Question

I think people everywhere dream about having lots of money. I know I do. I would like to earn large amounts of money. You can win a large amount of money in the United States through lotteries. People pay money for tickets with numbers. If your combination of numbers is chosen, you will win a huge amount of money — often in the millions.

A few years ago, my friend Al won the lottery. It changed his life. He was not “born with a silver spoon in his mouth”. Instead, my friend was always short of money. And the money he did earn was chicken feed.

Sometimes Al even had to accept handouts (施舍物) from his friends. But do not get me wrong. My friend was always very careful with the money he spent. In fact, he was often a cheapskate. He did not like to spend money. The worst times were when he had no single penny left.

One day, Al scraped together a few dollars for a lottery ticket. He thought he would never gain lots of money unexpectedly. But his combination of numbers was chosen and he won the lottery. Al was so excited. The first thing he did was buy a costly new car — one thing that he normally would not buy. Then he started spending money on unnecessary things. It was like he had “money to burn”．

When we got together for a meal at a restaurant, Al paid every time. He would always tell me the money made him feel like a millionaire. But, Al spent too much money. Soon he was “down and out” again. He had spent his “bottom dollar” — his very last amount. He did not even save any of the money.

I admit I do feel sorry for my friend. He had enough money to “live like a king”. Instead, he was back to “living on a shoestring” — a very low budget. Some might say he was wise about small things, but not about important things.

1.What does the author desire to do like others?

A. To combine the numbers perfectly.

B. To make a huge fortune.

C. To be chosen for selling lotteries.

D. To get in touch with millionaires.

2.Before Al won the lottery ________.

A. he spent too much money buying chicken

B. he didn’t value the money he had earned

C. he had trouble feeding his family

D. he hated to give a hand to his friends

3.What does the fourth paragraph imply?

A. Al always had good luck in life.

B. Al valued his money above his life.

C. Al had loved the expensive car probably.

D. Al pretended to have more money.

4.When a person is “down and out”， ________.

A. he is as poor as a church mouse

B. he lives a life like other people

C. he has set aside all his money

D. he is looking forward to big success

Answer

1.B

2.C

3.C

4.A

【解析】

本文是一篇记叙文。亚当是一个贫穷的人，虽然贫困但是从来不乱花钱。他偶然买的一张彩票给他带来了巨大的财富。于是亚当开始挥霍起来，大吃大喝，大手大脚，不知道积攒，不知道投资，最后他又成了一个穷光蛋。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段I think people everywhere dream about having lots of money. I know I do. I would like to earn large amounts of money.可知，作者想要和别人一样为了赚大钱。故选B。

2.细节理解题。根据文章第二段my friend was always hard up for cash. And the money he did earn was chicken feed --- very little.可知中彩票前Al入不敷出，过着很贫穷的日子。故选C。

3.推理判断题。根据第四段Al was so excited. The first thing he did was buy a costly new car — one thing that he normally would not buy.可知，第四段暗示Al很可能喜欢这辆昂贵的车。故选C。

4.推理判断题。根据倒数第二段中Al spent too much money. Soon he was “down and out” again.可知，当一个人“穷困潦倒”时，他就像教堂里的老鼠一样穷。故选A。