On the day of a big event, many people came to Big Bend Mountain to watch. John Henry and the salesman stood side by side. Even early in the day, the sun was burning hot.

The competition began. John Henry kissed his hammer and started working. At first, the steam-powered drill worked two times faster than he did. Then, he started working with a hammer in each hand. He worked faster and faster. In the mountain, the heat and dust were so thick that most men would have had trouble breathing. The crowd shouted as clouds of dust came from inside the mountain.

The salesman was afraid when he heard what sounded like the mountain breaking. However, it was only the sound of John Henry at work. Polly Ann and her son cheered when the machine was pulled from the tunnel of the mountain. It had broken down. Polly Ann urged John Henry to come out. But he kept working, faster and faster. He dug deep into the darkness, hitting the steel so hard that his body began to fail him. He became weak, and his heart burst.

John Henry fell to the ground. There was a terrible silence. Polly Ann did not move because she knew what had happened. John Henry’s blood spilled over the ground. But he still held one of the hammers. “I beat them,” he said. His wife cried out, “Don’t go, John Henry.”“Bring me a cool drink of water,”he said. Then he took his last breath.

His friends carried his body from the mountain. They buried him near the house where he was born. Crowds went there after they heard about John Henry’s death.

Soon, the steam drill and other machines replaced the steel-drivers. Many laborers left their families to look for work. They took the only jobs they could find. As they worked, some sang about John Henry.

What does the big event mentioned in Paragraph 1 refer to?

A.John Henry’s work on a machine.

B.A competition between John Henry and a salesman.

C.John Henry’s work with his hammer and the steel.

D.A competition between John Henry and a drill.

The underlined word “tunnel ”in Paragraph 3 probably means “           ”.

A.flat ground                B.big rock             C.underground passage         D.hard metal

What happened to John Henry when he fell to the ground?

A.He was tired and had to have a rest.

B.He had heart trouble and was dying.

C.He was thirsty and wanted to drink some water.

D.He was injured slightly and was bleeding.

What do we know about John Henry?

A.He won the competition finally.        B.He was buried under the mountain.

C.He loved his work very much.          D.He said nothing before his death.

What can we infer from the passage?

A.Humans can never beat machines.            B.John Henry was regarded as a hero.

C.Laborers hated machines very much.        D.It was easy for laborers to find work.

On the day of a big event, many people came to Big Bend Mountain to watch. John Henry and the salesman stood side by side. Even early in the day, the sun was burning hot.
The competition began. John Henry kissed his hammer and started working. At first, the steam-powered drill worked two times faster than he did. Then, he started working with a hammer in each hand. He worked faster and faster. In the mountain, the heat and dust were so thick that most men would have had trouble breathing. The crowd shouted as clouds of dust came from inside the mountain.
The salesman was afraid when he heard what sounded like the mountain breaking. However, it was only the sound of John Henry at work. Polly Ann and her son cheered when the machine was pulled from the tunnel of the mountain. It had broken down. Polly Ann urged John Henry to come out. But he kept working, faster and faster. He dug deep into the darkness, hitting the steel so hard that his body began to fail him. He became weak, and his heart burst.
John Henry fell to the ground. There was a terrible silence. Polly Ann did not move because she knew what had happened. John Henry’s blood spilled over the ground. But he still held one of the hammers. “I beat them,” he said. His wife cried out, “Don’t go, John Henry.”“Bring me a cool drink of water,”he said. Then he took his last breath.
His friends carried his body from the mountain. They buried him near the house where he was born. Crowds went there after they heard about John Henry’s death.
Soon, the steam drill and other machines replaced the steel-drivers. Many laborers left their families to look for work. They took the only jobs they could find. As they worked, some sang about John Henry.
【小题1】What does the big event mentioned in Paragraph 1 refer to?

On the day of a big event, many people came to Big Bend Mountain to watch. John Henry and the salesman stood side by side. Even early in the day, the sun was burning hot.

The competition began. John Henry kissed his hammer and started working. At first, the steam-powered drill worked two times faster than he did. Then, he started working with a hammer in each hand. He worked faster and faster. In the mountain, the heat and dust were so thick that most men would have had trouble breathing. The crowd shouted as clouds of dust came from inside the mountain.

