Helen Thomas, the pioneering White House reporter known for putting presidents on the hot seat, died at 92.
To those who regularly watch presidential press conferences, Helen Thomas is a familiar figure.Usually dressed in red and always seated in the front row, she is always the first or second reporter the president calls upon.It is an honour she has earned.Besides, it affords her the perfect opportunity to do what she does best—challenge the president and other public officials to tell the plain truth.She said, “We reporters' priority(首要事情) is the people's right to know—without fear or favour.We are the people's servants.”
Helen Thomas was born in Kentucky in 1920.All the nine Thomas' children were brought up to value education, and all were expected to make something of themselves through working hard.She made up her mind while still in high school to become a reporter after writing for the student newspaper.After receiving her bachelor's degree in 1942, Thomas headed straight for Washington D.C.in search of a newspaper job.Before long, she landed one at Washington Daily News.Her duty included fetching coffee and doughnuts for the paper's reporters and editors.The eager young woman found the atmosphere exciting and was convinced she had made the right career choice.
Her big break came when she was sent to Florida to report on the vacation of President John F.Kennedy and his family.Once President Kennedy took office, Thomas changed her focus from the president's family to his policies.She began attending the daily press briefings at the White House as well as presidential press conferences.Thomas has covered every president since Kennedy.Over the years, Thomas found her job “thrilling and inspiring”， but never boring.And she took very seriously her duty to “keep an eye on the president” and keep American people informed.
19.What can we learn about Helen Thomas from the passage?
A.Her career took off after covering President Kennedy.
B.Her first job was to deliver doughnuts to a news agency.
C.She was born into a large family in Kentucky in 1942.
D.She decided to be a reporter while in college.
20.Paragraph 3 is written to show Helen Thomas________.
A.is a good decision maker for her career
B.appreciates education and hard work
C.wants to be famous by writing reports
D.has great support from her family
21.What does Helen Thomas think of her work?
A.Unbearable. B.Exciting.
C.Challenging. D.Unforgettable.
22.What can be the best title for the passage?
A.A reporter sticking to the facts
B.A reporter challenging President Kennedy
C.A reporter from an ordinary family
D.A reporter for Washington Daily News
【文章大意】 本文是一篇新闻报道，主要报道了美国著名的资深记者Helen Thomas逝世一事，并介绍其不平凡的一生。
19.A 细节理解题。根据文章最后一段的第一句“Her big break came when she was sent to Florida to report on the vacation of President John F.Kennedy and his family.”中的break“突破，成功”可知，Helen Thomas的事业从报道了肯尼迪及其家人的生活后开始蒸蒸日上，故选A项。
20.B 写作意图题。根据文章第三段的第二句“All the nine Thomas' children were brought up to value education, and all were expected to make something of themselves through working hard.”可知，本段主要讲的是Helen Thomas受过良好的教育，且勤奋努力，故选B项。
21.B 细节理解题。根据文章的第三段的最后两句，尤其是最后一句“The eager young woman found the atmosphere exciting and was convinced she had made the right career choice.”可知选B项。
22.A 主旨大意题。根据文章前两段，尤其是第二段“She said, ‘We reporters' priority(首要事情) is the people's right to know—without fear or favour.We are the people's servants.’”可推知，本文是一篇关于Helen Thomas的人物传记，主要阐述了其敢于实事求是的本性，故选A项。
