Question

    Looking back on my childhood, I am convinced that naturalists are born and not made.

Although we were all brought up in the same way, my brothers and sisters soon abandoned their pressed flowers and insects. Unlike them, I had no ear for music and languages. I was not an early reader and I could not do mental maths.

I have only the unmemorable memory of the house we lived in, of my room and my toys. Nor do I recall clearly the large family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who gathered next door. But I do have a crystal clear memory of the dogs, the farm animals, the local birds, and above all the insects.

I am a naturalist, not a scientist. I have a strong love of the natural world, and my enthusiasm has led me into varied investigations. I love discussing my favorite topics and enjoy burning the midnight oil while reading about other people’s observations and discoveries. Then something happens that brings these observations together in my conscious mind. This has resulted in my publishing 300 papers and books, which some might honour with the title of scientific research.

But curiosity, a keen eye, a good memory and enjoyment of the animal and plant world do not make a scientist：One of the outstanding and essential qualities required is self­discipline, a quality I lack. A scientist requires not only self­discipline but all training, determination and a goal. A scientist, up to a point, can be made. A naturalist is born. If you can combine the two, you get the best of both worlds.

1.What impressed the author deeply during his childhood?

A.Wildlife. B.Music.

C.Languages. D.Literature.

2.Why can’t the author remember his relatives clearly?

A.He didn’t live with them for long.

B.The family was extremely large.

C.He was fully occupied with observing nature.

D.He was too young when he lived with them.

3.According to the author, what personality should a born naturalist have first of all?

A.Being knowledgeable.

B.Being self­disciplined.

C.Being full of ambition.

D.Being full of enthusiasm.

4.Why does the author say he is a naturalist, not a scientist?

A.He thinks he lacks some quality required of a scientist.

B.He thinks he has much trouble doing mental arithmetic.

C.He thinks he comes up with solutions in a most natural way.

D.He thinks he just reads about other people’s observations.

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.D

4.A

【解析】

本文是一篇记叙文。文章主要讲述了作者认为自然主义者是天生的，而一个科学家应具备自我约束、刻苦训练、坚定的信念和明确的目标。从作者的童年经历和后期成长，作者认为自己的自然主义者而不是科学家。

1.

细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句“But I do have a crystal clear memory of the dogs, the farm animals, the local birds, and above all the insects.”可知，作者童年时对农场的那些狗、鸟、动物至今历历在目，所以令作者童年印象深刻的是那些野生生物。故选A项。

2.

细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句“Nor do I recall clearly the large family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who gathered next door. But I do have a crystal clear memory of the dogs, the farm animals, the local birds, and above all the insects.”通过作者回忆在农场的日子，他对那里的小动物记忆犹新，但是对那里的亲戚们却记不住了，可见他从小就被自然吸引。故选C项。

3.

推理判断题。根据第四段前两句“I am a naturalist, not a scientist. I have a strong love of the natural world, and my enthusiasm has led me into varied investigations.”可知，作者从小热爱自然界，而且这种热情使作者做了很多不同的调查，成了一名自然主义者。由此可推知，一个天生的自然主义者首先要充满热情，故选D项。

4.

细节理解题。根据最后一段 “One of the outstanding and essential qualities required is self­discipline, a quality I lack.”可知，作者明白自己缺少科学家的素质，因为一个科学家最基本的素质就是“自律”。故选A项。