Question

Alexander von Humboldt was born in 1769 in Berlin, Germany. As a young boy, he wanted to learn about the world. Humboldt followed his dream. In 1799, he traveled with a friend to Central and South America.

On their trip, Humboldt and his friend saw and did many things. They sailed down the Amazon River. They watched dolphins play in the ocean. They explored the rain forest and climbed mountains and volcanoes. They were able to make the first maps of the northern part of South America.

Humboldt set a world record for mountain climbing. He also made a discovery. During his climb, Humboldt became very sick. He found out that the higher he climbed, the less oxygen there was in the air. This made it more difficult to breathe. Later, this became known as mountain sickness.

Science was another part of Humboldt’s interests. He wanted to write about all of the new things he saw. He described the new plants, animals, and rocks which had never been seen by scientists before.

Humboldt also studied the way of life of the local people. He learned how the native people along the Amazon River used plants in their daily lives. For example, they used a strong poison from a vine(蔓生植物) to make poisoned arrows. The natives used these arrows for hunting their food.

The Amazon Indians also used a native plant to treat malaria (疟疾), a serious illness. The plant grew wild, but after it was dug up, it was never replanted. Humboldt warned the natives that the plant was in danger of dying out. He looked for ways to preserve the plant and to make it grow strong.

Although Humboldt took many risks during his trip, he lived to be 90 years old. In his lifetime, he made many discoveries and shared them with the world. As a tribute (颂扬) to Humboldt, there are rivers and mountains named after him.

1.We can infer that Humboldt was probably a (n) ________.

A. explorerB. inventorC. doctorD. writer

2.Humboldt and his friend made maps of ________.

A. the central part of South America

B. the northern part of South America

C. the north part of Central America

D. the southern part of Central America

3.What do we know about mountain sickness?

A. It can be treated with a plant.

B. It is a serious illness like malaria.

C. It mainly influences one’s breathing.

D. It was discovered by Humboldt’s friend.

4.We can tell from the text that Humboldt was ________.

A. easy-goingB. imaginativeC. optimisticD. ambitious

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.C

4.D

【解析】

试题分析：文章讲述了探险家Humboldt在南美洲探险的过程以及作出的贡献。

1. 推理判断题。根据第二段They explored the rain forest and climbed mountains and volcanoes. They were able to make the first maps of the northern part of South America.和下文mountain climbing及He wanted to write about all of the new things he saw.的描述可知，Humboldt是个探险家，故选A。

2. 细节理解题。根据第二段They were able to make the first maps of the northern part of South America.可知，Humboldt和朋友制作了南美洲北部的地图，故选B。

3. 细节理解题。根据第三段He found out that the higher he climbed, the less oxygen there was in the air. This made it more difficult to breathe. Later, this became known as mountain sickness.可知，高山反应主要影响呼吸，越往上呼吸越困难，故选C。

4. 推理判断题。根据Humboldt在探险、科学、生活方式、保护动植物等方面的贡献，和最后一段Although Humboldt took many risks during his trip, he lived to be 90 years old. In his lifetime, he made many discoveries and shared them with the world.可知，他是一个勇敢、有雄心壮志的人，故选D。

考点：考查人物故事类短文阅读。

【名师点睛】

在做阅读理解题过程中，应首先略读一下短文，了解一下短文的大致意思，然后把几个选项含义理解透，尤其注意意思相近，表达有交叉的选项之间的区别。然后再细读短文，把答案填入合适位置。答题时可以把含义相近的几个选项轮流填入同一处位置，反复阅读，反复体会，找出最佳选项，对于实在没有把握的小题可以最后完成。完成短文后，再认真通读一遍全文，看看上下语意是否通顺，是否符合逻辑关系。要看完全文，关键对方反复阅读，才能选对答案。

另外，做题时要注意文章的首段和每一段的首句或尾句，因为它们往往就是文章的主题句。阅读中要注意要点之间的关系。比如第31小题根据Humboldt在探险、科学、生活方式、保护动植物等方面的贡献，和最后一段Although Humboldt took many risks during his trip, he lived to be 90 years old. In his lifetime, he made many discoveries and shared them with the world.可知他是一个勇敢、有雄心壮志的人，故选D.