Question

Compared to the history of China, the history of the United States is quite short. 1. In 1776, 13 colonies（殖民地）located on the eastern coast of North America declared independence and fought a revolution against the British. In 1783 the colonists won the revolution and gained their independence.

After the revolution, the United States bought a large section of country from Napoleon of France. This purchase doubled（加倍）the size of the United States. 2. If he hadn’t needed that money, the United States might have stayed a small country. Texas and most of what is now the southwestern part of the United States belonged to Mexico. The people of Texas fought a revolution against Mexico. 3. Later, the United States and Mexico went to war. If Mexico had defeated the United States in that war, California and New Mexico would have been part of Mexico today.

The British and the Americans both claimed the northwestern part of the country. They settled their differences with a compromise. South of the 49th parallel was the United States. North of the 49th parallel was Canada. In 1861 one half of the United States did go to war with the other half. 4. President Lincoln wanted to free slaves. He was supported by the North but opposed by the South. The South wanted to separate from the rest of the country and become independent. 5.

Following the Civil War, the United States bought Alaska from Russia. Today it is the largest state in the country and a very important one, too.

A. This was the Civil War.

B. It was controlled by England then.

C. It began little more than 200 years ago.

D. After 4 years of war, the South was defeated.

E. Napoleon needed money for his European wars.

F. They became independent and joined the United States.

G. At that time many people didn’t think Alaska was important.

Answer

1.C

2.E

3.F

4.A

5.D

【解析】这是一篇说明文。与中国的历史相比，美国的历史是相当短暂的。本文讲述了美国的独立战争、殖民历史和南北战争等。

1.上文提到“与中国的历史相比，美国的历史是相当短暂的。”再根据下文提到“在1776年，位于北美东海岸的13个殖民地宣布独立，并与英国进行了一场革命。”，C项It began little more than 200 years ago.（它开始于200多年前。）承上启下。该项中的more than 200 years ago与上文quite short吻合。故选C。

2.根据上文提到美国向法国购买了大片土地，下文提到“如果他不需要这笔钱，美国可能仍然是一个小国家。”，E项Napoleon needed money for his European wars.（拿破仑在欧洲战争中需要钱。）承上启下。该项中的needed money与下文的hadn’t needed that money相吻合。故选E。

3.上文提到“德克萨斯州和现在大部分的美国西南部原属于墨西哥。德克萨斯人民与墨西哥进行了一场革命。”，F项They became independent and joined the United States.（他们独立并加入了美国。）是上文的延续，讲述德克萨斯归属美国的历史。该项中的They指上文的The people of Texas。故选F。

4.上文提到“1861年，美国的一半与另一半开战。”，A项This was the Civil War.（这就是美国内战。）承接上文，都是讲美国内战。该项中的This指的就是上文提到的In 1861 one half of the United States did go to war with the other half.

5.上文提到“南方想要脱离这个国家的其他地区，独立出来。”，D项After 4 years of war, the South was defeated.（经过4年的战争，南方被打败了。）说明这场战争的结果。该项中的the South was defeated.与上文中的The South wanted to separate from…吻合。