Question

Jake O' Brien，one of the central characters in Sterling R．Walker's science fiction novel The Orphan Ship，has just received some bad news. The medical school he has been going to is closing down because of financial(财务的)problems；and to make matters worse，the only other medical program in the world also happens to be on another planet. Thus，in order to become a doctor，Jake packs his suitcase and jumps on board the passenger ship Atlanta to go to Mars!

When Jake and his cousin Lorina Murphy journey to Mars Station in search of educational opportunities，they never guess they will turn into life savers. But because of the extreme poverty and child exploitation(剥削)happening on Mars，these two cousins are forced to accept their true destiny(命运)．However，they are not alone in their efforts to save the poor “street kids”．Early in the story these two heroes are joined by the crew(船员)of the Ishmael，which in the course of the story，becomes a rescue ship and a safe place for over one hundred homeless children.

In this novel，there are different themes. While fighting the cruel people who sell the “street kids” of Mars Station，the colorful characters of The Orphan Ship also manage to fall in love，find wealth，and form lasting friendships.

The real power of the story comes from the characters' expression of fellow feeling—a feeling of understanding others because you have shared similar experiences. The characters in The Orphan Ship have a sense of social duty and spiritual commitment. For example，at one point in the story，shocked by the way the homeless children have been treated，Lorina notices “a pair of black children sitting under a streetlight begging food from passers?by”．Yet “no one gave the children a second look.” Fortunately，however，Lorina and her newfound friends—the crew of the Ishmael，which soon becomes the “Orphan Ship”—do indeed care for the children of Mars Station，as they join forces to provide them safe passage to earth and also a home. In this way the theme of compassion is the centerpiece of the entire novel.

1.Jake decides to go to Mars because ______.

A. studying medicine is cheaper on Mars than on earth

B. the medical school on Mars is better than that on earth

C. Mars is the only place where he can realize his dream

D. his cousin encourages him to become a doctor on Mars

2.What's Jake and his cousin's destiny?

A. To save other people's lives.

B. To become the crew of the Ishmael.

C. To fail to get an education on Mars.

D. To make friends with homeless children.

3.All the following are themes of the novel EXCEPT ______.

A．friendship B．spreading knowledge

C．finding wealth D．love

4.The underlined word “them” in the last paragraph refers to ______.

A．passers?by B．Lorina's newfound friends

C．homeless children D．the black

Answer 1

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.C

【解析】

试题分析：本文通过小说《孤儿船》向人们讲述了友谊、爱、寻找财富的主题。

1.推理判断题。根据第一段Thus，in order to become a doctor，Jake packs his suitcase and jumps on board the passenger ship Atlanta to go to Mars! Jake为了实现自己当医生的梦想，收拾行李登上了去火星的船。选C。

2.推理判断题。根据第二段When Jake and his cousin Lorina Murphy journey to Mars Station in search of educational opportunities，they never guess they will turn into life savers. Jake和堂姐Lorina没想到自己会成为挽救别人生命的人。选A。

3.细节理解题。根据第三段In this novel，there are different themes. While fighting the cruel people who sell the “street kids” of Mars Station，the colorful characters of The Orphan Ship also manage to fall in love，find wealth，and form lasting friendships.小说涉及到的主题有友谊、爱、寻找财富。但不包括B，根据题干要求选B。

4.猜测词义题。根据最后一段得知无家可归的孩子被对待的方式令人震惊，然而幸运的是Lorina and “Orphan Ship”的船员照顾无家可归的孩子们给他们提供返回地球的安全通道，因此划线词是指无家可归的孩子们。选C。

考点：科幻小说类文章