Question

【题目】Charles Babbage was born on 26 December 1791, probably in London, the son of a banker. By the time he went to Cambridge University in 1810 he was very interested in mathematics.

In 1812, Babbage and several other friends formed theAnalytical Society. As a student, he was also a member of other societies such asThe Ghost Club, concerned with finding out supernatural phenomena (超自然现象), and the Extractors Club, devoted to freeing its members from the madhouse(精神病院), should any be placed in one.

After graduation Babbage was hired by the Royal Institution to lecture on calculus(微积分). Within two years he had been elected a member of the Royal Society and, with his Cambridge friends, succeeded in setting up the Astronomical Society in 1820, the first to challenge the influence and power of the Royal Society. From 1828 to 1839, Babbage was Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge.

The 1820s saw Babbage work on his 'Difference Engine', a machine which could perform mathematical calculations. At the beginning a six-wheeled model was constructed. He then developed plans for a bigger, better, machine - Difference Engine 2. He also worked on another invention, the more complex Analytical Engine, on which his fame as a computer pioneer now largely rests. It was designed to be able to perform any arithmetical calculation using punched（打孔的） cards that would take the instructions, as well as a memory unit to store numbers and many other most important parts of today's computers. But neither the Analytical Engine nor Difference Engine 2 was finished in Babbage's lifetime.

Babbage also worked in the fields of philosophy and code-breaking. He died at his home in London on 18 October 1871.

【1】What did the Extractors Club aim to do?

A. Help treat its members with mental illness. B. Rescue its members trapped in the madhouse.

C. Set free the patients in the madhouse. D. Place the sick members in the madhouse.

【2】After he graduated from Cambridge, Charles Babbage _________.

A. was elected to the Royal Society B. became professor at Cambridge

C. founded the Astronomical Society D. taught in the Royal Institution

【3】What made Charles Babbage remembered as a computer pioneer?

A. Difference Engine. B. Difference Engine 2.

C. The Analytical Engine. D. A memory unit.

【4】Which of the following best describes Charles Babbage?

A. Active and versatile (多才多艺的). B. Humorous and devoted.

C. Stubborn and generous. D. Bright and selfless.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】B

【2】D

【3】C

【4】A

【解析】本文介绍了Charles Babbage在学生时代，积极参加各种俱乐部活动，参加工作后，积极从事科学研究。

【1】细节理解题。由and the Extractors Club, devoted to freeing its members from the madhouse(精神病院), should any be placed in one. 可知Extractors Club俱乐部旨在解救困在精神病院的成员，选B。

【2】细节理解题。由After graduation Babbage was hired by the Royal Institution to lecture on calculus(微积分).可知Charles Babbage剑桥大学毕业后，在英国科学研究院教书，选D。

【3】细节理解题。由He also worked on another invention, the more complex Analytical Engine, on which his fame as a computer pioneer now largely rests.可知选C。

【4】推理判断题。本文介绍了Charles Babbage在学生时代，积极参加各种俱乐部活动，参加工作后，积极从事科学研究，所以Charles Babbage是一个积极活跃并且多才多艺的人，选A。