C. write better English and read faster

D. speak correctly

2. If you want to understand the English news program on the radio, you should________.

A. read the Chinese language newspaper step by step

B. read again and again the Chinese language newspaper

C. go through the Chinese language newspaper first

D. be able to recite the Chinese language newspaper

3. The author advised that once you have taken up a course, you _______.

A. should stick to it.

B. should begin with the last book

C. should take up other courses if they are more fashionable

D. shouldn't do anything else

4. In this passage, V.O.A. stands for______________.

A. a book B. a magazine

C. a text-book D. a radio station

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　B

In choosing a friend, one should be very careful. A good friend can help you study. You can have fun together and make each other happy. Sometimes you will meet fair weather friends. They will be with you as long as you have money or luck, but when you are down, they will run away. How do I know when I have found a good friend? I look for certain qualities (品质) of character, especially understanding, honesty and reliability (可靠).

Above all else, I look for understanding in a friend. A good friend tries to understand how another person is feeling. He is not quick to judge. Instead, he tries to learn from others. He puts himself in the other person's place, and he tries to think of ways to be helpful. He is also a good listener.

　　At the same time, however, a good friend is honest. He does not look for faults (过错) in others. He notices their good points. In short, a friend will try to understand me and accept me.

　　Another quality of a friend is reliability. I can always depend on (信赖) a good friend. If he tells me he will meet me somewhere at a certain time, I can be sure that he will be there. If I need a favor, he will do his best to help me. If I am in trouble, he will not run away from me.

　　There is a fourth quality that makes a friend special. A special friend is someone with whom we can have fun. We should enjoy our lives, and we would enjoy our friendship. That is why I especially like friends who are fun to be with. A good friend likes the same things I like. We share experience (经验) and learn from each other. A good friend has a good sense of humor (幽默), too. He likes to laugh with me. That is how we share in the joy of being friends. And I know that he is looking for the same quality in me.

　　When I meet someone who is reliable, honest, and understanding, I know I've found a friend!