Andy Tomas is proof of the typical case that life-changing disaster awaits the drunken driver.
“A lot of teachers say, ‘Don’t drink,’ but I’m not going to say that, because I know that students are going to do it,” Andy says. “I just say, ‘Don’t get in a car.’”
As an 18-year-old, he could be a classmate or a friend, and that familiarity adds to the power of his words. He has spoken to more than 2500 high school students so far, and he has noticed their unusual silence.
One year ago, Andy, having been with friends drinking, lost control of his car and was thrown into trees 20 feet away. He was found covered in blood, with many bones broken. He was diagnosed with a severe brain injury and remained in an unconscious state and on life support for nearly three weeks. His skull was opened to reduce pressure on his brain.
At Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, Doctor Erin Leahy initially found Andy unable to move the right side of his body. But by the end of his six-week stay, he was able to walk out of the building. Leahy called that an inspiration and a surprise.
Yet Andy’s recovery is incomplete. Brain and muscular therapy(治疗) has helped him regain movement in his right arm, but he still struggles with right hand.
In the process of recovery, Andy has thought deeply about what happened and why, and decided to share his story. Encouraged by his doctor, he began to attending meetings, delivering speeches.
He said he was nervous at first, but has grown used to the spotlight. “I feel like I know how to talk to people.” He said. And his recovery and visible injury help him draw serious attention from students.
Drunk driving, he tells students, is like playing gambles. “You might do it a bunch of times, but something is going to happen.”
Now his days are all about the therapy, work and going to the gym. Mentally, he says, “ I’m a lot happier in my life.”
小题1: What’s the main purpose of the author?
A．Warn students about the danger of drinking.
B．Tell readers the danger of driving a car.
C．Advise people not to drive a car after drinking.
D．Show readers Andy’s amazing recovery experience.小题2:Why does the author say Andy’s story is powerful as an 18-year-old boy?
A．Because his family supported him and cared for him carefully.
B．Because he is just like one of our classmates or friends.
C．Because doctors and family never gave him up.[
D．Because his classmates and friends are familiar with him.小题3:What does the underlined sentence mean?
A．Drunk driving will be fined a lot of money eventually.
B．Drunk driving will eventually have a serious accident.
C．Drunk driving is as adventurous and thrilled as gamble.
D．Drunk driving is banned even if you are an experienced driver.小题4:What happened to Andy after the accident?
A．He made a full recovery and returned to his normal life.
B．He recovered quite well at an unbelievable speed.
C．He became more experienced and eager for more adventures.
D．He shared his stories with others to warn them not to try drunk driving.
