College English (Fast Reading) Book Three 1.On the Stock Exchange The London Stock Exchange has always been famous as a place for men only,and women used to be strictly forbidden to enter But the world is changing day by day,and even the Stock which emed to bea man'scastl.is raduall open ing itsdoors tothe sex.On November 1971.a great decision was taken.The Stock Exchange Council (the body of mer that administers the Stock Exchange)decided that women should be allowed on to the new trading floor when it opened in 1973.But the"castle"had not been completely conquered.The first girls to work in the"house"were not brokers or jobbers They were neither allowed to become partners in stockbroking firms,n to be authorized dealers in stocks and shares.They were simply junior erks and tele operator Women have been trying to get into the Stock Exchange for many years.Several votes have been taken in "The House"to see whether the members would be willing to allow women to become members,but the answer has always been"No".There have been three refusals of this kind since 1967.Now women are admitted,although in a very junior capacity Two firms of nade an ap e Stock Exch Permission was finally given.A member of the Stock Exchange explained,after this news had been given."The new floor is going to be different from the old one All the jobbers will have their own stands,with space for a telephone and typewriters.Therefore there will have to be typists and telphone operators Sowomen must be allowed inThis decision didomean at victory in the war er.it was a step in the right direction e new building wil eventually lead to women being allowed to have full membership of the Stock Exchange.It is only a matter of time;it must happen." (4.5minutes 375 words) 1.It was not until 6 November,1971 that a.the London Stock Exchange opened its doors to women b.women began to work in the London Stock Exchange for the first time. c.The Council decided to allow women on to the new trading floor when it opened in 1973 d.the"castle"was completely conquered 2.The first girls a were allowed to enter"The House"ina very junior capacity b.served as brokers or jobbers in"The House" c.were allowed to become partners in stockbroking firms
College English (Fast Reading) Book Three 1. On the Stock Exchange The London Stock Exchange has always been famous as a place for men only, and women used to be strictly forbidden to enter. But the world is changing day by day, and even the Stock Exchange, which seemed to be a man’s castle, is gradually opening its doors to the other sex. On 16th November 1971, a great decision was taken. The Stock Exchange Council (the body of men that administers the Stock Exchange) decided that women should be allowed on to the new trading floor when it opened in 1973. But the “castle” had not been completely conquered. The first girls to work in the “house” were not brokers or jobbers. They were neither allowed to become partners in stockbroking firms, nor to be authorized dealers in stocks and shares. They were simply junior clerks and telephone operators. Women have been trying to get into the Stock Exchange for many years. Several votes have been taken in “The House” to see whether the members would be willing to allow women to become members, but the answer has always been “No”. There have been three refusals of this kind since 1967. Now women are admitted, although in a very junior capacity. Two firms of jobbers made an application to the Stock Exchange Council to be allowed to employ girl clerks. Permission was finally given. A member of the Stock Exchange explained, after this news had been given, “The new floor is going to be different from the old one. All the jobbers will have their own stands, with space for a telephone and typewriters. Therefore there will have to be typists and telephone operators. So women must be allowed in.” This decision did not mean a very great victory in the war for equal rights for women. However, it was a step in the right direction. The Chairman of the Stock Exchange said: “I think that the opening of the new building will eventually lead to women being allowed to have full membership of the Stock Exchange. It is only a matter of time; it must happen.” (4.5 minutes 375 words) 1. It was not until 16th November, 1971 that ______. a. the London Stock Exchange opened its doors to women b. women began to work in the London Stock Exchange for the first time. c. The Council decided to allow women on to the new trading floor when it opened in 1973 d. the “castle” was completely conquered 2. The first girls ________ a. were allowed to enter “The House” in a very junior capacity b. served as brokers or jobbers in “The House” c. were allowed to become partners in stockbroking firms
d.were authorized as dealers in stocks and shares 3.Which of the following is true according to this passage a.Since 1973 women have been allowed to work with the London Stock Exchange. b.Women have recently been allowed to become partners in stockbroking firms. c.Women were never officially allowed to enter the Stock Exchange. d.Only brokers or jobbers can get into the Stock Exchange. 4.Several votes have been taken inThe House"so as a.to see if women were willing to become members b.to decide when women would beallowed intoThe House" c.to find out whether the members were willing to allow women to become members. d.to decide when to allow women on to the new trading floor. 5.Who had the power to decide whether or not to employ girl clerks? a The Stock Exchange Coun b.Any member of the Council c.The firms of jobbers