The salesman was afraid when he heard what sounded like the mountain breaking. However, it was only the sound of John Henry at work. Polly Ann and her son cheered when the machine was pulled from the tunnel of the mountain. It had broken down. Polly Ann urged John Henry to come out. But he kept working, faster and faster. He dug deep into the darkness, hitting the steel so hard that his body began to fail him. He became weak, and his heart burst.

John Henry fell to the ground. There was a terrible silence. Polly Ann did not move because she knew what had happened. John Henry’s blood spilled over the ground. But he still held one of the hammers. “I beat them,” he said. His wife cried out, “Don’t go, John Henry.”“Bring me a cool drink of water,”he said. Then he took his last breath.

His friends carried his body from the mountain. They buried him near the house where he was born. Crowds went there after they heard about John Henry’s death.

Soon, the steam drill and other machines replaced the steel-drivers. Many laborers left their families to look for work. They took the only jobs they could find. As they worked, some sang about John Henry.

1.What does the big event mentioned in Paragraph 1 refer to?

2.The underlined word “tunnel ”in Paragraph 3 probably means “          ”.

3. What happened to John Henry when he fell to the ground?

4.What do we know about John Henry?

5.What can we infer from the passage?

On the day of a big event, many people came to Big Bend Mountain to watch. John Henry and the salesman stood side by side. Even early in the day, the sun was burning hot.

The competition began. John Henry kissed his hammer and started working. At first, the steam-powered drill worked two times faster than he did. Then, he started working with a hammer in each hand. He worked faster and faster. In the mountain, the heat and dust were so thick that most men would have had trouble breathing. The crowd shouted as clouds of dust came from inside the mountain.

The salesman was afraid when he heard what sounded like the mountain breaking. However, it was only the sound of John Henry at work. Polly Ann and her son cheered when the machine was pulled from the tunnel of the mountain. It had broken down. Polly Ann urged John Henry to come out. But he kept working, faster and faster. He dug deep into the darkness, hitting the steel so hard that his body began to fail him. He became weak, and his heart burst.

John Henry fell to the ground. There was a terrible silence. Polly Ann did not move because she knew what had happened. John Henry’s blood spilled over the ground. But he still held one of the hammers. “I beat them,” he said. His wife cried out, “Don’t go, John Henry.”“Bring me a cool drink of water,”he said. Then he took his last breath.

His friends carried his body from the mountain. They buried him near the house where he was born. Crowds went there after they heard about John Henry’s death.

Soon, the steam drill and other machines replaced the steel-drivers. Many laborers left their families to look for work. They took the only jobs they could find. As they worked, some sang about John Henry.

55.What does the big event mentioned in Paragraph 1 refer to?

A.John Henry’s work on a machine.

B.A competition between John Henry and a salesman.

C.John Henry’s work with his hammer and the steel.

D.A competition between John Henry and a drill.

56.The underlined word “tunnel ”in Paragraph 3 probably means “           ”.

A.flat ground                B.big rock             C.underground passage         D.hard metal

57. What happened to John Henry when he fell to the ground?

A.He was tired and had to have a rest.

B.He had heart trouble and was dying.

C.He was thirsty and wanted to drink some water.

D.He was injured slightly and was bleeding.

58.What do we know about John Henry?

A.He won the competition finally.        B.He was buried under the mountain.

C.He loved his work very much.          D.He said nothing before his death.

59.What can we infer from the passage?

A.Humans can never beat machines.            B.John Henry was regarded as a hero.

C.Laborers hated machines very much.        D.It was easy for laborers to find work.

