Dear Friend,
The recent success of children's books has made the general public aware that there's a huge market out there.
And there's a growing need for new writers trained to create the $3 billion worth of children's books bought each year ... plus stories and articles needed by over 650 publishers of magazines for children and teenagers.
Who are these needed writers? They're ordinary folks like you and me.
But am I good enough?
I was once where you might be now. My thoughts of writing had been pushed down by self-doubt, and I didn't know where to turn for help.
Then, I accepted a free offer from the Institute to test my writing aptitude（潜能）, and it turned out to be the inspiration I needed.
The promise that paid off
The Institute made the same promise to me that they will make to you, if you show basic writing ability:
You will complete at least one manuscript（手稿） suitable to hand in to a publisher by the time you finish our course.
I really didn't expect any publication before I finished the course, but that happened. I sold three stories. And I soon discovered that was not unusual at the Institute.
Since graduation, I have authored 34 nationally published children's books and over 300 stories and articles.
Free test and brochure
We offer a free aptitude test and will send you a copy of our brochure describing our recognized home-study courses on the basis of one-on-one training.
Realize your writing dream today. There's nothing sadder than a dream delayed until it fades forever.
Sincerely,
Kristi Holly, Instructor
Institute of Children's LiteratureFrom the first three paragraphs, we learn that_____.
| A．children’s books are usually bestsellers |
| B．publishers are making $3 billion each year |
| C．magazines for teenagers have drawn public attention |
| D．there is a growing need for writers of children's books |
When finishing the course, you are promised to_____.
| A．be a successful publisher |
| B．become a confident editor |
| C．finish one work for publication |
| D．get one story or article published |
Kristi Holly mentions her experience mainly to_____.
| A．prove she is a good instructor |
| B．promote the writing program |
| C．give her advice on course preparation |
| D．show she sold more stories than article |
Why Melbourne? Having long lived in the shadow of Sydney，Melbourne has become a wonderful place for fashion and design and the cultural centre of Aus-tralia, with an enjoyable program of festivals.
What to see? The city centre's grid (格子）system of streets hides a maze (迷宫）of lanes and turn -of-the -century arcades where you will find the best cafes, bars and shops. The Hidden Secrets Tour(00 613 9329 9665, hiddensecretstour. com ) guides will make sure you find what you're after, whether it's fashion, art and design or wine. From £ 34 per person.
Where to eat? Melbourne is a paradise for those who enjoy eating delicious food, and its top chefs use fresh produce and have a talent for the experimental. But for something different, enjoy yourself with an Australian Wine Tour Company trip. Departing from the city centre daily，you'll taste wines at four of the region's best vineyards (葡萄园）. It costs £ 48 per person, including all wine tasting, lunch and a visit to Domaine Chandon (00 613 9419 4444, austwine -tourco. com. au).
Where to stay? The Nunnery is an old convent (修道院）on the edge of the city. It has double rooms with breakfast from £54 per night (00 613 94198637, nunnery, com. au).
How to get there? Qantas (0845 7747 767，qantas . com. au) flies from Heathrow to Melbourne twice daily from £ 766 return, including taxes.
More information： Contact the official tourism site for Melbourne at visitmelbourne . com/uk.
Use the links below for more on.
Destination guide： Melbourne.
Click here for our Melbourne page.
48 hours in Melbourne. Why is Melbourne a popular destination for Australians?
| A．Because it's the most important city. |
| B．Because it's well-known for festivals. |
| C．Because it is a cultural centre in Australia. |
| D．Because it attracts lots of religious followers. |
To get more information about Hidden Secrets Tour, you should call __________.
| A．00 613 9329 9665 |
| B．00 613 9419 4444 |
| C．00 13 9419 8637 |
| D．0845 7747 767 |
If you are interested in tasting Australian wines ,you have to pay __________.
| A．£34 |
| B．£48 |
| C．£54 |
| D．£76 |
What is the purpose of this passage?
| A．To tell readers how to travel in Australia. |
| B．To inform readers about what to see in Melbourne. |
| C．To introduce the history and culture about Australia. |
| D．To offer tourists some information about Melbourne. |
Americans like to travel on their yearly holiday. Today, more and more travelers in the United States are spending nights at small houses or inns instead of hotels. They get a room for the night and the break-fast the next morning.