d. were authorized as dealers in stocks and shares 3. Which of the following is true according to this passage? a. Since 1973 women have been allowed to work with the London Stock Exchange. b. Women have recently been allowed to become partners in stockbroking firms. c. Women were never officially allowed to enter the Stock Exchange. d. Only brokers or jobbers can get into the Stock Exchange. 4. Several votes have been taken in “The House” so as _______. a. to see if women were willing to become members b. to decide when women would be allowed into “The House” c. to find out whether the members were willing to allow women to become members. d. to decide when to allow women on to the new trading floor. 5. Who had the power to decide whether or not to employ girl clerks? a. The Stock Exchange Council. b. Any member of the Council. c. The firms of jobbers
2.Aging Aging is the process of growing old.It occurs eventually in every living thing provided,of course.that an illness or accident does not kill it prematurely.The most familiar outward sign of aging may be seen in old people,such as the graying of the hair and the wrinkling of the skin. Signs of aging ina pet oss of playfuess and energy.an in hearing and eyesight,or even a sightyng coat Plants age oobut the signs are much harder Most body parts grow bigger and stronger,and function more efficiently during childhood. They reach their peak at the time of maturity,or early adulthood.After that they begin to decline. Bones,for example,gradually become lighter and more brittle.In the aged,the joints between the bones also becd rigid and mor e make mo ing more All the major organs of the body show signs of aging The brain,for xa mple,works les efficiently,and even gets smaller in size.Thing processes of all sorts are slowed down.Old people often have trouble in remembering recent events. One of the most serous changes of old age occurs in the arteries.the blood vessels that lead from the heart They hee the body. n accounts, for many of the of the aged may,for example,result in heart attac Aging is not a uniform process.Different parts of the body wear out at different rates.There are great differences among people in their rate of aging.Even the cells of the body differ in the thrity of cells are capable of reproducing themselves many times durg ifetime.Ne erve cells andm bres can never be ep nce Gerontologist -scientists who study the process of aging--believe the wearing out of the body is controlled by a built-in biological time-clock.They are trying to discover how this clock works so that they can slow down the process.This could give man a longer life and a great number of productive vears. (4.5minutes 375 words) 1.What is the main idea in the first paragraph? a Signs of aging are easier to detect in animals than in plants. b.Aging occurs in every living thing after it has reached maturity c.The outward sins of agin may be seen inod people d.Not all signs of aging are visible. 2.When the brain begins to age a.evesight will begin to decline too b.it becomes lighter. cthe thinking p s go on just as before 3."The arteries"refers to a.the paths along which blood flowsto all parts of the body b.the tubes carrying blood back to the heart
2. Aging Aging is the process of growing old. It occurs eventually in every living thing provided, of course, that an illness or accident does not kill it prematurely. The most familiar outward sign of aging may be seen in old people, such as the graying of the hair and the wrinkling of the skin. Signs of aging in a pet dog or cat include loss of playfulness and energy, a decline in hearing and eyesight, or even a slight graying of the coat. Plants age too, but the signs are much harder to detect. Most body parts grow bigger and stronger, and function more efficiently during childhood. They reach their peak at the time of maturity, or early adulthood. After that, they begin to decline. Bones, for example, gradually become lighter and more brittle. In the aged, the joints between the bones also become rigid and more inflexible. This can make moving more painful. All the major organs of the body show signs of aging. The brain, for example, works less efficiently, and even gets smaller in size. Thing processes of all sorts are slowed down. Old people often have trouble in remembering recent events. One of the most serous changes of old age occurs in the arteries, the blood vessels that lead from the heart. They become thickened and constricted, allowing less blood to flow to the rest of the body. This condition accounts, directly or indirectly, for many of the disease of the aged. It may, for example, result in heart attack. Aging is not a uniform process. Different parts of the body wear out at different rates. There are great differences among people in their rate of aging. Even the cells of