Angela Chang (张韶涵) didn’t know it would be so hard to turn singing into a career (失业). She went to many different record companies. But she was always turned down for looking too young and small.

“I’d never had such difficulties before,” Chang said. But Chang’s talent was finally accepted in 2002. When she got a piece of work, she cried.

She soon became a star. Her first album Over the Rainbow sold very well. She won many awards.

“You wouldn’t believe such a beautiful voice could come from such a small body,” said one musician after hearing Chang sing. “She has a special voice. You can’t forget it.”

But the 25-year-old girl has other talents too. Chang is also an actress. She has played a role in the popular TV plays, My MVP Valentine and At Dolphin Bay. Many people remember her common-girl parts in the plays. But acting is difficult. Chang once acted so badly that she was nearly fired (解雇). Another time it took her 27 tries to get a scene (一场戏) right.

“I cried when I got back home,” Chang said. “But I knew that I wouldn’t always fail. You only fail when you give up.”

Now with four albums behind her - Over the Rainbow, Aurora, Pandora and Flower in the Wonderland, it’s clear that Chang and music were made for each other. As she sings in one song, “I have a pair of invisible wings (隐形的翅膀). They fly me to the skies and give me hope.”

1.The phrase “turned down” in the first paragraph means “______”.

         A. 承认                             B. 拒绝                             C. 开除                      D. 雇用

2. Many record companies refused to co-operate (合作) with her because ______.

         A. she looks very common                                          B. she is too young

         C. she doesn’t sing very well                                 D. she looks young and small

3. Although acting is difficult for her, she never gives up because ______.

         A. she is strong-minded                                          B. people like her films 

         C. she is interested in acting                                               D. she acted in the popular TV plays

4.Which do you think is the best title of the passage?

         A. The Small Girl.                                                           B. Four Albums.

        C. I have a Pair of Invisible Wings.                 D. A Poor Actress.

1.From the first piece of news we know that ______.

A．it took the old woman over 50 years to study at South-Eastern University.

B．the great grandmother was the oldest who received a bachelor’s degree.

C．the 83-year-old woman’s story surprised everyone.

D．the 83-year-old woman has a strong will.

2.The underlined word “dumped” means____.

A．fell              B．left              C．hit               D．lasted

3.In the third piece of news, “picked up” means ______.

A．given a ride        B．saved from danger   C．freed             D．caught

4.Which of the following is right according to the last piece of news?

A．The wife was a 22-year-old truck driver.

B．The wife was shot after her husband died.

C．Shortly after having shot his wife, the young truck driver finished himself.

D．The wife died, but the husband didn’t.

5.Which is TRUE according to the news above?

A．A person who is about 70 years old can get a bachelor’s degree.

B．It never snows heavily at night in spring.

C．There were only 20 persons living in North Side apartment building.

D．Maybe today is Wednesday.