B
(2014·西宁五中等四校高三联考)
Although she died more than twentyfive years ago;many Americans still argue about Ayn Rand. People also continue to talk about her ideas and her interesting life.
As a young child, Alisa loved books. She began to write her own stories when she was only seven. She took classes in politics, history, law and writing. In 1926, she traveled to the United States and decided she would never leave. She also decided to change her name to “Ayn Rand”. Newly named, Rand moved to Hollywood, California to work in the movie business. Throughout the 1930s, she published two books, but did not earn much critical or popular recognition.
Then, in 1943, Rand's famous book The Fountainhead was published. It took her seven years to write the novel. Twelve publishers rejected the book. However, a man named Archibald Ogden loved the story and convinced the BobbsMerrill company to publish it. The Fountainhead became a huge success around the world. It has sold more than six million copies. It continues to sell about one hundred thousand copies each year.
The Fountainhead tells the story of a young building designer named Howard Roark. Roark wants to build interesting, modernlooking buildings. However, most people only want to see traditional designs. Roark loves designing and building more than anything in the world. But he refuses to compromise and make buildings he hates. Several people work against Roark and his goals. But in the end, Roark succeeds.
The Fountainhead is an unusual novel for many reasons. It is more than 700 pages long, far longer than most books people read for entertainment. More importantly, it also includes discussions of philosophy, which are not usually found in popular books. Most critics did not like The Fountainhead. But readers loved it. In 1949，it was made into a popular movie.
She lived quietly in New York City until she died in 1982.She is still one of the most loved, and hated, American thinkers and writers.
5.When did Alisa decide to change her name to Ayn Rand?
A.When she began to write her own stories.
B.When she took classes in politics and writing.
C.When she decided to settle in the US.
D.When she moved to Hollywood, California.
6.Which of the following is TRUE of Rand's famous book The Fountainhead?
A.It cost the author eight years to complete.
B.It was loved by all the twelve publishers.
C.It was finally published by Archibald Ogden.
D.It was a great success around the world.
7.What can we learn about Howard Roark?
A.He wants to build interesting, traditional buildings.
B.He loves designing and building anything in the world.
C.He has to give in and make buildings he hates.
D.He achieves his goals and eventually gains success.
8.The Fountainhead is an unusual novel mainly because ________.
A.it is far longer than most books for entertainment
B.it also includes discussions of philosophy
C.it was wellreceived by most critics and readers
D.it was made into a popular TV play in 1949
9.What is the passage mainly about?
A.The life and writing of Ayn Rand.
B.The interesting life of Ayn Rand.
C.Rand's famous book The Fountainhead.
D.Different attitudes towards Rand's book.
答案：
【语篇解读】 本文是一篇人物传记。文章介绍的是作家Ayn Rand的生平及有关她作品方面的内容。
5.C 解析：细节理解题。根据第二段第四、五句“In 1926，she traveled to the United States and decided she would never leave. She also decided to change her name to ‘Ayn Rand'.”可知，Alisa决定在美国定居时，她决定把自己的名字改为Ayn Rand。故选C。
6.D 解析：判断正误题。根据第三段倒数第三句“‘The Fountainhead' became a huge success around the world”可知，The Fountainhead一书在全世界获得了很大成功。故选D。
7.D 解析：推理判断题。根据第四段最后两句“Several people work against Roark and his goals. But in the end，Roark succeeds.”可推知，尽管有人对Howard Roark和他的观点持反对意见，但是他还是完成了自己的目标，最终取得了成功。故选D。
8.B 解析：细节理解题。根据第五段第三句“More importantly，it also includes discussions of philosophy, which are not usually found in popular books.”可知，之所以The Fountainhead是一本不同寻常的小说，主要是因为书中包含了讨论哲学方面的内容。故选B。
9.A 解析：主旨大意题。根据最后一段最后一句“She is still one of the most loved，and hated，American thinkers and writers.”，并结合上文内容可知，文章主要介绍的是有关Ayn Rand的生平及有关她作品方面的内容，因此A项内容符合题意。故选A。
