Mark Twain (1835-1910) – we’ve all heard the ...

Mark Twain (1835-1910) – we’ve all heard the name, but what makes him “the father of American literature” as classic US author William Faulkner once called him?

Mark Twain is someone Americans are taught to love. Older relatives, English teachers and the media always praise him. But when you actually take the time to read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, you find that his work is more wonderful than you could’ve ever imagined.

The novel describes a young boy named Tom Sawyer growing up in a small town along the Mississippi River. He explores the countryside on a riverboat with his friends, falls in love with girls, starts secret clubs and searches for treasure. Twain’s idea of childhood is magical – a time of imagination, wonder and, of course, adventure.

More importantly, through the eyes of Tom Sawyer, Twain cleverly makes fun of US culture. For example, Tom hates going to church, and Twain uses scenes of Tom there to mock religion (宗教) and its old traditions. “Often, the less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it,” he writes in one chapter.

Twain’s writing is full of these kinds of critical (批判的) points about culture and politics. That’s why he is so loved in the US – he wasn’t afraid to state his opinions, and he did so clearly. For instance, Twain didn’t like US wars abroad. In 1900, after the US invaded (入侵) the Philippines, Twain wrote in a newspaper article: “We do not intend to free, but to subjugate (征服) the people of the Philippines… We have gone there to conquer.” He also believed strongly in women’s right to vote in elections and gave a famous speech on the subject, called “Votes for Women”, in 1901.

“Tom was a glittering hero once more – the pet of the old, the envy of the young,” Twain writes in Tom Sawyer. But he could just as well be describing himself.

1.According to the author, after reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, you are likely to think _____.

A. it’s even better than you expected

B. it’s as wonderful as you expected

C. it’s better to read it with teachers

D. it’s not worth all the praise

2.What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A. A brief description of the novel.

B. Where Twain’s idea of childhood comes from.

C. How naughty and adventurous Tom Sawyer is.

D. What makes Tom Sawyer’s adventures so wonderful.

3.What does the underlined word “mock” mean?

A. make changes to　　 B. make fun of

C. give reasons for　　 D. give examples of

4.Why is Twain so loved in the US according to the article?

A. He wrote bad things about US wars abroad.

B. He supported women’s right to vote.

C. He criticized American culture and society clearly and cleverly.

D. He showed readers a magical childhood that everyone would love.

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

“Mark Twain” was the name used by Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835～1910) when he wrote books.His father was a lawyer，but a poor one，who lived in Florida，Missouri.The family was so poor that Samuel did not receive much teaching.He had to learn all that he could from the people whom he met.His father died when he was very young，and then there was even less money than before.

Many of the men in this part of America worked in the ships on the great Mississippi River，and he did this himself at one time (1857).

Where did he find the name “Mark Twain”？ It came from the great river itself.It was part of one of the cries used by men who worked in the ships.When a man called “By the mark twain！” he meant that the river was “two marks deep” there，that is to say，six feet deep ( “Twain” is an old form of the word “Two”.) Samuel Clemens often heard these words when he was young，and he used them as a pen name all his life.

During his work on the Mississippi he met travelers of all kinds，and this helped him a great deal when he started to write.But the number of travelers became smaller when war started in America in 1861.Many of the great ships on the river stopped work.Samuel left then and went to Nevada with his brother，who was at that time Governor of Nevada.There，near the town of Carson，Samuel became a gold miner，but he never made much money at the time.He soon saw that life in the gold mines was not for him.He also tried writing for the newspapers in Nevada，and this seemed more hopeful.He found that he could write.

He went to Europe in 1867 and visited France and Italy.In 1870 he married Olivia Langdon，and two years later he was spending nearly all his time writing.Among his books is his own story (1908).

He is now always known as Mark Twain，and many people do not even know that his family name was Clemens.He traveled in America and in England，and went to Oxford in 1907.He was one of the great American writers of the time，and could make his readers laugh—a thing which few writers can do.He died in 1910.

1.“Mark Twain” was ________.

A.a famous American writer

B.name of a book

C.a great river in America

D.a large ship

2.As a child，Samuel did not get much education because ________.

A.his father died too early

B.the family was very poor

C.he disliked school very much

D.he could learn what he liked from the people he met

3.What gave him a great deal when he started writing?

A.His poor childhood.

B.The Mississippi River.

C.All kinds of travelers he met.

D.His brother.

4.We can infer（推断）from the passage that ________.

A.Samuel loved writing from his early age

B.Samuel did not love writing at the beginning

C.his writings to the newspaper were successful

D.his brother encouraged him to write more

5.According to the writer of the passage，a good writer could ________.