the body differ in the way they age. The majority of cells are capable of reproducing themselves many times during the course of a lifetime. Nerve cells and muscle fibres can never be replaced once they wear out. Gerontologists---scientists who study the process of aging---believe the wearing out of the body is controlled by a built-in biological time-clock. They are trying to discover how this clock works so that they can slow down the process. This could give man a longer life and a great number of productive years. (4.5 minutes 375 words) 1. What is the main idea in the first paragraph? a. Signs of aging are easier to detect in animals than in plants. b. Aging occurs in every living thing after it has reached maturity. c. The outward signs of aging may be seen in old people. d. Not all signs of aging are visible. 2. When the brain begins to age_____. a. eyesight will begin to decline too. b. it becomes lighter. c. the thinking processes go on just as before. d. memorization declines. 3. “The arteries” refers to ____. a. the paths along which blood flows to all parts of the body b. the tubes carrying blood back to the heart
c.vessels that are thickened and constricted d.such heart diseases as sufered by old peopl 4.Many of the diseases of old people are the result of a.lack of blood b low blood pressure c.the thickening of the blood vessels 5.“Aging is not a uniform process”means tha a.old people do not have the same outward signs of aging b.not all people age at the same age c.the process of aging is slow d.nerve cells and muscle fibres do not age simultaneously 6.Which of the state ens about aging isfalse? a.People vary in their rate of aging b.The cells of the body age in different ways. c.The various parts of the body do not wear out at the same time. d.All body cells once worn out can never be replaced. 7.Which piece of information is give n in the a Gerontologists n give man a longer life b.Gerontologists can prevent diseases connected with aging c.Gerontologists have discovered that aging is controlled by a built-in biological time-clock. d.Gerontologists have found ways to slow down the process of aging. 8.According to the passage,what is responsible for many of the dise es of the old? b.The worn-out nerve cells and muscle-fibres c.The blood vessels that have become thickened and constricted d.The rigid and inflexible joints between the bones
c. vessels that are thickened and constricted d. such heart diseases as suffered by old people 4. Many of the diseases of old people are the result of ______. a. lack of blood b. low blood pressure c. the thickening of the blood vessels d. poor blood circulation 5. “Aging is not a uniform process” means that _____. a. old people do not have the same outward signs of aging b. not all people age at the same age c. the process of aging is slow d. nerve cells and muscle fibres do not age simultaneously 6. Which of the statements about aging is false? a. People vary in their rate of aging. b. The cells of the body age in different ways. c. The various parts of the body do not wear out at the same time. d. All body cells once worn out can never be replaced. 7. Which piece of information is given in the passage? a. Gerontologists can give man a longer life. b. Gerontologists can prevent diseases connected with aging. c. Gerontologists have discovered that aging is controlled by a built-in biological time-clock. d. Gerontologists have found ways to slow down the process of aging. 8. According to the passage, what is responsible for many of the diseases of the old? a. Their trouble in remembering recent events. b. The worn-out nerve cells and muscle-fibres. c. The blood vessels that have become thickened and constricted. d. The rigid and inflexible joints between the bones
3.The Escaped Robber One evening Mr.Green was driving in his car along a lonely country road.He had been to London where he had drawn E50 from the bank,and he was now returning home with the money which he had put in his pocket book At the loneliest part of the road a man in shabby old him toget into the ca f and continued on his way.As he talked to the man he learned that he had been in prison for robbery and had broken out of prison two days ago.Mr.Green was very worried at the thought of the E50 that he had put in his pocket book.Suddenly he saw a police-car and had a bright idea.He had iust reached a small town where the speed limit was 30 miles an hour He pressed down the the ecar as fast as it would go.He looked back and saw that the olice-ca After a mile or so the police-car overtook him and ordered him to stop.A policeman got out and came to Mr.Green's car.Mr.Green had hoped that he could tell the policeman about the escaped robber,but the man had taken a gun out of his pocket and had put it to Mr.Green's back.The policeman took out his note-book and pencil and said he wanted Mr.Green's name and address.Mr.Green asked to be taken to the police station but the poli an said, No.I want your nan e and address now.You will have to appear at the police court later"So,Mr.Green gave the policeman his name and address.The policeman wrote it down,put his notebook and pencil back in his pocket and gave Mr.Green a talk about dangerous