Even at school there had been an unhealthy competition between George and Richard.
“I’ll be the first millionaire in Coleford!” Richard used to boast.
“And you’ll be sorry you knew me,” George would reply “because I’ll be the best lawyer in town!”
George never did become a lawyer and Richard never made any money. Instead both men opened bookshops on opposite sides of Coleford High Street. It was hard to make money from books, which made the competition between them worse.
Now with only one bookshop in town, business was better for George. But sometimes he sat in his narrow, old kitchen and gazed out of the dirty window, thinking about his former rival (竞争对手). Perhaps he missed him?
George was very interested in old dictionaries. He’d recently found a collector in Australia who was selling a rare first edition. When the parcel arrived, the book was in perfect condition and George was delighted. But while he was having lunch, George glanced at the photo in the newspaper that the book had been wrapped in. He was astonished—the smiling face was older than he remembered but unmistakable! Trembling, George started reading.
“Bookends have bought ten bookstores from their rivals Dylans. The company, owned by multi-millionaire Richard Pike, is now the largest bookseller in Australia.”
8. What was the relationship between George and Rivhard at school?
A.Partner. | B.Competitors. |
C.Roommates. | D.Good friends. |
9. What effect did Richard’s disappearance have on George?
A.He envied Richard’s marriage. |
B.He was guilty of Richard’s death. |
C.He felt lucky with no rival in town. |
D.He thought of Richard from time to time. |
10. Where did George get information about Richard?
A.From the latter, s rivals Dylans. |
B.From the wrapping paper of a book. |
C.From a rare first edition of a dictionary. |
D.From a dictionary collector in Australia. |
11. What happened to George and Richard in the end?
A.Both of them realized their original ambitions. |
B.Both George and Richard became millionaires. |
C.Richard became a millionaire while George had no great success. |
D.George established a successful business white Richard was missing. |