Tom Becker has won the 2007 Waterstone's children's book prize with his first novel, Darkside, receiving a cheque for ??1,000 and the promise of display in branches of the book store across the country.

The 25-year-old author described winning as an "unbelievable feeling". "I didn't think my book would be on the shortlist and stood a chance of winning, and it's amazing to receive such an important award at the beginning of my writing career. Needless to say I am absolutely made up." he said.

The novel, inspired by film noir（黑色电影）, fantasy（幻想）and a fascination（迷恋）with the dark side of the 19th century, is for children between the ages of nine and 12. It tells the story of a boy, Jonathan Stirling, who discovers a similar world filled with vampires（吸血鬼）and werewolves（狼人）. This alternative reality has a clearly Victorian air, and is ruled by a descendant（后裔）of Jack the Ripper. Soon hunters from the other side begin searching for Jonathan, who finds himself driven into their world.

Waterstone's head children's buyer, Wayne Winstone, thought highly of Becker's "huge" achievement. He said: "Tom Becker's writing style attracts you in the same way that Darren Shan's does with his mix of adventure and the supernatural. 

"I have a feeling that Tom has real potential（潜能）and could be one of the big names in children's writing in the future."

This year's shortlist also included Michael Broad's Jake Cake, Philip Caveney's Sebastian Darke and Siobhan Dowd's A Swift Pure Cry. Last year's prize was won by Julia Golding with The Diamond of Drury Lane.

How did Tom Becker feel at the news that he had won the prize? 

A. He was proud of his ability of making up stories.        

B. He was shocked and didn’t believe it was true. 

C. He was very surprised and delighted. 

D. He had expected he would win the prize.

Why was Tom Becker’s novel successful according to Wayne Winstone? 

A. Because his novel was inspired by film noir, fantasy and a fascination.

B. Because the novel was about the dark side of the 19th century.

C. Because his novel was intended for teenagers between the ages of nine and 12.

D. Because his writing style is attracting with the mix of adventure and the supernatural

Which of the following is WRONG according to passage?

A. The novel Darkside is Tom Becker’s first novel.

B. The novel Darkside will be on display all over the country.

C. Philip Caveney also won the prize in 2007.

D. Jonathan is a major character in the novel Darkside.

What can we infer from the passage?

A. Tom Becker is likely to be a most promising novelist in children’s writing in the future.

B. Darren Shan’s novels are all very popular with children between the ages of 9 and 12.

C. The Waterstone’s children’s book prize is an important prize for young novelists.

D. The novels of Michael Broad, Philip Caveney and Siobhan Dowd will be on the shortlist next year.  

The best title for the passage is probably_______.

  A. Tom Becker— a great writer for children

B. First-time author wins children’s fiction prize

C. An imaginary big prize

D. Tom Becker's writing style

Tom Becker has won the 2007 Waterstone's children's book prize with his first novel, Darkside, receiving a cheque for £1,000 and the promise of display in branches of the book store across the country.
The 25-year-old author described winning as an "unbelievable feeling". "I didn't think my book would be on the shortlist and stood a chance of winning, and it's amazing to receive such an important award at the beginning of my writing career. Needless to say I am absolutely made up." he said.
The novel, inspired by film noir（黑色电影）, fantasy（幻想）and a fascination（迷恋）with the dark side of the 19th century, is for children between the ages of nine and 12. It tells the story of a boy, Jonathan Stirling, who discovers a similar world filled with vampires（吸血鬼）and werewolves（狼人）. This alternative reality has a clearly Victorian air, and is ruled by a descendant（后裔）of Jack the Ripper. Soon hunters from the other side begin searching for Jonathan, who finds himself driven into their world.
Waterstone's head children's buyer, Wayne Winstone, thought highly of Becker's "huge" achievement. He said: "Tom Becker's writing style attracts you in the same way that Darren Shan's does with his mix of adventure and the supernatural. 
"I have a feeling that Tom has real potential（潜能）and could be one of the big names in children's writing in the future."
This year's shortlist also included Michael Broad's Jake Cake, Philip Caveney's Sebastian Darke and Siobhan Dowd's A Swift Pure Cry. Last year's prize was won by Julia Golding with The Diamond of Drury Lane.

1. 1.

   How did Tom Becker feel at the news that he had won the prize? 

   1. A.
      He was proud of his ability of making up stories.
   2. B.
      He was shocked and didn’t believe it was true.
   3. C.
      He was very surprised and delighted.
   4. D.
      He had expected he would win the prize.
2. 2.

   Why was Tom Becker’s novel successful according to Wayne Winstone? 

