A
The top four novels of 2018 are based on Christmas selections in national newspapers---the London Standard, the TLS, he Spectator and the New Statesman.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Sally Rooney’s first novel, Conversations with Friends, was one of last year’s most talked-about books, response to the Irish writer's follow-up has, if anything, been even more excited. The 27-year-old was praised for her ability to convey subtle adjustment of emotion. The novel was long listed for the Man Booker Prize—but many felt that it should have done better.
Vietnam by Max Hastings
This long-awaited historical novel is a real hit which follows the Vietnam War over three decades. Hastings, who reported from the battlefield in Vietnam as a journalist in his thirties, was praised for his profound knowledge of the conflict.
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
Pat Barker’s novel is a retelling of The lliad—but with women at the heart of the action. The central character is Briseis. Best-known for her First World War Set Regeneration Trilogy (1997), Barker, in her fifties, again focuses on the harmful effects of war.
A Certain Idea of France by Julian Jackson
This biography by British historian Julian Jackson born in 1954 records the life of Charles de Gaulle who is regarded as one of the greatest ever Frenchmen. While acknowledging that Charles de Gaulle wasn’t very likeable, Jackson respects his imagination and boldness---qualities that helped him lead France through its liberation from the Nazis and the war in Algeria. Critics suggested it would become the standard biography.
21. What is the author's purpose in writing the text?
A. To persuade people to buy the four novels.
B. To record the life experiences of the four great novelists.
C. To introduce the yearly top four novels.
D. To stress the importance of the four novelists.
22. Which author is the youngest according to the text?
A. Sally Rooney B. Max Hastings C. Pat Barker D. Julian Jackson
23. Which book may appeal to people interested in a political leader’s life?
A. Normal People B. A Certain Idea of France
C. The Silence of the Girls D. Vietnam
【答案】21. C 22. A 23. B
【解析】
本文属于说明文，介绍四本年度最受欢迎小说及其简要内容特点。
【21题详解】
推理判断题。根据文章第一段第一句“The critics’ top four books of 2018 are based on Christmas selections in national newspapers”以及文章内容介绍了四本受欢迎小说可以判断，作者这篇文章的目的是为了介绍四部年度小说，故选C。
【22题详解】
判断推理题。对比文章四位作者可知Sally Rooney27岁；第三段最后一句“Hastings, who reported from the battlefield in Vietnam as a young British journalist, was praised for his encyclopedic knowledge of the conflict.”可知Max Hastings年轻时曾在越南战场做过报道，可推测他的年龄比Sally Rooney大；第四段第二句“Barker, in her fifties, again focuses on the traumas of war.”可知Pat Barker已经五十岁了；Julian Jackson出生在1954年；对比这些信息我们可知Sally Rooney在四位书作者中应当是最年轻，因此选A。
【23题详解】
细节理解题。根据最后一段第一句“This door-stopping biography by British historian Julian Jackson — born in 1954 chronicles the life of Charles de Gaulle who is regarded as one of the greatest ever Frenchmen.”可知这是一本关于法国著名政治家戴高乐的生平传记，因此人们如果对政客的生活感兴趣，可以选择，故选B。
