【正文】 th the TV or to socialize with friends for a while, thenthey can start a serious search for employment after that.Active reading (2)If you ask meBackground informationThis is an informal and personalized account of an economics graduate who gets a job in a pub for a year andthen has an opportunity to be successful (a lucky break). She works in a London pub called “The Salisbury”or “The Marquis Salisbury”, named after someone who was the British Prime Minister three times between1885 and 1902 and whose family once owned the pub’s land. The 100 year old pub is in Leadenhall Street,just off the Charing Cross Road and Leicester Square. Daytime customers can get a pub lunch and eveningcustomers include many office workers and theatre goers (the pub is near many West End theatres). Theinterior of this pub is dazzling, with large mirrors, cut glass and a mahogany d233。cor.British pubs are often named after famous people (Robin Hood, The Duke of Wellington) or royalty (TheQueen’s Arms, the Prince of Wales) or historical symbols (The Rose and Crown to represent King EdwardIII, The Royal Oak to represent King Charles II who once hid in a large oak tree). Other names often includecolours and animals (The Red Bull, The Black Horse, The Golden Lion, The Swan) or symbols of traditionaltrades (The Compasses for carpenters, The Three Hammers for blacksmiths, The Three Tuns for winemakers).As the pub is a social place to meet as well as a place to get a drink, people often play games like dominoesor darts or join a quiz or petition. A mon expression is to “go down the pub” or “go round to thelocal” (both meaning to go to the local pub).Culture pointspub in London: A pub is a place where people go for a drink and to meet friends and socialize. People canplay games – such as darts, cards, dominoes – in a pub and pubs often have quiz nights, with prizes for thewinners, and live music (See also Background information)The Salisbury is a wellknown pub in central London (See also Background information)London School of Economics is a distinguished university in central London, famous for social sciences.Language points1 If you ask me, real life is not all it’s cracked up to be. (Para 1)In my opinion (If you ask me introduces an opinion), real life is not everything that people say it is. If athing is cracked up to be, people normally praise it but in the opinion of the speaker they are wrong.2 … spending money when you don’t have any is dead easy. (Para 7)Dead here means very. For example, we can say dead tired (exhausted), a dead loss (a plete loss oruseless), a dead weight (very heavy, difficult to lift).3 What were the odds on anyone being so nice? (Para 11)What are the chances that someone would be so nice? The writer is emphasizing here that such kindness isvery unusual.4 … looking back after all these years, you only need one or two breaks in your life to succeed.(Para 13)A break here means a chance to be successful. A lucky break is an unexpected opportunity.Reading and understanding2 Choose the best answer to the questions.1 What did the writer want to do after finishing her degree?(a) To do an MA at the London School of Economics.(b) To earn some money to pay off her loan.(c) To start working as soon as possible.(d) To return home and help her mother.2 Why did she ask for a job in The Salisbury?(a) She was hungry and thirsty.(b) She thought it would lead to better things.(c) She was a friend of the landlord.(d) She had the idea when she saw the landlord working.3 What did she buy with her first salary?(a) A bunch of flowers.(b) A CD and a plant for the flat she lived in.(c) A ham sandwich and a glass of beer.(d) She didn’t have any money left after paying the bills.4 Why did Tony give her 163。20,000?(a) He found out it was her birthday and wanted to help.(b) He trusted her and thought it would help her.(c) He wanted her to leave the pub and work for him.(d) He was secretly in love with her.5 What did she do with the money?(a) She used it to pay for her course at the LSE.(b) She lost a lot of it in the 2008 stock market crash.(c) She invested it and paid back Tony and other investors.(d) She used it to start her own business.6 Why was Tony pleased when she repaid the loan?(a) He had had an accident and needed the money for a wheelchair.(b) It meant that he would be able to see her again.(c) It proved that he had been right to invest in her.(d) She paid back the loan with a lot of interest.3 Work in pairs and answer the questions.What do we know about the writer’s:1 family background?Her mother had worked hard for 15 years to support her education but couldn’t afford any furthersupport. Her father wasn’t around most of the time. He didn’t have any money because he spent it ongambling on dog racing or drinking in pubs.2 career as a student?She had a good degree in economics and wanted to study for a masters course at the London School ofEconomics.3 ambition?She wanted to get a job in finance or investments in London because then she would be able to use herdegree.4 appreciation of other people?She appreciated Mike’s friendliness with customers and his skill, and she appreciated Tony as a niceperson。 later she appreciated the trust of Tony and his friends5 love life?We don’t know much about this, except that she doesn’t like boys to hassle her. She thinks they areimmature.6 financial expertise?It must be quite good: She invested the 163。20,000 and made enough profit to pay the money back withinterest and set up her own pany.7 sense of responsibility?She has a strong sense of responsibility because she paid back the money to the investors and paid theman annual interest for the loan.8 philosophy of life?She believes that you should work hard。 you may need one or two breaks to succeed but you shouldknow how to use th