阅读理解。
It was June 15, and in two days I would be turning thirty. I was insecure about
entering a new decade of my life and feared that my best years were now behind me.
My daily routine included going to the gym for a workout before going to work. Every
morning I would see my friend Nicholas at the gym. He was seventy-nine years old and in
terrific shape. As I greeted Nicholas on this particular day, he noticed I wasn't full
of my usual vitality and asked if there was anything wrong. I told him I was feeling
anxious about turning thirty. I wondered how I would look back on my life once I reached
Nicholas's age, so I asked him, "What was the best time of your life?"
Without hesitation, Nicholas replied, Well, Joe, this is my philosophical answer to
your philosophical question:
"When I was a child in Austria and everything was taken care of for me and I was
nurtured by my parents, that was the best time of my life."
"When I was going to school and learning the things I know today, that was the best
time of my life."
"When I got my first job and had responsibilities and got paid for my efforts, which
was the best time of my life."
"When I met my wife and fell in love, which was the best time of my life."
"The Second World War came, and my wife and I had to flee Austria to save our lives.
When we were together and safe on a ship bound for North America, which was the best time
of my life."
"When we came to Canada and started a family, which was the best time of my life."
"When I was a young father, watching my children grow up, that was the best time of
my life."
"And now, Joe, I am seventy-nine years old. I have my health, I feel good and I am
in love with my wife just as I was when we first met. This is the best time of my life."
1. When Joe's 30th birthday is drawing near, he feels _____. [ ]
A. excited
B. frightened
C. worried
D. eager
2. Joe usually goes to the gym to _____. [ ]
A. take exercise
B. begin his work
C. see his friend Nicholas
D. do his part -time job
3. What does the underlined word vitality in the second paragraph mean? [ ]
A. strength
B. Power to survive
C. Happiness
D. Energy and enthusiasm
4. What is the right order of the following events?
a. Fell in love
b. Grew up in Austria
c. Settled in Canada
d. Escape from his country
e. Got salaries [ ]
A. b a e d c
B. b e a d c
C. a b e d c
D. b c a d e
5. The purpose of the passage is to _____. [ ]
A. tell the reader about Joe's experience
B. tell the story of his friend Nicholas
C. tell people not to worry about their ages
D. tell people to take an optimistic attitude toward life
