4．Some years ago I was offered a writing assignment that would require three months of travel through Europe．I had been abroad a couple of times，but I could hardly claim to know my way around the continent．Moreover，my knowledge of foreign languages was limited to a little college French．
I hesitated．How would I，unable to speak the language，totally unfamiliar with local geography or transportation systems，set up interviews and do research？It seemed impossible，and with considerable regret．I sat down to write a letter begging off．Hallway through，a thought ran through my mind：you can't learn if you don't try．So I accepted the assignment．
There were some bad moments．But by the time I had finished the trip I was ail experienced traveler．And ever since，I have never hesitated to head for even the most remote of places，without guides or even advanced bookings，confident that somehow I will manage．
The point is that the new，the different，is almost scary by definition．But each time you try something，you learn，and as the learning piles up，the world opens to you．
I've learned to ski at 40，and flown up the Rhine River in a balloon．And I know I'll go on doing such things．It's not because I'm braver or more daring than others．I'm not．But I'll accept anxiety as another name for challenge and I believe I can accomplish wonders．
56．The author accepted the assignment becauseD
A．he had never travelled abroad before
B．he hardly knew any foreign languages
C．he was familiar with any other country in Europe
D．he would learn something new and different by trying
57．Which of the following statements is TRUE？B
A．The author had been abroad only twice．
B．The author thought the trip was hard but worthwhile．
C．The author admitted that anything different was terrible．
D．The author must be good at doing research and making interviews．
58．We can infer from the text that the author isD
A．awkward B．generous C．stubborn D．brave
59．What's the best title of the text？C
A．An Interesting Trip Abroad B．My First Writing Assignment
C．Ready to Try and Challenge D．How to Be Daring and Brave．
分析 本文主要讲述了作者勇于接受挑战的故事．几年前，作者被提供了一个写作任务，当时他认为这个任务很难完成，想要放弃，但最后他选择了尝试．从此以后，他敢于尝试更多有挑战性的事情．作者写这篇文章是为了告诉我们：不要轻言放弃，要敢于尝试新的东西，勇于接受挑战．
解答 56．D 理解推断题，由第二段a thought ran through my mind：you can't learn if you don't try．So I accepted the assignment．可知作者接受了这个任务是因为他想通过尝试来学习一些新的和不同的东西，故选D．
57．B 细节理解题，由第二段How would I，unable to speak the language，totally unfamiliar with local geography or transportation systems，set up interviews and do research？和第三段There were some bad moments．But by the time I had finished the trip I was ail experienced traveler．可知作者认为旅途是艰难的但很有价值，故选B．
58．D 理解推断题，由全文可知作者敢于尝试新的东西，勇于接受挑战，由此推断作者很勇敢，故选D．
59．C 主旨大意题，本文讲述了作者勇于尝试和挑战新事物的故事，并告诉读者要准备尝试和挑战，故选C．
点评 本文考察学生的理解推断能力，抓住文章的关键词，采用寻读的方法查找细节，能根据已知的结果推测导致结果的可能原因．
