浙江省宁波市2018届高三上学期期末考试英语试题

D. Experiencing diverse cultures.

B

From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books. Pleased with the Pilgrim’s Progress, my first collection was of John Bunyan’s works, in separate little volumes. I afterwards sold them to enable me to buy R. Burton’s Historical Collections; they were small chapmen’s books and cheap, 40 or 50 in all. My father’s little library consisted chiefly of books in religion, most of which I read, and have since often regretted that, at a time when I had such a thirst for knowledge; more proper books had not fallen in my way, since I realized that I should not be a clergyman（牧师）. Plutarch’s Lives there was, in which I read abundantly, and I still think that time spent to great advantage. There was also a book of Defoe’s, called An Essay on Projects, and another of Dr. Mather’s called Essays to Do Good which perhaps gave me a turn of thinking that had an influence on some of the principal future events of my life.

This bookish preference at length determined my father to make me a printer, though he had already one son (James) of that profession. In 1717, my brother James returned from England with a press and letters to set up his business in Boston. I liked it much better than that of my father, but still have a thirst for the sea. To prevent the concerned effect of such a desire, my father was impatient to have me bound to my brother. I stood out some time but at last was persuaded, and signed the contract, when I was yet but 12 years old.. I was to serve as an apprentice（学徒）till I was 2l years of age, only I was to be allowed journeyman’s wages during the last year. In a little time I made great proficiency in the business, and became a useful hand to my brother..

I now had access to better books. An acquaintance with the apprentices of booksellers, enabled me sometimes to borrow a small one, which I was careful to return soon and clean. Often I sat up in my room reading the greatest part of the night, when the book was borrowed in the evening and to be returned early in the morning, in case it should be missed or wanted. And after some time an imaginative tradesman Mr. Matthew Adams who had a pretty collection of books and who visited our printing house frequently took notice of me, invited me to his library, and very kindly lent me such books as I choose to read.--From Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin 24. Which of the following does NOT contribute to the author’s change of thought? A. Pilgrim’s Progress

B. Plutarch’s Lives D. Essays to Do Good

C. An Essay on Projects