On the day of a big event, many people came to Big Bend Mountain to watch. John Henry and the salesman stood side by side. Even early in the day, the sun was burning hot.
The competition began. John Henry kissed his hammer and started working. At first, the steam-powered drill worked two times faster than he did. Then, he started working with a hammer in each hand. He worked faster and faster. In the mountain, the heat and dust were so thick that most men would have had trouble breathing. The crowd shouted as clouds of dust came from inside the mountain.
The salesman was afraid when he heard what sounded like the mountain breaking. However, it was only the sound of John Henry at work. Polly Ann and her son cheered when the machine was pulled from the tunnel of the mountain. It had broken down. Polly Ann urged John Henry to come out. But he kept working, faster and faster. He dug deep into the darkness, hitting the steel so hard that his body began to fail him. He became weak, and his heart burst.
John Henry fell to the ground. There was a terrible silence. Polly Ann did not move because she knew what had happened. John Henry’s blood spilled over the ground. But he still held one of the hammers. “I beat them,” he said. His wife cried out, “Don’t go, John Henry.”“Bring me a cool drink of water,”he said. Then he took his last breath.
His friends carried his body from the mountain. They buried him near the house where he was born. Crowds went there after they heard about John Henry’s death.
Soon, the steam drill and other machines replaced the steel-drivers. Many laborers left their families to look for work. They took the only jobs they could find. As they worked, some sang about John Henry.

1. 1.

   What does the big event mentioned in Paragraph 1 refer to?

   1. A.
      John Henry’s work on a machine.
   2. B.
      A competition between John Henry and a salesman.
   3. C.
      John Henry’s work with his hammer and the steel.
   4. D.
      A competition between John Henry and a drill.
2. 2.

   The underlined word “tunnel ”in Paragraph 3 probably means “          ”.

   1. A.
      flat ground
   2. B.
      big rock
   3. C.
      underground passage
   4. D.
      hard metal
3. 3.

   What happened to John Henry when he fell to the ground?

   1. A.
      He was tired and had to have a rest.
   2. B.
      He had heart trouble and was dying.
   3. C.
      He was thirsty and wanted to drink some water.
   4. D.
      He was injured slightly and was bleeding.
4. 4.

   What do we know about John Henry?

   1. A.
      He won the competition finally.
   2. B.
      He was buried under the mountain.
   3. C.
      He loved his work very much.
   4. D.
      He said nothing before his death.
5. 5.

   What can we infer from the passage?

   1. A.
      Humans can never beat machines.
   2. B.
      John Henry was regarded as a hero.
   3. C.
      Laborers hated machines very much.
   4. D.
      It was easy for laborers to find work.

1.Who is (are) the editor (s) of William Faulkner: Novels 1926-1929?

    A. Noel Polk & Joseph Blotner.      B. Phillip Lopate.

    C. Tony Kushner.                  D. Leo Bersani.

2.How much do you pay for American Movie Critics?

     A. US $45.        B. US $40.        C. US $35.        D. US $25.

3.Which book do you buy if you want to read the play "Death of a Salesman" ?

     A. Arthur Miller: Collected Plays 1944 -1961.

     B. William Faulkner: Novels 1926-1929.

     C. Henry James: Novels 1901 -1902.

     D. American Movie Critics.

4.Henry James' only book written in the first person is

     A. The Wings of the Dove.          B. The Sacred Fount.

     C. Soldiers'Pay.                  D. Mosquitoes.

1. Who is (are) the editor (s) of William Faulkner: Novels 1926-1929?

A. Noel Polk & Joseph Blotner.

B. Phillip Lopate.

C. Tony Kushner.

D. Leo Bersani.

2. How much do you pay for American Movie Critics?

A. US $45.

B. US $40.

C. US $35.

D. US $25.

3. Which book do you buy if you want to read the play "Death of a Salesman" ?

A. Arthur Miller: Collected Plays 1944 -1961.

B. William Faulkner: Novels 1926-1929.

C. Henry James: Novels 1901 -1902.

D. American Movie Critics.

4. Henry James' only book written in the first person is

A. The Wings of the Dove.

B. The Sacred Fount.

C. Soldiers'Pay.

D. Mosquitoes.

Zhang Kai is a student at North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power(华北水利水电学院). He has led a group of college student volunteers since last year. They help children at a primary school with their studies and daily lives.

“When I was a small child”, Zhang said, “I knew March 5 was a day for people to learn from Lei Feng and help others, but I didn’t know the real meaning of the spirit(精神) of Lei Feng. Now when I see the smiling faces of the kids I have helped, I deeply understand Lei Feng. Helping others makes me happy.”

