本文作者： 郭文华 （北京）
A

In April 2016, about 30,000 runners took to the streets of Boston, Massachusetts, for one of the world’s most famous races, the Boston Marathon. Nearly half the competitors in the 42.2-kilometer race were 1 . But for most of the race’s 119-year history, only men have officially been 2 to compete.

A woman named Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb helped 3 that in 1966, when she snuck into (溜进) the marathon and finished ahead of most of the men. “ 4 went out around the world that a woman had done the 5 ,” says Gibb. “It changed the way men 6 about women.”

Gibb saw her first Boston Marathon in 1964 while running through her neighborhood. She was 7 to run the race herself. For nearly two years, Gibb 8 . But when she sent in an application for the 1966 race, it was 9 .

At the time, the longest official races for women were only 2.4 kilometers. Many people didn’t think women could run longer 10 . Running a marathon was also seen as “unladylike”.

But the 23-year-old Gibb refused to let go of her 11 . On April 19, she showed up at the marathon 12 her brother’s shorts and a loose hooded (带帽子的) sweatshirt in order to disguise the fact that she was a woman.

Gibb 13 in the bushes near the starting line. When the race began, she jumped into the pack. Shortly after the start of the race, Gibb 14 her sweatshirt. To her surprise, the crowd 15 when they realized she was a woman. Gibb finished the race in three hours and 21 minutes – 16 than two-thirds of the male runners.

Gibb opened the 17 for future female long-distance runners. In the years that followed, she and other women ran in the Boston Marathon, 18 the rules still 19 women from running in the race. 20 , in 1972, the marathon was officially opened to women.

1. A. women B. men C. teenagers D. adults

2. A. forbidden B. invited C. allowed D. demanded

3. A. create B. change C. improve D. record

4. A. Advice B. Notice C. Advertisement D. Word

5. A. unknown B. unnecessary C. impossible D. irregular

6. A. thought B. cared  C. worried D. talked

7. A. taught B. advised C. challenged D. inspired

8. A. applied B. trained C. played D. competed

9. A. rejected B. defeated C. resisted D. accepted

10. A. ranges B. routes C. lines D. distances

11. A. scheme B. dream C. run D. race

12. A. carrying B. holding C. wearing D. showing

13. A. hid B. stood C. slept D. lay

14. A. took off B. picked up C. put on D. folded up

15. A. shouted B. jumped C. cheered D. accused

16. A. slower B. more C. shorter D. faster

17. A. path B. direction C. door D. room

18. A. even though B. if C. because D. as though

19. A. protected B. freed C. supported D. prevented

20. A. Suddenly B. Finally C. Naturally D. Surely

B

I went with some colleagues from my office for a dinner in a very popular local restaurant. It was 1 business time and the restaurant was packed. We 2 found a table in a corner for three of us.

As soon as we sat down, we heard a crash when a cleaning boy hit the floor with all the plates he was carrying. There was 3 and no one was saying or doing anything.

In a flash I remembered my 4 many years ago. Once, I 5 in the airport because I had rushed to the airport on my own on an empty stomach. I was picked up and taken care of by two 6 . This was my chance to 7 it forward.

I ran to the young man’s side. He looked barely in his teens. I turned him on his back and screamed for someone to 8 a hot drink. Soon people started asking if I was a 9 . I said I was not, but I was 10 at blacking out (晕厥).

The kid soon opened his eyes and started saying that he didn’t know what had happened. I 11 him by saying it was OK and I had had a 12 experience. He had not eaten. I held the 13 drink to his mouth till he finished it and sat with him till he felt OK. By then the 14 had arrived. I asked her to let the kid lie down for a little while until he was steady on his feet, and to give him something to 15 . I offered to pay.

The manager was kind enough to refuse the 16 and agreed to make sure the kid ate before he went home. By the time all this was 17 it was getting late for my colleagues. We hadn’t 18 anything yet, so they decided to go home.

I slowly walked home, not hungry any more, and my heart was 19 for the opportunity to pay forward the 20 I had received many years ago.

1. A. peak B. local C. good D. regular

2. A. actually B. finally C. eagerly D. gradually

3. A. silence B. danger C. doubt D. tension

4. A. adventure B. flight C. experience D. lesson

5. A. showed up B. walked around C. dropped out D. passed out

6. A. friends B. strangers C. colleagues D. employees

7. A. take B. return C. pay D. put

8. A. order B. leave C. serve D. bring

9. A. waiter B. manager C. volunteer D. doctor

10. A. quick B. skilful C. surprised D. impressed

11. A. reminded B. comforted C. answered D. encouraged

12. A. memorable B. personal C. similar D. common

13. A. cool B. refreshing C. sweet D. warm

14. A. mother B. manager C. waitress D. ambulance

15. A. drink B. eat C. play D. hold

16. A. payment B. reward C. suggestion D. support

17. A. up B. away C. over D. behind

18. A. prepared B. demanded C. received D. ordered

19. A. ready B. anxious C. grateful D. comfortable

20. A. kindness B. love C. direction D. service

名人语录

The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for circumstances they want, and if they cannot find them, they make them.

By George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950, Anglo-Irish playwright and critic)

在这个世界上，取得成功的人是那些努力寻找他们想要机会的人，如果找不到机会，他们就去创造机会。

——肖伯纳

轻松一刻

A woman walks up to a little old man rocking in a chair on his porch (走廊).

“I couldn’t help noticing how happy you look,” she says. “What’s your secret to a long, happy life?”

“I smoke three packs a day, drink a case of whiskey a week, eat fatty foods and never, ever exercise.”

“Wow, that’s amazing,” says the woman. “How old are you?”

“26.”