Question

   

Abraham Lincoln, a self-taught lawyer, was elected 16th president of the United States in November 1860, shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. Lincoln proved to be a smart military strategist and a competent leader: His Emancipation Proclamation(解放宣言) paved the way for slavery’s abolition, while his Gettysburg Address stands as one of the most famous speeches in American history. In April 1865, with the Union on the brink of victory, Abraham Lincoln was killed; his untimely death made him a hero to the cause of liberty, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest presidents in U.S. history.

On January 20, 1981, Reagan took office. Only 69 days later he was shot by a would-be killer, but quickly recovered and returned to duty. His grace and wit during the dangerous incident caused his popularity to soar.

At the end of his two terms in office, Ronald Reagan viewed with satisfaction the achievements of his innovative program known as the Reagan Revolution, which aimed to motivate the American people and reduce their reliance upon Government. He felt he had fulfilled his campaign pledge of 1980 to restore “the great, confident roar of American progress and growth and optimism.”

When George W. Bush, at the age of 54, became the 43rd president of the United States, it was only the second time in American history that a president’s son went on to the White House. John Quincy Adams, elected the sixth president in 1824, was the son of John Adams, the second president. While John Adams had brought up his son to be president, George Bush, the 41st president, insisted he was surprised when the eldest of his six children became interested in politics, became governor of Texas, and then went on to the White House.

Barack Obama served as the 44th President of the United States. His story is the American story — values from the heartland, a middle-class upbringing in a strong family, hard work and education as the means of getting ahead, and the belief that a life so blessed should be lived in service to others.

With a father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas, President Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961. He was raised with help from his grandfather, who served in Patton’s army, and his grandmother, who worked her way up from the secretarial pool to middle management at a bank.

1.Of the four presidents, who is regarded as an excellent public speaker?

A. Abraham Lincoln.

B. Ronald Reagan.

C. George W. Bush.

D. Barack Obama.

2.When Donald Reagan left the White House, he felt that .

A. he regretted having been elected President

B. he still had much to do for the country

C. he had kept his promise to the people

D. he was becoming more popular with the people

3.Which of the following presidents took office first?

A. George W. Bush.

B. John Adams.

C. John Quincy Adams.

D. George Bush.

4.Of the four presidents, who successfully realized his American Dream?

A. Abraham Lincoln.

B. Ronald Reagan.

C. George W. Bush.

D. Barack Obama.

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.B

4.D

【解析】

本文介绍了美国几位总统。

1.推理判断题。根据第一部分His Emancipation Proclamation(解放宣言) paved the way for slavery s abolition, while his Gettysburg Address stands as one of the most famous speeches in American history. 可以推断处，在四位总统中，亚伯拉罕·林肯被认为是一位出色的演说家。故选A。

2.细节理解题。根据At the end of his two terms in office, Ronald Reagan viewed with satisfaction the achievements of his innovative program…和. He felt he had fulfilled his campaign pledge of 1980 to …. 可知，当唐纳德·里根离开白宫时，他觉得自己遵守了对人民的承诺，故选C。

3.细节理解题。通读全文相关信息，对比可知文中所述四位总统中，John Adams 最先上台。故选B。

4.细节理解题。根据His story is the American story values from the heartland, a middle-class upbringing in a strong family, hard work and education as the means of getting ahead, and the belief that a life so blessed should be lived in service to others. 可知，通过叙述Obama的经历，他成功地践行了美国人的价值观，实现了他的美国梦，故选D。