Question

Shang Yang was a politician of the Qin state. He was very wise and forward-thinking(有远见的). He worked out several reform plans for the state, including focusing on farming and giving rewards(奖赏) to soldiers who were successful during war.

But at the beginning, these reforms were not easily carried out. Only a few people in the state understood Shang's talent and the advantages of his plans. Most people had little trust and confidence in him.

To solve this problem, Shang came up with an idea. He ordered some soldiers to put a thin wooden pole at the south gate of the Qin state capital. This attracted many people. Then, in front of the crowd, he said loudly: "People of Qin, whoever takes this pole to the north gate will get a reward of 10 gold pieces."

It was a simple task and the reward was big. Some time passed and no one stepped forward. They all thought that Shang was joking. Hearing no answer, Shang stepped forward and said, "I will increase the reward to 50 gold pieces."

The words sounded even more unbelievable. Finally, a man from the crowd came forward to take the pole. He put the pole on his shoulders and walked to the north gate. True to his word, Shang paid the man 50 gold pieces.

Soon, the people were saying that Shang was a man of his word. When he began promoting(推行) his reforms, the people followed and did not question him.

Under the great reforms, Qin grew strong and united all the states, becoming the first empire of China. Later, people drew the Chinese idiom “立木取信” from this story.

1.Shang Yang's reforms          .

A. were never trusted by people    B. made Qin grow strong

C. were carried out easily at the beginning    D. focused on farming and education

2.To let people trust him, Shang Yang          .

A. ordered many young men to join the army

B. gave a reward to anyone who supported him

C. showed that he could keep his promises

D. introduced his reforms at the south gate of the capital

3.What does the underlined word “unbelievable” mean in the passage?

A. 不能实现的    B. 不可能的    C. 难以理解的    D. 难以置信的

4.Which of the following is WRONG according to the passage?

A. The Chinese idiom “立木取信” just came from this story.

B. Under the reforms, Qin united all the states.

C. The man who carried the pole to the north gate was paid only 10 gold pieces.

D. At first, only a few people in the state understood the advantages of Shang Yang's plans.

5.What's the main idea of this story?

A. Earning people's trust is never easy.

B. Keeping promises can earn people's trust.

C. Money can lead people to do anything in the world.

D. Reforms are important for a country to develop.

Answer

1.B

2.C

3.D

4.C

5.B

【解析】

短文讲述了秦朝的商鞅变法。商鞅为了取得国人的信任使变法得以有效实施，想出了一个“立木取信”的办法，赢得了众人的信任与支持，商鞅变法使秦朝强大起来，统一了全国。同时故事也告诉我们只有信守诺言才能赢得人们的信任。

1.细节理解题。根据短文最后一段的句子“Under the great reforms, Qin grew strong and united all the states, becoming the first empire of China.”可知，商鞅变法使秦朝变得强大起来，故答案为B。

2.细节理解题。为了取得众人的信任与支持，商鞅采取了“立木取信”的方法，表明他可以信守诺言，故答案为C。

3.词义猜测题。根据上一段中的句子“It was a simple task and the reward was big. Some time passed and no one stepped forward. They all thought that Shang was joking.”可知，人们都不相信商鞅说的话，认为他不会兑现自己的承诺，当赏金达到50金币的时候，更加令人难以置信。故答案为D。

4.判断正误题。根据短文最后一段的句子Under the great reforms, Qin grew strong and united all the states, becoming the first empire of China. Later, people drew the Chinese idiom “立木取信” from this story.可知，立木取信源于这个故事，商鞅变法使秦统一了全国，A,B答案正确；根据“True to his word, Shang paid the man 50 gold pieces.”可知，那个扛杆子到北门的男子得到了50金币的赏金，C答案错误；根据第二段中的句子“But at the beginning, these reforms were not easily carried out. Only a few people in the state understood Shang's talent and the advantages of his plans.”可知，起初只有少数人支持商鞅变法。D答案正确。

5.主旨大意题。根据短文倒数第二段中的句子“Soon, the people were saying that Shang was a man of his word. When he began promoting(推行) his reforms, the people followed and did not question him.”可知，只有信守诺言才能赢得人们的信任。故答案为B。