Many young people want to become pop-stars. It is their great ambition（雄心）of life. They think: pop stars earn a lot of money; they lead interesting and exciting lives; thousands of fans love them; they become famous!

You, but first they must become stars. Most performers start life with a group. This is the pattern nowadays. But there are many groups and the competition is hard. Groups appear and disappear almost overnight. Only a small number survive. Almost without exception（例外）they have to work very hard before they reach the top.

And very few reach the top and stay there. In England there are perhaps thirty or so groups at the top. Most of these do not earn so much money: perhaps 500 pounds each time they perform. What’s more, they have quite a lot of expenses. They have to pay a manager, for example. He is the key person in their lives and he takes about 20% of their earnings-perhaps more. Then there are their clothes, their instruments and their vans（车）. Sometimes they are still playing for the last two items.

And don’t forget, they have to travel a great deal-sometimes 2 000 miles in one week. At times they even sleep in their van instead of a hotel, just to save money.

So now, what do you think? Are pop-stars so rich? And do they have such exciting lives?

（　　 ）1. The right statement of the following about most pop-stars is 　　　　.

A. they fail to reach to top　　　　 B. they lead relaxed（放松的）lives

C. they can travel all over the world D. they spend a lot of money on their clothes

（　　 ）2. Why is the group’s manager will paid?

A. Because he runs this group.　　 B. Because he looks after them.

C. Because he is a great person.　　 D. Because he buys them clothes and instruments.

（　　 ）3. How do pop-groups spend the money they earn?

A. They pay the manager 20% of their earnings or more.

B. They have to pay for clothes, instruments and vans.

C. They often make trips.

D. All of the above.

（　　 ）4. The writer makes us believe 　　　 .

A. it is pleasant to become a pop-star

B. if you work very hard in pop groups, you will reach the top

C. pop stars are neither too rich nor too happy

D. general persons had better not dream of being pop-stars

阅读理解

　　Have you ever experienced exciting sports? Perhaps you can try ballooning. Ballooning has become a popular sport in the UK in the past few years. Although it is still quite expensive compared with other sports, many people now think of a balloon flight as the perfect answer for a birthday present or a particular occasion. Some businesses also entertain their staff or visitors with a balloon ride and may even buy their own balloons to advertise their business products.

　　One of the best known balloon companies in the UK is based in Bristol in the west of England. Flights are available(可用的) throughout the year and last for at least one hour. They usually take off soon after sunrise or a couple hours before sunset, but they do not fly if it is raining or very windy. No special clothing and either walking shoes or boots.

　　It seems that once people have experienced a balloon flight they can become so keen(渴望的) on the sport that they want to have their own balloons. No two flights are ever the same and people find the sport different and exciting. The company in Bristol trains people to fly their own balloons but warns that it can be a very expensive hobby.

1．What is the purpose of writing this passage?

[　　]

A．To tell a story about ballooning.

B．To advertise a new sport.

C．To give information on ballooning.

D．To introduce a new sport.

2．Why could an interest in ballooning almost be a disadvantage?

[　　]

A．People can become crazy.

B．People lose a lot of money.

C．It leads to business difficulties.

D．It is bad for one's health.

3．What do we learn from the text about ballooning?

[　　]

A．It's best for business advertising.

B．It has become dearer recently.

C．It can only be done during the summer.

D．It is considered to be rather special.