I was a publishing director and was looking forward to embracing a new day of work, as always，that morning．
I would always turn to the crossword, but that day it didn't  31  I'd been doing it for 30 odd years, but trying to read this one was like treading through syrup（糖浆）: 32  slow and hard． I thought I must be tired． I said to my assistant． The 33  colleague contacted my wife, Beth, and she drove me straight to hospital． There, confirmation came that I'd had a stroke in the part of my brain that 34 communication． I was now in a condition that means it's difficult or 35 to receive and produce language． It was the only time I 36 ．
I was back at home a week later, and my goal was to get better and  37  Work in a couple of months． The way to  38  my language ability was rough． I'd look at simple pictures and try to describe them as my mind  39  round and round in the darkness, looking for words．
As the months passed it became  40  that I wasn't going to be able to go back to my old job． For 25 years, I had  41  myself as a publisher． I was used to a busy day of meetings． I enjoyed colleagues and the 42 I'd had． I didn’t feel ready to say goodbye to my old self． There were times when I felt incredibly  43 ．
In the darkest months, I devoted myself to  44 ． I couldn't manage novels or newspapers,  45  I tried reading poetry, and found the shorter lines less overwhelming． My speech came back, and I learned how to read again, though much more slowly． I also learned the  46  to keep up． I allowed myself to slow down, and started to enjoy it．
47  , I rid of my old skin． I grieved the past, its passing and its absence, and started to 48  it． Now,  10 years  later,  I look after my grandson a day a week, and my relationship with my family is deeper than ever． If you'd asked me 15 years ago to  49  the importance of the things in my life I might have said work, but now I'm no longer a high-achieving publisher． I'm a  50         man． 

I was a publishing director and was looking forward to embracing a new day of work, as always，that morning．

I would always turn to the crossword, but that day it didn't  31  I'd been doing it for 30 odd years, but trying to read this one was like treading through syrup（糖浆）: 32  slow and hard． I thought I must be tired． I said to my assistant． The 33  colleague contacted my wife, Beth, and she drove me straight to hospital． There, confirmation came that I'd had a stroke in the part of my brain that 34 communication． I was now in a condition that means it's difficult or 35 to receive and produce language． It was the only time I 36 ．

I was back at home a week later, and my goal was to get better and  37  Work in a couple of months． The way to  38  my language ability was rough． I'd look at simple pictures and try to describe them as my mind  39  round and round in the darkness, looking for words．

As the months passed it became  40  that I wasn't going to be able to go back to my old job． For 25 years, I had  41  myself as a publisher． I was used to a busy day of meetings． I enjoyed colleagues and the 42 I'd had． I didn’t feel ready to say goodbye to my old self． There were times when I felt incredibly  43 ．

In the darkest months, I devoted myself to  44 ． I couldn't manage novels or newspapers,  45  I tried reading poetry, and found the shorter lines less overwhelming． My speech came back, and I learned how to read again, though much more slowly． I also learned the  46  to keep up． I allowed myself to slow down, and started to enjoy it．

47  , I rid of my old skin． I grieved the past, its passing and its absence, and started to 48  it． Now,  10 years  later,  I look after my grandson a day a week, and my relationship with my family is deeper than ever． If you'd asked me 15 years ago to  49  the importance of the things in my life I might have said work, but now I'm no longer a high-achieving publisher． I'm a  50         man． 

