France fell. The Germans fought their way through Western Europe. It looked as if Britain was about to lose the war. Was it not possible to ask for peace, and listen to Hitler?

Churchill spoke, "I have nothing to offer but blood, hard work, tears and sweat(汗)....You ask what is our policy(政策)? I will tell you, it is to fight, by sea, by land and air, with all our force and with all the strength that God can give us. You ask what is our aim? I can answer in one word: victory."

The Germans began moving their armies to the French coast and prepared to go to war with the British. The British had not enough guns to go round. Churchill gave the answer: "We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the coasts, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the field and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills, we shall never give up."

　 By his courage and hard work Churchill heartened his people and other nations fighting together against Hitler. Victory finally came when the Germans lost World War II.

Churchill died in 1965 and was given a State Funeral(国葬). This was a fitting payment to one of all the greatest men the world had ever seen.

24. Churchill ______ before he became a politician.

A. was a slow student

B. was an army man

C. helped his father in his career(职业；生涯)

D. had little interest in politics

24. The Germans attacked Britain ________.

A. after France was defeated

B. before French fell

C. soon after Poland was attacked

D. before Churchill became the Prime Minister

25. The underlined word "heartened" probably means ________ in this passage.

A. surprised B. encouraged C. asked for D. called for

26. Which of the following is NOT true?