When Marilynne Robinson published her first novel, Housekeeping, in 1980, she was unknown in the literary world. But an early review in The New York Times ensured that the book would be noticed. “It’s as if, in writing it, she broke through the ordinary human condition with all its dissatisfactions, and achieved a kind of transfiguration（美化）,” wrote Anatole Broyard, with an enthusiasm and amazement that was shared by many critics and readers. The book became a classic, and Robinson was recognized as one of the outstanding American writers of our time. Yet it would be more than twenty years before she wrote another novel. 

During the period, Robinson devoted herself to writing nonfiction. Her essays and book reviews appeared in Harper’s and The New York Times Book Review, and in 1989 she published Mother Country: Britain, the Welfare State, and Nuclear Pollution, criticizing severely the environmental and public health dangers caused by the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant in England—and the political and moral corruption(腐败). In 1998, Robinson published a collection of her critical and theological writings, The Death of Adam: Essays on Modern Thought, which featured reassessments of such figures as Charles Darwin, John Calvin, and Friedrich Nietzsche. Aside from a single short story—“Connie Bronson,” published in The Paris Review in 1986—it wasn’t until 2004 that she returned to fiction with the novel Gilead, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Her third novel, Home, came out this fall.

Her novels could be described as celebrations of the human—the characters in them are unforgettable creations. Housekeeping is the story of Ruth and her sister Lucille, who are cared for by their eccentric（古怪的）Aunt Sylvie after their mother commits suicide. Robinson writes a lot about how each of the three is changed by their new life together. Gilead is an even more close exploration of personality: the book centres on John Ames, a seventy-seven-year-old pastor(牧师) who is writing an account of his life and his family history to leave to his young son after he dies. Home borrows characters from Gilead but centers on Ames’s friend Reverend Robert Boughton and his troubled son Jack. Robinson returned to the same territory as Gilead because, she said, “after I write a novel or a story, I miss the characters—I feel like losing some close friends.”

1.Robinson’s second novel came out ____.

A. in 1980                         B. in 1986                          C. in 1998                          D. in 2004

2.What is Paragraph 2 mainly about?

A. Robinson’s achievements in fiction.

B. Robinson’s achievements in nonfiction.

C. Robinson’s influence on the literary world.

D. Robinson’s contributions to the environment.

3.According to Paragraph 3, who is John Ames?

A. He is Robinson’s close friend.

B. He is a character in Gilead. 

C. He is a figure in The Death of Adam.

D. He is a historian writing family stories.

4.From which section of a newspaper can you read this passage?

A. Career.                        B. Lifestyle.     　   C. Music.                           D. Culture.

 

In the very early 　1800’　s, a young boy about 14 years old named John lived in an orphanage (孤儿院) in Old England along with several other children. Orphan meant unwanted and unloved.

Christmas was the one day of the year when the children didn’t work and received a gift, an orange. Usually they tried to taste and preserve it for so long that it often rotted before they ever peeled(剥开)it to enjoy the sweet juice. Many thought were expressed as Christmas time approached. The children would say, “I will keep mine the longest.” John usually slept with his next to his pillow. This year John was overjoyed by the Christmas season. He was becoming a man and stronger and soon he would be old enough to leave. He would save his orange until his birthday in July.

Christmas day finally came. The children were so excited as they entered the big dining hall. Immediately the master shouted, “John, leave the hall and there will be no orange for you this year.” John’s heart broke violently wide open. He turned and went swiftly back to the cold room. Then he heard the door open and each of the children entered. Little Elizabeth with her hair falling over her shoulders, a smile on her face, and tears in her eyes held out a piece of rag to John. “Here John,” she said, “this is for you.” As he lifted back the edges of the rag he saw a big juicy orange all peeled and quartered and then he realized what they had done.

John never forgot the sharing, love and personal sacrifice his friends had shown him that Christmas day. In memory of that day every year he would send oranges all over the world to children everywhere.

1. The first paragraph is mainly to tell us that ______.

   A. John lived in the early 　1800’　s          B. John’s parents had died

   C. John lived a hard life in an orphanage   D. John lived with several other children　　

2. These children would be happiest when ______.

   A. they got the special gift                 B. they preserved it very long

   C. they finally enjoyed the sweet juice       D. they entered the dining hall

3. What would overjoy John most the next year according to the second paragraph?

   A. He placed his orange next to his pillow.

   B. He would eat his orange on his birthday.

   C. He wouldn’t get his special gift.

   D. He would stay in the orphanage for another year

4. According to the text, where did John’s orange come from this year?

   A. It was made up of what these children donated.

   B. His master gave him a whole one again.

   C. These children bought him one.

   D. Little Elizabeth donated hers to John.

5. What can be inferred from the text?

   A. John had expected he wouldn’t get the gift this year.

   B. John knew why he didn’t get the gift this year.

   C. John felt ashamed for not getting the special gift.

   D. The story teaches us to learn to share with others.

第二节 完形填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）

阅读下列短文，从每小题的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。

　　My 14-year-old son，John，and I spotted the coat at the same time. It was hanging at a（an） 31 clothing store. The coat had a black velvet collar，delightful tailoring, a Fifth Avenue label（标签）and a（an） 32 price of $ 28.

