In 1909 an English newspaper offered ?? 1,000 to the first man to fly across the English Channel in an aeroplane. Today, modern jets cross it in minutes. But at that time it still seemed a good distance. The race to win the money soon became a race between two men. Both were very colourful.

    One was Louis Bleriot. He owned a factory in France that made motor car lamps. He was already well known as a pilot because he had had accidents several times. Some people laughed at him. One man said, “He may not be the first to fly across the Channel but he will certainly be the first to die in an accident!” But Bleriot was really a good and brave pilot. He also had many good ideas about aeroplane design.

    The other man was Hubert Latham. He was half French and half English. He took up flying when his doctors told him he had only a year to live. “Oh, well,” he said, “if I’ m going to die soon, I think I shall have a dangerous and interesting life now.” Latham was the first to try the flight  across the Channel. Ten kilometres from the French coast, his plane had some trouble. It fell down into the water and began to sink under the water. A boat reached Latham just in time. He was sitting calmly on the wing and was coolly lighting a cigarette. Bleriot took off six days later. He flew into some very bad weather and very low cloud. He somehow got to the English side and landed in a farmer’s field. When he did so, a customs (海关) officer rushed up to his plane. Planes have changed since then, but customs officers have not. “Have you anything to declare(报关)?” The officer demanded.

Bleriot was well known as a pilot because ____ .

   A. he was unusually brave

   B. he was quite rich

   C. he had many good ideas about aeroplane design

   D. he had had a few accidents

Why did Hubert Latham want to fly across the Channel?

   A. He thought he could manage it easily.

   B. He wanted to be the first one to cross the Channel.

   C. He knew he only had a year to live.

   D. He had always been interested in flying.

Which of the following is NOT true?

   A. Latham became a pilot on the doctor’s advice.

   B. He was told he could live another year.

   C. His plane had some trouble.

   D. He was saved by a boat when his plane was sinking.

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.


I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum (乞丐). “I hope he doesn’t ask me for any money,” I thought.
He didn’t. He came and sat on the curb (路边) in front of the bus stop but he didn’t look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus.
After a few minutes he spoke,“That’s a very pretty car.” He was ragged (衣衫褴褛的) but he had an air of dignity.
I said “Thanks” and continued wiping off my car. He sat there quietly as I worked. “Do you need any help?” I asked.
He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget.
“Don’t we all?” he said.
I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a shotgun.
Don’t we all?
I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day.
Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable with himself.
Don’t we all? Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. And you never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting for you to give them what they don’t have.
1. What was the writer doing when he met the homeless person?
A. Shopping.       B. Cleaning his car.       C. Admiring his car.      D. Parking his car.
2. What does the underlined phrase “high and mighty” mean?
A. Tall.   B. On top of the world.C. Strong and powerful.  D. Filled with false pride.
3. Which of the following can best describe the writer’s feelings about himself after the encounter?
A. He felt a new sense of pride.                  B. Inspired and humble.
C. Great and wise.                            D. Successful and important.
4. What does the article tell us?
A. We should help those less fortunate than ourselves.
B. Helping a person indirectly is preferable to direct, obvious help.
C. All of us, at certain moments of our lives, need help from others and should offer help ourselves.
D. Money is all important in life.

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