A.write a lot for his readers

B.make a lot of money for his family

C.cause his readers to laugh

D.travel everywhere he wanted

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Mark Twain, born in Florida 1. November 30th, 1835, 2.(bring) up in Hannibal, Missouri, along the Mississippi River. He is best known for his 3.(novel) set in his boyhood world on the river, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. So much 4. he love the river that even his pen name was about the river. The phrase “mark twain” means that the water is two fathoms in 5.(deep). The play in this unit is adapted from The Million Pound Bank Note 6.(write) by Mark Twin. It was the summer of 1903, 7.two wealthy brothers made a bet. One of them doubted 8. a man could survive a month in London with a million pound bank note. At this moment, they saw a penniless man 9.(wander)on the pavement. It was Henry, 10. American businessman, who was lost in London.

高一英语语法填空简单题查看答案及解析

Mark Twain was a great writer. He was from the USA. He was born in 1835. He was also a famous speaker. He was famous for his sense of humour. Many people liked to listen to him talk because he liked to tell some interesting stories to make people laugh all the time.

　One day Mark Twain was going to a small town because of his writing. Before he was going to leave, one of his friends said to him that there were always a lot of mosquitoes(蚊子) in the town and told him that he’d better not go there. Mark Twain waved (摇动) his hand and said, “It doesn’t matter. The mosquitoes are no relatives of mine. I don’t think they will come to visit me.”

After he arrived at the town, Mark Twain stayed in a small hotel near the station. He went into his room, but when he was just about to have a rest, quite a few mosquitoes flew about him. The waiters felt very sorry about that. “I’m very sorry, Mr. Mark Twain. There are too many mosquitoes in our town.” One of them said to him.

Mark Twain, however, made a joke, saying to the waiter, “The mosquitoes are very clever. They know my room number. They didn’t come into the wrong room.” What he said made all the people present laugh heartily.

But that night Mark Twain slept well. Do you know why? That was because all the waiters in the hotel were driving the mosquitoes away for him during the whole night.

1.Many people liked Mark Twain because________.

2.That day Mark Twain went to the town _____.

3.The waiters felt sorry because _____.

4.All the people present laughed heartily because _____.

5.From the story we know _____.

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Mark Twain was a great writer. He was from the USA. He was born in 1835. He was also a famous speaker. He was famous for his sense of humour. Many people liked to listen to him , because he liked to tell some interesting stories to make people laugh all the time.

One day Mark Twain was going to a small town because of his writing. Before he was going to leave, one of his friends said to him that there were always a lot of mosquitoes(蚊子) in the town and told him that he’d better not go there. Mark Twain waved his hand and said, “It doesn’t matter. The mosquitoes are no relatives of mine. I don’t think they will come to visit me.”

After he arrived at the town, Mark Twain stayed in a small hotel near the station. He went into his room, but when he was just about to have a rest, quite a few mosquitoes flew about him. The waiters felt very sorry about that. “I’m very sorry, Mr. Mark Twain. There are too many mosquitoes in our town.” One of them said to him.

Mark Twain, however, made a joke, saying to the waiter, “The mosquitoes are very clever. They know my room number. They didn’t come into the wrong room.” What he said made all the people present laugh heartily.

But that night Mark Twain slept well. Do you know why? That was because all the waiters in the hotel were driving the mosquitoes away for him during the whole night.

1.That day Mark Twain went to the town _____.

A. to see one of his friends

B. because he wanted to do something there for his writing

C. because he was told there were a lot of mosquitoes there

D. to see one of his relatives

2.The waiters felt sorry because _____.

A. they did something wrong to Mark Twain

B. their hotel was too small

C. the room was not very clean

D. there were quite a few mosquitoes in Mark Twain’s room

3.All the people present laughed heartily because _____.

A. the mosquitoes were very clever and they didn’t come into the wrong room

B. the mosquitoes knew Mark Twain’s room number

C. Mark Twain gave the waiters some nice presents

D. Mark Twain made a joke

4.From the story we know _____.

A. no mosquitoes troubled Mark Twain in the night

B. the owner of the hotel told the waiters to look after Mark Twain well at night

C. Mark Twain didn’t have a good rest that night

D. there were not mosquitoes in the hotel any longer

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Mark Twain was a great writer. He was born in 1835 in the USA. He was also a famous speaker. He was famous for his sense of humour. Many people liked to listen to his talk because he liked to tell some interesting stories to make people laugh all the time.

