When he was just 19, Michael Dell started the company that would dominate the industry.
At the time, IBM personal computers sold in stores for about ＄3,000. After taking them apart and rebuilding them, Dell realized the components (零部件) could be bought for one-fourth the price. Soon he was buying components to reduce the cost. A good business decision, but it meant his room was starting to look like a mechanic’s shop.
“I was quite excited about the possibilities for personal computers and how they could change society. I had this idea to sell the products directly to the users over the phone”, he said. College plans and his parents’ expectations bothered him a lot. But Michael Dell was determined. He drove off to the University of Texas at Austin in August 1983 in a car he’d bought with earnings from selling newspapers. He was surprised that his mother wasn’t suspicious about the three computers in the backseat. By November, news reached his parents that he wasn’t attending classes. On a surprise visit to Austin, they caught their son on spot. Michael Dell told his dad that he wanted to compete with IBM.
Although Michael agreed to focus on his studies, the business chances and the timing couldn’t have been better. The public was becoming more interested in computers, but no one was producing them. In early May, a week before his final exams, Michael started Dell computer Corporation with ＄1,000. He took his exams, and then dropped out of college at the end of his freshman year. It was time to try out his direct-to-customer business model.
“Three years later”, Dell says, “we had already achieved annual sales of about ＄150 million, I was 22 years old then.”
1.What does the underlined word in paragraph 1 mean?
A. affect B. develop C. support D. lead
2.Which of the following is true according to paragraph 2?
A. Dell discovered a good chance to make money
B. Dell could buy a computer at one-fourth the price
C. IBM made little money from personal computers
D. Dell rebuilt computers in a mechanic’s shop
3.When Dell’s parents learned about his absence from class, they .
A. tried to help with his business
B. were too suspicious to accept it
C. wanted him to go hack to class
D. encouraged him to compete with IBM
4.It can be inferred from the article that .
A. Dell was tired of his college life
B. Dell was not devoted to his study at college
C. Dell’s college life helped him greatly
D. Dell didn’t finish his final exams
5.Dell’s experiences show that .
A. determination and opportunity lead to success
B. family support plays an import in one’s success
C. there’s no need for all of us to go to college
D. we should insist on whatever we are doing
My daughter Alisa was born blind in her right eye and was bullied (欺侮) pretty severely in school. So I quitted my job as a babysitter and then schooled my daughter heart and soul at home.
A year ago a boy of 14 befriended my daughter on Facebook after reading something Alisa wrote about bullying. Today he messaged her and asked if she would like six tickets to a Colorado Rockies baseball game. They have never met in person but she said, “Sure! That would be great.”
Then I received a call from his mother explaining why her son had chosen my daughter. She said he thought my daughter deserved them because of all the good she does in the community. Her son, she explained, had experienced a similar situation and was also home schooled.
What she said is true. Now my daughter Alisa continues to teach groups of girls in trouble in our community how to look within themselves for the positive and how to be their own person.
Everything taken into consideration, we decided to meet the mother and the boy at a local bike shop. After meeting, the boy approached my car and my daughter gave him a hug and thanked him for his generosity. She told him that she had never been to a baseball game and that she was going to take her entire family, including myself, her dad, little sister, her cousin and an aunt who has brain cancer.
We all thanked one another, got in our car, and went our way. As we drove home my daughter opened the envelope. Inside it were the tickets and ＄100 each to buy hot dogs, pay for parking and not have any worries but a great time.
My daughter has always been the giver and now she and our family are the receivers and I can not tell you how incredibly honored we feel to be on the other end. What an incredible young man to have such a kind idea.
1.What did the author once do according to the passage?
A. She was a ticket seller. B. She was a school teacher.
C. She was a babysitter. D. She was a social worker.
2.How did the boy get to know my daughter?
A. They met when buying tickets to a baseball game.
B. They got in touch via the Internet.
C. They became familiar when talking face to face.
D. They went to the same school and met each other.
3.Why did the boy want to offer free tickets to Alisa?
A. Because Alisa is a disabled girl.
B. Because he has a lot money to share.
C. Because Alisa often helps those in trouble.
D. Because he has a similar situation with Alisa.
4.What can we learn about the boy?
A. He is afraid of meeting strangers.
B. He always bullies smaller children.
C. He is addicted to the internet.
D. He receives education at home.
5.Which of the following best describes the passage?
A. Good is rewarded with good.
B. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
C. Two heads are better than one.
D. Where there is a will, there is a way.
Winter is a very special time in Northern Norway. Winter also means skiing, and Narvik can offer some of the best skiing in Norway. The view and light change frequently and no two days are the same. For many people, the northern lights are an unforgettable sight, and in Narvik the sky is especially clear and great for watching at night.
The tourist season lasts from February to April, although May can be fascinating too, often with fantastic dry snow and an unbelievable light lasting well into the evening.
Ski hire
It is possible for adults and children to hire skiing equipment such as snowboards. All equipment is prepared for us. If you would like to book your equipment, please email Narvikfjellet.
Cross-country skiing
There are 12 kilometers of cross country ski run in Narvik. You need to bring your own skis as there is no cross-country hire. However, equipment can be bought at local sports shops in and around Narvik.
Off-piste skiing（非场地滑雪）
In order to explore Narvik’s off-piste opportunities you need to know the dangers when choosing routes. It is suggested that you bring necessary equipment such as a shovel（雪铲）and a GPS locator. Ask Narvikfjellet for an experienced guide. With a guide you can explore Narvik’s special off-piste areas in a safe manner.
Sometimes it is nice to do something different and not everybody enjoys skiing. Then you can go horse-riding, or visit the local museums.
