5.The light from the campfire brightened the darkness,but it could not prevent the damp cold of Dennis's Swamp (沼泽地) creeping into their bones.It was a strange place.Martin and Tom wished that they had not accepted Jack's dare.They liked camping,but not near this swamp.
"So,"Martin asked as they sat watching the hot coals."How did this place get its name?"
"Are you sure you want to hear it?It's a scary story,"warned Jack.
"Of course!"cried out Tom."If there were anything to be scared of,you wouldn't have chosen this place!"
"Ok,but don't say I didn't warn you,"said Jack,and he began this tale.
"Way back in time,a man called Dennis tried to start a farm here.He built that cottage over there to live in.In those days,the area looked quite different--it was covered with tall trees and the swamp was a crystal-clear river.After three hard years,Dennis had cleared several fields and planted crops.He was so proud of his success that he refused to listen to advice.
"‘You are clearing too much land,warned one old man.‘The land is a living thing.It will hit back at you if you abuse it.
"Silly fool,said Dennis to himself.If I clear more land,I can grow more crops.I'll become wealthier.He's just jealous!"
"Dennis continued to chop down trees.Small animals that relied on them for food and shelter were destroyed.He was so eager to expand his farm that he did not notice the river flowing slowly towards his door.He did not notice salt seeping to the surface of the land.He did not notice swamp plants choking all the native plants."
"What happened?"Martin asked.It was growing colder.He trembled,twisting his body closer to the fire.
"The land hit back--just as the old man warned,"Jack shrugged."Dennis disappeared.Old folks around here believe that swamp plants moved up from the river and dragged him underwater.His body was never found."
"What a stupid story,"laughed Tom."Plants can't …"Before he had finished speaking,he screamed and fainted(晕倒).The other two boys jumped up with fright,staring at Tom.Suddenly,they burst out laughing.Some green swamp ivy (常春藤) had covered Tom's face.It was a while before Tom could appreciate the joke.
56.The underlined word"dare"in Paragraph 1is closed in meaning toD.
A.courageB.assistanceC.instructionD.challenge
57.Why did Jack tell Tom and Martin the story?
A.To frighten them.B.To satisfy their curiosity.
C.To warn them of the danger of the place.D.To persuade them to camp in the swamp.
58.Why did Dennis ignore the warning of the old man?D.
A.The old man envied him.B.The old man was foolish
C.He was too busy to listen to others.D.He was greedy for more crops.
59.Why did Tom scream and faint?B.
A.He saw Dennis's shadowB.He was scared by a plant
C.His friends played a joke on him.D.The weather became extremely cold.
60.What lesson can we learn from the story of Dennis?A.
A.Grasp all,lose all.B.No sweat,no sweet.
C.It is no use crying over spilt milk.D.He who makes no mistakes makes nothing.
分析 本文为记叙文.由在野营中一个孩子所讲故事为切入点来讲述一块地是如何受到Dennis过度开发而变成沼泽地的.也同时告诉我们贪多必失的道理.
解答 56.D.词义猜测题.根据第一段中的The light from the campfire brightened the darkness,but it could not prevent the damp cold of Dennis's Swamp (沼泽地) creeping into their bones.It was a strange place.可知,来自于篝火的光照亮了黑暗却不能阻止深入骨髓的Dennis沼泽地的湿气可见这是一个奇怪的地方.三人来此野营是Jack的一个挑战.A.courage 勇气、胆量;B.assistance帮助、协助;C.instruction指示、说明;D.challenge挑战.故选D.
57.B.推理判断题.根据第二、三、四段他们的对话可知,Jack警告他们这个故事很吓人,但经不住他们的请求还是告诉他们了,故Jack讲这个故事并不是为了吓他们,而是为了满足他们的好奇心.故选B.
58.D.细节理解题.由第八段中"If I clear more land,I can grow more crops.I'll become wealthier.He's just jealous!"可知,他想种更多的庄稼,变得更富,还以为别人嫉妒他.由此可知他不听老人的劝告是因为他太贪婪,想种更多的庄稼.故选D.
59.B.细节理解题.由最后一段倒数第二句"Some green swamp ivy(常春藤)had covered Tom's face."可知,他晕倒的原因是他被常春藤吓到了.
60.A.主旨大意题.从文中的故事讲述可知,Dennis不顾一切地垦荒和对种植更多庄稼的贪婪之心,局却是被水中植物拽入水中,一无所得,死不见尸,可见A项"贪多必失"最恰当.故选A.
点评 本文考察故事类阅读.这类文章一般描述的是某一件具体事情的发生发展或结局,有人物、时间、地点和事件.命题往往从故事的情节、人物或事件的之间的关系、作者的态度及意图、故事前因和后果的推测等方面着手,考查学生对细节的辨认能力以及推理判断能力.