Like many men at some point, I dream about opening a bar. I plan to call it Work Out. It will cater to married women in need of a little fun. On Friday nights, they will be able to e here and enjoy themselves.
See, I have a gift for business. I am, as my wife Zsa Zsa likes to note, “A man with a million ideas, none of them very good.” Speaking of Zsa Zsa, she is fed up with this plain little life I’ve made for us——too many kids, too many chores, mind – numbing debt. The other day, she said she thought we needed a new family car. “Sure. How about an 87 Lincoln?” I said, and saw my dear Zsa Zsa age about 20 years, and bee her mother right before my eyes.
Yes, money is our madness. Last year, we thought we had found a little cushion when I published a book about the life here in suburban America. It sold 12 copies——six of them to my mother. Four other copies went to various aunts and uncles, who used them for martini coasters (杯垫), then sold them at yard sales. The two remaining copies went to perfect strangers. (I think I owe you dinner, whoever you are. Call me, OK? We’ll arrange something.)
When the book didn’t take off, I wrote a TV show. Then I penned a short novel based on the earlier TV idea that didn’t sell. Currently, I am at work on a set of encyclopedias(百科全书). In a month, I plan to sell them door – to – door.
Such is the life of a writer, sending off the most personal thoughts possible to his hard drive. I am a writer, but also the breadwinner in my family. I’m at the keyboard at 6 almost every morning, hoping to tap out one idea——just one——that will take us up the hill, to the mountain, to the top.
【小题1】According to the passage, the author is leading a/an life.A．enjoyableB．wealthyC．hardD．fortable【小题2】By saying “Sure. How about an 87 Lincoln?”, the author .A．promised it to his wifeB．was showing off their fortuneC．thought his wife would like itD．was just joking【小题3】What was the result of the book the author mentioned in the 3rd paragraph?A．It didn’t sell well at all.B．He sold it door – to – door.C．He made a lot of money from it.D．It was really a cushion for his family.【小题4】What does the underlined word “cushion” mean ?A．Comfortable seat.B．Financial help.C．Unexpected success.D．Best-selling book.【小题5】From the account above, which of the following statements is true?A．He has a real gift for business.B．He isn’t serious enough about life.C．He is a hard – working writer.D．His wife is satisfied with their plain life.C
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(答案→)C
解析：本文叙述了作者过着平淡的生活，他空有理想，而无法实现，妻子埋怨，自己着急，出版了一本书，还卖不出去，把书都送人了，虽然作者在写作时很用功，但是还在为了养家糊口的事而发愁。
【小题1】细节理解题。根据she is fed up with this plain little life I’ve made for us .作者的妻子已经厌烦了他带给她的这种平淡的生活，故选C。
【小题2】推理判断题。根据numbing debt 和Yes, money is our madness可以推知买这种新车是在开玩笑，故选D。
【小题3】细节理解题。根据It sold 12 copies——six of them to my mother. Four other copies went to various aunts and uncles, who used them for martini coasters (杯垫), then sold them at yard sales. The two remaining copies went to perfect strangers. 可以看出书很难卖出，故选A。
【小题4】词义猜测题。根据money is our madness可以推知财政援助，能给他带来财运，故选B。
【小题5】细节理解题。根据I’m at the keyboard at 6 almost every morning, hoping to tap out one idea——just one——that will take us up the hill, to the mountain, to the top.看出他是非常勤奋的作家，故选C。