Question

Before Alaska became part of the U.S., it had been owned by Russia. Trading posts and small settlements were scattered along the coast. The rest of land was left unexplored. The Russians were mainly interested in the wealth of furs from the vast herds of seals they found there.

By the mid-1800’s, most of the seal herds had been wiped out, and Russia no longer wanted to keep Alaska. William Seward, Secretary of State for President Johnson, believed the United States should buy Alaska from Russia. President Johnson wasn’t so sure it was a wise way to spend U.S. money, but he agreed to let Seward discuss it with the Russians. Acting quickly, Seward made a deal. On March 30, 1867, he signed an agreement for the U.S. to pay seven million dollars for the land.

Many people thought it was a foolish waste of America’s money. They called the deal “Seward’s folly”. Then gold was discovered in Alaska and public opinion changed quickly.

Seward did not live to see the true value of Alaska. He died in 1872, five years after making the purchase (購買). Each year, Alaska’s natural resources(資源) have brought in many times the $7,000,000 paid for it. Natural gas, coal, oil, lumber, seafood and other minerals, besides the gold first found, have made it a valuable addition to the United States. In 1959, Alaska became the 49th state of the United States.

1.The Russians wanted to sell Alaska because ______.

A. they thought it wasn’t a good place

B. they thought it didn’t belong to Russia

C. they couldn’t find enough seals there

D. they wanted to earn more money from the U.S.

2.When Seward signed the agreement, many people thought ______.

A. it was a successful deal B. it had its true value

C. he wasted U.S. money D. he was clever

3.Which of the following things was found first in Alaska?

A. Gas. B. Coal. C. Oil. D. Gold.

4.Before 1959, the United States had ______.

A. 37 states B. 48 states C. 49 states D. 50 states

5.The best title for this passage would probably be ______.

A. Alaska, a beautiful place B. Alaska with natural resources

C. Alaska, the 49th state of the U.S. D. Alaska, home to seals

 

Answer 1

1.C

2.C

3.D

4.B

5.C

【解析】

試題分析：文章主要介紹了阿拉斯加成為美國一個州的過程。從美國人購買該州到分析黃金和各種資源都有了清楚地介紹。

1.

2.根據第三段第一句“Many people thought it was a foolish waste of America’s money. They called the deal “Seward’s folly””.說明很多人都認為購買阿拉斯加是浪費錢。故選C。

3.根據第四段中“Natural gas, coal, oil, lumber, seafood and other minerals, besides the gold first found”說明黃金是最新被發現的。故選D。

4.故選B。

5.主旨題：文章主要介紹了阿拉斯加成為美國一個州的過程。故選C。

考點：考查歷史類閱讀