driving.Then Mr.Green started up his car again and drove on.He had given up all hope of his E50.but just as he reached the outskirts of London,the passenger said he wanted to get out here. Mr.Greer d the car,the an got out and said anks for the lift You've be ood to me This is the least I can do in return."And he handed Mr.Green the policeman's notebook While the policeman had talked to Mr.Green.the thief had stolen the notebook. (4.5 minutes 429 words) 1.What was Mr.Green's purpose of visiting London? a.To draw some money from the bank b.To buy a pocket book c To see a friend ofhis d not mentioned in the passage 2.Why did aman in shabby,badly-fitting elothes stop him? a He said Mr.Green had driven too fast b.He wanted Mr.Green to take him in his car to some place. c.Someone was chasing him and he wanted to hide himself in the car. d.He knew Mr.Green had some money with him. 3.What was Mr.Green worried about when he learned the man was an escaped robber? aThe 50in his pocket boo b.His life. c.His car. d.His pocket book
3. The Escaped Robber One evening Mr. Green was driving in his car along a lonely country road. He had been to London where he had drawn ￡50 from the bank, and he was now returning home with the money which he had put in his pocket book. At the loneliest part of the road a man in shabby, badly-fitting clothes stopped him and asked for a lift. Mr. Green told him to get into the car and continued on his way. As he talked to the man he learned that he had been in prison for robbery and had broken out of prison two days ago. Mr. Green was very worried at the thought of the ￡50 that he had put in his pocket book. Suddenly he saw a police-car and had a bright idea. He had just reached a small town where the speed limit was 30 miles an hour. He pressed down the accelerator and drove the car as fast as it would go. He looked back and saw that the police-car had seen him and had begun to chase him. After a mile or so the police-car overtook him and ordered him to stop. A policeman got out and came to Mr. Green’s car. Mr. Green had hoped that he could tell the policeman about the escaped robber, but the man had taken a gun out of his pocket and had put it to Mr. Green’s back. The policeman took out his note-book and pencil and said he wanted Mr. Green’s name and address. Mr. Green asked to be taken to the police station but the policeman said, “No, I want your name and address now. You will have to appear at the police court later” So, Mr. Green gave the policeman his name and address. The policeman wrote it down, put his notebook and pencil back in his pocket and gave Mr. Green a talk about dangerous driving. Then Mr. Green started up his car again and drove on. He had given up all hope of his ￡50, but just as he reached the outskirts of London, the passenger said he wanted to get out here. Mr. Green stopped the car, the man got out and said, “Thanks for the lift. You’ve been good to me. This is the least I can do in return. ” And he handed Mr. Green the policeman’s notebook. While the policeman had talked to Mr. Green, the thief had stolen the notebook. (4.5 minutes 429 words) 1. What was Mr. Green’s purpose of visiting London? a. To draw some money from the bank. b. To buy a pocket book. c. To see a friend of his. d. Not mentioned in the passage. 2. Why did a man in shabby, badly-fitting clothes stop him? a. He said Mr. Green had driven too fast. b. He wanted Mr. Green to take him in his car to some place. c. Someone was chasing him and he wanted to hide himself in the car. d. He knew Mr. Green had some money with him. 3. What was Mr. Green worried about when he learned the man was an escaped robber? a. The ￡50 in his pocket book. b. His life. c. His car. d. His pocket book
4.The policeman a asked why Mr.Green was drivingso fast b.took agun out of his pocket and put it to the robber's back c.gave Mr.Green a ticket for dangerous driving d.wanted Mr.Green's name and address,asking him to appear at the police court later. 5.Which of the following is true? aMr.Gren wanted to be taken to the right awaybut the refused him b.The policeman asked Mr.Green to come to the police station right away. c.The policeman told Mr.Green that he would have to pay a fine. d.Mr.Green would not give hisname and address but promises to appear at the police court later 6.What did the robber give Mr.Green when he got out of the car? a.The pistol he had put to the back of Mr.Green b.Some money c.Some money and the stolen notebook d.The policeman's notebook. 7.Why did the robber steal the policeman's notebook? He wan people coud not do b.He thought he should do something tosave Mr.Green from troubl c.He had no other purpose but playing a trick on the policeman. d.He meant to use the notebook to pay for the lift
