A
You may have heard of the Red Cross. It is an organization that helps people who are in need. It may be because of a flood, a war or an earthquake. No matter how bad the situation is, it will always be there to help! But it hasn’t always been this way. For example, in the United States, but for the passion (热情) of a woman named Clara Barton, the American Red Cross may have never been formed!
When Clara was young, she was very shy. One day when she was 11 years old, her elder brother, David, was badly injured. He was ill for two years. Clara cared for him the whole time. Through this experience she learned something very valuable about herself. She found out that she came alive when she cared for others.
Soon, Clara began taking care of injured animals. Neighbors began bringing their pets to her. And almost always, she made them better. When she was older, she became a nurse in the American Civil War and she helped save hundreds of soldiers.
After the Civil War, Clara went to Europe for a holiday. But that did not last long. Soon she began caring for soldiers in battle once again! But this time, she learned about an organization called the Red Cross which worked alongside her on the battlefield. Its task was to help those who needed it most.
She believed that the Red Cross was badly needed in America. Over several years, she asked different Presidents to bring the Red Cross to America. They all said no. But then, thanks to her persistence, one of the Presidents changed his mind! And the American Red Cross was born.
1. What is the second paragraph mainly about?
A. Who Clara cared about most. B. Why Clara liked to care for others.
C. What Clara did for the Red Cross. D. How Clara discovered her own value.
2. Clara first learned about the Red Cross when she ________.
A. took a holiday in Europe
B. cared for her brother
C. helped injured soldiers in Europe
D. worked as a nurse in the American Civil War
3. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “persistence” in the last paragraph?
A. Encouragement. B. Determination.
C. Bravery. D. Achievement.
【答案】1. D 2. C 3. B
【解析】
这是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了美国红十字会是怎样建立的。
【1题详解】
段落大意题。根据文章第二段的主要内容尤其是最后一句She found out that she came alive when she cared for others.(她发现照顾别人时她很有活力)可知，本段主要讲述了通过照顾弟弟Clara发现了自身的价值——照顾别人。故选D。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段中After the Civil War, Clara went to Europe for a holiday. But that did not last long. Soon she began caring for soldiers in battle once again! But this time, she learned about an organization called the Red Cross.可知，Clara去欧洲度假，但是没过多久她开始在战场上照顾受伤的战士，就在那时她知道了红十字会这个组织。也就是她在欧洲帮助受伤士兵的时候知道了红十字会这个组织。故选C。
【3题详解】
词义猜测题。根据划线部分的前一句以及所在句子Over several years, she asked different Presidents to bring the Red Cross to America, They all said no. But then, thanks to her persistence, one of the Presidents changed his mind!可知，多年以来Clara请求不同的美国总统建立红十字会，但是他们都拒绝了，多亏了她的persistence，一个总统改变主意，同意建立红十字会。结合句意，尤其是Over several years，推测划线词的意思为“决心，坚持”。故选B项。
