Help 國中基測 試卷練習

TAINAN CORNERS

Usually, people visit bookstores to buy books. But those who walk into Cotoha come to see its owner, Chen Bing-Hong. They bring him books with different problems. Some have lost their covers, some are missing a few pages, and some have pages that are falling out. Chen can always fix the books and make them whole again.

Chen sees himself as a doctor. He says that books, like people, get sick and need help. In Taiwan, there are not many "doctors" like him, and most of them work for big libraries and museums. If big libraries and museums are hospitals, Chen's bookstore is a health center. Big libraries and museums fix important old books with serious problems, and Chen helps people with books that have smaller problems. However, the smaller size of the problems doesn't mean Chen's job is less important.

Chen gave an example of a science book he once worked on. It was very old and half of its cover was lost. Its owner still wanted to keep it because it was a gift from a teacher who helped him follow his dream of studying science. When he got his book back, he was very surprised at the new-old book. He felt he was brought back to the days with his teacher. Seeing the owner's smile made Chen happy, because smiles like that are what his magic is for.

Many people know Robert Schumann was an important musician, but they do not know that his wife, Clara Wieck Schumann, was in fact more famous than he in their time.

Clara was born in 1819. In her time, most women did not appear before the public. Clara, however, started to play the piano in public at the age of nine and was very successful.

In 1840, Clara got married. She became very busy with the housework and her children. It was hard for her to find time to practice the piano. But Clara could never forget her love for music; she felt she had to share it with other people. In 1842, Clara began to play in public again.

When Robert died in 1856, Clara had to make money for their seven children by herself. She taught music and played the piano around Europe. During this hard time, music always gave her comfort and joy. Clara died at 77. Now she is still thought to be one of the best musicians in history.

We’re soon going back to Taiwan, and have to say goodbye to Mr. Brown, the excellent helper for our family since we came to the U.S. Mr. Brown helps us clean the house, prepare dinner and take care of our two little girls. The girls call him “Uncle Bill” and have a good time with him. Mr. Brown lives near the train station with his wife. If you need somebody to help around your house, he can work for you from 1:00-6:00 p.m., from Monday to Friday. Please call him at 388-5566. If you need him to stay later, feel free to talk to him. Mr. Brown can speak a little Chinese and will be the best helper for your family.

October 31 is Halloween. It is the end of summer and the start of the long, cold winter. Two thousand years ago, people believed that the spirits of dead people would come back to the living world on this day. They also believed that these spirits could help the living people see their future.

The day after Halloween, November 1, was known as “All-hallows.” On this day people went to church to remember the great people who died for their religion. The night before “All-hallows” was called “All-hallows' Eve.” The name later became “Halloween.”