1.                A．wear off        B．make any sense   C．count up  D．pay off

2.                A．temporarily     B．scarcely        C．incredibly D．savagely

3.                A．curious         B．reserved        C．rigid D．concerned

4.                A．calls for        B．deals with       C．suffers from   D．responds to

5.                A．practical        B．absurd         C．impossible D．innocent

6.                A．prayed         B．cried           C．failed D．withdrew

7.                A．contribute to    B．agree to        C．return to  D．appeal to

8.                A．obtaining       B．rebuilding       C．revealing D．improving

9.                A．slipped         B．doubted        C．wandered D．reckoned

10.               A．messy          B．flexible         C．straightforward D．self-evident

11.               A．informed       B．estimated       C．reflected  D．defined

12.               A．extinction       B．reward         C．agenda    D．status

13.               A．angry          B．acute          C．prejudiced D．merciless

14.               A．speaking        B．trying          C．writing    D．managing

15.               A．since          B．until           C．SO   D．as

16.               A．favor          B．patience        C．coincidence    D．comfort

17.               A．Gradually       B．Hopefully       C．Narrowly D．Annually

18.               A．keep up with    B．come to terms with    C．get around to   D．live up to

19.               A．arrange        B．compare        C．rank  D．declare

20.               A．genius         B．community      C．dignity    D．family

That morning, I got the train as always. I was a publishing director and was looking forward to embracing a new day of work, as usual. I would always turn to the crossword(纵横填字游戏), but that day it didn't     . I'd been doing it for 30-old years, but trying to read this one was like walking through syrup（糖浆）:    slow and hard. I thought I must be tired.
I said to my assistant. The      colleague contacted my wife, Beth, and she drove me straight to hospital. There, confirmation came that I'd had a stroke in the part of my brain that communication. I was now in a condition that means it's difficult or   to receive and produce language. It was the only time I     .
I was back at home a week later, and my goal was to get better and      work in a couple of months. The way to   my language ability was rough. I'd look at simple pictures and try to describe them as my mind      round and round in the darkness, looking for words．
As the months passed, it became      that I wasn't going to be able to go back to my old job. For 25 years, I had      myself as a publisher. I was used to a busy day of meetings. I enjoyed colleagues and the      I'd had. I didn’t feel ready to say goodbye to my old self. There were times when I felt incredibly     .
In the darkest months, I devoted myself to     . I couldn't manage novels or newspapers,   I tried reading poetry, and found the shorter lines less overwhelming(势不可挡的). My speech came back, and I learned how to read again, though much more slowly. I also learned the      to keep up. I allowed myself to slow down, and started to enjoy it．
 ,  I get rid of my old skin. I grieved(感到悲痛) the past, its passing and its absence, and started to     it. Now, 10 years later, I look after my grandson a day a week, and my relationship with my family is deeper than ever. If you'd asked me 15 years ago to      the importance of the things in my life I might have said work, but now I'm no longer a high-achieving publisher or someone who reads 10 books a week. I'm a      man, and if I read 10 books a year, that’s pretty good. 

That morning, I got the train as always. I was a publishing director and was looking forward to embracing a new day of work, as usual. I would always turn to the crossword(纵横填字游戏), but that day it didn't 1. I'd been doing it for 30-old years, but trying to read this one was like walking through syrup（糖浆）:2 slow and hard. I thought I must be tired.
I said to my assistant. The 3 colleague contacted my wife, Beth, and she drove me straight to hospital. There, confirmation came that I'd had a stroke in the part of my brain that4communication. I was now in a condition that means it's difficult or5to receive and produce language. It was the only time I 6.
I was back at home a week later, and my goal was to get better and 7 work in a couple of months. The way to8my language ability was rough. I'd look at simple pictures and try to describe them as my mind 9 round and round in the darkness, looking for words．
As the months passed, it became 10 that I wasn't going to be able to go back to my old job. For 25 years, I had 11 myself as a publisher. I was used to a busy day of meetings. I enjoyed colleagues and the 12 I'd had. I didn’t feel ready to say goodbye to my old self. There were times when I felt incredibly 13.
In the darkest months, I devoted myself to 14. I couldn't manage novels or newspapers,15I tried reading poetry, and found the shorter lines less overwhelming(势不可挡的). My speech came back, and I learned how to read again, though much more slowly. I also learned the 16 to keep up. I allowed myself to slow down, and started to enjoy it．
17,  I get rid of my old skin. I grieved(感到悲痛) the past, its passing and its absence, and started to 18it. Now, 10 years later, I look after my grandson a day a week, and my relationship with my family is deeper than ever. If you'd asked me 15 years ago to 19 the importance of the things in my life I might have said work, but now I'm no longer a high-achieving publisher or someone who reads 10 books a week. I'm a 20 man, and if I read 10 books a year, that’s pretty good. 

