Microsoft founder Bill Gates said that he planned to give away almost all of his vast① fortune, largely to the cause of global health, during the course of his lifetime. With an estimated②worth of more than $ 40 billion, according to Forbes, the project will be no small feat③for Gates. Having already provided the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with $ 24 billion to address global health issues, Gates said that eventually his entire fortune will be put towards the cause except “a few percent left for the kids.”
So what has made the richest man in the world to channel his resources so heavily into one interest? Gates believes that “the equality of opportunity” in which Americans take such pride needs to extend to other nations around the world. Improving the health of the populations, he says, has proven to be an essential method in helping poor countries to be financially④ successful. “National borders allow inequalities,” said Gates, “We all need to take a more global view, rather than just saying my country is doing well. We have to step up these health issues, knowing how few resources are going into them.”
Gates said that both his parents set good examples to him as a child. His father, William H. Gates, was the head of the local Planned Parenthood, and his mother, Mary, volunteered for the United Way. As he gathered his fortune, Gates knew he would eventually want to give back as well, but he didn’t expect to devote himself whole-heartedly to one project until he was about 60.
However, Gates, 47, began to question his ability to wait that long. “It seemed there was a real time urgency,” Gates said, “I started to think, how many lives could I save before then?”
Notes:
① vast adj. 巨额的
② estimate v. 估计，估价
③ feat n. 功绩，壮举
④ financially adv. 财政上，金融上
Choose the best answers according to the above:
小题1: Why will Bill Gates give away his vast fortune?
A．to improve the health of population in America alone
B．to improve the health of population all over the world
C．to avoid leaving his children too much money
D．to spare the American government the burden of health care小题2:According to the passage, which of the following is right?
A．Americans should care about people in other countries
B．Americans should treat fellow citizens well
C．Americans should devote themselves to certain projects
D．Americans can be world-famous by giving away vast fortune小题3:Bill Gates gave away his vast fortune earlier than he had expected because of __.
A．his weakening health condition
B．his parents’ suggestions
C．his great success in business
D．his concerns for suffering people小题4:According to the passage, which word can be used to describe Bill Gates?
A．brave
B．kind-hearted
C．strong-minded
D．confident