文档内容
必修第二册 Unit 4 Exploring literature(1)
Ⅰ.阅读理解
A
The literary world has a new star.Novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah is this year’s winner of the
Nobel Prize in literature in recognition of his “compassionate penetration(深入探索) of the
effects of colonialism(殖民主义) and the fate of the refugee”．
Gurnah grew up in Zanzibar，an island off the coast of Tanzania.In 1964，Gurnah was forced
to leave for England as a refugee，where he began to reflect on his experiences in a diary and then
through stories.Through the years，he wrote 10 novels and stories that explore the suffering caused
by war and colonialism.“The thing that motivated the whole experience of writing for me was this
idea of losing your place in the world，” Gurnah told The New York Times.
His 1994 novel Paradise，which tells the story of a boy growing up in early 20th century
Tanzania，marked his breakthrough as a novelist and won the Booker Prize.Afterlives，his most
recent work，continues the narrative of Paradise and takes place during the period of German
colonialism in Tanzania.
Before he retired，Gurnah,73，was a professor of English and Postcolonial Literatures at the
University of Kent in England.Although Gurnah’s first language is Swahili，he adopted English
as his literary language.His writing often contains traces of Arabic，Swahili and German，as well.
Anders Olsson，the chair of the Nobel committee，said that Gurnah “is widely recognized
as one of the world’s more preeminent postcolonial writers”．
Ethiopian-American novelist Maaza Mengiste described Gurnah’s writings as being “like a
gentle blade(刀刃) slowly moving in”．“He has written work that is absolutely unfearing and
yet at the same time completely compassionate and full of heart for people of East Africa，”
Mengiste said.“He is writing stories that are often quiet stories of people who aren’t heard，but
there’s an insistence there that we listen.”
1．What are Gurnah’s works mainly about?
A．The life of the people in Tanzania. B．Effects of war and colonialism.
C．Experiences of living abroad. D．Growth in an underdeveloped nation.
2．What can we know about Gurnah?
A．He was inspired to write by his refugee experience.
B．He used to be a professor of law and literature.
C．He publishes his works in Arabic and Swahili.
D．He was not well-known until he won the Nobel Prize.
3．What does Maaza Mengiste think of Gurnah’s writing?A．It is elegantly written in his native language.
B．It is widely welcomed by people around the world.
C．It is powerful and employs sharp language.
D．It calls for attention to the life of the underclass.
4．What does the underlined word “preeminent” in paragraph 5 probably mean?
A．Awful. B．Potential. C．Outstanding. D．Particular.
B
(2024·江苏常州调研)
What does it mean to cry over a book? “I’m a reader who did not weep.” Ruth
Graham，a well-known critic，wrote.“Does this make me heartless? Or does it make me a
grown-up？”
Tears have played a surprisingly important part in the history of the novel.Readers have
always asked about the role that emotion plays in reading：What does it mean to be deeply moved
by a book? Which books are worthy objects of our feelings?
In different times，people answered those questions in different ways.In the 18th century，
when the novel was still a new form，crying was a sign of readers’ virtue.“Sentimental”
novels，full of touching scenes，gave readers an occasion to exercise their “finer feelings”．
Your tear proved your susceptibility(易感性) to the suffering of others.
At that time，sentimental novels were hugely popular，but also easy to attack.Tears，after
all，had no necessary connection to actual virtue，and they could be fake.There could also be too
many of them.As the critic John Mullan points out，by the end of the eighteenth century，the
word “sentimental” had acquired a new meaning “addicted to indulgence( 沉 溺 ) in
superficial(肤浅的) emotion”—bringing it closer to the meaning that it has for us today.
In the 19th century the meaning of tears evolved in two different directions.Some writers
sought to waken “higher” feelings in their readers: Victorian sentimentalists wrote touching
scenes in an effort to inspire social and political reform.However，the “sensation” novel，a
different type of Victorian best-seller ， showed that tears could be enjoyable in
themselves.Sensation novels were the forerunners(先导) of the modern thriller and mystery.Heavy
on secrets，and madness，they were known for creating physical “sensations” in their readers
—trembling，a fast beating heart，and tears.But these were tears without moral purpose or effect.
Today’s debate about crying while reading looks back on all of this history.The debate，in
fact，is about why books matter to us，and what reading is “for”．Talking about what makes
us cry is a way of talking about ourselves.
5．What was people’s attitude towards crying over novels in the early 18th century?
A．Doubtful. B．Positive. C．Unclear. D．Worried.
6．What can we know about “sensation” novels according to paragraph 5?
A．They were similar to the modern thriller and mystery.B．They were the same as sentimental novels.
C．They were aimed for social and political reform.
D．They were intended to amuse the readers.
7．How does the author present this text?
A．By providing examples. B．By making comparisons.
C．By following the order of time. D．By following the order of importance.
8．What’s the best title for the text?
A．Crying While Reading Through Centuries
B．The History of the Novel
C．Sentimental Novels & Sensation Novels
D．Why Books Matter to Us
Ⅱ.七选五
Reading nonfiction books can help build determination and establish routines for many
people.And this improved lifestyle will reduce their anxiety.When it comes to fiction，on the other
hand，people often dismiss the idea.__1__
The substantial benefit of reading fiction is that it will help change your perspectives.When
you read a self-help book，you often consume a series of lessons with examples and practical
advice.__2__ Fiction，in contrast，gives you access to the struggles，and ideas of various
characters.The exchange of information is multi-sided.When considering different perspectives on
an event，you’ll realize you can’t control everything.
