Flying High

Barrington Irving made his historic flight and founded an educational non­profit­making organization. His message for kids: “The only thing that separates you from scientists is determination, hard work and a strong liking for what you want to achieve.” The secret, he believes, is having a dream in the first place, and that starts with learning experiences that inspire kids to build careers.

The moment of inspiration for Irving came at the age of 15 in his parents' bookstore. One customer, a professional pilot, asked Irving if he'd thought about becoming a pilot. “I told him I didn't think I was smart enough; but the next day he took me to the cockpit(¼ÝÊ»²Õ)of the commercial airplane he flew£¬and just like that I was hooked.”

To follow his dream, Irving turned down a football scholarship to the University of Florida. He washed airplanes to earn money for a flight school and increased his flying skills by practising at home on a $40 flight simulator(Ä£ÄâÆ÷)video game. Then another dream took hold: flying alone around the world. He faced more than 50 rejections for sponsorship before convincing some companies to donate aircraft components. He took off with no weather radar, no de­icing system, and just $30 in his pocket. “I like to do things people say I can't do.”

After 97 days, 26 stops and dozens of thunderstorms, he touched down to a cheering crowd in Miami. “It was seeing so many young people watching and listening that pushed me into giving back with my knowledge and experience.” Irving has been doing it ever since. He set up his non­profit­making organization, Experience Aviation (º½¿Õ), aiming to increase the numbers of youth in aviation and science­related careers.Kids attend programmes dealing with hands­on robotics projects and flight simulator challenges.

“We want to create chances for students to accomplish something amazing£¬” he notes. Perhaps Irving's most powerful educational tool is the example his own life provides.After landing his record­breaking flight at age 23, he said, “Everyone told me I was so young that I didn't have enough experience, strength, or knowledge. They told me it would take forever and I'd never come home. Well...guess what£¿”

1£®According to Irving£¬what is the most important in achieving success?

A.Meeting people who provide unexpected help.

B£®Getting a chance to study technical knowledge.

C.Having something specific that you want to accomplish.

D.Developing communication with different organizations.

2£®What Irving replied to the pilot in the bookstore suggested that ______.

A£®he felt embarrassed to refuse the offer

B£®he was doubtful about his own abilities

C£®he knew his efforts would be rewarded

D£®he realized immediately how lucky he was

3£®What can we learn about Irving in Paragraph 3?

A£®He chose to reduce his budget as low as possible.

B£®He was finally given enough money to keep going.

C£®He got the most useful flying tips from his video game.

D£®He took on a further challenge after he knew how to fly.

4£®Why did Irving set up his non­profit­making organization?

A£®He hoped to become a public figure.

B£®He expected to start a business in other fields.

C£®He saw many people were interested in what he was doing.

D£®He thought he could teach more than flight schools could do.