In order to tell what I believe, I must briefly introduce some of my personal history.
The turning point of my life was my decision to give up a promising business career and study music. My parents, sharing my love of music, _16 of it as a profession. This was understandable in view of the family 17 . My grandfather had taught music for nearly forty years and earned barely enough to 18 for his large family. My father often said it was only the hardheaded thriftiness of my grandmother that helped the family live a life. As a(an) 19 of this example in the family, my mention of music as a profession carried with it a picture of an existence with 20 financial rewards. My parents insisted upon college instead of a conservatory of a career of music, and so finally I went to college quite happily.
Before my graduation from Columbia, the family met with severe financial problems and I felt it my duty to 21 college and take a job. Thus was I started a business career – which I always think of as the wasted years.
Now I do not for a moment mean to disparage business. My whole point I is that it was not for me. I went into it for 22 , and apart from the satisfaction of being able to help the family, money is all I got out of it. It was not enough. I felt that life was passing me by. From being merely dissatisfied I became really 23 . I knew what I wanted is to save enough to 24 and go to Europe to study 25 . I used to get up at dawn to practice before I left for “downtown”, disappointing my poor mother by eating a hurried breakfast at the last minute. I continued to make money, and finally, bit by bit, saved enough to 26 me to go abroad. And, by now, the family didn’t need my help any longer. I ended my business career, feeling like a man released from prison, and sailed for Europe. I stayed four years, worked harder than ever and 27 every minute of it.
“Enjoyed” is too mild a word. I walked on air. I really lived. I was a 28 man and I was doing what I loved to do and what I was meant to do.
If I had stayed in business, I might be a 29 man today, but I do not believe I would have made a success of living. I would have given up all those inner satisfactions, which money can never buy.
When I broken away from business, it was against the advice of all my friends and family. Most of us are so accustomed to the association of success with money 30 the thought of giving up a good ine for an idea seemed rather crazy. If so, all I can say is “Ah! It’s great to be crazy.”
【小题1】A．thoughtB．disapprovedC．agreedD．disagreed【小题2】A．backgroundB．experienceC．traditionD．belief【小题3】A．offerB．supportC．provideD．give【小题4】A．expectationB．intentionC．causeD．consequence【小题5】A．certainB．uncertainC．sureD．ensured【小题6】A．enterB．joinC．leaveD．apply【小题7】A．interestB．dreamsC．money D．hope【小题8】A．painfulB．excitedC．embarrassedD．cheerful【小题9】A．dropB．satisfyC．liveD．quit【小题10】A．musicB．medicineC．economyD．Business【小题11】A．letB．makeC．encourageD．enable【小题12】A．spentB．enjoyedC．wastedD．used【小题13】A．freeB．wealthyC．creativeD．enthusiastic【小题14】A．strongB．successfulC．wealthyD．satisfied【小题15】A．itB．whichC．thatD．asB
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(答案→)B
解析：本文通过自己追求精神上的满足于成功告诉我们，富有并非成功，精神上的满足才是最重要的。金钱是好东西，但可能为了金钱，我们付出的代价太昂贵。
【小题1】B动词辨析。A认为B不支持C同意D不同意；根据我爷爷的例子，说明我的家人不支持。
【小题2】A名词辨析。A背景B经历C传统D信念；从我家的背景来看有这样的想法是可以理解的。
【小题3】C动词搭配。Provide…for…提供某人某物；指我的爷爷挣的钱不够养活一个大家庭。
【小题4】D名词辨析。A期待B目的C原因D结果；因为我家里的爷爷的这个例子的结果。
【小题5】B形容词辨析。A确认B不确定C确定D肯定；指我搞音乐没有确定的经济收入的保障。
【小题6】C 动词辨析。A进入B参加C离开D申请；我家里的经济出现了大的问题，我决定离开学校，我参加工作来帮助家里度过这个难关。
【小题7】C 上下文串联。我参加工作就是为了挣钱来帮助家里，不仅仅是让家里人满意。
【小题8】A 形容词辨析。A痛苦的B兴奋C尴尬D兴奋的；我在做自己不喜欢的事情，很痛苦。
【小题9】D 动词辨析。A跌落B满意C居住D放弃；我想做的就是挣得足够的钱以放弃这份工作。
【小题10】A 上下文串联。根据上文说明我非常喜欢音乐，所以这里表示我去欧洲学习音乐。
【小题11】D 动词辨析。A让B生产C鼓励D使…能够；慢慢挣够钱让我能够去欧洲；
【小题12】B 动词辨析。A花费B喜欢C浪费D使用；我在那里待里四年，享受那里的每一分钟。
【小题13】A 形容词辨析。A自由B富有C有创造性D热情；我可以做我想做的事情，我很自由。
【小题14】C 形容词辨析。A强烈B成功C富有D满意的；如果我做生意，我会是一个很富有的人。
【小题15】C 考查固定句式。So…that…如此...以至于…；that引导的是结果状语从句。