阅读理解

Stephen Hawking is one of the most famous scientists in the world. He was born in 1942. He's a famous scientist and expert on space and time. Stephen is trying to find the answers to some very big questions, such as: how did the universe begin? How will it end? These questions are very hard for us to understand. But they are very important and can tell us many things about the universe.

Stephen studied Maths and science when he was a student at university. Then, at the age of twenty-one, he became sick. He was so young, but the doctors said to his family, “He has only two more years to live.” As a matter of fact, the doctors were wrong — he didn't die. He can't walk now but he uses a wheelchair. He can't feed himself and get in or out of bed himself. But he refuses to give in. He talks with the help of a computer. After Oxford, Stephen went to Cambridge University. Three years later, in 1965, he became a Doctor of Philosophy.

Because of his serious health problem, it was difficult for him to draw diagrams (图表) or write. So he started to think in pictures. With this new way of thinking, he became one of the most famous scientists in the world. In 1981, he met the Pope (教皇) in Rome. They talked about his ideas. Then in 1988, he wrote his first important book, A Brief History of Time. It was sold more than 5.5 million copies in 33 different languages. He was once invited to China. He impressed us with his self-confidence and humorous conversation.

    Have you ever been sad because you failed in something? If so, please remember, for often, achieving what you expect is not the most important thing. Here is a story to tell you why.

    One day a little boy decided to dig a hole behind his house after watching a science program. As he was working, a couple of boys stopped by to watch. “What are you doing?” asked one of the visitors. “I want to dig a deep hole all the way through the earth!” the boy answered excitedly. The older boys began to laugh, telling him that it was impossible to do it. Then they left.

    The little boy kept on digging and digging. Suddenly, a few small colorful stones caught his eyes. He collected them and put them into a glass jar (罐) patiently. Humming (哼唱) a song, he went on digging. The jar was full soon. Then he talked to himself calmly and proudly, “Maybe I can't finish digging all the way through the earth, but look at what I have found in the process (过程) of digging!”

    The boy's goal (目标) was too difficult, but it did cause him to go on, in other words, to cause us to keep working!

    Not every goal will be achieved. Not every job will end up with a success. Not every dream will come true. But when you can't achieve your goal, maybe you can say, “Yes, but look what I've found along the way! There are so many wonderful things that have come into my life because I tried to do something!” It is in the digging that life is lived. It is the unexpected joy on the journey that really has a meaning.

    Last week, Richard's wife Leila had an accident. Richard's youngest child, John, was at home when it happened. He was playing with his new toy car. Richard gave it to him a week ago, for his third birthday

    Suddenly John heard his mother calling "Help! Help!" He ran to the kitchen. His mother burned herself with some hot cooking oil (油). She was crying and the pan (锅) was on fire.

    Richard went to his office. Both the other children went to school. John was too small to help his mother. ______. She soon put out the fire and took Leila to the hospital. When Richard came, Leila told him what happened. He was very proud(骄傲的，自豪的) of his son. "When you are a man, you will be just like your father," he said.

    Today was Emily's birthday. She was happy and went home quickly after school.

    “You have to look for your gift on your own，” her sister said. “Here is the first clue(线索).” She gave Emily a piece of paper.

    Emily opened the note and read， “Clue Number 1： Look inside the car.” She found a bone(骨头) for dogs and another note in the car.

    “Clue Number 2： Look at the swing.” On the swing there was a bag of dog food with the third note.

    Again she quickly read the note， “Clue Number 3： Look into the house.” Emily found a dog's leash(皮带) there.

    The note on the leash asked her to go outside. There she saw a beautiful red doghouse.

    Before she got there， a black puppy ran up to her. It had a note on it. The note said， “Happy Birthday， Emily.”

    “Oh， such a cute dog!” she cried. She was so happy. “I will name her Happy， because she made me so happy today，” Emily said.