Question

A paperclip，made of steel wire bent into a looped (环形的)shape，is an instrument used to hold sheets of paper together．This common device is a wonder of simplicity and function．But where did this simple，cheap，and practical invention come from?

In the late 19th century，the most common way to hold papers together was by using a pin．Although the pin was an inexpensive tool and was easily removable，it would 1eave holes in the paper. Later，as steel wire became more common，inventors began to notice its elastic(有弹性的)feature. With this feature，it could be stretched and twisted into various clip—like objects．In the years just before 1900，quite a few paperclip designs appeared．The name most frequently associated with the paperclip invention is Johan Vaaler，a Norwegian inventor. However, Vaaler’s clips were not the same as the paperclips currently in use．Specifically，they did not have the inside loop we see today．The familiar looped design was invented by Gem Manufacturing Ltd．in England．This clip is therefore sometimes known as the Gem clip．

Because of Vaaler，the paperclip played an important historical role in Norway．During World War II，Norway was occupied by the Nazis．Norwegians were prohibited from wearing any symbol of their national unity(团结)，such as buttons with the initials of their king．Thus，in protest，they started wearing paperclips to show their unity．The reason for doing this was simple：Paperclips were a Norwegian invention whose original function was to bind together．After the war，a giant paperclip statue was put up in Oslo to honour Vaaler—even though his design was never actually produced．

1.According to the first paragraph，the paperclip is________．

A．made of paper

B．shaped like a pin

C．inexpensive and useful

D．for holding clothes together

2.One way the paperclip is better than the pin is that_________

A．it is cheaper

B．it is simpler

C．it can be removed more easily

D．it doesn’t damage the paper

3.Which of the following best shows what the Gem clip looks like?

4.The last paragraph is mainly about_________．

A．how Vaaler’s clip became a national symbol

B．how widely used Vaaler’s clip is

C．how the Nazis ruled the Norwegian people

D．why Norwegians had the initials of their king on their buttons

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.A

4.A

【解析】

1. 细节题。根据文章第一段最后一句But where did this simple，cheap，and practical invention come from?可知the paperclip是一种很便宜但是很实用的小发明。故C正确。

2. 推理题。根据第二段第二句Although the pin was an inexpensive tool and was easily removable，it would 1eave holes in the paper.可知pin（大头针）会在纸上留下小洞。而paperclip环形针则不会破坏纸张。这是paperclip环形针比大头针更好的方面。故D正确。

3. 推理题及常识。根据第二段倒数2、3、4句However, Vaaler’s clips were not the same as the paperclips currently in use．Specifically，they did not have the inside loop we see today．The familiar looped design was invented by Gem Manufacturing Ltd．可知Vaaler发明的环形针和现在的环形针不一样，里面没有环。也就是说现在的回形针内部是有环的，这正是Gem Manufacturing Ltd发明的现在人们在使用的回形针。同时根据常识可知A项就是我们现在所用的回形针。故A正确。

4. 考查段落大意题。根据最后一段首句Because of Vaaler，the paperclip played an important historical role in Norway.和尾句After the war，a giant paperclip statue was put up in Oslo to honour Vaaler—even though his design was never actually produced．可知这一段主要告诉我们在二战中Vaaler发明的回形针因为含有团结的意义而成为挪威的象征。故A正确。