Question

    

In the state of Qin (秦国 ) , there was a man called Shang Yang (商鞅). He was a statesman (政治家) and worked out many reforms(改革) for the state, like paying more attention to farming and giving rewards (报酬) to soldiers who were successful when at war.

But these reforms were not easily carried out (执行) at first. Most people didn’t trust Shang Yang. In order to solve this problem, Shang Yang came up with an idea. He put a thin wooden pole at the south gate of the Qin capital. Many people came to see him and the pole.

Then, in front of the crowd, Shang Yang said loudly, “The man who takes this pole to the north gate will get 10 gold pieces.”

It was a simple job and the reward was so large. However, some time passed and no one stepped forward. They all thought Shang Yang was making a joke.

Hearing no answer, Shang Yang stepped forward and said, “The reward now goes to 50 gold pieces.”     

This reward was unbelievably large. Finally, a man from the crowd came forward. He put the pole on his shoulders and walked to the north gate. True to his word, Shang Yang gave the man 50 gold pieces.

After that, the people of Qin were all talking about what Shang Yang did about the pole. They believed he was a man of his word. So when Shang Yang began carrying out his reforms, the people followed him.

Under these great reforms, Qin grew stronger and stronger. At last, Qin made all the seven states into one empire (帝国).

1.What did Shang Yang do?

A.A statesman. B.A king.

C.An emperor. D.A soldier.

2.In order to carry out his reforms, what idea did Shang Yang have?

A.Having a wooden pole carrying competition.

B.Having a wooden pole cutting competition

C.The man stepping forward first would be praised.

D.The man carrying the pole from south gate to the north one would get some gold pieces.

3.Why did Shang Yang's reward increase at last?

A.Because a man stepped forward. B.Because there wasn’t enough time.

C.Because Shang Yang heard no answer. D.Because Shang Yang was happy.

4.“They believed he was a man of his word.” What does the underlined part mean?

A.A man who can speak loudly. B.A man who likes to speak a lot.

C.A man who keeps his word. D.A man of few words.

5.After these great reforms, what happened in the history of China?

A.Shang Yang became the first emperor. B.The first empire of China appeared.

C.The south gate fell down. D.The state of Qin became weaker and weaker.

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.C

4.C

5.B

【解析】

本文介绍了商鞅。商鞅是秦国的一位政治家。为国家制定了许多改革方案，比如更加注重农业，给战争中成功的士兵奖励。但这些改革起初并不容易实施。为了让人们相信他，商鞅想出了一个主意。他在秦都南门放了一根细木杆。并大声说：“谁把这根杆子带到北门谁就会会得到10块金币。”起初，没有人向前。他们都认为商鞅是在开玩笑。由于没人肯出来做，于是他把奖励增加到50块金币。 这次，人群中出现了一个人。他把杆子扛在肩上，走到北门。为了信守诺言，商鞅给了那人50块金币。此后，人们对商鞅信任有加，他们相信他是信守诺言的人。于是商鞅就开始实行他的改革，人民也跟着他。在这些伟大的改革下，秦国变得越来越强大。最后，秦始皇把七国统一为一个帝国。

1.细节理解题。根据He was a statesman (政治家) and worked out many reforms(改革) for the state, like paying more attention to farming and giving rewards (报酬) to soldiers who were successful when at war. 他是一位政治家，为国家制定了许多改革方案，比如更加注重农业，给战争中成功的士兵奖励。可知，商鞅是一位政治家。故选A。

2.细节理解题。根据He put a thin wooden pole at the south gate of the Qin capital. Many people came to see him and the pole. Then, in front of the crowd, Shang Yang said loudly, “The man who takes this pole to the north gate will get 10 gold pieces.” 他在秦都南门放了一根细木杆。许多人来看他和杆子。然后，在人群面前，商鞅大声说：“把这根杆子带到北门的人会得到10块金币。”可知，为了进行改革，他的想法是能抗着杆子从南门到北门的人会得到10块金币。故选D。

3.细节理解题。根据Hearing no answer, Shang Yang stepped forward and said, “The reward now goes to 50 gold pieces.” 商鞅听不到回答，上前说：“现在奖励50块金块。”可知，商鞅增加奖励是因为他听不到回答。故选C。

4.细节理解题。A. A man who can speak loudly.能大声说话的人。B. A man who likes to speak a lot. 喜欢说大话的人。C. A man who keeps his word. 信守诺言的人。D. A man of few words. 寡言少语的人。句子They believed he was a man of his word.的意思是：他们相信他是信守诺言的人。因此a man of his word是“信守诺言”的意思。故选C。

5.细节理解题。根据Under these great reforms, Qin grew stronger and stronger. At last, Qin made all the seven states into one empire (帝国). 在这些伟大的改革下，秦国变得越来越强大。最后，秦始皇把七国统一为一个帝国。可知，中国的第一个帝国出现了。故选B。