题目内容
7.Relations between the United States and Spain were not very good in 1898.On February 15,a battleship called the USS Maine blew up and sank in the harbor at Havana,Cuba.More than 260Americans were killed.Many Americans thought that Spanish saboteurs (破坏者) had set an underwater mine that caused the explosion.Witnesses and survivors had different versions of what happened.Some said that they heard two explosions.It was discovered that the magazine-which is a storage place for arms,ammunition(军火),and explosives-had exploded.Questions were raised about what caused the first explosion.Did the first explosion come from outside the ship,causing the magazine to explode?Or,did something on the ship blow up the magazine?
Other witnesses said that there was only one explosion.If they are right,then what on the ship caused the magazine to explode?A theory supporting the two-explosion version was that rebels from Cuba had caused the explosion.The rebels were aware of the bad feelings between the United States and Spain.They would have been willing to cause trouble between the nations to bring an end to Spanish rule in Cuba.
The United States government issued an ultimatum(最后通牒) to the Spanish government to end its occupation of Cuba.When Spanish officials refused,Congress and President William McKinley declared war on Spain.The war did not last long,because the United Sates forced an early surrender.
More than 100years after the explosion of Maine,the cause of the explosion is still unknown.Many questions remain.If an attack from outside the ship caused the magazine to explode,why didn't witnesses see a splash in the water?Why were there no dead fish in the water if there was an external explosion?
With the mystery still unsolved,the question of what really happened to the USS Maine may never be answered.
(Note:Answer the questions or complete the statements in NO MORE THAN EIGHT WORDS.)
81.On February 15,1898,more than 260Americans lost their lives because ofthe explosion and sinking of the USS Maine.
82.According to the passage,the"magazine"was used tostore arms,ammunition,and explosives.
83.According to the two-explosion version,what's the probable purpose of the Cuban rebels to cause the explosion?To cause trouble and end the Spanish rule/occupation.
84.What's the main topic of the passage?The Mystery of the USS Maine./The(possible)causes of the USS Maine's Explosion.
分析 本文介绍了导致 the USS Maine 爆炸的可能性的原因.
解答 81.the explosion and sinking of the USS Maine 细节理解题.第一段"a battleship called the USS Maine blew up and sank in the harbor at Havana,Cuba.More than 260Americans were killed"这句话可得出答案.
82.store arms,ammunition,and explosives 细节理解题.在第二段"It was discovered that the magazine-which is a storage place for arms,ammunition(军火),and explosives-had exploded"可以得出当时magazine是用来存储军火等的地方.
83.To cause trouble and end the Spanish rule/occupation.根据第三段"A theory supporting the two-explosion version was that rebels from Cuba had caused the explosion"这句话告诉我们Cuban rebels 引起爆炸的目的.
84.The Mystery of the USS Maine./The (possible) causes of the USS Maine's Explosion通过全文以及最后一段的介绍可知,这篇文章的主要目的就是介绍了USS Maine's Explosion可能的原因.
点评 此篇阅读表达难度适中,考生在答题时需抓住第一段以及每段第一句话,从而迅速抓住主旨,在找细节时要采用定位法.
Robert Frost was no longer young when he published his first book of poems,A Boy's Will,in 1913.Though born in San Francisco,the USA,he came from a New England family which returned there when he was ten.Like many other writers,he had a brief brush with college and then supported himself by trying different jobs.However,he had been brought up on a farm and he liked farming.Most of all,he liked to write but he could not support himself by writing.In his late 30s he moved to England,where he produced his first book.
At the outbreak of World War I,Frost went back to farming in New Hampshire.From then on,although he made many journeys elsewhere,he considered the farm to be his home and farming activities became the focus of his poetry.
Frost's verses(诗,诗体) are a part of a great tradition,shaped by the Roman poet Vergil,whose poetry was mainly about farming.However,though he used farm situations in much of his poetry,he gave them a wide application.He might write about stepping on a rake(耙子) and describe the feeling when it hit him,but he used the incident to show how life gave us lessons.
Some talents in poetry are used up early,but not Frost's.He continued to publish fine poetry for fifty years.He reached the height of his popularity after World War II.If America had a national poet in the 20th century,it was Frost.He was chosen to read one of his poems at the inauguration(就职典礼)of the late President John F.Kennedy,the first poet ever so honored.
The (71)Introductionto Robert Frost
Personal Information | Nationality:(72)American | Topic of poetry:(73)Farming/Farming activities |
(74)Career/Job/Profession/Occupation:Poet | Favorite:Writing | |
Life experiences | ☆Coming from a (75)farmer's family/New England family ☆Having a brief brush with college ☆Trying different jobs (76)to support himself ☆(77)Producing/Writing his first book of poem in his late 30s ☆Becoming (78)the most popular/famous/well-known poet after World War II | |
(79)Achievements/Honors | ☆Publishing fine poetry continually for fifty years ☆Being regarded as a national poet ☆Being the first poet (80)chosen/to be chosen to read his poem at the inauguration of an American president |