4. The policeman ________. a. asked why Mr. Green was driving so fast b. took a gun out of his pocket and put it to the robber’s back c. gave Mr. Green a ticket for dangerous driving d. wanted Mr. Green’s name and address, asking him to appear at the police court later. 5. Which of the following is true? a. Mr. Green wanted to be taken to the police station right away but the policeman refused him. b. The policeman asked Mr. Green to come to the police station right away. c. The policeman told Mr. Green that he would have to pay a fine. d. Mr. Green would not give his name and address but promises to appear at the police court later. 6. What did the robber give Mr. Green when he got out of the car? a. The pistol he had put to the back of Mr. Green. b. Some money. c. Some money and the stolen notebook. d. The policeman’s notebook. 7. Why did the robber steal the policeman’s notebook? a. He wanted to show he could do something other people could not do. b. He thought he should do something to save Mr. Green from trouble. c. He had no other purpose but playing a trick on the policeman. d. He meant to use the notebook to pay for the lift
4.Gold Is the Devil One day in 1848 a carpenter named Marshall,who worked in a saw mill on the Americar River in California.made a remarkable discovery.He noticed some bright vellow particles in the water.bent down to pick them up and took them to his partner.a Mr.Sutter This was the beginning of the Californian Gold Rush.Sutter was a Swiss who had come toAmerica some years earlier to make his fortune The or of Calif had given him permis on to I settlement in the Sacramento Valley and his determination and energy had made him rich.He had built the mill in partnership with Marshall in order to make use of the abundant natural resources of his land. Sutter realized the importance of the discovery and decided to file a claim so that his right to Governor.He wamed Bennet not to tell anyone in case people came to the valley before his claim was recognized.Bennet could not keep the secret but the people of San Francisco did not believe him at first.Then the editor of a weekly newspaper there,Sam Brannan,went to Sutter's mill to make a report.When he came back he ran through the streets of the town shouting"Gold!Gold!" Within a month almost the entire Soldiers des population to look for the t rmy. ships men gave up their jobs so as not to miss the chance of becoming rich The news spread across America to Europe and thousands of people joined in the search Those who went by ship had to sail round Cape Horn to reach California but some chose the verland America and wagon trains were formed for travelers to make the jourey wer e prepared to cro rible de to reach the gold a few days before the rest The Gold Rush proved a disaster for Sutter himself.For years he tried to evict the prospectors from his property so that his family might enjoy the wealth of his land,but his business was ruined. The prospectors did a great deal of damage,and killed one of his sons,and at the end of his life he was a poor man who ontinually stopped peo ple in the street to tell them that gold is the devil (5 minutes 424 words) 1 Who was Marshall? a.ASwiss who has come to America to make his fortune. b.Afriend of Mr.Sutter's c.The Governor of California. d.A newspaper reporter 2.How did Marshall learn about the gold? a.He found it in the water by accident d.He got the information from a newspaper 3.After Sutter heard about the gold a.he went to California to make his fortune
4. Gold Is the Devil One day in 1848 a carpenter named Marshall, who worked in a saw mill on the American River in California, made a remarkable discovery. He noticed some bright yellow particles in the water, bent down to pick them up and took them to his partner, a Mr. Sutter. This was the beginning of the Californian Gold Rush. Sutter was a Swiss who had come to America some years earlier to make his fortune. The Governor of California had given him permission to found a settlement in the Sacramento Valley and his determination and energy had made him rich. He had built the mill in partnership with Marshall in order to make use of the abundant natural resources of his land. Sutter realized the importance of the discovery and decided to file a claim so that his right to the gold would be established. So he sent a man named Bennet to San Francisco to see the Governor. He warned Bennet not to tell anyone in case people came to the valley before his claim was recognized. Bennet could not keep the secret but the people of San Francisco did not believe him at first. Then the editor of a weekly newspaper there, Sam Brannan, went to Sutter’s mill to make a report. When he came back he ran through the streets of the town shouting “Gold! Gold!” Within a month almost the entire population, then only 800 people, had gone to look for the precious metal. Soldiers deserted the army, sailors left their ships and men gave up their jobs so as not to miss the chance of becoming rich. The news spread across America to Europe and thousands of people joined in the search. Those who went by ship had to sail round Cape Horn to reach California but some chose the overland route across America and wagon trains were formed for travelers to make the journey. Even then there were some who were prepared to cross the terrible desert of Death Valley in order to reach the gold a few days before the rest. The Gold Rush proved a disaster for Sutter himself. For years he tried to evict the prospectors from his property so that his family might enjoy the wealth of his land, but his business was ruined. The prospectors did a great deal of damage, and killed one of his sons, and at the end of his life he was a poor man who continually stopped people in the street to tell them that Gold is the Devil. (5 minutes 424 words) 1. Who was Marshall? a. A Swiss who has come to America to make his fortune. b. A friend of Mr. Sutter’s. c. The Governor of California. d. A newspaper reporter. 2. How did Marshall learn about the gold? a. He found it in the water by accident. b. His partner told him about it. c. He found it when he was in Sacramento Valley to try his luck. d. He got the information from a newspaper. 3. After Sutter heard about the gold _______. a. he went to California to make his fortune
