Question

    It is reported in the national press that a letter written by Charles Darwin in 1875 has been returned to the Smithsonian Institution Archives (档案馆) by the FBI after being stolen twice.

“We realized in the mid-1970s that it was missing,” says Effie Kapsalis, head of the Smithsonian Institution Archives. “It was noted as missing and likely taken by an intern (实习生), from what the FBI is telling us. Word got out that it was missing when someone asked to see the letter for research purposes,” and the intern put the letter back. “The intern likely took the letter again once nobody was watching it.”

Decades passed. Finally, the FBI received a tip that the stolen document was located very close to Washington, D.C. Their art crime team recovered the letter but were unable to press charges because the time of limitations had ended. The FBI worked closely with the Archives to determine that the letter was both authentic and definitely Smithsonian’s property.

The letter is in fairly good condition, in spite of being out of the care of trained museum staff for so long. “It was luckily in good shape,” says Kapsalis, “and we just have to do some minor things in order to be able to unfold it. It has some glue on it that has colored it slightly, but nothing that will prevent us from using it. After it is repaired, we will take digital photos of it and that will be available online. One of our goals is to get items of high research value or interest to the public online.”

It would now be difficult for an intern, visitor or a thief to steal a document like this. “Archiving practices have changed greatly since the 1970s,” says Kapsalis, “and we keep our high value documents in a safe that I don’t even have access to.”

1.What happened to Darwin’s letter in the 1970s?

A.It was recovered by the FBI.

B.It was put in the archives for research purposes.

C.It was stolen more than once.

D.It was purchased by the Smithsonian Archives.

2.What did the FBI do after the recovery of the letter?

A.They pressed criminal charges in vain. B.They kept it in a special safe.

C.They arrested the suspect immediately. D.They proved its authenticity.

3.What will the Smithsonian Institution Archives do with the letter according to Kapsalis?

A.Reserve it for research purposes only. B.Make it available online.

C.Keep it a permanent secret. D.Turn it into an object of high interest.

4.What can be a suitable title for the text?

A.A Letter by Charles Darwin Returns to the Smithsonian

B.The Smithsonian Tightens Security Measures

C.The Smithsonian Charges an Intern with Theft

D.The FBI Cracks a Criminal Case

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.B

4.A

【解析】

这是一篇记叙文。本文主要讲述了达尔文的一封亲笔信失而复得，现收藏于美国史密森学会档案馆。20世纪70年代中期，这封信疑似被一位实习生偷走，经过FBI和档案馆工作人员的努力，多年后，这一珍贵的历史资料又被找了回来。

1.

细节理解题。根据第一段和第二段中“Word got out that it was missing when someone asked to see the letter for research purposes, and the intern put the letter back. The intern likely took the letter again once nobody was watching it.” 有消息说，有人出于研究目的要求看这封信时，它就不见了。 如果没有人看过，实习生可能会再次拿走这封信。可知在1970年达尔文的这封信被偷了不止一次。故选C项。

2.

推理判断题。根据第三段中“Their art crime team recovered the letter but were unable to press charges because the time of limitations had ended. The FBI worked closely with the Archives to determine that the letter was both authentic and definitely Smithsonian’s property.”他们的艺术犯罪团队追回了这封信，但由于时效期限已经结束而无法提出指控。FBI与档案馆紧密合作，确定这封信是真实的，而且绝对是史密森尼的财产。可知FBI在找回这封信后证明了它的真实性。故选D项。

3.

细节理解题。根据第四段中“After it is repaired, we will take digital photos of it and that will be available online.” 维修后，我们将为其拍摄数码照片，并将在线提供该照片观看。可知史密森学会档案馆将在线提供该照片观看。故选B项。

4.

标题归纳题。根据第一段中“It is reported in the national press that a letter written by Charles Darwin in 1875 has been returned to the Smithsonian Institution Archives (档案馆) by the FBI after being stolen twice.”据国家媒体报道，Charles Darwin于1875年写的一封信在两次被盗后已被联邦调查局退回史密森学会档案馆。并通读全文可知，文章主要讲了查尔斯·达尔文的信重返史密森学会档案馆的事情。故选A项。