Question

In 1883. John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. However, bridge building experts throughout the world thought this was an impossible mission and told Roebling to forget the idea, but Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of this bridge. After much discussion and persuasion he managed to convince his son Washington, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built.

    The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington was injured and left with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not being able to walk or talk or even move.

    "We told them so." "Crazy men and their crazy dreams.'' "It's foolish to chase wild visions." Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project should be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built. In spite of his handicap, Washington was never discouraged.

    One day he was lying on his bed in hospital, seeing the sky and the tops of the trees outside for just a moment with the sunlight streaming through the windows, and a gentle breeze bowing the  flimsy white curtains apart when an idea hit him. He decided to make the best use of the only finger  he could move. Thus, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife.

    He touched his wife's arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again.

    For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife's arm until the bridge was finally completed.

1.Which of the following is true of Washington and his father?

A. They are hardworking and courageous.

B. They are stubborn and bold.

C. They are creative and persistent.

D. They are curious and modest.

2.In the third paragraph, the underlined phrase ''wild vision" refers to______.

A. the tragic accident

B. the building of the bridge

C. the brain damage

D. the discussion and persuasion

3.From the passage, we know that _______ when Roebling proposed building the bridge.

A. people all over America supported him

B. almost no bridge experts in the world supported him

C. his friends were strongly in favor of his idea

D. many people considered it would be a great project

4.The passage suggests that______.

A.NO pains, no gains.

B. Many hands make light work.

C. A lighted heart is a good medicine.

D. Passion creates wonder.

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.B

4.D

【解析】

试题分析：在纽约和长岛之间有一座大桥相连。但是这座桥的建造过程历经艰难，尤其是设计师Washington经历了诸多变故。然而最终这座桥还是胜利竣工了。

1.细节理解题。由“Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of this bridge. After much discussion and persuasion he managed to convince his son Washington, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built.”可知他们是有创造力的和固执的。故选C。

2.推理判断题。由上下文可知人们认为建造大桥的计划是不切实际的，因此说这个造桥是愚蠢的。故选B。

3.细节理解题。由“Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project should be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built.”可知所有人都是消极的看待他建桥的项目。故选B。

4.主旨大意题。由文章可知，设计师Washington后期病重在床，但他仍然不放弃的为建桥事业而辛勤工作，用仅能动的手指指点工作，最终使得项目顺利结束。文章讲了一个人们认为不可能的变成可能的事，告诉我们激情能创造奇迹。故选D。

考点：人物传记类阅读。