In the eighteen century young ladies in Italy were taught reading, writing, music and

arithmetic(算术 ). But their knowledge of history and geography(地理 ) was very poor.

Once the French ambassador (大使 ) in Rome was giving a ball (舞会 ) to which many important people were invited. The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs(外交部长 ) came very late. A young lady, who was well acquainted with him, saw him enter the ball-room(舞厅 ) and asked why he was so late.

“You see,” said the Minister, “there has been a little accident at the King’s palace.”

The curious young lady asked the Minister to tell her what had happened at the King’s palace.

“Oh, nothing important,” answered the Minister. “The ambassador of Brail (巴西 ), who was to be presented to the King, forgot to take his credentials(外交使节所递的国书 ) with him and was obliged to go back to his hotel to bring them. If he had left them in Brail we should have had to wait at least six months for them.”

“Is Brail so far from Rome ？” asked the lady, who knew very little geography.

“It is in the New World ,” said the Minister.

“In the New World ？” repeated the lady in great astonishment.

“Yes, in the New World,” answered the Minister in a sarcastic(讽刺的 ) tone, “which was discovered by Christopher Columbus(哥伦布 ).”

When the young lady heard this, she rushed into the middle of the ball-room and shouted as loud as she could:

“Ladies and gentlemen, have you heard the latest news？ A new world has just been discovered by a certain Christopher Columbus.”

6.The Italian foreign minister came to the hall very late because _______.

a. someone was hurt in the King’s palace

b.he had had something to do at home

c. he was reluctant to come to the hall

d. he was delayed by a little accident

7. What happened at the King’s palace？

a. The ambassador left his credentials in Brail.

b. The King was late; the Brazilian ambassador had to wait for him.

c. For some reason the ambassador had to go back to Brail.

d. The Brazilian ambassador forgot to take his credentials with him.

8. Where did the ambassador leave his credentials？

a. In his office

b. In Rome

c. In the hotel

d. In Brail

9. The reason why the young lady shouted her announcement was that ________.

a. she was the hostess of the ball

b. she was well acquainted with the Minister

c. she had never heard about Columbus

d. she wanted to broadcast the surprising news

10. Her announcement showed she was ____________.

a. clever

b. thoughtless

c. knowledgeable

d. Ignorant