A
(2020·威海市高考模拟)
America's first transcontinental railroad，completed 150 years ago today at Promontory Summit in Utah，connected the vast United States and brought America into the modern age.Chinese immigrants contributed greatly to this notable achievement，but the historical accounts that followed often ignored their role.
Between 1863 and 1869，as many as 20，000 Chinese workers helped build the dangerous western part of the railroad，a winding ribbon of track known as the Central Pacific Railroad.At first，the Central Pacific Railroad's directors wanted a whitesonly workforce.When not enough white men signed up，the railroad began hiring Chinese men for the backbreaking labor.Company leaders were skeptical of the new recruits' ability to do the work，but they proved themselves not only capable but even superior to the other workers.
Chinese workers cut through dense forests，filled deep narrow steepsided valleys，constructed long trestles(高架桥) and built enormous retaining walls(挡土墙)—some of which remain complete and undamaged today.All work was done by hand using carts，shovels and picks but no machinery.However，progress came at great cost：an estimated 1，200 Chinese laborers died along the Central Pacific Railroad.
Despite these facts，Chinese workers were often left out of the official story because of their identity of foreigners.On the transcontinental railroad's 100th birthday，the Chinese workers were still not honored.It was another fifty years later that their role was gradually highlighted.To celebrate the railroad's 150th anniversary in 2019，the California state assembly passed a resolution in 2017 to recognize and honor the Chinese railroad workers by designating May 10，2017，and every May 10 thereafter，as California Chinese Railroad Workers Memorial Day.
语篇解读 本文是一篇说明文。中国移民对美国太平洋铁路的建设作出了重大贡献，但随后的历史记录往往忽视了他们的功劳。加州议会在2017年通过了一项决议来承认和尊重中国铁路工人所作的贡献。
1．What might be the best title for the text?
A．The Birth of the Central Pacific Railroad Cost Dearly
B．May 10—A Special Day for Chinese Immigrants
C．Chinese Workers' Contributions Gained Recognition
D．The 150th Anniversary of the Central Pacific Railroad
C [考查标题判断。通读全文可知，文章主要讲述了中国工人在美国太平洋铁路建设中所作的贡献，在2017年5月10日，中国铁路工人的劳动得到承认和尊重。故C项能概括文章主旨，适合用作标题。]
2．What does “ they” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A．Chinese laborers. B．White workers.
C．Company leaders. D．Railroad directors.
A [ 考查代词指代。根据上文“Company leaders were skeptical of the new recruits' ability to do the work”中的“new recruits”以及上文中的“the railroad began hiring Chinese men”可知，they指代new recruits，也就是中国劳工，故选A。]
3．Why does the author make such detailed descriptions in Paragraph 3?
A．To prove Chinese workers' superior skills.
B．To stress the danger and difficulty of the work.
C．To describe the grand scenery along the railroad.
D.To show notable achievements made by Chinese workers.
B [ 考查推理判断。第三段前半部分是对中国工人工作的描述：在茂密的森林中开出一条路，填充了陡峭的峡谷，建造了长长的高架桥和巨大的挡土墙，所有的工作都是通过手推车、铲子和镐手工完成的，没有机械设备，再结合最后一句中的“an estimated 1，200 Chinese laborers died along the Central Pacific Railroad”可知，这一系列详细描述是为了强调工作的危险和艰难。]
4．What does the text intend to tell us?
A．None so blind as those who won't see.
B．No pains，no gains.
C．Truth will come to light sooner or later.
D．Doing is better than saying.
C [ 考查推理判断。综合全文可知，文章主要讲述了中国劳工的贡献在很多年以后终于被认可。None so blind as those who won't see意为“最瞎莫如视而不见”；No pains，no gains意为“一分耕耘，一分收获”；Truth will come to light sooner or later意为“真相早晚会大白于世”；Doing is better than saying意为“行胜于言”。故C项与文章主旨一致。]
