In 1928 Snow travelled to China and became assistant editor of the China Weekly Review in Shanghai. His first book on China, Far Eastern Front, was published in 1933. Snow moved to Beijing in the same year where he lectured1 at Yenching University. He also provided articles on China for the Daily Herald and New York Sun.
In 1936 Snow visited northern Shaanxi where he interviewed the leaders of the revolutionary Red Army. The following year he published Red Star Over China. Snow reported on the Second World War and after visiting Hong Kong and the Philippines published Battle for Asia（1941）.
In 1942 Snow became war correspondent2 for the Saturday Evening Post. This included covering the war in India, China and the Soviet Union. In 1944 Snow was one of only six American correspondents accredited3 to cover the Eastern Front.
After the war Snow returned to the United States. However, Snow and his friend Agnes Smedley, was accused of being a communist4 by Joseph McCarthy. Snow eventually decided to leave the country and went to live in Switzerland.
Snow continued to write on China and important books by him, including The Other Side of the River（1962） and The Long Revolution（1972）. Edgar Snow died in Switzerland on 15th February 1972. After his death, according to his will, half of his ashes were buried by Weiming Lake in Peking University, where he once taught in the 1930s. It was from this very place-Weiming lake, that Edgar started his journey to the heart of Red China-northern Shaanxi. In China, Edgar was called “a friend of the Chinese People”.
【生词注释】
1. lecturevt. 向……演讲
2. correspondentn. 通讯员；记者
3. accreditvt. 授权；委派
4. communistn. 共产主义者
1. How many books on China written by Snow are mentioned in the passage?
A. Two.
B. Three.
C. Four.
D. Five.
2. Red Star Over China was written on the basis of .
A. Snows eight years life in China
B. Snows journey to northern Shaanxi
C. Snows journey to Hong Kong
D. Snows experience at Yenching University
3. Snow was forced to move to Switzerland due to .
A. economic reason
B. political reason
C. racial discrimination
D. cultural misunderstanding
4. We can conclude from the passage that Snow .
A. had a lifelong close tie with China
B. spent most of his life in Asian countries
C. lived in China for more than 20 years
D. joined the army during World War Two
5. Which group of words best describe Snows life?
A. Mysterious, honest and successful.
B. Happy, productive and unusual.
C. Simple, happy and meaningful.
D. Adventurous, productive and hard.
Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of alltime, passed away on June 25, 2009. As the biggest pop star of the 1980s, he leaves an indelible1 imprint on popular music and culture.
The tragic2 death of Michael Jackson has shocked the world, and messages of grief and appreciation have poured in from his family and close friends in Hollywood and around the globe.
Lisa Marie Presley, Jacksons exwife
“I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children who I know were everything to him and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me.”
Brooke Shields, Jacksons exgirlfriend
“My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating3 loss of my true friend Michael. He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing.”
Madonna, a famous singer
“I cant stop crying over the sad news. I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever. My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless.”
Justin Timberlake, a hottest entertainer
“We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only Pop music but of all music. He has been an inspiration to multiple4 generations, and I will always cherish5 the moments I shared with him on stage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.”
Quincy Jones, who produced Thriller
“For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just dont have the words. He was the perfect entertainer and his contributions will be felt upon the world forever. Ive lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him.”
【生词注释】
1. indelibleadj. 擦不掉的2. tragicadj. 悲剧的；悲惨的
3. devastatingadj. 毁灭性的4. multipleadj. 多重的；多样的
5. cherishvt. 珍爱；珍视
1. What do the first two paragraphs mainly talk about?
A. Michael Jackson was one of the most widely beloved entertainers.
B. Michael Jackson was the biggest pop star of the 1980s.
C. Michael Jacksons grief has poured in from his family and close friends.
D. Michael Jackson passed away and shocked the world.
2. What do the underlined words “words fail me” probably mean?
A. I dont know what to say.
B. I understand the meaning of the words.
C. I cant stand crying.
D. I fail to bear the heavy load.
3. From the passage, we know that is a record producer.
A. Lisa Marie Presley
B. Madonna
C. Justin Timberlake
D. Quincy Jones
4. According to the passage, what do the five people have in common?
A. Courage.
B. Devotion.
C. Sadness.
D. Selfconfidence.
I was at a basement1 computer in my college dormitory, when this girl came up to me and said, “Do you have a quarter? Im one short of putting my laundry in the dryer.”
I stopped to think about it for a few seconds and took a few moments to consider whether Id be willing to give a quarter away. I found myself judging her, thinking about why she didnt bring 4 quarters down from her room with her, as if shed have planned to be one short so she could ask someone else for it. Obviously that was not the case, but there I went again, judging the intent2 of others the way I judge myself when I do wrong things like stealing money, or lying.
I responded, “Yeah, I think I have one,” though fully aware that I had 3 since I just used two dollars to buy a drink worth 1.25 from the vending machine3. “Here you go,” I said with a smile. “Thanks!” she responded, mentioning that shed have clean underwear4 to wear the next morning. “Its fine, this happens to me all the time!” I said, wanting to feel like the good person she obviously thought I am.
