When I was a child, I often dreamed of the time when I could leave home and escape to the city. We
lived on a farm, in the winter especially, we were quite cut off from the outside world. As soon as I left
school, I packed my bags and moved to the capital. However, I soon discovered that my life has its
problems too.
       One big disadvantage is money. It costs so much to go out, not to mention basics like food and
housing. Another disadvantage is pollution. I suffer from asthma(哮喘), and at times the air is so bad that
I am afraid to go outside. Then there is the problem of traveling round. Although I have a car, I seldom
use it because of the traffic jams. One choice is to go by bicycle, but that can be quite dangerous.
       Of course there are advantages. First, there is so much to do in the city, whatever you tastes in culture or entertainment(娱乐活动). Besides, there are wonderful jobs and greater chances of moving to a more
important job or position. Finally, if you like shopping, the variety of goods is very surprising-and, what is more, shops are often only a short walk away.
       Is life better then, in the city? Perhaps it is, when you are in your teens(十几岁)or twenties. However, as you get older, and especially if you have small children, the peace of the countryside may seem
preferable. I certainly hope to move back there soon.

1. What was the writer always thinking about when he was a child?

A. Staying on the farm.
B. Moving to the countryside.
C. Leaving home for the city.
D. Running away from the school.

2. Which of the following is true about the writer?

A. He is very old now.
B. He is in good health.
C. He prefers driving a car.
D. He lives in the city now.

3. In the passage, the writer tries to __________.

A. express his opinions about way of life
B. describe his life in the countryside
C. show an interest in the outside world
D. persuade the reader to live in the city

4. How is the passage mainly developed?

A. By inferring.
B. By comparing.
C. By listing examples.
D. By giving explanations.

     Learning experiences happen to us throughout our lives, and not too long ago, I had one that I would like
to share.
     This story began with a sailing trip. It's a story of pizza (比萨), sailing and being afraid of buying
ice-cream with a US $20 bill.
     I was going to Marblehead, Massachusetts, with my Optimist (a sailboat) racing team for the New
England Optimist Championship.
     The team was racing down the highway at 85mph (miles per hour) when we all realized we were hungry.
     Luckily, we saw a rest area ahead. I was very excited, because I had a new US $20 bill. I was so excited
because I had never had that kind of money before. I had money I had saved, but spending it on food seemed
like throwing it away.
     We all rushed into the pizza line. Finally I got a cheese pizza and drink, and walked to my table.
     About halfway through the meal, I realized I had not actually handed my money to the cashier (收银员). I
had just walked out, and nobody had noticed. I felt terrible.
     My conscience (良知) opened its mouth and swallowed me. I couldn't get over it. I just couldn't go back
to the cashier and pay for my stolen, half-eaten pizza. I would be more embarrassed than I ever had been.
      I was so sorry that I refused to give myself the pleasure of an ice-cream in fear that someone would say,
"Hey, Jeff, why don't you use the change from the pizza instead of that nice, new US $20 bill?" I was not so
proud of my money now.
     For the next two years, whenever I was reminded of (thought of) the "Pizza incident," I closed my eyes
and said to myself, "Don't think about it. Don't think about it." I have learned two things from this experience.
Maybe I was an unwise person for giving in to my conscience, and being too stupid to appreciate a free pizza.
But I think the real lesson is that if you let being embarrassed get in the way of doing the right thing, then your
conscience will catch up with you.
     I think this reflects the saying, "A coward (懦夫) dies a thousand deaths, a hero dies one." I was a coward
and have felt terrible about that incident at least a thousand times. If I had been a "hero" and gone back up to
pay for the pizza, then I would have felt a little embarrassed about it only once, or maybe twice.

1. Why didn't the boy buy ice-cream?

A. He wanted to save the money.
B. He didn't want to eat ice-cream then.
C. He didn't have enough money for it.
D. He was afraid that someone would find out the fact.

2._________ pay for the pizza with his money at first.

A. In order to keep the bill, he didn't
B. He completely forgot to
C. His teammates told him not to
D. The cashier didn't ask him to

3. The underlined word "embarrassed" in the passage means _________.

A. happy and comfortable
B. disturbed and silly
C. uneasy and uncomfortable
D. sad and angry

4. Why did the writer think of the saying "A coward dies a thousand deaths, a hero dies one"?

A. He used to be a coward then but is not now.
B. He had a long terrible time for his stolen pizza.
C. He would have been a hero if he had paid for the pizza.
D. He wanted to die once like a hero.