Jane Austen(1775-1817),an English novelist, started writing young and completed six novels in her life. Today Austen’s books are more popular than ever. In the last 10 years, five of her six novels have been made into Hollywood films, while her books continue to be best-sellers.

Richard Jenkyns, a professor of English at Oxford University, says that her novels are about marriage, friendships and the family, which are still with us today. “The stories are timeless,”Jenkyns said.

Pride and Prejudice(偏见)(1813) is Austen’s most famous work. It is a love story about Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. At first, these two dislike each other. Elizabeth is pretty ,smart and lively. She is proud because Darcy doesn’t know about her family. Mr. Darcy is handsome, rich and has a better family background. So, he is proud as well. At the same time, Darcy holds a prejudice against the Bennet family. He has no understanding of why the family, especially its mother and daughters should try so hard to find wealthy and powerful husbands. He thinks they are vulgar. Anyway, Elizabeth and Darcy finally fall in love and become a romantic couple but their families don’t want them to.

In Pride and Prejudice, some of the main things that Jane Austen wants to teach people are as follows. Opposites can attract each other. Lovers should not ony make each other feel relaxed or comfortable, but also educate and improve each other.

Austen is often called the greatest romanti writer, so it is surprising she remained unmarried. ‘Maybe she was too romantic, waiting for the perfect man,” Jenkyns says.

1.From Paragraph 1and Paragraph 2,we can know .

A. Jane Austen passed away in her fifties

B. Austen’s works remain popular today

C. all of Austen’s works have been made into Hollywood films.

D. Austen’s works are mostly about war and the family.

2.Which of the following sentences is True?

A. Elizabeth and Darcy fall in love at first sight.

B. Elizabeth has a better family background than Darcy.

C.Darcy has a first good impression of Elizabeth’s family.

D. Elizabeth and Darcy become a romantic couple in the end.

3.What does the underlined word”vulgar” in Paragraph 3 mean?

A.粗俗的 B.鲁莽的 C.吝啬的 D.伪善的

4.From what Jenkyns says,we can learn __________.

A. opposites can attract each other

B. lovers should improve each other.

C. Austen’s works go beyond her times

D.Austen married a perfect man at last

Birthday Traditions in Different Countrles[来

England

Certain symbolic objects are mixed into the birthday cake as it’s being prepared. If your piece of cake has a coin in it,then you will be rich. Also, when it’s your birthday,your friends give you the“bumps”.They lift you in the air by your hands and feet and raise you up and down to the floor;one for each year you lived,then another one or two for luck.

Denmark

A flag is flown outside a window to show that someone who lives in that house is having a birthday. Presents are placed around the child’s bed while he/she is sleeping,so he/she will see them at once upon awakening.

Holland

Special year birthdays such as 5,10,15,20,21 are called“crown”years.The birthday child receives an especially large gift on a crown year birthday.The family also decorates the birthday child’s chair at the dining room table with flowers,paper streamers and balloons.

Canada

The birthday child’s nose is greased(涂抹)with butter for good luck.The greased nose makes the child too slippery for bad luck to catch him/her.In some parts of Canada,the birthday person even receives a punch(一拳)for each year he/she is alive and then one for good luck.

Brazil

The birthday child receives a pull on the ear for each year he/she has been alive.The birthday person also gives the first plece of cake to his/her most special friend or relative,usually mom or dad.

Korea

There is a big family party on the first birthday.The table is set with food,and four items:a pencil,a ruler,thread,and money. The item that the baby chooses is said to forecast his/her future:excellent student,good with hands,long life or riches.

South Africa

On the twenty-first birthday,a key made of anything from paper to silver to gold is presented by the parents as a sign that the child is ready to unlock the door to their future.

1.If a British friend is raised up and down to the floor 18 yimes on his birthday,he is most likely(可能的)to be .

A.17 B.18 C.19 D.20

2.The following tradition is mentioned in the passage EXCEPT for .

A.giving a pull on the ear

B.having a big family party

C.greasing butter on the nose

D.flying a flag at the child’s bed

3.In which countries do people celebrate their 21st birthday specially?

A.Canada and England.

B.Denmark and Korea.

C.Brazil and Holland.

D.Holland and South Africa.

4.The passage mainly tells us .

A.people in different countries have their own special year birthdays

B.people in different countries celebrate their birthday in different ways

C.people always have a big birthday party at home in different countries

D.people always know a 1-year-old baby’s future from the item he chooses

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