A letter that changed my life书信一封，成就非凡

写给报社的一封信，让本文主人公的人生发生了转折。信的内容是什么？为何有如此大的影响？让我们一起到文中寻找答案吧！

主题语境：人与社会

篇幅：352词

建议用时：7分钟

1 I was about 30 years old and was working as a firefighter. It was a restful Sunday and I rushed to the office to read a copy of The New York Times. I read an article in the Book Review section which openly stated that William Butler Yeats had gone beyond his Irishness. As I read it， my blood began to boil. Ever since I first picked up a book of his poems from a shelf when I was young， Yeats had been my favorite Irish poet.

2 I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote a letter of anger to the editor. Throughout Yeats poetry， his view of the world and the people in it was basically Irish. I dont know why I felt it my duty to safeguard the reputation of the worlds greatest poet. I just knew that I had to write that letter.

3 After my letter got published， I received a letter from The New Yorker asking for an interview. When my article—Fireman Smith appeared in that magazine， the editor of a large publishing firm called me， asking if I was interested in writing a book about my life. I had little confidence in writing a whole book， though the subject was worthy. I wrote Report From Engine Co. 82 in six months， and it sold really well. In the years that followed， I wrote three more best⁃sellers.

4 Being a writer had been far from my expectations. How had it happened？ I often found myself thinking about it， and my thoughts always came back to that letter to The New York Times. For me， the writing was a natural result of the passion I felt and the subjects represented the great values burning within me as I wrote.

5 Over the years， my five children have come to me with one difficulty or another. My answer is always the same. Think about your passion. Your education and your experience will help you make a right decision， but your passion will enable you to make a difference in whatever you do. Thats what I learned the day I stood up for Irelands greatest poet.

[Reading][Check]

1. How did the author feel when he read the article in the Book Review section？

A. Amazed. B. Angry. C. Content. D. Hopeful.

2. Why did the author write a letter to The New York Times？

A. To show his love for writing.

B. To speak for Irish culture.

C. To practice his writing skills.

D. To defend the reputation of his favorite poet.

3. Whats paragraph 3 mainly about？

A. The authors parenting tips. B. The authors achievements in writing.

C. The authors writing tips. D. The authors choice in best⁃sellers.

4. Whats the most important factor in the authors success in writing？

A. Passion. B. Communication skills.

C. Education. D. Life experiences.

[Language][Study]

Useful expressions

book review 书评

ever since 从那时起

feel it ones duty to do 把做……当作某人的职责

have little confidence in doing 对做……没有信心

best⁃seller 畅销书

enable sb to do sth 使某人能够做某事

stand up for 支持;维护