Price examples for the 2013--2014 season
Time Children(8-15 years old) Adults
1 day NOK 230 NOK 325
3 days NOK 590 NOK 835
5 days NOK 815 NOK 1,170
7 days NOK 970 NOK 1,375
Children 0-7 years can enjoy the service for free
1.. In Northern Norway, the tourist season may last ______.
A. one month B. two months C. three months D. four months
2.. What can we know from the text?
A. Narvik is located in the south of Norway.
B. You are provided with skiing equipment for free.
C. Narvik is only open to adults and children over eight.
D. You can book skiing equipment through the Internet.
3.. When you go off-piste skiing, the following are a must EXCEPT ______.
A. a shovel B. a horse C. a guide D. a GPS locator
4.. If Mr. and Mrs. Smith stay in Narvik with their six-year-old daughter for three days in 2013, they should pay ______.
A. NOK 1,160 B. NOK 1,425 C. NOK 1,670 D. NOK 2,260
5.. You are most likely to find this text in a ______.
A. Travel Guide B. Book Review
C. Medical Report D. Science Textbook
One spring, when I was 10, during one of my father’s layoffs, I could tell my mother was unhappy. I decided to cheer her up by buying her a special Mother’s Day gift.
One day after school I rode my bike to the Agins, which, I learned years later, was known for its high-end fashions and style. I introduced myself to Sylvia Agins, telling her I was looking for a Mother’s Day present.
“Do you think she’d like a purse?” she asked. “I think she might.” I told her.
She took out an Italian handbag made of leather. She asked me what I thought, and I told her that my mom would like it.
“How much money do you have?” she asked.
“Twelve dollars,” I said.
“You’re in luck,” she told me. “It’s only $11. You have a dollar left over for the card.” She wrapped the purse and thanked me for my business, and I rode off home with the package under my arm.
When my mother opened the gift the next Sunday morning, she asked in an accusing tone, “Where did you get this?”
“I bought it at the Agins. It cost me $11.” I said.
My mother was shocked into silence.
It wasn’t until many years later, when I learned that the purse was worth several hundred dollars, that I appreciated just how wonderful Sylvia Agins had been to me. I always felt regretful that I never had a chance to properly thank her.
“You know, my son, what really amazes me to this day,” my mother said. “Letting you have the purse for just a few dollars was unbelievable enough. But the fact that she let you leave the store with a dollar for the card was a touch of kindness that I’ll never forget.”
1.The author bought his mother a purse to_________.
A. surprise his mother B. make his mother happy
C. show his ability of making money D. thank his mother for buying him a bike
2.Why was the author’s mother shocked into silence?
A. The purse was bought from the Agins.
B. She wasn’t expecting a gift from her son.
C. The author bought a card to go with the purse.
D. The Agins charged so little money for the purse.
3.Sylvia Agins’ behavior shows that_________.
A. she is critical and mean B. she is kind and thoughtful
C. she is good at making money D. she knows how to choose presents
4.What amazed the mother most was that_________.
A. the shop owner left one dollar for her son to buy a card
B. her son bought her a beautiful purse on Mother’s day
C. her son rode his bike to buy things by himself
D. the purse was worth several hundred dollars
5.Which can be the best title for the text?
A. An Unforgettable Event B. A Considerate Mother
C. A Priceless Mother’s Day Gift D. A Clever Shop Owner
Every night, my mother would come to my room, lean down and push my long hair out of the way, then kiss my forehead．
I don't remember when it first started me --her hands pushing my hair that way. But it did make me annoyed, for they felt work - worn and against my young skin．Finally, one night, I shouted at her: “Don' t do that any more --your are too rough！” She didn’t say anything in ．But never again did my mother close out my day with that expression of her love．
Time after time, with the years, my thoughts returned to that night．I'm not a little girl any more．Mom is in her mid - seventies, and those hands I thought to be so rough are still doing things for me and my
Now, my own children are . Mom no longer has Dad. It was late on that Thanksgiving Eve, as I went to sleep in the bedroom of my youth, a familiar hand before stealing across my face to brush the from my forehead. Then a kiss, ever so touched my brow．In my , thousands of times, I the night my young voice complained. Mom's hand in my hand, I said how I was for that night. I thought she'd remember, as I did, Mom didn't know what I was talking about. She had forgotten — and —long ago.
That night, I fell asleep with a new for my gentle mother and her caring hands. And the I had carried around for so long was nowhere to be found．
1.A. surprising B. hurting C. annoying D. amazing
2.A. rough B. gentle C. smooth D. strong
3.A. noises B. words C. feelings D. hands
4.A. anger B. silence C. reply D. fear
5.A. healthy B. familiar C. popular D. perfect
6.A. coming B. remaining C. following D. passing
7.A. often B. even C. never D. once
8.A. family B. neighbor C. husband D. home
9.A. developed B. grown C. moved D. forgotten
10.A. imagined B. hesitated C. regretted D. trembled
11.A. hair B. tears C. dirt D. kisses
12.A. quickly B. roughly C. gently D. slowly
13.A. memory B. opinion C. history D. diary
14.A. chanced B. missed C. hated D. recalled
15.A. Beating B. Picking C. Catching D. Stopping
16.A. happy B. sorry C. annoyed D. amused
17.A. and B. while C. because D. but
18.A. remembered B. faded C. forgiven D. apologized
19.A. hope B. appreciation C. thought D. approval
20.A. guilt B. pride C. sorrow D. Failure
Sitting under the willow trees ____ an old man.
A. is B. are C. is there D. are there
