Paul had just left college and was offered an interview for a position in a company in New York. As he needed to move from Texas to New York if he got the job, he wanted to talk about the decision with someone before accepting it. But his parents had died. He remembered that his father had suggested he should turn to an old friend of his family if he needed advice.
The older man said, “Go to New York and have the interview. But I want you to go on a train and I want you to get a private compartment(车厢). Don’t take anything to write with, anything to listen to or anything to read, and don’t talk to anybody except when you order the meal. Call me when you get to New York and I will tell you what to do next.”
At first, Paul followed the advice closely. The trip took two days. As he had brought along nothing to do, he quickly became bored. He realized he was being forced into quite time – he could do nothing but think. About three hours outside New York City he broke the rules, asked for a pencil and paper and kept writing down the thoughts until the train arrived in New York.
Paul called the family friend from the train station.
“Thank you, Uncle I know what you wanted. You wanted me to think. And now I know what to do.”“I guessed you could understand my idea, Paul,” came the reply, “Good luck.”
Now, years later, Paul runs a company in New York. And he always spends a couple of days being alone with no phone, no television and no people to think quietly.
小题1:Paul would go to New York for __________.
A．a conference
B．a visit
C．education
D．an interview小题2:We can know from the passage that _______.
A．Paul had worked in Texas for three years.
B．the older man advised Paul to go by air
C．Paul broke the rules before arriving in New York.
D．Now Paul runs companies both in New York and Texas.小题3:According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A．Paul had a talk with a clever man during the trip.
B．The older man’s advice influenced Paul greatly.
C．Paul only brought a pencil and paper with him.
D．The older man lived in New York.小题4:What would be the best title for the passage?
A．Time to be quiet
B．You’re not alone
C．Studying in the Journey
D．Friends are useful
