内容正文:
Unit 7 Reading Mark Twain 单元培优练习卷-2026-2027学年9年级上学期英语(沪教版)
满分:100分 考试时间:90分钟
Part 2 Grammar and Vocabulary(第二部分 语法与词汇 共36分)
II. Grammar and Vocabulary(语法选择填空 共10分)
Read the passage and choose the best answer for each blank.
Mark Twain was not only a great writer but also a fascinating public speaker. Audiences around the world would gather to hear him speak, and his lectures were ___1___ popular as his books. He had a way of connecting with people that made everyone feel ___2___ he was speaking directly to them.
During one of his trips to Europe, Twain attended a formal dinner party. ___3___ guest at the table was dressed in expensive clothes and trying to impress others. A gentleman sitting next to him asked, "Mr Twain, have you ever been to Paris before?" Twain replied with a twinkle in his eye, "Yes, I have. In fact, I ___4___ (visit) Paris three times." The gentleman, who wanted to show off his own knowledge, said, "Well, I live in Paris. I ___5___ tell you, you haven't really seen it unless you know the right people." Twain smiled and said nothing.
Later, the same gentleman asked, "Mr Twain, I heard that you once made a bet with a friend. Is it true that you ___6___ (win) a lot of money from that bet?" Twain replied, "Yes, I did. But I ___7___ (lose) all of it afterwards!" Everyone at the table laughed, including the gentleman. Twain's ability to laugh at himself made him ___8___ (love) by people everywhere.
After dinner, someone asked Twain to give a brief speech. He stood up and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am sorry I have no time to prepare a speech. But I can tell you a short story ___9___." He then told a funny story about a pilot and a journalist. Everyone listened with great interest.
When he finished, ___10___ in the room burst into applause. The gentleman who had been showing off earlier came up to Twain and said, "Mr Twain, you are truly a remarkable man." Twain simply smiled and said, "I know. But please don't tell anyone — it might ruin my reputation!"
1. A. as B. so C. too
2. A. as if B. even if C. so that
3. A. All B. Every C. Either
4. A. visit B. have visited C. had visited
5. A. must B. might C. would rather
6. A. win B. have won C. won
7. A. lose B. have lost C. lost
8. A. love B. loved C. loving
9. A. instead B. but C. instead of
10. A. Someone B. No one C. Everyone
III. Five out of Four(五选四 共8分)
(A)
journalist failure brief sink afterwards
Mark Twain once said, "Never tell the truth to people who are not worthy of it." This shows his sharp wit and his understanding of human nature. As a young man, Twain worked as a ___1___ for a newspaper in Nevada. He wrote funny stories about the people he met. One story was about a man who tried to build a house on soft ground. The house began to ___2___ into the mud, but the man refused to admit his ___3___. He kept adding more floors to the house, hoping it would become heavier and stop sinking. Of course, it only sank faster! Twain used this story to show how people often make problems worse by refusing to accept their mistakes. ___4___, he said that the best way to deal with a mistake is to admit it quickly and learn from it.
(B)
pilot concern sort aloud gentleman
In his autobiography, Twain described his early days as a river ___1___ on the Mississippi. He said that a good pilot had to know every ___2___ of rock and sandbar in the river. One wrong move could cause a boat to sink. Twain was always very careful, but he also had a sense of humour. One day, a ___3___ on the boat asked him if he was afraid of drowning. Twain laughed ___4___ and replied, "No, sir. I can swim better than I can write!" This quick answer showed his confidence and his ability to make people laugh even in serious situations.
IV. Complete the sentences with the given words in their proper forms(用括号中所给单词的适当形式完成下列句子。共8分)
Read the passage and fill in the blanks with the proper forms of the given words.
Mark Twain's Philosophy of Life
Mark Twain was not only a writer but also a wise observer of human nature. His ___1___ (observe) about life and people are still quoted today. One of his most famous sayings is, "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why."
Twain believed that ___2___ (honest) was the most important quality a person could have. He once wrote, "If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything." This simple but wise advice shows how much he valued ___3___ (true).
As a young man, Twain worked many different jobs, including printer, miner, and journalist. These experiences taught him to be ___4___ (depend) and hardworking. He never expected help from others but always tried to solve problems by ___5___ (he).
In his later years, Twain became more serious about social issues. He wrote many articles expressing his ___6___ (anxious) about the unfair treatment of poor people. He believed that everyone deserved a ___7___ (two) chance in life.
Today, Twain's works are still widely read. His stories are not only entertaining but also ___8___ (education). They teach us important lessons about life, friendship, and the importance of staying true to ourselves.
