I’m not quite _____ today because there’s something wrong with my stomach.

A. myself       B. me      C. my own     D. I

Then why am I able to write about computers?  I can write on this subject because of these shortcomings. The last two years of learning has been an ordeal for me. By hard work I have managed to learn enough to use computers fairly well, and to work with people who know a great deal more than I. Since I have learned all this at such personal cost, I would like to share my knowledge with others. More and more people want to know about computers, and want to know quickly.

The best way to learn is to take a course. However, many people do not have the time for this. They will have to find some other ways to get some basic information. I hope to be able to help them by writing about some of the things I have learned by myself.

I have a home computer on which I’ve learned in my own time. I have used it like a home study course. I have sat down with it day after day, night after night. I have forced it to give up some of its secrets. Now I can use it to do some of the work that I get paid for. And I can do this work in my own home, instead of in an office. Many people may soon be working on a computer at home, just as many now take in other people’s typing.

Some things about computers are easier than you may fear. First, computers are logical. Things that at first seem difficult will make sense to you after you learn the rules. Second, it is really not hard to learn enough to use today’s machines. You do not need to have a great brain. But you do have to learn to think in new ways. And you do have to keep a good bit of information in your head. Finally, there are many people around who are really enthusiastic about computers. These people are always happy to be of help.

1. The purpose of writing this article is to ______.

A. help those who want to learn computers

B. tell us that it’s difficult to learn computers

C. let us know how hardworking the writer was

D. show us how to make money at home through computers

2. The underlined word “ordeal” probably means ______.

A. an interesting experience

B. something easy

C. something difficult

D. a tiring job

3. According to the passage, a home computer can be best described as ______.

A. puzzling　　   　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. frightening

C. friendly　　   　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   D. logical

4. We can learn from the passage that the writer ______.

A. often helps his co-workers

B. knows a lot about computers

C. wants to give a computer course to others

D. likes writing very much

5. According to the writer, a computer can be used at home to ______.

A. take typing for fun

B. help you change your job

C. help you make money in some way

D. take a college course

I’m not a computer expert. I have been in the field for only a short time. I never learned much in the way of science or math. And I’m quite puzzled by things like engineering or electronics.

Then why am I able to write about computers?  I can write on this subject because of these shortcomings. The last two years of learning has been an ordeal for me. By hard work I have managed to learn enough to use computers fairly well, and to work with people who know a great deal more than I. Since I have learned all this at such personal cost, I would like to share my knowledge with others. More and more people want to know about computers, and want to know quickly.

The best way to learn is to take a course. However, many people do not have the time for this. They will have to find some other ways to get some basic information. I hope to be able to help them by writing about some of the things I have learned by myself.

I have a home computer on which I’ve learned in my own time. I have used it like a home study course. I have sat down with it day after day, night after night. I have forced it to give up some of its secrets. Now I can use it to do some of the work that I get paid for. And I can do this work in my own home, instead of in an office. Many people may soon be working on a computer at home, just as many now take in other people’s typing.

Some things about computers are easier than you may fear. First, computers are logical. Things that at first seem difficult will make sense to you after you learn the rules. Second, it is really not hard to learn enough to use today’s machines. You do not need to have a great brain. But you do have to learn to think in new ways. And you do have to keep a good bit of information in your head. Finally, there are many people around who are really enthusiastic about computers. These people are always happy to be of help.

