(2020·天津卷·B)
“They tell me that you'd like to make a statue (塑像) of me—is that correct，Miss Vinnie Ream？”
The deep, gentle voice helped calm the nervous girl.Asking a favor of the President of the United States was no casual matter，especially for a seventeenyearold girl.
“Yes，sir，” she replied，her dark eyes meeting his.“I wouldn't have dared to ask you，but my teacher，Mr.Mills，says I am ready.I plan to make it in an admirable manner.”
President Lincoln smiled，“Painters，sculptors—they've all tried to make the best of this ordinary face，but I'm afraid there's not much hope.What did you have in mind, Miss Ream？A bust(半身像)？”
Before Vinnie could say yes，the President hurried on，a shade of apology in his voice.“Of course—I shouldn't have asked. A fulllength pose would be much too big a project for a young woman your size.”
Vinnie's face turned red.She realized she looked like a child，with her tiny figure.“Small does not mean weak，sir，” she defended herself.“I was born in the country of Wisconsin.I've driven teams of horses and carried water.Making a fulllength clay(黏土) figure would not exhaust my strength—and that is what I intend to do！”
The President's eyes，brightened at her show of spirit.“Sorry，madam，I have underestimated you as I didn't know your background.”
But his smile faded as he rubbed his beard with bony fingers，in thought.“Miss Ream，” he sighed，“I'd like to let you do it，but as you know，we are in the middle of a war.How could I possibly take the time to pose for a sculpture now？I hardly have a minute to myself.”
Vinnie glanced around and noted the size of his office.“I work quickly，” she said.Her voice was soft but confident as she pointed to the corner near the windows. “If I were to bring my clay here and work for three hours every afternoon，I could complete most of the project while you are at your desk.”
The President seemed to consider her idea seriously. He got up and shook Vinnie's hand warmly，“I've heard that you are a talented young woman，and I have found you charming and intelligent as well. I cannot make my decision immediately，but you will hear from me soon.”
The very next day，Vinnie received an invitation from the President.
【语篇解读】 本文主要讲述Vinnie给林肯总统制作全身塑像的故事。起初总统对她的请求表示怀疑，但她的能力最终得到了总统的首肯。
1．What gave Vinnie confidence to make her request of President Lincoln?
A．Her aggressive personality.
B．Mr.Mills's encouraging remark.
C．President Lincoln's gentle voice.
D．Her interest in a challenging job.
B [细节理解题。根据第三段中的“I wouldn't have dared to ask you，but my teacher，Mr.Mills，says I am ready.I plan to make it in an admirable manner.”可知，Mills先生鼓励的话给了Vinnie向林肯总统提出她的请求的信心，故B项正确。]
2．How did President Lincoln first respond to Vinnie's request?
A．Pleased. B．Thrilled.
C．Regretful. D．Doubtful.
D [推理判断题。根据第四段中的“Painters，sculptors—they've all tried to make the best of this ordinary face，but I'm afraid there's not much hope.”可推断，林肯总统起初对Vinnie的请求是怀疑的，故D项正确。]
3．Vinnie confirmed her ability to make a fulllength statue by highlighting ________.
A．her experience from other projects
B．her innocent childhood in the country
C．the heavy labor she had done before
D．the skill she picked up in Wisconsin
C [推理判断题。根据第六段中的“I've driven teams of horses and carried water.Making a fulllength clay (黏土) figure would not exhaust my strength—and that is what I intend to do！”可推断，Vinnie通过强调她以前做过的繁重的劳动来证实她制作全身塑像的能力，故C项正确。]
4．Vinnie wanted to choose the corner near the windows to ________.
A．achieve effects of natural lighting
B．keep all her tools within easy reach
C．observe the President at a right angle
D．avoid disturbing the President's work
D [推理判断题。根据第九段中的“If I were to bring my clay here and work for three hours every afternoon，I could complete most of the project while you are at your desk.”可推知，Vinnie选择靠近窗户的角落以避免打扰总统工作，故D项正确。]
5．What message does the story convey?
A．A strongwilled soul can reach his goal.
B．Experience helps to promote excellence.
C．Ups and downs make one strong.
D．Devotion requires enthusiasm.
A [推理判断题。纵观全文可知，文章主要讲述Vinnie给林肯总统制作全身塑像的故事。起初总统对她的请求表示怀疑，但她的能力最终得到了总统的首肯。由此可推断，意志坚强的人能实现目标。故A项正确。]
