J.K.Rowling is a British author of the Harry Potter fantasy series.She completed much of her first work,Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in a poor situation,often planning out her chapters in cafes near her small apartment in Edinburgh.
Before penning the Harry Potter books,Rowling's life was one of struggle and loss.Her mother died in 1990 because of the multiple sclerosis(多發(fā)性硬化癥).Her first marriage ended just three years later.Unable to find work,Rowling struggled to
support herself and her daughter on State Aid.Her financial conditions would not change until the late 1990s,when the Harry Potter series became a success beyond all expectations.Aided by the Scottish Arts Council,Rowling was able to complete her first novel,but primary encouragement from publishers was actually non-existent.She was told to find a day job,and the UK publisher,Bloomsbury,firstly published only 1,000 copies of the novel,titled in the UK as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
Within a half year of its publication in 1997,the novel achieved its first award,the Nestle Smarties Book Prize.A few months later,it received the British Book Award for Best Children's book of the year.In 1998,Scholastic purchased(購買) publication rights,and Rowling,now on her third payment of the series,was enjoying great success.
The popularity of the series has made Rowling the most popular children's author ever.Both adults and children who show great interest in the books are eager for the publisher's next payment for Harry's adventures.
Queen Elizabeth II honored Rowling in 2000,titling her as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.She remarried in 2001,to Dr.Neil Murray,with whom she has two children,In her public life,she devotes time to causes dear to her,including supporting Amnesty International.and funding research on a medical treatment for multiple sclerosis.
(1)How did Rowling make a living before the late 1990s?
A
A
A.By receiving government support.
B.By depending on her husband.
C.By working in a cafe near her home.
D.By writing articles for local publishers.
(2)What does the underlined word "support" mean ?
B
B
A.Encourage sb by saying or showing you agree .
B.Provide everything necessary so that sb can live or exist.
C.Be ready to give help.
D.Hold sb in place.
(3)What can we infer from the last paragraph?
C
C
A.Rowling works for the British royal family.
B.Rowling suffers from multiple sclerosis.
C.Rowling has done much for public charity.
D.Rowling stays single till now.
(4)What main message does the author tell us with the story?
D
D
A.J.K.Rowling's major works .
B.J.K.Rowling's inspiration for Harry Potter series .
C.J.K.Rowling's success as an author.
D.J.K.Rowling's extraordinary life.