【题目】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 19th 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.
