Question

Dr．Ferguson energetically pushed the preparations for his departure，and in person directed the construction of his balloon．For a long time past he had been applying himself to the study of the Arab language and the various Mandingoe idioms，and，thanks to his talents in language，he had made rapid progress．

In the meanwhile，his friend，the sportsman，never let him out of

his sight-afraid，no doubt，that the doctor might take his departure，without saying a word to anybody．On this subject，he tried to discourage him with the most persuasive arguments，which，however，did NOT persuade Samuel Ferguson，and wasted his breath，by which the latter seemed to be but slightly moved．In fine，Dick felt that the doctor was slipping through his fingers．

  The poor Scot was really to be pitied．He could not look upon the

blue sky without a wild terror: when asleep，he felt dizziness(眩晕)that made his head turn around；and every night he had visions of crashing down from immeasurable heights．

We must add that，during these nightmares，he once or twice fell out of bed. His first care then was to show Ferguson a severe bump(肿块)that he had received on the fall．“And yet，”he

would add，with warmth，“that was at the height of only three feet一not an inch more一and such a bump as this! Only think，then!”

This appeal，full of sad meaning as it was，did not seem to touch the doctor's heart．Not even the shadow of a doubt was ever suggested；and Samuel made an intolerable misuse of the first person plural：“‘Our’balloon，‘our’ car ；‘our’expedition.”

     Dick trembled at them，although he was determined not to go ; he did not want to annoy his friend．Let us also disclose the fact that，without knowing exactly why himself，he had sent to Edinburgh for a certain selection of heavy clothing，and his best hunting-tools and fire-arms．

1.Why did Dr．Ferguson start to learn new languages?

A．To keep himself occupied．

B．To get ready for the departure．

C．To show his talent in language．

D．To Know more about  balloon construction．

2.We Call infer from the passage that Dick ＿＿＿＿.

A．suffered from a disease during the nights

B．got hurt in a fall from the balloon in the evening

C．decided to take the adventure with the doctor at last

D．equipped himself with arms to frighten his friend

3.Which word best describes Dr．Ferguson’s attitude towards his balloon flight?

A．Excited．     B．Optimistic．  C．Worried.    D．Determined

4.What’s the writing pattern of the passage?

A．News．       B．Fiction．     C．Journal．   D．Biography．

Answer

1.B

2.C

3.D

4.B

【解析】

试题分析: 《气球上的五星期》是法国著名作家儒勒·凡尔纳的第一部科幻长篇小说，也是他的成名作。讲的是十九世纪弗格森博士和他的朋友肯尼迪、他的仆人乔一起乘坐热气球，从非洲南部的桑给巴尔出发，穿越了非洲大陆，经历了千难万险，终于降落在塞内加尔河，从而完成了前人未曾完成的探险行程。

1.B 细节理解题。根据第一段提到Dr．Ferguson energetically pushed the preparations for his departure，and in person directed the construction of his balloon．For a long time past he had been applying himself to the study of the Arab language and the various Mandingoe idioms弗格森博士忙于出发前的准备工作。他亲自指导制作气球，并且对设计作了某些改动，不过他只字不提此事。很长时间以来，他专心学习阿拉伯语和非洲西部地区曼丁哥人的各种语言，可见是为离开做准备的，所以选B项。

2.C 细节理解题。根据第二段提到In the meanwhile，his friend，the sportsman，never let him out ofhis sight-afraid，no doubt，that the doctor might take his departure，without saying a word to anybody在此期间，他的猎人朋友寸步不离地跟着他，生怕他连招呼都不打就飞走。肯尼迪还在执意劝说弗格森博士放弃该计划所以选C项。

3.D 细节理解题。根据第五段提到This appeal，full of sad meaning as it was，did not seem to touch the doctor's heart这番暗示充满了伤感，但是并没打动博士，所以博士十分坚定要用气球，故选D项。

4.B 推断猜测题。根据图片可知这是《气球上的五星期》是法国著名作家儒勒·凡尔纳的第一部科幻长篇小说，也是他的成名作，所以是科幻小说，故选D项。

考点：文化类阅读。