__3__ When we’re dealing with daily stress factors，we feel like the world is falling upon
us.Characters in novels face challenges，but we as readers are separate from their experiences.As
such，we have a birds-eye view over what’s happening in the story.And this view is what we
need to reduce our anxiety in the real world.
Fiction stories help us understand the power of change in both stories and real life.Through
story，you are embarking on a journey and witnessing progress in a fictional world.These changes
are imaginary.__4__ in The Alchemist，for example，the main character is traveling for months
to find a treasure.He believes that finding the prize will give him joy.Throughout his voyage，he
experiences many setbacks，and his vision of the treasure changes.The boy’s evolution in The
Alchemist reflects life.__5__ But after many trial and error lessons，we realize that our heart
wasn’t in it.
A．We want something and we spend years chasing it.
B．But they often mirror events that could happen in real life.
C．We also experience many failures when pursuing our dreams.
D．Consequently，most of the knowledge is passed on one-sidedly.
E．Reading nonfiction is a well-established weapon against anxiety.
F．Fiction gives us a rare chance to see the entire world from distance.G．In actual fact，reading fiction can also help you overcome your anxiety.
Ⅲ.完形填空
(2023·新课标Ⅱ)
In April last year，I saw a post on the PNP (Pilots N Paws) website from a family in
Topeka.They had to move to Virginia but they were on a very tight __1__.They could not afford to
pay for __2__ for their dog，Tiffy，and __3__ wanted to take her with them.
It just __4__ that I was planning another PNP flight with another pilot，Karen，who __5__ to
take Tiffy from Kansas City to Virginia.What I was to do was fly to Topeka to __6__ Tiffy.
When I met Tiffy’s owners，they seemed very __7__.George，the husband，was trying to
be calm，but I could tell this was __8__ for him，having to leave his dog to a __9__ and trust that
everything would __10__.
After some goodbyes，I asked George and his wife to help me __11__ Tiffy into the plane.I
promised to take care of Tiffy and __12__ them as soon as we got to Kansas City.
The flight was __13__，and Tiffy was a great passenger.The next day，she __14__ with
Karen and made it back to George in Virginia within a few days.He was so __15__ and sent me a
nice e-mail with pictures.It felt great to know that I had helped bring this family together again.
1．A.turn B．budget C．schedule D．connection
2．A.food B．shelter C．medicine D．transportation
3．A.desperately B．temporarily C．secretly D．originally
4．A.appeared B．proved C．happened D．showed
5．A.waited B．offered C．hurried D．failed
6．A.see off B．look for C．hand over D．pick up
7．A.confused B．nervous C．annoyed D．curious
8．A.hard B．fine C．common D．lucky
9．A.co-worker B．passenger C．stranger D．neighbor
10．A.speed up B．work out C．come back D．take off
11．A.feed B．follow C．change D．load
12．A.call B．join C．leave D．serve
13．A.unnecessary B．unexpected C．unavoidable D．uneventful
14．A.returned B．fought C．flew D．agreed
15．A.thankful B．generous C．proud D．sympathetic
Ⅳ.语法填空
Jacopo Della Ragione was born and raised in Florence，Italy.While 1.____________ student
of Medieval History at Milan University，he also learned graphic design and printing.In 2001，his
passion for China’s traditional and modern art brought him to Beijing ， and he
2.____________(work) there ever since.
In July 2001，Ragione was in China 3.____________ Beijing won the right to host the 2008Olympic Games.He witnessed this historic moment and shared in the 4.____________(happy) of
the Chinese people.He has worked in many companies in China and also married a girl in
Beijing,5.____________ has allowed him to know China better.
When 6.____________(talk)about how he carries out his work，Ragione said he designs the
picture in his mind first，and then follows the instincts(本能) of his body 7.____________(finish)
the job.“It’s a bit like China’s calligraphy and kung fu ，which has brought me much
inspiration，” he said.
Ragione is now deeply attached 8.____________ China.He has witnessed the great changes
that have taken place here: streets have become more lively，buses are more advanced，and
traveling by subway has become more convenient.
“I have visited many cities in China ， and Beijing is the one I love
9.____________(much)．I fell in love with it 10.____________(gradual)．Italy is where I was
born，and Beijing is my home now，” he said in fluent Chinese.
Ⅴ.应用文微写作
假定你是李华，你校交换生Lucy准备参加所在城市组织的汉语演讲比赛，特征求你的
建议。请你回复一封邮件， 内容如下：
1．表示鼓励；
2．注意事项。
范文补全
Dear Lucy，
I’m delighted to know that you will participate in the City’s Chinese Speech
Contest.1.____________________________________(我坚信你会获奖)．
2．____________________________________________________(首先，你应该选一个你
熟悉的话题)．It would be better for you to choose impressive examples to gain the recognition of
the judges.3.________________________________________(此外，你必须要做好准备)．For
example,4.______________________________________________________________(你要练习
你的汉语口语来更加清晰和流利地表达自己)．
I really hope that my advice will be of help to you.Wish you a great success.
Yours，
Li Hua
