Question

Have you heard of the following people? Maybe yes, maybe no. But they may be an inspiration for you.

The Tree Lady

Kate Sessions was an American botanist and landscape architect closely associated with San Diego, California. After becoming the first woman to graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, she took a job as a teacher far south in the dry desert town of San Diego. Kate decided that San Diego needed trees more than anything else. Therefore, this young woman single-handedly started a movement transforming the town into the leafy, garden-filled place as it is today.

The Snowflake(雪花) Man

Wilson Bentley is one of the first known photographers of snowflakes. His enthusiasm for taking photos began from his boyhood and was often misunderstood in his time, but his determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike; and each is surprisingly beautiful. In 1931, he worked with William J.Humphreys of the U.S. Weather Bureau to publish Snow Crystals, a book containing 2500 photographs.

The Father of His Country

By the late 1760s, George Washington had experienced firsthand the effects of rising taxes imposed (征收) on American colonists by the British, and came to believe that it was in the best interests of the colonists to declare independence from England. During the American War of Independence, he led the colonial forces to victory. In 1878, he was elected president of the Convention that wrote the U.S. Constitution. Two years later, Washington became American’s first president. His retirement from office after two terms established a tradition that lasted until 1940, when Franklin Delano Roosevelt won a third term. The 22^nd Amendment (1951) now limits the president to two elected terms.

1.Who made a great contribution to beautifying an area?

A. George Washington.    B. Wilson Bentley

C. Kate Sessions    D. William J. Humphreys

2.What is Wilson Bentley famous for?

A. His creative ideas to publish books.

B. His persistence in photographing snowflakes

C. His courage to fight against prejudice

D. His devotion to teaching kids scientific truths.

3.What does the author say about George Washington?

A. He was a national hero.

B. He was born into a poor family.

C. He became America’s president in 1787.

D. He served three terms as the President of America.

Answer

1. C

2. B

3. A

【解析】

本文是一篇应用文。文章主要介绍了三位鼓舞人心的名人。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段中的this young woman single-handedly started a movement transforming the town into the leafy, garden-filled place as it is today.可知，Kate Sessions在将圣地亚哥的一个荒漠小镇变成宜人的地方方面做出了巨大贡献。故选C。

2.细节理解题。根据第三段内容尤其是Wilson Bentley is one of the first known photographers of snowflakes. His enthusiasm for taking photos began from his boyhood and was often misunderstood in his time, but his determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes---，可知，Wilson Bentley以坚持拍摄雪花而出名。故选B。

3.推理判断题。根据第四段中的“--- came to believe that it was in the best interests of the colonists to declare independence from England. During the American War of Independence, he led the colonial forces to victory.”可知，他开始意识到宣布从英国独立对殖民地定居者最有利。美国独立战争期间，他带领殖民地的武装力量获得了胜利，即美国获得了独立，由此可推知，他是美国的民族英雄。故选A。