One day, Mark Twain was going to a small town because of his writing. Before he was going to leave, one of his friends said to him that there were always a lot of mosquitoes in the town and told him that he'd better not go there. Mark Twain waved his hands and said, "It doesn't matter. The mosquitoes are no relatives of mine. I don't think they will come to visit me. "

After he arrived at the town, Mark Twain stayed in a small hotel near the station. He went into his room, but when he was just about to have a rest,  quite a few mosquitoes flew around him. The waiters felt very sorry about that. "I'm very sorry, Mr Mark Twain. There are too many mosquitoes in our town," one of them said to him.

Mark Twain, however, made a joke, saying to the waiter, "The mosquitoes are very clever. They know my room number. They didn't come into the wrong room. " What he said made all the people present laugh heartily.

But that night Mark Twain slept well. Do you know why? That was because all the waiters in the hotel were driving the mosquitoes away for him during the whole night.

1.Why did many people like to listen to Mark Twain's talk?

A.Because he was a great writer.

B.Because he liked to anyone.

C.Because of his sense of humour.

D.Because he wrote good novels.

2.The waiters felt sorry because _____.

A.they did something wrong to Mark Twain

B.their hotel was too small

C.the room was not very clean

D.there were quite a few mosquitoes in Mark Twain's room

3.All the people present laughed heartily because ____.

A.the mosquitoes were very clever and they didn't come into the wrong room

B.the mosquitoes knew Mark Twain's room number

C.Mark Twain gave the waiters some nice presents

D.Mark Twain made a joke.

高一英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Mark Twain was a great writer. He was from the USA. He was born in 1835. He was also a famous speaker. He was famous for his sense of humour. Many people liked to listen to him talk because he liked to tell some interesting stories to make people laugh all the time.

One day Mark Twain was going to a small town because of his writing. Before he was going to leave, one of his friends said to him that there were always a lot of mosquitoes in the town and told him that he’d better not go there. Mark Twain waved (摇动) his hand and said, “It doesn’t matter. The mosquitoes are no relatives of mine. I don’t think they will come to visit me.”

After he arrived at the town, Mark Twain stayed in a small hotel near the station. He went into his room, but when he was just about to have a rest, quite a few mosquitoes flew about him. The waiters felt very sorry about that. “I’m very sorry, Mr Mark Twain. There are too many mosquitoes in our town.” One of them said to him.

Mark Twain, however, made a joke, saying to the waiter, “The mosquitoes are very clever. They know my room number. They didn’t come into the wrong room.” What he said made all the people present laugh heartily.

But that night Mark Twain slept well. Do you know why? That was because all the waiters in the hotel were driving the mosquitoes away for him during the whole night.

1.The waiters felt sorry because _____.

A. they did something wrong to Mark Twain

B. their hotel was too small

C. the room was not very clean

D. there were quite a few mosquitoes in Mark Twain’s room

2.All the people present laughed heartily because _____.

A. the mosquitoes were very clever and they didn’t come into the wrong room

B. the mosquitoes knew Mark Twain’s room number

C. Mark Twain gave the waiters some nice presents

D. Mark Twain made a joke

3.From the story we know _____.

A. no mosquitoes troubled Mark Twain in the night

B. the owner of the hotel told the waiters to look after Mark Twain well at night

C. Mark Twain didn’t have a good rest that night

D. there were not mosquitoes in the hotel any longer

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Mark Twain was a great writer. He was from the USA. He was born in 1835. He was also a famous speaker. He was famous for his sense of humour. Many people liked to listen to him talk because he liked to tell some interesting stories to make people laugh all the time.

One day Mark Twain was going to a small town because of his writing. Before he was going to leave, one of his friends said to him that there were always a lot of mosquitoes in the town and told him that he’d better not go there. Mark Twain waved (摇动) his hand and said, “It doesn’t matter. The mosquitoes are no relatives of mine. I don’t think they will come to visit me.”

After he arrived at the town, Mark Twain stayed in a small hotel near the station. He went into his room, but when he was just about to have a rest, quite a few mosquitoes flew about him. The waiters felt very sorry about that. “I’m very sorry, Mr Mark Twain. There are too many mosquitoes in our town.” One of them said to him.

Mark Twain, however, made a joke, saying to the waiter, “The mosquitoes are very clever. They know my room number. They didn’t come into the wrong room.” What he said made all the people present laugh heartily.

But that night Mark Twain slept well. Do you know why? That was because all the waiters in the hotel were driving the mosquitoes away for him during the whole night.

1.That day Mark Twain went to the town _____.

A. to see one of his friends

B. because he was told there were a lot of mosquitoes there

C. because he wanted to do something there for his writing

D. to see one of his relatives

2.The waiters felt sorry because _____.

