Question

    Regarded as one of the English language’s most gifted poets, John Keats wrote poetry that concentrated on imagery, human nature, and philosophy (哲学). Although Keats didn’t receive much formal literary education, his own studies and passion brought him much success. Additionally, his own life situation influenced his poetry greatly.

Growing up as a young boy in London in a lower middle-class family, the young John didn’t attend a private school, but went to a public one. His teachers and his family’s friends regarded him as an optimistic boy who favored playing and fighting much more than minding his studies. After his father’s death in the early 1800s, followed by his mother’s passing due to tuberculosis (肺结核), he began viewing life differently. He wanted to escape the world and did so by reading anything he could get his hands on.

At around the age of 16, the teenage John Keats began studying under a surgeon so that he too might become a doctor. However, his literary appetite had taken too much of his fancy, especially with his addiction to the poetry of Ehmund Spenser. He was able to have his first full poem published in the Examiner in 1816, entitled O Solitude! If I Must With Thee Dwell. Within two months in 1817, Keats had written an entire volume of poetry, but was sharply criticized by a magazine. However, the negative response didn’t stop his love of rhythm .

John Keats’ next work was Endymion, which was published in May 1818. The story involves a shepherd who falls in love with the moon goddess and leads him on an adventure of one boy’s hope to overcome the limitations of being human. Following Endymion, however, he tried something more narrative-based (叙事体的) and wrote Isabella. During this time, John Keats began seeing his limitations in poetry due to his own limit in life experiences. He would have to have the “knowledge” associated with his poems. His next work was Hyperion that would attempt to combine all that he learned. However, a bout (发作) with tuberculosis while visiting Italy would keep him from his work and eventually take his life in 1821.

1.Why did John Keats’ change attitude towards life ?

A.Because his parents passed away.

B.Because he only received poor education.

C.Because Edmund Spenser’s poetry influenced him too much.

D.Because he received a lot of criticism from a magazine.

2.While trying to achieve his dream of becoming a poet, John Keats was_____.

A.experienced. B.impatient.

C.knowledgeable. D.determined.

3.What do we know from the passage?

A.Keats received little education at school.

B.Endymion was concerning a real love story.

C.In 1816 Keats spent two months writing a poem.

D.Keats once had a chance of becoming a doctor.

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。本文主要说明了认为是英语语言中最有天赋的诗人之一的英国诗人John Keats的生平和作品。

1.细节理解题。由第二段中After his father’s death in the early 1800s, followed by his mother’s passing due to tuberculosis, he began viewing life differently.（他的父亲19世纪早期去世，紧接着他的母亲由于肺结核去世后他开始以不同的眼光看待世界）可知John Keats诗人在父母相继离世后开始改变对生活的看法。故选A。

2.细节理解题。从第三段最后一句However, the negative response didn’t stop his love of rhythm .（然而，消极的反应并没有阻止他对格律的热爱）可知在努力实现成为诗人的梦想时，John Keats是意志坚定的。故选D。

3.细节理解题。根据第三段第一句At around the age of 16, the teenage John Keats began studying under a surgeon so that he too might become a doctor.（16岁左右，十几岁的John Keats开始在一名外科医生手下学习，这样他也有可能成为一名医生）可知John Keats曾经有机会成为一名医生。故选D。