The idea for the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone came to Joanne Kathleen Rowling in 1990. It took her seven years to finish writing it. During those seven years she had a number of jobs, including one job as an English teacher in Portugal.
Rowling sent the book to four publishers before one of them bought it. She was very happy to sell her book because it was her life's dream to be a published writer. Before she sold her book, Rowling was living in a small apartment with her daughter and was so poor that she could not afford heat in the winter.
Harry Potter became very successful with children and adults in England. The book also really took off in the United States. After her second and third books were published, the three Harry Potter books filled the top three places on many newspapers' lists of best-sellers. Then the books were made into popular movies. Without question, Rowling's life had completely changed, in just three years.
Harry Potter books have now sold more than 30 million books around the world and have been translated into more than thirty-five languages. In 1997, Rowling was earning ￡70 (about US$110) a week. By the end of 2001, she had earned over ￡150 million ($250 million), making her one of the most successful female writers of all time.
1.This reading is about _________.
A. Harry Potter's life B. the writer's life
C. how the book became a movie D. why Harry Potter is popular
2.Which sentence is true about the first Harry Potter book?
A. Four publishers bought it.
B. It took the writer several years to finish it.
C. It was first published in Portugal.
D. Rowling got the idea from her daughter.
3.Rowling's dream was _________.
A. to be a magician B. to make a movie
C. to have her books published D. to be an English teacher
4.How many languages has Harry Potter been translated into?
A. more than 35 B. about 135 C. about 90 D. more than 150
I often read of incidents of misunderstanding or conflict. I'm left . Why do these people create mistrust and problems, especially with those from other ?
I was growing up in Kuala Lumpur in the early 1960s, children from different races and religions played and studied in harmony. At that time my family lived a stone's from Ismail's. And no one was bothered that Ismail was a Malay Muslim and I was an Indian Hindu—we just our differences. Perhaps，our elders had not filled our heads with unnecessary advice, well or otherwise.
We were nine when we became friends. During the school holidays, we 'd the countryside on our bicycles，hoping to the unexpected. At times Ismail would accompany my family as we made a rare shopping trip to town. We would be glad of his .
When I was twelve, my family moved to Johor. Ismail's family later returned to their village, and I touch with him.
One spring afternoon in 1983, I stopped a taxi in Kuala Lumpur. I my destination. The driver acknowledged my but did not move off. Instead, he looked at me. “Raddar?" he said, using my childhood nickname (绰号).I was astonished at being so addressed (称呼).Unexpectedly! It was Ismail! Even after two we still recognized each other. Grasping his shoulder, I felt a true affection, something to describe.
If we can allow our children to be without prejudice, they'll build friendships with people，regardless of race or religion, who will be their side through thick and thin. On such friendships are societies built and we can truly be, as William Shakespeare once wrote, “We happy few, We band of brothers".
1.A. interestedB.pleasedC.puzzledD. excited
2.A. partiesB.cities C.villagesD. races
3.A. whyB.whichC.howD. when
4.A. togetherB.aroundC.aloneD. apart
5.A. dropB.throwC.moveD. roll
6.A. refusedB.madeC.soughtD. accepted
7.A. paidB.meantC.Preserved(保存)D. treated
8.A. exploreB.searchC.DiscoverD. desert
9.A. get throughB.deal withC.come acrossD. take away
10.A. arrivalB.choiceC.effortD. company
11.A. lostB.gainedC.developedD. missed
12.A. statedB.orderedC.decidedD. chose
13.A.attempts B.instructions C.opinions D. arrangements
14.A. anxiouslyB.carelessly C.disappointedlyD. fixedly
15.A. familiarly B.strangelyC.fullyD. coldly
16.A. departuresB.monthsC.yearsD. decades
17.A. possibleB.funnyC.hardD. clear
18.A. themB.themselvesC.usD. ourselves
19.A. from B.by C.with D. against
20.A. stillB.otherwiseC.thenD. instead
When it comes to job interviews, first ________________ including the way you speak and dress, are extremely important.
A. impressions B. appointments C. assignments D. considerations
The chairman thought necessary to invite Professor Smith to speak at the meeting.
A. that B. this C. it D. which
The ability _____ an idea is as important as the idea itself
A. to express B. expressed C. expressing D. to cover
—What do you think we can do for our aged parents?
—You ____ do anything except to be with them and be yourself.
A. oughtn’t to B. don’t have to C. mustn’t D. can’t
