When talking about French literature, Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) is often the first name that comes to mind for Chinese readers.

　　The master of short story-telling was brought in Normandy(诺曼底) in northwest France. In 1869, he went to study law in Pairs but one year later, aged 20, he volunteered to serve in the army during the Franco-Prussian War(普法战争).

　　Returning to Pairs in 1871，Maupassant worked as a civil servant for eight years. His rich experience offered good subject matter for his writing. And he learned a lot through spending time with other French literary masters such as Gustave Flaubert. By 1880, Maupassant had established himself in the literary world with his first short story, “Ball of Fat”.

　　Over the course of his life, he wrote 300 short stories and six novels, using sad tales of Norman peasant life, the Franco-Prussian War and the fashionable life of Pairs as his subject matter.

　　He presents his characters in a simple and objective way, describing them as unhappy victims(牺牲品) of their greed(贪婪), desire or vanity(虚荣).

　　During his final years of life, Maupassant suffered from mental illness. He died in 1893 at the age of 43.

　　13. Which of the following works made Maupassant establish himself in the literary world_______?
　　A. Pierre and Jean   B. Ball of Pat   C. The heritage     D. The Necklace

　　14. which of the following did Maupassant use as his subject matter?
　　A. sad tales of Norman peasant life
　　B. the Franco-Prussian War
　　C. the fashionable life of Pairs
　　D. all of the above

　　15. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
　　A. Maupassant died of canner at the age of 43.
　　B. Maupassant' s works based on the happy tales of Norman peasant life.
　　C. Maupassant presents his characters in a simple and subjective way.
　　D. Maupassant wrote 300 short stories and six novels in his life.

　　16. Choose the right answer according to the time order.
　　A. served in the army during the Franco-Prussian War
　　B. went to study law in Pairs
　　C. worked as a civil servant
　　D. Returned to Pairs
　　E. established himself in the literary world
　　A. a-b-c-d-e                B. b-d-e-c-a                C. b-a-d- c -e                 D. b-a-e-d-c

　　答案与详解：

　　13. B  事实细节题。根据第3段末句 Maupassant had established himself in the literary world with his first short story, “Ball of Fat” 可知答案。

　　14. D  推理判断题。根据倒数第3段 …using sad tales of Norman peasant life, the Franco-Prussian War and the fashionable life of Pairs as his subject matter 可知答案。

　　15. D  推理判断题。根据文章最后一段 During his final years of life, Maupassant suffered from mental illness. He died in 1893 at the age of 43 排除 A；根据倒数第3段中的 using sad tales of Norman peasant life 排除 B；He presents his characters in a simple and objective way 排除 C；故答案为 D。

　　16. C  推理判断题。第2段中的 he went to study law in Pairs 可知 b 在1869；根据本段中的one year later, aged 20, he volunteered to serve in the army during the Franco-Prussian War 可知 a 在1870；根据第3段首句 Returning to Pairs in 1871, Maupassant worked as a civil servant for eight years 可知 c 在 1871 且 c 在 d 后；根据第3段末句 By 1880, Maupassant had established himself in the literary world 可知 e 在 1880。按时间顺序可知答案为 C。