When Charles Barkley's mother passed away, Ba...

When Charles Barkley's mother passed away, Barkley's hometown came to the funeral. But a(n) __ guest also came. He wasn't a basketball player or from Barkley's hometown. More ___, he was my dad-a scientist.

My dad said he ___ about Barkley long before he met him. Whenever we ___ dinner parties, he would talk about Barkley. Basketball has never been my thing. I ___some key words into a search engine to____something about Barkley. He seemed pretty famous and ___not like anyone who would be friends with my dad.

But the friendship was real.

My dad ____ made a slide of photos of him and Barkley together for our community's Chinese New Year party- totally irrelevant to the ____. I asked him what made them become friends.

"As an Asian in the U.S., we had a good ___," he said. "We agree on many views."

They believed the color of their skin didn't ___ .

But on a Sunday afternoon my dad passed away. Everyone was ______ as Barkley attended the funeral. "It gives me great ___and joy to know I was a friend of his," Barkley said. "Just hearing about him at the ______ -what he had achieved and what he was trying to help others ___, touched me I ___he would be known to many people."

At the funeral, people ___ memories of my dad. I realize that even after he passed away, I would continue to _______things about him.

The story of his friendship with Barkley was not just a ____with a famous person-it threw light on the ___ of this world.

1.A. frequent B. unexpected C. average D. unwelcome

2.A. specifically B. importantly C. carefully D. strictly

3.A. cared B. worried C. thought D. knew

4.A. held B. organized C. attended D. arranged

5.A. read B. forgot C. sent D. typed

6.A. find out B. apply for C. talk about D. pick up

7.A. potentially B. accidentally C. deliberately D. certainly

8.A. still B. also C. even D. already

9.A. experience B. holiday C. player D. friendship

10.A. chance B. conversation C. argument D. choice

11.A. bum B. differ C. matter D. shine

12.A. astonished B. thrilled C. annoyed D. disappointed

13.A. moments B. memories C. relief D. comfort

14.A. meeting B. hometown C. party D. funeral

15.A. accomplish B. contribute C. develop D. gain

16.A. wished B. declared C. suspected D. confirmed

17.A. improved B. refreshed C. shared D. lost

18.A. spread B. learn C. obtain D. mourn

19.A. connection B. coincidence C. phenomenon D. relationship

20.A. benefits B. responsibilities C. possibilities D. varieties

高三英语完形填空困难题查看答案及解析

I was 20 years old when my mother passed away.It was the first real blow that life had dealt me，and I thought I would never recover.Then，by the time the following spring came，the pain was almost bearable and again I could find pleasure in the miraculous reward of nature.

At first，I went to the cemetery with trepidation.But then，amazingly，by tending her grave and decorating it with flowers，I was ridding myself of the painful memories.

The years passed.I moved from Kaposvar，Hungary，the town where I had been born and had spent my youth.So did my siblings.We only came together on feast days，especially on All Souls’ Day in the cemetery.

Father lived with me for many years，to a ripe old age.Now that he，too，rests beneath the white marble stone，I go even more eagerly to the cemetery.While I tend my parents’ grave site，again I am with them in thought.

One day I noticed a modest grave site behind my parents’ plot.It lay among the magnificent granite and marble markers of the other graves，its very simplicity calling attention to itself.Ivy(常春藤) had covered the site and its only decoration was a simple wooden cross on which was written in copper letters a name，and that she lived 22 years.Whenever I went by，the plot and its surroundings looked cared for and neat，and each time I felt curious about this mysterious woman who had lived all of 22 years.

Once I saw an elderly man leaving from there.I concluded that perhaps he had come to visit his wife.In 1996 I was preparing for All Souls’ Day in the cemetery when again I caught sight of him，tending the grave.Tall，somewhat bent，he was well passed middle age.We nodded to each other and continued our work.Occasionally I stole a glance at my neighbor.When I noticed that he hadn’t got the tools for a proper cleanup，I offered him mine，which he gratefully accepted.After this，it seemed only natural to engage him in conversation.I asked him whose grave it was.This was his answer：

“My mother’s.She died young，in 1912 when I was only a year­and­a half old.I really never knew her.I made her that cross and the copper letters.”

Then he went on：“No one comes to visit this grave but me because I was her only child.She died of pneumonia.My father remarried and my stepmother only cared for her own children.So then I always came here to my mother，whether in sadness or in joy.Later，life took me far afield，but I never forgot this grave.For me it was the same as the family home is for others.I always came home here.”

