A
Today we think of Abraham Lincoln as a great leader.What most of us don’t know is that he was a well-known humorist and storyteller in his day.
Lincoln learned to tell jokes and stories from his father.When Lincoln became a lawyer,he used his jokes and stories to gain the good will of the jury (陪审团),and more than once his opposing lawyer would complain to the judge that Lincoln’s stories were irrelevant and distracting to the jury.The trouble for them was that Judge David Davis loved Lincoln’s jokes more than anyone else in the court room.
As a politician,Lincoln made excellent use of his humorous stories.His long time political opponent (对手) Stephen A.Douglas complained that “Not any of his arguments or any of his replies to my questions—disturbs me.But when he begins to tell a story,I feel that I am to be overmatched.” More than once Douglas and other political opponents of Lincoln’s saw their well presented arguments forgotten by the audience after Lincoln followed up their speeches with a homely story or anecdote.
As the responsibilities of the office of President became greater and heavier,Lincoln used humor to find relief.He wanted to reduce the stresses in himself and those around him.One of Lincoln’s neighbors told that one day,he saw Lincoln walking past with two young shouting boys.“What’s the matter,Mr.Lincoln?” the neighbor asked.“The same thing that’s the matter with the whole world,” Lincoln answered.“I have three walnuts,and each one of them wants two of them.”
One cannot truly appreciate Lincoln without understanding his humorous side.He used his jokes and stories both for the purpose of winning over his audience and relieving the pressure he experienced as President during the terrible Civil War.
1.When Lincoln was a lawyer,what was his purpose of telling jokes and stories?
A.He wanted to satisfy the judge’s desire for jokes.
B.He wanted to distract his opposing lawyers.
C.He wanted to relieve his pressure.
D.He wanted to impress the jury.
2.What might be Douglas’ attitude towards Lincoln’s humorous stories?
A.Annoyed. B.Appreciative.
C.Concerned. D.Surprised.
3.The author shows how Lincoln relieved stresses as President by .
A.analyzing causes B.giving an example
C.making a comparison D.following the order of time
4.What’s the purpose of the text?
A.To educate. B.To inform.
C.To persuade. D.To entertain.
语篇解读:本文是记叙文。文章介绍了林肯幽默的一面。
答案及剖析:
1.D 细节理解题。根据第二段中的When Lincoln became a lawyer,he used his jokes and stories to gain the good will of the jury可知答案。
2.A 推理判断题。根据第三段中的His long time political ...I am to be overmatched及...their well presented arguments forgotten ...anecdote可知,林肯一讲幽默故事,Douglas就认为自己被打败了,而且自己先前的演讲也被观众遗忘了,由此可推测,他是恼怒的。
3.B 写作手法题。在倒数第二段中,作者通过举例来说明林肯总统是如何释放压力的。One of Lincoln’s neighbors told...wants two of them.即是作者所举的例子。
4.B 写作目的题。一谈到林肯,我们普遍会认为他是位伟大的领导者,然而鲜有人知道他也很擅长讲幽默故事,本文就林肯鲜为人知的这一面作了介绍。故选B项。
