2012年職稱英語考試《理工類A級》閱讀判斷訓練題(3)

Fairy Tales for All the World

This year, the world is marking the 200m anniversary of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen with a wide range of events.

Andersen's tales have attracted millions of readers for more than a century. They continue to be among the best-known works of world literature. "The Ugly Duckling （小鴨）" and "The Little Mermaid （美人魚）" are among the most famous.

He was born on April 2, 1805, in the slums of Odense, Denmark. His father was a shoemaker and his mother worked as a washer-woman. Andersen received very little education, but his fascination with fairy tales inspired him to compose his own stories and arrange puppet （木偶） shows.

His father died when he was 11. He was forced to go to work, first as an apprentice to a weaver and tailor and then in a tobacco factory. At the age of 14, he moved to Copenhagen to try a career as a singer, dancer and actor. He sang in a boy's choir（合唱團）, but he made very little money. He also tried the ballet, but his awkwardness made this impossible.

Finally, when he was 17, Jonas Collin, a director of the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen discovered Andersen. After hearing Andersen read a play, Collin realized that he had talent. And he got money from the king for Andersen's education.

In 1828, Andersen passed the entrance examinations to the university in Copenhagen. His writings were first published in 1829. In 1833, he received grant money for travel, which he used to visit Germany, France, Switzerland, and Italy. These journeys were recorded in his travelogues（旅行見聞）. In 1835, Andersen published "Fairy Tales for Children," which contained four short stories. He eventually wrote around 168 fairy tales. They achieved success in his life-time and were widely published and translated.

Unhappiness also found its way into many of his tales which were not meant merely for children but for adults as well. He used very simple language and style to disguise the moral teachings of his tales.

Andersen also wrote novels, plays and poems. He died at his home in Rolighed on August 4, 1875.

16 Andersen died on April 4, 1875.

A Right B Wrong C Not mentioned

17 Chinese children are particularly fond of Andersen's tales.

A Right B Wrong C Not mentioned

18 Andersen was not a good ballet dancer.

A Right B Wrong C Not mentioned

19 Collin managed to get money for Andersen to receive more education.

A Right B Wrong C Not mentioned

20 Andersen's fairy tales didn't achieve success until after he died.

A Right B Wrong C Not mentioned

21 Andersen's tales not only tell stories but also teach moral lessons.

A Right B Wrong C Not mentioned

22 Andersen's novels, plays and poems are not well-known.

A Right B Wrong C Not mentioned

參考答案：16. B 17. C 18. A 19. A 20. B 21. A 22. C