“With the years passing，it is getting more difficult for me to come，but as long as my legs will carry me，at least twice a year I visit my mother.I’m in my 80s，so who knows how long I can still make it.”

In stunned silence I listened.Tears clouded my eyes as I realized that I had never seen such boundless love.How much easier is my lot，I thought，for at any moment I can reach into my storehouse of memories and draw out the joyful or sad vignettes(小插图) that bind me to my parents with a thousand threads.What memories might this kindly old gentleman harbor？Perhaps a face from an ancient faded photograph of his mother.

What a great attachment throughout his long life must have led him back again and again to the resting place of that young woman whose motherly love he could never truly savor(尝到)，only forever feels its enormous lack.

We said good­bye.I was deeply moved because I knew that I had been given a great gift.I had been allowed a glimpse of the royal and long­lasting affection that bound a simple and noble­hearted man to his mother.I decided I would tend the grave together with that of my parents，where，finally，the aged child will have met his youthful mother.

1.All Souls’ Day is a feast day 　　　　　 .

A. to visit the cemetery and memorize the dead

B. for families to get together in the cemetery

C. to give gifts to family members

D. for daughters and sons to memorize their parents

2.From the passage，we know 　　　　　 .

A. the author’s mother died young and her father，too

B. the author’s mother was dead while her father enjoyed a long life

C. the man’s mother died very young before he was born

D. the author’s father lived long while the man’s mother died very young

3.The underlined words “calling attention to itself” in the 5th paragraph mean 　　　　　 .

A. desiring to be paid attention to

B. making it easily noticed

C. too modest to be noticed

D. calling itself to draw others’ attention

4.The author stole a glance at her neighbor because 　　　　　 .

A. they were living in the same neighborhood

B. the man was tall and straight，well passed middle age

C. she was wondering about the dead young lady’s story

D. she knew the dead in the grave was the man’s mother

5.From Paragraph 10 we can conclude that 　　　　　 .

A. the author lived near the cemetery and can visit her parents at any time

B. the poor gentleman had hardly any memory of his dear mother’s love

C. the author is bound to her parents with threads

D. the gentleman comes back “home” whenever he wants to

6.What message is conveyed in the passage?

A. Love is a length of thread to bind mother and children together.

B. Mother needs love from her children even if she is dead.

C. Parents’ love is always royal and long­lasting to children.

D. Mother’s love can be a boundless gift to their children.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

I was 20 years old when my mother passed away. It was the first real blow that life had dealt me, and I thought I would never recover. Then, by the time the following spring came, the pain was almost bearable and again I could find pleasure in the miraculous reward of nature.

At first, I went to the cemetery with trepidation. But then, amazingly, by tending her grave and decorating it with flowers, I was ridding myself of the painful memories.

The years passed. I moved from Kaposvar, Hungary, the town where I had been born and had spent my youth. So did my siblings. We only came together on feast days, especially on All Souls’ Day in the cemetery.

Father lived with me for many years, to a ripe old age. Now that he, too, rests beneath the white marble stone, I go even more eagerly to the cemetery. While I tend my parents’ grave site, again I am with them in thought.

One day I noticed a modest grave site behind my parents’ plot. It lay among the magnificent granite and marble markers of the other graves, its very simplicity calling attention to itself. Ivy(长春藤) had covered the site and its only decoration was a simple wooden cross on which was written in copper letters a name, and that she lived 22 years. Whenever I went by, the plot and its surroundings looked cared for and neat, and each time I felt curious about this mysterious woman who had lived all of 22 years.

Once I saw an elderly man leaving from there. I concluded that perhaps he had come to visit his wife. In 1996 I was preparing for All Souls’ Day in the cemetery when again I caught sight of him, tending the grave. Tall, somewhat bent, he was well passed middle age. We nodded to each other and continued our work. Occasionally I stole a glance at my neighbor. When I noticed that he hadn’t got the tools for a proper cleanup, I offered him mine, which he gratefully accepted. After this, it seemed only natural to engage him in conversation. I asked him whose grave it was. This was his answer:

“My mother’s. She died young, in 1912 when I was only a year-and-a half old. I really never knew her. I made her that cross and the copper letters.”

Then he went on:“No one comes to visit this grave but me because I was her only child. She died of pneumonia. My father remarried and my stepmother only cared for her own children. So then I always came here to my mother, whether in sadness or in joy. Later, life took me far afield, but I never forgot this grave. For me it was the same as the family home is for others. I always came home here.”

