George Stephenson was born into a poor  family in 1781. He had to start work when he was only eight years old.When  George was fourteen years old, he became his father's helper. He spent a lot of  time in learning about engines(发动机)• And on holidays he  often made one engine to pieces and studied each piece carefully. Soon he became  a very good worker, all hough ( 尽管) he could not read or write. He began to  learn Knglish letters when he was seventeen years old. Every day after he finished twelve hours of hard work, he walked a  long way to have lessons from a young school teach?er. On his eighteenth  birthtlax , lu- w rote his own name for the

first time in his life.George invenlcd many  things in his life. The train was the greatest one among them. Today when we  take trains from one place to another,we'll think of this great man―George  Slephenson,

41 .When did George Stephenson start lo help  his father?

 A.In 1798. B.ln 1789. C.ln 1795. D.ln 1781.

42. He learned about engines_.

A. at lessons from a young  teaclirr

B. by making them to pieces and studying  each piece carefully

C. through reading and writing

D. by asking a lot of questions

43. He spent a lot of time learning about  engines and soon he_•

A.became a good worker B.became a good scientist C.became a good  teacher D.started to teach other workers

44._was invented by George  Stephenson.

A.The train B.The telephone

C.The car D.The computer

45. From this passage we know  that George Stephenson was one of the greatest_in the world.

A. teachers B. i nventors C. learners D.  workers