B
Have you ever dreamed of exploring the deep sea? 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, a classic science fiction novel by French writer Jules Verne, takes readers on an amazing underwater journey.
The story begins in 1866. Some people report seeing a huge monster in the ocean. They believe it might be a kind of whale. The scientist Pierre Aronnax is invited to join a team to catch it. However, when he gets close to the "monster", he discovers it is not a whale at all. It is the Nautilus, a submarine far ahead of its time.
The submarine belongs to Captain Nemo, a mysterious man who has broken all ties with the world above. He built the Nautilus on a secret island. The ship gets its energy from the sea water, so it can run for months without
surfacing. Inside, there is a large library, a museum, and even a small organ. Nemo invites Aronnax and his companions to join him on a great trip under the sea.
During their journey, they see wonderful sights. They walk through underwater forests, explore lost cities, and watch strange sea creatures. They also face great dangers, such as attacks from giant squids and being trapped under ice. Through these adventures, Aronnax learns that Nemo is not just a cold captain. He uses treasures from the sea to help poor people on land.
In the end, Aronnax escapes and returns home. He writes a book to share his incredible adventure with the world. Verne's novel, written over 150 years ago, still excites readers today. It shows us that imagination is the first step to discovery.
(
) 4. Why do people think the Nautilus is a monster at first?
A. Because it is very large.
B. Because it looks like a whale.
C. Because it moves very fast.
D. Because it attacks ships.
(
) 5. What does the underlined word "surfacing" in paragraph 3 mean?
A. Coming up for air.
B. Moving forward quickly.
C. Changing direction suddenly.
D. Sinking to the bottom.
(
) 6. What can we learn about Captain Nemo from the passage?
A. He is cruel to his guests.
B. He likes playing the organ.
C. He helps poor people secretly.
D. He wants to destroy the world.
(
) 7. What is the writer's opinion about Verne's novel?
A. It is too old to read now.
B. It is still exciting today.
C. It is only for scientists.
D. It is better than modern books.
(
) 8. What is the best title for this passage?
A. A great French writer
B. Life on a secret island
C. An amazing undersea journey
D. How to build a submarine
