阅读理解是高考英语试题的重中之重，正所谓“得阅读者得天下”。高考阅读理解试题，人物传记是该题型常考的文章类型。下文以2017年浙江高考卷英语阅读为范文，从重点词汇、长难句分析、语篇架构三方面来深入学习，进而在更高层次上把握高考阅读题。
Benjamin West,the father of American painting, showed his talent for art when he was only six years of age. But he did not know about brushes before a visitor told him he needed one. In those days ,a brush was made from camel’s hair. There were no camels nearby. Benjamin decided that cat hair would work instead. He cut some fur from the family cat to make a brush.
一、段，本杰明童年表现出画画的天赋 。
The brush did not last long. Soon Benjamin needed more fur. Before long, the cat began to look ragged （蓬乱）. His father said that the cat must be sick. Benjamin was forced to admit what he had been doing.
第二段，童年的本杰明为了拥有画笔经历的荒唐趣事。
The cat's lot was about to improve. That year, one of Benjamin’s cousins, Mr.Pennington, came to visit. He was impressed with Benjamin’s drawings. When he went home, he sent Benjamin a box of paint and some brushes. He also sent six engravings （版画）by an artist. These were the first pictures and first real paint and brushes Benjamin had ever seen.
第三段，本杰明终于拥有了真正的绘画工具。
In 1747，when Benjamin was nine years old，Mr.Pennington returned for another visit .He was amazed at what Benjamin had done with his gift. He asked Benjamin’s parents if he might take the boy to Philadelphia for a visit.
第四段，九岁的本杰明遇到了他绘画生涯的伯乐。
In the city, Mr.Pennington gave Benjamin materials for creating oil paintings.The boy began a landscape (风景) painting. Williams ,a well-known painter,came to see him work . Williams was impressed with Benjamin and gave him two classic books on painting to take home .The books were long and dull. Benjamin could read only a little,having been a poor student.But he later said,”Those two books were my companions by day,and under my pillow at night.”While it is likely that he understood very little of the books,they were his introduction to classical paintings.The nine-year-old boy decided then that he would be an artist.
第五段，本杰明的绘画人生正式扬帆起航。
（C）21. What is the text mainly about?
A. Benjamin’s visit to Philadelphia.
B. Williams’ influence on Benjamin.
C. The beginning of Benjamin’s life as an artist.
D. The friendship between Benjamin and Pennington.
(D)22. What does the underlined sentence in paragraph 3 suggest?
A. The cat would be closely watched.
B. The cat would get some medical care.
C. Benjamin would leave his home shortly.
D. Benjamin would have real brushes soon.
(B)23. What did Pennington do to help Benjamin develop his talent?
A. He took him to see painting exhibitions.
B. He provided him with painting materials.
C. He sent him to a school in Philadelphia.
D. He taught him how to make engravings.
(D)24. Williams’ two books helped Benjamin to ________.
A. master the use of paints
B. appreciate landscape paintings
C. get to know other painters
D. make up his mind to be a painter

重点词汇：
talent n.天资、才能；天才、人才
lot n. 命运、运气；
impress v. 给......以深刻印象；
oil painting 油画
dull adj. 无聊的
companion n. 同伴、伙伴
长难句解析：
1、 He asked Benjamin’s parents if he might take the boy to Philadelphia for a visit.
参考译文：他征求了本杰明的父母亲，是否能将这个孩子带到费城去参观学习。
本句包含了一个if引导的宾语从句。
2、While it is likely that he understood very little of the books,they were his introduction to classical paintings.
参考译文：尽管他可能基本上看不懂这些书，但它们却是他古典绘画的启蒙。
主句：they were his introduction to classical paintings.
让步状语从句：While it is likely that he understood very little of the books,
宾语从句that he understood very little of the books,被包含在让步状语从句中
本文是一篇人物传记，讲述了美国绘画之父作为一名画家之前的经历。
本文以时间为线索，Benjamin West,the father of American painting, showed his talent for art when he was only six years of age. 六岁的本杰明表现出了绘画的天赋；
That year, one of Benjamin’s cousins, Mr.Pennington, came to visit.那年，本杰明的一位表哥来访，送给了他人生中的一、套真正的绘画工具；
In 1747，when Benjamin was nine years old，Mr.Pennington returned for another visit .本杰明九岁那年遇到他人生的伯乐Mr.Pennington。
The nine-year-old boy decided then that he would be an artist.后一段中，这个九岁的男孩从此决定以后要当一名画家。