Question

We considered a list of the best American books. Here are five that may help accurately show the national character. Most from a century or so ago, they still entertain, teach, and inspire:

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

First published in 1851, the adventure stories of Captain Ahab and his monomaniacal(偏执的) pursuit of the white whale draw us into a universe full of fascinating characters and stories.

The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams

Published in 1918, the book was an autobiography. Born in one of America’s most famous political families, Adams provides insight into his family, including his experience as private secretary to his father, minister to England during the American Civil war.

Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

When Whitman published Leaves of Grass in 1855, he wanted to accurately describe the American experience and reflect the great changes in the American literary world that had taken place during his lifetime.

Poems by Emily Dickinson

An enthusiastic poet whose works have had considerable influence on modern poetry, Dickson’s frequent use of dashes, occasional capitalization(大写) of nouns, and unconventional metaphors(隐喻) have contributed to her reputation as one of the most inventive poets of the 19^th century American literature. However, most of her poems were not published during her lifetime.

The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

First published in 1855, this is Longfellow’s most popular and most recognized poem, the heroic life and death of a magic American Indian, sent by the Great Spirit to guide the nations in the ways of peace.

1.Walt Whitman wrote Leaves of Grass in order to _______.

A. show his talent and heroic life to us

B. draw us into a fascinating universe

C. provide insight into his family

D. reflect the great changes in the American literary world

2.If you want to read a story about a magic American Indian, you can read _______.

A. Moby-Dick             B. The Song of Hiawatha

C. Poems                 D. Leaves of Grass

3.Which statement is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Because the five books are from a century or so ago, they can’t teach and inspire us.

B. Herman Melville was considered as one of the most inventive poets of the 19^th century American literature.

C. The Education of Henry Adams is a non-fiction book.

D. Of the five books, Moby-Dick was published last.

4.Why did the author write the passage ?

A. To introduce several best \American books to readers .

B. To make an advertisement for a book store .

C. To tell stories of several famous writers .

D. To talk about some knowledge about literature.

Answer

1.D

2.B

3.C

4.A

【解析】

试题分析：在本文内作者推荐了能够展现美国民族性格的五本好书。尽管写于一个多世纪前，但是这些书仍然具有教育意义，能够给人以鼓舞。比如《亨利亚当斯的教育》，这是作者美国史学家，亚当斯的一部自传，透过作者的讲述，我们可以了解到当时美国家庭的生活。

1.D细节理解题。根据文中he wanted to accurately describe the American experience and reflect the great changes in the American literary world可以判断D选项正确。

2.B细节理解题。从文中this is Longfellow’s most popular and most recognized poem, the heroic life and death of a magic American Indian,可知B为正确选项。

3.C细节理解题。根据文中Published in 1918, the book was an autobiography.可知《亨利亚当斯的教育》这本书是传记，所以C项内容正确。

4.A细节理解题。在文章开头作者提出We considered a list of the best American books. Here are five that may help accurately show the national character.，由此可知作者写本文的目的是向读者介绍几本好书。所以答案选A。

考点：考查教育类短文阅读。