These days, many passers-by always spot abeggar on the Jiaochangkou Street in Yuzhong District of Chongqing in southwestChina.

The beggar’s name is Xia Haibo, and he was born inMeihe Village, Tianmen City of Hubei Province. Being 25 years old, he is quitea special beggar in some ways — he doesn’t beg on his knees, as other beggarsdo when begging. Rather, he often stands in the crowded street, either readinga book or thinking about something carefully. He also started a blog on theInternet which has been clicked more than 500,000 times. He likes reading — hehas read many classical Chinese poems. He has kept writing and recently, he hasplanned to publish his writings.

In 1998, Xia entered Tianmen Middle School as the beststudent in his town. However, a year before he took the college entranceexamination, he came down with a high fever and was later diagnosed (诊断) as having rheumatoid arthritis (类风湿性关节炎). In order to treat his disease, his father borrowed60,000 yuan from relatives and friends. However, with this money, he didn’trecover from the disease. He did not want to become a burden (负担) to his family any more. So in July, 2006, he lefthis hometown and went to Wuhan to make a living by begging.

Begging has become a job to Xia now. However, hedoesn’t plan to go on living like this. “By July 24, 2008, when I have beenbegging for two years, I will stop my begging life. I promise,” he said.

It is his plan that by using the money he “earns”, hewill rent a small shop in his hometown and keep on writing in his spare time.

Right now, he is trying to finish a book of his own.The book, called Love Is With Me, tells about the people who helped him duringhis begging life.

1.The underlined word “spot” in the first paragraph isclosest in meaning to “______”.

A．forgive           B．record            C．beat             D．notice

2.When did Xia Haibo get the serious illness?

A．In 1998.          B．In 2001.           C．In 2000.           D．In 2006.

3.How does Xia beg in the street?

A．He begs onhis knees in the street.

B．He writesChinese poems for those who like poems.

C．He reads orthinks while standing in the street.

D．He teachespeople how to surf the Internet.

4. Which of the following is NOT true about Xia Haibo?

A．His dream isto have his book published.

B．He will notstop begging until he earns enough money for his future life.

C．He is writinga book to express his thanks to those who helped him.

D．He will keepwriting while running a small business.

Sir,
Just over six months ago, I saw an advertisement in the Morning Mail for a set of the complete works of William Shakespeare. Your company, Cosmo books Ltd., offered this set (eight books of plays and two books of poetry) at what was claimed to be a ‘remarkable’ price: fifteen pounds and fifty pence, including postage and packing. I had wanted a set of Shakespeare’s plays and poems for some time, and these books, in red imitation leather, looked particularly attractive; so I sent for them.
Two weeks later, the books arrived, together with a set of the complete works of Charles Dickens which I had not ordered. So I returned the Dickens books to you, with a cheque for fifteen pounds and fifty pence for the works of Shakespeare. Two more weeks passed. Then there arrived on my door step a second set of the works of Shakespeare, the same set of novels by Dickens and a six book set of the plays of Moliere, in French. Since I do not read French, these were of no use to me at all. However, I could not afford to post all these books back to you, so I wrote to you at the end of August of last year, instructing you to come and collect all the books that I did not want, and asking you not to send any other books until further notice.
You did not reply to that letter. Instead you sent me a bill for forty two pounds, and a set of the plays of Schiller, in German. Since then, a new set of books has arrived every two weeks, the works of Goethe, the poems of Milton, the plays of Strindberg; I hardly know what I have. The books are still all in their boxes, in the garage, and my car has to stand in the rain outside.
I have no room for any more books, and even if I read from now until the Last Judgment, I should not finish reading all the books that you have sent me.
Please send no more books, send no more bills, send no more angry letters demanding payment. Just send one large lorry and take all the books away, leaving me only with the one set of the complete works of Shakespeare for which I have paid.
Yours faithfully,
SIMON WALKER
【小题1】Simon Walker wrote the letter to ________

Every year Chris Brogan posts his three words for anew year. many others and I have followed his lead for the past three or fouryears. They helped me a lot. My words for last year were “passion”, “focus” and“delegate” and I stayed true to them. This year, 2013, my goals are morepersonal and less professional.

