夜雨聆风一道多項選擇閱讀理解題。
James Herriot was the pen name of James Alfred Wight, a British vet (兽医) and author whose tales of life as a country vet in the Yorkshire Dales have entertained readers worldwide for decades.
Born on 3 October 1916 in Sunderland, Wight’s journey to becoming one of Britain’s best-loved authors began with his graduation from Glasgow Veterinary College in 1939. After completing his studies, he returned to England to begin his career as a vet in Yorkshire, where he would practise for nearly half a century.
Despite his early ambitions to become an author, Wight’s demanding schedule as a rural vet left little time to write. It wasn’t until 1965, at the age of 50 and with encouragement from his wife, Joan, that he began to seriously pursue his writing.
Wight’s first attempts were met with rejection. However a helpful suggestion from a publisher of writing in the first person, given that his stories were based on real-life experiences, led to his breakthrough. In 1970, under the pen name James Herriot, Wight published his first book If Only They Could Talk. After that, he launched many hugely popular books that would go on to sell some 60 million copies worldwide.
His books paint a vivid picture of rural life, grasping the essence of the people, the animals, and the landscape with warmth, humour, and keen human observation. His sharp, often unique observations into the relationships between animals and their owners form a central theme in his work. And he reflects the changes in veterinary practice over the years, alongside shifts in agriculture and British society.
Even long after his books brought him fame and fortune, Wight continued his veterinary practice in Yorkshire, only retiring in the late 1980s. He passed away on 23 February 1995, leaving behind a rich legacy (遗产) of literature that continues to attract readers — and inspire new generations of vets.
4. What caused Wight to engage in writing seriously?
A. His demanding schedule. B. His early ambitions.
C. His wife’s encouragement. D. His college education.
5. What made Wight achieve a breakthrough in writing?
A. Using a new pen name. B. Switching to the first-person point of view.
C. Paying attention to real life. D. Getting praise from a publisher.
6. What is a central theme of Wight’s books?
A. His medical practice in Yorkshire. B. The beautiful landscape in rural areas.
C. Shifts in agriculture and British society. D. Bonds between rural people and animals.
7. Which of the following could be the best title of the passage?
A. James Wight — A country vet and a celebrated author
B. James Wight — An author advocating animal protection
C. James Wight — A writer struggling for fame and fortune
D. James Wight — One of Britain’s best-loved country vets
