英语必修5unit1Greatscientists（练习）--王兴祖Unit1Greatscientists阅读理解LewisHowardLatimerwasanAfricanAmericanscientistwhomademanyimportantscientificdiscoveries.LatimerwasborninChelsea,Massachusetts,in1848,toparentswhowereescapedslaves.Attheageof15,hejoinedtheUnionnavyduringtheCivilWar.Afterhismilitaryservicein1865,Latimerwasemployedasanofficeboyatthepatentattorneyoffice(专利代理事务所)ofCrosbyandGouldinBoston,wherehelearnedmechanicaldrawing.In1876,LatimerwashiredbyAlexanderGrahamBelltocreatethedrawingsnecessaryforapatentapplicationforBell'snewinvention,thetelephone.Latimercompletedthesedrawingsandrushedthemtothepatentoffice,wheretheyarrivedonlyafewhoursbeforethedrawingsofcompetitor.Thus,Bellsecuredthepatentforthetelephone.WhileworkingfortheUSElectricLightingCompany,Latimerandhisemployerslookedforawaytoimproveupontheincandescentlightbulb(白炽灯)thatwasbeingmarketedbyThomasEdison.Edison'slightbulbslastedonlyafewdays.Byinventingacardboardenvelopethatsurroundedthecarbonfilament(碳质灯丝)inthelightbulb,Latimerwasabletomakelightbulbslongerlastingandlessexpensive.Asaresult，manycitiessawelectricallightingasabetterandcleanerwaytolighttheirstreetsandhomes.CitieslikeNewYork,London,Montreal，andPhiladelphiasetupthiskindoflighting,andLatimerwassentouttoplanandbuildthelightingsystems.In1890,LatimerwashiredbyThomasEdisonattheEdisonElectricLightCompany.Therehemademoreimportantdiscoveriesandwroteawellknownbook.HewastheonlyAfricanAmericanmemberoftheEdisonPioneers,agroupofmenwhopracticallycreatedtheelectricindustry.Latimerinventedabathroomcompartment(车厢)fortrains,alockingrack(行李架)forhats,coatsandumbrellas,andanewimprovedbookholderforbookshelves.Hediedin1928.1．AccordingtoParagraph2,Latimer________.A．helpedBelldesignthetelephoneB．madecertainBellsecuredhispatentC．wastherealinventorofthetelephoneD．hadworkedforBell'scompetitor2．WeknowfromParagraph3thatLatimer________.A．madelightbulbsmuchsaferB．inventednewstreetlampsC．helpedEdisonwithhisinventionsD．improvedonEdison'slightbulbs3．Whatisthelastparagraphmainlyabout?A．Latimer'simportantachievementsinscience.B．HowLatimerbecameamemberofEdisonPioneers.C．ThewideinfluenceofThomasEdison.D．HowEdisonhelpedLatimerwithhiswork.4．WhichofthefollowingisTRUEaboutLatimer?A．Heworkedasanofficeboyattheageof20.B．HestartedtoworkforEdisoninhisthirties.C．Hisparentshadbeenslaves.D．Hediedattheageof90.1
