciation for friendship in various ways. Some expressions may be practical ones, such as flowers, particularly the pink friendship roses, cookies, chocolates, souvenirs from their vacations, a tape of favorite songs, farewell dinners, and welcome balloons.

Recipe for Friendship 2 cups of patience, 1 heart full of love, 2 handfuls of generosity, 2 cups of loyalty, 1 cup of understanding, with some laughter. Mix them all well. Spray (喷洒) generously over a lifetime and serve everyone you meet.

Friendship helps to bring peace and positive things to the globe, another great reason to celebrate! Although our friends certainly deserve thanks on more than just one day of the year, what better day to honor them than Friendship Day!!

1.Which of the following proverbs supports the main idea of the first paragraph?

A. Friendship cannot stand always on one side.

B. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

C. A friend without faults will never be found.

D. A life without a friend is a life without a sun.

2.Which of the holidays happens first in a year?

A. National Friendship Day.

B. Women’s Friendship Day.

C. International Friendship Month.

D. Old Friends, New Friends Week.

3.What is most needed to make friendship grow, develop and last?

A. Inviting your friends over for a party.

B. Looking on your friends as relatives.

C. Honoring your friends on Friendship Day.

D. Being loyal and generous to your friends.

4.“Recipe for Friendship” here actually means ______________.

A. a prescription (处方) for curing friends

B. a method of keeping a friendship

C. the pleasure of having friends

D. the importance of friendship

Since the beginning of time never has there been another with my mind, my heart, my eyes, my ears, my hands, my mouth. None that came before, none that live today, and none that come tomorrow can walk and talk and move and think exactly like me. I’m a unique creature.

Vain attempts to imitate others no longer will I make. Instead will I place my uniqueness on display in the market place. I will begin now to highlight my differences; hide my similarities.

I am rare, and therefore I am valuable. I am the end product of thousands of years of evolution; therefore, I am better equipped in both mind and body than all the emperors and wise men before me.

But my skills, my mind, my heart, and my body will weaken, rot, and die for fear that I put them to good use. I have unlimited potential. Only a tiny part of my brain do I employ; only a small amount of my muscle do I apply.

So never again will I be satisfied with yesterday's accomplishments nor will I lose myself, anymore, in self-praise for deeds which in reality are too small to even acknowledge. I can accomplish far more than I have, and I will. I am not on this earth by chance. I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sanD.Henceforth(从今往后) will I apply all my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.

I will increase my knowledge of mankind, myself, and the goods I sell. I will practice, and improve, and polish the words I speak to multiply my sales, for this is the foundation on which I will build my career. Also will I seek constantly to improve my manners and graces, for they are the sugar to which all are attracted.

I have been given eyes to see and a mind to think and now I know a great secret of life that all my problems, discouragements, and heartaches are, in truth, great opportunities in disguise. I am nature’s greatest miracle. And nature knows not defeat. Eventually, she achieves victory and so will I, and with each victory the next struggle becomes less difficult.

1.It can be inferred from the text that the author is most probably a(n) _________.

A. robot

B. soldier

C. salesman

D. athlete

2.Which of the following can best describe the author’s character?

A. Intelligent, calm and content.

B. Confident, modest and realistic.

C. Independent, cold and aggressive.

D. Ambitious, confident and optimistic.

3.According to the text, which of the following is fundamental to the author’s career building?

A. Knowledge of mankind.

B. Speaking skills.

C. Prediction of the market.

D. sense of victory.

4.What is the best title for the passage?

A. Nature’s greatest miracle

B. The power of being different

C. The great secret of life

D. Great opportunities in disguise

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