Rooms for the night in private (私人的）homes with breakfast have been popular with travelers in Europe for many years. In the past five to ten years ,these bed - and - breakfast places have become popular in the United States. Many of these America's bed-and - breakfast inns are old historic buildings. Some bed - and - breakfast inns have only a few rooms； others are much larger. Some inns do not provide telephones or televisions in the rooms； others do.
Staying at a bed - and - breakfast inn is much different from staying at a hotel. Usually the cost is much less. Staying at an inn is almost like visiting someone's home. The owners are glad to tell about the areas and the interesting places to visit. Many vacationers say they enjoy the chance to meet local families. Americans take a holiday trip __________.
| A．all the year round |
| B．for years |
| C．every year |
| D．every other year |
According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?
| A．Some Americans like to stay at bed - and -breakfast homes instead of hotels. |
| B．The bed - and - breakfast inns are private homes opened to vacationers. |
| C．The bed - and - breakfast inns have been popular in America for a very long time. |
| D．The bed - and - breakfast inn owners provide a morning meal for their visitors and a room for the night. |
Why do American travelers prefer staying at bed - and - breakfast inns?
| A．It is like visiting someone's home. |
| B．The money they spend there is much less. |
| C．They can meet local families. |
| D．All of the above. |
Staying at the bed - and -breakfast inns, __________.
| A．the travelers needn't pay anything |
| B．the travelers don't have to pay for the telephone or television |
| C．the travelers can meet and talk with the local people |
| D．the owners will show the travelers around the area |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．European and American vacationers like staying at bed - and -breakfast inns. |
| B．All Americans enjoy traveling. |
| C．These bed -and -breakfast inns are all old historic buildings. |
| D．Staying at a bed -and -breakfast inn is just like at the traveler's home. |
Americans can travel almost anywhere they choose. But to protect its people ,the government lists a few dangerous places where Americans cannot go. These places are unfriendly countries or countries at war. There the travelers might not be safe. These countries are listed in a small book called a passport.
This passport is a government request for the safety of its traveling people. It is also a government's pledge (保证）that the people will obey the rules of the host countries.
To receive a passport from the government，a traveler must prove that he is an American citizen (公民） An American cannot go overseas without a pass-port. Only certain close countries such as Canada and Mexico do not ask for passports.
Pasted inside the passport is the traveler's picture. Children traveling with their parents are included in one parent's book.
Tens of thousands of people from the United States visit other countries every year. An American traveler might carry plane tickets，money, clothing and many other things. But the most important thing that he carries in another country is his passport. A passport is not needed when an American goes to __________
| A．foreign countries |
| B．dangerous areas |
| C．Canada or Mexico |
| D．countries overseas |
From the passage we can see that __________.
| A．children can't travel to foreign countries |
| B．Americans like to travel |
| C．a traveler is not safe in most countries |
| D．Americans like to travel to close countries |
Why does a traveler need a passport?
| A．He needs something more to carry when he travels. |
| B．It helps the country to protect the people. |
| C．He needs to have his picture taken more often. |
| D．It helps the traveler to know where he will go. |
Which statement does the passage lead you to believe?
| A．People should take care of their passports. |
| B．It is not important to have a passport to travel. |
| C．Children are never included in a passport. |
| D．When you are in another country, money is more important than a passport. |
Which of the following is TRUE?
| A．When Americans are traveling in another country, they must obey the rules of the country. |
| B．The American government sometimes allows its people to travel to dangerous places. |
| C．A passport is needed wherever an American is traveling. |
| D．Everyone who lives in the United States can get a passport from the American government. |
My mother died twice in August 2009—once on her75th birthday at a crowded restaurant, surrounded by her closest family members - and finally，the next day at a hospital. Eight months later, I began to come out of the fog of grief and depression to find a new purpose for my life.
