Neumann was the oldest of 3 children of a banker, and his speed of learning new ideas and of solving problems stood out early.At 17, his father tried to persuade him not to become a mathematician because he may lead a poor life being a mathematician, and so Neumann agreed to study chemistry as well.In 1926, at 23, he received a degree in chemical engineering and a Ph.D.in mathematics.From then on, mathematic provided well enough for him, and he never had to turn to chemistry. In 1930, Neumann visited Princeton University for a year and then became a professor there.His first book was published in 1932.In 1933, the Institute for Advanced Study was formed, and he became one of the 6 full-time people in the School of Mathematics (Einstein was one of the others). World War II hugely changed Neumann's areas of interest.Until 1940 he had been a great pure mathematician.During and after the war, he became one of the best mathematicians who put mathematics theories into practice.During the last part of the war he became interested in computing machines and made several contributions.After the war, Neumann continued his work with computers, and was generally very active in government service.He received many awards, was president of American Mathematical Society and was a member of the Atomic Energy Commission.He died in 1957 of cancer. Neumann really was a legend in his own time, and there are a number of stories about him.His driving ability is a part of this legend.He reported one accident this way: "I was driving down the road.The trees on the right were passing me in an orderly fashion at 60 miles per hour.Suddenly one of them stepped in my path." Which of the following is true of Neumann? A) He had three children. B) He died from an accident. C) He received many awards in his life. D) He and Einstein were classmates in Princeton University.
C
(Question)
Watson entered Mr. Smith's office. The boss was a hard man. He fired people who didn't do well without giving them a second chance. "Watson," said Mr. Smith, "this past year your department hasn't earned money. We're going to drop that department. It's finished. I'm sorry, --but you'll have to go." "But, sir -- if I just had a little more time. For the moment I need the job to keep my son at Riverside School." "What's that!" said the boss. "Riverside! I didn't know you had a boy there. That's an expensive school for a man with your salary." "I know, sir. But he likes it there so much! He's a star athlete and the best boxer in the school. The boys call him Champ there." The boss sat perfectly still for a long time -- a faraway look in his eyes. Then, suddenly, he said, "We've got to close your department, Watson. But you'll take over a new job in another department. It means longer hours--maybe more pay. Now get out. You're here for life." Watson got out, with surprise on his face. Then the boss took a letter from the top drawer of his desk. It was Herbie's last letter from Riverside School --written a few days before he died. He had read it over and over again with sick pain. The letter read: I can't say the boys here are any nicer to me than the others were. I guess it's the same everywhere when you're a cripple . But don't worry about me, Dad. They've got a good chemistry department here. And there's one boy here who is really great. He's a track star and boxing champ and just tops in chemistry. The boys call him Champ. He made them stop throwing my books around. And he knocked a boy down who hit me. He is the best friend I ever had. Dad, when I grow up, 1 want to do something for Champ. Something big -- that he won' t even know about. Your son, Herbie We can learn from the text that _ . A) Mr. Smith didn't know that Champ was Watson's son at first B) Mr. Smith was told not to fire Watson by Herbie C) Mr. Smith decided to give Watson another chance in no time D) Mr. Smith wanted to realize Champ's dream
(Answer)
A
It was one of those terribly hot days in Baltimore. Needless to say, it was too hot to do anything outside. But it was also scorching in our apartment. This was 1962, and I would not live in a place with an air conditioner for another ten years. So my brother and I decided to leave the apartment to find someplace indoors. He suggested we could see a movie. It was a brilliant plan. Movie theaters were one of the few places you could sit all day and--most important --sit in air conditioning. In those days, you could buy one ticket and sit through two movies. Then, the theater would show the same two movies again. If you wanted to, you could sit through them twice. Most people did not do that, but the manager at our theater. Mr. Bellow did not mind if you did. That particular day, my brother and I sat through both movies twice, trying to escape the heat. We bought three bags of popcorn and three sodas each. Then, we sat and watched The Music Man followed by The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. We'd already seen the second movie once before. _ had been at the theater since January, because Mr. Bellow loved anything with John Wayne in it. We left the theater around 8, just before the evening shows began. But we returned the next day and saw the same two movies again, twice more. And we did it the next day too. Finally, on the fourth day, the heat wave broke. Still, to this day I can sing half the songs in The Music Man and recite half of John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart's dialogue from The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance! Those memories are some of the few I have of the heat wave of 1962. They're really memories of the screen, not memories of my life. What do we know about Mr. Bellow? A) He loved children very much. B) He was a fan of John Wayne. C) He sold air conditioners. D) He was a movie star.
B