William Butler Yeats, a most famous Irish writer, was born in Dublin on June 13,

William Butler Yeats, a mostfamous Irish writer, was born in Dublin on June 13, 1865. His childhood lackedthe harmony (和睦) that was typical of a happyfamily. Later, Yeats shocked his family by saying that he remembered “little of childhood but its pain”.In fact, he inherited (继承) excellent taste in art from hisfamily—both his father and his brother werepainters. But he finally settled on literature, particularly drama (戏剧) and poetry.

Yeats had strong faith in comingof new artistic movements. He set himself the fresh task in founding an Irishnational theatre in the late 1890s. His early theatrical experiments, however, werenot received favorably at the beginning. He didn’tlose heart, and finally enjoyed success in his poetical drama.

Compared with his dramatic works,Yeats’s poems attract much admiring notice. Thesubject matter includes love, nature, history, time and aging. Though Yeatsgenerally relied on very traditional forms, he brought modern sensibility tothem. As his literary life progressed, his poetry grew finer and richer, whichled him to worldwide recognition.

He had not enjoyed a major publiclife since winning the Nobel Price in 1923. Yet, he continued writing almost tothe end of his life. Had Yeats stopped writing at age 40, he would who probablynow be valued as a minor poet, for there is no other example in literaryhistory of a poet Auden wrote, among others, the following liners:

Earth, receive an honored guest:

William Yeats is laid to rest.

Let the Irish vessel (船) lie

Emptied of its poetry.

1. Which of the following can describe Yeats’s family?

A. It filled Yeats’s childhood with laughter.

B. It was shocked by Yeats’s choice.

C. It was a typically wealthyfamily.

D. It had an artistic atmosphere.

2. According to the passage, what do we knowabout Yeats’s life?

A. Yeats founded the first Irishtheater.

B. Yeats stuck to modern forms inhis poetry.

C. Yeats began to produce hisbest works from the 1910s.

D. Yeats was not favored by thepublic until the 1923 Noble Prize.

3.What kind of feeling is expressed in W. H. Auden’s lines?

A. Envy.                       B. Sympathy.

C. Emptiness.                   D. Admiration.

4.What is the passage mainly about?

A. Yeats’literary achievements.

B. Yeats’historical influence.

C. Yeats’artistic ambition.

D. Yeats’national honor.

试题答案

【答案】

1.D

2.C

3.D

4.A

【解析】 略