Question

Ruth Simmons was born in a very poor family. Today, she’s the president of a famous American university. How did she do it?

The story begins on a farm in Grapeland, Texas, in 1945. Ruth was born that year. Her parents were farm workers, and she was the youngest of their twelve children. They weren’t able to give the children many things, and Ruth never had any toys. For Christmas, she didn’t receive any presents at all except a shoebox with an apple, an orange, and some nuts. However, in Grapeland, Ruth wasn’t really aware of being poor. Then the family moved into Huston. In the city, being poor was much harder.

At the age of five, Ruth fell in love with school. She was a bright child, and she was lucky to have some excellent teachers. No one in Ruth’s family had much education, but her teachers encouraged her to go to college, and Ruth was brave enough to try. They also gave her money and even a coat to wear.

At first, Ruth studied theater. Then she studied language. Later she married, had two children, and began a career as a college teacher and administrator. Soon people began to notice her and respect her abilities.

In 1995, Ruth became president of Smith College, a famous American college for women. Ruth was the first African American to lead a college like this one. Six years later, she accepted another challenge. She became the president of Brown University.

Ruth believes in the power of education. “Learning can be the same for a poor farm kid like me as it is for the richest child in the country. It’s all about cultivating one’s mind, and anybody can do that. So it doesn’t matter what color your skin is, it doesn’t matter how much money your father has, it doesn’t matter what kind of house you live in. Every learner can experience the same thing.”

1.Which of the following words can best describe Ruth Simmons?

A. Poor but honest.    B. Generous but unlucky.

C. Brave and strict.    D. Intelligent and hard-working.

2.What does the underlined word “cultivating” mean?

A. organizing.    B. challenging.

C. developing.    D. establishing.

3.What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A. Ruth’s feelings about success.

B. Ruth’s opinions about education.

C. Ruth’s suggestions on studying.

D. Ruth’s expectations of learners.

Answer

1. D

2. C

3. B

【解析】

本文是一篇人物传记，文章介绍穷苦家庭出身的Ruth得成长经历以及她对教育的看法。

1.推理判断题。根据第三段中She was a bright child, and she was lucky to have some excellent teachers. No one in Ruth’s family had much education, but her teachers encouraged her to go to college, and Ruth was brave enough to try.和第五段第一句In 1995, Ruth became president of Smith College, a famous American college for women.可知，Ruth Simmons聪明,勤奋。故选D。

2.词义猜测题。根据最后一段中Learning can be the same for a poor farm kid like me as it is for the richest child in the country. It’s all about cultivating one’s mind, and anybody can do that. 学习对于像我这样的穷农家孩子来说就像对这个国家最富有的孩子一样。这都是关于培养一个人的思想，任何人都能做到。由此推知划线词的意思是“培养，发展”，故选C。

3.段落大意题。根据最后一段Ruth believes in the power of education. “Learning can be the same for a poor farm kid like me as it is for the richest child in the country. It’s all about cultivating one’s mind, and anybody can do that. So it doesn’t matter what color your skin is, it doesn’t matter how much money your father has, it doesn’t matter what kind of house you live in. Every learner can experience the same thing.” Ruth相信教育的力量。“像我这样一个贫穷的农家孩子，学习就像这个国家最富有的孩子一样。这都是关于培养一个人的思想，任何人都能做到。所以不管你的皮肤是什么颜色，不管你父亲有多少钱，不管你住什么样的房子。每个学习者都能经历同样的事情。可知，最后一段讲述的是关于Ruth对教育的看法。故选B。