In 1834, the clock tower in London was burned down. People planned to build a new clock. So the clock had to be big and keep very good time. Several years later the tower was finished. The people put the big clock in the tower, and made it ring out for the first time on July 11, 1859.

In order to give the big clock a good name, people held a meeting. Someone wanted to call it the Queen of Bells, and someone thought Victoria was good. At last, a man named Benjamin Hall stood up. He was a big man. Before he started to speak, someone shouted, “Why not call it Big Ben?” Everybody laughed and agreed with him.

From then on, Big Ben became its name. And it also became a famous building of London. People all over the world write to Big Ben. They even send bottles of oil to help keep Big Ben running. Big Ben is not only a clock but also a dear friend of people.

1.When was the clock tower in London burned down?

A In 1834.

B In 1859.

C In 1889.

D In 2009.

解析：选A。A细节理解题。根据第一段的“In 1834, the clock tower in London was burned down.”可知，1834年，伦敦一座钟楼被烧毁。故选A。

2.How did Big Ben get its name?

A Benjamin Hall gave it the name.

B Big Ben got its name because of a joke.

C Big Ben got its name from the Queen of the UK.

D Victoria gave it the name.

解析：选B。B细节理解题。根据第二段的“At last, a man named Benjamin Hall stood up. He was a big man. Before he started to speak, someone shouted, ‘Why not call it Big Ben?’ Everybody laughed and agreed with him.”可知，Big Ben的名字来源于一个玩笑。故选B。

3.People send ____________________ to help keep Big Ben running.

A water

B oil

C milk

D pen

解析：选B。B细节理解题。根据“They even send bottles of oil to help keep Big Ben running.”可知，人们甚至送油来帮助大本钟运转。故选B。

4.Which of the following is NOT true?

A People all over the world look upon Big Ben as their friend.

B Big Ben becomes a famous building of London.

C People think Big Ben will reply to their letters.

D People think Big Ben is the biggest and the best clock in the world.

解析：选C。C细节理解题。选项A、B、D的叙述符合原文内容，而人们写信给Big Ben并不是想它能够回信，而是表达他们对它的敬仰。故选C。