Question

A Christmas Carol was written by Charles Dickens. The first 6,000 copies of the book were sold out in a week. And the book has inspired many plays and movies. The first play was put on in 1844. The first two movies were silent films made in 1901 and 1908. Since then, the story has been remade more than 60 times for television and cinema. What makes such a tale so attractive? Audiences have always loved a good plot, a villain(反面人物) who harms other people or breaks the law, and the ending of right over wrong. The book offers all three.

The book tells the story of a man named Ebenezer Scrooge. He is mean and cruel(残忍的) to his clerk and turns away his only living relative. One night, Scrooge is visited by three spirits. The first shows scenes from Scrooge’s youth that led to this present state. The second takes him to the homes of his clerk and his nephew. Here Scrooge sees that people can be happy without lots of money. The spirit also shows him the desperate poor people of London. The third spirit shows Scrooge will die alone, and no one will care if he continues to live as he has. At last the message is understood, and Scrooge repents. He becomes generous and caring to all around him, especially to his clerk’s sick son, Tiny Tim.

Every year, thousands of people watch A Christmas Carol. Why? They may be touched by its lessons on the true meanings of wealth and happiness. They may enjoy the special effects and feelings or watching every year may be just a habit. Viewers never seem to grow tired of the old miser(守财奴), Scrooge, and his dramatic message of hope and change.

1.What do we know about the book A Christmas Carol?

A.It was written in the early 19^th century.

B.Dickens completed the book in a week.

C.It has been adapted for cinema and television.

D.It didn’t attract readers when published for the first time.

2.The third spirit shows Scrooge        .

A.where he will die and who will care about him B.how others care about his present life

C.when and how he will die alone D.what his future life will be like

3.The underlined part “Scrooge repents” probably means          .

A.Scrooge feels sorry for what he has done B.Scrooge does things as he did before

C.Scrooge is angry with the three spirits D.Scrooge gives the three spirits a hand

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.A

【解析】

这是一篇记叙文。文章主要叙述了狄更斯的出名作品《圣诞颂歌》，介绍了它的主要内容。这本书被改变成多部电视剧和电影，很受人们的欢迎。

1.细节理解题。根据文章第一段中“Since then, the story has been remade more than 60 times for television and cinema.”可知，它被改编成电视剧和电影。结合选项，故选C。

2.推理判断题。根据文章第二段中“The third spirit shows Scrooge will die alone...”可知，第三个精灵向他展示他将孤独地死去。由此可以推断出，第三个精灵把他带入了一个未来的世界，让他看到未来自己的结局。结合选项，故选D。

3.词义猜测题。根据画线句下文“He becomes generous and caring to all around him, especially to his clerk’s sick son, Tiny Tim.”吝啬鬼改变了以前的做法，他感觉以前的做法对不住人，后悔以前所做的一切。结合选项，故选A。