Question

    Daniel Defoe, the writer of Robinson Crusoe, was born on 13 September, 1660, in London. His father was a wealthy businessman. In Defoe's early life, he experienced some of the most unusual events in English history: in 1665, 70,000 were killed by the Great Plague of London, and next year, the Great Fire of London which left only Defoe's and two other houses standing in his neighborhood. In 1667, when he was probably about seven, a Dutch fleet（舰队）sailed up the Medway by way of the River Thames and attacked the town of Chatham. His mother Annie had died by the time he was about ten.

Defoe is among the founders of the English novel, known to have used at least 198 pen names. He is most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe, which is second only to the Bible in its number of translations. Defoe was a prolific writer, producing more than three hundred works—books, pamphlets, and journals—on diverse topics, including politics, crime, religion, marriage, psychology, and the supernatural. Defoe wrote many political tracts and often was in trouble with the government, including prison time. He was also a pioneer of business and economic journalism（新闻业）. Intellectuals and political leaders paid attention to his fresh ideas and sometimes consulted with him.

Defoe also entered the world of business as a general merchant, dealing at different times in hosiery, general woollen goods, and wine. His ambitions were great and he was able to buy a country estate and a ship, though he was rarely out of debt. He was forced to declare bankruptcy(宣布破产) in 1692. On 1 January 1684, Defoe married Mary Tuffley, the daughter of a London merchant, receiving a dowry（嫁妆）of £3,700—a huge amount by the standards of the day. With his debts and political difficulties, the marriage may have been troubled, but it lasted about 50 years and produced eight children.

Daniel Defoe died on 24 April 1731. He had probably experienced a stroke(中风). He was buried in Borough of Islington, London, where a monument was built in memory of him.

1.Daniel Defoe was_______ and the writer of_______.

A.an Englishman, “A Tale of Two Cities” B.an American, “A Million Pound Note”

C.a Frenchman, “The Lost Necklace” D.an Englishman, “Robinson Crusoe”

2.What is the writer’s main purpose in writing the article?

A.To introduce the life story of Daniel Defoe. B.To say bad words about Daniel Defoe.

C.To spread bad news about Daniel Defoe. D.To have pity on Daniel Defoe.

3.What is the meaning of the underlined word “prolific”?

A.public B.productive C.practical D.proud

4.Which of the following statement about Daniel Defoe’s life is true?

A.Daniel Defoe is praised highly by the British today.

B.Daniel Defoe lived a rich life all his life.

C.Daniel Defoe’s marriage broke up halfway.

D.Intellectuals and political leaders looked down upon Daniel Defoe.

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.B

4.A

【解析】

本文介绍了《鲁滨逊漂流记》的作者，丹尼尔·笛福的生平。

1.细节理解题。根据文章第一段“Daniel Defoe, the writer of Robinson Crusoe, was born on 13 September, 1660, in London.”可知，丹尼尔·笛福是《鲁滨逊漂流记》的作者，1660年9月13日出生在英国伦敦。故选D。

2.主旨大意题。根据短文大意可知，本文主要介绍了《鲁滨逊漂流记》的作者，丹尼尔·笛福的生平。故选A。

3.词义猜测题。根据后面“producing more than three hundred works—books, … marriage, psychology, and the supernatural.”可知他创作了三百多部作品，包括书籍、小册子和期刊，内容涉及不同的主题，包括政治、犯罪、宗教、婚姻、心理学和超自然，结合选项可知，prolific应该是“多产的productive”。故选B。

4.推理判断题。根据第二段“He is most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe, which is second only… sometimes consulted with him.”可知人们对笛福的评价很高，故选项A正确；根据第三段“though he was rarely out of debt. He was forced to declare bankruptcy(宣布破产) in 1692.”可知笛福的生活并不富裕，故选项B错误；根据第三段“With his debts and political difficulties, the marriage may have been troubled, but it lasted about 50 years and produced eight children.”可知他的婚姻可能受到了困扰，但持续了大约50年，生了8个孩子，故选项C错误；根据第二段最后“Intellectuals and political leaders paid attention to his fresh ideas and sometimes consulted with him.”可知知识分子和政治领袖关注他的新思想，有时与他协商，故选项D错误。故选A。