After two years of careful consideration, Robert McCrum has reached a conclusion on his selection
of the 100 greatest novels written in English. Take a look at a few in his list:
The Pilgrim's Progress by John Banyan （1678）
A story of a man in search of truth told with the simple clarity and beauty of Bunyan's prose makes this an English classic.
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe （1719）
By the end of the 19th century, no book in English literary history had enjoyed more editions and translations. This world-famous novel is a complex literature that one cannot resist
Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift (1726)
A great work that's been repeatedly printed, Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels comes third in our list of the best novels written in English.
Clarissa by Samuel Richardson (1748)
Clarissa is a tragic heroine, pressured by her dishonorable family to marry a wealthy man she dislikes, in the book that Samuel Johnson described as "the first book in the world that shows the knowledge about the human heart".
Tom Jones by Henry Fielding (1749)
Tom Jones is a classic English novel that gets the spirit of its age and whose characters are well-known since they have come to represent the society at that time.
Emma by Jane Austen (1816)
Jane Austen's Emma is her most outstanding work, mixing the best parts of her early books with a deep sense of feelings.
The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket by Edgar Allan Poe (1838)
Edgar Allan Poe's only novel—a classic adventure story with supernatural elements — has fascinated and influenced generations of writers.
1.Which English book has got the most translations before the 20th century?
A.Robinson Crusoe. B.Gulliver's Travels.
C.Tom Jones. D.Emma.
2.What does Samuel Johnson think we can learn about from the book Clarissa?
A.A love story. B.Quarrels in a family.
C.The human heart. D.The spirits of the time.
3.What makes the characters in Tom Jones famous?
A.Their classic lifestyles. B.Their different nnationalities.
C.Their typical spirits of the age. D.Their rerepresentation of the society.
Not long ago my daughter's favorite shoes were cut with a knife. She cried. I took them to the shoemaker to get them _______. The young apprentice (学徒) _______ at the cuts quickly and said, "I can do _______ except replace the uppers." The master looked at them and said, “_______ you trust me, I will add more cuts to both of the shoes." I was _______ and asked why. He _______, "As if the cuts were made on purpose for special style.” I didn't fully understand him, _______ I decided to leave the shoes.
Two days later, I went to collect the shoes. At first _______ I found there were indeed more cuts on each shoe, but all of them were _______ with red thread around. The shoes looked more unique and interesting than ever. I couldn't help but praise his ________ .
Another time, my wife's white skirt had an opening. My wife checked it ________ and said, “I'll mend it myself.” Three days later, seeing the skirt again, I was ________: the opening had been repaired by thin and white thread and it looked like a flower. I ________ with praise, "It's just as beautiful as a piece of art!"
"I got the ________ from that shoemaker. Patches (补丁)are supposed to be ugly, but a skillful person can make it look perfect.” replied my wife.
________ she said set me thinking: perfection is ________ to achieve in everything; patches are unavoidable, so is human's life, which will appear ________ the form of injury, disability or disease. ________ you can't change the existence of them, all you ________ do and have to do is to deal with the wound by ________ and try your best to bloom (盛开) a most beautiful flower on the wound, and that is the meaning of life.
1.A.repaired B.cleaned C.sold D.painted
2.A.glared B.glanced C.laughed D.stared
3.A.something B.anything C.nothing D.everything
4.A.Even if B.If C.Though D.While
5.A.delighted B.convinced C.confused D.embarrassed
6.A.declared B.explained C.announced D.interrupted
7.A.and B.but C.or D.so
8.A.sight B.attempt C.hand D.light
9.A.occupied B.filled C.mixed D.decorated
10.A.status B.strength C.skill D.sweat
11.A.carefully B.frequently C.gradually D.curiously
12.A.touched B.satisfied C.frightened D.shocked
13.A.sighed B.breathed C.jumped D.complained
14.A.plan B.truth C.idea D.desire
15.A.What B.That C.When D.Where
16.A.necessary B.unnecessary C.impossible D.possible
17.A.on B.by C.at D.in
18.A.Now that B.In that C.So that D.In order that
19.A.must B.can C.may D.need
20.A.patches B.wishes C.regrets D.praises
It is widely believed that _______ has necessary good qualities is more____ to achieve success in their career.
A.whoever; possible B.who; likely C.who; possible D.whoever; likely
After studying in a medical college for five years, Jane her job as a doctor in the countryside.
A.set out B.took over C.took up D.set up
The ship is said _______, the effect of _______ is still unknown.
A.that it has sunk; it B.to sunk; which
C.that is Ms sunk; that D.to have sunk; which
With the _______ of the mid-term examinations, the majority of the students are becoming more and more nervous.
A.approach B.access C.attachment D.appearance
