"The history of the world is but the biography（傳記） of great men，" argued Thomas Carlyle，the advocate of what has come to be known as the "Great Man Theory of History. " This theory suggests that the broader movements and outline of history all go back to the leadership of great individuals who had unique influence on their times.Whether or not Carlyle's theory proves true is debatable，but that certain individuals cast long shadows is not.
   As one who is entrusted with a leadership position，I find it profitable to read of others who have led.Wherever you find me，you'll likely find a good biography nearby.Why is this the case？First，I find good biographies fascinating.I'll occasionally read a novel，but I've never been overly drawn to fiction.I have found myself unable to sleep while in the struggle of the Battle of Britain in William Manchester's The Last Lion.For me，not to read biographies would rob me of pleasure in my life.
   Second，I find good biographies informative.A good biographer tells not only the story ofa person，but also of their times.Reading a good biography is like wandering through an intellectual shopping mall.The first store is what drew you there，but you will be pleasantly surprised along the way at what other items grab your attention.You'll find no better account of the British Empire at its peak than the opening chapters of Manchester's Visions of Glory，volume one of his The Last Lion.Strictly speaking，a biography is but a slice of history.
   Third，I find good biographies relaxing.Winston Churchill once noted a man who works with his hands should have a hobby that engages his mind，and a man who works with his mind should have a hobby that engages his hands.Another way to apply Churchill's saying is to combine technical，pen-in-hand vocational reading with leisurely biographical reading.Indeed，few things are more relaxing to me than winding down the evening and entering into another world.
   This is why I love reading good biographies，and why I pity the person who neglects them.Don't be counted among their number.

（1）What is implied in the first paragraph？

D

D

A．The author finds Carlyle's theory undebatable.
B．Carlyle believes great men alone cannot create history.
C．It is debatable whether one should read great men's biographies.
D．The author agrees that history is greatly influenced by certain men.
（2）What does the underlined phrase "other items" in the third paragraph refer to？

B

B

A．good biographies
B．stories of certain times
C．the volumes of The Last Lion
D．the chapters of the British Empire
（3）Which of the following statements is TRUE？

A

A

A．The author considers biographical reading enjoyable.
B．The author can travel to another world in the evening.
C．The author has fought many battles during his lifetime.
D．The author profits commercially by reading biographies.
（4）What is the author's main purpose in writing the article？

D

D

A．To analyze the benefits of vocational reading.
B．To introduce to readers his unique reading strategies.
C．To present great men's history through biography reading.
D．To recommend biography reading through his own experiences.