高中英语阅读理解-第三部分-名人故事(一)练习

第三部分名人故事（一）

1. Alfred Nobel, Founder of the Nobel Prizes

阿尔弗雷德•诺贝尔—诺贝尔奖的创始人

在世界科学史上，有这样一位科学家：他不仅把自己的毕生精力全部贡献给了科学事业，而且还在身后留下遗嘱，把自己的遗产全部捐献给科学事业，用以奖掖后人，向科学的高峰努力攀登。今天，以他的名字命名的科学奖，已经成为举世瞩目的最高科学大奖。他的名字和人类在科学探索中取得的成就一道，永远地留在了人类社会发展的文明史册上。这位伟大的科学家，就是世人皆知的瑞典化学家、诺贝尔奖的创立人阿尔弗雷德·诺贝尔。

诺贝尔奖颁发给在物理，化学，医学，文学，和平和经济六个领域中成就最突出的人。

Some names have become famous because they are always connected with important things. One of these names is that of Alfred Nobel, who founded the famous Nobel Prizes.

Nobel was born in Sweden in 1833. He became an engineer and an inventor. He was particularly interested in explosives. These were very dangerous in those days, and Nobel's own brother was killed in an explosion in their factory.

In 1867, Nobel invented dynamite. This was a very powerful explosive, but unlike the others it was safe to handle. The invention made Nobel a very wealthy man.

However, he was never particularly happy. He realized that his invention was being used for warlike purposes, and that thousands and perhaps hundreds of thousands of people were being killed and injured in wars with his explosives.

When he died in 1896, he left over 3 million pounds to be spent setting up five prizes each year. These prizes were to be given to people who had made outstanding contributions to peace, to science, and to literature. Originally there were five rewards: literature, physics, chemistry, medicine and peace. Economics was added in 1968, just sixty-seven years after the first award ceremony.

These Nobel Prizes became famous and because of them we still remember the name of Nobel.

Comprehension Questions:

A. it is less powerful and safe to handle.

B. it is more powerful but less safe to handle.

C. it is both powerful and safe.

D. it won't kill people.

4. Rich as he was, Alfred Nobel was never particularly happy because ______

A. his dynamite was not safe enough.

B. his explosives were being used in wars.

C. his brother was killed by the explosives invented by him.

D. he had killed hundreds of thousands of people with explosives.

5. Those who had made outstanding contributions to peace, to science and to literature ______

A. could get three million pounds.

B. were given five prizes each year.

C. could see Alfred Nobel himself.

D. could receive Nobel Prizes.

(CACBD)

2. The General and the Corporal, A Story

About George Washington

将军和下士—乔治•华盛顿的故事

乔治·华盛顿，美国首任总统（1789～1797），美国独立战争大陆军总司令。1789年，当选为美国第一任总统，因对美国独立作出了重大贡献，被尊为美国国父。他有一句关于自由的名言：“由于剑是维护我们自由的最后手段，一旦这些自由得到确立，就应该首先将它放在一旁。” 下面这篇小故事通过一件平凡事，反映了一个伟人的博大胸襟。

George Washington was the first President of the United States. It was he who led the armies during the long war that brought the American people independence and made America a free country. He was a great man, not only in great things, but also in little ones. He was never too great to do a kindness. He was never too high to stoop to those who were lower than he and in need of help.