you.Forever，Mary."

　　Most of the newspapers that print such messages are local，but USA Today is sold throughout the United States and 90 other countries as well.This means someone can send a Valentine message to a lover in a faraway city or town almost anywhere in the world.These messages cost 80 dollars and more.An employee（职员）of USA Today says readers can have a small heart or rose printed along with their messages this year.Will this kind of Valentine's Day message reach the one you love?

　　Well，just make sure he or she reads the newspaper.

　　1．What is the cost of printing a message to show one's love？It's ______.

　　A．a few dollars

　　B．a few dollars in a local newspaper and 80 dollars in USA Today

　　C．80 dollars and more

　　D．very expensive

　　2．What can be inferred from the passage?

　　A．The ancient Roman girls were more open and easy­going than boys.

　　B．Valentine was killed for helping lovers.

　　C．Readers of USA Today can send roses to their lovers along with printed messages.

　　D．Valentine was honoured by people for his firm Christian beliefs and warm heart.

　　3．What is the purpose of the passage?

　　A．To briefly introduce the origin of Valentine's Day and the modern style.

　　B．To advertise for USA Today.

　　C．To tell you that Americans are open to express their love.

　　D．To sell roses on Valentine's Day.

　　B

　　As a young man，Al was a skilled artist.He had a wife and two fine sons.One night，his older son developed a bad stomachache.Neither Al nor his wife took the condition very seriously.But the boy died suddenly that night.

　　Knowing the death could have been prevented if he had only realized the seriousness of the situation，Al felt very guilty.To make matters worse his wife left him a short time later，leaving him alone with his six­year­old younger son.The hurt and pain of the two situations were more than Al could handle，and he turned to alcohol.

　　As the alcoholism（酗酒）progressed，Al began to lose everything he possessed - his home，his land，his art objects and everything.Finally Al died alone in a San Francisco motel room.

When I heard of Al's death，I thought，"What a complete failure！What a totally wasted life！"