My aunt Edith, working as a secretary, was a single mother. Doctors discovered that she got a very serious
heart disease when she was 50. 
     1_____ She began studying medical reports in the library and found an article in a magazine about a well-
known heart surgeon (外科医生), Dr Michael DeBakey, in Houston, Texas. He had saved the life of someone
with the same disease. The article said Dr DeBakey's fees (诊疗费) were very high. 2_____ But could Dr
Michael tell her of someone whose fee she could pay?
     So Aunt Edith wrote to him. She simply listed her reasons for wanting to be alive. She had three children,
and they would be on their own in three or four more years. 3_____ nere wasn't a word of self-pity-only
warmth and humor and the joy of living. She mailed the letter, not really expecting an answer.
     A few days later, my doorbell rang. Aunt Edith didn't wait to come in. She stood in the hall and read aloud:"
Your beautiful letter moved me very deeply. If you can come to Houston, there will be no charge for either the
hospital or the operation. Signed-Michael DeBakey."
     That was seven years ago. 4_____ Her three children are happily married. For her age, she is one of the
youngest, most alive people I know-all because of an open-heart surgeon who knew how to honor his
profession, and how to open his own heart.

A. Since then, Aunt Edith has been around the world.
B. Aunt Edith couldn't possibly pay them.
C. Aunt Edith didn't give up.
D. Aunt Edith decided to ask him to save her.

        I remember as a small child at gatherings (聚会) with family or friends, someone would ask: "What are you
going to be when you grow up?"
        At first I said I wanted to be a cowboy or some super hero. Later it was a fireman, artist, architect
(建筑师)… As I grew older my dreams of the future changed. When at last I was in college, I was asked: "What
will you major (主修) in?" By then I had my heart set on becoming a computer programmer. So I studied and
prepared for that life. I was designing software full-time for much of my life.
        I am content (满意的) that could realize my dream. However, for many, there is a "thief" who goes around
stealing our dreams.
        We find ourselves close to reaching our goal. Then we hear this small voice inside our heads saying: "You'll
never make it." "You can't possibly do this." "Very few have ever done this successfully." On and on, the voice
predicts (预言) some kind of failure.
        Don't listen to that voice. There are no overnight (突如其来的) successes, but with perseverance
(坚定不移). It will come. Imagine yourself in the life you dream of living. Then in your heart, believe it will
happen for you, as it has for others. Then work, work, and work! You get the picture.
        Be true to your dream, and don't let anyone steal it from you — especially yourself. You can do anything
your heart desires, so don't give up or give in.

1. As a child, the writer didn't want to be ______.

A. a cowboy
B. a fireman
C. an artist
D. a computer programmer

2. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. The author felt sorry that his dreams were not realized
B. The author thought that he had too many dreams.
C. The author was happy to be a computer programmer
D. The author hated the thief that stole his dreams.

3. The phrase "make it" in the 4th paragraph means "_______".

A. be successful
B. create things
C. have a dream
D. win a game

4. The writer thinks one has to ______ to succeed.

A. listen to a small voice
B. hold on to one's dream
C. have rich parents
D. go to good schools

5. The story mainly tells us the importance of ______.

A. jobs
B. honesty
C. education
D. dreams