单选题
For any Englishman, there can never be any discussion as to who is the world's greatest dramatist. Only one name can possibly suggest itself to him: that of William Shakespeare. Every Englishman has some knowledge, however slight, of the works of our greatest writer. All of us use words, phrases and quotations from Shakespeare's writings that have become part of the common property of the English-speaking people. Most of the time we are probably unaware of the source of the words we used, rather like the old lady who was taken to see a performance of Hamlet and complained that it was full of well-known proverbs and quotations. Shakespeare, more perhaps than any other writer, makes full use of the great resources of the English language. Most of us use about five thousand words in our normal use of English; Shakespeare in his works used about twenty-five thousand. There is probably no better way for a foreigner to appreciate the richness and variety of the English language than by studying the various ways in which Shakespeare used it. Such a study is well worth the effort (it is not, of course, recommended to beginners) even though some aspects of English usage, and the meaning of many words, have changed since Shakespeare's day.
单选题
English people ______. A. have never discussed who is the world's greatest dramatist B. never discuss any issue concerning the world's greatest dramatist C. are sure who is the world's greatest dramatist D. do not care who is the world's greatest poet and dramatist
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 这是一道细节理解题。原文第一句话“For any Englishman, there can never be any discussion as to who is the world's greatest dramatist”，意思是对于英国人来说，谁是世界上最伟大的戏剧家这一问题根本不会有争论，因此选项C(英国人对于谁是世界上最伟大的戏剧家态度非常明确)是正确答案。
单选题
Every Englishman knows ______. A. more or less about Shakespeare B. Shakespeare, but only slightly C. all Shakespeare's writings D. only the name of the greatest English writer
单选题
Which of the following is TRUE? A. We use all the words, phrases and quotations from Shakespeare's writings. B. Shakespeare's writings have become the property of those who are learning to speak English. C. It is likely to be true that people often do not know the origins of the words they use. D. All the words people use are taken from the writings of Shakespeare.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 这是一道判断题。原文说所有英国人都会引用莎士比亚作品中的词句，而不是像选项A所说的all the words，phrases and quotations；莎士比亚作品已成为所有说英语人民的财富，而不是像选项B所说的成为those who are learning to speak English的财富；选项D说人们所说的所有词汇都引自莎士比亚作品中很明显是错误的；只有选项C(人们经常不知道他们所用词语的出处)与原文第一段最后一句话“Most of the time we are probably unaware of the source of the words we used…”的意思相吻合。
单选题
What does the word "proverb" mean? A. Familiar sayings. B. Shakespeare's plays. C. Complaints. D. Actors and actresses.
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[解析] 这是一道词语释义题。“proverb”本意为“谚语，格言”，出现在本文第一段最后一句话中“…well-known proverbs and quotations”的释义最接近，它与quotations(引用语，引证)并列，再结合上文说“proverb”连普通老妇人都知道，并且很出名，那么只有选项A。
单选题
Why is it worthwhile to study the various ways in which Shakespeare used English? A. English words have changed a lot since Shakespeare's time. B. By doing so one can be fully aware of the richness of the English language. C. English words are now being used in the same way as in Shakespeare's time. D. Beginners may have difficulty learning some aspects of English usage.