文章大意:本文为一篇记叙文。主要介绍了诺贝尔一生发明了无数的爆炸物品,但是却因此而受到了人们的诟病,为了提升自己的公众形象,将自己一生大部分的财产捐献了出去,成立基金奖励在各行业做出突出贡献的人。
The Nobel Prize is considered as one of the most recognizable and admirable awards possible, honoring people of the world for their outstanding achievements in different fields.
Alfred Nobel was born in 1833 to a family of engineers in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1850, he met Ascanio Sobrero, the inventor of nitroglycerin (硝酸甘油) in Paris. Interested in its unpredictable nature of exploding under pressure or heat, Nobel started to find a way to control it and make a usable explosive. After years of efforts, in 1867, Nobel invented dynamite, which is much easier and safer to control than nitroglycerin.
During his lifetime, Nobel invented and patented various explosives. He built up his wealth from his 355 inventions, from which dynamite was the most important.
When Alfred’s brother Ludwig died in 1888, a French newspaper mistakenly published Alfred’s obituary (讣告). Reading his own obituary, Nobel was disappointed to find out his public image. The newspaper strongly blamed Nobel for inventing dynamite, giving him the nickname of “the merchant of death” and saying “Dr. Alfred Nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday.”
To Alfred, this obituary was a warning. He spent his lifetime alone inventing things and was deeply concerned with how he would be remembered. This unfortunate event inspired him to make changes in his will, so as to improve his public image, and to be remembered for a good cause. In 1895, one year before his death, Nobel made the last will, saying clearly that his wealth would be used to create a series of prizes for those who have made great contributions to mankind in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace. To widespread astonishment, Dr. Alfred Nobel gave away 94% of his total wealth to found the five Nobel Prizes.
8. What led to Nobel’s invention of dynamite according to Paragraph 2?
A.The strong desire to make money. | B.His great curiosity and devotion to science. |
C.His lifetime dream of achieving success. | D.The valuable help from his family. |
9. When did Nobel invent dynamite?
10. What was Alfred Nobel’s attitude towards the newspaper’s obituary?
A.Optimistic. | B.Satisfied. | C.Upset. | D.Supportive. |
11. Why did Nobel give away most of his wealth to set up the Nobel Foundation?
A.To be remembered as “the merchant of death”. | B.To prove the importance of his inventions. |
C.To publish his findings of scientific research. | D.To leave a good name to the public. |