Question

【题目】We considered a list of the best American books — but we’d need a whole issue to do them justice. Here are 5 that helped define the national character. Most from a century or so ago, they still entertain, teach and inspire American people.

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

First published in 1851, the book tells the adventure stories of Captain Ahab and his continuous hunting for the white whale and draws us into a universe full of fascinating characters and stories.

The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams

Awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1918, the book provides insight into Adams’ family, including his experience as a private secretary to his father, minister to England during the American Civil War.

Leaves of Grass by Walt Whiteman

When Whiteman published Leaves of Grass in 1855, he wanted to define the American experience— sing for the new country in a new voice, reflecting the great changes in the American literary world that had taken place during his lifetime.

Poems by Emily Dickinson

An enthusiastic poet whose works have had a considerable influence on modern poetry, Dickinson’s frequent use of dashes(破折号)，sporadic(零星的)capitalization of nouns, and unusual metaphors(隐喻) has contributed to her reputation as one of the most innovative poets of the 19th-century American literature.

The song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

First published in 1855, this is Longfellow’s most popular and most recognized poem, showing the heroic life and death of a magic American Indian sent by the Great Spirit to guide the nations in the ways of peace.

【1】If you want to learn about a magic American Indian, you can choose ________.

A. Moby-Dick B. Leaves of Grass

C. Poems D. The song of Hiawatha

【2】Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Of the five works, four are poems.

B. Walt Whiteman was an enthusiastic poet and singer.

C. The Education of Henry Adams is a non-fiction book.

D. Of the five books, Moby-Dick was published last.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】D

【2】C

【解析】本文介绍了我们认为最好的美国图书。它们能够准确地显示民族性格。一个世纪以来一直娱乐、教育和激励着人们。短文介绍了书的内容，作者以及出版的情况。

【1】D

细节理解题。根据the heroic life and death of a magic American Indian,叙述了美洲印第安人的故事，故选D。

【2】C

细节理解题。根据Published in 1918, the book was an autobiography.它不是小说而是自传，故选C。