Little Women is the best-known work of author Louisa May Alcott. Published after the end of the Civil War, the book is about the lives of the author and her sisters. Although it was her most successful work, it was not her first.
Alcott began writing at the age of 20, when she published her poem “Sunlight”. Throughout her early career, she wrote many poems and short stories for magazines. At the age of 22, she began to write fairy tales, romantic thrillers, and other novels, mostly to earn money. At a time when few opportunities were open to women, Alcott supported women’s right to work. With her small income, she had long provided for her family.
When the Civil War broke out, Alcott, at the age of 30, joined the war effort to fight against slavery. She had originally wished to serve as a soldier. However, women were not allowed in battle at that time. As a result, she became a Civil War nurse. Alcott’s work as a nurse served as a milestone (里程碑) in her writing career.
In December of 1862, she left New England to work in the Union Hotel Hospital in Washington, DC. There were few supplies, and doctors performed operations without painkillers. The conditions for patients and doctors were terrible. Within a few weeks, Alcott herself became so ill that she nearly died. She returned home and recovered slowly over a period of months.
As soon as her health improved, Alcott started a new project. The letters she had sent home became the basis of a newspaper series about her experience as a Civil War nurse. She wrote about her tasks, the wounded soldiers she looked after, and the difficulties they faced. The series, Hospital Sketches, was a success, which received praise from readers and critics (批评) at the same time. Although her best-known work was yet to come, the success of Hospital Sketches marked the achievement of her dream to become a popular author.
1.In her early 20s, Alcott wrote mostly to ________.
A. make money to support her family
B. fight against slavery
C. remember her experiences in the war
D. set up a milestone in her career
2.Why was Alcott’s experience as a nurse important to her writing?
A. Because she saved many wounded soldiers.
B. Because she almost lost her life in the hospital.
C. Because she won the right to fight against slavery.
D. Because she got many materials for her later book.
3.What can we know about Alcott from the last two paragraphs?
A. Her hospital was well equipped. B. She didn’t return to the hospital after recovery.
C. She wrote letters for a newspaper. D. No one thought badly of her Hospital Sketches.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What can we learn from the news?
A. No villager was killed.
B. 15 houses were badly damaged.
C. Over 200 people became homeless.
2.How many people were badly injured in the storm?
A. Seven. B. Nine. C. Ten.
3.What do we know about the farmer?
A. His house was destroyed. B. His wife was missing. C. A child of his was killed.
4.What did the woman do when she saw her house shaking?
A. She tried to take something out.
B. She rushed out with her children.
C. She told her husband not to leave.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where does the conversation take place?
A. At home. B. At school. C. At a store.
2.How did the man get the mud?
A. He went to the Dead Sea.
B. He dug it up from the backyard.
C. He bought it online.
3.What is the main color of the mud in the backyard?
A. Brown B. Grey. C. Black.
4.Why does the girl agree to use the mud?
A. She has some skin problems.
B. She wants her skin to feel younger.
C. She is starting to get wrinkles.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is probably the woman speaker?
A. A college student. B. A hotel waitress. C. A housewife.
2.What kind of job would the woman most like to do?
A. Babysitting her neighbor’s kids.
B. Typing letters in the office.
C. Working for a road-building company.
3.What is good with the job at the Friendship Hotel?
A. The pay is good.
B. Many tips are offered.
C. It is in the open air.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the man think about fast food?
A. KFC isn’t included. B. Not worth trying. C. Unhealthy but tasty.
2.Where will they probably go in the end?
A. KFC.
B. The sushi shop.
C. They haven’t decided yet.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What are the speakers going to do this weekend?
A. Go to the beach.
B. Go for a mountain climbing.
C. Go for a bicycle-ride.
2.What do we know about Paul and Mary?
A. They might be the speakers’ friends.
B. They’ve decided to join the speakers.
C. They did some riding yesterday.
