A
I first met Paul Newman in 1968，when George Roy Hill，the director of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid，introduced us in New York City.When the studio didn't want me for the film—it wanted somebody as well–known as Paul—he stood up for me.I don't know how many people would have done that；they would have listened to their agents or the studio powers.
The friendship that grew out of the experience of making that film and The Sting four years later had its root in the fact that although there was an age difference，we both came from a tradition of theatre and live TV.We were respectful of craft(技艺)and focused on digging into the characters we were going to play.Both of us had the qualities and virtues that are typical of American actors：humorous，aggressive，and making fun of each other—but always with an underlying affection.Those were also at the core(核心)of our relationship off the screen.
We shared the belief that if you're fortunate enough to have success，you should put something back—he with his Newman's Own food and his Hole in the Wall camps for kids who are seriously ill，and me with Sundance and the institute and the festival.Paul and I didn't see each other all that regularly，but sharing that brought us together.We supported each other financially and by showing up at events.
I last saw him a few months ago.He'd been in and out of the hospital.He and I both knew what the deal was，and we didn't talk about it.Ours was a relationship that didn't need a lot of words.
【语篇解读】 本文是一篇记叙文。作者讲述了与Paul的相识及与其建立友谊的原因，两人虽不常见面但是却因共同的信念而保持着友谊。
1．Why was the studio unwilling to give the role to the author at first?
A．Paul Newman wanted it.
B．The studio powers didn't like his agent.
C．He wasn't famous enough.
D．The director recommended someone else.
C [细节理解题。根据第一段中的“When the studio didn't want me for the film—it wanted somebody as well–known as Paul—he stood up for me.”可知，摄影棚起初不愿意给作者角色的原因是想找一个与Paul一样著名的人物。故可知作者当时不够有名。该题选C项。]
2．Why did Paul and the author have a lasting friendship?
A．They were of the same age.
B．They worked in the same theatre.
C．They were both good actors.
D．They had similar characteristics.
D [推理判断题。根据文章第二段中的“We were respectful of craft(技艺)and focused on digging into the characters we were going to play.Both of us had the qualities and virtues that are typical of American actors”可知，作者与Paul之所以拥有持久的友谊是因为他们有相似的性格特征。故D项符合题意。]
3．What does the underlined word “that” in Paragraph 3 refer to?
A．Their belief.
B．Their care for children.
C．Their success.
D．Their support for each other.
A [代词指代题。根据第三段中的“We shared the belief that if you're fortunate enough to have success，you should put something back”可知，下文的内容是对the belief的解释，that引导同位语从句，解释说明the belief的具体内容。下文提到了我们并不经常见面，但是分享这个信念把我们带到了一起。故选A项。]
4．What is the author's purpose in writing the text?
A．To show his love of films.
B．To remember a friend.
C．To introduce a new movie.
D．To share his acting experience.
B [写作意图题。根据全文内容，尤其是第一段中的“I first met Paul Newman in 1968”以及最后一段中的“I last saw him a few months ago”可知，该篇文章的写作目的是回忆一位朋友，所以选B项。]