b.he and marshall built up a mill on the american river c.he sent Bennet to San Francisco tosee the Governor d.he asked Sam Brannan to send a reporter to Sacramento 4.When Bennet told people there was gold in the Sacramento Valley, a.people rushed there immediately to look for gold b.they did not believe him for not keeping the secre 5.How did some people make the journey to California at that time? a.They sailed round Cape Horn and then crossed the desert of Death Valley. b.They crossed America in wagon teams. c.They travelled across America in wagon teams. d.ll of the above. 6.Sutter didn't enjoy the wealth of his land because a.he failed to get helping hands b.he was denied the right to the gold c all his sons were killed 7.What doyou think the story tellsus? a.How to make a fortune with this precious metal. b.How gold was discovered in California c.Gold does not always lead to happiness d.Why some people do not like gold
b. he and Marshall built up a mill on the American River c. he sent Bennet to San Francisco to see the Governor d. he asked Sam Brannan to send a reporter to Sacramento 4. When Bennet told people there was gold in the Sacramento Valley, _______. a. people rushed there immediately to look for gold b. they did not believe him c. Marshall was angry and fired him d. he was punished for not keeping the secret 5. How did some people make the journey to California at that time? a. They sailed round Cape Horn and then crossed the desert of Death Valley. b. They crossed America in wagon teams. c. They travelled across America in wagon teams. d. All of the above. 6. Sutter didn’t enjoy the wealth of his land because _____. a. he failed to get helping hands b. he was denied the right to the gold c. all his sons were killed d. his business was ruined 7. What do you think the story tells us? a. How to make a fortune with this precious metal. b. How gold was discovered in California. c. Gold does not always lead to happiness. d. Why some people do not like gold
5.The Unwanted Box That Made Millions For a long time Chester Carlson carried around his little black box-the invention over which he had worked and struggled for years.He showed it to the directors of twenty-one large American corporations,such as "General Electric.International Business Machines (IBM). Lockheed,and RCA body wanted it. Nobody wanted to invest a penny in it. It must be painful for those directors to think of Chester Carlson now.For the little black box is the heart of the multi-billion-dollar Xerox Corporation Carlson is the inventor ofxerography" (from two Greck words meaning"dry writing").the ry-printing proces used in thou offices,business industries,universities shops and around the orld Thanks to Carlson.it now takes minutes to copy a document which,twenty years ago,would have kept a secretary busy for a whole day.And for a few pennies anyone could have a copy of anything from cooking recipes to Greek poetry.More than thirty billion such copies are made each When Chester Carlson went to ork in a patent office in 1930,the copying methods were slow,dirty,and expensive.In his job,Carlson had to make many copies of patents for inventions One night,after working late and painfully,he decided that somebody had better find an easier way to do it.He went to work in the kitchen of his apartment with measuring cups and cooking Then began Carlson's famous unsuccessful search for investors.Only in 1944did the Battelle Memorial Institute of Columbus,Ohio agree to spend $3,000 within five years.This part of the agreement later brought millions of dollars to Carlson who.by borrowing from his family.had managed to repay his debt in time. Even with Battelle's help,it took another year to find a co willing to buy Carlson's proces.In 1945.Dr.John H.Dessauer.director of research of the Haloid Company (makerof coping machines),decided to adopt and market the process,which was then named "Xerox "Three years later,the Haloid Company had changed its own name to become the Xerox Corporation.It is now the thirty-ninth largest corporation in the United States.with sales of over four billion dollars a vear (5minutes 415 words) 1 Chester Carlson was a.a director of an american corporation b.an inventor of a copying machin c.a company sale sman d.an office clerk in a company 2.At first nobody wanted this little black box because a.it was considered to be of no value
