Question

    Poetry is one of mankind’s oldest art forms. Since first analyzed by Aristotle, poetry has been part of every major art movement, and some say it captures emotion better than any other forms. Reading peotry is necessary to gain a full understanding of the world and has many additional benefits .

The immediate benefits of reading poetry are improvements to vocabulary. Poetry makes the reader familiar with new terms and encourages verbal analysis. This presents reading as a creative act in its own right. The common practice of memorizing poems also improves long-term brain health. Studies have shown that people who memorize and recall poems are less susceptible (受影响) to Alzheimer’s.

Poetry also improves critical thinking by forcing a reader to think. In great poetry, meaning is not obvious or one-dimensional (维度). Understanding poetry is an active practice, rather than the passive engagement encouraged with prose (散文). Readers of poetry are more likely than nonreaders to analyze information for viewpoints. This skill benefits students, but also anyone who wants to form their own opinions of news items or gain a better perspective upon documents like contracts. The critical thinking skills developed through reading poetry give greater control language itself.

The most remarkable power of literature is its ability to unite reader and writer across time and cultural boundaries. As condensed(浓缩的) literature, poetry offers these benefits in a powerful way. Poetry triggers memories and emotions in its readers. This connection between universal emotions and personal experience encourages the development of empathy. A reader might have no practical conception of what life was like during the Elizabethan-era in England. However, Shakespeare’s Sonnets with their universal themes of love and longing, can bridge the gap of centuries and help us gain an insight into peopled feelings in the 17th century.

1.Which of the following shows the benefit memorizing poetry brings to the brain?

A.It improves peopled long-term memory.

B.It improve s one’s ability of analysing issues.

C.It makes one less likely to catch Alzheimer’s

D.It makes one act more creatively.

2.In what way does poetry improve critical thinking?

A.Readers have to analyze information to form viewpoints.

B.Readers must understand the obvious meaning of poetry.

C.Readers have to gain a better perspective upon documents.

D.Readers have to have a good control over language.

3.Why does the author mention Shakespeare’s Sonnets?

A.To show poetry motivates us learn different cultures.

B.To show poetry helps develop our empathy.

C.To show the universal themes of poetry.

D.To show Shakespeare’s understanding of life.

4.What is the purpose of the text?

A.To ask us to read poems.

B.To show how to appreciate poems.

C.To tell the importance of poetry in history.

D.To explain the benefits of reading poetry.

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章叙述了诗歌所拥有的魅力，并充当着各个时间，地域和文化之间桥梁的作用。

1.

细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句“Studies have shown that people who memorize and recall poems are less susceptible to Alzheimer’s.”，可知研究表明，记忆和回忆诗歌的人不太容易患老年痴呆症。故选C项。

2.

细节理解题。根据第三段“Poetry also improves critical thinking by forcing a reader to think.”和“Readers of poetry are more likely than nonreaders to analyze information for viewpoints.”，可知诗歌的读者比非读者更倾向于分析信息以获取观点，所以诗歌的读者可以分析信息形成观点，来提高批判性思维。故选A项。

3.

细节理解题。根据最后一段的“However, Shakespeare’s Sonnets with their universal themes of love and longing, can bridge the gap of centuries and help us gain an insight into peopled feelings in the 17th century.”，可知，莎士比亚的十四行诗以爱和渴望为主题，跨越了几个世纪的鸿沟，帮助我们了解17世纪人们的感受。所以作者提到莎士比亚的目的是让读者感同身受，产生共鸣。故选B项。

4.

主旨大意题。第一段Reading peotry is necessary to gain a full understanding of the world and has many additional benefits （阅读诗歌对全面了解世界是必要的，而且有许多额外的好处。）是全文的主题句，结合全文内容，可知全篇主要讲述了阅读诗歌给读者带来的益处，并且指出诗歌对文化的传播和继承起到了重要的作用，所以文章的主要目的是解释阅读诗歌的好处。故选D项。