1. I must have looked deep in thought, or as deep in thought as an 11-year-old man can, when my grandmother glanced up from her weeding to ask, "You have something on your mind, don't you?"
"Yes, I was thinking that someday I want to be an Olympic speed skating champion like my hero, Eric Heiden. I want to be a doctor like my parents and I want to help children in Africa. "
I immediately knew I had the right person when a knowing smile flashed across her face. "Johann, of course! You can do anything you want to do!" she said simply. And with my grandmother's support, I set out to pursue my passions.
14 years later, I was well ready to take hold of my first dream: becoming an Olympic champion. The Olympics in 1994 were in my home country, Norway. As I entered the Olympic stadium, I wasn't the best athlete, and many had doubts about my ability to perform well. But I had something special working for me. I had a woman in the first row who believed in me following my passions just as much as I did. For the first time ever, my grandmother was going to see me skate.
It happened. Breaking a world record, I won the gold.
As I stood on the podium(领奖台) that I had dreamed
about my entire life, a curious question popped into my head. Why me? Why did I win, given all the other incredible competitors out there? The reason had to be more than a grandmother who shared a belief in her grandson's dream. The question led me to only one answer: because I wanted to make a difference in the world, and with all the media attention on my success, I could.
I immediately knew what that difference had to be: hope in the lives of the children in Africa. Six months earlier, I'd been invited to Eritrea as an ambassador for Olympic Aid.
2. There are many changes that can happen in a person's life. Some changes are very small and would not affect your life very much. However, other events could be very important and could change a person's whole life. The important event that changed my life is coming to the United States to study.
When I first arrived in this country, I realized that a great transformation(转变) would happen in my life both physically and mentally. After spending more than two months in the United States, I firmly believe that moving to the United States is a beneficial change for me. This change provides me with a chance to lead a healthy lifestyle as well as a new way of thinking that is important for me.
It is necessary to have this change as it offers me a healthy lifestyle. Before coming to the United States, I used to stay up late at night to study and wake up early in the morning. This could cause me to get sick easily. When I decided to come to America, I made up my mind and determined to keep a healthy routine. For example, I enjoy the American-style meal which includes having a fresh salad instead of cooked vegetables. This method of cooking vegetables helps me absorb more vitamins from them.
Additionally, this most important change enables me to think differently and internationally. This is my first time living in a North American country. Hence, I have a brand-new chance to experience a new culture. By knowing more about different cultures, I have become more considerate and have an understanding of various habits as well as behaviors from different races.
Since I came here, I have changed my eating and sleeping habits to a good way. Thus, this change is very important and beneficial for me.
1.What does the author mainly want to tell us in the passage?
A.There exist great changes during a person's life.
B.Small changes will bring great influence on society.
C.An important event has changed the life of the author.
D.The author values the chance to study in the United States.
2.How did the author feel when he first landed onto the new country?
A.He benefited from the challenging life.
B.He found he would face a great change.
C.He discovered life here quite agreed with him.
D.He knew he had to change his healthy lifestyle.
3.What can we learn from the third paragraph?
A.The author was becoming healthier and healthier.
B.The author felt happier and more content.
C.The author learned how to cook American meals.
D.The author decided to live as the Americans do.
4.Which of the following impresses the author most?
A.The American-style meal. B.A new way of living.
C.Experiencing a new culture. D.Changing his behaviors.
