D
Since it was first published in 1843,the novella(短篇故事)*A Christmas Carol* by Charles Dickens has been loved by millions of people,and perhaps has encouraged them to love more and give more. Dickens is known as the best writer of the Victorian times writing on social problems,such as poverty(贫穷),child labour(童工)and city development.
Charles Dickens was no stranger to poverty. His father had been thrown in prison for debt(债务)in 1824 and he had been removed from school and put to work as the second oldest child of eight children. Only 12 years old,he spent his time putting labels(标签)on pots in a factory. ①
How lonely and worthless he felt there! All his hopes and dreams of making something of his life were ended. It seemed not an adult in the world cared for his hopes or his abilities,not even his own parents. He wondered "how he could be so easily thrown away at such a young age". ②
Dickens' father was set free from prison after a year,and Dickens was put back into school for three years until he had to leave again to work as an office boy. Finally,he started writing stories for the papers. With money coming in and then children,Charles had taken a mortgage(抵押贷款)on a big house. His next novel was not so well received and his future payments were cut. Charles needed to make money and he needed to make it fast. Criticism(批评)of his new novel hurt his confidence；it is not easy to write when you are down. He needed new ideas and inspiration(灵感),but he was running out of time. ③
As he walked the streets after dark,through what he called the "black streets" of London,he again saw the poor,who had little food or warmth in the cold weather,and the closed-up houses,like the doors of the hearts of many who do not want to love and give. ④
He happened to find the idea of *A Christmas Carol* that could show this and warm the hearts of the poor and open the hearts of the selfish(自私的). He needed to write fast and that is probably why we only have a novella,but a novella was enough to share his story. He filled the story with characters and scenes which he had already written about in his other stories. Scrooge,the main character,is a selfish man who hates Christmas — the time of giving. His late business partner,also a greedy(贪婪的)man,comes back from the dead as a ghost to warn Scrooge. You will need to read the story yourself to see how Scrooge finally changes his ways.
The plan to save himself financially(经济上)also saved Dickens emotionally(情感上). As he wrote about Christmas and the wonderful time of gift giving,family gathering,carol singing and food sharing,his own heart was cheered and he remembered those things that really mattered to him. He loved writing the book and produced a special story,which is still loved around the world. New inspiration and fresh confidence set Dickens on a new path to success.
(
B
)11. Where should the sentence "It was the loneliest time of his life." be put in the passage?
A. ① B. ② C. ③ D. ④
(
C
)12. What can be inferred about *A Christmas Carol* from the passage?
A. Dickens got his inspiration by visiting the poor people on the "black streets".
B. It is impossible for the readers to know the characters before reading the book.
C. Scrooge becomes a generous and kind man in the end.
D. The book is only written to criticize the selfishness of the rich.
(
B
)13. Why is *A Christmas Carol* such an important work according to the last paragraph?
A. It is very popular among readers.
B. It serves as a turning point in Dickens' writing career.
C. It helped Dickens make a lot of money.
D. Its theme is about a wonderful time full of love and giving.
(
D
)14. What is the purpose of this passage?
A. To show the greatness of Charles Dickens.
B. To recommend some great works of Charles Dickens.
C. To present how poor Dickens' life was.
D. To introduce the book *A Christmas Carol*.