Lei Feng (1940-1962) is one of the most famous soldiers in Chinese history. He lost his parents when he was very young. His neighbors brought him up. He died in an accident at 22. He did many good deeds(好事) in his short life. For example, he gave his own money to the parents of another soldier. And bought tickets for a woman he didn’t know without telling her his name.

On March 5, 1963, Chairman Mao(毛主席) called on(号召) people to “Learn from Lei Feng” and made the day “Lei Feng Day”.

Today almost 50 years has passed since Lei’s death. Some people say that the spirit of Lei Feng is outdated(过时的).

But many people think we need to promote(提倡) that spirit again.There have been many reports about the coldness of people toward strangers. This has made many Chinese people think deeply about themselves.

“The most important thing is that we must be ready to help others and make it a habit.” said Huang Tianze, a student from Jianlan High School in Zhejiang.

1.Zhang Kai and his group do good deeds as Lei Feng by_______.

A. helping the old man

B. helping the poor

C. helping primary school students

D. helping his classmates

2.Lei Feng was a _____

A. soldier B. secretary

C. doctor D. salesman

3.Which of the following words best describes Lei Feng?

A. clever B. kind-hearted

C. handsome D. lovely

4.Which of the following is TRUE?

A. Lei Fneg died on March 5, 1963.

B. March 5 this year is the 60th “Lei Feng Day”.

C. People remember Lei Feng because his wife was short

D. Lei Feng did many good deeds during his short life.

5.What’s the most important thing Zhang Kai wants to tell us ?

A. Lei Feng is Zhang’s role model.

B. The Lei Feng spirit is outdated.

C. Helping others is a good thing..

D. We must be ready to help others.

Arthur  Miller(1915-2005)is universally  recognized  as one of the greatest dramatists  of the 20^th  century.  Miller` s father  had  moved to the USA from  Austria Hungary,drawn like so many others by the“ Great American  Dream”. However, he experienced severe financial hardship when his family business was ruined in the Great Depression of the  early l930s.

  Millers' s most famous play, Death of a Salesman , is a powerful attack on the American system ,with its aggressive way of doing business and its insistence on money and social status as indicators of worth. In Willy Loman , the hero of the play, we see a man who has got into trouble with his worth. Willy is “burnt out” and in the cruel world of business there is no room for sentiment : if he can't do the work, then he is no good to his employer, the Wagner Company, and he must go. Willy is painfully aware of this, and at loss as to what to do with his lack of success. He refuses to face the fact that he has failed and kills himself in the end.

    When it was first staged in 1949 ,the  play was greeted with enthusiastic reviews ,and it won the Tony Award for Best Play, the New York Drama Critics` Circle Award, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was the first play to win all three of these major awards.

   Miller  died  of heart failure at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut ,on the evening of February 10,2005,the 56th anniversary  of the first performance of Death of a Salesman on Broadway.

 D. focuses on the skills in doing business

58. What can we learn about Willy Loman?

      A. He treats his employer badly.    

 B. He runs the Wagner Company.     

C. He is a victim of the American system.

      D. He is regarded as a hero by his colleagues.

59. After it was first staged, Death of a Salesman

      A. achieved huge success                    

B. won the first Tony Award

      C. was warmly welcomed by salesmen          

D. was severely attacked by dramatists

60. What is the text mainly about?

      A. Arthur Miller and his family.                

B. The awards Arthur Miller won.

      C. The hardship Arthur Miller experienced.    

D. Arthur Miller and his best-known play.

Arthur Miller (1915—2005) is universally recognized as one of the greatest dramatists of the 20th century. Miller's father had moved to the USA from Austria Hungary, drawn like so many others by the “Great American Dream”. However, he experienced severe financial hardship when his family business was ruined in the Great Depression of the early 1930s.
Miller's most famous play, Death of a Salesman, is a powerful attack on the American system, with its aggressive way of doing business and its insistence on money and social status as indicators of worth. In Willy Loman, the hero of the play, we see a man who has got into trouble with this system. Willy is “burnt out” and in the cruel world of business there is no room for sentiment: if he can't do the work, then he is no good to his employer, the Wagner Company, and he must go. Willy is painfully aware of this, and at a loss as to what to do with his lack of success. He refuses to face the fact that he has failed and kills himself in the end.
When it was first staged in 1949, the play was greeted with enthusiastic reviews, and it won the Tony Award for Best Play, the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was the first play to win all three of these major awards.
Miller died of heart failure at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut, on the evening of February 10, 2005, the 56th anniversary of the first performance of Death of a Salesman on Broadway.
【小题1】Why did Arthur Miller's father move to the USA?