1. The purpose of writing this article is to ______.

A. help those who want to learn computers

B. tell us that it’s difficult to learn computers

C. let us know how hardworking the writer was

D. show us how to make money at home through computers

2. The underlined word “ordeal” probably means ______.

A. an interesting experience

B. something easy

C. something difficult

D. a tiring job

3. According to the passage, a home computer can be best described as ______.

A. puzzling　　   　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. frightening

C. friendly　　   　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   D. logical

4. We can learn from the passage that the writer ______.

A. often helps his co-workers

B. knows a lot about computers

C. wants to give a computer course to others

D. likes writing very much

5. According to the writer, a computer can be used at home to ______.

A. take typing for fun

B. help you change your job

C. help you make money in some way

D. take a college course

Now as a mother myself, I'm anxious about the future, but I'm optimistic at the same time. I have the same concerns that my mother had for me and my brothers when we were growing up and going out into the world. The world it's said has shrunk or become flat. We're connected in ways we never were before. So how do we deal with these new challenges? Well, the other day I was speaking about my concerns for the future. And I said that I wanted to make sure that young people would work hard because we're in competition with jobs. When I was sitting where you are now, I didn't have to worry about competition from China or India. There were no global pressures like you will face as you mark your own way. And we need to get every young person to really get a sense of commitment and to work hard. Well, then my daughter said, "Mom I do work hard and my friends work hard." And I said, "I know that. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to convey any impression that you don't work hard. I just want to set the bar high because we are in a competition for the future."
You know, in 1999 when I was thinking of running for the Senate, I did not know what to do. I was really thinking hard because I had to make a decision. And there were a lot of things to consider. Obviously, no first lady had ever sought public office before. I had obviously never run for office before.
You know, often our most fearsome competitor is ourselves. We struggle with all of the internal doubts and anxieties, fears for the future, concerns for the world. Sometimes when I look at what's happening in the world, it's hard to imagine going out and doing anything of meaning. But we can do it and not only that, we must. America needs you to grab hold of this moment. So compete to do the best you can and help make our country the best it can be. So today, after you've accepted your diploma, but before you leave this place, please thank your family for guiding you to this moment. Thank your professors for showing you a new world. Thank your friends for exploring that world and finally remember what this day feels like. Cherish it always. Go for it. The world awaits you.

1. 1.

   Who is most probably the speaker “I”?
   

   1. A.
      a Chinese  
   2. B.
      an Indian  
   3. C.
      an American adult  
   4. D.
      a university student
2. 2.

   Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
   

   1. A.
      Quite a few first ladies have run for public offices.
   2. B.
      Only after you’ve got your diploma and before you leave your university should you thank your parents, your professors and your friends.
   3. C.
      The speaker is always aware of what to do because she is a determined person.
   4. D.
      The speaker is concerned about the future even though she is optimistic.
3. 3.

   Why do you think the speaker urge the students to work harder?
   

   1. A.
      Because the students are not really working hard at all.
   2. B.
      Because they are faced with global competition on their way to their future.
   3. C.
      Because only in this way can they afford to go to an expensive bar for a good drink.
   4. D.
      Because their most fearsome competitors are themselves.
4. 4.

   On the whole, the speech is ________ .
   

   1. A.
      disappointing  
   2. B.
      encouraging  
   3. C.
      negative  
   4. D.
      necessary

B
By now there were several people standing around me, my mom, and the little broken bush(灌木丛).
“Son, would you like me to call an ambulance?” some men said.
“No,” my mom yelled. “I’m fine. Please go away!”
“She’s learning to ride,” I tried to explain to all those who were not going to go away.
“Oh, all right!” My mom sat up and brushed the grass and leaves off her sweater. Finally she stood up. Everyone began to clap(鼓掌), and my mom’s face turned bright pink.
“Thank you very much, but as you can see, I’m just fine.” Mom took a few steps around to show them that she wasn’t hiding a broken leg. Everyone clapped again and then went on their way.
“Enough for today?” I asked hopefully.
“No,” she said in a way that surprised me. “I almost had it, and then I let myself get scared. I know I can do it this time!” Now this sounded more like my mom, for I’d never known my mom to be afraid of anything before. I helped her pull the bike out of the bush and push it up the hill.
She didn’t look quite so pale this time. She got on the bike again and went down the hill. I ran down the hill after her. She had ridden quite a way ahead of me when she looked back over her shoulder, smiling. Then she gave me a thumbs-up(翘拇指) sign.
“No, no!” I yelled. “Use both hands!”
But it was too late. Again.
“Mom! Are you hurt?” I ran up to her in the grass.
This time she was laughing. “Did you see me? I did it! I really did it!” Then she stopped and looked at me. “I mean,” she said, “we did it.”
60. From the passage we can learn that the author ____.
A. was helping his mother learn to ride a bike   
B. went on a picnic with his mother by bike
C. was learning to ride a bike by himself           
D. could ride a bike as well as his mother could
61. Those people were not going to go away because they ____.
A. would wait until the police came                  
B. wanted to see if the author’s mother was OK
C. thought it was a terrible traffic accident
D. worried about the little broken bush
62. The underlined word “it” (in paragraph 8) most probably refers to ____.
A. the ambulance   B. the sweater    
C. the skill of riding a bike   D. the courage to stand up
63. What happened after the author’s mother gave him a thumbs-up sign?
A. She forgot how to ride a bike.               B. She broke one of her legs.
C. She was hit by something.                     D. She fell off the bike.