Some people will do just about anything to save money. And I am one of them. Take my family’s last vacation for example. It was my six-year-old son’s winter break from school, and we were heading home from Fort Lauderdale after a weeklong trip. The flight was overbooked, and Delta, the airline, offered us $400 per person in credits to give up our seats and leave the next day. I had a meeting in New York, So I had to get back. But that didn't mean my husband and my son couldn't stay. So I took off for home.
The next day my husband and son were offered more credits to take an even later flight. Yes, I encouraged一okay, ordered一them to wait it out at the airport, to "earn" more Delta Dollars. Our total take: $1,600. Not bad, huh?
Now some people may think I'm a bad mother and not such a great wife either. But as a big-time bargain hunter, I know the value of a dollar. And these days, a good deal is something few of us can afford to pass up.
I've made living looking for the best deals and exposing the worst tricks. I have been the consumer reporter of NBC's Today show for over a decade. I have written a lot of books including one titled Tricks of the Trade: A Consumer Survival Guide. And I really do what I believe in. I tell you this because there is no shame in getting your money’s worth. I’m also tightfisted(小气的) when it comes to shoes, clothes for my children, and expensive restaurants. But I wouldn't hesitate to spend on a good haircut. It keeps its longer, and it's the first thing people notice. And I will also spend on a classic piece of furniture. Quality lasts.
1.Why did Delta give the author's family credits?
A. They took a later flight.
B. They had early bookings.
C. Their flight had been delayed.
D. Their flight had been cancelled.
2.What can we learn about the author?
A. She seldom makes a compromise.
B. She is very strict with her children.
C. She rarely misses a good deal.
D. She is interested in cheap products.
3.What does the author do?
A. She's a teacher.
B. She's a housewife.
C. She's a businesswoman.
D. She's a media person.
4.What does the author want to tell us?
A. How to spend money wisely.
B. How to expose bad tricks.
C. How to reserve airline seats.
D. How to make a business deal.
I have a friend who had a stammer (口吃) in his childhood, but he dreamed of becoming a missionary(传教士). When he told his own desire to his friends and relatives, some of whom laughed at him, and some even held down his enthusiasm .
"I must change it." said the boy angrily, “I believe I can speak very , I will do!"
When it was possible, he would spend an hour to chickens. He viewed the chickens as living persons, himself to be the person in the speech.
"In the beginning, the chickens looked so , then they watched me curiously, putting down the food in the mouths and listening to my words. It seemed as if they had been by my powerful and effective language. Sometimes they seemed to be listening to me . Gradually, the effect of this practice became more and more and I had a better understanding of the exact of my stammer, so I found the ability to speak more."
"You may not know that my father was always tyrannical(专横的). He believed in the old saying: 'Young man should be more knowledgeable, but should not much.' During the whole childhood, I spoke or commented, he criticized me seriously, which my shy personality. I used to worry about being at, so I became a stammer. From then on, I kept in front of everyone because they didn't want to see my embarrassment. But later I found myself talking in front of chickens, stammers disappeared , therefore I regained my ."
Now, the previous boy is the best at speaking and one of the most missionaries. You can hardly imagine he used to have a serious language . So when you come across disadvantages, you should believe you can them by yourself.
1.A. sincerely B. strangely C. privately D. impolitely
2.A. fluently B. frequently C. obviously D. completely
3.A. contributing B. seeing C. speaking D. turning
4.A. considering B. declaring C. imagining D. finding
5.A. satisfied B. frightened C. pleased D. surprised
6.A. beaten B. attracted C. bothered D. influenced
7.A. casually B. luckily C. carefully D. cautiously
8.A. slight B. obvious C. slim D. common
9.A. effect B. cause C. benefit D. harm
10.A. originally B. personally C. stubbornly D. doubtfully
11.A. think B. listen C. talk D. play
12.A. since B. whenever C. before D. unless
13.A. led to B. applied to C. referred to D. owed to
14.A. amazed B. laughed C. studied D. looked
15.A. active B. silent C. noisy D. upset
16.A. logically B. naturally C. typically D. equally
17.A. strength B. confidence C. dream D. freedom
18.A. intelligent B. successful C. modest D. responsible
19.A. gift B. barrier C. ability D. study
20.A. arrange B. exchange C. reduce D. change
_______the danger from enemy attacks, people had to face the lack of food, clothing, fuel and almost everything.
A. As far as B.As long as C. As well as D.As soon as
In the new season, the Lakers _______ beat the Rockets 112—110 in last night’s thrilling game with Yao Ming scoring 9 points.
A. narrowly B. accurately C. approximately D. automatically
Mr. Smith, who often helped passers-by repair their bikes, said that what he did was not paid but _______.
A. relevant B. optional C. suitable D. voluntary
At that very moment my mind went completely_______ and I forgot what I was supposed to be doing.
A. efficient B. blank C. shallow D. abundant