Arthur Miller (1915—2005) is universally recognized as one of the greatest dramatists of the 20th century. Miller's father had moved to the USA from Austria Hungary, drawn like so many others by the “Great American Dream”. However, he experienced severe financial hardship when his family business was ruined in the Great Depression of the early 1930s.

Miller's most famous play, Death of a Salesman, is a powerful attack on the American system, with its aggressive way of doing business and its insistence on money and social status as indicators of worth. In Willy Loman, the hero of the play, we see a man who has got into trouble with this system. Willy is “burnt out” and in the cruel world of business there is no room for sentiment: if he can't do the work, then he is no good to his employer, the Wagner Company, and he must go. Willy is painfully aware of this, and at a loss as to what to do with his lack of success. He refuses to face the fact that he has failed and kills himself in the end.

When it was first staged in 1949, the play was greeted with enthusiastic reviews, and it won the Tony Award for Best Play, the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was the first play to win all three of these major awards.

Miller died of heart failure at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut, on the evening of February 10, 2005, the 56th anniversary of the first performance of Death of a Salesman on Broadway.

1.Why did Arthur Miller's father move to the USA?

2.The play Death of a Salesman________.

3.What can we learn about Willy Loman?

4.After it was first staged, Death of a Salesman________.

5.What is the text mainly about?

Zhang Kai is a student at North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power(华北水利水电学院). He has led a group of college student volunteers since last year. They help children at a primary school with their studies and daily lives.

“When I was a small child”, Zhang said, “I knew March 5 was a day for people to learn from Lei Feng and help others, but I didn’t know the real meaning of the spirit(精神) of Lei Feng. Now when I see the smiling faces of the kids I have helped, I deeply understand Lei Feng. Helping others makes me happy.”

Lei Feng (1940-1962) is one of the most famous soldiers in Chinese history. He lost his parents when he was very young. His neighbors brought him up. He died in an accident at 22. He did many good deeds(好事) in his short life. For example, he gave his own money to the parents of another soldier. And bought tickets for a woman he didn’t know without telling her his name.

On March 5, 1963, Chairman Mao(毛主席) called on(号召) people to “Learn from Lei Feng” and made the day “Lei Feng Day”.

Today almost 50 years has passed since Lei’s death. Some people say that the spirit of Lei Feng is outdated(过时的).

But many people think we need to promote(提倡) that spirit again. There have been many reports about the coldness of people toward strangers. This has made many Chinese people think deeply about themselves.

“The most important thing is that we must be ready to help others and make it a habit.” said Huang Tianze, a student from Jianlan High School in Zhejiang.

1.Zhang Kai and his group do good deeds as Lei Feng by_______.

A. helping the old man

B. helping the poor

C. helping primary school students

D. helping his classmates

2.Lei Feng was a _____

A. soldier B. secretary

C. doctor D. salesman

3.Which of the following words best describes Lei Feng?

A. clever B. kind-hearted

C. handsome D. lovely

4.Which of the following is TRUE?

A. Lei Feng died on March 5, 1963.

B. March 5 this year is the 60th “Lei Feng Day”.

C. People remember Lei Feng because his wife was short

D. Lei Feng did many good deeds during his short life.

5.What’s the most important thing Zhang Kai wants to tell us ?

A. Lei Feng is Zhang’s role model.

B. The Lei Feng spirit is outdated.

C. Helping others is a good thing..

D. We must be ready to help others.

Zhang Kai is a student at North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power(华北水利水电学院). He has led a group of college student volunteers since last year. They help children at a primary school with their studies and daily lives.

“When I was a small child”, Zhang said, “I knew March 5 was a day for people to learn from Lei Feng and help others, but I didn’t know the real meaning of the spirit(精神) of Lei Feng. Now when I see the smiling faces of the kids I have helped, I deeply understand Lei Feng. Helping others makes me happy.”