1. 1.
   1. A.
      wear off
   2. B.
      make any sense
   3. C.
      count up
   4. D.
      pay off
2. 2.
   1. A.
      temporarily
   2. B.
      scarcely
   3. C.
      unbelievably
   4. D.
      mildly
3. 3.
   1. A.
      curious
   2. B.
      reserved
   3. C.
      serious
   4. D.
      concerned
4. 4.
   1. A.
      calls for
   2. B.
      deals with
   3. C.
      suffers from
   4. D.
      responds to
5. 5.
   1. A.
      practical
   2. B.
      absurd
   3. C.
      impossible
   4. D.
      innocent
6. 6.
   1. A.
      prayed
   2. B.
      cried
   3. C.
      failed
   4. D.
      withdrew
7. 7.
   1. A.
      contribute to
   2. B.
      agree to
   3. C.
      return to
   4. D.
      appeal to
8. 8.
   1. A.
      gaining
   2. B.
      rebuilding
   3. C.
      revealing
   4. D.
      improving
9. 9.
   1. A.
      slipped
   2. B.
      doubted
   3. C.
      wandered
   4. D.
      fled
10. 10.
    1. A.
       messy
    2. B.
       flexible
    3. C.
       straightforward
    4. D.
       self-evident
11. 11.
    1. A.
       informed
    2. B.
       evaluated
    3. C.
       reflected
    4. D.
       defined
12. 12.
    1. A.
       extinction
    2. B.
       reward
    3. C.
       schedule
    4. D.
       status
13. 13.
    1. A.
       angry
    2. B.
       cautious
    3. C.
       awesome
    4. D.
       merciless
14. 14.
    1. A.
       speaking
    2. B.
       trying
    3. C.
       writing
    4. D.
       managing
15. 15.
    1. A.
       since
    2. B.
       until
    3. C.
       so
    4. D.
       as
16. 16.
    1. A.
       favor
    2. B.
       patience
    3. C.
       sympathy
    4. D.
       comfort
17. 17.
    1. A.
       Gradually
    2. B.
       Hopefully
    3. C.
       Narrowly
    4. D.
       Annually
18. 18.
    1. A.
       keep up with
    2. B.
       come to terms with
    3. C.
       get around to
    4. D.
       live up to
19. 19.
    1. A.
       arrange
    2. B.
       compare
    3. C.
       rank
    4. D.
       declare
20. 20.
    1. A.
       genius
    2. B.
       community
    3. C.
       dignity
    4. D.
       family

According to the message board,Orinon Books_______.

A.opposes the reading of original classics

B.is embarrassed for cutting down classics

C.thinks cut-down classics have a bright future

D.is cautious in its decision to cut down classics

In Mr.Edwards’ opinion,Orion Group is shortening classics to_______.

A.make them easier to read

B.meet a large demand in the market

C.increase the sales of literary books

D.compete with their original versions

By describing the shortened classics as “a breath of fresh air”,Ms.Weir_______.

A.speaks highly of the cut-down classics

B.shows gailty of the original classics

C.feels guilty of not reading the classics

D.disapproves of shortening the classics

Mr.Crockatt seems to imply that_______.

A.reading the classic works is a confusing attempt

B.shortening the classics does harm to the original

C.publishing the cub-down classics is a difficult job

D.editing the classic works satisfies children’s needs

1.According to the message board,Orinon Books_______.

A.opposes the reading of original classics

B.is embarrassed for cutting down classics

C.thinks cut-down classics have a bright future

D.is cautious in its decision to cut down classics

2.In Mr.Edwards’ opinion,Orion Group is shortening classics to_______.

A.make them easier to read

B.meet a large demand in the market

C.increase the sales of literary books

D.compete with their original versions

3.By describing the shortened classics as “a breath of fresh air”,Ms.Weir_______.

A.speaks highly of the cut-down classics

B.shows gailty of the original classics

C.feels guilty of not reading the classics

D.disapproves of shortening the classics

4.Mr.Crockatt seems to imply that_______.

