Question

The New York Times——Stephen Hawking, the brightest star in the firmament(天空)of science, whose insights shaped modern cosmology(宇宙论)and inspired global audiences in the millions, has died aged 76. His family released a statement in the early hours of Wednesday morning confirming his death at his home in Cambridge. Hawking’s children, Lucy, Robert and Tim said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today.” “He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years to come. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humor inspired people across the world.”

When Hawking was diagnosed with motor neuronal (神经元的)disease in 1963 at the age of 21, doctors expected him to live for only two more years. But Hawking had a form of the disease that progressed more slowly than usual. He survived for more than half a century and long enough for his disability to define him. His popularity would surely have been diminished without it. Those who live in the shadow of death are often those who live most.

For Hawking, the early diagnosis of his terminal disease, and witnessing the death from leukaemia of a boy who he knew in hospital, ignited(点燃)a fresh sense of pursue. “Although there was a cloud hanging over my future, I found, to my surprise, that I was enjoying life in the present more than before. I began to make progress with my research,” he once said. Embarking (着手) on his career in earnest, he declared: “My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.”

1.The following statements about Hawking is true EXCEPT________.

A. Hawking had three kids according to the passage.

B. Hawking’s intelligence and spirits influenced enormous people all over the world.

C. Hawking’s disease became worse quickly after being diagnosed.

D. Almost all his life was devoted to the exploration of the universe in spite of his severe disease.

2.What does the underlined word “diminish” most probably refer to?

A. Increase    B. Decrease    C. Gain    D. Disappear

3.Which of the following words can be used to describe Hawking?

A. Active and knowledgeable    B. Optimistic and determined

C. Thoughtful and hardworking    D. Diligent and kind

4.What was it that inspired Hawking to pursue his dream?

A. His courage and persistence with brilliance and humor.

B. His motor neuronal disease.

C. His insights into modern cosmology.

D. His being diagnosed with disease and seeing his friend die of leukaemia.

Answer

1. C

2. B

3. B

4. D

【解析】

本文是一篇人物传记。《纽约时报》——史蒂芬·霍金(Stephen Hawking)是科学界最耀眼的明星，他的洞见塑造了现代宇宙学，激励了全球数以百万计的观众。

1.推理判断题。根据第二段中When Hawking was diagnosed with motor neuronal (神经元的)disease in 1963 at the age of 21, doctors expected him to live for only two more years. But Hawking had a form of the disease that progressed more slowly than usual.可知，以下关于霍金的陈述只有C项“霍金的病在被诊断出来后迅速恶化”不正确。故选C。

2.词义猜测题。根据第二段中His popularity would surely have been diminished without it. Those who live in the shadow of death are often those who live most. 没有它，他的声望肯定会下降。生活在死亡阴影下的人往往是活得最多的人。由此推知划线词的意思是“减少，下降”。故选B。

3.推理判断题。根据最后一段中Although there was a cloud hanging over my future, I found, to my surprise, that I was enjoying life in the present more than before. I began to make progress with my research,”--- It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.”可知，“乐观和坚定”可以用来描述霍金。故选B。

4.细节理解题。根据第三段第一句For Hawking, the early diagnosis of his terminal disease, and witnessing the death from leukaemia of a boy who he knew in hospital, ignited(点燃)a fresh sense of pursue.可知，他被诊断出患有疾病，目睹他的朋友死于白血病激励霍金去追求他的梦想。故选D。