三、阅读理解
William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and dramatist and one of the most important figures of 20th - century literature. He was born in Dublin on June 13,1865. His childhood didn't have the peace that a happy family had. Later,Yeats surprised his family by saying that he remembered “little of childhood but its pain”. In fact,he was born with excellent taste in art — both his father and his brother were painters. But he finally chose to work on literature,especially drama and poetry.
Yeats had strongly believed in the coming of new artistic movements. He set himself the fresh task in setting up an Irish national theatre in the late 1890s. His early theatrical experiments,however,were not well received in the beginning. He didn't lose heart,and finally enjoyed success in his poetical drama.
Compared(对比)with his dramatic works,Yeats' poems get much admiring notice. The subjects include love,nature,history,time and aging. Yeats always liked to bring modern feelings to his poems. As his literary(文学的)life progressed,his poetry grew finer and richer,which led him to the praise of the whole world. Till today,his works are still being widely read and studied. They are among the greatest achievements in English literature.
Yeats is considered one of the few writers whose greatest works were completed after being awarded the Nobel Prize,which he won in 1923. He continued writing almost to the end of his life,producing his greatest works between the ages of 50 and 75. If Yeats stopped writing at age 40,he would probably now be valued as a *minor* poet. There is no other example in literary history of a poet who produces their greatest works between these ages. Such works include *The Tower*(1928)and *The Winding Stair and Other Poems*(1929). His late works show his deep insight(洞悉)into life and art.
After suffering from a number of illnesses for several years,Yeats died in Menton,1939. The last poem he wrote was *The Black Tower*. After Yeats' death,W. H. Auden wrote,among others,the following lines：
*Earth,receive an honoured guest*：
*William Yeats is laid to rest*.
*Let the Irish vessel(船)lie*
*Emptied of its poetry*.
() 1. What can you learn about Yeats' family according to Paragraph 1?
A. It was a happy family.
B. It was surprised by Yeats' choice.
C. It was a wealthy family.
D. It had an artistic background.
() 2. What does the underlined word “minor” probably mean?
A. With a great talent.
B. Without much influence.
C. Different from others.
D. Producing many works.
() 3. What kind of feeling is expressed in W. H. Auden's lines?
A. Happiness.
B. Anger.
C. Doubt.
D. Admiration.
() 4. What is the passage mainly about?
A. Yeats' literary achievements.
B. Yeats' historical influence.
C. Yeats' life experiences.
D. Yeats' national popularity.