Question

As we all know, it was Thomas Jefferson who wrote the Declaration of the Independence. He wrote it in two weeks, and after a few changes, it was accepted by the Congress. As a result, he became famous.

Born in Virginia, Thomas Jefferson, a brilliant student at school and almost talented lawyer later, was much interested in politics.

Jefferson was elected Governor of Virginia in 1779, and he was sent to France as the representative of the American government in 1784. Sixteen years later, at the age of 57, he was elected president after Washington and Adams.

Far from a handsome man, he was tall with long arms and big hands. Jefferson, who was an amusing talker in conversation but a poor speaker, was generally good-natured.

Jefferson was regarded as a defender of freedom on America. As a president, he protected the right of free speech. Interestingly enough, in his eight years as President, Jefferson never vetoed a bill which Congress had passed. He did a lot in organizing the new University of Virginia.

Thomas Jefferson died on July the fourth, 1826, the 50th anniversary of American Independence.

1.From the passage we can infer that America won its independence in ________.

A. 1786    B. 1776

C. 1842    D. 1800

2.How old was Thomas Jefferson when he became Governor of Virginia?

A. He was 26.    B. He was in his forties.

C. He was 36.    D. We don’t know.

3.Which of the following statements is true?

A. Jefferson was not only very talented but also very handsome.

B. Jefferson was not an easy person to get along with.

C. Jefferson was an amusing talker, but not good at speaking in public.

D. Not being politically-minded, Jefferson never vetoed a bill passed by the Congress.

4.Jefferson died when he was ________.

A. 72    B. 73

C. 83    D. 92

Answer

1.B

2.C

3.C

4.C

【解析】本文主要讲述了杰弗逊的政治生涯及成就。

1.推理判断题。根据文章最后一段Thomas Jefferson died on July the fourth, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of American Independence.可知，Thomas Jefferson死于1826年，1826年也是美国独立50周年，所以美国独立战争胜利在1826-50=1776年，故选B。

2.细节理解题。根据第三段Jefferson was elected Governor of Virginia in 1779, and he was sent to France as the representative of the American government in 1784. Sixteen years later, at the age of 57, he was elected president after Washington and Adams.可知，他57岁时被选为美国总统，16年前即1784年，他被派往法国，因此可以推算，他出生于1743年，1779年他被选为弗吉尼亚州长时是36岁。故选C。

3.推理判断题。A项由第四段第一句Far from a handsome man, he was tall with long arms and big hands可知，Jefferson是一个不帅的人，故A项表述错误。B项由第四段第二句Jefferson, who was an amusing(令人愉快的) talker in conversation but a poor speaker, was generally good-natured.可知，Jefferson心地善良，所以是好相处的，故B项表述错误。C项由第四段第二句Jefferson, who was an amusing(令人愉快的) talker in conversation but a poor speaker, was generally good-natured.可知Jefferson是一个有趣的交谈者，但是一个贫穷的演讲者，故C项正确。D项由第二段Born in 1743 in Virginia, Thomas Jefferson, a wonderful student at school and almost talented(天才的 ) lawyer later, was much interested in politics.可知，Jefferson对政治非常感兴趣，故D项表述错误。故选C。

4.推理判断题。根据第三段可知，1784+16=1800，1800年的时候他57，1826年他去世时是83岁。故选C。