When people ask me how I started writing, I find myself describing an urgent need that I felt to work with language. Having said that, I did not know for a long time what I was looking for. It was not until I followed this feeling to its source that I discovered I had a passion for writing. With some encouragement from my colleagues, I had one of my poems published. This bit of success, however, was the point where my problem began.
Back in 1978, I had to travel between three different campuses in the morning, teaching freshman composition. Afternoons I spent taking my daughter to her ballet and horse-riding lessons. I composed my lectures on the way, and that was all the thinking time I had. When I returned home, there was not enough of me left for writing after a full working day.
As a way out, I decided to get up two hours before my usual time. My alarm was set for 5:00 A ． M. The first day I shut it off because I had placed it within arm's reach. The second day I set two clocks, one on my night table, and one out in the hallway. I had to jump out of bed and run to silence it before my family was awoken. This was when my morning writing began.
Since that first morning in 1978, I have been following the habit to this day, not making or accepting many excuses for not writing. I wrote my poems in this manner for nearly ten years before my first book was published. When I decided to write a novel, I divided my two hours: the first for poetry, the second for fiction. Well or badly, I wrote at least two pages a day. This is how my novel, The Line of the Sun. was finished. If I had waited to have the time, I would still be waiting to write my novel.
What I got out of getting up in the dark to work is the feeling that I am in control. For many people, the initial sense of urgency to create easily dies away because it requires making the tough decision: taking the time to create, stealing it from yourself if ifs the only way.
1 ． What motivated the author to start her writing career?
A ． Her strong wish to share.
B ． Her keen interest in writing.
C ． Her urgent need to make a living.
D ． Her passionate desire for fame.
2 ． What problem did the author face when she decided to begin her writing?
A ． She was too exhausted to write after a busy day.
B ． She had trouble in deciding on her writing style.
C ． She had to take time to discipline her daughter.
D ． She was unsure about her writing skills.
3 ． Why did the author place an alarm clock in the hallway?
A ． In case the clock in her room broke down.
B ． In case she failed to hear the ringing.
C ． To force herself out of bed.
D ． To wake up her family.
4 ． How did the author manage to finish her novel?
A ． By sticking to writing every morning.
B ． By writing when her mind was most active.
C ． By drawing inspirations from classic novels.
D ． By reducing her teaching hours at school.
5 ． What can we learn from the author's success in her writing career?
A ． It is never too late to change your job.
B ． Imaginative ideas die away if not taken in time.
C ． A tight schedule is no excuse for lack of action.
D ． Daily life provides ideas for creative writing.
1 ． B
2 ． A
3 ． C
4 ． A
5 ． C
【分析】
本文是一篇记叙文。主要讲述的是作者喜爱写作并制定计划一直坚持下来。
1. 细节理解题。根据文章第一段 “When people ask me how I started writing, I find myself describing an urgent need that I felt to work with language.” 当人们问我是如何开始写作的时候，我发现自己在描述一种对语言的迫切需求。可知，促使作者开始她的写作生涯的原因是她对写作的强烈兴趣。故选 B 项。
2. 细节理解题。根据文章第二段 “When I returned home, there was not enough of me left for writing after a full working day.” 当我回到家时，在工作了一整天后，我写东西的精力已经不够了。可知，当作者决定开始写作时，因为她忙碌了一天之后，她筋疲力尽，无法再写作了。故选 A 项。
3. 细节理解题。根据文章第三段 “The first day I shut it off because I had placed it within arm's reach. The second day I set two clocks, one on my night table, and one out in the hallway.” 第一天我把它关掉了，因为我把它放在触手可及的地方。第二天，我调了两个钟，一个放在床头柜上，一个放在走廊上。可知，作者在走廊里放了一个闹钟的原因是为了强迫自己起床。故选 C 项。
4. 推理判断题。根据文章第四段 “Since that first morning in 1978, I have been following the habit to this day, not making or accepting many excuses for not writing.” 从 1978 年的第一个早晨开始，我一直遵循这个习惯，直到今天，不为不写作找任何借口。可知，作者能够写小说的原因是坚持每天早上写作。故选 A 项。
5. 推理判断题。根据文章最后一段 “What I got out of getting up in the dark to work is the feeling that I am in control.” 我从摸黑起床工作中得到的是一种掌控一切的感觉。以及文章第四段 “Since that first morning in 1978, I have been following the habit to this day, not making or accepting many excuses for not writing.” 从 1978 年的第一个早晨开始，我一直遵循这个习惯，直到今天，不为不写作找任何借口。可知，紧凑的日程并不是不采取行动的借口。故选 C 项。