A.reading the classic works is a confusing attempt

B.shortening the classics does harm to the original

C.publishing the cub-down classics is a difficult job

D.editing the classic works satisfies children’s needs

11. According to the message board, Orion Books        .

A. opposes the reading of original classics           

B. is embarrassed for cutting down classics

C. thinks cut-down classics have a bright future       

D. is cautions in its decision to cut down classics

12. In Mr. Edwards’ opinion, Orion Group is shortening classics to        .

  A. make them easier to read            B. meet a large demand in the market

  C. increase the sales of literary books   D. compete with their original versions

13. By describing the shortened classics as “a breath of fresh air”, Ms. Weir        .

  A. speaks highly of the cut-down classics     

B. shows her love for original classics

  C. feels guilty of not reading the classics     

D. disapprove of shortening the classics

14. Mr. Crockatt seems to imply that        .

  A. reading the classic works is a confusing attempt

  B. shortening the classics does harm to the original

  C. publishing the cut-down classics is a difficult job

  D. editing the classic works satisfies children’s needs

15. How many classics are involved in the massage board?

A. Two.          B. Three.               C. Four.         D. Five.

1.According to the message board, Orion Books ___________.

   A．opposes the reading of original classics         

    B．is embarrassed for cutting down classics

   C．thinks cut-down classics have a bright future     

    D．is cautions in its decision to cut down classics

2.In Mr. Edwards’ opinion, Orion Group is shortening classics to _________.

   A．make them easier to read           B．meet a large demand in the market

   C．increase the sales of literary books               D．compete with their original versions

3.By describing the shortened classics as “a breath of fresh air”, Ms. Weir ________.

   A．speaks highly of the cut-down classics          

    B．shows her love for original classics

   C．feels guilty of not reading the classics           

    D．disapprove of shortening the classics

4.Mr. Crockatt seems to imply that _________.

   A．reading the classic works is a confusing attempt      

   B．shortening the classics does harm to the original

   C．publishing the cut-down classics is a difficult job

   D．editing the classic works satisfies children’s needs

5.How many classics are involved in the massage board?

    A．Two. B．Three.   C．Four.    D．Five

1.According to the message board, Orion Books ____________ .

A. opposes the reading of original classics        B. is embarrassed for cutting down classics

C. thinks cut-down classics have a bright future   D. is cautious in its decision to cut down classics

2.In Mr. Edwards’ opinion, Orion Group is shortening classics to ____________.

A. make them easier to read                    B. meet a large demand in the market

C. increase the sales of literary books                 D. compete with their original versions

3.By describing the shortened classics as “a breath of fresh air”, Ms. Weir____________.

A. speaks highly of the cut-down classics          B. shows her love for original classics

C. feels guilty of not reading the classics           D. disapprove of shortening the classics

4.Mr. Crockatt seems to imply that ____________.

A. reading the classic works is a confusing attempt

B. shortening the classics does harm to the original

C. publishing the cut-down classics is a difficult job

D. editing the classic works satisfies children’s needs

5.How many classics are involved in the massage board?

A. Two.     B. Three.           C. Four.        D. Five.

76. According to the message board, Orion Books ____________ .  

A. opposes the reading of original classics            B. is embarrassed for cutting down classics

C. thinks cut-down classics have a bright future        D. is cautious in its decision to cut down classics

77. In Mr. Edwards’ opinion, Orion Group is shortening classics to ____________.

A. make them easier to read                      B. meet a large demand in the market

C. increase the sales of literary books               D. compete with their original versions

78. By describing the shortened classics as “a breath of fresh air”, Ms. Weir____________.

A. speaks highly of the cut-down classics          B. shows her love for original classics

C. feels guilty of not reading the classics           D. disapprove of shortening the classics

79. Mr. Crockatt seems to imply that ____________.

A. reading the classic works is a confusing attempt

B. shortening the classics does harm to the original

C. publishing the cut-down classics is a difficult job

D. editing the classic works satisfies children’s needs

80. How many classics are involved in the massage board?

A. Two.          B. Three.               C. Four.         D. Five.

1. According to the message board, Orion Books ___________.

A. opposes the reading of original classics         

B. is embarrassed for cutting down classics

C. thinks cut-down classics have a bright future     

D. is cautions in its decision to cut down classics

2. In Mr. Edwards’ opinion, Orion Group is shortening classics to _________.

A. make them easier to read                   

B. meet a large demand in the market

C. increase the sales of literary books            

D. compete with their original versions

3. By describing the shortened classics as “a breath of fresh air”, Ms. Weir ________.

A. speaks highly of the cut-down classics         

B. shows her love for original classics

C. feels guilty of not reading the classics          

D. disapprove of shortening the classics

4. Mr. Crockatt seems to imply that _________.

A. reading the classic works is a confusing attempt      

B. shortening the classics does harm to the original

C. publishing the cut-down classics is a difficult job

D. editing the classic works satisfies children’s needs

Welcome to my Message Board!