   1. A.
      Because his novel was inspired by film noir, fantasy and a fascination.
   2. B.
      Because the novel was about the dark side of the 19th century.
   3. C.
      Because his novel was intended for teenagers between the ages of nine and 12.
   4. D.
      Because his writing style is attracting with the mix of adventure and the supernatural
3. 3.

   Which of the following is WRONG according to passage?

   1. A.
      The novel Darkside is Tom Becker’s first novel.
   2. B.
      The novel Darkside will be on display all over the country.
   3. C.
      Philip Caveney also won the prize in 2007.
   4. D.
      Jonathan is a major character in the novel Darkside.
4. 4.

   What can we infer from the passage?

   1. A.
      Tom Becker is likely to be a most promising novelist in children’s writing in the future.
   2. B.
      Darren Shan’s novels are all very popular with children between the ages of 9 and 12.
   3. C.
      The Waterstone’s children’s book prize is an important prize for young novelists.
   4. D.
      The novels of Michael Broad, Philip Caveney and Siobhan Dowd will be on the shortlist next year.
5. 5.

   The best title for the passage is probably_______.

   1. A.
      Tom Becker— a great writer for children
   2. B.
      First-time author wins children’s fiction prize
   3. C.
      An imaginary big prize
   4. D.
      Tom Becker's writing style

阅读理解

　　Amos Grundy and Sam Spangler had been playing checkers (棋子) together for about twenty-five years. They kept their scores of wins and losses carefully on yellow-lined paper. You might call it sort of life time checker tournament (比赛). Sam was leading 5000 games to O. He liked it that way because he liked to win. Amos kept trying and his motto was “Don't give up. You can’t lose them all.”

　　Now Game 5001 began pretty much like any other game. Sam and Amos sat in their regular chairs—Sam looking confident and unbeatable—Amos nervously rubbing his white rabbit's foot. Rain was banging (猛击) loudly on the windows and there was the rumble (隆隆) of thunder shaking overhead.

　　Sam was playing the blacks. Amos was playing the reds. Neither man smoke. Sam moved. Amos moved. Sam moved. Amos moved. But Ames for once was making all the right moves.

　　He double-jumped Sam.

　　He triple (三倍的)-jumped Sam.

　　He made one king and another king.

　　Amos played the game of his life and he won it!

　　“Rats!” said Sam. He wasn't used to losing. After winning 5000 straight games a loss was pretty hard to take. He grumbled (抱怨), “But I'm still 4999 games ahead of you, Amos.” “Maybe so,” said Amos, “but we've got 5000 games to go. I'm going to win this tournament!”

1．Amos has lost 5000 games, ________.

[　　]

A．so he would give up

B．so he wouldn't go on playing

C．but he wouldn't be disappointed

D．because he was so old

2．The reason why, Amos won Game 5001 was ________.

[　　]

A．that it had begun pretty much like any other game

B．that he happened to play the reds

C．that Sam had thought to lose it

D．that he had made all the right moves

3．The final score was ________.

[　　]

阅读理解

　　Amos Grundy and Sam Spangler had been playing checkers (棋子) together for about twenty-five years. They kept their scores of wins and losses carefully on yellow- lined paper. You might call it sort of life time checker tournament (比赛). Sam was leading 5,000 games to 0. He liked it that way because he liked to win. Amos kept trying and his motto was “Don't give up. You can't lose them all. ”

　　Now Game 5001 began pretty much like any other game. Sam and Amos sat in their regular chairs-Sam looking confident and unbeatable-Amos nervously rubbing his white rabbit's foot. Rain was banging (猛击) loudly on the windows and there was the rumble (隆隆) of thunder shaking overhead．

　　Sam was playing the blacks. Amos was playing the reds. Neither man smoke. Sam moved . Amos moved．But Amos for once was making all the right moves.

　　He double-jumped Sam.

　　He triple-jumped (三倍的) Sam.

　　He made one king and another king.

　　Amos played the game of his life and he won it!

　　“Rats!” said Sam. He wasn't used to losing. After winning 5,000 straight games a loss was pretty hard to take. He grumbled (抱怨), “But I'm still 4,999 games ahead of you, Amos.” “Maybe so,” said Amos, “but we've got 5,000 games to go. I'm going to win this tournament!”

(1)Amos has lost 5,000 games, _______.

[　　]

A．so he would give up

B．so he wouldn't go on playing

C．but he wouldn't be disappointed

D．because he was so old

(2)The reason why Amos won Game 5,001 was ________.

[　　]

A．that it had begun pretty much like any other game

B．that he happened to play the reds

C．the Sam had thought to lose it

D．that he had made all the right moves

(3)The final score was ________.

[　　]