阅读试题

One of the greatest contributions to the first Oxford English Dictionary was also one of its most unusual. In 1879, Oxford University in England asked Prof. James Murray to serve as editor for what was to be the most ambitious dictionary in the history of the English language. It would include every English word possible and would give not only the definition but also the history of the word and quotations (引文) showing how it was used.

This was a huge task.,so Murrary had to find volunteers from Britain, the United States, and the British colonies to search every newspaper, magazine, and book ever written in English. Hundreds of volunteers responded, including William Chester Minor. Dr. Minor was an American surgeon who had served in the Civil War and was now living in England. He gave his address as "Broadmoor, Crowthorne, Berkshire," 50 miles from Oxford.

Minor joined the army of volunteers sending words and quotations to Murray. Over the next 17 years, he became one of the staff's most valued contributors.

But he was also a mystery. In spite of many invitations, he would always decline to visit Oxford. So in 1897, Murray finally decided to travel to Crowthorne himself. When he arrived, he found Minor locked in a book-lined cell at the Broadmoor Asylum（精神病院）for the Criminally insane.

Murray and Minor became friends, sharing their love of words. Minor continued contributing to the dictionary, sending in more than 10,000 submissions in 20 years. Murray continued to visit Minor regularly, sometimes taking walks with him around the asylum grounds.

In 1910, Minor left Broadmoor for an asylum in his native America. Murray was at the port to wave goodbye to his remarkable friend.

Minor died in 1920, seven years before the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary was completed. The 12 volumes defined 414,825 words, and thousands of them were contributions from a very scholarly and devoted asylum patient.

阅读试题

61. According to the text, the first Oxford English Dictionary _________.

A. came out before minor died

B. was edited by an American volunteer

C. included the English words invented by Murray

D. was intended to be the most ambitious English dictionary

62. How did Dr. Minor contributed to the dictionary?

A. He helped Murray to find hundreds of volunteers.

B. He sent newspapers, magazines and books to Murray.

C. He provided a great number of words and quotations

D. he went to England to work with Murray.

63. Why did Dr. Minor refuse to visit Oxford?

A. He was shut in an asylum 　　　

B. He lived far from Oxford

C. He was busy writing a book

D. He disliked traveling

64. Prof. Murray and Dr. Minor became friends mainly because __________.

A. they both served in the Civil War.

B. They had a common interest in words

C. Minor recovered with the help of Murray

D. Murray went to America regularly to visit Minor

65. Which of the following best describe Dr. Minor?

A. Brave and determined　　　　　

B. Cautious and friendly

C. Considerate and optimistic 　　　

D. Unusual and scholarly

66. What does the text mainly talk about?

A. The history of the English language.

B. The friendship between Murray and Minor

C. Minor and the first Oxford English Dictionary

D. Broadmoor Asylum and is patients

参考译文

对第一部《牛津英语词典》做出的最伟大的贡献之一也是最不同寻常的贡献之一。1879年，英国牛津大学邀请詹姆斯·穆雷教授担任英语语言学历史上最费时费力的词典的编辑。词典包括每一个可能的英语单词，其中不仅包括单词的定义，还要提供词源和描述如何运用单词的引文。

这是一个巨大的任务，所以穆雷必须在英国、美国以及英国殖民地找志愿者来搜寻曾经用英语写的报纸、杂志和书集。有数百名志愿者响应，其中包括威廉·切斯特·米诺。米诺是一名美国外科医生，他曾于南北战争时期服役，而现在居住在英国。他给的地址是：“伯克郡，克罗索恩市，罗德莫精神病院”，距离牛津50英里。

米诺加入志愿者大军，给穆雷寄单词和引文。在接下来的17年里，他是做出最杰出贡献的员工之一。

但是他依然是一个谜。尽管有许多邀请，但是他总是拒绝参观牛津。所以1897年，穆雷最终决定亲自去克罗索恩。当他到达时，他发现米诺作为精神病杀人犯被关在罗德莫精神病院一个摆满书集的囚室里。

穆雷与米诺成了朋友，他们分享对文字的热爱。米诺继续致力于词典的研究，在20年里寄出一万多条意见。穆雷继续定期拜访米诺，有时和他绕着精神病院的广场散散步。

1910年，米诺离开罗德莫精神病院回到他家乡的一个精神病院。穆雷在港口给他最卓越的朋友送别。

米诺死于1920年，比《牛津英语词典》第一版的出版早了七年。《牛津英语词典》有十二卷，共给四万四千八百一十五个词下了定义。其中有数千单词是由一个非常有学问的忠实的神经病患者提供的。

答案解析

61. D 考查细节理解。由第一段中第二句"In 1879, Oxford University in England asked Prof. James Murray to serve as editor for what was to be the most ambitious dictionary in the history of the English language. "可知D项正确。

62. C 考查细节理解。根据第三段"Minor joined the army of volunteers sending words and quotations to Murray. Over the 17 years, he became one of the staffs most valued contributors."可知答案为C。

63. A 考查细节理解。根据第四段的"In spite of many invitations, he would always decline to visit Oxford. "和"When he arrived, he found Minor locked in a book-lined cell at the Broadmoor Asylum(精神病院) for the Criminally Insane."可知答案

64. B考查细节理解。第五段第一句中的"...sharing their love of words."和选项B中的"had a common interest in words"同义。

65. D 考查推理判断。从整篇文章来看，Minor很有才华，对编纂《牛津英语词典》做出了巨大贡献，但是他又是一个精神病患者，所以，可以判断他是一个不平常的而又博学的人。

66. C 考查主旨大意。因为文章介绍了编纂《牛津英语词典》和其主要参与编纂的志愿者Minor的情况，所以C项作为本文的标题最佳。