Question

大学英语精读三作业

Many a young person tells me he wants to be a writer. I always encourage such people, but I also explain that there’s a big difference between a writer and writing. In most cases these individuals are dreaming of wealth and fame, not the long hours at a typewriter. “You have got to want to write,” I said to them, “not want to be a writer.”

The reality is that writing is a lonely, private and poor-paying affair. For every writer kissed by fortune there are thousands more whose longing is never rewarded. When I left a 20-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard to become a freelance writer, I had no prospects at all. What I did have was a friend who found for me my room in a New York apartment building. It didn’t even matter that it was cold and had no bathroom. I immediately bought a used typewriter and felt like a genuine writer.

After a year or so, however, I still hadn’t got a break and began to doubt myself. It was so hard to sell a story that barely made enough to eat. But I knew I wanted to write. I had dreamed about it for many years. I wasn’t going to be one of those people who died wondering. What if? I would keep putting my dream to test (even though it meant living with uncertainty and fear of failure). This is the shadow-land of hope, and anyone with a dream must learn to live there.

1．阅读理解 (4.0) 分

The passage is meant to _______ .

A、warn young people of the hardship that a successful writer has to experience
B、advise young people to give up their idea of becoming a professional writer
C、show young people it is unrealistic for a writer to pursue wealth
D、encourage young people to pursue a writing career

2．阅读理解 (4.0) 分

What can be concluded from the passage?

A、Genuine writers often find their work interesting and rewarding.
B、A writer’s success depends on luck rather on effort.
C、Famous writers usually live in poverty and isolation.
D、The chances for writers to become successful are small.

3．阅读理解 (4.0) 分

Why did the author begin to doubt himself after the first years of his writing career?

A、He was not able to produce a single book.
B、He hadn’t seen a change for the better.
C、He wasn’t able to have a rest for a whole year.
D、He found his dream would never come true.

4．阅读理解 (4.0) 分

In “…people who died wondering”, “who” refers to those _______ .

A、who think too much of the dark side of life
B、who regret giving up their career halfway
C、who think a lot without making a decision
D、who are full of imagination even upon death

5．阅读理解 (4.0) 分

“Shadow-land” in the last sentence refers to _______ .

A、the wonderland one often dreams about
B、the bright future that one is looking forward to
C、the state of uncertainty before one’s final goal is reached
D、a world that exists only in one’s imagination

Answer 1

1.A
从 I always encourage such people, but I also explain that there’s a big difference between a writer and writing.可看出
2.C
全文看来，作者苦尽甘来
3.B 从After a year or so, however, I still hadn’t got a break and began to doubt myself.
4.B 中途放弃的人
5.C (even though it meant living with uncertainty and fear of failure).

Answer 2

A-C-B-B-C