Question

In 1880, fourteen-year-old Matthew Henson loved to hear sailors tell tales of their exciting lives at sea. The travel, the adventure, the danger, and the steady pay were all attracting young Henson. One day, he found a job as a cabin boy on a beautiful ship called the Katie Hinds. For the next five years, Henson sailed around the world. With the help of the ship’s captain and other members of the crew, Henson learned mathematics, navigation, history, geography, and many other subjects. By the time he left the Katie Hinds in 1885, Henson was well educated and had become an excellent seaman.

Unable to find work anywhere else, Henson took a job in a hat shop in Washington, D.C. One day in 1887, a man came in to buy a hat. The man, Robert Peary, asked the owner if he knew anyone with experience at sea. Peary would soon travel to South America for the U.S. government. He needed experienced men to accompany him. The shop owner knew about his young employee’s skills and experience on ocean journeys, so he introduced Peary to Henson.

Using his map-reading and sailing skills, Henson proved himself to be a worthy and smart seaman. Peary soon made Henson his assistant（助理）, and they became close friends. One day Peary told Henson about his real dream: to be the first man to stand on “the top of the world” at the North Pole. He asked Henson to help him make his dream come true. Over the next five years, the two explorers made two trips together to the Arctic. However, they were not able to reach the pole either time. The cold, wind, and ice were worse than either of them had ever imagined.

In 1908, Peary and Henson were ready to make their final attempt at reaching the North Pole. Both men were over forty years old. The years of hardship in the arctic cold had made them suffer a lot. This would be their last chance. With four Inuit（因纽特）guides, they made a mad rush straight across the ice toward the pole. Peary’s feet were injured and he had to be pulled on a dogsled. In April 1909, Henson’s instruments showed they were standing at the North Pole. Together Henson and Peary planted the American flag in the snow.

In later years, Robert Peary and Henson were greatly honored for their achievements. Today, the two friends and fellow explorers lie in heroes’ graves not far apart in the Arlington National Cemetery.

1.In paragraph 1, the author shows how Henson became ________.

A. a wonderful seaman

B. an educated captain

C. a good shop assistant

D. a successful learner

2.Paragraph 2 mainly tells us ________.

A. why Matthew Henson went to the hat shop

B. how Matthew Henson met Robert Peary

C. why Matthew Henson stopped working on the Katie Hinds

D. how Robert Peary knew Matthew Henson had sea experience

3.The following statements are TRUE except ________.

A. Henson proved himself a better seaman than Peary

B. Peary wanted Henson to help him realize his dream

C. Before their final attempt, they made two trips together

D. After they died, they were highly respected by people

4.The story between Henson and Peary could best be compared to ________.

A. treasure hunters looking for fortunes

B. sailors seeking power over others

C. soldiers fighting for their freedom

D. fighters exploring an unknown land

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.A

4.D

【解析】

试题分析：本文讲述了亨森是如何成为了一名优秀水手的，并介绍他在认识罗伯特·皮尔里之后两个人共同奋斗，历尽艰辛去北极探险的故事。

1.A细节理解题。根据第一段最后两句．..Henson learned mathematics，navigation，history，geography，and many other subjects...had become an excellent seaman.可知，第一段主要讲述了亨森是如何成为了一名优秀水手的。故选A项。

2.B主旨大意题。第二段是对下文的铺垫。根据第二段最后一句可知，是老板把他介绍给了罗伯特·皮尔里，即第二段主要讲述了马修·享森是如何认识罗伯特·皮尔里的。故选B

3.A推理判断题。根据第三段中He asked Henson to help him make his dream come true.可知，他请求Henson帮助他实现他的梦，排除B；the two explorers made two trips together to the Arctic. 这两个探险家两次一起去北极旅行，排除C；根据最后一段最后一句Today, the two friends and fellow explorers lie in heroes’ graves not far apart in the Arlington National Cemetery.可知，他们死后，他们受到人们的高度尊敬，排除D。A项与文章意思不对，是错误的，故选A。

4.D推理判断题。由文章可知，在他们去北极的过程中，两个人共同奋斗，历尽艰辛，为了目标而努力。故可将两人比作“为了实现一项任务而奋斗的人”，故D选项切题。

【名师点睛】

找出主题句，抓住文章主线和关键词语，归纳文章中心。要注意不是所有的段落都有主题句，有时主题句暗含在句中。阅读这样的文章，就需要自己根据文章的细节来分析，概括出段落的主题，从而推导出文章的主旨。分析的方法是：先弄清该段落主要讲了哪几方面的内容，这些内容在逻辑上有什么联系，然后加以归纳形成主题。5.主旨大意题。第二段是对下文的铺垫。根据第二段最后一句可知，是老板把他介绍给了罗伯特·皮尔里，即第二段主要讲述了马修·享森是如何认识罗伯特·皮尔里的。故选B

考点：考查人物传记类阅读