When the famous dancer Fred Astaire was interviewed for a job by a Hollywood producer, the movie “expert” turned him down, saying, “Can’t sing. Can’t act. Dances a little.” Here’s another stupid mistake. When the great scientist Albert Einstein was at school, his teachers considered him rather dull. And a final story, the famous Polish pianist Paderewski was told by a teacher that he’d never be a success as a performer because the middle finger on each hand was too short.

　　What lessons can be drawn from these three experiences? First, true genius(天才) cannot be suppressed(压抑). For some reason or other it works its way out. Second, early judgements of a person’s abilities may be unfair or just wrong. Third, when there is a real determination to succeed, obstacles fall by the wayside.

　　The famous motto “ad astra per aspera” can be translated as “To the stars through hardships”. Astaire, Einstein and Paderewski proved their critics wrong.

　　1. Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage ?

　　A. Fred Astaire was a famous dancer. B. True ability will always make itself known.

　　C. Some people never get discouraged D. Albert Einstein proved his teachers wrong.

　　2. When Paderewski’s teachers told him he’d never be a success, they were _______.

　　A. being humorous B. cheerful, though concerned

　　C. somewhat hesitant D. seriously mistaken

　　3. “Ad astra per aspera” is used in the passage _______.

　　A. as a motto for the three men’s lives B. to show the value of Latin

　　C. to send the reader to the dictionary D. to point out that genius is always recognized early

　　4. The writer of the passage thinks that the reader _______.

　　A. knows that the three men were successes B. someday dreams to become like one of the men

　　C. sympathizes with(同情) the poor teachers of the three men

　　D. knows that Fred Astaire was an actor famous for performing Shakespeare’s plays

　　(1—4 BDAA)

　　【答案与解析】本文通过列举Fred Astaire, Albert Einstein, Paderewskit等的成功事例论述了勤奋出天才的道理。

　　1. B。主旨题。根据文章第2段第2句true genius(天才) cannot be suppressed(压抑)及全文内容可推知此题答案为B。

　　2. D。推断题。根据文章最后一句Astaire, Einstein and Paderewski proved their critics wrong 可推知此题答案为D。

　　3. A。推断题。根据文章第1段：他们三人的老师都说他们不会成功，而结果他们三人都成了有名的人，由此可见，成功是勤奋所致，从而可推知此题答案为A。

　　4. A。推断题。文章对他们三人没作详细介绍而只是作为例证提出来，说明作者认为读者都很清楚而不必讲。从而可推知此题答案为A。