Question

In 1905, as part of his Special Theory of Relativity, Albert Einstein published the point that a large amount of energy could be released from a small amount of matter. This was expressed by equation E = me 2(energy = mass times the speed of light squared). But bombs were not what Einstein had in mind when he published this equation.

In 1929, he publicly declared that if a war broke out he would “refused to do war service, direct or indirect…” His position would change in 1933, as the result of Adolf Hitler’s coming into power in Germany.

Einstein’s greatest role in the invention of the atomic bomb was signing a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt urging that the bomb be built because some physicists feared that Germany might be working on an atomic bomb. Among those concerned were physicists Leo Szilard and Eugene Wigner. But Szilard and Wigner had no influence with those in power. So in July 1939 they explained the problem to someone who did: Albert Einstein. After talking with Einstein, in August 1939 Szilard wrote a letter to President Roosevelt with Einstein’s signature on it, which was delivered to Roosevelt in October 1939.

Germany has invaded Poland the previous month; the time was ripe for action. That October research of a-bomb began but proceeded slowly because the invention of the atomic bomb seemed distant and unlikely. In April 1940 an Einstein letter, ghost-written by Szilard, pressed the researchers on the need for “greater speed”.

As the realization of nuclear weapons grew near, Einstein looked beyond the current war to future problems that such weapons could bring. He wrote to his friend about his fear about the future use of the a-bomb.

The atomic bombings of Japan occurred three months after Germany gave in.

In November 1954, five months before his death, Einstein summarized his feelings about his role in the creation of the atomic bomb: “I made one great mistake in my life… when I signed a letter to President Roosevelt recommending that atom bombs be made; but there was some justification---- the danger that the Germans would make them”.

1.What can we learn about Szilard and Wigner?

A. They were not as influential as Einstein.

B. They were responsible for the invention of nuclear weapons

C. They had cheated their friend Albert Einstein.

D. They had an intention to destroy the world.

2.We can conclude that Einstein ___________.

A. was important in the development of atomic bomb

B. was not involved in the invention of atomic bomb

C. directly participated in the invention of the atomic bomb

D. helped with the invention of atomic bomb

3.The best title for the passage would be __________.

A. A Story of Albert Einstein

B. Albert Einstein and the Atomic Bomb

C. It was Unfair for Einstein

D. How the Atomic Bomb was Invented

Answer

1.A

2.A

3.B

【解析】本文是一篇记叙文，讲述了爱因斯坦与原子弹的故事。爱因斯坦的相对论催化了原子弹的产生，然而爱因斯坦本人是一个反对战争的人，但是为了对抗希特勒他致信美国总统让美国制造原子弹。最终爱因斯坦预见到原子弹的威力和危害，并对致信美国总统让他制造原子弹这件事感到惭愧。

1.细节理解题。Szilard和Wigner出现在第三段，原文是“But Szilard and Wigner had no influence with those in power.So in July 1939 they explained the problem to someone who did: Albert Einstein. ”，他们没有撼动掌权者，之后他们让爱因斯坦出面。有此可知他们没有爱因斯坦有影响力。故选A。

2.细节理解题。根据第三段“Einstein’s greatest role in the invention of the atomic bomb was signing a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt urging that the bomb be built ”可知爱因斯坦致信美国总统才使得原子弹被发明，故Ｂ、Ｄ错，根据第四段“In April 1940 an Einstein letter, ghost-written by Szilard, pressed the researchers on the need for ‘greater speed’.”可知爱因斯坦没有直接参与，Ｃ错。故选A。

3.主旨大意题。本文不仅仅是讲爱因斯坦的故事，原子弹也占了很大的比重，而且二者是密不可分的，故选B。