【推荐3】In a country known for high-tech ambitions and giant state-owned firms, the plight of street hawkers may seem insignificant. But in China these days, people like Shui Jin, an old lady riding a wooden cart filled with fruit, are in the spotlight.

Faced with rising unemployment, officials have concluded that pavement stands can help solve the economy’s problems. Shui Jin, who used to face the danger of heavy fines, may sell her fruit with more confidence as she slowly makes her way through the narrow lanes of Suzhou. Her family needs the money. Both her daughters-in-law recently lost their jobs, among the tens of millions in China hurt by the coronavirus outbreak.

The government’s support for street hawkers is something of an about-turn. For years Municipal authorities pushed out hawkers, trying to tidy up the colourful chaos that once characterized China’s cities. In the name of “civilizing” urban life, they wanted to see dumplings, plastic toys and T-shirts bought inside shopping malls, not sold from the back of carts. But on June 1st Li Keqiang, the prime minister, signalled a change. Stopping by a snack stand in the city of Yantai, he declared that street hawkers and small shops were vital to the economy. “Only when the people are in good shape can the nation be in good shape,” he said.

Mr. Li’s compliment has produced a feeling of excitement about the revival of China’s “street- stand economy”. At least 27 provinces and cities have announced that they will create markets for hawkers or, in some cases, let them move their things being sold onto the pavement in front of their shops. The shining example is Chengdu, a busy and noisy city in Sichuan province in the south-west, where businesses started setting up street stands in March. The local government there claims that more than 10000 jobs have been created in the process.

1. According to the passage, street hawkers in China used to_________.

A．clean the street	B．be in the spotlight
C．run a shop	D．be given heavy fines

2. Which of the following can best replace the underlined phrase “an about-turn” in Paragraph 3?

A．a local government	B．a complete change
C．a good shape	D．a clean city

3. Why did the prime minister say street hawkers and small shops were vital to the economy?

A．They can make few jobs created for the unemployed people.

B．They can make the people and the nation in good shape.

C．They can make people like Shui Jin selling their fruit.

D．They can make the city tidy and noisy.

4. What is the main idea of the text?

A．China turns to once-banned hawkers to revive its economy.

B．China’s street-stand economy has a long history.

C．China has high-tech ambitions and giant state-owned firms.

D．China is now faced with rising unemployment.

【推荐2】Cassis Marcellus Clay, also known as Muhammad Ali (拳王阿里), was born on January 17th, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. In his younger years he had no interest in sports until an accident (事故) happened.

When Cassius was 12, his new bike was missing. Reporting the theft (盗窃) to Policeman Joe Martin, he said that he was going to beat whoever had taken his bike. Martin, who had been coaching youth boxing for decades, asked the boy, “Do you know how to fight?” When Cassius said that he didn’t, the officer suggested, “You’d better learn! ”

It was the beginning of his boxing career (事业). Cassius devoted (致力于) himself to boxing training. Although he wasn’t very talented (有天资的) in boxing, he worked harder than anyone else in the gym. He’d rush to the gym every day as soon as school was over and would even train on Saturdays. Outside of the gym, Cassius stayed away from anything that would influence his training. He was showing the kind of determination and discipline (自律) that other boxers didn’t have.

Under the guidance of Martin and his friend, young Clay began winning games one after another. By the age of 18 he had won 108 games, 6 Kentucky Golden Gloves championships and 2 national AAU titles.

Today he is recognized as one of the greatest athletes of modern times. He always had self-confidence and believed in his ability that he could put his competitors off guard before the first round bell had even sounded.

1. How did Cassius feel when he told the policeman bis bike was stolen?

A．Positive.	B．Confused.
C．Amazed.	D．Angry.

2. What did Martin do with young Cassius?

A．He asked Cassius to train hard.	B．He helped Cassius to find his bike.
C．He advised Cassius to learn boxing.	D．He introduced Cassius to a boxing coach.

3. Which can be used to describe Cassius?

A．Talented.	B．Easy-going.
C．Cold-hearted.	D．Hard-working.

4. Why did the author mention some figures (数据) in Paragraph 4?

A．To show Cassius’ achievements.	B．To express Cassius’ determination.
C．To express his admiration for Cassius.	D．To show the importance of hard work.

【推荐3】Tom Brady, a Californian, was an excellent quarterback (四分卫) at Junipero Serra High School. But when he arrived at the University of Michigan, he didn’t see much playing time during his first three years on campus. He considered going back to a college in California, but he decided to stick it out. He didn’t become a starter until the second half of his senior year. After becoming a National Football League (NFL) player, he was not allowed to play as a starter. However, he kept improving his skills and preparing each week like he was the starter.

In 2001, his second season, he only got in on the act because the starter was injured. Fans thought Tom would be just a fill-in. But Tom led his team New England Patriots to a victory in his first start, then they won four of five, and then finished the year with six victories. Each week he seemed to get a little better, and people began to recognize him as a dark horse. New England Patriots got into the Super Bowl, fighting against the defending (卫冕的) champions St. Louis Rams. Tom led a final-minute game-winning drive. He was no longer a nobody.

Today, Brady is considered perhaps the greatest quarterback ever. He’d become a superstar. Yet he had never lost that fire, that drive, and that sense that the world didn’t believe in him. At 37, he said that he would play until fifty if his body allowed him to do so. And he even told his teammates that he wanted to play forever if possible.

His teammates had dreamed of being him. Hogan was thirteen in February of 2002 when Brady and New England Patriots beat St. Louis Rams. Lengel was eleven at the time, watching with his grandfather in Kentucky. White was ten in Florida. Mitchell was nine in Georgia. These teammates were Tom’s big fans who since childhood had viewed from TV how he did the impossible. “He gave us the encouragement,” Hogan said.

He kept telling his teammates to keep going when the game wasn’t over. He isn’t the biggest, the fastest, and the strongest football player in the world. But he may be the most strong-minded.

1. When did Brady start to become known?

A．After he took the place of an NFL player as a starter.

B．When he entered a team of a college in California.

C．After he played for the University of Michigan.

D．When he became an NFL player.

2. What can we say about Brady after he achieved fame?

A．He cares less about winning or losing.

B．He has kept his strong liking for football.

C．He spends more time improving his team.

D．He has changed his style of playing football.

3. Why were Brady’s teammates mentioned in Paragraph 4?

A．To show his friendliness to others.

B．To show he has a very strong will.

C．To show he has the best teammates.

D．To show his big influence on others.

4. What can we learn from Brady’s experiences?

A．Never judge a book by its cover.

B．The secret of success is to stick it out.

C．Every bean has its black.

D．In time of danger, one’s mind works fast.