William Butler Yeats, a most famous Irish writer, was born in Dublin on June 13, 1865. His childhood lacked the harmony that was typical of a happy family. Later, Yeats shocked his family by saying that he remembered "little of childhood but its pain". In fact, he inherited (继承) excellent taste in art from his family — both his father and his brother were painters. But he finally settled on literature, particularly drama and poetry. 
Yeats had strong faith in the coming of new artistic movements. He set himself the fresh task in founding an Irish national theatre in the late 1890s. His early theatrical experiments, however, were not received favorably at the beginning. He didn't lose heart, and finally enjoyed success in his poetical drama. 
Compared with his dramatic works, Yeats's poems attract much admiring notice. The subject matter includes love, nature, history, time and aging. Though Yeats generally relied on very traditional forms, he brought modern sensibility to them. As his literary life progressed, his poetry grew finer and richer, which led him to worldwide recognition. 
He had not enjoyed a major public life since winning the Nobel Prize in 1923. Yet, he continued writing almost to the end of his life. Had Yeats stopped writing at age 40, he would probably now be valued as a minor poet, for there is no other example in literary history of a poet who produces his greatest works between the ages of 50 and 75. After Yeats's Death in 1939, W. H. Auden wrote, among others, the following lines: 
Earth, receive an honoured guest:
        William Yeats is laid to rest. 
        Let the Irish vessel (船) lie
        Emptied of its poetry.
【小题1】Which of the following can describe Yeats's family?

A.It filled Yeats's childhood with laughter.
B.It was shocked by Yeats's choice.
C.It was a typically wealthy family.
D.It had an artistic atmosphere.
【小题2】According to the passage, what do we know about Yeats's life?
A.Yeats founded the first Irish theater.
B.Yeats stuck to modern forms in his poetry.
C.Yeats began to produce his best works from the 1910s.
D.Yeats was not favored by the public until the 1923 Noble Prize.
【小题3】What kind of feeling is expressed in W. H. Auden's lines?
A.EnvyB.SympathyC.EmptinessD.Admiration
【小题4】What is the passage mainly about?
A.Yeats's literary achievementsB.Yeats's historical influence
C.Yeats's artistic ambitionD.Yeats's national honor

Microsoft founder Bill Gates said that he planned to give away almost all of his vast fortune , largely to the cause of global health , during the course of his lifetime . With an estimated(估计)worth of more than $ 40 billion , according to Forbes , the project will be no small feat (功绩)for Gates . Having already provided the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with $ 24 billion to address global health issues , Gates said that eventually his entire fortune will be put towards the cause except “a few percent left for the kids.”

So what has made the richest man in the world to channel his resources so heavily into one interest ? Gates believes that “the equality of opportunity” in which Americans take such pride needs to extend to other nations around the world . Improving the health of the populations , he says , has proven to be an essential method in helping poor countries to be financially successful . “National borders allow inequalities ,” said Gates : “We all need to take a more global view , rather than just saying my country is doing well . We have to step up these health issues , knowing how few resources are going into them .”

Gates said that both his parents set an example for him as a child . His father , William H. Gates , was the head of the local Planned Parenthood , and his mother , Mary , volunteered for the United Way . As he gathered his fortune , Gates knew he would eventually want to give back as well , but he didn’t expect to devote himself whole-heartedly to one project until he was about 60.

However , Gates , 47 , began to question his ability to wait that long . “It seemed there was a real time urgency,” Gates said . “I started to think , How many lives could I save before then ?”

1.Bill Gates believes that one important way of developing poor countries is          .

A.to set up more foundations for them

B.to aid them with natural resources

C.to put more effort into the health issues in them

D.to help them take a more global view

2.It can be learned from the text that Bill Gates thinks          .

A.Americans should care about people in other countries

B.Americans should treat fellow citizens well

C.Americans should devote themselves to certain projects

D.Americans can be world-famous by giving away vast fortune

3.Bill Gates gave away his vast fortune earlier than he had expected because of          .

A.his weakening health condition

B.his parents’ suggestions

C.his great success in business

D.his concerns for suffering people

 

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