Question

    “They tell me that you’d like to make a statue(塑像) of me-is that correct, Miss Vinnie Ream?”

The deep, gentle voice helped calm the nervous girl. Asking a favor of the President of the United States was no casual matter, especially for a seventeen-year-old girl.

“Yes, sir,” she replied, her dark eyes meeting his. “I wouldn’t have duo ask you, but my teacher, Mr. Mills, says I am ready. I plan to make it in an admirable manner. “

President Lincoln smiled. “Painters, sculptors-they’ve all tried to make the best of this ordinary face, but I’m afraid there’s not much hope. What did you have in mind, Miss Ream? A bust(半身像)?”

Before Vinnie could say yes, the President hurried on, a shade of apology in his voice.

“Of course-I shouldn’t have asked. A full-length pose would be much too big a project for a young woman your size. “

Vinnie’s face turned red. She realized she looked like a child, with her tiny figure. “Small does not mean weak, sir,” she defended herself. “I was born in the country of Wisconsin. I’ve driven teams of horses and carried water. Making a full-length clay(粘土) figure would not exhaust my strength-and that is what I intend to do!”

The President’s eyes, brightened at her show of spirit. “Sorry, madam, I have underestimated you as I didn’t know your background.”

But his smile faded as he rubbed his beard with bony fingers, in thought. “Miss Ream,” he sighed, “I’d like to let you do it, but as you know, we are in the middle of a war. How could I possibly take the time to pose for a sculpture now? I hardly have a minute to myself.”

Vinnie glanced around and noted the size of his office. “I work quickly,” she said. Her voice was soft but confident as she pointed to the corner near the windows. “If I were to bring my clay here and work for three hours every afternoon, I could complete most of the project while you are at your desk.”

The President seemed to consider her idea seriously. He got up and shook Vinnie’s hand warmly, “I’ve heard that you are a talented young woman, and I have found you charming and intelligent as well. I cannot make my decision immediately, but you will hear from me soon.”

The very next day, Vinnie received an invitation from the President.

1.What gave Vinnie confidence to make her request of President Lincoln?

A.Her aggressive personality.

B.Mr. Mills’s encouraging remark.

C.President Lincoln’s gentle voice.

D.Her interest in a challenging job.

2.How did President Lincoln first respond to Vinnie’s request?

A.Pleased.

B.Thrilled.

C.Regretful.

D.Doubtful.

3.Vinnie confirmed her ability to make a full-length statue by highlighting ______.

A.her experience from other projects

B.her innocent childhood in the country

C.the heavy labor she had done before

D.the skill she picked up in Wisconsin

4.Vinnie wanted to choose the corner near the windows to ______.

A.achieve effects of natural lighting

B.keep all her tools within easy reach

C.observe the President at a right angle

D.avoid disturbing the president’s work

5.What message does the story convey?

A.A strong-willed soul can reach his goal.

B.Experience helps to promote excellence.

C.Ups and downs make one strong.

D.Devotion requires enthusiasm.

Answer

1.B

2.D

3.C

4.D

5.A

【解析】

这是一篇记叙文。文章主要记叙了Vinnie Ream向林肯总统提出给他做一个全身雕像的请求，一开始林肯总统对此表示怀疑，在Vinnie的不断努力争取后，最终第二天Vinnie收到了林肯总统的邀请。

1.

细节理解题。根据第三段中的“I wouldn't have dared to ask you, but my teacher, Mr. Mills, says I am ready. I plan to make it in an admirable manner. “可知，我本来不敢问你，但我的老师Mills先生说我准备好了。我打算用一种令人钦佩的方式来做这件事。由此可知，Mills先生的话给了Vinnie向林肯总统提出要求的底气。故选B。

2.

推理判断题。根据第五段中的“Of course- I shouldn't have asked. A full-length pose would be much too big a project for a young woman your size.”可知，当然-我不应该问的。对于你这种身材的年轻女性来说，全身雕像太大了。由此可推知，林肯总统首先对Vinnie的请求表示怀疑。故选D。

3.

细节理解题。根据第六段中的“I've driven teams of horses and carried water. Making a full-length clay figure would not exhaust my strength-and this is what I intend to do!”可知，我赶过马队，提过水。做一个全身雕像不会耗尽我的力量-我还正想这样呢！此可知，Vinnie通过强调她以前所做的繁重劳动，证实了她有能力制作一个全身雕像。故选C。

4.

推理判断题。根据倒数第四段中的“Miss Ream,” he sighed, “I'd like to let you do it, but as you know, we are in the middle of a war. How could I possibly take the time to pose for a sculpture now? I hardly have a minute to myself. “可知，总统提到自己没有时间摆姿势来让Vinnie做雕像。根据倒数第三段中的“Vinnie glanced around and noted the size of his office. “I work quickly,” she said. Her voice was soft but confident as she pointed to the corner near the windows. “If I were to bring my clay here and work for three hours every afternoon, I could complete most of the project while you are at your desk.”可知，Vinnie环顾四周，注意到了他办公室的大小。“我干得很快，”她说。她指着靠近窗户的那个角落，声音柔和而自信。“如果我把我的粘土带到这里来，每天下午工作三个小时，我就可以在你办公的时候完成大部分的项目。”由此可推知，上文中总统提到自己没有时间摆姿势来让Vinnie做雕像，于是Vinnie想选择靠近窗户的角落，是为了避免干扰总统的工作。故选D。

5.

推理判断题。根据文章主要记叙了Vinnie Ream向林肯总统提出给他做一个全身雕像的请求，一开始林肯总统对此表示怀疑，在Vinnie的不断努力争取后，最终第二天Vinnie收到了林肯总统的邀请。由此可推知，这个故事表达了意志坚强的人能达到目标的思想。故选A。