A jobless man applied for the position of “office boy” at Microsoft. The HR manager interviewed him and then watched him cleaning the floor as a test.
“You are employed,” he said. “Give me your e-mail address and I’ll send you the application to fill in, as well as date when you may start. ”
The man replied, “But I don’t have a computer, neither an e-mail. ”
“I’m sorry,” said the HR manager. “If you don’t have an e-mail, that means you do not exist. And who doesn’t exist cannot have the job. ”
The man left with no hope at all. He didn’t know what to do, with only ten dollars in his pocket. He then decided to go to the supermarket and buy 10kg tomatoes. He then sold the tomatoes from door to door. In less than two hours, he succeeded to double his capital. He repeated the operation three times, and returned home happily with 60 dollars.
The man realized that he can survive in this way, and started to go every day earlier, and return late. Thus, his money doubled or tripled every day. Shortly, he bought a cart, then a truck, and then he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles. Five years later, the man is one of the biggest food retailers in the US.
He started to plan his family’s future and decided to have a life insurance. He called an insurance broker and chose a protection plan.
When the conversation was concluded the broker asked him his e-mail. The man replied, “I don’t have an e-mail. ”
The broker answered curiously, “You don’t have an e-mail, and yet have succeeded to build an empire. Can you imagine what you could have been if you had an e-mail?” The man thought for a while and replied, “Yes, I’d be an office boy at Microsoft!”
【小题1】Why can’t the man have the job at Microsoft?
A. Because he was lazy. B. Because he didn’t pass the test.
C. Because he didn’t have an e-mail. D. Because he didn’t have a computer.
【小题2】The underlined word “triple” can be replaced by ______.
A. become large B. become 3 times
C. increase quickly D. decrease quickly
【小题3】According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A. The man is one of the biggest food retailers in the world.
B. The man didn’t give up though he failed the interview.
C. He started his career by selling tomatoes in the supermarket.
D. Those who have e-mails can work at Microsoft.
【小题4】 The man can be described as _______.
A. helpful and considerate B. positive and generous
C. smart and hardworking D. stubborn and unselfish
【小题5】Which proverb can best describe the story?
A. Misfortune may be an actual blessing. B. Where there is a will, there is a way.
C. Accidents will happen. D. No pains , no gains.