When I was a kid in Minnesota, watermelons were expensive. One of my father's friends, Bernie, was a rich businessman, who owned a large store in St. Paul.

　　Every summer, when the first watermelons arrived, Bernie would call. Dad and I would go to Bernie's place. We’d sit on the edge of the dock (码头), feet dangling (摇晃), and got ready for a big meal. Bernie would take his knife, cut our first watermelon, hand us both a big piece and sit down next to us. Then we'd bury our faces in watermelon, eating only the heart—the reddest, juiciest, firmest, sweetest, and most seed-free part — and throw away the rest.

　　Bernie was my father's ideal of a rich man. I always thought it was because he was such a successful businessman. Years later, I realized that it was not Bernie's wealth itself but his way of dealing with it that my father liked. Bernie knew how to stop working, get together with friends and eat only the heart of the watermelon.

　　What I learned from Bernie is that being rich is a state of mind. Some of us, no matter how much money we have, will never be free enough to eat only the heart of the watermelon. If you don't take the time to dangle your feet over the dock and enjoy life’s small pleasure, your work is probably hurting your life.

　　For many years, I forgot that lesson I'd learned as a kid on the loading dock. I was too busy making all the money I could.

Well, I've relearned it. I hope I have time left to enjoy the success of others and to take pleasure in the day. That's the heart of the watermelon. I have learned again to throw the rest away.

1.We learn from the second paragraph the writer and his father were feeling_____.

A. hungry B. worried C. relaxed D. proud

2.How did the writer and his father eat the watermelon?

A. They ate it in a polite way.

B. They only ate its best part.

C. They ate every part of it.

D. They shared only one piece.

3.In the eyes of the writer's father, Bernie ________.

A. was just a rich businessman

B. worked hard all the time

C. lived a rich but healthy life

D. knew how to make money

4.The underlined part "the heart of the watermelon" in the last paragraph refers to ______.

A. the writer's hope of enjoying life

B. the writer's busy life

C. the writer's decision of making money

D. the best part of the watermelon

5.It can be learned from the passage that ______.

A. one has to work hard to reach his goal

B. a friend in need is a friend in deed

C. watermelon is the healthiest fruit

D. one should keep work-life balance

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　　Dear Roni,

　　Italy is wonderful. We started in Rome two weeks ago, drove to Florence last week and now we're on our way to Venice. Three weeks just isn't enough.

　　The country near Florence is so beautiful－hills, olive trees. And red roofs(屋顶) of the houses look so nice far away.

　　I am afraid I am getting bigger－the food here is so delicious!

Love,

Akemi

　　Roni Lebaver

　　222 Main St. Languna

　　Beach, CA 92651

　　U. S. A.

　　Hi Roni,

　　I can't believe(相信) you went to school here in Honolulu! Why did you leave?

　　I spend each morning on the beach(海滩) and in the water. The sand is so soft and the beaches seem so long. The water is just the right temperature.

　　One afternoon, I left the beach to walk in mountains near Honolulu. I enjoyed myself very much there.

　　How I miss you!

Mari

　　Roni Lebaver

　　222 Main St. Languna

　　Beach, CA 92651

　　U. S. A.

　　Dear Roni,

　　Maybe I'm strange but I love the desert(沙漠)!

　　Last week, our group spent four days in the desert. At times, it felt like the moon.

　　I always thought deserts were all the same! They are not. Some parts look like mountains; others are really different.

　　And when we find something green－－a few plam trees, a little water, we feel good and great.

　　See you in September,

Kim

　　Roni Lebaver

　　222 Main St. Languna

　　Beach, CA 92651

　　U. S. A.

1．Who seems to have eaten too much?

[　　]

2．Who went to school in Honolulu?

[　　]

3．Who spent four days on the moon?

[　　]

4．Where does Roni live?

[　　]

5．Which of the sentences is true?

[　　]

A．Akemi arrived in Rome two weeks ago.

B．Mari spends every morning and afternoon on the beach.

C．Deserts always look the same.

D．Mari had a good time in Honolulu.