A. they did something wrong to Mark Twain

B. their hotel was too small

C. the room was not very clean

D. there were quite a few mosquitoes in Mark Twain’s room

3.All the people present laughed heartily because _____.

A. the mosquitoes were very clever and they didn’t come into the wrong room

B. the mosquitoes knew Mark Twain’s room number

C. Mark Twain made a joke

D. Mark Twain gave the waiters some nice presents

4.From the story we know _____.

A. no mosquitoes troubled Mark Twain in the night

B. the owner of the hotel told the waiters to look after Mark Twain well at night

C. Mark Twain didn’t have a good rest that night

D. there were not mosquitoes in the hotel any longer

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Mark Twain was a great writer. He was from the USA. He was born in 1835. He was also a famous speaker. He was famous for his sense of humour. Many people liked to listen to him, because he liked to tell some interesting stories to make people laugh all the time.

One day Mark Twain was going to a small town because of his writing. Before he was going to leave, one of his friends said to him that there were always a lot of mosquitoes (蚊子) in the town and told him that he’d better not go there. Mark Twain waved his hand and said, “It doesn’t matter. The mosquitoes are no relatives of mine. I don’t think they will come to visit me.”

After he arrived at the town, Mark Twain stayed in a small hotel near the station. He went into his room, but when he was just about to have a rest, quite a few mosquitoes flew about him. The waiters felt very sorry about that. “I’m very sorry, Mr. Mark Twain. There are too many mosquitoes in our town.” One of them said to him.

Mark Twain, however, made a joke, saying to the waiter, “The mosquitoes are very clever. They know my room number. They didn’t come into the wrong room.” What he said made all the people present laugh heartily.

But that night Mark Twain slept well. Do you know why? That was because all the waiters in the hotel were driving the mosquitoes away for him during the whole night.

1.That day Mark Twain went to the town ________.

A. to see one of his friends

B. because he was told there were a lot of mosquitoes there

C. because he wanted to do something there for his writing

D. to see one of his relatives

2.The waiters felt sorry because ________.

A. they did something wrong to Mark Twain

B. their hotel was too small

C. the room was not very clean

D. there were quite a few mosquitoes in Mark Twain’s room

3.All the people present laughed heartily because ________.

A. the mosquitoes were very clever and they didn’t come into the wrong room

B. the mosquitoes knew Mark Twain’s room number

C. Mark Twain gave the waiters some nice presents

D. Mark Twain made a joke

4.From the story we know ________.

A. there were not mosquitoes in the hotel any longer

B. no mosquitoes troubled Mark Twain that night

C. Mark Twain didn’t have a good rest that night

D. the owner of the hotel told the waiters to look after Mark Twain well at night

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Mark Twain was a great writer. He was from the USA. He was born in 1835. He was also a famous speaker. He was famous for his sense of humour. Many people liked to listen to him talk because he liked to tell some interesting stories to make people laugh all the time.

One day Mark Twain was going to a small town because of his writing. Before he was going to leave, one of his friends said to him that there were always a lot of mosquitoes　 in the town and told him that he’d better not go there. Mark Twain waved (摇动) his hand and said, “It doesn’t matter. The mosquitoes are no relatives of mine. I don’t think they will come to visit me.”

After he arrived at the town, Mark Twain stayed in a small hotel near the station. He went into his room, but when he was just about to have a rest, quite a few mosquitoes flew about him. The waiters felt very sorry about that. “I’m very sorry, Mr Mark Twain. There are too many mosquitoes in our town.” One of them said to him.

Mark Twain, however, made a joke, saying to the waiter, “The mosquitoes are very clever. They know my room number. They didn’t come into the wrong room.” What he said made all the people present laugh heartily.

But that night Mark Twain slept well. Do you know why? That was because all the waiters in the hotel were driving the mosquitoes away for him during the whole night.

1.That day Mark Twain went to the town _____.

A. to see one of his friends

B. because he was told there were a lot of mosquitoes there

C. because he wanted to do something there for his writing

D. to see one of his relatives

2.The waiters felt sorry because _____.

A. they did something wrong to Mark Twain

B. their hotel was too small

C. the room was not very clean

D. there were quite a few mosquitoes in Mark Twain’s room

3.All the people present laughed heartily because _____.

A. the mosquitoes were very clever and they didn’t come into the wrong room

B. the mosquitoes knew Mark Twain’s room number

C. Mark Twain made a joke

D. Mark Twain gave the waiters some nice presents

4.From the story we know _____.

A. no mosquitoes troubled Mark Twain in the night

B. the owner of the hotel told the waiters to look after Mark Twain well at night

C. Mark Twain didn’t have a good rest that night

D. there were not mosquitoes in the hotel any longer

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析