★四、阅读理解

　　Thomas Alva Edison was awarded more patents on inventions than any other American. When he died in 1931, Americans wondered how they could best show their respect for him. One suggestion was that the nation observe a minute or two of total blackout. All electric power would be shut off in homes, streets and factories. Perhaps this suggested plan made Americans realize fully what Edison and his inventions meant to them. Electric power was too important to the country. Shutting it off for even a short time would have led to complete confusion. A blackout was out of the question.

　　On the day of Edison's funeral, many people silently dimmed their lights to honour the man who had done more than anyone else to put the great force of electricity at his countrymen's fingertips.

1This passage says that Thomas Edison .

A. was the only important American inventor

B. received the first American patent

C. received more patents than any other American

D. was the first American inventor

答案C

解析细节理解题。由文章第一句话可以得出答案。

2People decided to honour Edison when .

A. he made the first electric light

B. electric power was 100 years

C. the country realized the importance of electricity

D. he died in 1931

答案D

解析细节理解题。根据第一段第二句可知, 爱迪生于1931年去世, 当时人们决定要以某种方式来纪念他。

3The suggested plan was to .

A. turn off the lights in factories and schools

B. observe a few minutes of total silence

C. dim all electric lights

D. shut off all electricity in homes, streets and factories for a short time

答案D

解析推理判断题。根据第一段第三、四句话可推出答案。