He could have been president of Israel or played violin at Carnegie Hall, but he was too busy thinking. His thinking on God, love and the meaning of life graces our greeting cards and day-timers.

Fifty years after his death, his shock(乱蓬蓬的一堆)of white hair and hanging moustache still symbolize genius. Einstein remains the foremost scientist of the modern time. Looking back 2,400 years, only Newton ,Galileo and Aristotle were his equals.

Around the world , universities and academies(研究院)are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Einstein’s “miracle year” when he published five scientific papers in 1905 that basically changed our grasp of space, time ,light and matter. Only he could top himself about a decade later with his theory of relativity.

Born in the age of horse-drawn carriages, his ideas launched a technological revolution that has made more changes in a century than in the previous two thousand years. Computers, satellites, telecommunications, lasers, televisions and nuclear power all owe their invention to ways in which Einstein exposed a stranger and more complicated reality underneath the world.

He escaped Hitler’s Germany and devoted the rest of his life to human rights and peace with an authority unmatched by any scientist today, or even most politicians and religious leaders. He spoke out against fascism(法西斯主义)and racial prejudice. His FBI(美国联邦调查局)file ran 1,400 pages.

His letters expose a disorderly personal life ─ married twice and indifferent toward his children while absorbed in physics. Yet he charmed lovers and admirers with poetry and sailboat outings. Friends and neighbors fiercely protected his privacy.

The first paragraph implies that Einstein             .

A. had the gift for politics and music

B. had run for president before he worked at his research

C. was an excellent violinist

D. was more a political leader of a musician than a thinker

When you think of Einstein, what typical appearance was formed in your mind?

A. Funny and humorous, with an air of a musician.

B. Wearing very wide trousers and a moustache, with an image of an actor.

C. Rough untidy mass of white hair and hanging moustache , with an image of thinking .

D. Black long hair and moustache, with his eyes deep set.

Why was 1905 called Einstein’s “miracle year”?

A. Because he topped himself with the theory of relativity.

B. Because he made important discoveries of space, time , light and matter.

C. Because he published five papers on his theory of relativity.

D. Because he wrote five important articles to help people understand space, time , light and matter better.

Which of the following is not true about Einstein according to the passage?

A. When he was absorbed in his research ,he didn’t care for his family.

B. He tried to amuse his family and friends in his spare time.

C. He was so busy with the physical research that he showed no interest in politics.

D. His theory led to much improvement in many technological fields.

Hilary Smith belonged to a good family.But by the age of twenty, he had spent all the money the good old family had.He then had some trouble with the bank and was put in prison.He escaped from the prison and ran to Australia without delay.
Hilary did not like Australia. What he could do seemed to be one of two things: die or work.Then he remembered that he was not alone in the world.He had an aunt.
She was his father's only sister, but his father used to say she brought no glory to the family.Hilary, of course, tried to discover what she had done.It seemed that she had failed to marry a nobleman.Instead, she had chosen a husband who was connected with "trade".Of course as soon as she became "Mrs Parks" ,her brother considered her dead.Later on, Mr Parks died and left her a lot of money; but that did not bring her back to life in her brother's opinion.
Hilary discovered his aunt's address.Fortunately she remained faithful and honest to him even after she fell ill.So Hilary's star shone again, and soon he moved into her house and lived as comfortably as a sailor who had just reached harbour.He had only about a six pence in his pocket.
One thing was soon clear: his aunt was seriously ill, and nothing could cure her illness.Hilary was very worried.Fate had found a home for him, and was now going to throw him out of it.There was only one thing that could save him: her will.
"Will?" she said, "yes, I have made one.That was when I was a girl and had not much money.I left all my money to some religious people."
"Didn't you make another will when you were married?" Hilary asked.
His aunt shook her head."No," she said in a low voice, "There was no need.When I finally had a lot of money I found I had no relations."
On the next day he went to the public library and examined a book of law.It told him what he already believed.When a woman is married, an earlier will lose its value.A new will must be made.If no new will is made, the money goes to the nearest relation.Hilary knew that he was his aunt's only relation.His future was safe.
After a few months had passed, Hilary's problems became serious.He badly needed money.He had expensive tastes, and owed a lot of money to shopkeepers.They trusted him because his aunt was rich; but the debt was terrible.
Unfortunately his aunt did not want to discuss money matters at all.In the end they had a quarrel about the small amount of ten pounds.Hilary was not very angry.He began to wonder about a new problem.Was it kind to want his aunt to live.any longer? Was it not better for her to die now? While he was considering what to do, his aunt told him that she was going to send for her lawyer.So she was going to make a new will, Hilary thought.She might leave all her money to someone else.Soon he reached a clear decision.He must do a great kindness to the poor old woman.
One night when the old servant who had been nursing his aunt went off, he doubled the amount of some medicine.The total amount was too great and it could just put her to sleep forever.
"Thank you," his aunt took the glass from his hand with a grateful look."I want more than anything to sleep, and never to wake up again.Is that what you wish, Hilary? Don't blame me if I have some doubts about what you intended to do.Sick people get these ideas, you know.One thing I ought to explain to you.Mr Parks never married me.He already had a wife and couldn't marry again.That made your foolish father very angry with me...Well, if I am alive tomorrow I shall make another will in your favour.If I die tonight, you'll get nothing...No, Hilary, don't try to take the glass away.If you do that, I shall know and I don't want to know.Goodnight, Hilary."
Then, very carefully, she raised the glass to her mouth and drank.
【小题1】From the story ,we learn that Hilary's aunt was ______.

A.bad-tempered and lonelyB.kind-hearted and wise
C.careless about moneyD.cruel to her nephew
【小题2】Why did Hilary's father consider his aunt dead?
A.Because they lost contact with each other after her marriage.
B.Because she married a businessman with a wife against his will.
C.Because she broke away from the family for a better life.
D.Because he thought she was a shame to the family
【小题3】The underlined sentence "He must do a great kindness to the poor old woman" in paragraph 11 suggests that Hilary Smith ______.
A.was determined to put his aunt's life to an end
B.decided to do his aunt a favor to call in a lawyer
C.made up his mind to take good care of his aunt
D.would help his aunt to donate all her money to religious people
【小题4】Which of the following is the focus of the story?
A.Hilary's aunt's money.B.Hilary Smith's debts.
C.The intended murder.D.Hilary's aunt's marriage.
【小题5】According to the law book,_____.
A.Hilary's aunt is not allowed to make a new will.
B.the money will go to Hilary after his aunt dies without a new will.
C.Hilary's aunt must leave the money to the religious people after she dies.
D.Hilary must look after his aunt till her death because he is the only relation.
【小题6】Which detail from the story is the climax(高潮)of the story?
A.Hilary escaped from the prison.
B.Hilary quarelled with is aunt about ten pounds.
C.Hilary's aunt drank the medicine her nephew prepared for her.
D.Hilary's aunt made a will to leave all her money to someone else.

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