Section B Passage One Questions 52 to 56 are based on the following passage.
A gripping, fast-paced tale of adventure, The Call of the Wild focuses on Buck, a sheepdog stolen from a California farm and transported to the arctic. Buck’s struggle to survive on the arctic trail demonstrates the uncertain nature of life in the wild. Although it is an engaging animal story, the reader cannot help but draw parallels between Buck’s experience and that of humans. The book suggests that environment shapes character, and emphasizes that primitive character—often hidden beneath a layer of civilization—is never lost to the individual. Providing a fascinating glimpse of a way of life that has almost disappeared, the novel suggests that creatures survive best when they adapt to the natural world, rather than trying to impose changes on their environment. 来源：www.examda.com The story begins in 1897, at the start of the Gold Rush. The discovery of gold in the Klondike—a region in northwestern Canada—prompted thousands of gold seekers to head for the far north, all of them desperately in need of dogs to pull sleds across the harsh arctic trails. Buck, a large dog who has enjoyed a leisurely life on a California farm, is stolen and shipped to the Yukon. Buck learns to survive in this cruel environment; he begins to discover the primitive knowledge of his ancestors, and in time he responds to the call of the wild. Because the book focuses upon Buck’s experience, the human characters are of secondary importance. Buck is a magnificent dog, part shepherd and part St. Bernard. His superior strength enables him to adapt readily to the northern climate and the harsh demands of his labors. But he possesses one additional quality—imagination. Buck fights with his head as well as his strength. Adaptability is a dominant theme in this novel. In order to survive in the arctic, Buck must learn “the law of club and fang(牙齿)”. Buck is first taught this law by the club wielding sled drivers, who show him that the strongest individuals are the ones who rule. Buck also learns this primitive law from the other team dogs, such as Dave, Solleks, and the vicious team leader, Spitz. From them, Buck learns that he must either bite or be bitten, master or be mastered. 52. About this novel, which of the following statement is NOT true? A) The novel focused upon the experiences of a dog named Buck. B) The main theme was to tell its readers the life in the arctic wild. C) The book stressed the influences of environment on character. D) Creatures have to adapt to the changes on environment to survive.
53. We can draw from the passage that the “primitive character” within Buck refers to . A) Buck’s adaptability to the cruel wild life B) the learning of the law of club and fang C) Buck’s ability to fight with head and claw D) becoming the strongest individual to rule
54. The story was set primarily in. A) Klondike in CanadaB) a farm in California C) the YukonD) the wild in California
55. Buck learned to survive in the arctic by . A) its primitive character B) becoming the strongest C) the law of club and fang D) adapt itself to the cold arctic
56. According to the passage, which of the following statement is true? A) The Call of the Wild is about the relationship between men and dogs in the arctic. B) The Call of the Wild is a story about the wild west during the Gold Rush. C) Buck learned “the law of club and fang” by defeating its enemies. D) Buck managed to survive and became a leader.