“With the years passing, it is getting more difficult for me to come, but as long as my legs will carry me, at least twice a year I visit my mother. I’m in my 80s. so who knows how long I can still make it.“

In stunned silence I listened. Tears clouded my eyes as I realized that I had never seen such boundless love. How much easier is my lot, I thought, for at any moment I can reach into my storehouse of memories and draw out the joyful or sad vignettes(小插图) that bind me to my parents with a thousand threads. What memories might this kindly old gentleman harbor? Perhaps a face from an ancient faded photograph of his mother.

What a great attachment throughout his long life must have led him back again and again to the resting place of that young woman whose motherly love he could never truly savor(尝到), only forever feels its enormous lack.

We said good-bye. I was deeply moved because I knew that I had been given a great gift. I had been allowed a glimpse of the royal and long-lasting affection that bound a simple and noble-hearted man to his mother. I decided I would tend the grave together with that of my parents, where, finally, the aged child will have met his youthful mother.

1.All Souls’ Day is a feast day ________.

A. to visit the cemetery and memorize the dead

B. for families to get together in the cemetery

C. to give gifts to family members

D. for daughters and sons to memorize their parents

2.From the passage, we know ________.

A. the author’s mother died young and her father, too

B. the author’s mother is dead while her father enjoys a long life

C. the man’s mother died very young before he was born

D. the author’s father lived long while the man’s mother died very young

3.The underlined words “calling attention to itself” in the 5th paragraph means ________.

A. desiring to be paid attention to

B. making it easily noticed

C. too modest to be noticed

D. calling itself to draw others’ attention

4.The author stole a glance at her neighbor because ________.

A. they were living in the same neighborhood

B. the man was tall and straight, well passed middle age

C. she was wondering about the dead young lady’s story

D. she knew the dead in the grave was the man’s mother

5.From Paragraph 10 we can conclude that ________.

A. the author lived near the cemetery and can visit her parents at any time

B. the poor gentleman had hardly any memory of his dear mother’s love

C. the author is bound to her parents with threads

D. the gentleman comes back “home” whenever he wants to

6.What message is conveyed in the passage?

A. Love is a length of thread to bind mother and children together.

B. Mother needs love from her children even if she is dead.

C. Parents’ love is always royal and long-lasting to children.

D. Mother’s love can be a boundless gift to their children.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

When Charles Strattion was five, he stopped growing. His mother took him to see the famous showman; P.T.Barnum thought a small person would be the perfect addition to his show. He hired Charles’ parents along with him, and they traveled around the world together.

He gave the two-foot-tall Charles a new name, general Tom Thumb. He taught Tom how to sing, dance, act, and tell jokes. When he felt Tom was ready to perform on stage, he made up ads. To stir up great interest, he said that Tom was eleven years old and had come from England.

During the show, Tom fought battles pretendedly with tall people. He also danced upon a wooden plate held by a person who was eight feet tall.

Tom’s act was very popular and brought in a lot of money. By the time Tom was an adult, he had grown very rich. He had become a billionaire at the age of twenty-five.

Fortunately for Tom, Mr. Barnum added more little people to his show, and Tom became lucky in love as well. One of the little people was Lavinia Warren, a school teacher. Tom was able to win her love, and they married.

The ceremony and reception were the talk of the town. They were attended by many rich and famous people and by about two thousand guests. Crowds filled the streets of New York to have a look at their tiny wedding carriage. The couple even met with President Abraham Lincoln on their honeymoon, just before going to live in Tom’s house in Connecticut.

Their wedding, which took place during the Civil War, provided a welcome escape from the sad problems of war. Not willing to let this bit of sunshine fade, communities throughout the country sponsored（主持）“Tom Thumb”weddings. In these weddings, small boys and girls, all dressed up, went through marriage ceremony for fun.

1.“ Talk of the town”means________.

A．it was in the newspaper

B．people spread mean rumors（谣言）about it.

C．it was the most popular thing happening

D．it was discussed in a city meeting

2.What does the author think about Tom Thumb’s wedding?

A．People gave it too much of their attention.

B．It helped people cheer up in a dark time.

C．It was funny and ridiculous.

D．Tom and Lavinia were stupid.

3.Which of the following is the best clue（线索）to the fact that Tom was smart?

A．He became a billionaire at twenty-five.

B．He learned how to sing, dance, and act at a very young age.

C．He met with President Lincoln during his honeymoon.

D．He married a school teacher.

4.It was very funny when Tom danced on a wooden plate held by a person who was eight feet tall because________ .