V. Complete the dialogue(补全对话 共10分)
Situation: A school librarian, Ms Chen, is talking to a student, Li Ming, who wants to read a book by Mark Twain.
Librarian: Good afternoon, Li Ming. Welcome to the library. Can I help you find something?
Li Ming: Yes, please. I want to read a book by Mark Twain. Do you prefer "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" or "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"?
Librarian: ___1___ (对选择疑问句做出回答). It's more serious and gives a deeper look at social problems.
Li Ming: I see. ___2___ (写出恰当的一般疑问句) before I borrow it?
Librarian: Yes, you should read the introduction and some reviews online. They will help you understand the background of the story.
Li Ming: ___3___ ?(就目的提问:为什么马克·吐温选择密西西比河(the Mississippi River)作为他小说的背景?)
Librarian: So that he could use his own experiences as a river pilot to make the stories feel real and authentic.
Li Ming: And I heard that Twain had a very difficult life.
Librarian: Exactly. He lost his father at a young age and later lost a lot of money. But he never gave up.
Li Ming: So his difficult experiences didn't stop him from becoming a great writer, ___4___ (写出反意疑问句)?
Librarian: Absolutely. In fact, they made his writing deeper and more meaningful.
Li Ming: ___5___ (就方式方法提问) start reading his works if I find his language difficult?
Librarian: You could start with a simplified version or watch a movie adaptation first. That will help you understand the story better.
Li Ming: Thank you so much, Ms Chen!
Librarian: You're welcome. Happy reading!
Part 3 Reading(第三部分 阅读 共46分)
VI. Reading Comprehension(阅读理解)
A. Matching(匹配题 共10分)
Match each person's question about Mark Twain with the correct answer.
Questions
Answers
___1___ I want to read a book by Mark Twain but I don't know which one is the best for a first-time reader. Any suggestions?
___2___ I find Mark Twain's humour interesting, but sometimes I don't understand the jokes because they are about American culture in the 19th century. What can I do? ___3___ My teacher asked me to write a report about Mark Twain's life. I need to include his early experiences that influenced his writing. Where can I find this information?
___4___ I've read "Tom Sawyer" and "Huckleberry Finn". I want to read something different by Mark Twain, maybe a book with a more serious tone. What do you recommend? ___5___ I'm giving a class presentation about Mark Twain next week. I want my presentation to be interesting and not boring. Any ideas?
A. You could read his short story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County". It's only a few pages long and shows his sense of humour perfectly. It's a great introduction to his style.
B. You could read his autobiography. It tells the story of his life in his own words and shows how his childhood on the Mississippi River shaped his writing. You'll understand his books much better afterwards.
C. You could focus on one specific aspect, like his use of humour. Read some of his short stories and take notes on how he makes people laugh. Then share your findings in a brief presentation.
D. You could watch a film adaptation of his book first. The visual images will help you understand the setting and characters. After watching the movie, reading the book will be much easier and more enjoyable.
E. You could read "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court". It's about a modern man who travels back in time to King Arthur's court. The book uses humour to question old traditions and social systems.
F. You could try reading one of his travel books like "The Innocents Abroad". It shows how Twain travelled around Europe and the Middle East, making funny observations about the places and people he met.
G. You could ask your librarian for a children's version of his works. They are written in simpler language and will help you get familiar with the stories before reading the original.
B. Multiple Choice(选择题 共12分)
Read the passage and choose the best answer for each question.
What makes a story unforgettable? If you asked Mark Twain, he would probably say it's the way you tell it. Twain was not just a writer — he was a master storyteller. He understood that a good story needs more than just an interesting plot. It needs a voice, a rhythm, and a connection with the audience.
Twain's storytelling technique was unlike anything Americans had heard before. He spoke in a conversational style, as if he were chatting with friends over a cup of coffee. He used pauses, raised eyebrows, and sudden changes in tone to make his stories come alive. His listeners could not help but laugh, gasp, or lean forward in anticipation.
One of Twain's favourite techniques was the "slow burn." He would begin a story in a calm, ordinary way, making the audience think they knew what was coming. Then, slowly and carefully, he would lead them towards an unexpected twist. By the time the punchline arrived, the audience was completely surprised — and completely delighted.
Twain believed that humour was most powerful when it came from real life. He once said, "The secret source of humour is not joy but sorrow." This surprising statement reveals a deep truth about his work. Many of his funniest scenes are about people facing difficult situations. Tom Sawyer's clever trick to avoid painting the fence is not just funny — it's a story about a boy using his intelligence to overcome an unfair task. Huck Finn's adventures are not just exciting — they are about a boy searching for freedom in a world that wants to control him.
