Question

We considered a list of the best American books-but we’d need a whole issue to do them justice. Here are five that help define the national character. Most from a century or so ago, they still entertain, teach, and inspire us.

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

First published in 1851, the adventure stories of Captain Ahab and his monomaniacal(偏执的) pursuit of the white whale draw us into a universe full of fascinating characters and stories.

The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams

Awarded the Pulitzer Prize in autobiography(自传) in1918, descended from one of America’s most famous political dynasties, Adams provides insight into his family, including his experience as a private secretary to his father, minister to England during the American Civil war.

Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

When Whitman published Leaves of Grass in 1855, he wanted to define the American experience-singing of the new country in a new voice, reflecting the great changes in the American literary world that had taken place during his lifetime.

Poems by Emily Dickinson

An enthusiastic poet whose works have had considerable influence on modern poetry, Dickinson’s frequent use of dashes, occasional capitalization(大写) of nouns, and unconventional metaphors(隐喻) have contributed to her reputation as one of the most inventive(创新的) poets of the 19^th century American literature.

The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

First published in 1855, this is Longfellow’s most popular and most recognized poem, the heroic life and death of a magic American Indian, sent by the Great Spirit to guide the nations in the ways of peace.

1.Walt Whitman wrote Leaves of Grass in order to ______.

A. praise America and show the great changes in the American literary world

B. reflect the great changes in America that had taken place during his lifetime

C. give Americans encouragement in a new voice

D. show his talent and heroic life to us

2.The underlined word “considerable” probably means “______”

A. satisfying    B. exciting

C. inspiring    D. great

3.If you want to read a story about a magic American Indian, you can read ______.

A. Moby-Dick    B. Leaves of Grass

C. Poems    D. The Song of Hiawatha

4.What’ s the purpose of the wirer writing this passage?

A. To make an advertisement for a bookstore.

B. To introduce several best American books to readers.

C. To tell stories of several famous writers.

D. To talk about some knowledge about literature.

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.D

4.B

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。介绍了我们认为最好的美国图书。它们能够准确地显示民族性格。一个世纪以来一直娱乐、教育和激励着人们。短文介绍了书的内容，作者以及出版的情况。

1.细节理解题。根据reflect the great changes in the American literary world that had taken place during his lifetime.反映了在美国文学上的变化，故选D。

2.词义猜测题。根据倒数第三段An enthusiastic poet whose works have had considerable influence on modern poetry, Dickinson’s frequent use of dashes, occasional capitalization(大写) of nouns, and unconventional metaphors(隐喻) have contributed to her reputation as one of the most inventive(创新的) poets of the 19th century American literature. 作为一名热情的诗人，他的作品对现代诗歌产生了相当大的影响，狄金森经常使用破折号，偶尔大写的名词，以及非传统的隐喻，这些都使她成为19世纪美国文学中最具创造力的诗人之一。由此可知，划线词的意思是“相当大的，重大的”。故选D。

3.细节理解题。根据the heroic life and death of a magic American Indian,叙述了美洲印第安人的故事，故选B。

4.细节理解题。根据短文的内容可知主要给读者介绍了几本美国的书，故选A。