A．the wooden plate would make it sound as if Tom were tap dancing.

B．it made Tom feel taller.

C．the eight-foot-tall man was the only tall person Tom trusted

D．the difference between them would make Tom look even smaller

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

When Charles Strattion was five, he stopped growing. His mother took him to see the famous showman, P.T.Barnum, and thought a small person would be the perfect addition to his show. He hired Charles’ parents along with him, and they traveled around the world together.

He gave the two-foot-tall Charles a new name, general Tom Thumb. He taught Tom how to sing, dance, act, and tell jokes. When he felt Tom was ready to perform on stage, he made up ads. To stir up great interest, he said that Tom was eleven years old and had come from England.

During the show, Tom fought battles pretendedly with tall people. He also danced upon a wooden plate held by a person who was eight feet tall.

Tom’s act was very popular and brought in a lot of money. By the time Tom was an adult, he had grown very rich. He had become a billionaire at the age of twenty-five.

Fortunately for Tom, Mr. Barnum added more little people to his show, and Tom became lucky in love as well. One of the little people was Lavinia Warren, a school teacher. Tom was able to win her love, and they married.

The ceremony and reception were the talk of the town. They were attended by many rich and famous people and by about two thousand guests. Crowds filled the streets of New York to have a look at their tiny wedding carriage. The couple even met with President Abraham Lincoln on their honeymoon, just before going to live in Tom’s house in Connecticut.

Their wedding, which took place during the Civil War, provided a welcome escape from the sad problems of war. Not willing to let this bit of sunshine fade, communities throughout the country sponsored “Tom Thumb” weddings. In these weddings, small boys and girls, all dressed up, went through marriage ceremony for fun.

1.“the talk of the town” means _________ .

A. they were in the newspaper

B. people spread mean rumors about them

C. they were the most popular things happening

D. they were discussed in a city meeting

2.What does the author think about Tom Thumb’s wedding?

A. People gave it too much of their attention.

B. It helped people cheer up in a dark time.

C. It was funny and ridiculous.

D. Tom and Lavinia were stupid.

3.Which of the following is the best clue to the fact that Tom was smart?

A. He became a billionaire at twenty-five.

B. He learned how to sing, dance, and act at a very young age.

C. He met with President Lincoln during his honeymoon.

D. He married a school teacher.

4.It was very funny when Tom danced on a wooden plate held by a person who was eight feet tall because ________ .

A. the wooden plate would make it sound as if Tom were tap dancing

B. it made Tom feel taller

C. the eight-foot-tall man was the only tall person Tom trusted

D. the difference between them would make Tom look even smaller

5.What does the author imply in the last paragraph?

A. Weddings always make people feel full of sunshine.

B. People are always disappointed during wartime.

C. Entertainment can serve an important purpose.

D. People should be married even if they are small.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

When Charles Strattion was five, he stopped growing. His mother took him to see the famous showman, P.T.Barnum, and thought a small person would be the perfect addition to his show. He hired Charles’ parents along with him, and they traveled around the world together.

He gave the two-foot-tall Charles a new name, general Tom Thumb. He taught Tom how to sing, dance, act, and tell jokes. When he felt Tom was ready to perform on stage, he made up ads. To stir up great interest, he said that Tom was eleven years old and had come from England.

During the show, Tom fought battles pretendedly with tall people. He also danced upon a wooden plate held by a person who was eight feet tall.

Tom’s act was very popular and brought in a lot of money. By the time Tom was an adult, he had grown very rich. He had become a billionaire at the age of twenty-five.

Fortunately for Tom, Mr. Barnum added more little people to his show, and Tom became lucky in love as well. One of the little people was Lavinia Warren, a school teacher. Tom was able to win her love, and they married.

The ceremony and reception were the talk of the town. They were attended by many rich and famous people and by about two thousand guests. Crowds filled the streets of New York to have a look at their tiny wedding carriage. The couple even met with President Abraham Lincoln on their honeymoon, just before going to live in Tom’s house in Connecticut.

Their wedding, which took place during the Civil War, provided a welcome escape from the sad problems of war. Not willing to let this bit of sunshine fade, communities throughout the country sponsored “Tom Thumb” weddings. In these weddings, small boys and girls, all dressed up, went through marriage ceremony for fun.

1.“the talk of the town” means _________ .

2.What does the author think about Tom Thumb’s wedding?

3.Which of the following is the best clue to the fact that Tom was smart?

4. It was very funny when Tom danced on a wooden plate held by a person who was eight feet tall because ________ .

5.What does the author imply in the last paragraph?

