Reading comprehension.
Anthony Horowitz was miserable (痛苦的) as a child. He was, as he puts it, "not very bright" and couldn't
win the attention of his very wealthy parents, who preferred his "clever" older brother. At age 8, Horowitz was
sent away to an abusive (虐待的) boarding school in his native England, even though he screamed and pleaded
(恳求) with his parents year after year not to send him. "The thought was, 'It'll be good for him'," Horowitz
recalls(回忆).
It was not. Horowitz did badly in his studies, had few friends and was bullied (欺负) for five years. "My
teachers couldn't have had a lower opinion of me," he said. "I wasn't even smart enough to rebel (反抗). The
one thing I remember from the very earliest age was this desire to write. When I was 10 years old, I remember
asking my parents to get me a typewriter for my birthday because I wanted to be a writer."
Now, at 55, Horowitz is one of the world's most successful children's book authors. His Alex Rider series
has sold more than 5 million copies, and the eighth book featuring the young spy. Crocodile Tears, came out
this month.
The Alex Rider books tell the adventures of 14-year-old Alex Rider, an agent for the British intelligence
agency MI6.
Horowitz said he doesn't try to write for kids; it just comes out that way. "I have a feeling it's to do with
purity and simplicity. I give as little information as is necessary to describe the room, the character in the room,
and get on with the action," he said.
That style has also made Horowitz a successful writer of television shows for adults in Britain because, he
says, writing books for kids is a lot like writing television for grown-ups. In both cases, it's all about entertaining
people with a good story.
Now, Horowitz couldn't be happier with his life. He sums up his success:"... you can be anything you want
to be if you just believe in yourself. I do believe it completely."
1. The text is mainly about _____. [ ]
A. Horowitz's popular book-Alex Rider
B. Horowitz's miserable childhood
C. Horowitz, a successful children's writer
D. Horowitz's special writing style
2. In his childhood, Anthony Horowitz _____.[ ]
A. was more intelligent than his brother
B. was paid more attention by his parents
C. couldn't understand why he was sent to the boarding school
D. led a miserable life because of poverty
3. In the boarding school, Horowitz's teachers [ ]
A. showed great concern for him
B. often abused and bullied him
C. taught him how to write stories
D. thought little of his ability
4. Which of the following is true of Anthony Horowitz? [ ]
A. He was the beloved child of his family.
B. He benefited a lot from boarding school.
C. He emphasizes the plot rather than characters in stories.
D. Although he is successful, he isn't very happy.
5. What advice does Horowitz have for readers? [ ]
A. Confidence is the key to success.
B. Hardship teaches valuable lessons.
C. Interest is the best teacher.
D. Diligence is the parent of success.
