A
(2016·重庆第二次诊断)
Robert Frost(1874—1963) was the statesman of American letters in the twentieth century,a rare national poet who was read and respected by both university professors and everyday citizens.In his life,Frost won four Pulitzer Prizes for his works—more than any other poet in American history.His most famous poems include “The Road Not Taken”“Fire and Ice” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”.Though he is widely read,Frost is also one of the most misunderstood writers in the United States for the complexity of his poems.
Though born in California,Frost was brought up in New England,where he is inseparably linked.After dropping out of Dartmouth College to seek his literary dream,he remained upset for years,producing collections of works but failing to get enough of them published to make his efforts financially worthwhile.Finally,Frost left the United States in 1912 to see whether his work might be better received in London.It was in 1913 that his first full collection was published in Great Britain.Fellow American poet Amy Lowell adored Frost’s work and brought it back to the United States,publicizing it insistently.Soon afterwards Frost’s collections became best-sellers,and he became a famous figure.
From then on,Frost was on his way to the lifelong respect and recognition for his achievements in poetry.In 1961,he was invited to read a poem for the presidential inauguration(总统就职典礼) of John F.Kennedy.He recited his poem,“The Gift Outright” from memory at the ceremony.This was perhaps his last poetry reading in front of a wide national audience before his death in 1963.More importantly,Frost became the first poet to read a poem at a presidential inauguration.
21.What makes Frost “the statesman of American letters”?
A.The comments of other writers.
B.His literary achievements.
C.The complexity of his poems.
D.His political activities.
答案:B
解析:推理判断题。由第一段中的“ararenationalpoetwhowasreadandrespectedbybothuniversityprofessorsandeverydaycitizens...inAmericanhistory.”可知,他的文学成就很高。故选B项。
22.What do we know about Frost before 1912?
A.He continued writing after his graduation from Dartmouth College.
B.He was well received in London for his first collection.
C.He failed to make much money with his publication.
D.He produced enough works to achieve literary success.
答案:C
解析:细节理解题。由第二段的“...butfailingtogetenoughofthempublishedtomakehiseffortsfinanciallyworthwhile.”可知,当时Frost没有靠写作挣到很多钱。
23.According to the passage,what brought Frost immediate success in the US?
A.The literary value of his poetry.
B.The publication of his first collection.
C.The invitation from John F.Kennedy.
D.The recommendation by Amy Lowell.
答案:D
解析:细节理解题。由第二段的“FellowAmericanpoetAmyLowelladoredFrost’sworkandbroughtitbacktotheUnitedStates,publicizingitinsistently...hebecameafamousfigure.”可知选D项。
24.Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A.The Literary Life of Robert Frost:An Overview
B.Robert Frost and the Twentieth Century
C.Robert Frost:A Historical Figure
D.The Popularity of Robert Frost
答案:A
解析:主旨大意题。文章介绍了美国伟大诗人RobertFrost的文学生涯。A选项意为“RobertFrost的文学生涯概述”。符合题意。
