江西省信丰六中2014—2015学年高二下学期中考试 英语
第二部分 阅读理解（共两节，满分40分）
第一节 (共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分)
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A,B,C,D）中，选出最佳选项。
A
Why was Bastille important to the citizens of Paris? The building of the Bastille had been started in 1370 under Charles V. By the seventeenth century, it had stopped to be important for defense. Cardinal Richelieu turned it into a prison. It was not an ordinary prison to punish common crimes. Its huge doors closed only on enemies of the King. The Bastille's workings were secret. Prisoners were taken to it in closed vehicles. Soldiers on guard duty had to stand with their faces to the wall. No talking was allowed. Worst of all, a prisoner never knew if he would be there a day, a week, a year, or forever. Only the King's letter could set him free.
Over the years, the number of arrests by King's letter had become fewer. By the time of its fall, most of the prisoners were writers who had written against the corruptions(贪污腐败) of the government. Voltaire, the famous French writer, spent a year there in 1717-1718, and another 12 days in 1726.
For those who believed in free speech and free thinking, the Bastille stood for everything evil. The day it was captured, only seven prisoners were found inside. Still, the Bastille was hated by the people. It was a symbol of the King's complete power.
21. The Bastille had been a prison ______.
A. since the time of Charles V B. since 1370
C. since the time of Cardinal Richelieu D. before the seventeenth century
22. According to the passage, which of the following statements is FALSE?
A. Voltaire was twice put in the Bastille.
B. The Bastille was only for those who were opposed to the King.
C. Things done in the Bastille were hardly known to people outside.
D. Anyone who did something wrong could find himself suddenly in the Bastille.
23. At the time of its fall, the Bastille housed ______.
A. only a few prisoners
B. a lot of writers who had been against the government
C. a large number of prisoners
D. some dozens of people who believed in free speech and free thinking
