题目内容
One of the greatest contributors to the first Oxford English Dictionary was also one of its most unusual. In 1879, Oxford University in England asked Prof. James Murray to serve as editor for what was to be the most ambitious dictionary in the history of the English language. It would include every English word possible and would give not only the definition but also the history of the word and quotations(引文)showing how it was used.
This was a huge task, so Murray had to find volunteers from Britain, the United States, and the British colonies to search every newspaper, magazine, and book ever written in English. Hundreds of volunteers responded, including William Chester Minor. Dr. Minor was an American surgeon who had served in the Civil War and was now living in England. He gave his address as “Broadmoor, Crowthorne, Berkshire，” 50 miles from Oxford.
Minor joined the army of volunteers sending words and quotations to Murray. Over the next 17 years, he became one of the staff's most valued contributors.
But he was also a mystery. In spite of many invitations, he would always decline to visit Oxford. So in 1897, Murray finally decided to travel to Crowthorne himself. When he arrived, he found Minor locked in a booklined cell at the Broadmoor Asylum(精神病院)for the Criminally Insane.
Murray and Minor became friends, sharing their love of words. Minor continued contributing to the dictionary, sending in more than 10，000 submissions in 20 years. Murray continued to visit Minor regularly, sometimes taking walks with him around the asylum grounds.
In 1910, Minor left Broadmoor for an asylum in his native America. Murray was at the port to wave goodbye to his remarkable friend.
Minor died in 1920, seven years before the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary was completed. The 12 volumes defined 414，825 words, and thousands of them were contributions from a very scholarly and devoted asylum patient.
16. According to the text, the first Oxford English Dictionary________．
A. came out before Minor died
B. was edited by an American volunteer
C. included the English words invented by Murray
D. was intended to be the most ambitious English dictionary
17. How did Dr. Minor contribute to the dictionary?
A. He helped Murray to find hundreds of volunteers.
B. He sent newspapers, magazines and books to Murray.
C. He provided a great number of words and quotations.
D. He went to England to work with Murray.
18. Why did Dr. Minor refuse to visit Oxford?
A. He was shut in an asylum.
B. He lived far from Oxford.
C. He was busy writing a book.
D. He disliked traveling.
19. Prof. Murray and Dr. Minor became friends mainly because________．
A. they both served in the Civil War
B. they had a common interest in words
C. Minor recovered with the help of Murray
D. Murray went to America regularly to visit Minor
20. Which of the following best describes Dr. Minor?
A. Brave and determined.
B. Cautious and friendly.
C. Considerate and optimistic.
D. Unusual and scholarly.
21. What does the text mainly talk about?
A. The history of the English language.
B. The friendship between Murray and Minor.
C. Minor and the first Oxford English Dictionary.
D. Broadmoor Asylum and its patients.
这是一篇记叙文。文章叙述了第一本牛津词典的编写过程，以及Minor对词典的编写工作所作出的巨大贡献。
16．D 细节理解题。从最后一段的“Minor died in 1920, seven years before the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary was completed.”看出A选项是不正确的；从第二段的“Murray had to find volunteers from Britain, the United States, and the British colonies to search every newspaper, magazine, and book ever written in English. Hundreds of volunteers responded, including William Chester Minor. Dr. Minor was an American surgeon who had served in the Civil War and was now living in England.”看出牛津词典是集体智慧的结晶；由第一段最后一句中“It would include every English word possible”可知，C项不正确。故选D。
17．C 细节理解题。从第三段的“Minor joined the army of volunteers sending words and quotations to Murray”看出，Minor提供了大量词汇和引文。故选C。
18．A 细节理解题。从第四段的“Murray finally decided to travel to Crowthorne himself. When he arrived, he found Minor locked in a booklined cell at the Broadmoor Asylum for the Criminally Insane.”看出，是由于Minor患精神病被关进医院里，所以没有办法去牛津。故选A。
19．B 细节理解题。从第二段Minor自愿加入编词典这个活动可知，他对此很感兴趣，与Murray有着共同的兴趣，再从文章倒数第三段的“Murray and Minor became friends, sharing their love of words. Minor continued contributing to the dictionary, sending in more than 10，000 submissions in 20 years.”可找到答案。故选B。
20．D 推理判断题。根据文章中Minor在患精神病住院期间还坚持词典的编写工作看出他的不寻常；从文章倒数第三段的“Minor continued contributing to the dictionary, sending in more than 10，000 submissions in 20 years.”看出他的学者风范。故选D。
21．C 主旨大意题。文章一开始主要介绍由来自英国、美国和英国殖民地的志愿者参加牛津词典的编写工作，后半部分主要写编者Minor对词典的编写工作所作出的巨大贡献。故选C。