Subject: Slimming down（缩编）classics?

Mr. Handsome

2008-5-12

6: 34 AM

Orion Books, which decides there is a market in creating cut-down classics（经典著作）, is slimming down some novels by such great writers as L. Tolstoy, M. Mitchell and C. Bronte. Now, each of them has been cut down to about 400 pages by cutting 30 to 40 pages percent of original, with words, sentences, paragraphs and, in a few cases, chapters removed. The first six shortened editions, all priced at ￡6.99 and advertised as great reads “in half the time”, will go on sale next month, with plans for 50 to 100 more to follow. The publishing house believes that modern readers will welcome the shorter versions.

Mr. Edwards

2008-5-12

9: 40 AM

Well, I’m publisher of Orion Group. Thanks for your attention, Mr. Handsome.

I must say, the idea developed from a game of “shame” in my office. Each of us was required to confess（承认）to the most embarrassing blanks in his or her reading. I admitted that I had never read Anna Karenina and tried but failed to get through Gone with the Wind several times. One of my colleagues acknowledged skipping（跳读）Jane Eyre. We realized that life is too short to read all the books you want to and we never were going to read these ones.

As a leading publishing house, we are trying to make classics convenient for readers but it’s not as if we’re withdrawing the original versions. They are still there if you want to read them.

Ms. Weir

2008-5-12

11:35 AM

I’m director of the online book club www.lovereading.co.uk.

Mr. Edwards, I think your shortened edition is a breath of fresh air. I’m guilty of never having read Anna Karenina, because it’s just so long. I’d much rather read two 300-page books than one 600-page book. I am looking forward to more shortened classics!

Mr. Crockatt

2008-5-12

4:38 PM

I’m from the London independent bookshop Corckatt & Powell.

In my opinion, the practice is completely ridiculous. How can you edit the classics? I’m afraid reading some of these books is hard work, and that is why you have to develop as a reader. If people don’t have time to read Anna Karenina, then fine. But don’t read a shortened version and kid yourself it’s the real thing.

61. According to the message board, Orion Books        .

A. opposes the reading of original classics

B. is embarrassed for cutting down classics

C. thinks cut-down classics have a bright future

D. is cautions in its decision to cut down classics

62. In Mr. Edwards’ opinion, Orion Group is shortening classics to        .

A. meet a large demand in the market             B. make them easier to read

C. increase the sales of literary books             D. compete with their original versions

63. By describing the shortened classics as “a breath of fresh air”, Ms. Weir        .

A. speaks highly of the cut-down classics   B. shows her love for original classics

C. feels guilty of not reading the classics          D. disapprove of shortening the classics

64. Mr. Crockatt seems to imply that        .

A. reading the classic works is a confusing attempt

B. shortening the classics does harm to the original

C. publishing the cut-down classics is a difficult job

D. editing the classic works satisfies children’s needs

65. How many classics are involved in the massage board?

A. Two.         B. Five.          C. Four.         D. Three.

 (07·湖南B篇)

60. According to the message board, Orion Books ___________.

   A. opposes the reading of original classics         

B. is embarrassed for cutting down classics

   C. thinks cut-down classics have a bright future     

D. is cautions in its decision to cut down classics

61. In Mr. Edwards’ opinion, Orion Group is shortening classics to _________.

   A. make them easier to read                    

B. meet a large demand in the market

   C. increase the sales of literary books            

D. compete with their original versions

62. By describing the shortened classics as “a breath of fresh air”, Ms. Weir ________.

   A. speaks highly of the cut-down classics          

B. shows her love for original classics

   C. feels guilty of not reading the classics           

D. disapprove of shortening the classics

63. Mr. Crockatt seems to imply that _________.

   A. reading the classic works is a confusing attempt      

   B. shortening the classics does harm to the original

   C. publishing the cut-down classics is a difficult job

   D. editing the classic works satisfies children’s needs