A
Benjamin West，the father of American painting，showed his talent for art when he was only six years of age.But he did not know about brushes before a visitor told him he needed one.In those days，a brush was made from camel's hair.There were no camels nearby.Benjamin decided that cat hair would work instead.He cut some fur from the family cat to make a brush.
The brush did not last long.Soon Benjamin needed more fur.Before long，the cat began to look ragged (蓬乱)．His father said that the cat must be sick.Benjamin was forced to admit what he had been doing.
The_cat's_lot_was_about_to_improve.That year，one of Benjamin's cousins，Mr Pennington，came to visit.He was impressed with Benjamin's drawings.When he went home，he sent Benjamin a box of paint and some brushes.He also sent six engravings (版画) by an artist.These were the first pictures and first real paint and brushes Benjamin had ever seen.
In 1747，when Benjamin was nine years old，Mr Pennington returned for another visit.He was amazed at what Benjamin had done with his gift.He asked Benjamin's parents if he might take the boy back to Philadelphia for a visit.
In the city，Mr Pennington gave Benjamin materials for creating oil paintings.The boy began a landscape painting.William Williams，a wellknown painter，came to see his work.Williams was impressed with Benjamin and gave him two classic books on painting to take home.The books were long and dull.Benjamin could read only a little，having been a poor student.But he later said，“Those two books were my companions by day，and under my pillow at night.” While it is likely that he understood very little of the books，they were his introduction to classical paintings.The nineyearold boy decided then that he would be an artist.
语篇解读：本文是一篇记叙文。文章主要介绍了本杰明·韦斯特在幼年时对绘画的热爱以及他的绘画启蒙之路。
1．What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 3 suggest?
A．The cat would be closely watched.
B．The cat would get some medical care.
C．Benjamin would leave his home shortly.
D．Benjamin would have real brushes soon.
解析：选D 句意猜测题。画线句是第三段的段首，其作用应是引出本段的内容。由上文可知，本杰明没有画刷就从猫身上割毛制作画刷。根据画线句后面的内容可知，本杰明的表兄送给他画刷和颜料。故画线句子的意思应该是与本杰明需要画刷有关，因此D项正确。
2．What did Pennington do to help Benjamin develop his talent?
A．He took him to see painting exhibitions.
B．He provided him with painting materials.
C．He sent him to a school in Philadelphia.
D．He taught him how to make engravings.
解析：选B 细节理解题。根据第三段中的“he sent Benjamin a box of paint and some brushes”以及最后一段中的“In the city，Mr Pennington gave Benjamin materials for creating oil paintings.”可知，表兄给本杰明提供了画刷等绘画材料来帮助他学习绘画，故B项正确。
3．Williams' two books helped Benjamin to ________.
A．master the use of paints
B．appreciate landscape paintings
C．get to know other painters
D．make up his mind to be a painter
解析：选D 细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“...they were his introduction to classical paintings.The nineyearold boy decided then that he would be an artist.”可知，这两本书对他的影响更多的是在精神方面，而不是知识方面，这两本书坚定了他的梦想，引导着这个九岁的男孩走上了绘画的道路。故D项正确。
4．What is the text mainly about?
A．Benjamin's visit to Philadelphia.
B．Williams' influence on Benjamin.
C．The beginning of Benjamin's life as an artist.
D．The friendship between Benjamin and Pennington.
解析：选C 主旨大意题。本文介绍了本杰明·韦斯特在六岁到九岁时对绘画的热爱，他所面临的问题以及大艺术家威廉·威廉姆斯对他的影响及帮助，引导着他走上了艺术家的道路。故C项正确。
