Question

YEARS ago, a very rich man and his young son shared an interest in collecting art. They traveled around the world, collecting priceless works of art by famous artists like Picasso, Van Gogh and Monet.

The man became very lonely and sad. When war broke out, the son left to serve his country. After a few weeks, the old man received a letter saying his son had died while taking another soldier to a hospital.

One day, a soldier visited the old man and gave him a painting – it was a portrait of his son.

Though the world would never consider it a great work, the painting was important to the man.

The painting of his son became the old man’s most valuable item. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received. The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away.

All of the old man’s paintings would be sold at an auction. The auction began with a painting that was not on any of the buyers’ lists ... it was the painting of the old man’s son.

“Who will open the price at $100 ?” the auctioneer asked. Moments passed and no one spoke or raised their hand. Someone said: “Who cares about that painting? Let’s get on to the good ones.” More voices followed in agreement. “No, we must sell this one first,” replied the auctioneer. “Now, who will take the portrait of the son?”

Finally, a good friend of the old man spoke: “Will you take $10 for the painting? That’s all I have.” “Will anyone go higher?” called the auctioneer. After more silence he said: “Going once ... going twice ... sold!” The auctioneer looked at the crowd and announced that the whole auction was over. “According to the father’s will, whoever takes the son’s portrait gets the whole collection,” the auctioneer said.

Because of the father’s love, whoever took the son got it all.

1.Both the man and his son were interested in       .

A. collecting artwork    B. selling paintings

C. drawing famous artists    D. reading stories about famous artists

2.The letter said the son       .

A. left to serve his country    B. was safe

C. was sent to a hospital.    D. had died.

3.At the auction, the painting of the man’s son       .

A. was popular    B. was sold for $100

C. was sold for $10    D. wasn’t sold

4.The story wanted to tell us        .

A. artwork is valuable    B. a father’s love is priceless

C. don’t look down at small works of art    D. nobody knows what will happen next

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.C

4.B

【解析】富翁和儿子都喜欢收集名家的艺术品，儿子在战争中牺牲了，他的战友把一副儿子的肖像画带给父亲。父亲死后，留下遗嘱，谁在拍卖会上买下儿子的肖像画，谁就得到他所有的收藏品。

1.细节理解题。根据YEARS ago, a very rich man and his young son shared an interest in collecting art。可知，富翁和他的儿子都对收藏艺术品感兴趣。故选A。

2.细节理解题。根据the old man received a letter saying his son had died while taking another soldier to a hospital可知，来信告诉富翁的儿子在送另一个士兵去医院是死了。故选D。

3.根据倒数第2段的叙述，富翁的儿子的肖像只卖了10美元。故选C.

4.文章最后一段告诉我们:“父爱是无价的”。故选B。