A young woman turns around and around quickly, and jumps high. In the background, a young girl reads a rejection (拒绝) letter from a ballet school. You have the wrong body for ballet, 'it says,' and at thirteen, you are too old. This was one of the most popular advertisements (广告) of 2014 and it describes American ballet Theatre's principal (主要的) dancer Misty Copeland.

This was not a real letter. But Copeland says it is very similar to letters from her childhood. While many dancers start at the age of three. Copeland only began to study ballet in 1995 as a thirteen-year-old. People often told her that she was too old, or that she didn't have the perfect body type (She is only 157 cm tall). Her family moved a lot, and it was sometimes difficult for her to attend ballet classes. But Copeland loved dancing and did not want to give up. She stayed with her ballet teacher during the week and spent time with her family only at the weekend. This was a difficult life, but she worked hard and won her first national competition when she was fourteen years old. Copeland joined the American Ballet Theatre in 2000 and performed in many ballets over the next few years. In 2007, she became a solo (单独的) performer, and in 2015 she became its principal dancer.

Copeland is now a dancer, author and Broadway performer. She also stars in the 2015 film A Ballerina's Tale. So what's next? According to Copeland, anything is possible: "My career (职业) really is just now beginning.'

1.How old was Copeland when she became the principal dancer?

A. 13

B. 14

C. 25

D. 33

2.Why was it difficult for Copeland to attend ballet classes?

A. Because her family moved a lot.

B. Because she was not a good dancer.

C. Because she had no invitation letter.

D. Because she had the wrong body type.

3.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Copeland became successful because of the advertisement.

B. Copeland had to spend a lot of time away from her parents.

C. Copeland won her first national competition as a solo performer.

D. Copeland has ended up her career as an actress on Broadway.

4.What's the writer’s opinion of Copeland?

A. Copeland sets an example who never gives up.

B. Copeland was too old to start ballet at thirteen.

C. Copeland has made her achievements by accident.

D. Copeland was lucky to get support from the ballet school.

A gift card is a card that is issued (发行)by a store.These cards are big money makers for stores.One reason is that when gift-card holders go to the store,they often see other things to buy,and they spend more money than the gift card is worth.Unused cards are another reason.Stores make millions of dollars because large numbers of people never use their cards.They either lose them,forget about them,or decide that it's not worth the effort.

Gift cards are becoming very popular in many countries around the world.In the US,they are one of the most popular kinds of gifts.Why?People love the convenience-gift cards are easy to buy and easy to use,either in the store or online.The recipient can choose his or her own gift,and the giver does not have to worry about finding just the right thing.

Receiving a gift card,however,is not the same as receiving a gift.A real gift is a better reminder of the person who gave it.The message of a real gift is more likely to be,"I spent some time trying to find the right gift for you because I care about you."Often a gift card does not send the same message as a real gift.It may seem to say,"I was in a hurry.I didn't have time to think about what you would really like."

In today's world,gift cards are certainly convenient.However,they can make us forget the real purpose of giving gifts,which is to build a closer connection between the gift-giver and the gift-recipient.

1.How many reasons are given to explain why gift cards are big money makers for stores? ______

A. One. B. Two. C. Three. D. Four.

2.What does the underlined word"recipient"mean in Chinese? ______

A. 商家 B. 顾客 C. 发行者 D. 接受者

3.What is the second paragraph mainly about? ______

A. Why gift cards are popular in the US.

B. Different kinds of gift cards.

C. Where to buy gift cards.

D. How to use gift cards.

4.What message does a gift card send according to the writer? ______

A. I care about you.

B. I know you like gift cards.

C. I couldn't find the right gift for you.

D. I didn't have time to buy you a real gift.

5.Which of the following is the writer's opinion? ______

A. It's easy for people to lose gift cards.

B. Gift cards are better than real gifts.

C. Gift cards help people save money.

D. Real gifts can bring people closer.

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