A
Have you ever thought of getting away from the present life and doing something completely different? Well, here are some people who have done just that.
Back to the land
In his early forties, Peter Van Der Groot was a successful salesman. He had a large beautiful home. But Peter worked long hours, and he saw little of his home and family. He enjoyed his job, but he was never there to see his children growing up. Then last year, the firm (公司) he worked for closed down, and, unexpectedly, Peter had the chance to do something different.
So Peter and his family sold their house in London and moved to the countryside. They bought a smaller house with some land. Today, Peter is more relaxed. He spends time with his children, and he has seen them change into healthy, happy kids. He's started working on his land, growing fruit and vegetables. Now he and his family have a common, but comfortable life.
Life in the sun
Husband and wife Rob and Manda Brent used to be teachers, but they have both given up their jobs, and neither of them plans to return to the school where they worked in Birmingham's city centre. Now they live in Italy, where they've bought a farmhouse in Tuscan Hills. “We're going to offer bed and breakfast，” said Rob. “We've never had our own business before, so it'll be quite a challenge (挑战). And we've borrowed a lot of money from the bank to get started.”
“In this first threemonth period, we're settling in and repairing the farmhouse，” said Manda. “Then we'll open our doors to guests.” Bed and breakfast will not be the only way for them to get money, though. “The farm has got olive (橄榄) trees and the equipment (设备) for producing olive oil.”
主题：人与自我——生活
【语篇解读】 本文是记叙文。文章介绍了Peter夫妇和Brent夫妇为何要改变以前的生活方式。
21．What caused Peter to change his life?
A．He lost his job.
B．He led a hard life.
C．He had to care for his kids.
D. He wasn't satisfied with his job.
答案与解析：A 推理判断题。由第二段中的the firm he worked for closed down... Peter had the chance to do something different可知，由于公司倒闭，失业的Peter有了改变生活的契机。
22．What change has taken place since Peter moved to the countryside?
A．He lives a busier life.
B．He has set up his own firm.
C．He has built a large beautiful house.
D．He spends more time with his family.
答案与解析：D 细节理解题。对比Peter前后的生活worked long hours... was never there to see his children growing up和Today, Peter is more relaxed. He spends time with his children可知，搬到乡下生活的Peter有更多的时间陪伴家人。
23．What experience have Rob and Manda had?
A．Selling farm produce.
B．Running a school in Italy.
C．Serving breakfast for months.
D．Teaching in a Birmingham school.
答案与解析：D 细节理解题。由第四段中的Husband and wife Rob and Manda Brent used to be teachers... worked in Birmingham's city centre和never had our own business before可知，Rob和Manda有当老师的经验。
24．What will Rob and Manda's farmhouse be mainly used as?
A．A farm. B．A hotel.
C．A school. D．A restaurant.
答案与解析：B 推理判断题。由第四段中的offer bed and breakfast和最后一段中的we'll open our doors to guests可知，Rob和Manda的农舍主要是用作旅馆。
