(2019·湖南雅礼中学、河南实验中学联考)A Song of Ice and Fire is a sevenpart series of fantasy written for adults. George R. R. Martin writes each chapter from the perspective of a specific character, providing a limited point of view for each section. The reader is able to understand the inner workings of the individual, but the reader is barred from a whole understanding of the text. The world he has created has magic, but there is much more than that. While magic exists, it exists on the edge, and the inner unrest of the characters is much more important.
His work also has a level of realness that is astonishing in a work of fantasy. Characters are imperfect, and many make questionable moral choices. In the end, however, Martin shows that both good and bad happen to both the people of high moral standard and the corrupt. He has made it clear that any character can die at any point, which has led to a lot of heartbreak from readers.
In 2011, A Song of Ice and Fire became a television series titled Game of Thrones. Martin has been closely involved with the production. It has currently run for seven seasons, and viewers anxiously await the eighth season to answer their questions from the season seven finale.
His fans are also waiting for The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring, the next books in the series, to answer the questions Martin and the television show have not yet addressed. Martin, however, has no plans to rush. He has made it clear that he will continue to write the books while working on the television show and writing other novels.
But how will the story continue? What is going to happen in Westeros, and more importantly: when are we going to find out? Martin’s skill as a writer has kept readers and viewers spellbound. Many hope he will finish the next book before the next season of the show begins, but no one knows with Martin. He always keeps his readers guessing.
【解题导语】 本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了George R. R. Martin的《冰与火之歌》的创作风格与写作手法，该书被拍成电视剧后，备受观众追捧；此外，马丁还将要写该系列的另外两本书《凛冬的寒风》和《春晓之梦》，这被观众翘首以待。
1．One of the characteristics of A Song of Ice and Fire is ．
A．each chapter is written from a limited point of view
B．magic is the center of the story
C．Martin has made imperfect characters die at any point
D．many characters make astonishing choices
A 解析：细节理解题。根据第一段中的“George R. R. Martin writes each chapter from the perspective of a specific character, providing a limited point of view for each section.”可知，马丁从某个特定人物的视角来写每个章节，为每一部分提供有限的视角。故A项正确。
2．What is George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire considered to be?
A．One of his masterworks of fantasy.
B．An unsuccessful screen adaptation.
C．An artistic creation for the TV.
D．One of the best TV programmes.
A 解析：推理判断。由文章的第三段可知，《冰与火之歌》被改编成了电视剧，目前已经有七季。观众们正在焦急地等待第八季的上映。由此可知，George R. R. Martin的《冰与火之歌》很受人们欢迎。故可推知，该作品是马丁的经典之作。故A项正确。
3．What does the underlined word “addressed” in the fourth paragraph mean?
A．Written. B．Spoken.
C．Solved. D．Directed.
C 解析：词义猜测题。根据第四段第一句可知，粉丝们正在等着该小说系列里的《凛冬的寒风》和《春晓之梦》两本书来解答马丁和已播电视剧中未解决的疑问。因此，address的意思是 “解决”。由此可知C项正确。
4．How will the ending of the story be?
A．Interesting. B．Confusing.
C．Novel. D．Unknown.
D 解析：推理判断题。根据最后一段中的“He always keeps his readers guessing.”可知，这个故事的结尾将是未知的。故D项正确。
