西南大学网络与继续教育学院课程考试试题卷类别：网教 专业：英语 课程名称【编号】： 英语阅读一【0051】 A 卷大作业 满分：100 分Answering questions Direction: There are questions for the 5 stories you have learned, please choose any 2 stories to answer brieflybased on the story itself and your experience. 1. In “Gifts of the Magi” (50 points)1) Where did the young couple Della and Jim live? Young couple Della and Jim are living in a modest flat.2) What were the two proud possessions Della and Jim had then?They each have one possession in which they take pride: Della's beautiful long, flowing hair and Jim'sshiny gold watch, which had belonged to his father and grandfather.3) When did the story happen, in spring, summer, autumn or winter? The story happened On Christmas Eve, in winter.4) What did Della buy Jim for Christmas? What did Jim send to Della as a Christmas gift? Andwhy were they useless? Jim gives Della her present—an assortment of expensive combs for Della's hair ，but she sold her hair tobuy him his present.Della gives Jim the chain she bought for his watch, which Jim has sold to get the money to buy hercombs.5) Have you ever received or sent out a good gift? If yes, what is it and why is it so important? If no,what kind of gift do you want most and why do you want it so much?Last Sunday was my birthday. My parents decided to give me a surprise. First they took me to a cinemaand watched a wonderful movie. Then they took me to a restaurant and had a delicious meal. At night, I feltsleepy, so my parents took me home quickly. When I came into my bedroom, I saw a lovely dog on my bed.Just then my parents came in, "Happy birthday, my dear!" they said to me. I laughed and didn't feel sleepy anymore. That day was my happiest day. My best present was the memory of my parents.2. In “Decameron”, (50 points)1) Who had a higher social position, Lisabetta or Lorenzo?2) Did Lisabetta’s brothers agree with her love affair with Lorenzo? And what did they do with Lorenzo?3) What did Lisabetta do with Lorenzo’s body?4) In the end of the story, what happened to Lisabetta and her brothers?5) Do you sympathize with the love affair in this story? Why?3. In “The Lady or the Tiger”, (50 points)1) What kind of person the king was?The king was powerful. Some=of=his=ideas=were=progressive, but=others=caused=people=to=suffer.2) Why did the king put the handsome young man into the arena?The=king=discovered=the=relationship=between=his=daughter=and=the=young=man, who=was=the=best-looking=and=bravest=in=the=land,=but=he=was=a=commoner,=not=part=of=an=important=family.=So the handsomeyoung man=was=immediately=put=in=prison by the king.==3) What do you think of the king’s judgment of a person whether he is guilty or not? Judging a person whether he is guilty depends on opening different door and having different results.Thiswas the king’s method of carrying out justice. Its fairness appeared perfect. In fact, the king determineswhether a man is guilty by luck. It's not fair.4) What may happen if the accused chose the door with a lady behind it? If the accused chose the door with a lady behind it,he must immediately married with the lady, Anotherdoor opened under the king, and a clergyman, singers, dancers and musicians joined the man and the lady. Themarriage ceremony was quickly completed. Then the bells made cheerful noises. The people shouted happily.And the innocent man led the new wife to his home, following children who threw flowers on their path.5) Who do you think would come out of the door when the young man chose the right door, the ladyor the tiger? Give reasons for your answer of it. The answer is too difficult to choose, involving human nature. Instead of letting young people be killed bytiger, I'd rather young people marry another woman. After all, there is a love that doesn't have to have.4. In “Art for Heart’s Sake”, (50 points)1) What was the nurse Keith’s complaint about his patient Ellsworth?2) Could you please use 3 adjectives to describe Ellsworth?3) What may usually happen to Ellsworth’s new business?4) What was “Trees Dressed in White”? How about it?5) Who won the first prize of Lathrop gallery show? And why?5. In “Rip Van Winkle (I)”, (50 points)1) Where did the story happen, in Europe or in America?2) What kind of person was Rip Van Winkle?3) Did he have a good relationship with his wife? What kind of person Rip Van Winkle’s wife was?4) What happened to him after his drunk?- 1 - 5) Do you like Rip Van Winkle? And why?6. Choose one of your favorite stories from the textbook and 1) write a summary of the story, 2) make alist of the characters in the story, and3) make a comment on the plot, or the character or the theme ofthe story. (50 points)Gifts of the Magi synopsisJim and Della Dillingham are a couple who are very much in love with each other,but can barely affordtheir one-room apartment opposite the elevated train.For Christmas,Della decides to buy Jim a chain for hisprized pocket watch given to him by his father.To raise the funds,she has her hair cut off and sold to make awig.Meanwhile,he decides to sell his watch to buy her a beautiful set of combs for her lovely,knee-length hair.The moral of the story is that physical possessions,however valuable they may be,are of little value inthe grand scheme of things.The true unselfish love that the characters,Jim and Della,share is greater than theirpossessions.- 2 -