《2025年启东中学作业本九年级英语上册译林版徐州专版》

五、阅读理解。(2024·江苏宿迁宿城区二模)
Modesty is a valuable quality in many cultures around the world. In China, this is no different. However, the phrase “Mao Sui Zi Jian” seems to disagree with this.
During the Warring States Period, the Qin army marched(进军) on Handan, the capital of Zhao. Seeing that Handan was in danger, Prince Pingyuan asked for help from the state of Chu. He wanted to pick 20 talented people to go with him. However, he could only find 19 people who were good enough. Then, a man named Mao Sui volunteered.
Prince Pingyuan looked at Mao Sui with doubt. “How long have you been here with me?” “Three years,” Mao Sui answered. “I hear that a person with talent is like an awl in a cloth bag. Its sharp point will soon pierce through the bag. You've been here for a long time, but I haven't seen any of your achievements. Maybe you don't have any talent,” said Prince Pingyuan.
“What I'm asking you now is to put me into that bag. If you do that, I will pierce through it. But not only the point—the whole bag,” Mao Sui said confidently.
Impressed, Prince Pingyuan allowed Mao to join his team, and it proved that Mao was very helpful. Now the phrase “Mao Sui recommending himself” is used to describe someone who volunteers to do a task.
However, there is a fine line between self - confidence and arrogance(傲慢). It's important to believe in yourself, but a strong ego(自我) can harm your career and professional relationships. So we recommend letting your work speak for itself.
(C)1. Where did Mao Sui come from?
A. Qin.
B. Chu.
C. Zhao.
D. We don't know.
(A)2. What does the underlined phrase “pierce through” mean?
A. Cut or make a way through.
B. Be on both sides of.
C. Be made up of.
D. Make a slight shake.
(B)3. What is the phrase “Mao Sui recommending himself” used to describe now?
A. Feeling powerful.
B. Volunteering for a task.
C. Being honest enough.
D. Showing modesty.
(B)4. What can we learn from the passage?
A. Talented people have no chances.
B. We should believe in ourselves.
C. Modesty isn't a valuable quality.
D. A strong ego can do good to our career.

答案： 1. C
 【点拨】根据第二段内容可知，秦军进军赵国的都城邯郸，赵国平原君向楚国求助，他想挑选 20 个有才华的人和他一起去，此时毛遂自告奋勇推荐自己，故可推断，毛遂为赵国人。故选 C。
2. A
 【点拨】根据画线短语所在句子可知，此处是说有才华的人就像布袋里的锥子，它的尖头很快就会刺穿袋子，pierce through 意为“刺穿”。故选 A。
3. B
 【点拨】根据第五段可知现在，“毛遂自荐”这个成语被用来形容自愿做某项工作。故选 B。
4. B
 【点拨】根据文章内容可知，相信自己很重要，但是强烈的自我意识也会对事业不利。故选 B。