Like many of my generation, I had lived only for myself—traveling, acquiring what I needed, rising to a position of importance and getting financial rewards. I was “kind - hearted” and “volunteered” for various causes, but really didn't give of myself.
In the spring after Mom's death, I found myself waking in the middle of the night with one thought. I wanted to offer myself as a living kidney (肾)donor. My husband Robb had received the gift of life through a kidney transplant (移植）from a deceased donor in 1999，so I was familiar with the need for donors and knew several people who were waiting for a life saving transplant. I decided to offer myself to be matched with the most suitable person on the waiting list at my local transplant center. I was paired with a 71-year-old grandmother from New Jersey who had survived for six years. At her 70th birthday, her family threw a big party as they did not expect her to live much longer. She has become my very good friend.
In donating my kidney, I extended myself in a way far beyond what I ever believed was possible. I did so in honor of my mother who sacrificed so much for me and my sisters, and in memory of my husband's donor who extended her life through him.
I encourage all who enjoy the gift of good health to share with others, either as a living donor or by donating organs upon death. By extending yourself through organ donation, you will live on through others in a magic way and give comfort to your loved ones. From the second paragraph, we can conclude that __________
| A．the author was kind and generous in giving help |
| B．the author enjoyed financial rewards seriously |
| C．the author sought reasons to help others |
| D．the author looked after her own interest |
When did the author decide to offer her kidney?
| A．The moment her husband received a kidney transplant. |
| B．In the fourth month of 2010. |
| C．When she was waking at midnight alone. |
| D．After she visited a 71-year-old woman. |
The grandmother's family held a birthday party __________
| A．to show thanks for what the author had done |
| B．to celebrate the old woman's recovering |
| C．to make the old woman happy |
| D．to say goodbye to the old woman |
After donating her kidney, the author __________.
| A．carried out her mother's last wishes |
| B．wanted to honor her husband's donation |
| C．intended to live a longer life |
| D．meant to do something useful to others |
Nine years ago ,after Leo had died ,people said to me ,“I never knew he was your stepfather. ” You see ,I never called him that. At first ,he was no one special in my life. Then he became my friend. In time, I felt he was my father too.
Leo married my mother when I was eleven. Two years later we moved into a house in a new suburban development, where we put down roots. At first ,our lawn was just a mud pile with wild grass ,but Leo saw bright possibilities. "We plant trees there to give us shade as well as some flowers ，” he said. And just these little touches made our lawn different from all the others here. More important, a real family was forming. Leo was becoming a full-time parent, and I was learning what it meant to have a father.
Weekday mornings when the weather was bad ,Leo often drove me to school. Having a father drop you off may have been something my classmates took for granted, but I always thought it was wonderful. Saturday mornings, we went to the hardware store ,then stepped into the five - and - ten, buying a sports magazine or something else. Some people might think that doing errands together is nothing special, but I，who had ever before spent my childhood watching other families do these everyday activities, experienced them now with extreme joy. Looking back, I realize that Leo gave me what I needed most—the experience of doing ordinary things together as a family.
Soon after we moved to the suburbs, one of our new neighbors introduced herself to me. She had already met my mother and Leo. “You know,” she said，“ you look just like your father. ” I knew she was just making conversation—but even so...“ Thank you,” I said. Why tell her anything different? The writer's purpose in writing this passage is __________
| A．to show his pride to have a good stepfather |
| B．to show how interesting a person Leo was |
| C．to remind us of our parents |
| D．to explain why they moved to the suburbs |
The phrase "put down roots” in the second paragraph means __________
| A．settled |
| B．planted |
| C．farmed |
| D．worked |
In the writer's opinion, __________
| A．it's not easy to live with a stepfather |
| B．his stepfather was more important than his mother |
| C．parents should think more about their children before divorce |
| D．love and friendship are extremely valuable in step families |