Question

    Among the more colorful characters of Leadville’s golden age was H.A.W. Tabor. His history is fast becoming one of the legends of the Old West. Perhaps he was lured by rumors of fortunes to be made in Colorado mines. A few years later he moved west to the small Colorado mining camp known as California Gulch. “Great deposits of lead(铅) are sure to be found here.” he said.

Tabor opened a store, which sold everything from boots to salt, flour, and tobacco. It was his custom to “grubstake” miners, in other words, to supply them with food and supplies while they looked for ore (矿石), in return for which he would get a share in the mine if one was discovered.

One day in 1878, two miners came in and asked for “grub”. Tabor had decided to quit supplying it because he had lost too much money that way. These were continued, however, and Tabor was too busy to argue with them. “Oh help yourself. One more time won’t make any difference,” He said and went on selling shoes and hats to other customers. The two miners took $17 worth of supplies, in return for which they gave Tabor a one-third interest in their findings. They picked wasteland on the mountain side and began to dig. After nine days they struck silver. Tabor bought the shares of the other two men, and so the mine belonged to him alone. This mine, known as the “Pittsburgh Mine,” made 1,300,000 for Tabor in return for his $17 investment.

Later Tabor bought the Matchless Mine for $117,000. This turned out to be even more incredible than the Pittsburgh, yielding $35,000 worth of silver per day at one time. Leadville grew. Tabor became its first mayor, and later became vice-governor of the state.

1.Tabor went to Colorado ________.

A.to seek fortune B.to sell supplies

C.to open a mine company D.to look for ore

2.What is Tabor’s custom in his shop?

A.Sharing wasteland with miners.

B.Helping the miners to look for ore.

C.Supplying everything to miners for free.

D.Exchanging items for minerals interests with miners.

3.Why didn’t Tabor give up the “grub” with the two miners?

A.Because he was specialized in business.

B.Because they insisted on making a deal with him.

C.Because the other customers prevented him then.

D.Because he had earned too much money before.

4.What is the intention of the passage?

A.To introduce Tabor’s successful experience.

B.To encourage people to start a business.

C.To discuss Tabor’s life planning.

D.To tell of the gold rush.

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.B

4.A

【解析】

本文是一篇记叙文。文章讲述了 H.A.W. Tabor通过向矿工提供生活物资供应换取股份，从而发家的故事。

1.推理判断题。根据第一段“Perhaps he was lured by rumors of fortunes to be made in Colorado mines.”“Great deposits of lead(铅) are sure to be found here.” he said.以及第二段的“in return for which he would get a share in the mine if one was discovered.”可知，Tabor被传言吸引，认为在科罗拉多会发现大量的铅。虽然他向矿工提供生活物资，但目的是为了换取股份。所以，他去矿场的目的是挣钱，而不是去卖东西。故选A。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段“It was his custom to “grubstake” miners, in other words, to supply them with food and supplies while they looked for ore (矿石), in return for which he would get a share in the mine if one was discovered.”可知，Tabor商店的风俗是在矿工寻找矿石的时候为他们提供生活物品，作为回报，Tabor可以得到一部分被发现的矿。故选D。

3.推理判断题。根据第三段“These were continued, however, and Tabor was too busy to argue with them. “Oh help yourself. One more time won’t make any difference,” He said and went on selling shoes and hats to other customers. ”可知，两个矿工想买东西，但Tabor太忙了，没有时间和他们理论， Tabor说“你们自便，多卖一次也不会有什么不同。”结合选项，可知两个矿工坚持要买东西。故选B。

4.主旨大意题。文章讲述了Tabor通过在矿场卖生活物品，和矿工交换矿场份额，逐步积累扩大财富的故事。B：鼓励人们开始做生意；C：讨论Tabor的人生计划；D：讲述了淘金。BD选项文章没有提到，C项范围过大，文章并没有讲整个人生的计划。故选A。