Lei Feng (1940-1962) is one of the most famous soldiers in Chinese history. He lost his parents when he was very young. His neighbors brought him up. He died in an accident at 22. He did many good deeds(好事) in his short life. For example, he gave his own money to the parents of another soldier. And bought tickets for a woman he didn’t know without telling her his name.

On March 5, 1963, Chairman Mao(毛主席) called on(号召) people to “Learn from Lei Feng” and made the day “Lei Feng Day”.

Today almost 50 years has passed since Lei’s death. Some people say that the spirit of Lei Feng is outdated(过时的).

But many people think we need to promote(提倡) that spirit again. There have been many reports about the coldness of people toward strangers. This has made many Chinese people think deeply about themselves.

“The most important thing is that we must be ready to help others and make it a habit.” said Huang Tianze, a student from Jianlan High School in Zhejiang.

1.Zhang Kai and his group do good deeds as Lei Feng by_______.

A. helping the old man

B. helping the poor

C. helping primary school students

D. helping his classmates

2.Lei Feng was a _____

A. soldier B. secretary

C. doctor D. salesman

3.Which of the following words best describes Lei Feng?

A. clever B. kind-hearted

C. handsome D. lovely

4.Which of the following is TRUE?

A. Lei Feng died on March 5, 1963.

B. March 5 this year is the 60th “Lei Feng Day”.

C. People remember Lei Feng because his wife was short

D. Lei Feng did many good deeds during his short life.

5.What’s the most important thing Zhang Kai wants to tell us ?

A. Lei Feng is Zhang’s role model.

B. The Lei Feng spirit is outdated.

C. Helping others is a good thing..

D. We must be ready to help others.

Arthur Miller (1915-2005) is universally recognized as one of the greatest dramatists of the 20th century. Miller's father had moved to the USA from Austria Hungary, drawn like so many others by the "Great American Dream". However, he experienced severe financial hardship when his family business was ruined in the Great Depression of the early 1930s.

Miller's most famous play, Death of a Salesman, is a powerful attack on the American system, with its aggressive way of doing business and its insistence（坚持，强调） on money and social status as indicators of worth. In Willy Loman, the hero of the play, we see a man who has got into trouble with this system. Willy is "burnt out" and in the cruel world of business there is no room for sentiment（感伤）: if he can't do the work, then he is no good to his employer, the Wagner Company, and he must go. Willy is painfully aware of this, and at a loss as to what to do with his lack of success. He refuses to face the fact that he has failed and kills himself in the end.

When it was first staged in 1949, the play was greeted with enthusiastic reviews, and it won the Tony Award for Best Play, the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was the first play to win all three of these major awards.

Miller died of heart failure at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut, on the evening of February 10, 2005, the 56th anniversary of the first performance of Death of a Salesman on Broadway.

1.Why did Arthur Miller's father move to the USA?

A. He suffered from severe hunger in his home country.

B. He was attracted by the "Great American Dream"

C. He hoped to make his son a dramatist.

D. His family business failed.

2.The play Death of a Salesman________.

A. exposes the cruelty of the American business world 

B. discusses the ways to get promoted in a company 

C. talks about the business career of Arthur Miller 

D. focuses on the skills in doing business

3. What can we learn about Willy Loman?

A. He treats his employer badly.

B. He runs the Wagner Company

C. He is a victim of the American system.

D. He is regarded as a hero by his colleagues.

4.What is the text mainly about?

A. Arthur Miller and his family

B. The awards Arthur Miller won

C. The hardship Arthur Miller experienced

D. Arthur Miller and his best-known play

Arthur Miller (1915—2005) is universally recognized as one of the greatest dramatists of the 20th century. Miller's father had moved to the USA from Austria ­Hungary, drawn like so many others by the “Great American Dream”. However, he experienced severe financial hardship when his family business was ruined in the Great Depression of the early 1930s.

Miller's most famous play, Death of a Salesman, is a powerful attack on the American system, with its aggressive way of doing business and its insistence on money and social status as indicators of worth. In Willy Loman, the hero of the play, we see a man who has got into trouble with this system. Willy is “burnt out” and in the cruel world of business there is no room for sentiment: if he can't do the work, then he is no good to his employer, the Wagner Company, and he must go. Willy is painfully aware of this, and at a loss as to what to do with his lack of success. He refuses to face the fact that he has failed and kills himself in the end.