　　We looked at 33 , saying nothing, 　34 John’s eyes shone. Dark, woolen topcoats were popular just then with 35 , but could 36 several hundred dollars now.

　　John 37 the coat. He turned from side to side, eyeing himself in the mirror with a serious, studied 38 that soon changed into a smile. The 39 was perfect. John wore the coat to school the next day and came home wearing a big smile. “How did the kids like your coat？ ”I asked. “They love it.”He said, carefully 40 it over the chair and smoothing it flat.

　　Over the next few weeks，the 41 came over John. Quiet，reasoned discussion was 42 argument. He became more thoughtful and eager to 43 .“Good dinner，Mum，”he would say every evening. One day when I suggested that he might start on homework before dinner，John said，“You are right，and I guess I will.”

　　When I 44 this to one of his teachers and remarked that I didn’t know 45 caused the changes，she said with laughter，“It must be his coat!”At the library，we 46 to meet a friend who had not seen our children for a long time.“ 47 this be John？”he asked，looking up to John’S new height assessing the cat of his coat，and extending his hand，one gentleman to another.

　　John and I both knew we should never 48 a person’s clothes for the real person within them. But there is something to be said for 49 a standard of excellence for the world to see，for practicing standard of excellence in thought，speech and behavior，and for 50 what is on the inside with what is on the outside.

31．A．second-hand 　　　　B．expensive　　　　 C．big 　　　　　D．cheap

32．A．reasonable　　　　　B．unbelievable 　　 C．special 　　　D．average

33．A．each other　　　　　B．one another 　　　C．the other　　 D．others

34．A．therefore 　　　　　B．however 　　　　　C．but 　　　　　D．thus

35．A．adults 　　　　　　 B．people 　　　　　 C．parents 　　　D．teenagers

36．A．spend 　　　　　　　B．cost 　　　　　　 C．pay 　　　　　D．take

37．A．touched 　　　　　　B．buttoned 　　　　 C．held 　　　　 D．obtained

38．A．gesture 　　　　　　B．expression 　　　 C．attitude 　　 D．feeling

39．A．color 　　　　　　　B．price　　　　　　 C．fit　　　　　 D．style

40．A．pressing 　　　　　 B．taking　　　　　　C．hanging 　　　D．folding

41．A．happiness 　　　　　B．satisfaction　　　C．change 　　　 D．generosity

42．A．because of 　　　　 B．instead of 　　　 C．aware of 　　 D．full of

43．A．please 　　　　　　 B．understand 　　　 C．complain 　　 D．apologize

44．A．mentioned 　　　　　B．wrote 　　　　　　C．reported 　　 D．explained

45．A．when 　　　　　　　 B．how 　　　　　　　C．what 　　　　 D．that

46．A．happened 　　　　　 B．came　　　　　 　 C．intended　　　D．decided

47．A．Should 　　　　　　 B．Would 　　　　　　C．Must 　　　　 D．Could

48．A．watch 　　　　　　　B．judge 　　　　　　C．mistake 　　　D．consider

49．A．doing 　　　　　　　B．showing 　　　　　C．speaking 　　 D．wearing

50．A．comparing　　　　　 B．connecting 　　　 C．combining 　　D．matching

第二节：完形填空 (共20小题,每小题1.5分，满分30分)

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从16-35各题所给的四个选项中，选出最佳选项。并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

My 14-year-old son, John, and I spotted the coat at the same time. It was hanging at a (an) 36  clothing store. The coat had a black velvet collar, delightful tailoring, a Fifth Avenue label (标签) and a (an)  37  price of $ 28.

We looked at  38 , saying nothing,  39  John’s eyes shone. Dark, woolen topcoats were popular just then with  40 , but could  41  several hundred dollars now.

John  42  the coat. He turned from side to side, eyeing himself in the mirror with a serious, studied  43  that soon changed into a smile. The  44  was perfect. John wore the coat to school the next day and came home wearing a big smile. “How did the kids like your coat?” I asked. “They love it.” He said, carefully  45  it over the chair and smoothing it flat.

Over the next few weeks, the  46  came over John. Quiet, reasoned discussion was  47  argument. He became more thoughtful and eager to  48 . “Good dinner, Mum,” he would say every evening. One day when I suggested that he might start on homework before dinner, John said, “You are right, and I guess I will.”

