The small unframed painting called “Fisherman” was signed by a little-known Italian artist, Maveleone (1669-1740). When it was sold recently in New York for $27,000, the seller, Mr. Oliver Pitt, was asked to explain how the picture had come into his possession.
Pitt said, “I didn’t know it was so valuable. I’m not an art expert. Photography is my hobby. I bought ‘Fisherman’ in Italy in 1970 for $140. The picture was dirty, and I couldn’t see the artist’s signature. But anyway it wasn’t the picture that I liked. I bought it because of the frame. ”
“It’s a most unusual frame, made of tiny, silvery sea-shells. They are set in such a way that they reflect perfect light onto the surface of a picture. I now have a photograph of my wife in that frame, and I’ll never part with it.”
“When I returned to New York I showed the painting in its frame to a customs officer. I told him that I had paid $140 for it but admitted I didn’t know its actual worth. The customs man valued it at $140, and I was asked to pay duty on that value. I did so, there and then. ” 
“Later, I took off the frame, and that uncovered Maveleone’s signature. My wife suggested in fun that the painting might be a valuable one, so I cleaned it and put it up for sale.”
As a result of this explanation, Oliver Pitt had to appear in court. He was accused of knowingly making a false statement of the value of a picture so as to cheat the Customs Department.
Pitt was not happy. “I told the truth as I knew it then,” he said, “What else could I say?”
And then the judge agreed with him. “The Customs Department is to be responsible,” he said, “for making a true valuation of goods brought into the country, so that the correct amount of duty may be charged. Mr. Pitt did not cause or try to cause the mistake that was made. He paid the duty that was demanded. If, now, the Customs Department finds that its valuation was not correct, it cannot be allowed to have another try. Pitt is not guilty”.
【小题1】When Oliver Pitt bought the picture, ________.

A.it was unframedB.Maveleone signed the deal
C.he suggested that it was valuableD.it was the frame that attracted him
【小题2】 From the passage we can infer that if Maveleone had been a well-known artist,        _.
A.the painting would have cost much more than $ 140
B.he wouldn’t have sold his painting
C.the customs officer wouldn’t have been cheated
D.Pitt wouldn’t have had the intention to buy any of his paintings
【小题3】 Pitt took off the frame probably in order to        _.
A.clean the painting to put it up for sale
B.look for the artist’s signature
C.use it for his wife’s photograph
D.find the painting’s true value
【小题4】Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the story?  
A.In the end Pitt was asked to pay the correct amount of duty.
B.In the end Pitt sold the frame of the painting at an even higher price.
C.In the end the Customs Department had no right to revalue the painting.
D.In the end Pitt’s wife was regarded as an expert because of her wise suggestion.


B
Bicycles are a great way to get around. They’re fun to ride, especially down hills. And, as you speed along the road, you might also think of ways in which you could improve your bike— make it safer, more efficient, or more comfortable. In fact, the two-wheeled machines make for some cool science projects.
This year's Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held last May in Cleveland, featured(had)three bicycle projects from three countries. Like many of the other experiments presented at ISEF, the bike projects showed that some of the most interesting scientific research often begins by taking a closer look at things you care about.
Renato Angulo Chu had even grander ambitions. The 12th-grader from Lima, Peru, wanted to address some of his country's economic troubles.
"I see a problem in my country," Renato said. "If you go to the forests in Peru, in some places you cannot find electricity. If you go with my bicycle, you can turn on the lights."
Renato, 16, spent 3 years designing his special Multibike. The device looks like a fixed exercise bike. It has wires fixed along the frame and a blender strapped(fastened) to the back. Turning the pedals operates the blender. The same principle can be used to sharpen knives or sweep city streets.
The Multibike can work either as a fixed bike or as a bicycle able to travel city streets and country roads. It's made from inexpensive materials, and the user gets exercise while pedaling to operate a machine.
"You pedal the bike, and you can mix any drink you want," Renato said. More importantly, he added, the same concept could be used to bring light to houses in remote regions of the rainforest.
60. What can we learn from the first paragraph?
A. Bicycles are the best way to go about
B. Bikes should be made more comfortable to ride.
C. You can improve your bicycle for science research.
D. Many inventions are connected with the bicycle.
61. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. ISEF is an exhibiton displaying bicycle experiments designed by students.
B. Looking closely at things you are concerned about can lead to scientific research.
C. Renato’s improvement of the bicycle has solved the country’s great problem.
D. Renato’s special bicycle will soon be put into use in remote areas.’
62. The underlined word “address” in the third paragraph probably has the same meaning as _______.
A. make address written        B. give up             C. work at             D. speak at
63. It can be inferred that Renato’s special bicycle is mainly designed for ________.
A. distant areas in the rainforest without electricity.
B. the use of his own family to make life easier.
C. the competition of ISEF to win money to support remote rainforests
D. enough exercise by pedaling it

