Beatrix Potter was a great English writer and
artist, best known for her children's books featuring animal characters such as
in the children's classic -- The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Beatrix
was born into a rich London-based family where she was tutored by very strict
private teachers and so spent her youth isolated from other youngsters.
During
her youth she had a lot of pets and spent vacations in Scotland and also the
Lake District. It was at the Lake District that she developed a love of
wildlife. She studied the area's natural wonders carefully and painted them
continuously. But her old-fashioned, Manchester-born parents discouraged her
intellectual improvement, thinking it inappropriate for a young lady. However,
her study and watercolour paintings of wild mushrooms made her widely respected
within the field of biology.
In
her 30's, Beatrix Potter wrote the remarkably successful kid's book, The Tale
of Pew Rabbit. Close to that time she became secretly engaged to her publisher
Norman Warne. This caused a great disagreement with her parents, who did not
approve of Beatrix getting married to somebody of lower social status. Sadly,
Warne died before the marriage ceremony.
Ultimately
Beatrix Potter began writing and also illustrating (绘图)
kid's books full-time. Using profits from her books, Beatrix grew to become
economically independent of her parents and was eventually in a position to buy
Hill Top Farm in the Lake District. She extended the property with additional
purchases of neighbouring land over time. In her 40's, Bestrix married William
Heelis, a local lawyer. She ended up becoming a sheep breeder and farmer while
continuing to publish as well as illustrate books for children. In all she
authored 23 publications.
Beatrix
died on December 22, 1943, and left the majority of her property to the
National Trust. Her books carry on selling well globally, in many different
languages. Her stories have been retold in numerous formats including a ballet,
movies, and cartoons.
Such
is her reputation, and that of the characters from her publications, that many
Beatrix Potter statues have been created. These tiny Beatrix Potter statues
which include pretty much all the actual characters in her publications have
become highly valued by art collects and fans of her literature throughout the
world.
1. What can we learn
about Beatrix Potter's early life?
A. She learned drawing skills from
her tutors.
B. She was very sociable and
outgoing.
C. She was greatly inspired by the
beauty of nature.
D. She was encouraged to think
creatively and independently.
2.Why did Beatrix
Potter's parents oppose the idea of her marriage to Norman Warne?
A. They did not believe she was
mature enough to get married.
B. They thought Warne was only
interested in Beatrix Potter's wealth.
C. They believed that the couple's
characters were mismatched.
D. They considered Warne to be too
common for their daughter.
3.According to the
passage, which part of the UK did Beatrix Potter love most?
A.
Manchester. B.
Scotland. C. The
Lake District. D. London.
4.In which of the
following areas did Beatrix Potter show an interest during her life?
A. Writing, biology, farming.
B. Drawing, nature, ballet.
C. Movies, farming, drawing.
D. Writing, mushrooms, travel.
5.What is the function
of the last two paragraphs of the passage?
A. To describe the consequences of
Beatrix Potter's death.
B. To present the lasting cultural
influence of Beatrix Potter and her works..
C. To show the changes in attitude
towards Beatrix Potter's works over the past years.
D. To criticize the
commercialization of Beatrix Potter's characters since her death.