单选题 The Brooklyn Bridge in New York has been featured in movies, photographs, and media for over a hundred years, but the bridge is much more than just a pretty sight. It opened on May 24, 1883, and, at 3,460 feet, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, measuring 50% longer than any previously built. The Brooklyn Bridge was a symbol of American strength and vitality, but its completion followed years of toil and sacrifice.
John Augustus Roebling, a German immigrant, envisioned the bridge that would link Manhattan to Brooklyn over the East River. While in preparations for building, however, John Roebling was injured when a ferry pinned his foot to a pylon, and he died weeks later of tetanus. This first setback to the building of the bridge was indicative of the problems that would plague its construction as well as the harrowing tenacity that led to its completion.
Washington Roebling took over the project upon his father's death. Washington persevered through many hurdles in the building of the bridge including fires, accidents, industrial corruption, and loss of public support. He continued, however, in his push to complete the bridge. In fact, it is said that he worked harder and longer than any worker he employed in even the most dangerous circumstances. While working in the caissons, underwater chambers that supported the bridge, he was stricken by the decompression sickness that led to his paralysis. Nothing could stop him, though, and he continued construction by sending messages to the site through his wife, Emily.
Fourteen years after construction began, the Brooklyn Bridge celebrated its grand opening. The total cost to build the bridge was fifteen million dollars, and 27 people died in its construction, but it stood as a tribute to American invention and industry.

单选题 The primary purpose of the passage is to ______.

A. convince the reader that the Brooklyn Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world
B. describe Washington Roebling's rise to success
C. show that Americans have an inborn talent for inventiveness
D. describe how the Brooklyn Bridge was a great success despite the hardships faced in building it

【正确答案】 D

【答案解析】[解析] 本文的主要目的是讲述这样的情况：布鲁克林大桥在修建的过程中遇到一些挫折，但它是怎样取得成功的?第二段和第三段写布鲁克林大桥在修建的过程中遭遇一些挫折，第四段和第一段写这座桥大获成功。

单选题 It can be inferred from the third paragraph that Washington Roebling ______.

A. was injured by a ferry
B. was determined to build the bridge despite many setbacks
C. suffered from depression after his injury
D. had a son who completed the building of a bridge

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】[解析] 根据第三段可以推断，尽管华盛顿·罗布林遇到许多挫折，但还是决心修桥。从第三段可以看出，华盛顿·罗布林的父亲去世后，他接管了修桥的项目。在修桥的过程中，他忍受了火灾、事故、产业腐败和失去大众支持等困难。然而，他决意继续修桥。

单选题 Which of the following is given as a difficulty faced in building the Brooklyn Bridge?

A. An excessive number of pylons in the East River.
B. An outbreak of tetanus among the workers.
C. An increase in public support.
D. The death of the man who envisioned the bridge.

【正确答案】 D

【答案解析】[解析] 以下哪种情况是修建布鲁克林大桥面临的一个困难?设计大桥的人去世了。从第二段可以看出，作为桥梁设计者的约翰·奥古斯培斯·罗布林因受伤而死于破伤风。设计人去世自然给修桥带来困难。

单选题 Which of the following is NOT stated about the Brooklyn Bridge?

A. It was a sign of American power.
B. It cost millions of dollars to build.
C. It was not worth the money lost in building it.
D. It has been seen in the movies.

【正确答案】 C

【答案解析】[解析] 就布鲁克林大桥而言，以下哪种情况没有指出来?布鲁克林大桥得不偿失。A可以在第一段最后—句的前半部分找到；B在最后一段最后一句中可以找到；D可以在第一段第一句找到。