FOCUS

Focus is making a repeat appearance on my list thisyear because I’m too much of a multitasker. The problem is that I havetrouble finishing one thing with so many things calling me. When I was workingas a writer, all my projects were handled via a schedule, I’m putting a fitnessand housekeeping routine into my schedule.

HEALTH

I get so busy taking care of everyone else, and Iforget to take care of myself and this has to change. My health suffers and myweight suffers. I have to get my health in check , not only for me but becauseI promised my 9-year-old son. I’ll make good food and lifestyle choices. I missbeing thin, and it’s time to get it back.

CELEBRATE

What good is having it if I’m not taking time to enjoyit? I have a wonderful job, a happy family, and so much to be thankful for. Sohow come I spend all my time working? Last summer my family took our firstvacation in four years, the best thing I’ve done for myself and my family in along time. This year, I’m making sure to take time to enjoy life and celebrateits many blessings.

Do you have any words for 2013?

1.The underlined word “multitasker” probably refers toa person who          .

A．makes aliving by writing

B．always failsto finish a task on time

C．has severalthings to do at the same time

D．pays moreattention to fitness and housekeeping

2.Why does the writer have “HEALTH” as one of histhree words?

A．He wants totake better care of others.

B．He’s gaining weight and feeling bad.

C．He did nottake any exercise in the past.

D．He got theidea from his son.

3.What can we learn from the passage?

A．The word “CELEBRATE” can remindthe writer to enjoy life.

B．The writerhas a vacation with his family every four years.

C．The word “FOCUS” can help the writerfocus on his family.

D．The writerused to be overweight for lack of exercise.

4.The best title for the passage might be      .

A．Three Wordsfor 2013                   B．Health ShouldGo First

C．KeepOrganized                        D．Goals for2013

When first entered ,Vanak Restaurant does not looklike much of a restaurant, but once the pleasant smells of kabob（烤羊肉串）hit the senses ,you are incapable of calling itanything less.

Owned by a local couple, this Persian restaurant hasan inviting, homelike atmosphere that many restaurants lack.

The space is small with only a few dining tables andnearly no decoration, but the environment is truly charming.

Lying in a hardly noticeable street corner, therestaurant still attracts all customers, especially those experienced in thedelights of Middle Eastern cooking.

A common sight is that of old Persian men sitting inthe corner talking loudly about world topics, watching news events on TV,drinking a black tea known as Persian chai, and reading local Persiannewspapers all the while trying to finish off their plate piled with food.

The variety of food at the restaurant is limited, butthe amount of each dish is fairly large. Most of the meals can serve two peopleand are under $10,so not only is it affordable but practical as well.

The food, especially appeals to health-conscious eatersbecause each dish is very healthy, made with limited fat and oil and servedstraight off the grill（烤肉架）.

The main dish that the restaurant is popular for isits kabobs, which are different style of grilled meat.

One delicious and extremely healthy dish is the JoojehKabob, which is made of grilled chicken pieces served with either rice orbread. Another great kabob is the Chelo Kabob, kabob consisting of grilledbeef.

Although the restaurant is small, the atmosphere andthe food is delicious. It is a place that should not be overlooked.

1.When first entering the restaurant, one can findthat it      

A．is splendidlydecorated                   B．has pleasantsmells of kabobs

C．is crowdedwith dining tables              D．looks like acommon restaurant

2.What activity is also mentioned apart from dining inthe restaurant?

A．Watching newsevents on TV               B．Drinking akind of black coffee

C．Reading localEnglish newspapers           D．Discussingworld topics in low voices

3.The food of the restaurant         

A．is served insmall amounts                 B．is ratherexpensive

C．is rich invariety                         D．is veryhealth

4.It can be inferred from the passage that therestaurant            .

A．occupies alarge space                   B．owns afavorable location

C．is popularfor its special food               D．has a quietenvironment inside