C

Sitting in his mobile home near Las Vegas,Ron Wayne could be any of the millions of gamblers who failed to find theirfortune in the casino city.

However, he could have hit a jackpot beyond most people’s wildest dreams.

Ron was one of the founders of Apple, the technologygiant behind the iPhone and the iPad.

But while co-founder Steve Jobs, who died in2011, became one of the world’s richest men, Ron decided in 1976 that he wantedto focus on a slot machine business and sold his stake in the fledgling computer company for just £500.

Today, that stake would be worth £14 billion.

But despite the astonishing potential fortunehe signed away, Ron refuses to let it get him down and freely admits: “I had no business sense.”

“I made a decision that allowed me to pursuemy interest,” says the 79-year-old. “I honestly don’t regret walking away atall.”

Ron was instrumental in helping Jobs and partner Steve Wozniak form the now multi-billion-dollar empire.

He sketched models for the first Apple computer, designed the company’s original logo, wrote the manual for the Apple I computer, and drafted the firm’s first ­partnership agreement.

But then he got cold feet. Deciding his partners’ personalities and whirlwind working methods were too risky, he gaveup his 10% stake in Apple Computer after just 12 days.

Had he stayed on, he would now be one of the 15 richest people on the planet and possibly the subject of a Hollywood movielike his late former partner Jobs, who is portrayed by Ashton Kutcher in the upcoming film of the same name.

Ron says: “I knew Wozniak’s design for apersonal computer was going to be successful, but who could have anticipated it would be what it is today?”

 “If I had stayed with Apple and accepted the limitations on my philosophy of life I could well have ended up the richest man in the cemetery. My passion was slot machines.”

“My handicap was that I didn’t realise I had no business sense. I learned that when I went into business building slot machines.”

“Every time I worked as a businessman it has been a flaming disaster.”

Ron insists he is not envious of the vastfortune Jobs left, or his beautiful homes and £85 million yacht.

He says: “If you had everything you could possibly want you would be content for 10 minutes.”

"I would have liked tohave been more successful but can honestly say I have had a more eventful lifethan many other people in this world.”

1.What is the purpose of the author writing the first paragraph?

A To describe Ron Wayne’s present condition.

B To tell readers what Ron Wayne is.

C To show pity on Ron Wayne.

D To introduce the topic of the text.

解析：选D。推理判断题。文章第一段作引子，引出文章的话题，所以D项正确。

2.What does the underlined phrase “hit a jackpot” in the second paragraph mean?

A To be successful.

B To make a big fortune.

C To suffer lots of failures.

D To start a business quickly.

解析：选B。词义理解题。第一段中信息“Ron Wayne could be any of the millions of gamblers who failed to find their fortune in the casino city”可推知Ron Wayne本可成为很富有的人。

3.Why did Ron Wayne give up Apple many decades ago?

A He didn’t get on well with his partners.

B Apple had no potential those days.

C He realised he had no business sense.

D He decided to focus on his passion.

解析：选D。细节理解题。文中信息“Ron decided in 1976 that he wanted to focus on a slot machine business. I made a decision that allowed me to pursue my interest…My passion was slot machines…”可知，Ron Wayne放弃Apple的原因是转向自动售贷机生意，即他所喜欢的事。

4.Which of the following is true of Ron Wayne?

A He lost £500 gambling in Las Vegas.

B He was envious of his former partners.

C He didn't expect Apple to be what it is today.

D He was regretful about his decision to leave Apple.

解析：选C。细节理解题。文中信息“I knew Wozniak’s design for a personal computer was going to be successful, but who could have anticipated it would be what it is today?”可知，Ron Wayne没想到Apple今天是如此的成功。