单选题 Do you know one of the greatest statesmen that Britain has ever had? His name is Winston Churchill. In his school days, however, he was not a good student. On prize-giving days he did not get any prizes. His father was very much disappointed, but his mother was not worried, and said, "My boy is not stupid. He'll make a name for himself someday."
"There is no sign of it today," said his father angrily.
Later, the boy said to his mother, "You see, they never ask me the things I can tell them. They only ask me the things I can't."
His mother laughed and said, "Of course, dear, I remember it was just the same when I was at school."
He began his career as a soldier. As he had a lot of free time between wars, he used this opportunity to read and to study hard. In the meantime, he began to write for newspapers and magazines.
This is what he said about his writing, "I was such a dunce at school that I was kept in the third form for three years. This was luck. I had three years with the finest English teacher in the country. So I learned my own language thoroughly."
He had a special gift for using words. He was the first man to use the words "Iron Curtain", which became a well-known phrase of English language.
When the people were having a hard time during the Second World War, Churchill told them the truth. He said, "I promise you nothing but blood and sweat and toil and tears." The British people understood what he said, because he spoke to them frankly.
Though he had a busy life as a statesman, he knew how to enjoy life. He found time to paint. He signed his paintings "Mr. Winter". The paintings were so good that people wanted to know who "Mr. Winter" was. It was only a few years later that people found out the truth.
In his later years, he spent much time writing his story of World War. It was read by many people all over the world. In 1953 Churchill received the Nobel Prize for Literature.

单选题 Why did Churchill say he was lucky when he was kept in the third form?
[A] He was taught by one best English teacher.
[B] His English was made better.
[C] He thoroughly reviewed his grammar.
[D] He learnt how to write essays.

单选题 What did Churchill do during the time between the two world wars?
[A] He studied writing.
[B] He wrote of his war experiences.
[C] He painted pictures.
[D] He wrote for newspapers and magazines.

单选题 During the Second World War, Churchill told the British people that ______.
[A] the war would soon end if they fought hard
[B] the country would soon recover from the war
[C] it was be hard for them to win the war
[D] the hardships of the war had to be endured

单选题 What is the passage mainly about?
[A] Churchill's contribution to his country during World War 1I.
[B] Churchill as the greatest statesman in the history of Britain.
[C] Churchill as a person of many talents.
[D] Churchill's early years in the family and at school.

单选题 What does the word "dunce" (Line 1, Para. 6) mean?
[A] A writer.
[B] A lazy student. [C] A good learner.
[D] A stupid boy.