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

When Charles Stratton was five, he stopped growing. His mother took him to see the famous showman, P. T. Barnum. Mr. Barnum thought a small person would be the perfect addition to his show. He hired Charles' parents along with him, and they traveled the world together.

He gave the two-foot-tall Charles a name, General Tom Thumb. He taught Tom how to sing, dance, act and tell jokes. When he felt Tom was ready to perform on stage, he made up ads. To stir up great interest, he said that Tom was eleven years old and had come from England.

During the show, Tom fought battles pretendedly with tall people. He also danced upon a wooden plate held by a person who was eight feet tall. Tom's act was very popular and brought in a lot of money. By the time Tom was an adult, he had grown very rich. He had become a billionaire at the age of twenty five.

Fortunately for Tom, Mr. Barnum added more little people to his show, and Tom became lucky in love as well. One of the little people was Lavinia Warren, a schoolteacher. Tom was able to win her love, and they married.

The ceremony and reception were the talk of the town. They were attended by many rich and famous people and by about 2000 guests. Crowds filled the streets of New York to have a look at their tiny wedding marriage. The couple even met with President Abraham Lincoln on their honeymoon just before going to live in Tom's house in Connecticut.

Their wedding, which took place during the Civil War, provided a welcome escape from the sad problems of war. Not willing to let this bit of sunshine fade, communities throughout the country sponsored "Tom Thumb" weddings. In these weddings, small boys and girls, all dressed up, went through marriage ceremony for fun.

1.The underlined words "talk of the town" means________.

A. it was in the newspaper

B. it was the most popular topic

C. people spread bad rumors about it

D. it was discussed in a city meeting

2.What does the author think about Tom's wedding?

A. Tom and Lavinia were stupid.

B. People gave it too much of their attention.

C. It was funny and ridiculous.

D. It helped people cheer up in a dark time.

3.What is the main idea of the last paragraph?

A. Weddings always make people feel full of sunshine.

B. People are always disappointed during war time.

C. Entertainment can serve an important purpose.

D. People should be married when they are small children.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

When Charles Stratton was five, he stopped growing. His mother took him to see the famous showman, P. T. Barnum. Mr. Barnum thought a small person would be the perfect addition to his show. He hired Charles’ parents along with him, and they traveled the world together.

He gave the two-foot-tall Charles a name, General Tom Thumb. He taught Tom how to sing, dance, act and tell jokes. When he felt Tom was ready to perform on stage, he made up ads. To stir up great interest, he said that Tom was eleven years old and had come from England.

During the show, Tom fought battles pretendedly with tall people. He also danced upon a wooden plate held by a person who was eight feet tall. Tom’s act was very popular and brought in a lot of money. By the time Tom was an adult, he had grown very rich. He had become a billionaire at the age of twenty five.

Fortunately for Tom, Mr. Barnum added more little people to his show, and Tom became lucky in love as well. One of the little people was Lavinia Warren, a schoolteacher. Tom was able to win her love, and they married.

The ceremony and reception were the talk of the town. They were attended by many rich and famous people and by about 2000 guests. Crowds filled the streets of New York to have a look at their tiny wedding marriage. The couple even met with President on their honeymoon just before going to live in Tom’s house in Connecticut.

Their wedding, which took place during the Civil War, provided a welcome escape from the sad problems of war. Not willing to let this bit of sunshine fade, communities throughout the country sponsored (发起) “Tom Thumb” weddings. In these weddings, small boys and girls, all dressed up, went through marriage ceremony for fun.

56. Which of the statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Charles’ parents supported him and performed together with him.

B. Charles was found and hired by the famous showman.

C. Charles put lots of advertisements to arouse interest.

D. Charles’ success was largely due to Mr. Barnum’s help.

57. Tom would dance on a wooden plate held by an eight-foot-tall person probably because ______________.

A. the wooden plate would make it sound as if Tom was dancing

B. it made Tom look taller

C. the eight–foot–tall man was the only tall person Tom trusted

D. the difference between them would make Tom look even smaller

58. The underlined words “talk of the town” in the second paragraph from the bottom means ______________.

A. it was in the newspaper                       B. people spread bad rumors about it

C. it was the most popular topic                    D. it was discussed in a city meeting

59. What does the author think about Tom’s wedding?

A. It helped people cheer up in a dark time.              B. People gave it too much of their attention.

C. It was funny and ridiculous.                         D. Tom and Lavinia were stupid.

高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

When Charles Stratton was five, he stopped growing．His mother took him to see the famous showman, P．T．Barnum, and thought a small person would be the perfect addition to his show．He hired Charles' parents along with him, and they traveled around the world together．

He gave the two-foot-tall Charles a new name, general Tom Thumb．He taught Tom how to sing, dance, act, and tell jokes．When he felt Tom was ready to perform on stage, he made up ads．To stir up great interest, he said that Tom was eleven years old and had come from England.