When I  49  this to one of his teachers and remarked that I didn’t know  50  caused the changes, she said with laughter, “It must be his coat!” At the library, we  51  to meet a friend who had not seen our children for a long time. “ 52  this be John?” he asked, looking up to John’s new height, assessing the cut of his coat, and extending his hand, one gentleman to another.

John and I both knew we should never  53  a person’s clothes for the real person within them. But there is something to be said for  54  a standard of excellence for the world to see, for practicing standards of excellence in thought, speech and behavior, and for  55  what is on the inside with what is on the outside.

36. A. second-hand       B. expensive                C. big                          D. cheap

37. A. reasonable          B. unbelievable            C. special                     D. average

38. A. each other          B. one another              C. the other                  D. others

39. A. therefore            B. however                  C. but                          D. thus

40. A. adults                B. people                     C. parents                     D. teenagers

41. A. spend                 B. cost                         C. pay                         D. take

42. A. touched              B. buttoned                  C. held                        D. obtained

43. A. gesture               B. expression                C. attitude                   D. feeling

44. A. color                  B. price                        C. fit                            D. style

45. A. pressing              B. taking                      C. hanging                    D. folding

46. A. happiness            B. satisfaction               C. change                     D. generosity

47. A. because of          B. instead of                C. aware of                  D. full of

48. A. please                B. regret                       C. complain                 D. apologize

49. A. mentioned          B. wrote                      C. reported                   D. explained

50. A. when                 B. how 　　　　　　  C. what                       D. that

51. A. happened            B. came　　　　　     C. intended                   D. decided

52. A. Should               B. Would 　　　　　  C. Must                       D. Could

53. A. watch                B. judge 　　　　　    C. mistake                   D. consider

54. A. doing                 B. showing 　　　　   C. speaking                   D. wearing

55. A. comparing          B. connecting 　　　   C. combining               D. matching

第二节：完形填空 (共20小题,每小题1.5分，满分30分)

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从36-55各题所给的四个选项中，选出最佳选项。并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

My 14-year-old son, John, and I spotted the coat at the same time. It was hanging at a (an) 36  clothing store. The coat had a black velvet collar, delightful tailoring, a Fifth Avenue label (标签) and a (an)  37  price of $ 28.

We looked at  38 , saying nothing,  39  John’s eyes shone. Dark, woolen topcoats were popular just then with  40 , but could  41  several hundred dollars now.

John  42  the coat. He turned from side to side, eyeing himself in the mirror with a serious, studied  43  that soon changed into a smile. The  44  was perfect. John wore the coat to school the next day and came home wearing a big smile. “How did the kids like your coat?” I asked. “They love it.” He said, carefully  45  it over the chair and smoothing it flat.

Over the next few weeks, the  46  came over John. Quiet, reasoned discussion was  47  argument. He became more thoughtful and eager to  48 . “Good dinner, Mum,” he would say every evening. One day when I suggested that he might start on homework before dinner, John said, “You are right, and I guess I will.”

When I  49  this to one of his teachers and remarked that I didn’t know  50  caused the changes, she said with laughter, “It must be his coat!” At the library, we  51  to meet a friend who had not seen our children for a long time. “ 52  this be John?” he asked, looking up to John’s new height, assessing the cut of his coat, and extending his hand, one gentleman to another.

John and I both knew we should never  53  a person’s clothes for the real person within them. But there is something to be said for  54  a standard of excellence for the world to see, for practicing standards of excellence in thought, speech and behavior, and for  55  what is on the inside with what is on the outside.

36. A. second-hand         B. expensive   C. big       D. cheap

37. A. reasonable   B. unbelievable       C. special         D. average

38. A. each other    B. one another        C. the other    D. others

39. A. therefore      B. however     C. but      D. thus

40. A. adults   B. people         C. parents        D. teenagers

41. A. spend   B. cost    C. pay      D. take

42. A. touched B. buttoned    C. held    D. obtained

43. A. gesture B. expression   C. attitude      D. feeling

44. A. color       B. price    C. fit          D. style

45. A. pressing         B. taking  C. hanging        D. folding

46. A. happiness      B. satisfaction C. change         D. generosity

47. A. because of    B. instead of           C. aware of     D. full of

48. A. please B. regret  C. complain     D. apologize

49. A. mentioned    B. wrote          C. reported      D. explained

50. A. when    B. how 　　　　　　   C. what   D. that

51. A. happened       B. came　　　　　       C. intended      D. decided

52. A. Should    B. Would 　　　　　    C. Must D. Could

53. A. watch   B. judge 　　　　　      C. mistake       D. consider

54. A. doing    B. showing 　　　　     C. speaking      D. wearing

55. A. comparing     B. connecting 　　　     C. combining D. matching