My Friend, Albert Einstein

　　He was one of the greatest scientists the world hasever known, yet if I had to convey the essence 2 ofAlbert Einstein in a single word, I would choosesimplicity. Perhaps an anecdote 3 will help. Once,caught in a downpour, he took off his hat and held itunder his coat. Asked why, he explained, withadmirable logic , that the rain would damage thehat, but his hair would be none the worse4 for its wetting. This knack for going instinctively tothe heart of a matter was the secret of his major scientific discoveries — this and hisextraordinary feeling for beauty.

　　I first met Albert Einstein in 1935 , at the famous Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J. 5 He had been among the first to be invited to the Institute, and was offered carte blanche6as to salary. To the director’s dismay, Einstein asked for an impossible sum: it was far toosmall. The director had to plead with him to accept a larger salary.

　　I was in awe of7 Einstein, and hesitated before approaching him about some ideas I had beenworking on. When I finally knocked on his door, a gentle voice said, “Come ”—with a risinginflection that made the single word both a welcome and a question. I entered his office andfound him seated at a table, calculating and smoking his pipe. Dressed in ill-fitting clothes, hishair characteristically awry8 , he smiled a warm welcome.His utter naturalness at once set meat ease.

　　As I began to explain my ideas, he asked me to write the equations on the blackboard so hecould see how they developed. Then came the staggering — and altogether endearing —request:“Please go slowly. I do not understand things quickly. ”This from Einstein! He said itgently, and I laughed. From then on, all vestiges of fear were gone.

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　�、�. Fill in the blanks with proper words of the passage:

　　1. If I have to describe Albert Einstein in a single word, I would choose_______ ( 單 純) .

　　2. Caught in a_______ ( 傾盆大雨) , I have got a bad cough.

　　3. In the hometown of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, there are many _______ ( 軼事) about him.

　　4. To my _______ ( 沮喪) , my father doesn’t buy me the Walkman I like best. 5. Helen Keller isso strong-minded a person that I am _______ ( 敬畏) her.

　�、�. Questions :

　　After reading this passage , do you have a new understanding of this famous person, AlbertEinstein? If yes, then what is it?

　　參考答案：

　　Ⅰ. 1. simplicity 2. downpour 3. anecdotes 4. dismay5 . in awe of

　�、�. Yes, I have a new understanding ofhim. I find he is not only a great scientist but also asimple man. He is polite and kind to the youngpeople. Also he is a little humorous.