Tom's act was very popular and brought in a lot of money．By the time Tom was an adult, he had grown very rich．He had become a billionaire at the age of twenty-five．

Fortunately for Tom, Mr．Barnum added more little people to his show, and Tom became lucky in love as well．One of the little people was Lavonia Warren, a school teacher．Tom was able to win her love, and they married．

The ceremony and reception were the talk of the town．They were attended by many rich and famous people and by about, two thousand guests．Crowds filled the．Street of New York to have a look at their tiny wedding carriage．The．couple even met with President Abraham Lincoln on their honeymoon, just before going to live in Tom's house in Connecticut．

Their wedding, which took place during the Civil War, provided a welcome escape from the sad problems of war．Not willing to let．this bit of sunshine fade, communities throughout the country held Tom Thumb' s weddings．In these weddings, small boys and girls, all dressed up, went through marriage ceremony for fun．

1."the talk of the town" means _______．

A．they were in the newspaper

B．people spread mean rumors about, them

C．they were the most popular things happening

D．they were discussed in a city meeting ?

2.What does the author think about Tom-Thumb’s wedding?

A．People gave it too much of their attention.

B．It helped people cheer up in a dark time．

C．It was funny and ridiculous．

D．Tom and Lavonia were stupid．

3.Which of the following is the best clue to the fact that Tom was smart?

A．He became a billionaire at twenty-five．

B．He learned how to sing, dance, and act at a very young age．

C．He met with President Lincoln during his honeymoon．

D．He married a school teacher．

4.It was very funny when Tom danced on a wooden plate held by a person who was eight feet tall because _____．

A．the wooden plate would make it sound as of Tom were tap dancing

B．it made Tom feel taller

C．the eight-foot-tall man was the only tall person Tom trusted

D．the difference between them would make Tom look even smaller

5.What does the author imply in the last paragraph?

A．Weddings always make people feel full of sunshine．

B．People are always disappointed during wartime．

C．Entertainment can serve an important purpose．

D．People should be married even if they are small．

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

When Charles Stratton was five, he stopped growing. His mother took him to see the famous showman, P. T. Barnum. Mr. Barnum thought a small person would be the perfect addition to his show. He hired Charles' parents along with him, and they traveled the world together.

He gave the two-foot-tall Charles a name, General Tom Thumb. He taught Tom how to sing, dance, act and tell jokes. When he felt Tom was ready to perform on stage, he made up ads. To stir up great interest, he said that Tom was eleven years old and had come from England.

During the show, Tom fought battles pretendedly with tall people. He also danced upon a wooden plate held by a person who was eight feet tall. Tom's act was very popular and brought in a lot of money. By the time Tom was an adult, he had grown very rich. He had become a billionaire at the age of twenty five.

Fortunately for Tom, Mr. Barnum added more little people to his show, and Tom became lucky in love as well. One of the little people was Lavinia Warren, a schoolteacher. Tom was able to win her love, and they married.

The ceremony and reception were the talk of the town. They were attended by many rich and famous people and by about 2000 guests. Crowds filled the streets of New York to have a look at their tiny wedding marriage. The couple even met with President Abraham Lincoln on their honeymoon just before going to live in Tom's house in Connecticut.

Their wedding, which took place during the Civil War, provided a welcome escape from the sad problems of war. Not willing to let this bit of sunshine fade, communities throughout the country sponsored(发起) "Tom Thumb" weddings. In these weddings, small boys and girls, all dressed up, went through marriage ceremony for fun.

1.The underlined words "Talk of the town" means________.

A. it was in the newspaper

B. it was the most popular topic

C. people spread bad rumors about it

D. it was discussed in a city meeting

2.What does the author think about Tom's wedding?

A.Tom and Lavinia were stupid.

B. People gave it too much of their attention.

C. It was funny and ridiculous.

D. It helped people cheer up in a dark time.

3.What is the main idea of the last paragraph?

A. Weddings always make people feel full of sunshine.

B. People are always disappointed during war time.

C. Entertainment can serve an important purpose.

D. People should be married when they are small children.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析