Bicycles are a great way to get around. They’re fun to ride, especially down hills. And, as you speed along the road, you might also think of ways in which you could improve your bike— make it safer, more efficient, or more comfortable. In fact, the two-wheeled machines make for some cool science projects.
This year's Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held last May in Cleveland, featured(had)three bicycle projects from three countries. Like many of the other experiments presented at ISEF, the bike projects showed that some of the most interesting scientific research often begins by taking a closer look at things you care about.
Renato Angulo Chu had even grander ambitions. The 12th-grader from Lima, Peru, wanted to address some of his country's economic troubles.
"I see a problem in my country," Renato said. "If you go to the forests in Peru, in some places you cannot find electricity. If you go with my bicycle, you can turn on the lights."
Renato, 16, spent 3 years designing his special Multibike. The device looks like a fixed exercise bike. It has wires fixed along the frame and a blender strapped (fastened) to the back. Turning the pedals operates the blender. The same principle can be used to sharpen knives or sweep city streets.
The Multibike can work either as a fixed bike or as a bicycle able to travel city streets and country roads. It's made from inexpensive materials, and the user gets exercise while pedaling to operate a machine.
"You pedal the bike, and you can mix any drink you want," Renato said. More importantly, he added, the same concept could be used to bring light to houses in remote regions of the rainforest.
【小题1】What can we learn from the first paragraph?

A.Bikes should be made more comfortable to ride.
B.You can improve your bicycle for science research.
C.Many inventions are connected with the bicycle.
D.Bicycles are the best way to go about
【小题2】Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A.ISEF is an exhibiton displaying bicycle experiments designed by students.
B.Looking closely at things you are concerned about can lead to scientific research.
C.Renato’s improvement of the bicycle has solved the country’s great problem.
D.Renato’s special bicycle will soon be put into use in remote areas.’
【小题3】The underlined word “address” in the third paragraph probably has the same meaning as _______.
A.make address writtenB.give up C.work atD.speak at
【小题4】Renato’s special Multibike has all the following  EXCEPT  ________.
A.making knives sharpB.mixing any kind of drinks
C.producing electricityD.operating a machine with its own electricity
【小题5】It can be inferred that Renato’s special bicycle is mainly designed for ________.
A.distant areas in the rainforest without electricity.
B.the use of his own family to make life easier.
C.the competition of ISEF to win money to support remote rainforests
D.enough exercise by pedaling it

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. ”

1.The writer of the passage is probably a ______.

A. poet            B. painter           C. teacher            D. student

2.What should the ideal short story be in length?

A. at most 10, 000 words        B. below 500 words    C. over 5, 000words         D. around 2, 000 words

3.The underlined word “undergoes ” in the third paragraph probably means “________ ”。

A. experiences    B. discovers       C. discusses          D. appreciates

4.What’s the difference between novels and short stories?

A. Novels are too long for us to read.

B. Short stories are too short for us to read.

C. Short stories have more details than novels.

D. Short stories are more perfect and difficult than novels.

5.What would be the best title for the passage?

A. How Do You Write a Short Story?        B. What Exactly Is a Short Story?

C. Is a Short Story Similar to Poetry?      D. Are Short Stories Perfect and Complete?

 

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