When it was first staged in 1949, the play was greeted with enthusiastic reviews, and it won the Tony Award for Best Play, the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was the first play to win all three of these major awards.

Miller died of heart failure at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut, on the evening of February 10, 2005, the 56th anniversary of the first performance of Death of a Salesman on Broadway.

1.Why did Arthur Miller's father move to the USA?

A. He suffered from severe hunger in his home country.

B. He was attracted by the “Great American Dream.”

C. He hoped to make his son a dramatist.

D. His family business failed

2.The play Death of a Salesman________.

A. exposes the cruelty of the American business world

B. discusses the ways to get promoted in a company

C. talks about the business career of Arthur Miller

D. focuses on the skills in doing business

3.After it was first staged, Death of a Salesman________.

A. achieved huge success

B. won the first Tony Award

C. was warmly welcomed by salesmen

D. was severely attacked by dramatists

Arthur Miller (1915—2005) is universally recognized as one of the greatest dramatists of the 20th century. Miller's father had moved to the USA from Austria-Hungary, drawn like so many others by the “Great American Dream”. However, he experienced severe financial hardship when his family business was ruined in the Great Depression of the early 1930s.
　　Miller's most famous play, Death of a Salesman, is a powerful attack on the American system, with its aggressive way of doing business and its insistence on money and social status as indicators of worth. In Willy Loman, the hero of the play, we see a man who has got into trouble with this system. Willy is “burnt out” and in the cruel world of business there is no room for sentiment: if he can't do the work, then he is no good to his employer, the Wagner Company, and he must go. Willy is painfully aware of this, and at a loss as to what to do with his lack of success. He refuses to face the fact that he has failed and kills himself in the end.
　　When it was first staged in 1949, the play was greeted with enthusiastic reviews, and it won the Tony Award for Best Play, the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was the first play to win all three of these major awards.
　　Miller died of heart failure at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut, on the evening of February 10, 2005, the 56th anniversary of the first performance of Death of a Salesman on Broadway.
【小题1】Why did Arthur Miller's father move to the USA?

Arthur Miller (1915—2005) is universally recognized as one of the greatest dramatists of the 20th century. Miller's father had moved to the USA from Austria-Hungary, drawn like so many others by the “Great American Dream”. However, he experienced severe financial hardship when his family business was ruined in the Great Depression of the early 1930s.

　　Miller's most famous play, Death of a Salesman, is a powerful attack on the American system, with its aggressive way of doing business and its insistence on money and social status as indicators of worth. In Willy Loman, the hero of the play, we see a man who has got into trouble with this system. Willy is “burnt out” and in the cruel world of business there is no room for sentiment: if he can't do the work, then he is no good to his employer, the Wagner Company, and he must go. Willy is painfully aware of this, and at a loss as to what to do with his lack of success. He refuses to face the fact that he has failed and kills himself in the end.

　　When it was first staged in 1949, the play was greeted with enthusiastic reviews, and it won the Tony Award for Best Play, the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was the first play to win all three of these major awards.

　　Miller died of heart failure at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut, on the evening of February 10, 2005, the 56th anniversary of the first performance of Death of a Salesman on Broadway.

1.Why did Arthur Miller's father move to the USA?

A．He suffered from severe hunger in his home country.

B．He was attracted by the “Great American Dream.”

C．He hoped to make his son a dramatist.

D．His family business failed

2.What can we learn about Willy Loman?

A．He treats his employer badly.

B．He runs the Wagner Company.

C．He is a victim of the American system.

D．He is regarded as a hero by his colleagues.

3.After it was first staged, Death of a Salesman________.

A．achieved huge success

B．won the first Tony Award

C．was warmly welcomed by salesmen

D．was severely attacked by dramatists

4.What is the text mainly about?

A．Arthur Miller and his family.

B．The awards Arthur Miller won.

C．The hardship Arthur Miller experienced.

D．Arthur Miller and his best-known play.