Twain also understood the importance of rhythm in storytelling. He would vary the length of his sentences to create different moods. Short, quick sentences for exciting moments. Long, flowing sentences for thoughtful moments. This careful attention to rhythm made his writing feel musical and natural.
Perhaps Twain's greatest gift was his ability to make his readers feel like they were part of the story. He often used the first-person point of view, inviting readers to see the world through his characters' eyes. When we read Huck Finn's story, we don't just observe his journey — we travel down the river with him, feeling his joys and fears as if they were our own.
Today, over a hundred years after his death, Twain's stories continue to delight readers around the world. His techniques have influenced countless writers and filmmakers. But more importantly, his stories remind us of the simple pleasure of a well-told tale.
1. What does the underlined phrase "slow burn" in paragraph 3 most probably mean?
A. A story that starts slowly and builds up to an unexpected ending.
B. A story that is very sad and makes people cry.
C. A story that is told very quickly without any pauses.
D. A story that is too long and makes people bored.
2. According to the passage, what did Twain think was the "secret source of humour"?
A. Joy and happiness.
B. Sorrow and difficult experiences.
C. Expensive education.
D. Travel to foreign countries.
3. How did Twain use rhythm in his storytelling?
A. He used the same length for all sentences.
B. He used short sentences for thoughtful moments and long sentences for exciting moments.
C. He varied sentence length to create different moods.
D. He avoided using any sentences longer than ten words.
4. Why does the author mention Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn in paragraph 4?
A. To compare the two characters with each other.
B. To show that Twain's funny stories are actually about serious topics.
C. To prove that Twain only wrote about children.
D. To explain why these books are still popular today.
5. What made Twain's storytelling "unlike anything Americans had heard before"?
A. He used a conversational style as if chatting with friends.
B. He always told sad stories.
C. He never used any humour in his speeches.
D. He refused to tell stories in public.
6. What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A. Twain's techniques are no longer useful today.
B. Twain's stories are only read by children.
C. Twain's influence on storytelling continues to this day.
D. Twain's writing style was too difficult to follow.
C. Cloze Test(完形填空 共12分)
Read the passage and choose the best word for each blank.
Mark Twain once received a letter from a young boy who wanted to become a writer. The boy asked Twain for advice on how to write a good story. Twain replied with a ___1___ story of his own.
"I once wrote a story about a man who was lost in the desert. He had no water and was about to ___2___ from thirst. Just as he was about to give up, he saw a small house in the distance. He ___3___ towards it with all his remaining strength. When he arrived, he found a well with fresh, cold water. He drank and drank until he could drink no more."
"Many people thought this was a ___4___ story," Twain continued. "But I was not satisfied. I felt that something was missing. So I asked my friend, a famous writer, to read it. He said, 'The story is good, but it lacks a ___5___. Why not add something unexpected?'"
Twain took his friend's advice. He ___6___ the ending. In the new version, the man filled his canteen with water and walked away. But when he turned around, he saw that the house and the well had disappeared. He had been saved by a mirage — a trick of the desert. This unexpected twist made the story much more interesting.
Twain ended his letter by saying, "The best stories always have a surprise. Never let your readers guess what will happen next."
1. A. brief B. simple C. long D. serious
2. A. live B. run C. swim D. die
3. A. walked B. ran C. flew D. sank
4. A. good B. terrible C. boring D. short
5. A. character B. setting C. twist D. title
6. A. kept B. changed C. forgot D. remembered
D. Questions and Answers(回答问题 共12分)
Read the passage and answer the questions below.
One of Mark Twain's most famous short stories is "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." The story is set in a gold mining camp in California during the 1850s. It is told by a narrator who is sent to find a man named Simon Wheeler and ask about an old friend.
The narrator finds Simon Wheeler sitting in a bar. Before the narrator can ask his question, Wheeler begins telling a long, rambling story about a man named Jim Smiley. Smiley was a gambler who loved to bet on anything — horse races, dog fights, and even frog jumping contests!
Smiley once caught a frog and trained it to jump higher than any other frog in the county. He named the frog Daniel Webster, after the famous politician. Smiley was very proud of his frog and often bet people that no other frog could beat it.
One day, a stranger came to town. When Smiley boasted about his frog's jumping ability, the stranger said he didn't believe it. Smiley bet him forty dollars that Daniel Webster could beat any frog in the county. The stranger said he would accept the bet, but he didn't have a frog to compete.
