The idea for the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone came to Joanne Kathleen Rowling in 1990. It took her seven years to finish writing it. During those seven years she had a number of jobs, including one job as an English teacher in Portugal.

Rowling sent the book to four publishers before one of them bought it. She was very happy to sell her book because it was her life's dream to be a published writer. Before she sold her book, Rowling was living in a small apartment with her daughter and was so poor that she could not afford heat in the winter.

Harry Potter became very successful with children and adults in England. The book also really took off in the United States. After her second and third books were published, the three Harry Potter books filled the top three places on many newspapers' lists of best-sellers. Then the books were made into popular movies. Without question, Rowling's life had completely changed, in just three years.

Harry Potter books have now sold more than 30 million books around the world and have been translated into more than thirty-five languages. In 1997, Rowling was earning ￡70 (about US$110) a week. By the end of 2001, she had earned over ￡150 million ($250 million), making her one of the most successful female writers of all time.

小題1:This reading is about _________.A.Harry Potter's lifeB.the writer's life

C.how the book became a movieD.why Harry Potter is popular

小題2:Which sentence is true about the first Harry Potter book?A.Four publishers bought it.

B.It took the writer several years to finish it.

C.It was first published in Portugal.

D.Rowling got the idea from her daughter.

小題3:Rowling's dream was _________.A.to be a magicianB.to make a movie

C.to have her books publishedD.to be an English teacher

小題4:How many languages has Harry Potter been translated into?A.more than 35B.about 135C.about 90D.more than 150