In a recent class I was asked “What is a short story?” My first answer was that it was something that could be read in one sitting and brought an illumination（启示）to the reader, sudden and golden like sunlight cracking(破裂, 砸开) through a heavy cloud. I went on to say that in my opinion a “real” short story was closer to poetry than to a novel.
Here are some definitions of the short story. My favorite is Benet's: “something that can be read in an hour and remembered for a lifetime”. One writer said, “The theme of a novel won't fit into the framework of a short story; It's like trying to squeeze a large painting done on a wall into the frame of a miniature （微型画）。 And as in a miniature painting, the details need to be sharp. ”
The short story is an example of one aspect of human nature. Often a character undergoes some event, something that offers him or her change. This is why it’s said that short stories usually “say something ”， often a small something, but sometimes delivered with such accuracy that the effect is strongly felt, even a life-moment for some readers, something similar to a religious experience or to witnessing a never-to-be-repeated scene in nature.
Ok, let’s form a definition here: A short story is an account, rarely over 10, 000 words or below 500 words-more commonly 1, 500 to 5, 000 words-a single-sitting read, but with enough time and weight to move the reader. It is narrow and focused to produce an effect through the story, most commonly through events affecting some change in an individual.
Writer Isabelle Allende once wrote: “Novels are, for me, adding up details, just work, work, work, then you're done. Short stories are more difficult-they have to be perfect, complete in themselves. ”
【小题1】The writer of the passage is probably a ______.

第二节  根据对话内容，从对话后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最最佳选项, 并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。选项中有两项多余选项。（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）

--- Jim, what are you going to do tonight?

--- I have no idea. What about you?

---__________61________.

---Sounds good! But I hear there will be a talk at 7:00 in the City Hall.

---_________62_________.

--- The History of Music. ________63_________.

--- Me, too. ___________64_______.

--- Good idea! But we must be quick. We have only twenty minutes left.

---_________65______.

--- We have to take a taxi because it’s quite a long way.

--- Can we ask John to go with us? He likes music, too.

--- Ok. Let’s go.m

A.How shall we get there?

B.What’s the talk about?

C.Where shall we go?

D.I’m interested in music.

E.Shall we go to see a film?

F.That’s all right.

G.Why not go there together?

根据对话情景和内容，从对话后所给的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。请将答案写在答题卷指定区域的横线上。 选项中有两项为多余选项。

Mike:  Hello, may I speak to Frank?

Frank:   1 

Mike:  Hi, Frank! This is Mike speaking.

Frank: Hi, Mike. What’s up?

Mike:   2 

Frank: Nothing much. Do you have any ideas?

Mike:  Shall we go to the theatre?   3 

Frank: A new film? Good idea. How can we get there?

Mike:  Shall we go there by bike?

Frank: OK, let’s go by bike.   4 

Mike:  What about a quarter past ten?

Frank: Why not a little earlier?   5 

Mike:  Good. No problem.

Frank: Where shall we meet then?

Mike:  Let’s meet outside our school gate.

Frank: All right. See you then.

E. I am Frank.

F. Let’s make it half past nine.

G. How about half past ten?

根据对话内容，从对话后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项，并将答案写在本题下面的横线上。选项中有多余选项。

A:What’s your opinion about this design? 　1　

B:I have never seen a better one.　2　

A:Thanks.I was afraid that you wouldn’t like it.

B:Really?　3　

A:We will have to hire some famous models for the advertisement.

B:It may cost a lot.but it will really bring in more benefit for us.　4　

A:Who do you like better,the models from home or abroad?

B:I think models from home may be more popular among the young.They may bring better results.

A:That’s true.　5　 OK,let’s choose the best models now.

根据对话情景和内容，从对话后所给的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。请将答案写在答题卷指定区域的横线上。 选项中有两项为多余选项。
Mike:  Hello, may I speak to Frank?
Frank:   1 
Mike:  Hi, Frank! This is Mike speaking.
Frank: Hi, Mike. What’s up?
Mike:   2 
Frank: Nothing much. Do you have any ideas?
Mike:  Shall we go to the theatre?   3 
Frank: A new film? Good idea. How can we get there?
Mike:  Shall we go there by bike?
Frank: OK, let’s go by bike.   4 
Mike:  What about a quarter past ten?
Frank: Why not a little earlier?   5 
Mike:  Good. No problem.
Frank: Where shall we meet then?
Mike:  Let’s meet outside our school gate.
Frank: All right. See you then.