Some people will do just about anything to save money. And I am one of them. Take my family’s last vacation. It was my six-year-old son’s winter break form 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 meetings in New York，So I had to get back. But that didn't mean my husband and my son couldn't stay. I took my nine-month-old and took off for home.
The next day, my husband and son were offered more credits to take an even later flight. Yes, I encouraged—okay, ordered—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 （揭露） the worst tricks. I have been the consumer reporter of NBC's Today show for over a decade. I have written a couple 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 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 shape 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. Their flight had been delayed.
B. Their flight had been cancelled.
C. They had early bookings
D. They took a later flight
2.What can we learn about the author?
A. She rarely misses a good deal.
B. She seldom makes a compromise.
C. She is very strict with her children
D. She is interested in cheap products.
3.What does the author do?
A. She's a teacher. B. She's a media person
C. She's a housewife. D. She's a businesswoman.
4.What does the author want to tell us?
A. How to expose bad tricks. B. How to reserve airline seats.
C. How to make a business deal. D. How to spend money wisely
完形填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）
In a village near Nuremberg lived a family with eighteen children. Merely to keep food on the table, the goldsmith（金匠）father worked eighteen hours a day. Despite their condition, two of Durer's children had a dream to seek their talent for , but they knew 1well their father would never be able to send of them to Nuremberg to study at the Academy.
The two boys finally worked out an agreement. They would toss（扔） a coin. The _ would work in the nearby mines to support his brother. Albrecht Durer the toss and went off to Nuremberg. Albert went into the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, financed his brother, work at the academy was almost an success. Albrecht's woodcuts（木刻） and oils were better than those of his professors and he soon was earning considerable fees his works.
When the young returned home, the Durer family held a festive dinner. Albrecht rose to toast to his beloved brother, "Now, Albert, it is your to seek your dream. I will support you."
All heads turned to the far end of the table, where Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale face, while he and repeated, "No ...no." Finally, Albert rose and the tears from his cheeks. He said softly, "I go to Nuremberg, brother. It is too late for me. Look what four years in the mines have done to my hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed（猛击） at least once, and I cannot even hold a glass to your toast."
Today, Albrecht Durer's masterful works in every great museum in the world, but chances are great you, like most people, are familiar with only one of them. Albrecht Durer drew his brother's abused hands with palms together and thin stretched（伸展） skyward. He it "The Praying Hands."
Next time you see that touching creation, take a second look. Let it be your reminder, if you still need one, that no one ever makes it !
1.A. hopeful B. hopeless C. disappointed D. lucky
2.A. music B. art C. mining D. farming
3.A. all B. each C. both D. either
4.A. painter B. loser C. winner D. failure
5.A. lost B. got C. won D. beat
6.A. whose B. his C. whom D. who
7.A. casual B. immediate C. attractive D. ordinary
8.A. far B. quite C. very D. more
9.A. for B. to C. in D. at
10.A. miner B. artist C. worker D. professor
11.A. luck B. turn C. move D. moment
12.A. sobbed B. nodded C. smiled D. laughed
13.A. recovered B. wept C. wiped D. handed
14.A. can’t B. mustn’t C. can D. have to
15.A. hold B. return C. move D. turn
16.A. visit B. represent C. present D. hang
17.A. when B. that C. which D. as
18.A. figures B. hands C. fingers D. arms
19.A. said B. loved C. told D. called
20.A. alone B. out C. yet D. before
— This apple pie is too sweet, don’t you think so?
— ____________. I think it’s just right, actually.
A. I hope so B. Not really
C. Sounds good D. No wonder
Not until all the fish died in the river ____________ how serious the pollution was.
A. did the villagers realize
B. the villagers realize
C. the villagers did realize
D. didn’t the villagers realize
If he ___________ my advice then, he would not be in trouble now.
A. should take B. took
C. could take D. had taken
It doesn’t matter ___________ you turn right or left at the crossing — both roads lead to the park.
A. whether B. how
C. if D. when
