题型突破(十一) 文章结构之篇章结构题
A
(2017·盐城三模)
One of the most popular English-language novels of the 20th century is almost unknown in the English-speaking world—a global phenomenon in translation，now neglected in its original form.The Gadfly，by Irish writer Ethel Voynich，was sold over 5 million copies in 107 editions in the 22 languages spoken in the Soviet Union.The book inspired seven musical adaptations，five theatre adaptations，and five film adaptations.
Voynich’s novel is a thrilling account of revolutionary enthusiasm，religious devotion，clerical betrayal and romantic love—the philosopher Bertrand Russell called it “one of the most exciting novels I have read”．It was published in New York in 1897，two years after its completion，as its English publisher feared a negative reaction—one reviewer criticized the book’s “shocking and horrible character”．A translation appeared the following year in Russia，where the tsarist(沙皇) authorities’ disapproval only enhanced its popularity.
The Gadfly is set in Italy during the revolutionary unrest of the 1830s and 40s.The hero is a young Englishman，Arthur Burton，who moves to a Catholic seminary(神学院) after the death of his mother.There he becomes devoted to his guardian and mentor Montanelli，who，unknown to him，is also his biological father.In the company of his childhood sweetheart Gemma，Arthur becomes involved in the Young Italy movement fighting Austrian imperial rule.But he unconsciously betrays his comrades，after his private confession(忏悔) is relayed to the police.He then discovers his family secret，and loses all faith in the church.
Arthur pretends his suicide and escapes to South America，where he endures years of suffering.He returns to Italy in the guise of “The Gadfly”，a fearless and respected revolutionary whose true identity is masked.After his capture，he is visited by Montanelli，now a cardinal(红衣主教)，who offers him a lifeline.But Arthur，unforgiving and uncompromising，demands that his father reject the church.Montanelli refuses and condemns his son to death.Arthur，now a Christ-like
figure，commands his own death penalty.At the Corpus Christi mass，Montanelli dies of a broken heart.
① .The novel gained popularity initially in Ireland.Yet it was in the newly-created Communist states of the Soviet Union and China that the book found its most dedicated readership.Arthur，a Romantic tragic hero，was repeatedly voted Russia’s most popular literary figure，and astronauts Yuri Gagarin and Valentina Tereshkova，the first man and woman in space，credited its influence.
② .In the 1930s，The Gadfly inspired another bestseller.Nikolai Ostrovsky’s How the Steel Was Tempered sold 35 million copies in the Soviet Union.Ostrovsky’s socialist realist novel features a fearless young communist who suffers dreadfully for his sacrifices，but finds permanent strength in the example of The Gadfly，which he reads to his fellow comrades.Voynich’s novel was reinforced further by a 1955 film adaptation directed by Aleksandr Faintsimmer.It sold 39 million tickets.
③ .Ethel Voynich had been living unknown to the public.And due to Soviet copyright laws，she was unaware of her legendary status in Russia.In 1956，Democratic presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson visited Moscow to arrange for payment of her long-overdue royalties(版权费)．When Ethel died in 1960，she was mourned in Russia as a national hero.
④ .Arthur offers a “careful balance of emotion with steely determination”—he is a lover and a fighter，which can be seen in the “Knight-errant”(侠客) of traditional Chinese folklore.
In the UK，The Gadfly remains out of print and almost unknown，yet around the world readers and writers still revere its author，just as DH Lawrence，Rebecca West and Friedrich Engels once did.With its rich religious imagery and stirring revolutionary themes，The Gadfly has a lasting appeal for lovers of historical fiction，and deserves to be rediscovered in its original language.
语篇解读 本文主要介绍了文学巨著《牛虻》的故事情节及其巨大的影响力。
1．What does the first paragraph mainly tell us? A．The background of the novel. B．Its popularity in the Soviet Union. C．An abnormal phenomenon in translation. D．The artistic achievement of the novel. 答案 B
解析 段落大意题。根据第一段的内容可知，本段主要介绍的是这部小说在苏联广受欢迎。故选B项。
2．Why does Arthur escape to South America? A．He fails to fight Austrian imperial rule. B．He can’t tolerate his family.
C．He doesn’t succeed in committing suicide. D．He is to be punished by the police. 答案 D
解析 细节理解题。根据第三段中的“But he unconsciously betrays his comrades，after his private confession(忏悔) is relayed to the police.”可知，亚瑟在不经意间背叛了他的同伴，之后他的私人忏悔被传到了警方耳中。由此可知，他之所以逃往南美洲是因为他将要被警方惩罚。故选D项。
3．The underlined word “revere” in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to “ ”． A．salute C．imitate
B．please D．condemn
答案 A
解析 词义猜测题。根据文章最后一段可知，这部小说虽然在英国几乎无人知晓，但世界范围内的其他读者和作家却十分敬重小说的作者。本题做题的关键是要抓住表示转折的词yet。故选A项。
4．What can we know about the novel The Gadfly from the passage? A．It has been translated into 22 languages around the world. B．It is unfamiliar to the British due to its horrible characters. C．It receives a negative reaction in the English-speaking world. D．It was completed in 1899 and is one of the most popular novels. 答案 C
解析 细节理解题。根据第一段第一句可知，作为20世纪最受欢迎的英文小说之一，《牛虻》在讲英语的国家落得几乎无人问津的田地；再由第二段中的“It was published in New York in 1897...as its English publisher feared a negative reaction”可知，这部小说完成两年后才在纽约出版，因为出版商害怕出现负面的反应。由此可知，在说英语的世界里，这部小说得到的是负面的反应。故选C项。
5．What makes the novel The Gadfly have the most dedicated readers in the Soviet Union? A．Nikolai Ostrovsky’s novel. B．The fearless and respected hero. C．Musical and theatre adaptations. D．Soviet copyright laws. 答案 B
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