Smiley went to the pond to catch a frog for the stranger. While he was gone, the stranger took Daniel Webster out of his box and fed him some lead shot — small heavy balls that made the frog too heavy to jump. When Smiley returned and the contest began, Daniel Webster couldn't jump at all. The stranger won the forty dollars and left town quickly.
The story is a wonderful example of Twain's humour and his ability to create memorable characters. It also shows his talent for using simple, everyday situations to create comedy. The story was first published in 1865 and became Twain's first major success, launching his career as a writer.
Today, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog" is considered a classic of American humour. It has been translated into many languages and continues to delight readers of all ages.
Read the passage and answer the questions.
1. Did the stranger win the bet against Jim Smiley?
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2. What did Smiley name his trained frog?
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3. When was "The Celebrated Jumping Frog" first published?
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4. Where did the story take place?
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5. Why couldn't Daniel Webster jump during the contest?
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6. Do you think Jim Smiley should have trusted the stranger? Please write down your own understanding. (About 30 words)(个人观点)
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Part 4 Writing(第四部分 写作 共18分)
VII. Translation(中译英 共8分)
Translate the following sentences into English.
1. 马克·吐温的幽默感使他的作品即使在今天仍然非常受欢迎。
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2. 在《卡拉维拉斯县驰名的跳蛙》中,一个陌生人通过欺骗赢得了赌局。
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3. 作为一名年轻的记者,吐温游历了许多地方,遇到了各种各样的人。
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4. 他关于生活的敏锐观察帮助读者以不同的方式看待世界。
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VIII. Writing(写作 共10分)
Write a book review of a short story by Mark Twain that you have read. Your review should include:
- the title of the story and a brief summary of the plot
- what you liked most about the story
- whether you would recommend it to others and why
要求:
- 词数不少于80词
- 邮件格式正确
- 内容充实,语言流畅
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答案
II. 语法选择填空(10分)
1. A 2. A 3. B 4. B 5. A 6. C 7. C 8. B 9. A 10. C
III. 五选四(8分)
第一篇: 1. journalist 2. sink 3. failure 4. Afterwards
第二篇: 1. pilot 2. sort 3. gentleman 4. aloud
IV. 词形转换(8分)
1. observations 2. honesty 3. truth 4. independent 5. himself 6. anxiety 7. second 8. educational
V. 补全对话(10分)
1. I prefer reading Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
2. Do I need to read some reviews
3. Why did Twain choose the Mississippi River as the setting for his stories
4. did they
5. What is the best way to
VI-A. 匹配题(10分)
1. A 2. D 3. B 4. E 5. C
VI-B. 阅读理解选择题(12分)
1. A 2. B 3. C 4. B 5. A 6. C
VI-C. 完形填空(12分)
1. A 2. D 3. B 4. A 5. C 6. B
VI-D. 回答问题(12分)
1. Yes, he did.
2. He named it Daniel Webster.
3. In 1865.
4. In a gold mining camp in California.
5. Because the stranger fed him lead shot, which made the frog too heavy to jump.
6. (Open-ended) I think Smiley was too trusting. He should have been more careful with his prized frog. The story teaches us that being overconfident can lead to loss.
VII. 中译英(8分)
1. Mark Twain's sense of humour makes his works still very popular even today.
2. In "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," a stranger won the bet by cheating.
3. As a young journalist, Twain travelled to many places and met all sorts of people.
4. His sharp observations about life help readers see the world in a different way.
VIII. 写作(10分)
参考范文:
Dear Editor,
I am writing to share my thoughts on Mark Twain's famous short story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County."
The story is set in a gold mining camp in California. It tells the story of Jim Smiley, a man who loved to bet on everything. His most prized possession was a frog named Daniel Webster, which he had trained to jump higher than any other frog. When a stranger came to town, Smiley bet him forty dollars that his frog could win any jumping contest. While Smiley was away catching a frog for the stranger, the stranger filled Daniel Webster with lead shot. The poor frog was too heavy to jump, and Smiley lost the bet.
What I liked most about this story is Twain's wonderful sense of humour. The way he describes Smiley's confidence and the stranger's trick is both funny and clever. The story also teaches us a valuable lesson about being careful of strangers and not being too proud.
I would definitely recommend this story to anyone who enjoys humour and clever storytelling. It's a short, entertaining read that shows why Mark Twain is still loved by readers worldwide.
Yours sincerely,
Li Ming
学科网(北京)股份有限公司
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