Question

【题目】Today we think of Abraham Lincoln as a great leader. What most of us don’t know is that he was a well-known humorist and storyteller in his day.

Lincoln learned to tell jokes and stories from his father. When Lincoln became a lawyer, he used his jokes and stories to gain the good will of the jury (陪审团), and more than once his opposing lawyer would complain to the judge that Lincoln’s stories were irrelevant and distracting (转移、分心) to the jury. The trouble for them was that Judge David Davis loved Lincoln’s jokes more than anyone else in the court room.

As a politician, Lincoln made excellent use of his humorous stories. His long time political opponent Stephen A. Douglas complained that “Nothing else — not any of his arguments or any of his replies to my questions — disturbs me. But when he begins to tell a story, I feel that I am to be overmatched.” More than once Douglas and other political opponents of Lincoln’s saw their well presented arguments forgotten by the audience after Lincoln followed up their speeches with a homely story.

As the responsibilities of the office of President became greater and heavier, Lincoln used humor to find relief. He wanted to reduce the stresses in himself and those around him. One of Lincoln’s neighbors told that one day, he saw Lincoln walking past with two young shouting boys. “What’s the matter, Mr. Lincoln?” the neighbor asked. “The same thing that’s the matter with the whole world,” Lincoln answered. “I have three walnuts, and each one of them wants two of them.”

One cannot truly appreciate Lincoln without understanding his humorous side. He used his jokes and stories both for the purpose of winning over his audience and relieving the pressure he experienced as President during the terrible Civil War.

【1】When Lincoln was a lawyer, what was his purpose of telling jokes and stories?

A. He wanted to satisfy the judge’s desire for jokes.

B. He wanted to distract his opposing lawyer.

C. He wanted to relieve his pressure.

D. He wanted to impress the jury.

【2】What might be Douglas’ attitude towards Lincoln’s humorous stories?

A. Appreciative. B. Annoyed.

C. Concerned. D. Surprised.

【3】What’s the purpose of the text?

A. To educate. B. To inform.

C. To persuade. D. To entertain.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】D

【2】A

【3】B

【解析】文章主要讲述了林肯的故事。

【1】根据“When Lincoln became a lawyer, he used his jokes and stories to gain the good will of the jury”当林肯为律师的时候，他常常用笑话或故事给陪审团留下好印象。根据题意，故选D。

【2】推理判断题。根据“But when he begins to tell a story, I feel that I am to be overmatched.”但当他开始讲故事的时候，我感觉被打败了。可知Douglas对林肯幽默故事的态度是赞赏。根据题意，故选A。

【3】推理判断题。文章向我们讲述了林肯的个人故事。根据题意，故选B。