Questions 18 to 20 are based on the following passage.

Alaska, which was called Russian America before it was sold to the U. S. of America, joined the Union as the 49th state in 1959. Alaska is now the largest of all the 50 states. A wide open frontier of dense lowland forests, midrange frozen tundra, and the towering peaks and glaciers of its many mountain ranges，are the elements which combine to make Alaska one of America's harshest and most foreboding states. (18) It was in 1867 that President A. Johnson's Secretary of State > Seward bought Alaska from the Russians at a cost of $7.2 million. (19) The buying of the huge northern land mass seemed at first something foolishly done. Not only was Alaska difficult to reach, but it was also hard to live in，and appeared to have no importance in the time of war. Besides, there are volcanoes there as Alaska lies on the Pacific “ring of fire”. In Alaska large treeless areas are covered with snow all year round. For these reasons (19) the buying of Alaska was called “Seward’s Folly” at the time. However, in 1896 gold was found in Alaska, and people poured into the land quickly. Since then other important natural resources were discovered, including oil. Soon people changed their thinking about “Seward’s Folly”. (20) But most people visit Alaska in order to see the endless beauty of nature that the northern land discloses to them. For instance, there are about 11，000 islands in Alaska. And in a certain area of Alaska the sun does not set for 82 days every year.

 

题目

Passage 7

Questions 18 to 20 are based on the following passage. At the end of the passage，you will be given IS seconds to answer the questions ?

Now，listen to the passage.

18. When did the U.S.A. buy Alaska from the Russians?

A. In 1869. B. In 1959. C. In 1867. D, In 1872.

19. What did people think of the buying of Alaska at first?

A. Seward’s Folly.

C. Johnson’s Folly.

20. Why do tourists go to Alaska?

A. To enjoy its freezing weather.

C. To study its volcanoes.

B. Alaska’s Folly.

D. President’s Folly.

B. To study its importance in war.

D. To enjoy its beauty of nature.

 

答案解析

Passage 7

18.  C细节题。文中明确提到，在1867年，约翰逊总统的国务卿Seward以7.2 million (720万）美元的价格买下了 Alaska。

19. A细节题。文中明确提到，起初买下阿拉斯加这件事情似乎是something foolishly done，并被人们称为“Seward’s Folly”（苏厄德的荒唐事）。

20. D细节题。文章结尾处提到，大部分游览阿拉斯加的人来这里都是为了 see the. . . beauty of nature that the northern land discloses to them(欣赏北部地区展现 给他们的自然美景）。