5. The Unwanted Box That Made Millions For a long time Chester Carlson carried around his little black box — the invention over which he had worked and struggled for years. He showed it to the directors of twenty-one large American corporations, such as “General Electric, International Business Machines (IBM), Lockheed, and RCA.” Nobody wanted it. Nobody wanted to invest a penny in it. It must be painful for those directors to think of Chester Carlson now. For the little black box is the heart of the multi-billion-dollar Xerox Corporation. Carlson is the inventor of “xerography” (from two Greek words meaning “dry writing”), the dry-printing process used in thousands of offices, businesses, industries, universities, shops, and government agencies around the world. Thanks to Carlson, it now takes minutes to copy a document which, twenty years ago, would have kept a secretary busy for a whole day. And for a few pennies anyone could have a copy of anything from cooking recipes to Greek poetry. More than thirty billion such copies are made each year. When Chester Carlson went to work in a patent office in 1930, the copying methods were slow, dirty, and expensive. In his job, Carlson had to make many copies of patents for inventions. One night, after working late and painfully, he decided that somebody had better find an easier way to do it. He went to work in the kitchen of his apartment with measuring cups and cooking pots. By 1937, having developed a simple form of xerography, he applied for his first patent on the process. Then began Carlson’s famous unsuccessful search for investors. Only in 1944 did the Battelle Memorial Institute of Columbus, Ohio, agree to spend ＄3,000 within five years. This part of the agreement later brought millions of dollars to Carlson who, by borrowing from his family, had managed to repay his debt in time. Even with Battelle’s help, it took another year to find a company willing to buy Carlson’s process. In 1945, Dr. John H. Dessauer, director of research of the Haloid Company (maker of coping machines) ， decided to adopt and market the process, which was then named “Xerox. “Three years later, the Haloid Company had changed its own name to become the Xerox Corporation. It is now the thirty-ninth largest corporation in the United States, with sales of over four billion dollars a year. (5 minutes 415 words) 1. Chester Carlson was _______. a. a director of an American corporation b. an inventor of a copying machine c. a company salesman d. an office clerk in a company 2. At first nobody wanted this little black box because ________. a. it was considered to be of no value
b.very little was known about it cpeoplethoughritwasnotawornhhileinvesiment d.all of the above 3.How long did it take Carlson to complete his research into this dry-printing process? a Alifetime b.Seven years c.Twenty years d.Not mentione ed in the passage 4.What was Carlson's job in the patent office a.To make copies of patents for inventions b To run a printing machine c To handle all office work 5.Which of the following is NOT true a.Carlson was tired of his office work b.Carlson was up to his neck in the work in the patent office. c Carlson was fond ofhis office work d.Carlson decided that y to do the copying work 6.Aftera long and painful search for investors Carlson finally a.received $3.000 for further research on his invention b sold his machine for $3000 c.received $3.000 from an institute for his patent a.applying for a new fund for research b.selling his patent to an institute c.borrowing from his family d.asking the bank for a loan 8.In 1948 the Haloid Co any changed its own name to become the Xerox Corporation.How would you account for this a.The new name sounds more impressive. b The"Xerox"is the heart of the corporation The company providd mchines than d.Thischa ld bri g large pro fits to the compan
b. very little was known about it c. people thought it was not a worthwhile investment d. all of the above 3. How long did it take Carlson to complete his research into this dry-printing process? a. A lifetime. b. Seven years. c. Twenty years. d. Not mentioned in the passage. 4. What was Carlson’s job in the patent office? a. To make copies of patents for inventions. b. To run a printing machine. c. To handle all office work. d. To help the head of the office. 5. Which of the following is NOT true? a. Carlson was tired of his office work. b. Carlson was up to his neck in the work in the patent office. c. Carlson was fond of his office work. d. Carlson decided that somebody should find an easier way to do the copying work. 6. After a long and painful search for investors, Carlson finally _______. a. received ＄3,000 for further research on his invention b. sold his machine for ＄3,000 c. received ＄3,000 from an institute for his patent d. agreed to promote sales of the drying-printing process 7. Carlson managed to repay Battelle the ＄3,000 within five years by ______. a. applying for a new fund for research b. selling his patent to an institute c. borrowing from his family d. asking the bank for a loan 8. In 1948 the Haloid Company changed its own name to become the Xerox Corporation. How would you account for this? a. The new name sounds more impressive. b. The “Xerox” is the heart of the corporation. c. The company provided no other machines than xeromachines. d. This change could bring large profits to the company