文章大意:本文是一篇记叙文。文章讲述了娱乐大亨Phineas T. Barnum的职业生涯。
Phineas T. Barnum is the best-known circus business owner of the nineteenth century. He excelled as a showman, and throughout his career in the entertainment business, he promoted many different forms of attractions.
Barnum’s first job was as a newspaper owner. He also worked as a writer and publisher. His lasting fame, however, is as a showman. Barnum considered this to be his main talent and he never changed this view of his character.
Barnum’s entertainment interests covered museums, traveling dance troupes, and even the mid-century US tour by Jenny Lind, the Swedish singer. He was, by nature, a risk-taker, and usually gained success from the most unlikely businesses.
Barnum was willing to adopt any tactic that publicized his businesses. His American Museum in New York included hoaxes and freaks (恶作剧和怪物), both human and animal. This was not unusual by the standards of the time, but even he felt the need to prove his hoaxes fair, as advertising tricks.
Barnum’s unbounded self-confidence meant he never doubted his ability to make a success of any business. He opened America’s first aquarium (水族馆) and opened a theater in New York that was the largest and most modern in the city. He aimed to change the public knowledge of theaters, and in this, he largely succeeded. He made theater-going respectable.
Determination and hard work featured majorly in the qualities that Barnum displayed, and he frequently spoke about the necessity of both. He believed success only came to those who worked for it and knew they had the self-determination necessary. He also stated the necessity of understanding the business that a person was running. Knowledge and experience counted much in Barnum’s life, and he certainly knew the entertainment business.
Success in life, according to Barnum, could only be achieved when a person is in good health. He advised that getting health y and maintaining a healthy body and mind would lead to happiness as well as success.
4. What does the underlined word “tactic” in paragraph 4 mean?
A.Policy. | B.Strategy. |
C.Advice. | D.Attitude. |
5. Why does the author mention Barnum’s success in opening the aquarium and theater?
A.To show Barnum’s firm belief in his own capacity. |
B.To tell us chances are important for any business. |
C.To explain what kind of business was successful. |
D.To indicate how bad people’s life was at that time. |
6. What did people think of theater-going in the past?
A.It was respectable. |
B.It was not highly thought of. |
C.It was a common practice. |
D.It was a way to acquire knowledge. |
7. Which of the following words can best describe Barnum and his business?
A.Eventful. | B.Adventurous. |
C.Unsteady. | D.Outstanding. |